26Chapter 6: Aftermath
Accessing File: Cabal War Council
After the death of Dominus Ghaul and the crowning of Empress Caiatl the newly made Empress creating a council of personal advisors and peers, who have proven worthy of might or cunning to be worthy of leading the Cabal in her new Empire. These advisors would assist and advice Empress Caiatl in various military operations and other decisions she has made for the Empire.
They originally tried to talk her out of forming an armistice with the United Stellar Alliance though their thoughts and ideas were overruled by the Empress who decided to form the armistice anyway. This decision has lead to multiple desertions in the Cabal military with Caiatl labeling these deserters as traitors.
At least one member of the War Council is not a Cabal himself.
Close File
.
.
.
.
.
Accessing File: Rite of Proving
The Rite of Proving is an ancient Cabal rite of passage that dates back as far as the Era of Lead, the time period before the Cabal expanded beyond their home system. During a rite, two Cabal, or their anointed Champions to serve as their representatives, would in public assembly announce their rivalry and/or grievances, with one or both sides issuing a challenge. The two Cabal would battle until one side conceded or was killed, with death being more commonplace than submission, the winner being seen as the rightful and "lawful" party in the dispute. Rites of Proving were undergone in Proving Grounds or Grand Arenas where contenders would ring their Bell of Conquests, or the War gong - an elaborate gong cast from multiple Bells - if the Grounds held one. Several trials to enhance the ability and grant privileges one could use in Rite combat also existed and were held most often by the warrior elite as nature and law of the Bell of Conquests. With the implementation of a Hammer of Proving, those who lay claim to their foe may also, rightfully, lay claim to tribute of their possessions.
The Rite of Proving was often used to determine leadership and able commanders within the Cabal military and was heavily favored by the Proterate before Emperor Calus overthrew them. The tradition became corrupted under Emperor Calus' rule and faded by the time of Dominus Ghaul's coup. Under Empress Caiatl's reign, the Empress has employed the re-use of the tradition to recruit willing Cabal into her War Council. The tradition directly ties into the Cabal Bell of Conquests.
Close File
Xxx
If you could trade, would you? Surely. But all miracles...require sacrifice.
Xxx
Orobas Vectura, Karava
Within the halls of the Cabal Carrier Kiva had started to sprint her way through the vessel, ignoring all of the dead Cabal and Eliksni littering the floor.
'Please be okay! Please be okay! Please be okay!' The 31st century woman thought to herself.
In her right hand was a device that showed the status of Cayde-6's Aura. His Aura was depleted, and his vitals were in the red. Kiva didn't know what happened, but she wasn't going to let him die.
She comes across a large door and goes to the access panel at its side. After inputting a command, the door begins to open. She looks inside and gasps at what she saw.
Cayde was lying on the floor with a massive hole in his chest. Before him was a massive frozen statue of an Eliksni but Kiva chose to ignore it as it held no significance to her.
She rushes inside and begins to tend to Cayde. As she held him Cayde began to stir and he starts to speak to her though his voice sounded more electronic, know doubt from the damage he suffered.
"How's…how's my hair?" He asked as he pointed to his head.
Kiva herself didn't respond and just weakly looked at him as she continued to assess the damage he suffered.
He chuckles and coughs at her silence before saying, "Speechless. Typical."
Kiva continues to assess the damage the Exo mercenary suffered before she began to shake her head.
"Oh no… There's nothing I can-" She says as tears began to form in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Cayde."
"Listen, kid. This… ain't on you. This… is what I get for… for playing nice." Cayde says to reassure Kiva.
He coughs, before laughing weakly.
"I just want to let you know… that helping you out… was the best bet… I ever… lost…"
Cayde's eyes fade out as his head goes limp.
"No…" Kiva whispered.
Cayde-6 was dead.
In her attempt to change to change the future she caused Cayde-6 to die in the 21st century preventing him from living all the way to the 31st.
Kiva takes a deep breath and takes out the phone Coop gave her and sends him a text message to pick her up on Carrier's airfield. She then grabs Cayde's hand cannon the Ace of Spades and holsters it. Then she turns her attention to Cayde's lifeless body and carries it bridal style.
(Go to the Light by Murder by Death (Destiny 2: Forsaken Trailer) Starts)
A lonesome star in a bitter sky
I hear the hungry ghosts calling out in the night
Just a couple victims of this brutal reprise
Am I strong enough to let things just die?
I fight and I fight
Just to keep the spark alive
But if there's nothing on the other side
Why can't I leave well enough alone and go to the light?
Go to the light
Go to the light
A shadowy hand turns the page
A dark theatre, move across the stage
Teeth like a cone, scrape against the sky
Feelin' alone in room full of life
Stealing a few extra moments and fighting against time
Pushed on and pushed aside
I've changed my song to match each story, I've changes sides
Can I watch 'em as they fall when they finally try to stand?
Redeem myself for everyone I've buried with these hands
Kiva makes it to the airfield and finds MEGAS in front of her with it's hand outstretched to the top of the ship. She steps onto it and is brought up to the top of MEGAS. Coop and Jamie gasp when they see Cayde's lifeless body in Kiva's arms. Jamie opens the backseat door for and she enters. She takes the side seat and has Cayde's body lie on the other two seats with his head resting on her lap.
I fight, I fight
Just to keep the spark alive
But if there's nothing on the other side
"Kiva?" Coop asked in a solemn voice and not his usual joyfulness. "What happened?"
Why can't I leave well enough alone and go to the light?
Kiva sadly looks at Cayde's dead body.
"Cayde's with his family now." She sadly says.
Just let it die (go to the light)
Just let it die (go to the light)
Just let it die (go to the light)
Just let it die (go to the light)
Just let it die (go to the light)
Just let it die (go to the light)
MEGAS flies into the air away from the mercenary base and out beyond the planet's atmosphere.
(Go to the Light by Murder by Death (Destiny 2: Forsaken Trailer) Starts)
Xxx
8 Hours Later
When the fight that had occurred at the Orobas Vectura began some of the attacks caused by MEGAS and Siviks' mech were noticed by the rest of the populace. Some of the Sangheili who had come to see Karava as home notified the Plumbers.
The Plumbers arrived though the fighting was already over with all of the known combatants dead. But once they realized that Cabal outlaws lead by Bracus Zahn were involved they had to turn this into a joint operation with the Imperial Cabal. While the United Stellar Alliance was in an armistice with the Cabal Empire one of its conditions was that any operation the Alliance finds itself in with Cabal deserters was to be a joint operation with the Empire itself.
As the Plumbers worked around the ship and its surrounding base they were joined alongside the hulking Cabal and the Psions.
The Psions a race of psychically empowered beings who were conquered and enslaved by the Cabal in the hopes of weaponizing their abilities. They now primarily serve as engineers, pilots and fire support within the Cabal military. However, since ascension of Empress Caiatl the Psions and all of the other races conquered by the Cabal have been given their freedom and full citizenship.
Psions have bald, veined heads, with a single eye surrounded by black trident-shaped creases. These eyes can be either blue or orange and have distinctive Y-shaped pupils. Their eyes turn opaque grey once they die, and the Y disappears. Their faces have a series of holes above their mouths, possibly functioning similar to spiracles for breathing. Some Psions serving in the Legions have the tops of their heads exposed, even in harsh environments without any visible damage. This is likely done to enable them to utilize their psionic abilities more freely, though also implies that their skin is incredibly tough despite its fragile appearance. However, this also may imply that Psions have a form of psychic shielding. Psions have five fingers on each hand, though often their armor groups their middle and ring fingers into one. Normally, they are significantly smaller than their Cabal superiors on average. However, some high ranking and powerful Psions are notable for towering over the Cabal under their command, due to the process of joining were some Psions merge themselves into one like the Gems Fusion abilities, however for Psions it is permanent.
In the room were Cayde-6 met his end a humanoid Plumber Magister with a pink face and a strong built body and what appears to be a metal implant on the right side of his head was overseeing the operation in it as he instructed his men to handle the frozen corpse of Thaviks, the Depraved carefully.
"Careful with that thing we need to identify who it was." The Magister ordered.
"Understood Magister Hulka." A Plumber called out.
"I'm telling you this thing doesn't even feel cold." Another Plumber said to his compatriot. "I don't even think this is ice."
"Sir, the Cabal's superior officer is here to confer with you." An agent said to Hulka.
"Good and who is it?" Hulka sternly asked.
"A member of the Cabal War Council and, this is the part that confuses me." The agent explained. "He's human."
Hulka's eyes widen a little before quickly composing himself. "I know who it is, return to your station."
"Yes sir." The agent said as he left.
Hulka turned around to see a human male in his 50s who appeared to be of African descent approach him with two Cabal Legionaries behind him. The human wore steel-gold colored armor that had wolf designs on his chest plate and his pauldrons possessed tree designs.. Around his shoulders he wore a fur cloak.
"Lord Saladin Forge or should I call you Valus Forge." Hulka greeted the human known as Saladin with a handshake. "Been too long since I saw you Iron Lord."
"Too long indeed old friend." Saladin greeted as he dismissed his guards.
Saladin Forge was a human from Earth who was part of an old Huntsmen order called the Iron Lords. Though much of their original numbers have been greatly diminished he still seeks out potential Iron Wolf recruits in his Iron Banner tournaments. Five years ago he was working with Sebben when Caiatl and a small group of Imperial Cabal came to Earth looking for a wanted fugitive of the Empire. Sebben agreed to work with them despite Saladin voicing his disapproval of doing so and made sure that the populace remained unaware of the aliens. However, when the criminal was captured a Psion who was one of Caiatl's closest friends ended dying do to friendly fire from one of Saladin's Iron Wolf recruits.
Caiatl demanded the life of the Iron Wolf who did this, instead Saladin offered his life instead. Instead of taking Saladin's life Caiatl placed him on her War Council and gave him the rank of Bracus (comparable to a lieutenant or lieutenant commader). Saladin would quickly rise to the rank of Valus (comparable to a vice admiral) when he was challenged to a Rite of Proving by Valus Guhrn Or'ohk, who challenged Saladin's right to exist on an even footing with the Cabal in their Empire. Thanks to Saladin's superior combat training and his Semblance Sunbreaker he was able to slay Guhrn Or'ohk when he refused to yield. Saladin organized a tournament similar to the Iron Banner for the Cabal, even calling the contestants his "Iron War Beasts", which quickly became popular amongst the Cabal. However, despite proving himself and having the Empress's support, many would still object to having the Iron Lord a member of Caiatl's War Council, leading an entire Cruiser to defect from the Empress's fleet.
"Caiatl will want this Carrier back and any weapons that Zahn had been manufacturing." Saladin said to Hulka.
"That's to be expected."
"Indeed, but what of the Eliksni that were part of this?" Saladin asked.
"They seem to be part of the House of Spider and were being led by Rakis' brother Siviks." Hulka explained. "The ruins of that mech was made with Eliksni and Cabal engineering along with some unknown technology. Something made them turn on each other. We tried interrogating Rakis, but he said he hadn't spoken to Siviks in months."
Saladin looked around the room and watched Plumbers, Cabal, and Psions clearing it out of dead bodies.
'Just what the hell happened here?' Saladin thought to himself.
Xxx
Earth, New Jersey,
1 day later
In the basement of Coop's house Coop and Jamie were talking about their latest adventure with their friends Tiny and Goat while enjoying some spicey ramen Coop got from Cayde's favorite restaurant in San Fransokyo after making a quick trip there.
"Man, that Cayde guy sounded so awesome." Goat said. "Wish I could've met him."
"Same here amigo." Tiny said in agreement as he ate some ramen. "How's Kiva taking it?"
"As good as she normally does." Jamie explained. "We had to give Cayde's body to Ana she would've known what to deal with it."
"But Kiva met Cayde in her time and now his past self is dead." Goat said before asking. "How will this affect the future?"
"That's what she's asking Rasputin right now." Coop said before looking up the stairs.
Xxx
While Coop and Jamie were talking with their friends Kiva was in the garage sitting in the car that served as the head of MEGAS. She looked at the small computer on it as it displayed a ball of red energy that served as Rasputin's avatar. She waited a day before mustering the courage to call the AI Warmind and asking him if any changes were made.
"Don't sugarcoat it Rasputin." Kiva asked solemnly. "Was the future changed?
"I have overlooked your history files exactly 1,941,857 times." Rasputin explained. "And I have found gapes in them that make no mention of Cayde-6 or the Kell's Scourge. However, I cannot assume that this has made any changes to your future. As I have said before you may not come from our future but an alternate future instead."
Kiva takes a deep breath before saying, "Whether it was my future or your future we saved a lot lives in the long run. I just wish it didn't cost Cayde's life. Goodbye, Rasputin."
"Goodbye, Kiva. I am sorry for your loss, and I hope you'll feel better." Rasputin says before ending the communication.
Kiva then takes out the Ace of Spades from the gun holster on her leg and looks at it. The gun was Cayde's and now it was hers. As long as the gun remained then something of Cayde still remained.
"You didn't die in vain Cayde."
Kiva holsters the weapon and gets out of the car. She opens the door and before she closes it behind her, she looks back into the garage before turning her head forward and leaving it.
Xxx
(The End)
(Credits: Exile/Vilify by The International Plays)
Written by EndeavorT
Special thanks to Lord Maximus and everyone who read this story.
Exile it takes your mind again
Exile it takes your mind again
You've got suckers' luck have you given up?
Does it feel like a trial?
Does it trouble your mind the
Way you trouble mine?
Exile it takes your mind again
Exile it takes your mind again
Oh, you meant so much have you given up?
Does it feel like a trial?
Does it trouble your mind the
Way you trouble mine?
Does it feel like a trial?
Now you're thinking too fast you're
Like marbles on glass
Vilify don't even try
Vilify don't even try
You've got suckers' luck have you given up?
Does it feel like a trial?
Does it trouble your mind the
Way you trouble mine?
Does it feel like a trial?
Did you fall for the
Same empty answers again?
Vilify don't even try
Vilify don't even try
Vilify don't even try
Vilify
Xxx
Sorry it took so long for this chapter to get out I was just dreading it and I got lazy several times.
So Cayde-6 is dead sorry he dies in every timeline and he is not coming back. Remember Exos don't work like normal robots and as I have said multiple times the Light and Darkness of the Destiny universe do not exist in the GrimmFall universe so there is no Traveler and Ghosts to bring him back. And remember I said the Black Pyramid in my Beyond Light story was explicitly from the Destiny universe and it ended up in the GrimmFall universe was because of rifts caused by Van Kleiss' portal machine so don't expect anything else from the Destiny universe ending up in the GrimmFall universe. Remember when it comes to crossover stories you got to figure out what meshes well and what doesn't. If the Light and Darkness of the Destiny universe existed in GrimmFall then it would clash with the already established creation of the GrimmFall universe. If we don't analyze these sort of things and question if what we want to add will work or not then we end up making the same mistakes as a certain former GrimmFall contributor who shall go unnamed.
This is EndeavorT signing off and wishing you all well.