"Thank you, Banshee." Zara grasped her bow; its string having just been changed by the gunsmith's skillful hands. "Would you prefer that I pay in Glimmer?"

"Send my regards to the Scorn, it'll be enough."

The Warlock smiled and placed a handful of shiny cubes on the counter. The Exo gazed at them for a moment and then placed them in the case, grumbling.

Zara walked away, letting other Guardians take her place. On the other side of the plaza, a group of Hunters were showing off in front of Tess. She could hear the shouts of Lord Shaxx, the monotone voice of the frames, rumors of wormspore smuggling. Koryl flew up to her, the sunlight reflecting off the ends of his shell.

"I sent our report to the Vanguard."

"And?"

"Well, the classic answer: Zavala thanked me with a sigh, and Ikora remained impassive."

Zara nodded sadly. "It's not like we're bringing extraordinary news..."

"I'm not finished. The Commander thinks you should take a day off. The curse repeats itself in three days, and you haven't stopped lately. To be honest, I agree with him."

"When do you disagree with Zavala?"

"When Ikora decides to act in another direction."

"I can't stay at the Tower doing nothing. The Hidden need help on Io..."

"Then you can help within the City. Gather ammunition reserves, distribute food, and you know, get some sleep."

"Where are the others?"

"Willow is on patrol on the Shore and Jayden is hunting Nightmares on Luna. They should be back soon too."

"Well..." Zara massaged her shoulder, as if the healing of her Ghost didn't erase the pain caused by this Taken projectile. "I guess we can wait for them here."

The duo went to the hangar. Their jumpship, damaged during their last expedition, was suspended by magnetic restraints, and half a dozen frames were busy sealing breaches in the hull and replacing components hit by enemy fire. As she approached, Amanda Holliday emerged from the cockpit. She tried to wipe an oil stain from her cheek with the back of her hand, which was itself covered in grime, and only managed to smear the stain on her face. The mechanic shrugged and noticed the Warlock:

"Hey, Zara! What can I do for you?"

"I'm returning the question to you, Amanda. I have some free time, maybe I can help with repairs..."

"Nah, we're almost done." The shipwright took one look at the tablet hanging from her belt and pouted. "Your bird will be ready to fly in an hour. If you want to help, I think Saint needs a hand with something. He's downtown."

Zara nodded and walked around the sanctuary where the Grey Pigeon was laid to one of the elevators that went down the Wall. A transport picked them up at the foot of the structure and took them to the heart of the City.

They had no trouble locating the Titan, which had left a trail of seeds and happy faces in its way. These days, the atmosphere was not festive: Darkness had invaded the system, Rasputin was no longer responding, and the people of the City feared at any time to see the dark fleet obscuring the sky. Far above their heads, the Traveler remained desperately silent. Zara remembered the animosity she had had against the Speaker, especially at the time of Osiris' exile, but she had to admit that his presence had a reassuring side. As for her "son", she had not known him before his disappearance, but had heard the legends surrounding him and knew how much his return to the City meant to everyone.

A child's laughter caught her attention. It had become rare to hear them, their parents preferring to keep them at home, confined in relative safety but still significant to their eyes.

Zara turned a corner and discovered Saint-14, standing in the middle of a large square decorated with a fountain. A little girl dressed in a faded dress stood balanced on his shoulders, the powerful hands of the Titan embracing his frail waist like a protective cocoon. The girl hardly ever had to see the world from so high, and her eyes were sparkling with wonder beneath her blonde mane. Next to the giant stood an Awoken, keeping a watchful eye on his daughter. He didn't look as serene as his expression would have one believe, but he trusted the Guardian, who eventually laid down his precious burden.

The little girl then took a lavender ribbon out of her pocket and timidly asked for permission. Saint nodded softly and put one knee on the ground, letting her tie the accolade on his armor. He patted the child's head affectionately and let her join her father, then sat down on the edge of the fountain.

"Guardian!" His deep voice echoed behind his helmet. "Stop growing roots and come and sit beside me!"

Zara realized that she had remained planted on the spot and rushed to the Exo. The water from the fountain was gurgling peacefully in their backs. Eyes turned to them, but she knew they were headed for Saint.

"So, he said, what brings you, uh..." The Titan put his chin on his fist, seemingly thinking. "Tell me, will you remind me of your names? It's just that I haven't been here for very long..."

"My name is Koryl, and this is Zara! "The Ghost circled around its Guardian and rested on her shoulder. "Amanda told us that you needed help, Saint."

"Help? No, it's only a small favor. You see, I like to be accompanied by Guardian Brothers and Sisters during my pilgrimages."

"A pilgrimage?" Zara frowned. "Where are you going to commune?"

"Oh, but I've already reached my destination!" Saint 14 spread his arms, embracing the fountain, the passers-by, and then the whole square. "I have come to meet the people of the City. What do you say you come with me?"

"Well..."

"With joy!" Koryl cut her off. "You have to carry this sack of seeds, don't you?"

The Ghost positioned himself under the handle of the thick fabric sack and barely lifted it up, dragging the bottom into the dust.

"You see? Easy!"

The thunderous laughter of Saint echoed on the surrounding walls, and Zara could have sworn she saw ripples forming in the fountain.

"I like the two of you!" The Titan stood up, threw a second sack of seeds on his shoulder, and reached out a gloved hand to the Warlock. Zara smiled, grabbed the hold offered to her, and let out an exclamation of surprise as she practically took off from the ground under the giant's powerful thrust.

"Let's go, my little feathered friends must be starving."

Hours passed that Zara could not count. Saint asked her countless questions about the Dreaming City, about the curse that the Warlock returned to fight each week, about the Awoken she had met. The Titan told her stories about the Trials of Osiris, which he was conducting, and his adventures within the City and beyond. They talked about the other Guardians, the members of her fireteam, the prowess of the Hero of the Red War. She shared her doubts and fears about the conflicts to come. He showed her his unshakeable love for the City and its people, winged or not.

They sowed seeds on their way, attracting the beloved birds of the Titan. Some perched on his shoulders. Saint's laughter made the walls tremble as birds began to peck at Koryl's shell, the poor Ghost frightened by the dangerous predators.

Pigeons were not the only ones to benefit from the presence of the colossus. Children asked him to play with them, adults to help them carry crates of material. At every street corner, Saint collected a new purple accolade.

By the time they reached the center of the city, where the alabaster sphere was closest to the Earth, the night had long since fallen. Koryl rose into the sky, seeking to get closer to his creator. Zara's body resented him for keeping walking, but her spirit was still vibrant. However, the sight of the inert god filled her again with a dark melancholy.

"Saint..." She raised her eyes to the sky. "I admire your optimism, really! But..."

"Those Pyramids are haunting you, aren't they?" The Titan stood before her. Between the Traveler and the giant in armor, she felt even smaller. But somehow this feeling was comforting.

"The Darkness is here. It has invaded our planets, whispering to us in our sleep... Not so long ago, I was on Io to investigate the movements of the Scales, and..." The memory brought an icy shiver up her spine. "All of a sudden Koryl started talking in a voice that wasn't his own. He didn't even have time to fight it. I tried my best not to listen, but I can't ignore their words anymore."

A lump formed in her throat. "Why does the Traveler not react? Why does he leave us defenseless?"

Saint 14 raised his head, contemplating the sphere suspended above the world. His helmet wasn't showing any emotion.

"Zara, did you know that the Traveler has erected a shield around the City to protect us from the debris of the Almighty?" The Warlock nodded. "He's giving us the choice. Thanks to him, we are free to forge our own destiny. The Guardians are defenseless because they are the ones who protect what is worth protecting. You are the sword and shield of the Light. When the time comes, the Traveler will do the right thing, too."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I'm not. But I choose to have faith, and to fight. This is the most valuable lesson that the Young Wolf taught me. Did I ever tell you that he saved my life twice on that day, on Mercury?"

"Yes. He showed you why we were fighting."

Saint unhooked one of the lavender ribbons and stapled it to Zara's bond, where a symbol in the shape of the Ace of Spades was still shining.

"Never forget."