[Opening theme music. Intense strings and horns with a slowly driving rhythm. The music culminates, cutting off into silence. ]

[SFX: Dreamy tones and birdsong in the background.]

WARLOCK VO:  (dreamily echoing) I slowly emerged from my blissful slumber into peaceful consciousness, and I could still feel his warm breath on my back. With our love still entangled by the nakedness of our bodies from the night before, I didn't want to leave this perfect moment. I wanted to lay here forever and stay safe in his strong arms.

My heart beat with a new found strength. Never had I been more aware of its firm, steady rhythm than now. This ever-deepening connection between us enhanced my senses to the point I began breaking through to a new level of knowledge and understanding. On some mornings, a powerful sense of peace enveloped my mind, opening doors to a new level of clarity even deeper than I achieved through Ikora's meditations. This was one such morning. Images flashed in my mind.

[SFX: Soft percussive sounds add to the dreamy tones.]

Luminescent images of complex formulas and interacting elements. I was seeing them as clearly as the light that shone through the single window of our small cabin in the EDZ.

[SFX: Rustling as Warlock gets up.]

I slowly untangled my body from his and moved to get my journal.

[SFX: The dreamy tones fade completely but the birdsong remains, joined by scribbling on paper and gently rushing water.]

(echoing fades away into the present reality) I began madly scribbling everything I could recall hoping to make sense of it later. I couldn't write fast enough, though, before the last bit of brilliance melted away as my mind returned to the material plane. (sighs) Lately, these moments have become more frequent. I was breaking through to a never-before-seen level of understanding, and I tried desperately to capture all of it in my journal, but I often felt as if I was missing something. That last little piece to finish the puzzle so that it all made sense to me.

TITAN: (stretching groan)

WARLOCK VO: I heard a loud grunt and then a terrible smell filled the room. (indignant yet amused) By the Traveller! Not again!

[SFX: Rustle of paper, scrape of cloth, then steps.]

WARLOCK VO: I scrambled to gather my journal and a blanket before the toxic fumes overwhelmed me.

[SFX: A door hisses as it slides open.]

WARLOCK VO: I silently glided down the hall toward the next room as he began snoring again even louder than before. Why does he snore louder when I'm not laying next to him?

I came to rest in the antechamber of our small residence and nearly tripped over his armor that was scattered on the floor. I guess in our passion last night we weren't really discriminating when it came to discarding our clothing.

[SFX: Papers and clothing rustle, the resonant sound of shifting a chair.]

WARLOCK VO: I placed my journal and blanket on a chair and moved to his Cuirass gleaming in the morning sun. It seemed to surge with arc power as I stepped over it. The intricate design caught my eye like never before. I had never looked at it this closely. 

[SFX: A groan from the equipment as she picks it up.]

WARLOCK VO: I tried picking it up and its weight caught me by surprise. It was so bulky and heavy I almost couldn't fit it over my head and onto my shoulders. 

[SFX: Clothing rustles and shifts, a struggling scrape of cloth.]

WARLOCK VO: I grunted and struggled to get my head through the opening. (smiling) It sat awkwardly on my narrow frame. The scent of his sweaty ferocity cleared my nasal passages of the horrible smell from the bedroom. (dreamy echoing) His potent aura intoxicated my entire body, and I again found myself lost in the combined souls of our love.

[SFX: Dreamy tones return.]

WARLOCK VO: I slowly breathed him into my lungs several times over and over, reliving the passion from the night before. I could feel his hands on my back as my hair rhythmically danced on his chest. I remember the strength and powerful conviction in his eyes as I wrapped my legs around him bringing him deeper into me. The fervor he felt for me in his heart surged through my hips again and again, and it made me so weak. I could feel him kissing my neck and chest again. As much as I tried, I couldn't put into words what his presence inside me did to my own soul. We had bonded so deeply and passionately that I resigned myself to never really understanding it. 

Trying to analyze this would ruin the moment and I couldn't do that to myself. I just wanted it more and more. I wanted him more and more. He had burned himself into my heart. I didn't really understand how, but I didn't care. I wanted it no other way. This love changed my life for the better. His love made me stronger and sharper than ever. Perhaps this was the catalyst I needed to push my power to a new level. I always believed it was about study, focus, and discipline, and then… he came into my life.

[SFX: With a rumble, the dreamy tones stop, the echoing fading abruptly. An object falls and Warlock gasps.]

WARLOCK VO: I snapped back to reality as I felt myself stumble and grabbed a massive chair to keep from tripping over my intoxication onto the floor. I clumsily pulled myself upright…

[SFX: Clothing rustling, another breath.]

WARLOCK VO: …and noticed his helmet that somehow ended up perched atop the extended back of the large chair in front of his desk. It looked like the chair had stayed in the same spot, gathering dust for years, and only moved because we bumped into it on the way to the bedroom.

[SFX: The helmet activates, a quiet electronic pulse going in and out. Soft buzzing.]

WARLOCK VO: I held it in front of me examining its immaculate design. A gentle arc glow pulsed from all sides of it.

[SFX: Soft scrape of the helmet over hair.]

WARLOCK VO: (as if from inside the helmet) I tried it on and even with all my hair it was still much too large for my head.

[SFX: Approaching footsteps.]

WARLOCK VO: It slid down over my face and eyes blinding me for a moment.

TITAN: (teasing) If you want a set, I know a guy.

[SFX: Warlock grunts, falling to the floor.]

TITAN: (laughs)

[SFX: She stands back up.]

WARLOCK VO: I collected myself from the floor to see him standing naked in front of the mirror holding my robes up to his body.

TITAN: How do you run with this thing on? It's so bulky and all around your feet all the time. I'd trip all over myself if I wore this.

WARLOCK:  (laughs) How do you think we float so well?

[SFX: She steps to him.]

WARLOCK: I think you'd look good in it.

WARLOCK VO:  (echoing) I snuggled up behind him and pressed my naked body into his wrapping my arms around his powerful chest and nuzzling his back.

WARLOCK: (a breath, then content humming)

[SFX: Dreamy tones fade in.]

WARLOCK VO: I could feel all the scars from his many battles dotted all over his chest as I gently rubbed his broad chest. They spoke as if they were a running record of his victories and told a yet unknown tale of his struggles I wanted to hear. I pulled him as close as I could and playfully rested my chin on his shoulder (echoing slowly fading) as he examined himself in the mirror.

[SFX: Dreamy tones fade out. Reality returns, the birdsong and rushing water nearby.]

TITAN: If I flexed too hard, I'd rip out the seams.

[SFX: Warlock’s Ghost emits a quick digital sound as it activates.]

GHOST: (through speakers) Ikora is on comms. Should I put her through? 

WARLOCK: Hmm, yeah... That's fine.

[SFX: Low buzz as comms activate.]

IKORA: (mildly awkward) Um... Good morning you two.

[SFX: Objects knock over, metal clatters, cloth rustles.]

WARLOCK VO: We both spun around in a panic desperately trying to cover ourselves. I could feel him pushing back, trying to get away from the projection as I peeked around his shoulders. It was too late. There we were naked and intoxicated with passion talking to a member of the Vanguard.

IKORA: (laughing) I hope you two slept well. I have a new task for you. I need you on the Moon to check into some recent Hive activity. Your ghosts have all the mission parameters.

WARLOCK: What exactly are we looking for?

IKORA: (growing serious) I don't have too many details at the moment. We sent several Guardians into the area on solo missions and they've gone missing. I'm hoping the two of you together can figure out more.

WARLOCK: Sounds good. We'll be on our way shortly.

[SFX: Projection fades out.]

WARLOCK AND TITAN: (Loud and relieved laughter)

TITAN: That was.... embarrassing.

WARLOCK: Definitely not the first time Ikora has seen naked Guardians.

TITAN: I do not need Ikora Rey to know what I look like naked.

WARLOCK: Best get going. New mission.

[SFX: Dreamy tones fade in.]

WARLOCK VO: (echoing) Our hands touched as he handed my robes to me, and time froze for a moment. We gazed deep into each other as my love for him flooded my chest with warm energy. Six months after Nessus, here we are, still together through Gambit matches, strikes, and many covert missions for the Vanguard. Standing side by side against the enemies of humanity in the bloodiest battles and deepest stealth operations. Our bonds grew deeper each day, and I felt my own power compounding as a result of it.

[SFX: Dreamy tones fade out. Rustle of robes, scrape of the helmet over her head.]

WARLOCK VO: I slowly took my robes from him. He placed a single hand on my head removing his helmet. My hair fell around my shoulders as we gazed at each other. He stepped closer to me and ran his other hand through my hair.

TITAN: You are so amazing, my reden om te leven.

WARLOCK: Wait. What was that?

TITAN: Been reading up on some old Earth dialects. It means “reason to live.” I have to call you something other than just “baby” or “my love.” Those are just way too generic and lame for a woman like you. 

WARLOCK: (smiling) You're not wrong about that. (to Ghost) Give us the rundown.

GHOST: (through speakers) The Vanguard sent five Guardians into the Well of Souls deep in the Hellmouth over the last month to investigate new Hive structures and energy surges. These surges are very similar to the energy given off during Savathun's bonding ritual.

TITAN: I suppose the surges correlate with the arrival of each Guardian. 

GHOST: Correct. Two days after each deployment, orbital scans show a spike in activity for several hours followed by a dormant period of about six days.

WARLOCK: If the Hive are feeding on Guardians, how did they even begin the ritual?

TITAN: A Guardian probably went on patrol and wandered into the area by accident and was captured. I seem to remember Crow mentioning something about new Hive structures as the reasons why he couldn't help us on Nessus. Follow up investigations were probably the catalyst.

WARLOCK: What's the class break-down of the five missing Guardians?

GHOST: Four were Hunters, and the fifth-

TITAN GHOST: (Interrupting) Guardian, I don't know if we have the right loadout for handling the Hive. Maybe we should stop by the Tower before heading to the Moon.

WARLOCK: Good idea. I have a feeling I'll need more than a sidearm for this one.

[Ending theme music fades in, horns and strings playing.]

TITAN: Sounds good.

[SFX: They kiss.]

TITAN: I'll meet you at the Sorrow's Harbor drop point.

[Ending theme music grows louder. Faster rhythm than the opening, with energetic, higher toned strings and slower, lower toned horns. They weave over a driving beat until the end, fading away.]

Credits

Titan: 

Warlock: 

Ikora: 

Warlock Ghost: 

Titan Ghost: 

Sound Engineer: 

Chapter Art: 

Chapter music: From available Destiny 2 playlists on YouTube

Transcripts: Eli Barraza