#although it does explain why hel kinda... isn't using stasis yet... siiiigh

[sohelish]

Stasis, more like: nah

Moving painstakingly slowly towards the target - a large back Pyramid Scale on the horizon - was becoming more and more tiresome with every step. A sudden gush of wind rushed a cloud of flakes in Helena's direction, engulfing her much as a blizzard would; and for a moment she felt like losing herself in the vast snows of Europa.

That lizard brain of hers thought: hey, I could stay here.

Wouldn't that be so simple? Letting go and allowing the snowstorm to lull her into oblivion?

'Soon, you might die.'

Again - an unspoken truth which Izi the ghost chose to leave out.

'How long are we supposed to be doing this?'

'I don't know,' Helena stopped and shrugged, letting out a heavy sigh. 'Can't seem to get it right.'

She'd spent days meditating atop of the Dark Ziggurat when, finally, it granted Hel a vision: she was to approach a specific Scale, seen from a location specified by the Pyramids.

The first part, finding the place, was easy. The path towards the goal was not.

'I knew this was a test---'

'But?' Izi twisted and turned nervously as if the cold was getting to it. 'You don't know what to do? How to pass the test? Or... what it is about?'

The guardian let out a series of incoherent mutters, which her ghost understood anyway and fell morbidly silent.

'We should go back, get something warm to drink and eat,' while sarcasm was the usual tone with each Izi spoke, hearing it chirp with such dire irritation was a rarity. 'Forget this whole thing!'

Then the little drone did a flip in a desperate attempt to keep its emotion in check.

'You know me. I'm with you, always, no matter what you suggest. And your suggestions seem wild at first, but then, in the end, one can appreciate the beauty behind the chaos.'

'Hey, you don't have to say it,' Hel couldn't help but chuckle heartily. 'You, the creation of the Light, accepting something like the Darkness---'

'That's not what I was going for.'

The ghost echoed cryptically and stared into the shiny helmet, covering its partner's face. It knew the expressions Hel was making due to their connection, but the communication seemed awkward without taking in her face.

'Some ghosts may argue that, yes, using the Darkness wouldn't be natural, but I have heard your point and, maybe, even accepted it--- Don't get cocky!'

Helena's whole body got all springy like she was about to prance with joy - something she did on purpose, to tease her ghost. Then she lifted her arms in mock surrender, to which Izi replied by twirling in a certain way, designated to imitate an eye-roll.

'If I am a piece of tech at the core, what does it matter which energy I run on?'

'Well, it does matter but---'

'My point is - you're not a device and don't work like one.'

They've stopped a while ago, glancing in the direction of the Pyramid Scale now and then, and taking note: it looked like the thing was moving further away from the pair.

'I kinda have to want it, don't I?

'You don't, though.'

'But why? Izi! When have I ever given up free knowledge for frack's sake? What’s wrong with me?'

Even the drone had never seen Helena so at a loss.

Just as the woman had spoken a veil of mist appeared and covered up the Pyramid Scale entirely.

'Besides! All the good girls are running around using stasis. You must admit it's weird that I haven't joined in yet!'

'It is not about what you want. It's about what you need. I know it sounds cheesy when I say it like this but--- maybe my guardian doesn't need the Darkness.'

Hel huffed amicably, but then her tone fell to its lowest.

'Nah, that's not it. Something's off here.'

She shook her head.

'And I'll get to the bottom of this. Right now? Let's go check out a cave I've seen on our way here. There was a small sign on the side of the rock, meaning the Fallen have a stash there and I want it.'

'See! When you say that you want the sweet loot - that I believe. Mmm. Loot.'