Snow settles over the battlefield as the crackling remains of the Fallen Captain slump on the ground. Weiss collapses to her knees, chest heaving, exhaustion and pain chaining her to the spot. The wind cuts through her armor, sharp as glass.
Spark drifts down in front of her face, humming thoughtfully.
"You appear to be moments from unconsciousness. Statistically understandable. Fortunately, Light-based regeneration is well within my skill set. Hold still."
Weiss opens her mouth to argue, but Spark is already glowing. A soft pulse of Light washes over her, warm and strange, sinking into her body like liquid fire. The pain in her missing limb dulls first, then begins to fade entirely. Nerves knit themselves together and blood flow stabilizes.
Her breath shudders. "It… feels weird."
"All biological repair does. Your arm will take a few minutes to fully reform—please do not attempt to look at the process. It is visually… unpleasant for most humans."
She makes the mistake of glancing anyway. Her forearm is reassembling itself piece by piece, sinew and Light weaving together like frost forming in reverse.
She immediately looks away. "Ugh okay, noted."
Spark emits a pleased trill. "Excellent. Mobility in the limb will return shortly. Once it does, we should proceed. The energy signature from your resurrection likely attracted more Fallen. And possibly worse."
Weiss forces herself upright, steadying against a broken crate. "Already? I just got my arm sliced off." She says sarcastically.
"And just got it back. Efficient, is it not? In any case, we are not done. Your first mission has an objective: reach the Cosmodrome wall and locate a viable jump ship. Without one, you will be… stranded. Permanently."
Weiss swallows hard, her new arm tingling as sensation flows back into her fingers. "So we run?"
"We advance," Spark corrects cheerfully. "Bravely. Preferably without further dismemberment. Do keep your weapon ready—Fallen activity in this sector is increasingly aggressive."
Weiss exhales, checks her magazine, and pulls the charging handle. Her legs still shake, but purpose steadies her. "Fine. Lead the way."
Spark rises, plates shifting with excitement.
"Wonderful! Forward we go. Try not to die—it would ruin the momentum we've developed."
As Weiss passes by the corpse of the Fallen captain she pauses for a moment before grabbing the Captains remaining Arc Sword.
"Let's take this, that way I'll have a weapon if something gets too close for me to use my rifle." She shudders slightly, feeling a faint phantom pain in her arm despite it being healed recently.
Sparks hums before scanning the sword and sending it into subspace, before moments later it reappears on Weiss' back. With the acquirement of a new weapon successful. Together, they move toward the looming silhouette of the Cosmodrome wall.
Silence passes by for a while, until Spark hums thoughtfully.
"Since we have a moment before something attempts to kill us again, a brief explanation of… everything… is advisable."
Weiss gives a tired laugh. "Yeah. I was hoping you'd get around to that."
Spark brightens. "Excellent! Let us begin with the Traveler."
Weiss listens attentively, excited that she will finally learn more about what is going on and what she might be. "The Traveler is a massive, paracausal sphere of impossible power. It came to humanity long ago and accelerated your species' technological development. You called this period the Golden Age. Quite optimistic of you."
Weiss raises an eyebrow. "And you were… born from it?"
Spark trills softly at the inquiry. "Not precisely born—more created. The Traveler released fragments of its Light, and those fragments became Ghosts. Like myself."
"And the Light? What is it?" She as she looks at her gloved hand, happy that she is whole. Spark's iris flares in excitement.
"A paracausal force, one that does not obey conventional laws. It rejuvenates, protects and empowers. I use Light to resurrect and repair you. You, as a Guardian, can shape it… eventually. Provided you survive long enough to learn."
Weiss glances at her reformed arm. "Okay… that part tracks."
"Ghosts seek those capable of wielding the Light—individuals whose souls resonate with the Traveler's power. When we find such a person, we resurrect them as Guardians. Champions. Defenders of humanity."
Weiss clears her throat. "Spark, you told me what the Traveler and the Light are. But… what exactly is a Guardian? What am I supposed to be now?"
Spark slows, rotating to face her. His iris brightens with a reflective, almost reverent shimmer. "Ah. An excellent question! One that most newly resurrected individuals ask before either panicking or attempting heroics. Sometimes both."
Weiss raises a brow. "Which one am I?"
"Statistically, you lean toward both. But I find that encouraging." He floats closer, voice taking on a rare seriousness beneath the usual cheer. "A Guardian is a wielder of the Traveler's Light—warriors resurrected from humanity's past to defend humanity's future. You are the firewall between civilization and extinction. The sword and shield against the Darkness."
Weiss's steps falter slightly at realizing just how important a guardian is. "That sounds… dramatic."
"Oh, it is! Entirely accurate, too. Many species wish to end your kind. Some wish to harvest you, others to subjugate you, and a few simply enjoy the chaos. Without Guardians, humanity would have perished centuries ago."
Weiss looks at her hands—one new, one scarred by battle. "I didn't choose this."
"No Guardian does. The Traveler chose you. I confirmed the choice. And now the universe expects you to rise to the role." Weiss sighs. "And what does that role entail?"
Spark hums, his plates fluttering with excitement. "Combat proficiency, for one. You will be called upon to fight threats that normal humans cannot withstand. You will learn to channel the Light, projecting it as weapons, shields, movement, and occasionally enormous explosions."
Weiss deadpans, "Explosions?"
"Quite impressive ones. Some Guardians take great pride in them. You appear suited to a more precise path, however."
They continue walking. Weiss takes in the broken cars, ships, the fallen towers, the silent snow drifting through the cracked roof of an old hangar. "Spark… did I have a life before this? A family?"
He hesitates for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps. But your former life ended the moment you did. Guardians do not regain their pasts. You are—" he pauses, choosing the right word, "—reborn. Not as who you were, but as who you must become."
Weiss falls silent. Spark's voice softens just a fraction. "And if it matters… I believe you will become an exceptional Guardian. Provided you resist being dismembered again."
Weiss frowns. "Why me?"
"Unknown!" Spark says far too cheerfully. "The Traveler chooses. Or fate, or probability. Opinions tend to vary on the subject. But you were dead, you are no longer dead, and you are now quite important." Weiss exhales, absorbing the weight of it all. "So… I'm supposed to save the world?"
"Ideally. Or at least die less frequently while attempting to. Which brings us to our immediate priority—"Spark tilts his fins toward the rusted stairs along the iron wall leading towards a way past. "—traversing this perilous place and locating a vehicle, preferably a ship. If it is functional, we can extract ourselves from this ruinous location. If not, we will improvise. Improvisation may involve more danger. Potentially explosions. And lasers. Exploding lasers."
Weiss sighs tiredly before nodding, adjusting the blade on her back. "Then let's hope that ship works."
"Hope is statistically unreliable, but noted." Spark darts ahead, scanning the path. "Weiss, do stay close. The Fallen patrols in this area are particularly unfriendly, and you are still adapting to your lack of mortality."
She jogs to follow him. "Lack of mortality?" Spark hums softly. "You cannot die permanently while I remain intact. Though I would greatly prefer you avoid testing the limits. Repeated resurrections are so tedious."
Weiss can't help a small smile. "I'll try."
Spark brightens. "Wonderful! Now, our adventure awaits."
He darts ahead in excitement, scanning the pathway ahead. "Come along, Weiss! This next part may involve danger, structural instability, and possibly a live Fallen crew. Very exciting."
Weiss grips her rifle and follows, the weight of her new reality settling in—but so does the spark of purpose. A Guardian, defender of humanity. A life she never asked for but one she'll fight to claim.