Foxes of War

POV...Penny

I walked through the snow in ruins of what looked like a medieval town. It was abandoned and I simply have been walking for months. I didn’t know Why or how I was able to go with very little food, but I suspected it was the Slug on my stomach.

“Thanks, You little stinker,” I muttered, rubbing where it was.

“Graaa!” I heard as a sword barely whiffed my tail. I whirled around, extractor out and my Incinerate! Plasmid ready to burn my Foe.

What I saw was some leather-skinned man in black robes and holding a short sword. He groaned and attacked me again. I blasted him with a fireball, running him through with my extractor and drawing out his blood! She What I got was black goo, the stuff just looked and felt nasty. It was not at all like the Amygdala.

I recoiled, before slashing the damn thing’s Head off! It convulses before dropping, then I notice more getting up ready to fight. I growled, emptying the extractor tube to prevent my body absorbing more of that bile, then drew my Sworn Rapiers, teleporting behind One of them and slashing in two, before slashing at the rest of them!

“Well, l think, that’s the...last of them.” I huffed as the last of them fell. I got back to walking, going south. I could tell I was in the North, from all the snow, Ice and the fact that the Undead, for lack of better term, was wearing the remains of Nordic furs under their shawls. “Those were, horrible.”

Then the hissing started and snake men started coming out of the snow at me. They looked like Dark Souls 2 enemies. I dodged attacks and teleported but these things were much tougher and then the Turtle Knight charged at me!

“Get down!” I heard a Voice yell before sniper round ripped the Turtle Knight’s head off. I looked to the gunner, trying to get a look. I spotted what looked like a bear holding a metallic black sniper rifle with blue shrouds and a boxy scope with blue cowling while wearing Hunter Gear from Destiny. “Get out of there!”

“Eh? Uh, Okay!” I yipped, avoiding another snake and running as the bear shot the Snakes.

“What are you doing in Drangleic?” The bear asked me as I got near. “This place is a dead zone from one of the old Kingdoms! We need to get you out!”

“This way Guardian!” His Ghost told me.

“Guardian? I… I didn’t know this place was a dead zone!” I yelped. “I was just trying to find civilization, and I didn't have a map!” I whined. “No compass either,” I added lamely.

“Well, you found us. We need to get moving before the tigers show up!” The bear snarled before he grabbed me and started running.

“Okay!” I yipped, before teleporting ahead of him and running alongside. “How bad is it!? And who are these Tigers?”

“Neat trick, Warlock. Keep running, we have a ship in that church!” He told me.

“The Darkness floods these lands.” the Ghost told us before a huge snow leopard rushed into our view, killing several unlucky guardians. “It has for countless centuries and all we know it that is came from what is called the Dark Souls and the First Flame. The Traveler has given us a blessing to keep it at bay from the rest of the world.”

“That Tiger! It used to be a pet for some king!” The bear yelled before we reached the church.

“Fuck! Tell me you got guns on that ship!” I whined.

“Yes, but I’m taking you to the wall for now. They can handle that battle. We Risen are not down for long, but neither are our foes.” He snarled, shooting at an undead in our way.

I threw a fireball at another undead, before deciding to test a theory, the fire in my veins being replaced by utter Cold mist as icicles formed in my hands. I Then aimed my Hand, ‘casting’ winter blast at a nearby undead, freezing it solid!

“Okay, you’re a weird Warlock.” He said as we moved to the ship. I leaped right up and landed on its top with a *Dunk*, then looked at him.

“I’m not a Warlock. Don't have a Ghost.” I said.

“Got it. Well, we’re leaving.” He said as his ship ported us both in. He took off and it was a day before we got to this Wall. The ruins I saw looked like they varied in age and crumbling structures. I think I saw Anor Londo down there just before I spotted a massive wall made out of metal and had an orb that looked like the Traveller behind it.

“Holy Fuck,” I said, staring at the sphere.

“That is the vesicle of the traveler. We’ll be in the tower in minutes. From there we can find out what you want to do.” The Ghost told us.

“Thanks.” I sighed as I looked out over the city, before a ship with Spade markings shot by us at a ridiculous speed! “Whoa! Who the Fuck!?” I yelped.

“Cayde-6.” The bear chuckled as we moved to a landing pad looking place on the Wall. I noticed an oddly slender, Female Bear glaring after the ship, while a tall armored male wearing a helmet with bull horns just watched impassively. “Looks like Ikora is not happy, and she brought Lord Shaax.”

“I guess.” I said, watching Ikora grumble about how ‘Cayde was going to be in trouble’.

The bear landed before taking off their helm, showing a robot face. “Name’s Zen-2. I hope you’ll enjoy staying in The Tower and the City.”

“Thanks,” I said as I looked out.

“Zen, who is this?” Ikora asked as she walked down.

“Don’t know, found her in the Drangleic Dead Zone. Near the edge of the Yharnam borders.” Zen-2 Explained. “She has some weird powers but is not a Guardian. I would suggest sending her south on a ship to the less hostile lands.”

“Less Hostile? They are at war with each other, and they’ve dragged their allies into it.” Shaax said with disappointment. I quietly listened to it, idly juggling a Fireball in my hand, trying to see if I could adapt my Plasmid to have better control. I also felt a little iffy after absorbing some of the Blood from that undead.

“We should also put her through transfusions in case she was affected,” Ikora told him as Zen-2 nodded and guided me away.

“Just making sure you are not to become one of the Undead.” He said as we walked away.

“Okay,” I said as I walked along. Hopefully, the Slug doesn't get mistaken for a Hive Worm. The last thing I need is to blast Guardians. Walking through the tower and noting all the guardians getting ready or leaving the battle. There was barely any goofing off as we did in the games. I also saw religions like a hall holding a statue of bird clutching a light, a wolf sitting in front of a tree, a dragon perched on a tower of gold, and a fox encased in flames.

“The gods we worship. Or some of us do.” Zen-2 told me. “It’s an old religion.”

“I see,” I said as I looked them over. “Are they all individual gods, united by a common belief?” I asked.

“Yes, Aurial, Goddess of light, the bird. Umbassa, the Goddess of Magic, Akata, God of Time, and Todesh, God of the Underworld.” He explained to me. “They have kept the evils of the world at bay, but some say not well enough if the Darkness exists.”

“Ah, Well, even Gods trip.” I shrugged. “After all, even the Traveller could only do So much before it was overwhelmed,” I said, nodding to the Traveller, which was almost exactly like the One from the game, it's interior exposed on the bottom.

“Yes, we all know that. But the Old Ways is strong with us. We pray to Todesh when we fight.” He explained as we walked into a lab. “Most of the Machines are controlled by AI, so it’s almost automatic.”

“Cool. Just a warning, So you guys don't freak out. You want to know about my powers?” I asked Zen-2.

“Not much. Just that it looks like a Warlock’s powers.” He told me as he worked at a Console.

“They're, from a Slug. A Slug that generates a substance called ADAM.” I said. “It… It basically gives me the power to regenerate from non-fatal injury, use powers and Basically enhance my body… But it also keeps me alive. If removed…”

“Well, we won’t kill it, if this parasite is what keeps you alive.” He said as the Machines looked me over. “Hmmm, well it looks like this slug is curing you of the Darkness, though anymore and it could have been overwhelmed. It also looks like slugs we have in the sea near us.”

“Oh. That maybe it's cousins.” I said. “They Create ADAM, a substance that alters the genetic structure of a person “ I explained. “They don't produce much without a Host, though,” I said. “And… If too much is taken and the person doesn't have a Slug, They Start to… Well, go Mad while physically deforming.”

“I see. Ikora has been studying them since she encountered someone named Andrew from the Diamond Dogs. He was muttering about him and his wife was going to build some city under the sea.” He explained.

“Is there One?” I asked. “There… haven't been any disappearances of Children, have there?”

“No, not that I know of. And the Hippogryphs may know more though, they were an undersea race,” he said showing me a picture of a seahorse looking race as the Machines stopped. “They can allow land dellewers to trade. If you decide to leave, you could ask them questions. And anyway, such a city would be built in the great Ocean separating Equus and Borrow.”

“Sounds like the Pacific Ocean back home,” I said, grimacing at the thought. “I recommend checking near the undersea trenches. They may be there. Not in it, just near it.” I said. “And honestly, I am just Glad This suit allows undersea Travel,” I remarked.

“Well, we’re not actively looking for them. Too busy dealing with the Darkness here.” He told me as we walked out.

“True,” I said. “So, what next?”

“Well, you could stay the night. Or we can set you up with a ship to anywhere you would like to go.” He told me.

“That can be tomorrow. I… Had a rough few months.” I said.

“The Dorms are this way,” Zen said leading me this way.

“Thank you,” I said as I followed, noting some Guardians rushing by, a group of Six, Two of each being One of the Three classes, Two titans, Two Warlocks and two Hunters.

“Looks like they’re doing a Raid on the Throne of Want,” Zen commented.

“Oh. Hope it goes Well.” I said. “What do they get from it, besides beating back the Darkness for a bit?”

“A gift from the Monarch of Want. Someone sealed in the Throne, trying to fight back the Darkness themselves.” He told me.

“Okay?” I said as we stopped at a Room.

“Well, have a good rest.” He told me. “See you in the morning miss.”

“Thanks, Zen-2,” I told him, as I entered the Room. The room itself was not very private, with five other guardians sleeping in here. The open bed didn’t have a name so I guessed it was the one I was using.

I figured it was due to the war. I laid down on the bed, removing my helmet and placing it on the bedside, then laid my Head down. The next few hours were peaceful sleep till I heard the Guardians getting up.

“Hey, come on New Guy we got an attack on the tower going on!” One of the Guardians yelled at me.

“Eh!?” I yipped, struggling to my feet and grabbing my helmet.

“Red Legion Undead! They came out of nowhere and started attacking the wall. They have soldiers in the tower!” Another yelled before a sword went through his chest. I yelped, before incinerating the Undead behind him, casting several Electro Bolts that made my fur stand on end under my suit!

“Mortar!” yelled another as our dorm ended destroyed by a boulder. I blinked in shock as I put my helmet on, as the group and I killed our way through the tower. Guardians were dropping like flies while we tried getting out of the Towers, though I was able to surprise a Few Undead by freezing them.

“You five! Get to the Armory! Gear up!” Shaax told us as he pried open a door. “I’ll get these civilians to safety!”

“Thank you, Lord Shaxx!” The leader told him as we rushed by. The Guardians immediately went to work arming themselves as siren blared.

“Sector 2: lost, Sector 7: Lost, Sector 17: Lost, Sector 5: lost…” The loudspeaker yelled as they finished.

“Crap! They’re in the City!” One Guardian yelled.

“We’ll worry about that once the tower is secure and we can get a damn foothold!” The leader yelled as we pushed out of the armory. This was insane, how were Guardians just...losing?! This would never have happened in Destiny! The Hive was not this big a threat till Oryx got his dreadnaught into play!

“Look! It’s Zavala! He’s holding off undead from getting to the Civil-Evac!” A Guardian yelled as we got to the main landing ground. I could see Zen-2 and Eris Morn fighting with him, the three eyes’d Guardian looked more dragon-like though as she fired her assault rifle down range.

“You! GET OVER HERE!” Zavala commanded as he formed a Void Bubble. We rushed over just as Zen-2 summoned his golden gun and fired shots into the Undead, burning a dozen. Eris snarled, before a Nova Bomb flew from her maw and slammed into another group killing a dozen more, but it wasn’t enough, they just kept spawning from Portals that smelled of decay.

I growled, before Teleporting above the enemies and letting loose what I could only describe as an ear-piercing screech, firing a storm of fireballs, Electro-bolts, Winter Blasts and throwing My foes around with Telekinesis as I tore into them with my Sworn Rapiers!

“By Todish!” One Guardian yelled, before focusing fire on a large armored group. Even with my help, the battle raged for an hour till the Portals closed and Zavala sighed in partial relief. Even if we lost one of the Titans and hunters that were with us.

“Okay, you Four, get to Ikora, she’s checking on the Speaker, and may need help.”

“Where was Cayde?” I asked.

“He reported on the Radio that his... The little outing was on a rumor about this!” Zavala growled. “He heard something from a scout about a new Turtle legion rising up.”

“Great, The Undead Turtle Variant, they’re always fun to repel.” A Warlock from the dorm huffed, not having the helmet on to show them to be a blue-furred bear.

“Why are So few of you reviving?” I asked as I did a Headcount to see we were missing a few.

“What do…” A hunter said, before looking down at the teammates in worry. “Hey, Chase?” they said, poking at the Titan, before I picked up an angular shard of Metal, making them stare in horror.

“What's This?” I asked.

“His Ghost...it’s...it’s dead.” The unhelmeted Warlock muttered before throwing up. “He’s dead, he’s actually...the Traveler! Why is it’s…!” We all looked to the God-like Sphere over The City, which was on fire below the white sphere.

“Because even Gods bleed, and have flaws. And the Ghosts are no different.” I said. “Try to avoid letting the enemy aim at your ghosts!” I yelled at them.

“What is that in the City They're setting up?” A Hunter pointed out as Zen and Eris started moving towards the Speaker’s location.

“Oh no…” I gasped, remembering the trailers. “Don't let that thing deploy! Destroy it immediately!” I barked out.

“I’m already having Titans making an attack, look,” Zavala said before huge red metal knights started attacking the Titans as they tried to get the object down.

“Where are the AA Guns!? The heavy artillery!?” I yelled, throwing a Large Rock at several Cabal.

“The want? You mean trebuchets?” A Titan asked.

“I… YOU DON'T HAVE CANNONS!?” I howled in disbelief. “You have Handguns and Sniper rifles but never thought you needed Cannons!?”

“Uh...we found most of these in Caches of Everlasting Dragons.” A Warlock muttered.

“ARRRRGGGH!!!” I howled, my power grabbing a ruined pillar and I threw it in frustration… Which tore through several unlucky Cabal ships and smashed against the object, but otherwise not harming it.

“Is that one?” A Hunter asked, pointing to a huge barrel near the Speaker’s tower. “We found it but could never get it working.

“Fuck it, it’ll do!” I groaned, before running to it and ripped a panel covering the electronics. I started fiddling with it, connecting tubes, replacing wires, and using shards of Ghost at some points, before I heard the device whined to life. “Alright, let’s see what you can do!”

Aiming the Cannon, I targeted the Object that was being built and hit the Trigger. Once that happened, the rear of the Cannon howled and the barrel glowed red, as I saw blue particles collecting at the end of it with a crackling sound. I blinked in shock as the Plasma round was forced down range, melting through everything that got in its way. The crater it made, damaged the Object being built, but not destroying it entirely.

“Fucking hell, we had that pointed at the city!” the other helmeted Warlock gasped in panic.

“How many more rounds. Even if we can’t save the city, we can delay that thing so we can move the Civilians to a new location and fight on an even footing.” Zen-2 asked, looking at me.

“Ikora where is the Speaker?” Eris asked.

“He’s gone! They Killed him!” The white bear yelled in anguish from the site of the ruined Tower near us, before rushing a group of the legion and tearing into them with a sword.

“I… Three more, then we’ll have to leave it!” I Growled. “Is there anything that looks like a weak point on it!?” I snarled.

“The Center? We don’t know, we’ve never had this happen in the eight hundred years we’ve built the City!” a Warlock suggested in frustration.

“Fuck it!” I snarled, as I fired the Second shot, ‘throwing’ a Cabal dropship into another to keep them off me. The round soared and hit it's marked, making the structure glow and spark, but these little wolf undead just kept repairing it from what I could see.

At that, I just started throwing whatever rubble I could Find at the object as I started the next shot, This seeming to Work to a least slow their repairs.

“Zavala’s sending us to the Command ship to take it down. I know we have Skyships, but how did the legion build something so big!” Zen-2 muttered in panic as he and the others left. Only Eris staying to guard me.

“You think they Fucking had taken Tech from the Everlasting lizards and kept relying on it all the way here!?” I snarked as I knocked One Wolf right off the ship and fired the shot.

“Many of us are...young in our views and hadn’t looked into the forces that oppose us. The Legion is of a world that the Everlasting Dragons had once colonized, But no one will believe me. The fact that they’ve learned dark magic and are using those with the Dark Sign is not good.” Eris snarled, holding a hand over her chest.

“In more ways than One,” I growled as I dropped a convenient statue on the Object, actually piercing the softened metal and making the Undead chatter in frustration, giving me a mild sensation of vindication.

“I actually looked on the EDE Reports on the Legion, they had been pets to the dragons, unlike the bear Exos who were workers. The fact we were all part of their empire at one time or another is...shocking sometimes. All but the Traveler that is, or the Old Gods we all worship.” She muttered as she shot at several Legion coming at us.

I shoved a Large globe down the stairs, making them shout before they were flattened by the sphere, then fired the Cannon at the Object, melting the statue onto the Object and hearing the shrieks of anger get louder.

“Nice job. We need at least seven hours for full Evac. whatever they’re doing to the Traveler can’t happen in that time.” Zavala said, moving up to us, his arm bleeding.

“They're trying to Seal the Traveller. Don't know how, or what effects it may have on your lot, but I doubt it Would be nice! That Machine,” I pointed at the damaged Machine. “Is the key to their plan. It's Why I want it destroyed.”

“Shit, we need to keep it down, but they just keep coming. Maybe if we take out their commander…” Zavala said looking at the...I just recognized it, a CSO Supercarrier. “They should become disorganized by that.”

“Well, it may work… and if it's relatively intact when taken out…” I said, thinking of Star Wars. “It may be stupid, but I hope it works!” I growled,

“What’s that light coming from the bottom?” Eris pointed out, looking to the front of the ship.

“Think I better take the shot there!” I growled, aiming the Cannon at it, before pulling the trigger. The Carrier’s plasma Projector ignited and the front end of the ship started to melt in the shield, slowly making the ship list down into the city.

“Hope This Works!” I growled, before holding my hands out, and focusing on the ship, feeling the strain as it started to list towards the Object. I faintly heard the barks of panic from the Undead as I forced the ship towards the Object!

“The City is lost! Full Evac in effect!” The loudspeaker barked out as the ship Hit the object, thankfully I spotted Zen and his team gets out before the ship finished crashing. In fact, there were a lot of Guardian ships leaving. “This is Cayde-6, I’m issuing a full Evac, We have legions of true Undead bearing down on the wall, Vex porting in just behind them! We can’t keep the city! We’ll let them fight it out as we regroup!”

I was Barely standing, the strain I felt from forcing a Massive Destroyer to divert a crash course too much to even focus on what Cayde was saying as the Two Ships started to explode.

“Centurion!” Zavala yelled as automata from Skyrim of all things, with a white goop in its chest, TELEPORTED In. “Focus fire!”

“Why the hell did it just use magic?!” I groaned as the reactor went up on the Carrier.

“They’ve always done this. They also manipulate and alert the Fire Lords.” Eris growled. “One of the only enemies we know for sure was not part of the ED Empire!”

“Why are we not running from the blast?” I asked. Zavala looked to the door behind the Centurion that had a ship waiting for us.

“It just blocked our exit.” He huffed as he fired at it, trying to move around.

“Piece of Shit!” I groaned, before I just swung my Hand, hoping to cast something.

I did not expect to cast a Seeker Grenade. It exploded on the Automata, and made the goop casing explode, making it crash to the Ground.

“If another comes, do that immediately!” Zavala ordered as he ran to the ship, gun up as Eris rushed me out of the Speaker’s area, the flames from the explosion getting closer.

I whined, wanting to just get out of here at This point!

We all got into the ship, a Fox named Holiday commented on us cutting it close as she sped out of the city. Looking out a viewport, I could see three armies duking it out, But it looked like the Red Legion was still winning.

At least the Legion’s Weapon, whatever it was, was out of action since it was at Ground zero of the reactor explosion. I laid back, just wanting to sleep, and maybe get food. I had a headache…