Chapter 19

Chapter 25: Echoes Across Time

TIME SKIP 5 YEARS

It's been a couple of years since I was reborn in this universe. Honestly, it seemed so long ago that I was just some guy at home playing video games. Now I'm just living in one of them, thriving even. But I've adapted and accepted that all this isn't just some game anymore; it's now my reality whether I like it or not.

**Year 1**

A few months after my mission over at the satellite station and clearing out the hive infestation that had been using said station as some sort of hideout for a ritual that Freya and I thwarted. The Vanguard had told me that any other Fireteam they sent to scour the earth for more Hive Presence came back empty-handed. They, mostly Ikora, were worried that the Hive had delved deep into the Earth's crust, hiding and waiting for a more opportune time, and honestly, I agree.

I had a daily routine going on for myself since then. At the start of my days, I would head over to the Bounty Board to accept some bounties around Earth to complete. I would then go on scouring every old Golden Age relic site to scavenge anything worthwhile. I found some things, but most of the things there are just a bunch of scrap—well, more things to tinker with, I guess. At the end of the day, I would clear out the area around the Breach to see whether or not the Guardian from the game would pop up at some point. No luck so far. Then it would be time to head back and report to Cayde-6, my Vanguard.

**Year 2**

I finally have a good set of armor for myself and my own style—an iconic look, so to say. If I were to describe my armor set now, I would be some badass Cowboy Gunslinger of a hunter, minus the long cape Hunters are known for. I don't know why Hunters would use capes since most of the time, they tend to inconvenience most of agile movements in and out for combat. The amount of time it got snagged or stuck somewhere is ridiculous. Fortunately, it never got me into any serious trouble. And I'll be honest, the capes kind of eye-catching. Now, though, I'm just wearing a sort of overscarf-like shroud that cuts just above the middle of my back to still signify my Guardian Class.

[Odin's Current Armor Set]

Finally started doing some Crucible operations. Let me tell you, going against The Abominations of the Darkness is one thing, but going against your fellow Guardians is another. I'm just happy we're all on the same side. Well, mostly anyway. During my time as a Solo Guardian, I've met some Rogue Lightbearers. Their presence with the Light is quite different; it's as if I'm in a lit room but the light is dim and flickering. I don't know what that really means for them, but it couldn't be good. Had to put down some of these rogue Lightbearers myself. Their Ghost and all, it wasn't easy at first snuffing out another's Inner Light, but it was either them or me. I'll always choose the latter.

**Year 3**

Had my first ship battle against some Fallen skiffs. It was honestly extremely exhilarating. Like all the adrenaline I get from my battles on the ground but bump it up by 100. My ship took some damage, but with Freya taking control of the ship, I was able to focus on taking out the skiffs gunning for us.

While heading over to my mission coordinates, my ship was bombarded by some sort of Fallen Anti-air. I had to make emergency landings when they hit one of my back burners. Had to take out the Anti-air cannons the Fallen made, which were protected by squadrons of Fallen, but it was all in a day's work if I say so myself. When they were taken out, had to report to the Vanguard over a secure communication channel about what the Fallen made while Freya took care of emergency repairs for the ship. After which, we headed on towards our mission.

**Year 4**

The House of Devils is starting to become more active lately. When I took out one of their Archon priests, they went into hiding but now? They're starting to peek out their heads again. Heard from one of Cayde's personal scouts that they have a new Archon priests taking charge around Old Russia. I've been looking around for this new Archon Priests but unfortunately, this one knows how to hide.

Recently met The Iron Lords—well, the remaining Iron Lords that is: Lord Saladin and Lady Efrideet. They're good people, even greater Guardians. Got close to both of them; could even consider them friends now. Let me tell you, the Iron Banner is brutal but nonetheless, it helps me improve myself.

**Year 5**

While I was just relaxing in my ship, floating in Earth's orbit after a successful day, my ship receives a transmission containing a set of coordinates and nothing else, suspicious and weird. But Freya said it just leads to the middle of nowhere, just empty space. We brought it over to the Cryptarch if it was some kind of encryption and reported it to the Vanguard while he was busy with that. But it just came out empty.

Wandering around Earth, I came upon a hidden laboratory with a company's logo and branding by its airlock gates saying "ArmaLite." If my memories aren't failing me, this should be the weapon manufacturer back in the Golden Age of Earth. Looking around, there's no way in aside from the airlock gates that won't budge at all. We tried hacking in and breaching in. Whatever this gate's made out of, it's incredibly durable to say the least. Stubborn Gate aside, Freya and I decided to just record this location for next time if we find out how to open it, that is.

**Present**

A Fallen Ketch and Fallen skiffs entered Earth's orbit extremely close to the surface over The Cosmodrome.

"Well, It appears Destiny is here. Or should I say they are."