#velliks

The Awoken Warlock's heart weighed heavy within his chest. Walking past his siblings, all chittering and conversing, scuttling around with four arms instead of two, Velliks glanced upon his own form.

No claws. Two arms. Entirely Awoken, not Eliksni.

The man sighed heavily, frowning as he bit his lower lip, and shook the dismay away. Velliks located his Kell, then approached, bowing.

Misraaks turned around and looked upon the captain. "Velliks. You are brave as always. What may I do for you?"

Velliks lowered his shoulders, dropping his gaze. "I... I'd like some guidance, if you're willing, Kel-ne."

The Kell smiled warmly, and nodded. "Of course, Velliks, kir ma sha. Speak your heart, and I will give it Light."

Nodding, Velliks inhaled deeply, thinking for a long moment. Searching for the words to express his mind, he spoke. "I'm... not like everyone here. I haven't been. I never was." The Warlock shook his head, tensing. "You call me captain, and granted me my name as one of you, but I am Awoken walking amongst Eliksni. I mimick your habits, and your movements. Zavala believes me strange because I chitter as I speak, and I crawl around as much as I walk. He sees an Awoken. Everyone does. I see an Awoken... But... I wish I didn't have to..."

"Hmm..." Misraaks chirped gently for a moment, pondering in silence otherwise. Then, he looked upon Velliks, and motioned for him to follow. "We should not speak this matter to the House. They would be afraid, and rightly so."

Velliks stood, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You will know soon," the Kell promised. He began walking away from the rabble of all.

Quickly, the Warlock followed, rushing to his Kell's side as they made way for the outskirts of the Eliksni Quarter.

Misraaks halted, and turned to see Velliks once more. "Have you heard the tales of the Ahamkara?"

Velliks shook his head, puzzled. "...No. I don't believe I have," he replied.

"It is hard to regale one in the stories of what was and no longer is. But still the tragedies of these wish-masters is known by all who lived their wrath." Misraaks glanced to the infinite sky above. "Centuries ago, Guardians made contact with the Ahamkara. Wish Dragons. These creatures were capable of granting anything one sought regardless of what it was. However, the price was grave. That wish would be forced to drive its maker to the bitter end, in that whatever the wisher received, they'd have no choice but to submit to it entirely. If a Guardian asked for power, they'd find themself forced to obtain power by any and all means necessary including that of everyone else. They'd kill, they'd slaughter, and they would not stop until put down. If someone wished for riches, they, too, would seek their fortune at the cost of all, never stopping even if the universe were drained of all its wealth, the very promise torturing its maker to forever hunger for more. But... the wishes were granted nonetheless. Whatever was sought became theirs. And it could not be taken away.

"Guardians feared the power of the Ahamkara, and watched as all whose desires were granted tore apart the universe. The Vanguard began a mission to slay all these wish-masters for the safety of Humanity. Dead Dragons could no longer twist their promises to those whom they granted their will. And since this elimination, none have wished. There are no Ahamkara to speak desires upon. Or so the legends say..."

Shaking his head, Velliks sighed. "Why does it matter, then? What bearing do the Ahamkara have if they no longer exist?"

"I have traveled far, across many systems in this galaxy, and I have seen boundless infinities. I've heard whispers spoken through the mouths of things which cannot be seen. Those voices are waiting. Calling." Misraaks looked Velliks in the eyes sincerely. "I am certain that the Ahamkara have not all been killed. There are few, and they live. Hidden. Waiting.

"It is true an Ahamkara will force the wisher to follow their will eternally, however Guardians would free those bound by promise when the Ahamkara who granted the wish was slain. The dead cannot enact a living will. If you can find one, you can make a wish to become Eliksni. And if you gather your fireteam, you can kill it once your wish is granted. You'll be free as the very self you desire to become."

There, Velliks's mouth fell agape, his shoulders falling as he grew entirely silent for many moments. "But... Who could I even trust to do this?! Who would be willing to go against the Vanguard law to help me?! Where would I even begin to look for an Ahamkara?!"

Misraaks grinned. "The law-breaking part is simple. My partner, Anthem-99, has been dubbed 'The Lawless Vanguard' for a reason. All the same, Magnuskel is a good man willing to give aid to all in need. He is powerful, and it would not surprise me if his might alone could tear apart an Ahamkara. Both their allies are many, and with the Titan and Hunter, you will find an army ready to follow you forth as you make your wish. As for finding one, listen to the stars. Travel in the direction of voices, and seek their sources. If you hear words from something unseen, and they reach not your ears but your mind, you will know. You will find them. Let their whispers guide you. But do not go alone. An Eliksni is nothing without his House to stand by him."

Velliks immediately bowed to Misraaks. "Kel tas ne, thank you. Truly. Thank you."

Nodding, the Kell grasped Velliks's shoulder, gripping it firmly. "You are Velliks, kir ma sha. Brave and strong. You are our captain. And I am certain your unrelenting prowess will serve you well in the battle to come. Light guide you, hatchling." Misraaks smiled, releasing the Warlock, then walked away toward the House once more.

And Velliks's heart lifted, filling him with hope. Standing up, the captain smiled, chirping gently.

The Eliksni Warlock is a captain of House Light. He doesn't let ANYONE hurt those he loves.

And Velliks LOVES Crow.

One time a random teenager threw a pebble at Crow, and Velliks fucking charged on all six scuttling toward them with terrifying speed as he hissed and chittered ferally while screaming swears in Eliksni.

If someone makes Crow cry, they can have fun being ripped to shreds by bestial claws and having nothing left of themself to be buried. Shouldn't have upset the most perfect man in the world.

Then, he suddenly gets a vision. The Traveler in the distance, from the Tangled Shore. Sjur Eido is at his side, and he is Awoken again. She places a gentle hand on his arm, and asks, "Harn. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I am," Velliks replies, his voice slightly different. "I'm leaving this Traveler-forsaken pit of lies. I'm done serving Mara. I need to go!" He looks down at his clothes, Awoken Corsair ones. A tear streaks his blue face.

Sjur nods. "I understand, Harn," she tells him. "We'll miss having you here, but the Dreaming City isn't for everybody. You helped build it. You've done your part. Now, it's time to find your destiny."

Velliks nods. "Thank you for understanding." He throws his arms, just two, around Sjur for a moment, then backs off. "I'll miss you all. But I promise. I'll be better off on my own." He turns away, and walks into a ship.

The view pans to the ship jumping into hyperdrive, then time passes. Velliks can feel it. Suddenly, he's in the ship, and there is turbulence. Velliks scrambles to find buttons as fire bites the hull. Suddenly, he reaches for the comms device, and says, "This is Harn Vokus, of Corsair ship 2995. I'm headed for an unknown sector of the Tangled Shore, and I'm not sure I'll make it. Please. Send help. I'm sorry I left..."

The vision flashes. And there, Mithrax is standing over Velliks, as is a Ghost. The Eliksni holds out a hand, and asks in his native tongue, "Na, Guardian?"

Velliks tilts his head. The Shore is much different here, and the ship is overgrown. Much time has passed, obviously. "What?"

The Ghost shines their light over the Awoken, and the tattered Corsair clothes become a long, flowing Warlock robe. "The Kell is asking if you need help, little Warlock."

Looking down at himself, Velliks looks up at Mithrax, and says, "Where am I? What's my name?" He shakes his head, sighing. "I suppose I could use some help. Thank you." He smiles, and Mithrax takes his hands, pulling him up.

"Apologies. I forget you wouldn't know our tongue. Your clothes were... not from here. It would seem your ship crash landed. Do you know anything about that?"

Velliks looks at the ship, raising an eyebrow. "This is my ship? I don't remember what happened."

"It's a Corsair ship," Mithrax tells him. "But that's not important. What is, is that we get you to safety. My House will guide you. Protect you. Until we have means to get you to the Last City where your kind—Guardians—live. Come with me, friend."

The vision fades.

And Velliks opens his eyes.

When he called for help, no one came. When he was dying, nobody saved him.

When he awoke, Mithrax, and the House of Light, protected him. Loved him. Gave him care.

Velliks's reawakening was not that of being an Awoken, it was that of becoming Eliksni. He became one of them because it was where he truly belonged. The Awoken abandoned him when he abandoned them. It was time to move on, to find something better.

Another vision flashes in Velliks's eyes. This time, he is Eliksni, serving as the Captain he is alongside his house. He calls out commands, and the House follows, as they battle the Vex invading their home in the Last City. They survive, cheering, as Magnus closes the portal once and for all.

The Titan goes and holds out a hand to Velliks, who claps it, and both say, "Ren ke na." For House Light.

"You fight well for a New Light," Magnus tells him in Eliksni. "Thanks for covering my ass there."

"Hey, it's an honor," Velliks replies back in Eliksni. "I wouldn't have made it without you. My family wouldn't be here if you didn't kill Quria."

"I understand. I'm always here for the people of this City. That includes you all. Every Eliksni."

Velliks smiles, and hugs Magnus.

Magnus smiles, and returns the hug. "The Light provides."

"The Light provides."

The vision fades, and Velliks smiles wider now.

He has a family, friends, a home. With the House of Light, with Magnus, within the Last City. He has more now than he could ever have hoped to have before. He's got everything now he never had with the Awoken.

Love.

Velliks: Like this.

Velliks: *smacks router on the counter repeatedly, bolts and plastic bits flying every which way*

Crow: I don't think that's how you-

Crow: Oh, the wifi's back on. Thanks!

Mithrax: I'm happy for you! Your sister will be, too, when she--

Savathûn: *waves hand*

Eido: PPPPFFFFFTTTT

I FINALLY GOT THE LIGHTKIN ROBES!!!!! Now, Velliks has taken on his Eliksni form!!!

Velliks was an Awoken Warlock named Harn, found upon first revival by Mithrax of the House of Light, and brought to The Tower. Harn couldn’t remember his name, but quickly found solace and comradery within the House and amongst the Eliksni. Soon, the Warlock’s sense of identity began to form, matching that of Eliksni. He learned their language, insisted on speaking it more than the common tongue, began acting like them (scuttling around, mimicking chirping and clicking), and lead his House on various expeditions, while defending and protecting them with his immortal life.

Without a name, this Warlock felt identityless, save for his place amongst the House of Light. One day, an Eliksni called him “kir-Velliks”, or “strong Velliks”. Therein, the Warlock took on the name Velliks, and Mithrax promoted him to a commander position within the House.

Eventually, Velliks decided he wanted to make himself finalized amongst Eliksnikind who he felt most at home with, and akin to. Thus, he wished upon an Ahamkara to become Eliksni. Upon said wish being granted, the House of Light immediately ambushed and slew the Ahamkara to eliminate all possible falling-outs and damnations it could cause to him.