A World Not Like That Remembered

With hope burning brightly in his heart at what was for him a new start and perhaps a way to find purpose for his existence, Uther mounted the final steps and looked upon the parapets that had once housed the most noble of humanity's heroes, and nearly lost his footing as he gazed upon the incomprehensible changes wrought upon the tower.

What stood before him now were not the humble arches of silvered steel and modest sculptures, no longer did the halls echo with the pleasant chatter of individuals. Bold and egregious livery of gaudy gold ornamentation and towering plinths of marble jutted out from the environment like broken tusks. The unpretentious crowds he once witnessed here had vanished, replaced by lanky, garishly dressed politicians that bickered and scrabbled amongst each other in forcibly polite tones, as if they could not sound anything but starving hounds fighting over scraps.

This… this was not what humanity, the speaker… had intended. Where was the unity, the confederation of purpose for the betterment of all that flocked underneath the banner of civilization? Why did he see so many dissatisfied faces? Why could he sense the barely veiled animosity that so thickly layered the atmosphere?

Uther could feel the light fade within him at such an ignoble sight, the once proud vestments of man laid so low by egotism and misbegotten self-indulgence. This tower was never meant to be drabbed in such unnecessary baubles and opulence. They had defiled the memory of the Speaker and all the brave warriors that had died to protect the innocent from the ravenous clutch of the dark.

This… this was a mockery of everything he stood for,

For the first time in an age, Uther could feel his lips contort into an ugly snarl, his utter dissatisfaction concealed all but for the violent change in his body language. Fox, the vulpine being closest to him, was first to notice, turning to regard the towering guardian with concern and slight hesitation.

“Is… something wrong?"

Uther felt the rancorous, acidic and volatile nature of his outrage threaten to seep out from within the closely minded divider he had cultivated in his mind since his awakening. All of the resentment and anger he had contained inside him at every cruel turn of fate that saw fit to spite him, near close to bursting from his polite exterior.

Yet he refrained, the cool and calm essence of his personality quickly apprehending what would have been a breach of conduct unbecoming of a warrior of light. Fox and his companions did not deserve his acrimony. Perhaps no one person currently alive did. What had happened to the tower could have been effected thousands of years ago, the perpetrators of the defilement long since turned to dust. What he saw before him was in quintessence a failing of all sapient races. Those in power tended to bedeck themselves in their greed.

It was a problem, but one in which he had all the time bequeathed upon him in his immortality to fix. He vowed that no matter how long it would take, years, centuries, or eons, that he would see the Speaker's memory untarnished.

Sighing softly, the guardian shook his head and gestured for Fox and his compatriots to continue onwards towards the large circular dais that awaited them. “All is well. Please… shall we continue?"

Nodding, but in all appearance still concerned, Fox and the others quickly began to move once more.

It was some form of relief to the guardian that the actual forum of the Speaker was not as opulently festooned as the rest of the tower's geometries. While still outlandishly extravagant, it could be considered tame by comparison. Where the man who confided with the Traveler once issued sermons to soothe the populace of a struggling empire, now stood proudly three individuals, each unique in their distinction from the other.

To the left, somewhat frail and infirm, stood a creature fairly reptilian in appearance, robed in an guise of blue and gold that partially concealed its features, but not the large black eyes that studied their approach with great interest.

At the center was a figure startlingly humanlike amidst the three species, asari as he had come to recognize from the codex he now possessed. The female, as all her race was, held herself proudly, her stance and eyes unified in their steadfast assuredness. Possessing no form of headwear like the first, her features were clear to his eyes, bright white markings all across her visage in a manner that emulated the awoken's desire to stand apart.

The final councilor, a large, stalwart turian male with a hard countenance and sharp mandibles, stood stiffly in military fashion, echoing all the traits of a man used to war. It would not surprise Uther if he had been a general of great renown and capability before he ascended to the realm of politicking.

From the warrior of light's brief examination of the three that presided over the galaxy as a whole, he could not tell if he was impressed, or saddened. They were not evil, he could see that much just from his senses alone. Yet neither were they entirely competent, here were the rulers of a society that had blundered in their power and abused that which had been left for them, availing themselves with the supremacy of humanity's ashes, but not with the ethical capacity to utilize it the way it had been intended.

The uplift and ensuing castration of the krogan, the very sustained existence of the batarian hegemony, the military solecism that was the attack on Shanxi, all echoed a theme of incompetence and a dependency on their personal emotions that did not befit people of such elevated positions. They had erred, and they had done so mightily. Entire worlds had suffered at their misguided discretion.

Uther sat in silence as his companions stepped forwards at the beckoning of the salarian councilor, his hesitation cemented in the realization that they would in all possibility never be like the Speaker, a man he had regarded as one of the few he ever truly respected more than life itself. At this discovery, Uther found that he did not possess as much a desire to speak with them as he once did. Some part of him, a vastly large portion, preferred to simply walk away, to not involve himself in a society that so poorly reflected the virtues of his race.

Nonetheless he curbed such selfish craving. Even had he wished to vanish, he could not in good conscious allow himself to make the same mistake as he had eons ago. Felwinter had been of noble enough intent to remind him that one did not pick and choose when to follow their sense of duty, and Saladin had echoed a similar impression when he restructured the institution of the Iron Lords. They might not be deserving of his assistance, but that did not mean he would not help them.

Releasing a heavy sigh that echoed quietly in the confines of his great helm, Uther reaffixed the silver wolf's head brooch that fastened the billowing fur lined cloak to his armor's pauldrons, rubbing a gloved thumb across the minted steel of the badge he had received what was countless lifetimes ago. He cursed that he could not remember the names of his fellow Lords, none but Felwinter and Saladin Forge, those two who had enacted the most lasting impacts upon him. The years had not been kind enough to let him keep such treasured memories. Once upon a time Forge had been of ample generosity to constantly remind him of his lost brethren. But with the last of his friends gone, he feared that he would forget far more than names as the centuries pass.

Casting away the bitterness he felt brewing inside him, Uther instead chose to focus on the immediate world he lived in, as the past would not offer him comfort, only sorrow. And as he looked upon the grimacing expressions of Fox and his companions, the guardian was confident in his assumption that the council did not look too kindly on the lukewarm success of their assignment. At this, Uther felt a startling rise of irritation that they were being berated for something far beyond their control. From what he learned, the appearance of the geth could not have been anticipated nor counteracted, and they had no hand in the death of the council specter. Instead of this dressing down, they should be commended on their quick thinking and resourcefulness. Many a guardian at the onset of their duties found themselves stumbling on the way, and it was the duty of their leaders to uplift their spirits in the face of adversity, not cast them down.

A sharp frown hidden underneath his armor's entrapments, the guardian moved forwards from his place at the back of the dais, heavy plasteel boots that had crushed the breastplates of gargantuan cabal colossi and the chitinous armor worn by the vilest of hive knights, echoed loudly in the cavernous amphitheater as he placed a gauntlet on Fox's shoulder. 

The current caustic tirade from the asari council petered off weakly as silence descended upon the tower's auditorium with his appearance from the less visible rearwards portion of their party. The cerulean alien appeared uncertain as she shifted her ancient gaze to the armored figure, and her fellow leaders showed a noticeable increase in their attention that not even their many years of scheming could conceal.

The vulpine looked towards him questioningly, receiving his response in the form of a gentle push as he urged the tod to step back from the stand and return to his companions. Now alone, the guardian stepped frontwards to take the alien of lylat's place at the forefront of this new verbal battlefield.

The warrior of light stood proudly underneath the observation of these aliens who were monarchs in all but name. He had stared down Oryx himself in his dreadnought before laying the hive god low in his own house. He had torn the foundations out from beneath a fallen dynasty, striking them so hard that they could never recover. And when the cabal thought they could invade the last city itself and steal their god, he had confronted the Warlord Ghaul and shown him the fate of those that thought to assault the very heart of mankind.

The adversaries of The Traveler had once called him The Lightbringer, for no rival of man could escape the light's retribution, no matter what depths they cowered within.

As still and silent as the desolate machine fields of Venus after the fall of the dark heart, Uther made no inclination that he would be the first to speak. He had no desire to prostrate himself before these figures, would not offer them a respect he had yet to see them earn. They would have to prove themselves through their action if they expected any form of approbation from him.

Several seconds passed before the three heads of the galaxy were able to gather enough willpower to form words of greetings, and it was the asari that was first to try.

“It is my understanding that we have amongst us today a figure of some significant importance, a very member of an ancient race to whom we owe a great deal." The blue scaled, almost elfin creature ducked her head low in deference towards the guardian as if to indicate the one in question. “Perhaps as such, we can momentarily abate ourselves from the quite sorrowful events that transpired upon Eden Prime." Raising a hand to place on her chest, the asari offered a small smile to the guardian. “My name is Councilor Tevos, and to my left and right are Councilors' Valern and Sparatus respectively."

Though she certainly came off as nothing but polite and amiable, he could not help but already feel as if there were some ulterior intentions supplementing this conversation. The councilors would have had many hours to discuss amongst each other on how to handle his presence and what he might affect merely with his existence. He had faced more politicians in his centuries of existence then he would have liked, and all of his learned instincts were warning him that if he did not conduct himself carefully, he might find himself bound to laws and guidelines, and he would not see himself shackled to any force but that of the light.

“What might we be able to call you, forerunner?" The salarian inquired. His expression well-schooled but unable to completely withhold the ferocious interest so commonly associated with his species.

Checking the omni-tool melded with the armored bracer on his right forearm, to ensure that its translation software was functional, the guardian felt a strange reluctance at even offering his title, as if they could somehow entrap him with that alone. Setting a somewhat strained aspect of reception upon his face, the guardian removed his helm, cradling the heavy casing of light forged steel in the crook of his arm as he offered his greetings. Though his visage was alien, the councilors did well to conceal any of their surprise upon seeing it.

“In the days of Iron, I was once called Uther. You may look upon that title for referral."

“It is an honor to meet you then, Uther." The asari intoned as her two companions inclined their heads respectively. “And allow us to be the first to publically welcome you to the modern galaxy. There is much that we could learn from you, of your people and the wondrous technology they left behind."

A great effort was made to not scoff at the poorly hidden interest disguised behind their pleasant mannerisms. The guardian was confident that they cared more for the machinery of man than their history. “I think that you will find to your disappointment that I am not well-learned in the method of our machinery. As you might infer from my appearance, I was no scientist. I am but a simple warrior, more concerned with the field of battle than that of technology."

Uther found some amusement in the barely efficacious attempt by the turian councilor to conceal his discontent. “That as it may be, I'm certain I can perhaps recall enough to entertain your historians."

“Yes of course, the priestesses on Thessia and Cerinia would be very eager to be given the opportunity." Tevos answered diplomatically as she flashed a look of restraint to the turian so swiftly that if not for the guardian's extensive experience in the subtler realms of politics he might not have caught it. “However I am afraid I must inquire on a topic I am certain you have been probed upon many times already."

For her favor, Councilor Tevos did appear genuinely curious and contrite for pushing on the subject he had already known would be voiced. Uther allowed himself a rare handful of seconds to ponder on her inquiry, having been wondering at that as well since he had been of enough presence of mind to debate on his choices, which were not in any form of abundance.

As he saw it, there were two options.

He could utilize the prominence of his arrival to further establish himself in this new world order, working slowly to integrate himself into the modern governments of this galaxy in preparation for the possible return of the darkness. While the most logical option, he was not enthused by the idea. The guardian had never been one for the slow and passive route. He was a warrior of action, a sunbreaker, he who had been the vanguard for the push on Oryx's Dreadnaught, despite the concerns of Zavala on the tactical improbability of success.

His second option was perhaps more palatable, but also far more reckless.  Yet, given that he had no claim to this iteration, and he had every desire to pay back those who had harmed innocents merely because of his existence, it was really the only option to take. He could later worry about such unimportant things as recognition and the interest of an entire galaxy, especially as none of that had been of any importance to him long before. Uther cared little for fame, and even less for anything but his sacred duty. If these people truly desired to learn more of humanity, they would do so through action. His race had never been one for the inane, not since the collapse. Theirs was a race fully geared for survival at any cost. And he would not play a passive role in this time or any other.

“I believe I will track down the hostile forces that sacked Eden Prime. Those people suffered for having uncovered my stasis pod, and I would see justice metered out. As I have no desire to go against the wishes of this galaxy's governing body unnecessarily, I would ask for this council's sanctification." To all but the councilors themselves, it seemed like a request, but in the eyes of an experienced statesman, it was an ultimatum, one that they would be foolish to deny.

If they did not condone his mission, they would be publically refuting him, one of a race that had at one time ruled the entire known galaxy. This once he was willing to use his unique position to try and leverage some influence out of the council, for despite his abilities if he did not possess their consent his efforts would be severely hindered.

A faint curl of the asari's purple lips showed but a brief inclination of displeasure before it shifted into a knowing smile, as if to acknowledge his play. “I believe my fellow councilors and I will agree that what you ask is well within our right to condone. We would expect nothing less from one belonging to our magnanimous predecessors. If you wish to have those terrorists answer for their crimes, we will offer our full support in your endeavors."

“The Citadel's resources are at your disposal, Forerunner." Councilor Sparatus declared with what was perhaps a startling sincerity in his tone as he offered the human guardian an earnest curl of mandibles, what the Codex has informed Uther, was a gesture of honorable respect amongst the turian people. “I have no stomach for acts of the craven. If you have need of any additional assistance; know the Hierarchy stands with you."

Uther was not entirely certain if he was impressed. While his words seemed genuine, it was completely possible that Sparatus simply wished to secure favor with him that could be exploited at a later date.

This was why he hated politics.

It was nigh impossible to judge the true sincerity of a politician, one was more likely to find an honest fallen dreg amidst the house of wolves, than an honest man of state. In some ways, Uther thought with an inwardly aimed chuckle, the world of statecraft was not all that dissimilar from the pitch of battle, and remained largely unchanged in this future. A line must be drawn and defended, though such a battle was fought within the confines of a mind rather than an open field. He would have to be warry of any support he might request in his hunt, lest it crash into his unguarded flank.

The guardian withdrew internally for next few hours, mostly to escape the banal affair, consisting of numerous questions posed by the three councilors, and his ambiguous responses. It had been fairly childish of him to assume that the meeting with the Council would be brief. But he was amused at how easily they forgot the events of Eden Prime in favor of their invasive inquiries. For those who had so fervently scolded Fox and his companions, they had remarkably little care for the loss of lives, a realization that Uther did his best to not become irritated over.

Was the suffering of thousands a topic so easily forgotten? Was the morality of this present galaxy so warped that such a blatant and horrific attack on civilians was something that could be brushed aside for the next biggest piece of news?

At one point the salarian councilor even had the gall to inquire as to whether he planned for any public appearances, and if he would like to speak favorably on behalf of the union. It was that moment that Uther decided he had about enough of this conversation as he could stomach and politely broached his desire to leave, feigning some such other that he needed some time to dwell on his circumstances. The Councils reluctance was tangible, but they had enough courtesy and presence of mind to know when to ease off. Sparatus said something about offering him living accommodations in the presidium, but the guardian by then had ceased to care. He would rather roam the streets then let the Council acquire any leverage on him.  

Offering a vague response, Uther had to force himself to endure the extra thirty minutes of inane pleasantries before he finally was able to extract himself from the dais itself, and only after he offered his assurance that he would return to speak with them at a later date.

Using a particular skill taught to him by an exo hunter that had accompanied him on a few nightfall strikes, he was able to slip through the bulk of the plaza unnoticed by the vast majority, finding solace at a small resting area sequestered on a low elevated platform overlooking what had once been the trade district, but now existed underneath a new moniker, The Zakera Wards.

The human guardian felt the temptation to remove the trappings of his helmet and enjoy the cool and melancholically familiar breeze, but was even less tempted to deal with any curious passerby. Instead the warrior contented himself with a sigh as he popped open the casing on his armor's left bracer.

With the absence of Ghost, he had to see to his own technological needs. Thankfully, his suit's simple intelligence system was capable of preforming some of the more basic functions his artificial companion was capable of. The nano forge could fabricate ammunition for his weapons from his existing reserves of glimmer and any alloys and minerals he would come across. He had learned his lesson after Gaul captured the Traveler, rendering his powers and Ghost's abilities nullified. His light forged plate was packed with countless redundancies in its software as well as a hundred small upgrades to enhance its survivability in the field.

Yet even with all of those upgrades, without Ghost… if he died.

There was no coming back.

Ghost had been more than his means of resurrection. He had been his greatest friend, someone that had quite literally been there with him every moment of every second of every day. Ghost had with him when he first awoke, when he took down the black garden… when he had defeated Oryx.

Without Ghost…

He was alone.

Footsteps intruded upon his musing and Uther closed the clasp on his bracer, concealing the tactical display and the various images of past exploits he had been perusing to address his visitor.

“Councilor Daala, I greet you warmly, if curiously. I was just taking a few quite moments to enjoy the scenery. It has… been a long time since I last was able to reflect upon the beatific sceneries of Elysium."

The slender cheetah gracefully traversed the short steps down to the extended viewing area, the spotted feline imitating his leaned stance against the rails as she transfixed him with her gaze. She had kind eyes, the councilor. That was in fact the first thing he truly noticed about her, soft blue, like the waters of Titan at the peak of its splendor during the second golden age.

“Elysium? Is that what this place was called?" Her voice, low and curious, was pleasant to his ears after hours of listening to the forced civility of politicians. In honesty he pitied the woman. She did not deserve to be entangled within the intricate secrecies and backroom covenants of such persons. He could tell, just by looking at her, that she was too good for them, for this place. The tower of the travel, while it may still stand, was a darker place then it had once been.

Yet perhaps, if people like her still roamed its halls, then it was not forever gone.

“Such was its name, long ago. So called for the Elysian Fields, a heavenly afterlife in ancient human culture, it was to be our brightest star amidst the darkest corners of the galaxy." Uther tried, but could not entirely subdue the hint of sorrow inside him at memories past. So much had been lost that he wondered… could any of it be saved?

“Elysium…" The spotted feline let the unfamiliar word roll of her tongue, her gaze taking in the imposing backdrop of the space station from their unique location. The artificial sun had taken its grand descent in the hours they had spent in the conference, and now a mellow orange hue ran across the virtual skyline, the forest of iron towers glittering like jewels from the reflection of countless windows as they hung from the petals of the great station like a budding flower. “A beautiful name." Her voice rose up once more after many minutes of silence.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful place," he agreed with a smile, if only for a moment at finding a likeminded soul. “It was a place unlike any other, and now I suppose… it still is." Feeling as if any more words would tarnish this moment of serenity, Uther slipped into comfortable silence.

Ghost was gone, his one last, true friend. His race had died, their history merely legends for a multitude of alien species. He was more alone than he had been in thousands of years, he was without purpose, without vision, and nearly… without hope. Nevertheless, the light burned brightly within him, he required neither food nor rest, and he remained at the height of his power. Perhaps there was one drive left to him. He would uncover the true fate of humanity, he would absolve himself to pursue the whereabouts of the Traveler, and he would destroy any remnant of the darkness that he unveiled in his quest.

Whatever fate threw against him, there was one truth he would forever uphold. He was a guardian, a servant to the people and a protector of the innocent. And he would not falter in his duty, for it was all he had left.

“If I may ask, what are your plans now?"

Uther turned away from the artificially formed horizon, studying the inquisitive visage of the female councilor and her animalian ears that perked up so keenly. “I will do as I told the Council. Your colony of Eden Prime was attacked because you found me. My mere existence has brought a great tragedy upon your race. I will see this wrong righted. I will hunt the geth. I will find those responsible, and I will exact retribution."

As he spoke, Uther felt a heat in his abdomen that he had not felt in millennia, not since he watched the black garden die. The flames of resolution had once again been reignited. He had an immediate aim, something that could sustain him for at least a little while. 

“And how will you do that?" The exotic feline questioned, a reluctant frown pursing her lips. “I would never wish to insult your capabilities, and I find your intentions nothing less than admirable, Uther. But you have only just arrived in our galaxy, one that you have been absent from for a long, long time. It is not the same place you left behind, I am certain of that. There are threats and dangers beyond your current knowledge, things that no amount of study from the galactic codex could prepare you for." The cheetah paused, the fur on her muzzle squirming as she adopted a bashful air as she tucked her arms underneath her breasts and held herself closely, her eyes downcast with embarrassment and regret in equal apparency.

“I ask for your forgiveness, Uther. I overstep my boundaries." She apologized, her entire body spurred into action as she moved to step away from him with a near tangible aura of mortification.

“You seem like a kind and just person, and I would hate to see this galaxy chew you up and spit you out." She mumbled out as she took another step backwards.

Before she could further retreat into herself, the guardian strode forward to meet her withdrawal, pitching an arm forward to lay a comforting hand upon her shoulder. Casting away his misgivings, the man swiftly removed his helmet so that she could see in full the true belief he would impart upon his words. “Do not ask for forgiveness where none is needed, Miss Daala." He intoned; dropping her title in favor of a more familiar tone that he hoped would offer her ease of mind.

“Your concern, while unexpected, is entirely appreciated. You are right. This is not the galaxy I had once known, and there are bound to be many things I will not understand. But I would wish that you understand something as well. In my time before, I was known as a warrior servant, vassaled to my divinity and tasked with the sole purpose of defending civilization. That is all I am, all I know how to be. For me, there is no other option."

He smiled, both in gratitude that she would be so concerned, and in amusement that she was far more congenial than any politician he had ever met before. “I will not be led astray so easily." Uther assured her with a low chuckle as he released his grip upon her and moved away to return the cheetah's personal privacy to her.

“This has been a most enlightening and wonderful conversation, Councilor, but I must now be on my way. There is darkness in this galaxy that must be put to light." Withdrawing from her immediate presence with a lithely twist of his heels, the guardian slickly donned his helm and set out on a random trajectory, intending for fate to once more work its whims, though perhaps this time more in his favor.

“Please… wait a moment!"

The warrior of light paused at the steps, turning back to the slim cheetah that hastily crossed the distance between them.

“Yes, Councilor?" He inquired with a curious raise of his brow that went entirely unnoticed, concealed as it was. Her guise seemed uncertain, but her soul burned bright. And this peaked Uther's interest.

“How exactly will you do all that you have promised?" She asked with a troubled tilt of her head, feline ears splayed back in mild concern. “From Peppy's report, you have nothing but what you carry with you now."

Uther chortled softly, great warmth resonating within him as he considered her question.

“Councilor, that is all I have ever needed. The light will be my guide in this journey, and my equipment will help me enforce its will. Neither has yet to fail me."

“All the same, I believe I may be able to help." The cheetah smiled nervously, unable to do otherwise upon hearing that melodious laugh, what was lovelier than even the greatest of asari vocalists, burdened as it was by some extraordinary tenor beyond description. “If you would, please come see me sometime in the next few days."

The guardian nodded his consent to her request. “It shall be so… till we next cross paths, Councilor." Taking flight up the steps, Councilor Daala watched as the large armored figure of the peculiar male as he seemed to vanish before her eyes, his disappearance finally silencing the fickle fluttering in her heart.