Chapter 2: Arbus
"....How aggravating." Arbus, the last surviving Renegade on the planet – muttered with a mournful expression etched across his features – his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Terytl-b, had long been celebrated as one of the most beautiful planets in the N-0 Starseeker Galaxy.
The star system had twin suns, one a radiant yellow, the other a scorching red.
The planet itself had a total of twenty-three moons orbiting it – each taking on a different hue, illuminating various parts of it in a surreal glow. It was one of the many attractions of Terytl-b that drew in various travelers from across the star system – and sometimes beyond.
Arbus had always hated the fact that the main Renegade base of the planet – where he was stationed to be observed – and where all other branches reported to — was located at the only point on the planet where night never fell and where no moon ever reached.
Only an endless day that offered no reprieve or contrast.
Which is why he had always enjoyed his solo patrol missions away from here quite well.
Over the last 9 months of being here, he had come to find the scenery a bit more pleasant than he had originally – the way a prisoner might find some level of comfort in the familiar cracks of their cell wall.
However, there was nothing pleasant about it right now.
All he could see now, were the lifeless bodies of his comrades – scattered across the landscape.
His jaw clenched in rage and regret.
Throughout his time on this planet, his fellow sentries, the administrative staff and even his superiors – had treated him with open disdain and hostility.
Upon arriving here, he had been forbidden from wearing the disguise bracelet his mother had crafted for him years ago.
Which meant that the Renegades stationed here had been forced to see his human skin every single day.
They had made how much they hated it known to him – every single day.
Despite all of that, he had never hated any of them.
It was easy for him to understand why people would hate him.
In fact, he would hate someone like him too. Someone with the blood of the enemy flowing through their veins.
After a bit, his gaze drifted to a specific heap of bodies — the one where the corpse of the now deceased commander of this planet, laid broken and discarded.
Commander Mits, a blue Mornan from the Mornan species – the most common species in the entire universe.
His once radiant blue skin now laid dull and drenched with his own dried blood. He had been one of the most powerful and hardworking people Arbus had ever known.
He had been a steadfast Renegade – relentless in his dedication to protecting this planet and its people.
More importantly, he was the only person in the base who had treated Arbus like an actual person.
Though, Arbus could still detect the subtle undercurrent of contempt beneath his professional demeanor.
He didn't mind it as much as he would have a few years ago – After all, it was an instinctual fear and hatred the people of this universe had for humans, that no amount of rational thought could fully erase.
Despite that, Mits had still tried his best to treat Arbus like any other Renegade.
That alone had made him different from the others, who couldn't be bothered to hide their disgust when Arbus walked into a room.
Mits had been the only reason Arbus had managed to defeat Ronin. If he hadn't pushed the Reincarnator as far as he did – Ronin would have most likely tossed him into a sun eventually.
After their fight, Ronin had used Mits's durable Commander class body to surf across the jagged terrain of the planet in a fit of rage. Mits's corpse had been almost unrecognizable when it finally stopped moving, his organs destroyed while his limbs twisted into various impossible angles.
Arbus had sworn to make Ronin suffer
Even more than he had made commander Mitz suffer.
And now he had kept that promise.
He let out a faint sigh as he wondered how long he would need to stay here.
Arbus had already reported the events that took place here, including the death of the Reincarnator. The communications systems that had suddenly stopped working hours ago when Ronin arrived – seemed to have reactivated after his death.
The report had been so shocking that the bored dispatch sentry on duty immediately connected him to a Renegade in an administrative position in the hold.
The administrative Renegade had found his claim of killing Ronin almost impossible to believe.
Ronin, the demented demon who had slaughtered countless innocent lives across multiple galaxies, was dead — and by the hands of a sentry no less, the lowest rank in the Renegades.
All Arbus had to do now was wait, and that was getting quite tiring – even though exhaustion was something he never really had to worry about.
After all, His body wouldn't let it. Not when he had the cursed blood of Joren Kaelen, the immortal Reincarnator, in his veins.
The memories of his past gave him a slight headache, so did his best to shove them aside, turning his focus elsewhere.
".....I did it. I finally killed another Reincarnator." Arbus said, his expression unreadable.
The sadness in his heart from seeing the state of his comrades – and imagining the state of the rest of the planet – was almost enough to drown out the catharsis he felt from killing Ronin.
Almost.
.....
He had won.
Once again, he had managed to defeat a far superior opponent despite the desperate situation he had found himself in.
Once again, he survived.
While everyone else.... was dead.
VROOM!
Just then, a Renegade ship came into view, parting the magenta sky.
It bore the golden symbol of the Renegades on its bow – an immaculate shield with a glistening shard impeded into its center.
'How cautious' Arbus mused inwardly.
It seemed like the Renegades were still not fully convinced of his report.
It didn't surprise him that only one ship had been sent down – considering the unusual situation.
This could have easily been a trap concocted by Ronin, who was known for his sick and twisted games.
Eventually, the ship landed noisily several meters away from where Arbus sat.
The door opened up, as a Vanguard accompanied by six knights disembarked cautiously.
They were all clad in sleek white armour reserved for Renegades of the knight and Vanguard rank.
Their faces were completely obscured by helmets they had on – most likely as a precaution against the currently volatile air of the planet.
They surveyed the area slowly, as they took in all the carnage and horror of the scene.
Arbus noticed as a few of them gagged – trying their very best not to throw up in their helmets.
After a while, The Vanguard leader's gaze finally drifted to Arbus – who had been sitting in the shattered remains of the second floor in the destroyed base. He was still drenched in his own blood. But even with that, it was very easy for the Vanguard to recognize the unforgettable texture of his skin... it was the skin of a human.
In the next instant, the Vanguard teleported beside Arbus – a radiant purple glow emanating from them.
Arbus eyes widened – as he immediately recognised it as the energy generated whenever a Heart shard user activated their ability.
The Vanguard's weapon was trained on him, ready to fire at a moment's notice.
A moment later, a cold female voice came from behind the mask.
"Name?"
Arbus remained silent for several moments.
He had never seen a Vanguard with a unique Heart Shard ability before.
Mits was a commander and no doubt, stronger than this Vanguard – yet even he didn't have one. It was very rare for a Renegade to ever develop a unique Heart shard ability, especially at the early levels of attunement.
Which meant that this Vanguard was no ordinary Renegade.
After a few moments, Arbus regained his composure.
"I already reported everything to the Renegade administrative personnel I contacted. I don't think there's anything left for me to say."
The Vanguard remained silent for a few moments. Then the intensity of her weapon increased, as she set it to level two.
"I won't repeat myself again." she said, her tone just as cold as before.
A frustrated frown spread across Arbus's features. He had just killed a Reincarnator – yet he was still being treated like one himself.
He exhaled slowly before responding.
"Arbus, my name is just Arbus."