Delta stood at the top of the staircase staring down into the darkness of the vault below.

"Lila," he called.

His little companion materialized next to him, weakly bobbing in the air.

Delta gently took hold of her shell so that she would not have to exert herself. "Are you able to light the way?"

"I will manage," she replied as her single eye brightened, illuminating the path ahead.

Kitokai marched up next to them and peered into the vault. "The internal lighting seems to be malfunctioning. Danger probable. I suggest caution."

Delta nodded, then turned to the two comrades behind him, who were marveling at the waterfall and the craftsmanship of the vault. "I'm going in!" he shouted over the cascading falls. "Follow close behind and stay sharp!"

Alice gave him a thumbs up and followed suit, while Eran carefully brought up the rear, keeping a close eye on the riverbank. Once he was sure they were not followed, he leapt down after his companions.

The company proceeded down the stairs at a restricted pace while Lila lit the way. As they neared the end of the steps, where a large hallway stretched forward, a loud thud resounded throughout the vault.

Delta looked around in alarm, but Kito held up his robotic hand for an explanation.

"Not to worry. The sound you just heard was the entrance closing."

Alice put a hand on her holstered weapon nervously. "A-Are we trapped down here?"

"Affirmative," said the frame. "The exterior door uses the waterfall as a separate energy source to maintain security, however it seems that interior power has failed, which is necessary to open the vault from the inside."

"That's one hell of a design flaw," said Eran worriedly.

"It was intentional," said Kito. "This vault was designed by Lord Shaxx to keep people out, or in if necessary. Two power sources were essential."

Alice grabbed her arm protectively, becoming visibly disturbed. "We can restore the power, right? I don't do well in dark spaces with no way out."

Delta finally spoke up. "I do not think you lead us here to die, Kito. There must be a way to restore the power. What is the second energy source?"

Kito's metallic head twitched. "My protocols forbid me from saying until we reach the central chamber. You will have to see for yourself."

Delta eyed him curiously. "Very well. Come on. Shaxx went through all the trouble to lead us here. The least we can do is figure out why."

The others nodded in agreement and followed Delta once more down the blackened hallway, revealed by Lila's efforts. Before long, they arrived at a smaller set of double wooden doors, barricaded by a thick iron bar. Delta motioned to Eran and the two went to grasp either end, lifting the bar from its resting place and tossing it aside with a ringing clatter.

Their way no longer obstructed, Alice stepped forward and placed her hands on the doors, pushing them inward to reveal the next room.

Delta squinted in surprise as natural light invaded his optics. The chamber before them was a stone-carved circle, supported by thick steel beams that had become corroded with time. Around the walls hung a series of torn red banners with the emblem of a phoenix in their center, the symbol of Shaxx and the crucible. Above the chamber was a large dome, made of the same stone and steel as everything else, but at its top, the ceiling was blown out.

Through the ragged hole, daylight pierced the darkness, illuminating an object in the center of the chamber. Protruding from a thick stone slab, gleaming in the natural beams of light, was a single broadsword with an elegantly crafted gold hilt. In the center of its crossguard, a white gem glowed with a heavenly iridescence.

Alice held out her hand in the direction of the sword. "What is this feeling?" she whispered. "Is that… Light?"

Kitokai simply nodded in confirmation and marched down towards the sword. "This is the Generator, an edge forged as both a weapon and an energy source."

Delta nodded in understanding. "That gem. It's a shard of the Traveler!" An excitement grew within him, but some doubt lingered. Alice claimed to feel it, but he himself felt nothing.

Alice ogled the gorgeous blade. "Generator Edge. This has to be it. This has to be what Shaxx sent me to find!"

"So," said Eran, approaching the sword, "if this is an energy source, then it is self-sustaining?"

Kito shook his mechanical head. "Negative. Its connection to the Traveler would supply it with Light, but now that the connection is severed, its energy supply is limited. Right now, it remains in conservation mode. If you wish to use it, the sword must be removed from its pedestal."

"Seems simple enough," said Eran, suddenly grasping the hilt.

Kito lifted a hand in warning. "Wait-"

It was too late. The crystal burst with a wave of light which sent Eran flying backwards, landing on the hard, stone floor with a thud, groaning.

Alice rushed over and helped him up. "Are you okay?"

Eran shrugged her off and rubbed his head. "I'm fine. Kito, what happened?"

The frame crossed its metal arms as if in a scolding mood. "My explanation was not yet finished. The power infused into this sword makes it a powerful weapon of Light. As such, only guardians can wield it."

Eran grumbled something to himself and walked off in frustration to inspect the rest of the vault.

Delta let Lila float in the air and stepped towards the sword as all the pieces finally fell into place. In their darkest hour, when the Light of the Traveler had been taken from them, what better way to fight back than to wield a weapon with its own supply of Light? Shaxx had made a contingency plan, and now was the time to use it.

The exo grasped the hilt of the sword and lifted with all his might. The sword did not budge. His confusion allowed the blade to catch him off guard. Another wave of energy burst from the crystal, tossing him backwards, his metal body scraping against the stone floor.

Alice rushed over to Delta, who groaned as he sat up. The Titan took hold of his only hand and lifted him to his feet.

"I don't understand," she said. "Delta's a Warlock. Why can't he remove the sword?"

Kitokai looked the exo up and down with his optical lenses. "Because he is no longer a guardian."

The room fell silent as Alice and Lila turned to look at Delta, Kito's words sinking in.

Alice slowly shook her head. "But… does that mean I too am…"

"No," said the frame. "Your susceptibility to the light remains untouched."

"Then why?!"

Delta let out a long sigh and put a hand to his empty arm socket. His fearful suspicious had come true.

Alice was still lost. "He has a ghost, doesn't he? Why can't he take up the sword?"

"This is indeed peculiar," said Kito. "Ghosts are the channel through which Light is given to guardians. If Delta has no channel, then that means-"

Delta held up his hand, stopping the frame's deduction. "It's alright Kito. I can take it from here." He glanced at Lila, making eye contact. She bobbed in the air, telling him it was okay to proceed. The exo turned to Alice. "You see, Lila is not my ghost."

The Titan stared at the Warlock and his mismatched ghost, her mind running at full speed. "Then… that means…"

Delta nodded somberly. "This confirms it. My ghost is dead."

Delta was nearly overcome with sadness at his own words. His little pal, whom he had been through so much with, was really, truly dead. Another victim was claimed by the crash, and his own connection to the Light was severed for good. Another friend was gone. Another friend to be mourned.

It all made the exo very angry, but now was not the time to be held back by grief. Delta gestured to Alice. "You take the sword. I don't much care for overbearing weapons anyway."

Alice stared him down with concern, all too aware of the pain he was trying to shrug away.

Delta gave her a half smile for good measure.

"Fine," said the Titan, glancing between Delta and Lila one more time. She shook her head as she whirled around and marched towards the sword. As she approached, she held out her hand where another ghost materialized excitedly.

Delta realized he had never seen Alice's ghost until now. It was an intense red, like her armor, with four spines protruding from the gaps in its pointed shell. It bobbed up and down, seemingly enthusiastic despite its now severed connection with the Traveler.

"Remus," said the Titan. "You ready for this?"

The ghost spun its shell in anticipation. "Of course!" he replied.

Alice went around the sword and stepped onto the pedestal, positioning her hands over the hilt, while Remus took his place on the other side. The ghost then began spinning as the gem in the sword's hilt began to glow. Delta watched in amazement as a steady stream of light flowed out from the sword and streamed into Remus, who expanded with vigor upon regaining his power.

At the same time, Alice grabbed hold of the sword and shuddered as a flurry of light burst from within her. Slowly, she pulled the weapon from its pedestal and lifted it into the air as flames generated by her newfound Light danced across the blade.

Her ghost bounced with glee. "It worked!" he exclaimed. "The supply is limited, but we have Light again!"

Alice held up the Generator with both hands, staring down at it as she felt the familiar flow of power within her once more. She smiled. "Now I can properly fight back. The Cabal will know vengeance by my hand."

Delta glared at her with concern. "Let's not get carried away. Remember that you have a limited supply of power, and one guardian can't win a war."

Alice waved the sword around, surprised to discover how light it had become in her hands. "Tell that to the one who slayed Oryx."

"You are not a god killer, Alice. Be careful not to get cocky with your power."

Alice took a deep breath. "Yeah, sorry. Shaxx tells me that all the time. I'm just so angry! I want those fat pigs to pay for what they've done!"

"We all do," said Delta, "but first we need to find Shaxx and regroup. We can't take the City back by ourselves."

"A wise deduction," said Kito. "Let us retreat with the weapon before we are forced to use it."

Delta eyed the frame curiously. "What do you mean?"

Kito looked up at the hole in the ceiling where the light was shining in. "This vault has a reinforced interior. Someone made that hole with high-powered explosives, and they are likely to come back."

Delta understood. "Where's Eran? It's best if we leave immediately."

As if on cue, Eran strode out from an adjacent room. "Hey guys. Looks like the rest of the vault has been picked clean. I found what looks like an armory but there's nothing left."

"Probability suggests a Fallen operation," said Kito. "We have acquired the asset. Let us return to Warend and determine our next course of action."

Delta nodded in agreement and motioned for the other two to follow. The squad headed back the way they came to the vault entrance, now sealed shut.

Kito pointed to a faint dent in the floor. "Place the Generator there."

Alice obeyed and flipped the sword, then pressed the tip into the dent. The sword hummed to life, in turn causing the mechanisms in the floor and walls to spring to life. The vault door groaned as it opened again, the roar of the waterfall overwhelming all other sounds.

After confirming that the coast was clear, Delta and Kito led the group back across the river and into the forest. While they walked, Alice loosened the belt around her waist a little and slid the sword through it like a makeshift sheath, securing it to her person.

Knowing full well that the Fallen had a presence in the area, everyone remained on high alert as they traversed the several miles back to town. Delta grew especially worried as the sun set on the horizon and the forest began to grow dark. It would also be dangerous to pass through the area where they were previously attacked, so with the help of Kitokai, he led them on a less direct route.

By the time they reached the edge of the forest, night had fallen, and a full moon hung in the sky. Recognizing where they were, Eran picked up his pace, eager to go back to his home just over the ridge.

"Wait!" exclaimed Delta in a harsh, hushed tone, grabbing Eran by the collar.

"The hell?" said Eran, confused. "Let go of me!"

"Quiet down!" Delta commanded. "Do you hear that?"

Everyone froze and listened hard as the evening wind cascaded over the hill towards them, carrying with it a harrowing sound.

Eran's eyes widened. "Is that… screaming?"

Delta turned to Alice, gesturing towards the sky. She looked up to see a hazy form beginning to obscure the view of the moon. Her heart dropped as she realized what she was looking at. Her throat felt dry as she croaked the word.

"Smoke."

Delta unstrapped the sidearm at his waist and hit the ground, motioning for the others to do the same. Slowly, the four of them climbed over the ridge, and finally laid eyes on the horrific sight.

Across the fields, the town of Warend was ablaze. Massive pillars of smoke rose from the town's center as screams of its citizens rang out through the night. Hovering above the town, almost entirely concealed within the black haze, was an angular ship stained red with two propelling engines on either side. Delta recognized it immediately.

"Cabal."