Written in Light Volume 1

WRITTEN1 IN LIGHT VOLUME 1 Legal Bullshit Written in Light is a not-for-profit labor of love produced solely for entertainment purposes that contains works inspired by Bungie’s video game Destiny (2014). Said works are shared and produced under the provision for Fair Use. No copyright infringement is intended. Bungie, Destiny and/or other related products referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Bungie Inc. or its suppliers. Written in Light is in no way affiliated with Bungie Inc. or its suppliers. Written in Light, the Written in Light logo, and/or other related products referenced herein are the sole property of Written in Light. The works contained herein remain the sole property of their respective owners, and are published here with permission. © Written in Light Letter from the Editor In late 2014, I purchased Bungie’s Destiny at This alternate universe - separate from the the urging of a friend. I had eagerly watched official game, but integrated with such love teasers of the game’s development, but due to and beauty - kept me invested in Destiny long life circumstances and dwindling interest in after I had finished poring over the Grimoire. video games, I had completely forgotten about I kept turning to the internet - to Tumblr, it until after its release. It was the first game I Reddit, and the Bungie forums - to see what had purchased in over a year, and it was the the community had created. I came to see first excuse I had to plug my dusty console those creators as being as integral to Destiny as back in. My reasoning? A space cowboy the game I experienced on console. wearing a cloak was pretty cool, and Bungie I’m happy to say that many of those same had made Halo. creators are featured here. For the first volume I barely understood it. The story, the of Written in Light, we asked the community to mechanics, the characters; they were all share with us their memories of Destiny, in mysterious, obscure - and entirely fascinating. whatever form they took - to bring the ideas As my friend’s interest in the game waned, that had inspired and delighted them to life. mine only grew: what was this strange world, And, despite three years as a member of this and what was happening within it? I began to community, I was - we were all - blown away read the official Grimoire. I began to search by the submissions we received. for secrets. Eventually, I began to imagine This ‘zine is a product of the same love that my own stories, told within the patchworked, first inspired me to look beyond the game imperfect universe of the game - and I realized into the deeper universe that supports it, a I wasn’t the only person to do so. love that is shared by countless people across Destiny was my first experience with fan- the globe. As with all works, games take on fiction, fan-art, or ‘fandom’ of any kind. I’ve meaning through the experience of the player, always loved to explore the bits of stories that and it has been a privilege to experience the go unsaid, and to my surprise, I discovered stories that the community has shared with that Destiny’s fan community does too. I us. stumbled upon artists whose works made I hope that, within these pages, you find a me dream of worlds beyond our own, writers world worth returning to. I hope you find whose stories made my pulse pound and my stories, artwork, and photography that makes throat tighten, cosplayers whose incredible you laugh, makes your pulse pound, makes dedication to their craft delighted me, video your throat tighten. Above all, I hope that creators whose content made me laugh; I you’ll be inspired, delighted, and entertained, found a world beyond the world of Destiny just as I have been since December of 2014. that inspired me to dive ever-deeper into its opaque depths. JASPER //EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, WRITTEN IN LIGHT WRITTEN IN LIGHT: VOLUME 1 If you're reading this, you've probably experienced Ghost revival at least once. Fun, isn't pullingit? Feels a thorn nice? out Almost from asunder nice your as nail. Feels better once it's done. First time's the worst. If you haven't figured that out yet, you will. Gets better over time. Learn to trust your Ghost - they'll make it easier. I've pulled a few thousand thorns out from under my nails. Maybe a few hundred thousand. Rose during the great rush that preceded the Age of Triumph, out there in the Cosmodrome with the rest of the uneasy dead, and here I am. A Guardian. Just like you. I've been here a while, and I've learned some things - such as that scrap paper is hard to come by in the Wilds. Lucky for you, I found this book, and I've taken the liberty of adding my own notes. Might be you'll find them useful Storyteller CIARA CHASTAIN Almost every Ghost He found them while plundering the lived a full life databanks of abandoned outposts, searching before they met their scattered and half-destroyed homesteads, or Guardian. combing through the ruins of cities. He found them in books, those rare and fragile things, The lucky few found which he lovingly scanned, page by page. theirs only hours Losing himself in the world of their words after creation, but eased the loneliness for a time. for the rest, it took years, decades, or even centuries. The Ghost had seen so much since Through the centuries, he’d amassed an the Traveler died. He’d seen the desperation of incredible wealth of stories. He shared them humanity coalesce into the small, ramshackle with the City every chance he got, knowing encampment in the Traveler’s shadow. He’d that each journey into the unknown might be seen that encampment rise, girding itself his last. Sometimes he wondered whether that with walls. He’d seen the first Guardians step would be his only legacy. forward, and say to the ever-encroaching During one of his resting periods in the City, Darkness: No more. This is where your shadow he first heard about the Hunter Vanguard’s ends, and our Light begins. “special duty.” It was all very inspiring, of course, but it *** hadn’t helped him find his Guardian. “Cayde-6?” He ventured off-world, wandering through the ruins of humanity’s achievements until Cayde-6 glanced up towards the unfamiliar his fading Light forced him to return to the voice. His first instinct, upon seeing the lone Traveler to gather his strength. In those first Ghost floating before him, was to look around lonely years, he discovered something that to see where its Guardian had wandered off to. was more wonderful than he ever could have “Just Cayde is fine. What can I help you with, imagined. little guy?” He discovered stories. The Ghost’s optic flickered rapidly. Here goes 6 Storyteller nothing. “I hear that you’re taking volunteers Ghost discovered a new joy in telling his tales to look after children. On the days when they face-to-face. This was what a story was for - go out to the field to play.” sharing. Telling. “Yep.” It was a lovely diversion, and a balm for the sting of being without a Guardian, but it had “I’d like to volunteer.” to end eventually. Once his Light was strong Cayde-6 regarded the Ghost for a moment enough to venture forth again, he announced longer and straightened from where he’d been his departure. stooped over his map. “Really? Do you…think “When’ll you come back?” one of the children your Guardian might be one of them?” asked. “Oh! Oh, no. No, my Guardian’s still dead,” “Not likely for another few months, I think.” the Ghost replied, “Still waiting for me to find him. It’s just - on the days when I have to be This was met with a chorus of “Aww”s from here, in the City, well…I’d like to help. A little.” the children. The Ghost was surprised and delighted to know he’d be missed. “You’re definitely the first Ghost who’s ever volunteered for the job, but I don’t see why not. “Well, when I come back, I’ll look for you. Now, how exactly are you going to entertain In the meantime, think about what sorts of these kids?” Cayde-6 peered at the Ghost. stories you might like to hear. And,” he added, “You’re not going to let them use you as a with a sudden burst of optimism, “if I find my dodge ball, are you?” Guardian, I’ll bring him to meet you!” He laughed. “No, no. I’m going to tell them He did not find his Guardian. He did, however, stories.” find himself with a much larger audience when he returned. Word of the eccentric lone Ghost *** had spread. They called him “Storyteller.” The Ghost had already survived many perils The Ghost soon learned that horror stories in his life. He’d flown through Darkness- were far and away the most popular with infested wastelands, hidden from harm in the children. They seemed to delight in the territories of his enemies, and pushed himself grotesque and the frightening. He landed to the limits of his individual strength in himself in a bit of trouble when a tale gave places far, far from the Traveler’s Light.

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