Exploring Nessus

A pure briny white stream of luminescent fluid glimmering with electric energy swirling atop the surface uneasily, and stretching far throughout the horizon. Bathed completely under the comforting bright green-ish blue skies of the planet Nessus, flowing in an unusual orderly pattern yet continuing in one direction. One that eventually reaches upon an edge of a cliff, roaring its final cry as it pours down into the endless abyss awaiting below. Yet no matter how long, no matter the time of day, no matter what’s happening around it… it’ll forever continue flowing straight down.

The sight was one to witness for those that dare to trek across the treacherous vibrant red lands of the war machines, unless…

“This. Is. AMAZING!!!” An ecstatic metallic feminine voice rang out for all to hear.

“Thought you’d like it.” Another more masculine voice chuckled with an amused tone.

You're these two.

Upon a large oddly solid square rock that’s firmly planted on the very edge of the white waterfall as streams of fluid continue pouring down on either side of it. Stood a lone Guardian, covered head to toe in a mix of brown and green fabric of that of a jungle with singular armored chest piece and shoulder pads acting as protection. He wore a hood and cape that reached all the way down past his waistline, hiding away the helmet underneath as a gold visor gazed outwards at the view. Floating next to him was his loyal Ghost companion, a small sapient white-shell machine, eagerly zipping around to soak in the environment and everything it had to offer.

The Ghost sole glowing blue eye within its shell stares widely at the waterfall. “It’s just as incredible as when we first saw it.” She blissfully sighed.

“Only this time,” Her Guardian spoke, drawing her attention back towards him settling down on the ground comfortably. “We’ve got all day to enjoy it.”

Her shell fluttered happily. “I… thank you, Luke. I really appreciate you taking the time to do this for me.” She says gratefully, hovering herself down besides him.

His hand gently brushes against her shell, which she leans against. “After everything you’ve done for me, Snow? It’s the least I can do, besides today’s all about you.” He states with a smile, before fully laying down with his arms behind his head.

A peaceful silence overlapped the pair as they merely enjoyed each other’s presences with the soothing stream nearby acting as their own lullaby. Snow continued to watch it all, amazed that such a place as Vex Milk Waterfall even existed and closed her one eye to fully embrace the experience for all its worth. Moments like these were quite rare for them, due to constantly being called on to deal with whatever threat decides to point their guns at humanity. Whether it’d be fighting on our turf or there’s… they’ve never had the time to just relax and explore the planet’s they visited.

“I wish we could do this more often.” She said, wishfully thinking of all the other locations she’d love to sightsee.

“Yeah.” Luke softly breathes out in agreement.

“We’re always on mission’s one after another these days.” Snow continued on, recalling the countless assignments they’ve been put on recently. “Maybe we can ask Zavala for some time off?”

“If only.” The Guardian scoffed out.

Snow turned away from the spectacular view and shifted her gaze down at him quizly. “What do you mean?” She questioned, caught off a bit by his almost subtle peeved tone.

“Ah, it’s nothing.” Luke casually assures her, titling his head slightly in her direction. “Let’s just continue enjoying the view.”

Once again the silence took over between them only this time Snow’s eye remained on the Guardian who she’s been through thick and thin together with. Snow can still recall the day she first resurrected Luke, remembering the absolute joy coursing through her light when she finally found him. She always feared she’d never find her Guardian after centuries of searching, especially when other ghosts eventually found theirs… just fearing each day she’d never find him. Until one day, _she finally did! _Snow always knew that together they’d be so much more, but she never expected to become legends!

Of course it’s arguable every ghost dream for them and their Guardian to become something of themselves… to be _more _than what they are. Snow fondly thinks back to the memories of their first time as partners, stumbling - Well, running from the Fallen more accurately - through an Old Russian Cosmodrome. Witnessing first hand as her Guardian dispatched the Fallen one after the other, swiftly and effectively, as if he’d lived and breathed on the battlefield. A lethality he brought to any threats standing between him and his objective, silently ending numerous battles as he stood victorious as a Guardian.

Sure there were countless other Guardians in the sol system, but with his type of reputation he’s become The Guardian… more importantly her Guardian.

Which is why she’s able to tell that there’s something off with him, despite his blent attempt to act as nothing we’re wrong if his tone earlier wasn’t a big enough clue. What most don’t know is that behind his whole silent and deadly image lies a compassionate young man, one who - annoyingly - prefers to hide how things really affect him. He’s a caring person, too caring one could say, and honestly could use a bit more confidence in himself, thankfully for him she’s here to make up for it. And she’ll admit it’s frustrating half the time trying to encourage Luke to open up, but over the years Snow’s learnt that the best way is to just be more direct with him.

“Alright helmet off.” Snow declares.

Before Luke could utter a single word of protest his helmet materializes away against his will, revealing the pale human hidden behind the golden visor. Snow took a good look at what’d be considered an average white homosapien male amongst humanity’s species, but it's a face she’s always admired. His hood slipped down his neck as he leaned back up, revealing his short unkempt light brown hair perfectly sat atop his head, smothered all day underneath the hunter’s helmet. Yet her favourite feature thus far were the coloured gray eyes that met with her own one singular digital light blue one, always holding a kind softness towards her.

Snow floated in front of Luke’s face, ensuring their eyes were locked together. “Now, what’s wrong?” She questions, determined to get to the bottom of this.

Already knowing what he’s gotten himself into, Luke simply lets out a tired sigh. “It’s nothing, alright. Don’t worry about it.” He tries reassuring his ghost, smiling all good-naturedly that’d convince anyone else that everything’s just peachy.

Not her though. “Uh huh. You want to tell me what’s really bothering you?” Snow continued pushing.

His smile falters a bit, unable to fully meet her look now. “Snow, I… I don’t want to ruin your day because of something insignificant.” He told her, mumbling off at the end.

“Our day.” She corrects, gently poking his forehead with her shell, drawing his eyes back up towards her own. “And nothing is insignificant when it comes to you Luke.”

And it’s true.

Time again and again Snow’s convinced after everything they’ve seen, everything they’ve accomplished… that she’s made the right choice with him. Not once is he ever afraid to step forward where others hesitate, always ready to seek out whatever opportunity presents itself to face the next challenge. It’s an attitude of his that sometimes _frightens _the other Guardians, even when hearing of how he’s capable of handling any situation solo… that she might’ve bragged about. You can’t blame her for being so so proud of how far Luke’s come since his first resurrection, and knows deep within her light she’ll be by his side every step onwards.

Snow just wishes that Luke himself could take one look in the mirror and notice the same thing she herself and _practically _everyone else sees in him. But unfortunately she’ll have to stick with having to voice his own confidence, until eventually all the lingering worries wedged in his head fades away.

“...Fine, you win.” Luke finally gives in under her unwavering stare, resting his arms across his drawn up knees. “I guess I’m just a bit… tired of it all.”

“Of what?” Snow asked, tilting her shell to the side curiously.

“Everything.” He breathes out heavily, waving both of his hands out wide in the air for emphasis. “Zavala, the Vanguard, the constant fights, the same old rewards, hell just… everything really.”

This… this is not quite what Snow expected to hear. “What do you mean?” She inquired with a note of worry.

Luke’s lips tighten as he simply sits there pondering over his next words. “I don’t know, it’s just that… why’s it always us having to deal with these things?” He shares with her, carrying a hint of exhaustion as he speaks.

“Because it’s our duty? To protect humanity and the Last City?” Snow answered unsurely.

“Or because I’m a convenient tool at hand to throw at the enemies.” Luke muttered bitterly, staring off somewhere else.

Snow frowned hearing this and zipped back into his line of sight. “You know that’s not true. What’s got you thinking like that?” She asked him, concerned about these thoughts of his.

Luke’s shoulders visibly sag. “I dunno, I mean you’ve noticed haven’t you? Everyone points their fingers at something and expects me to simply handle it all by myself.” He shares with her, leaning his chin atop his arms sullenly.

“You can always ask for a fireteam!” She swiftly suggests for him, “Plenty of guardians wouldn’t mind joining up with you, and maybe you can even build up your social skills along the way, eh?” Snow also adds, sliding in a small joke to lighting things up.

However it merely glosses over the Guardians furrowed expression. “Except I can’t even go out and ask for help. Because if The Guardian himself can’t handle it alone, then how’s anyone else supposed to.” He explains, frustration biting at the edges of his tone.

Snow’s shell spins uncomfortably, guilt seeping into her circuits as she recalls all her previous braggings. “Oh, well perhaps—”

“And even when I do get help,” Luke begins ranting heatedly, progressively getting louder as he speaks. “They’re either sitting behind some screen far away, or all conveniently occupied somewhere else leaving me to fight the boss all alone. The only one who even tries coming out to help is Cayd—”

Snow silently watches Luke abruptly go quiet the instant the name nearly slips out, dull eyes falling to the floor full of lingering grief she dearly sympathizes with. His fingers faintly clutch the barrel of a black and white hand cannon firmly strapped to his right thigh, one with an Ace of Spades symbol painted on its side. The memories trailing behind the previous owner of the gun were one filled with joy and laughter, yet now drenched in disdain and sadness under its new ownership. Enough to douse the heated flames of Luke’s frustration when remembering the one Exo who’d always taken that extra step to help him out.

The Hunter Vanguard, otherwise known as his mentor… Cayde-6.

The Exo was a daring and cunning Hunter, truly an inspiration for her own Guardian if his unusual approach to fire fights - which involved a lot of interesting methods - is anything to go off by. And it wasn’t too long ago when Cayde tragically died at the hands of the Awoken Prince called Uldren Sov, and when Luke personally hunted him down beyond the reef. What was meant to be a heroic crusade for unanswered justice became an utter rampage across the Tangled Shore, slaughtering Scorns left and right. Sure Snow’s seen him mow down hundreds of foes effortlessly many times, but not once out of a bloodlust ****… it wasn’t Snow’s Guardian back then, and that’s what made her uncomfortable.

She lets herself float back a little. “...You’ve never mentioned anything about this before.” Snow quietly spoke up again.

Luke gives a helpless shrug. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, and… and I didn’t want to make you worry.” He confesses, continuing to let his gaze linger on the ground.

Snow lets out her own tired sigh. “It’s my job to worry about you.” Because he certainly doesn’t do it enough himself.

“I thought it was spending five minutes to scan stuff.” The smartass decides to joke.

“Ok, first off; Low blow. I like to see you try hacking into unfamiliar systems while getting shot at. And secondly,” She bops his forehead to make him look at her, and to try wipe off that little grin of his. “Literally everyone appreciates all you’ve done for them, Zavala and Ikora always speak so highly of you!”

He merely rolls his eyes hearing this. “Because I’m their most prized guardian.” Luke easily retorts.

“Didn’t Shaax even invite you to one of his dodgeball outings?” She also recalls, opting to ignore what he said.

“Huh? Oh yeah,” Caught off a bit as he tries remembering, before letting a fond smile slip through at the memory. “Hehe, now that was a fun time.”

“Pretty sure you both traumatized a lot of kids that day.” Snow points out, distantly hearing the various cries of the children facing two grown adults.

Luke chuckles shamelessly. “Worth it.”

“Let’s not forget how Marcus and Didi even put on that… nice theater play about us.” Snow reluctantly brings up, shivering at the mere thought of it.

“Surprised you even brought that up,” He comments amusedly, remembering Snow’s horrified explanation of the play’s existence till this day. Personally, he loved it. “And it’s not like I don’t see everyone’s appreciation, it’s more… they just expect me to go and fix things these days. Like you kill one god, and now I’m meant to go out and kill’em all.”

“I mean,” Snow begins, casually drifting around him. “How many can actually say they’ve killed god-like figures?”

“How many can say they only got a gun out of it as a reward.” Luke shot back, a bitterness following his words.

Snow squints questionable at him when hearing this. “Really? Is that what all this is about?” She can’t help asking, believing there to be more left unsaid in his response.

A sheepish look crosses over Luke’s face. “Ah wait, it’s not like that Snow! I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but why is it always a gun? Or better yet pieces of armor! Like where’s the rest of it!?” He questions out loud, almost as if it’s been plaguing his mind for years. “Honestly a majority of it tends to end up being more useful as crystals.”

It also doesn’t help that his vault is nearly on the brink of bursting apart too.

He drags a tired hand up to massage the edges of his nose. “It’s just gotten a bit repetitive at this point is all.”

With that Luke stares off aimlessly somewhere in the horizon, and it hurts Snow to see her Guardian, the legendary Guardian himself just looks so… tired. A selfish, kind, heroic man - and much more Snow would add to that - as him shouldn’t be burdened with looking so unhappy after all the accomplishments he’s achieved over the years. Most guardians only care for the loot rather than assisting those in need, and while Luke also does appreciate a good reward it’s never been his first priority. And majority of the time they’d end up finding better equipment scattered among the baddies' bodies or hidden loot stashes anyway compared to what the Vanguard rewards them.

He never hesitates to give everything to protect Humanity and the Last City, yet she doesn’t remember anyone giving nearly as much back to him. And it’s with that single thought alone that decides Snow's next words.

“What do you want.”

Luke blinks at her. “What?”

She floats directly in front of him. “What do you want. Right here, right now.” Snow repeats loud and clear.

“What do I want? I…” So ambushed by Snow’s sudden question, Luke isn’t entirely sure where to begin answering it. “I don’t know. I don’t want a better gun. Or exotic armor. Or anything really. I guess… I just want to know whether my efforts mean something anymore.”

If the little ghost wasn’t already heavily upset for her guardian beforehand, then hearing this certainly saddened her light. She desperately wanted to prove everything he’s saying wrong, while wanting to show her own appreciation and shut up those troubling thoughts of his. Rapidly shuffling through her processor for a possible solution on what she could do…