Blank Slate Ch.26: Crucible

Table of Contents https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/225386550/0/0 My ship darted through the sky, followed closely by Keis' and Welkine's as we made our way to our Crucible match. Blanc's voice carried over the comms, starting the conversation, "So, Keis is a Sunsinger now." "Really?" Welkine's voice returned. "Since when?" I questioned, intrigued. We'd all noticed by now that Keis was explicitly a Voidwalker. "Well," Blanc began, "I've told you all about Null." "Yes, you went on a mission with him and Yvan," I pushed, "What about him?" "Last time we were with Nulluj," Blanc continued, "He brought up Keis being only a Voidwalker, and suggested Keis practice using Solar energy. So Keis practiced, and he got used to it really quickly. Null says he's got a knack for it." "Of course," I said, "It's pretty easy to tell that Keis is good at using the Light. I mean, you've seen him fight. Keis, you're great." "Thank you, Ilya," Keis replied. "It's just in time, too, Keis," Blanc added, "You get to test being a Sunsinger in our first Crucible match." "Wait, you've never fought in the Crucible?" I asked. "Never," Blanc affirmed. I leaned back in the seat of my ship, amazed. "That's crazy," Welkine murmured. "You know, Keis," Hae informed, "The Crucible is excellent for combat training, since other Guardians are more deadly than most of our individual enemies." "Keis and I just never wanted to do it," Blanc replied. "Fair enough," I acknowledged, "Keis clearly doesn't need extra practice." "Yeah, from your perspective, Ilya," Welkine whined jokingly, "You keep saying he's like some kind of killing machine, but the rest of us haven't even seen him fight. All we've done together is patrols. And, considering how Keis is, the description just doesn't fit." "Why doesn't it fit?" Blanc questioned. "Well..." Welkine pondered, "Absolutely no offense to you, Keis, but you're a really mellow guy. Like, REALLY mellow. Don't get me wrong, though, you look super intimidating." "No offense taken," Keis responded. "See!" Welkine exclaimed, "Super mellow! You understand me, right, Ilya?" I nodded to myself before I realized that they couldn't see me, since we were each in our own ships, then answered, "Yeah, I do. But first impressions are important. And, when I first saw him, he was killing Fallen." "Well, I can shoot Fallen, too," Welkine defended. "Keis wrestled a Baroness," I countered. ".....Dang...." Welkine said, "Wrestled? That is hardcore." "We're glad you agree," Blanc chimed. "We'll be at the arena in a minute," Welkine's Ghost informed. "Alright, thanks, Ghost," Welkine acknowledged. "Oh, that reminds me," Blanc remembered, "Could you give us the rundown on what we'll do?" "Sure," I answered, "Keis, you're on a team with Welkine and me. We're against three other Guardians. One of the groups is team Alpha; the other is Bravo." "Whoever gets the most kills wins," Welkine added. "Yes," I agreed, "It's really simple. If one of us dies, we have two options. First, you can let your Ghost-" "That's me," Blanc chirped. "-You let your Ghost revive you in a safe location," I finished, "Then you can try to get back to us. Second, if one of us stays next to you, Blanc is allowed to revive you right there." "Seems straightforward," Blanc said, "Anything else?" "Oh," Welkine interjected, "When the round starts, we all transmat to the starting point, and one of us randomly gets a flag to plant in the ground." "Why?" Blanc inquired. "It's for show," Hae answered, "People view the matches. Shaxx, Factions with representatives and potential representatives playing, and gamblers." "Okay," Blanc said, "Keis, you didn't blank, did you?" "No," Keis replied. "Good," Blanc mumbled, then paused before shouting happily, "I'm so excited!" I giggled at her enthusiasm, and Welkine seemed to chuckle, too. We waited quietly until our jumpships slowed down and began to lose altitude. "We're here!" Hae announced, and we transmatted. Shaxx's voice boomed on the comms, announcing the beginning of the match, "The game is Skirmish, Guardians." My boots landed firmly in the dirt, kicking up dust. Keis stood next to me, and Welkine was in front with a blue Bravo flag in his hand. He hefted it and stabbed it down. The pole hit a rock, deflecting to the side. It dug into the ground at an angle, nearly causing Welkine to fall over. His Ghost laughed, and I struggled not to as he regained his composure. I took in our surroundings. We were in the area called Exodus Blue. Destroyed buildings littered the area, which was filled with discarded equipment and banners left by the House of Devils, who had previously occupied it. "Alright," I directed, pointing at the structure that lined the side of the arena, "We need to get in there. Be careful not to get shot." We sprinted into the building, staying low and behind cover, then up a staircase and into a room. Two columns, a crate, and a wall created cover. Two gaping holes in the wall led outside, one of which opened to the direction we had come from. The other created a tunnel leading towards our opponents' starting point. There was a further room connected to the one we occupied, beyond the columns, which I knew had another crate. "Behind the columns," I ordered, "Carefully." Welkine stepped up to the nearest pillar and leaned against it. Keis dashed to the further one, and a loud bang sounded from the far room. Keis made it to his place as the bullet hit the wall behind me. They looked at me expectantly. "Keis," I said, "Watch the tunnel. Welkine, we'll get that sniper." Keis turned and aimed his hand cannon outside. I dived and rolled behind the crate, which was too far to the side for our opponents to see. I slid over it and crept to the small frame of wall that kept me hidden and separated the two rooms. "Ready?" Welkine asked. Our comms were connected and our helmets were set to mute our voices, so we didn't have to worry about our plans being heard. "Now!" I signaled, leaning out and aiming my pulse rifle at the crate, where I knew the sniper would be hiding. The sniper rifle fired again, and Hae warned, "Guardian down!" I stepped out to flank the sniper, but another Guardian suddenly jumped out from the opening at the opposite side of the room. He unleashed a spray of bullets from his auto rifle, and I ducked back. "Keis," I commanded, "Revive Welkine." Keis rolled to Welkine's position, and another bullet pounded the wall behind him. Within a few seconds, Welkine's Ghost revived him. He and Keis remained together behind the pillar. "Keis," I said, "I'm gonna throw a grenade. After it goes off, you throw one, and we attack. Welkine, watch our backs." "Okay," Welkine grunted. I drew Void Light into my hand, and a purple ball of energy formed. The grenade would explode twice. Quickly tossing the explosive between the door and the crate, I readied my weapon. The grenade let lose a burst of energy just as the sniper rolled away, into my sight. Keis' orange grenade sailed past me as my explosive went off again, keeping the Guardian outside at bay. I advanced, firing bursts of three bullets at the sniper, a Titan who scrambled and rolled in an attempt to dodge. I shot his head, and he dropped dead as Keis' grenade exploded. I hurried behind the crate, knowing the second opponent would be coming in. The attacker lunged into the room, shooting a barrage around the crate. I had enough time to see she was a Hunter before I had to crouch behind my barrier. The gunshots stopped and I peeked out. A knife sailed over my head and embedded itself in the wall. Forcing myself not too flinch, I raised my gun, taking in my surroundings. The Huntress was recovering from her knife throw, and I knew I'd have enough time to shoot her. Keis was in the space between the two rooms, aiming his hand cannon at the Huntress. But he hadn't shot her, yet. I stopped in confusion. Noticing my stupor, the Huntress followed my gaze. "Is... he alright?" She asked hesitantly. "Keis?" Blanc inquired on the comms. Keis tilted his gun, studying it thoughtfully, and said, "I've never shot a Guardian before." The Huntress carefully raised her gun, ready to defend herself, and asked, "What?" I sighed, "Sorry. Guess its hard to teach an old dog new tricks." Before the Huntress could ask me what I meant, I shot her head. Her corpse crumpled to the floor. "Keis," Blanc consoled, "It's training. There's nothing wrong with it." Keis nodded, "I know. It's hard to get used to. I'll adapt." "Okay, then," Blanc said, "Let's-" "Someone's coming my wa-" Welkine announced, cutting off as gunfire rang out from the way we had come. We rushed in just as Welkine's Ghost warned, "Guardian down."