Malediction

"I understand that getting through the portal is important—" Crow began.

"It's more than important," Osiris interrupted. "It's our best chance to prevent the final shape, however the Witness conceives of it. Beyond that, it's a chance to study paracausality at a level we've never had access to before."

"I get it, I get it," Crow interjected.

The Hunter was overseeing the unloading of Spider's ship in the Eliksni Quarter. House of Light workers ferried crates into warehouses on ingenious Eliksni-made trollies. Normally, such a task would be outside of Crow's purview, but Spider couldn't be trusted to stick to his manifests, so here he was. Osiris stood back and watched the bustle with detachment.

"I've heard all the reasons," Crow continued. "And they all make sense. It's just…" He paused, trying to find a delicate way of broaching the subject.

"Savathûn," Osiris provided, his voice tinged with foreboding.

"Yeah," Crow replied. He shook his head in dismay. "We worked so hard to put her away. And after everything we went through—what YOU went through—we're just going to… bring her back?"

Under his mask, Osiris's lips pressed into a thin, tense line. In truth, the situation pained him greatly, but he would not allow his gnawing doubt to infect the young Hunter.

When he spoke, his voice came out as smooth and measured as always. "Guardians sacrifice more than their lives in defense of humanity. More than their friends. Or their Ghosts."

"We sacrifice our peace of mind. In many ways, it's our greatest loss," Osiris said, imagining Saint's concern. "But it's the price we pay for the knowledge we bear. For the power we wield."

"I know," Crow sighed, recalling Amanda's empty spot in the Hangar. "I know."