We Shall Be Strong
A/N: This is my first FanFic and I'd like to thank CelestialFan2010 for helping me in my dilemma's, so please Critique me, as long as your constructive in helping me! Please rate and review, and feel free to PM me, I will try to respond if you ask nice enough ... :}D
There might be some slash... Might not. Depends on what you want, so... Review!
Oh, almost forgot. I will try to make each chapter really long... So... Yeah. Enjoy!
Also... I know this is a long Author's Note but I need you guy's to review with a suggestion as well. I've been reading fanfictions lately.. A lot of them... And was wondering if I should turn the continuing chapters in 3rd person omniscient, or keep it in first person. What do you guy's think?
Last thing before I go to the story. I'm not decided on the name "Amoren" Yet. It is a play on the word "Amor" or "Amore" Which is I think Latin for 'Love'.
So, If you have a name that means something in another language please post it at the end of your review, best one gets admitted in the story! :)
Without further ado, onto the Story. Don't forget to rate, review and critique!
(And do recap. Review with [Ifyou'd like. If not, just a normal review will do nicely. :)] 1st person or 3rd person, name that means something in another language. And your normal rate + review. {I know I'm asking a lot here... but if you do this now, I can make each chapter better and more to your liking.}
(I have no editor, so all mistakes are credited to me... Please bare with them! )
DISCLAIMER – I do not own halo, bungie studios, or anything halo related. I only own my OC's. (Hsar 'Vardium (The new Arbiter, A.K.A Amoren) and Sage Hashly) -
I
"The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is fulfilling them."
The Awkward Beginning
Ever since I was a child living on the planet Earth, I had been known as Sage Hashly, although I didn't mind the first name, my friends kept teasing me about my last name. I always hated the way they called me Harshy, even though I tried to be nice to everyone. I was fairly athletic, had a unnaturally strong muscular build, shown aptitude in war (I had been told), and had an adept mind to control everything. My sandy blonde hair cascaded down, barely passing my eyes, although I usually wore it in a ponytail. It was dyed slightly with a violet blue colouration near the end. I had icy whitey blue eyes, and beige skin. I had done exceptionally well in school, therefore my parents tried to make me pursue their lost dream of becoming a scientist. When I had refused the first time, and insisted I wanted to become a marine, I could almost hear their heartbeats stop. After much troubles, they finally allowed me to fulfil my dreams. At age 19 I had joined the U.N.S.C.
I had never thought I would regret my decision. However, I found myself struggling to keep up to the men that are pursuing their dreams in basic training. I hadn't dared to think that it would be easy, but I never thought it would be this hard. At first, I had been almost tripping on myself in these exercises. The obstacle course was veritably horrible. All you had to do was jump in and out of tires. Crawl under barbed wire and mesh while bullets lined the air above you. Climb over a wall using a rope to pull yourself up, and then down the other side. Lastly, there was another obstacle run, complete with tires.
The potato run was by far the worst though. You had to haul an ill fitting 10lbs backpack filled with a monstrous load of potatoes. It must of been filled with potatoes, weighing in at what I had to guess was 50 lbs! You had to carry it with you, on your 10 mile run. We had those every second day, but only every second run did we have potatoes with us.
#
The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is fulfilling them. I kept repeating this verbatim in my head over and over, until finally, something broke loose inside me which made me push myself like I had never done before. Thankfully the final push I made was noticed by my drill sergeant, who nodded proudly towards me as I came racing in from the tacky-looking obstacle course well ahead of the other men. While watching them catch their clumsy footing, I noticed how beautiful our training ground really was. Bright green grass protruded from the ground on my left, which melted into a stunning forest with colossal trees rising up to the sky. They gracefully bloomed out with their light blue leaves threatening to fall off the branches. Twin suns spewed light through the branches and onto the dirt and stone beneath the tree's, where there lay a puzzling river that flowed through the forest crissing one way and crossing the other. I started smiling to myself, taking it all in.
Eventually, I qualified out of basic training, top in my garrison. After their celebratory event, I was met by the captain of the Pioneer, admiral Langly. "Sir!" I saluted, waiting for the captain to give me the verbal signal.
"At ease soldier." the captain said, saluting back. My posture returned to my relaxed state with my shoulders down and arms crossed, leaning on my back foot. "I suppose you know about the Covenant separation that occurred a while back." He asked, rhetorically, hoping I would pick up.
I imagine I would've looked dumbstruck. It happened before I was born! Why would he be askin- My thoughts are cut by a sudden feeling of contact on my shoulder. "You are being assigned to the Pioneer for now, and soon transferred to the Horizon once we meet up with Cpt. Evans. He will take you to the planet S'Yilrar to investigate a missing persons report." he quietly told me.
"Sir! When do I board the Pioneer?" I retorted.
"The Pioneer will be waiting for you at 1600 hours. Be there" He spoke with authority.
I saluted, and risked a quick glance down at the lush green grass, and noticed I was bouncing on my feet. Why am I nervous? My brain cried out to itself. Because, this is the first time talking to an Admiral. You're bound to have some issue's, or butterflies my conscience replies.
Looking around, I noticed some drill sergeants pushing recruits until their eyes puffed up, and tempted to let a dry tear roll down their cheek. There are some doing push ups, some doing sit-ups, some on the obstacle course, but most of them had been gathered here.
Just then, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I quickly spun around and found a dark-haired brute, with ape-like features, standing erect, staring me down. Multiple thoughts went through my mind, when I finally realized that everyone around me was slowly turning into a brute, ripping off their skin like it was a costume. I didn't have time to think, all I did was run. I ran towards the forest until I was sure they would be lost in there. Crisscrossing the tree's making sure to rub my hands and some section of my clothing on them to spread my scent around. All of a sudden I stop, dead in my tracks. A white hot pain eroded from my stomach, looking down, I see giant paws ripping through my flesh. My strength leaving me, I collapse on the floor with the image of a giant brute, seemingly 50 feet tall, with a monstrous mouth, laughing at me. Suddenly, my vision got clouded with blood, and everything seemed a dark red. My eyes slam shut, hoping I could wish away everything that was happening, and I slowly lose consciousness. I awoke coughing in the sea of smoke, I slowly tilted my head, ignoring the intense pain, to see the mess hall was aflame. The distant battle cries of drill sergeants drumming into my ears, until the horrid screeches of the recruits pierced them, ringing them. Echoing. I suddenly start to choke on the smoke, with every cough, heaving up blood into my already soaked hands. Looking down, I peered at the incline in my chest. My vision started to blur, and slowly darkened into nothing.
#
Ever since the previous arbiter had been killed by the covenant loyalists, during a surprise attack on one of their cruisers, Pious Inquisitor. Hsar 'Vardium's life had been turned anew. He had been appointed the new Arbiter, caretaker of the Sangheili. Swearing his life to uphold the laws of the Sangheili and the council. Only spending little time to grieve for his lost friend, for he had died the way every other elite wishes to die, with honour, and pride. Hsar found himself caught in the thought of what had occurred during the lengthy attack.
As the Arbiter rounded the corner, he ran directly into Hsar. "Brother, are you injured?" the Arbiter enquired.
"No my brother. I simply seek reinforcements. With you by my side we will drive the loyalists back to their wretched ship. Will you aid me Arbiter?" Hsar desperately wanted the Arbiter to help him, but he knew he couldn't beg him.
"With pleasure" The Arbiter finally replied.
Together, they sprinted down the illuminated purple corridor until they reached the closed door. Taking position on opposite sides of the bulkhead, they triggered their active camouflage. When the door at last opened, allowing them entrance, the scenario ahead was one to behold. Both the Arbiter and Hsar stood there in awe at the battle raging in front of their cloaked eyes taking place. It was in the hanger, where the loyalist's ships are docked.
Ape-like creatures are merged with the Sangheili in one gigantic scrimmage. The brute's hairy bodies interlaced with Sangheili as they settled the encounter in hand-to-hand combat.
A small portion of the Sangheili still had remaining battery life left in their plasma weapons, shooting them wildly, splashing the walls with searing-hot plasma, throwing them down when they overheated. Hurling their hands down to their thigh's where a metal hilt, resembling a brass knuckle rested in a magnetic holster, picking it up and activating it. Twin spikes of energy dawned down the hilt in a horizontal angle, completing the energy sword, and picking a grotesque brute with the dual spikes, slicing through it like butter. It's carcass collapsed on the floor while the Arbiter and Hsar spectated.
Breaking out of their stupor and rushing into the fight, they simultaneously reached for their energy swords. With a hilt in each 4 fingered hand, they leaped into the battle, flanking the Hairy creatures. De-cloaking, the Arbiter ran his right sword into the cranium of a surprised brute, while his left sword swiped it's legs off. Looking to his left, Hsar took down another hairy creature with his legs tripping it first, then throwing himself down into the brute with all his might, forcing the sword deeper, and deeper into his chest as he slowly stopped breathing. Dark blue blood spewing from the deceased creature's chest, he knew it was dead.
The Arbiter took cover beside Hsar in front of a plasma shield, covering their heads from incoming fire. Red-hot spikes pierced the air over their heads as they subtly cloaked, and charged out opposite sides of the barrier. They each took down one of the cannibalistic brutes with their twin energy swords cutting through their abdomen, slicing them in half. As the limp body parts fell to the ground, both the Sangheili teamed up on the brute chieftain who was brutally mangling their brethren. The silver-haired animal was wielding a hammer, crushing it into the ground nearby fellow elites. With a loud drum beating sound. Everything in a radius around the hammers tip was whisked away by a gravity defying strike.
The Arbiter stole a glance at Hsar as they charged the one remaining primitive animal, the Arbiter going to his front, Hsar to his back. They only closed half the distance when their camouflage had suddenly faltered, rendering them both quite visible to the chieftain. The chieftain then switched his attention to the sangheili duo that are rapidly approaching him. Timing their kinetic energy with the inertia of his hammer's blast radius, he waited with his mouth ajar emitting challenging roar.
Suddenly, the Chieftains hammer exploded with great force in the ground, and made the Arbiter's large body fly through the air crashing into some boxes of cargo, which dislocated both of his knee's, and scratched his body in multiple area's. In a bloodied frenzy the Arbiter tried to stand up, but with his knee's in their condition, it was challenging. Trying desperately to stand, and fight back, he only made it worse by ripping the muscle tissue inside of his legs. Letting out a frustrated cry of helplessness, he just sat there, locking the chieftain in his gaze while Hsar was sneaking up behind him.
Hsar took his advantage against the colossal ape while he crashed his hammer into the ground. He quickly sprinted up behind the brute and drove his sword through it's spinal chord with his left hand. Meanwhile his right hand was busy liquifying his brain. Slicing, jabbing, and twisting his swords inside of the ugly animal, as it started to turn and face his attacker. Blood dripped out of every wound inflicted by Hsar, yet the animalistic brute never gave up. Hsar swiftly backed up, and rolled behind a barrier shielding him from the chieftain's blunt attacks. Cloaking himself, and evading to the side, in between some boxes, he materialized behind the hairy creature and gouged his blade deep into his neck until he could see it through the other side, and sawing at the skin on his arms until they are bare. Finally, kicking away the bloodied carcass with a cry of vengeance, he sprinted over to the Arbiter.
The Arbiter didn't look so well. His knee's are pushed in, completely opposite of what they are supposed to be. Blood trickled down his arms, as he clawed the air, desperately trying to to grab something. Suddenly, he coughed up blood. As it stained the ground near him, Hsar appeared near by. Trying to do the only thing he could think of, he held the Arbiters hand, and waited until the grip on his hand became loose.
Finally, the Arbiters hand fell from Hsar's, as he let out his last breath. His head becoming heavy from oxygen deprivation, he laid it on the box behind him.
Upon feeling the Arbiter's body go limp, Hsar peeled the sacred armor off of the lifeless corpse, and bowed his head. "It was an honour serving you. Friend." Hsar said solemnly.
Shaking his head as he desperately tried to subside the memory but, remembering the way Arbiter had died, had grieved him more than he thought it should. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they are closer than most Sangheili. They had broken the professional bond, and reached out to each other as friends. Unlike most of their race, that had been unheard of.
Hsar 'Vardium (Now, known only as 'The Arbiter' due to his heretic act of allowing the arbiter to death while not on a suicidal mission, but rather a ship boarding.) had killed his fair share of covenant loyalists since then on multiple missions that resided with the human teams. Of course he had been able to bring a long his own, hand-picked team of professional special ops Sangheili who have grown to stand the humans, and work along side them.
When he heard the Sangheili council requested his teams assistance along with one of the humans, for a covert operation into the planet S'Yilrar, he knew this was not going to be a small matter. The moment he heard news of the infiltration, he started getting his team ready, as the humans are picking him up during the next day cycle and bringing him to their new associate. He couldn't help but wonder: Why was a human joining with a Sangheili team on a infiltration mission to S'Yilrar. A mostly Sangheili planet.
He didn't know much about the human, other than that she was female, and young compared to the rest of UNSC. Arbiter was worried, to be honest he had not seen females fight before, and assumed that they would be not unlike Sangheili warrior females, and stay back to guard the states, or countries, as the humans called them.
Unbeknownst to the Arbiter, his life, as he knows it, will be forever changed, for this mission was everything but a simple missing person report. The people he will meet will alter his future, and he, theirs. The things he will do will impact how humanity views the Sangheili, and the things they do.
#
I wake up abruptly with sweat beading down my forehead, wondering why my dream has been invaded with such a preposterous thought. I have been sleeping soundly ever since I started basic, why would I start having nightmares now? I thought, realizing I haven't actually been sleeping, and just day dreaming. I realized I have been speaking to myself this entire time as well. I look around, breaking out of my stupor. No one is around, it is just an empty hallway. The windows are closed, blinds shut, but sunlight still seems to soak through, illuminating the hall and all it's features. It has polished, bamboo floors and brown walls are erected in place. I reach out and touch the sign on the opposite wall. It has a cold steel feeling, and read "Orbital Elevator." Concluded with an arrow pointing to the right.
As I trot down the hallway, I wonder what will become of me. Fresh out of basic, and being sent to a 'missing persons' report as they claim it is. It seems as though it's all been happening too fast, but never-the-less, I'm determined to make a rise in ranks. I mull over what the Admiral said the last time I'd seen him on the Pioneer. "You might be surprised what happens."
It's been a day since I left the Pioneer and am now boarding the Horizon through the connector tubes. I have once needed to know the technical term for it, but that was in basic training, one of the first weeks anyway. So, I guess it doesn't matter if I don't know it. I mean, it's not like I talk about them. I thought to myself.
There are no windows on the connector tubes, only a thick metal wall that protects me from suffocating in the open vastness of space. The inside of the tube is veritably boring, and bland, only gray. Could they not spend the time to even paint the damned thing? I mean, was it really that hard. I rant in my head. Finally closing the gap to the Horizon, the large tube seems longer than it really was, even though I have been walking for at least 10 minutes now.
As soon as I enter the Horizon I notice Cpt. Evans, and some crew members greeting me. I swiftly pull off a crisp salute "Sir!" I shout.
"At ease, soldier" he says with a thankful look on his face. Noticing something was relieved when the captain saw me, I enquired
"Sir, permission to speak candidly, Sir!" I feel an impulse to ask about his well-being, as I have for everyone else I see that looks... off.
"Permission Granted" he replies, with a smile.
"When I first saw you, you looked relieved. Did you think I was going to be late?" I ask, positively quizzical, and I notice the look on his face harden into a blank nothingness when I spoke.
"No, it's nothing soldier. Continue to your room on service deck D." he said nonchalantly.
I nod as he steps aside, allowing me to rush past him. I ignore the greetings the crew throw at me as I run past them quickly. Uncomfortable of their beady eye's staring whole's into the back of my head. I look around, and see everyone still staring at me like I was a circus act. I had to get out, and fast. I'm the centre of attention, which for as long as I can remember, have never liked being there.
The constant fear of screwing up, or making fun of yourself is notably present. When being fresh out of basic, I imagine it's even worse, as everyone is curios about you. Trying to see if you fall under pressure, or if you are naturally clumsy.
Luckily, the Horizon has an elevator rear of the boarding area. It swiftly drags me down to D deck, and I begin to search desperately for my room number, 166.
#
As the Arbiter and his group of Sangheili step into the boarding area, he is greeted by a saluting Captain Evans. The Arbiter strolls nonchalantly up to the capt, and bows his head as a Sangheili salute. He then asks him a couple of questions the other Sangheili don't hear, or don't care about because they show no interest to what the Sangheili and Human are talking about. "What do you know about this...human that will be accompanying us on our mission?" He asks in a deep, authoritative voice.
"Sage should be in her room, down in D deck by now. Which, coincidentally, is where your rooms are as well." The captain then nods towards the Sangheili duo behind the Arbiter. "Arbiter, you will be in room 167, and your elites will be in rooms 132, and 133. I apologize for the distance from your team, Arbiter, but the rooms in between are in maintenance, or occupied at this moment. In addition, we will be arriving in only 1 week." Evans replies as he hands the arbiter a small metal box discreetly. The Captain mumbles something and the Arbiter nods and walks off towards the elevator.
He enters the elevator and signals for his brethren to follow him down, whilst mumbling what seemed like a curse word his breath.
On the way down, his brethren start talking to each other in Sangheili, but the Arbiter is too busy reflecting on his conversation with Evans. Something he had said sparked his interest. Sage should be in her room. The Arbiter thought. Sage. He tried to get used to the name by mumbling it quietly. Finally pleased with his pronunciation being similar to the captains, he directs his attention towards his brethren, picking up on their conversation. They make it clear that they do not appreciate the humans assigning a human female to their team, without their consultation. However, if they attempt to disband her from the team, it can potentially injure the treaty.
#
The elevator's firm clasp finally releases itself, allowing the doors to glide open. The first doors they spot are numbers 120 and 122. The door's freshly shined plates gleamed in light from the centre of the hall. The Arbiter leads the Sangheili down the hall, bending their heads to avoid hitting the lights at the top, placed at every 6 doors. Their hooves sweeping over the smooth, beige-brown rug, when they finally reach the silver doors that the 2 Sangheili are going to be living in for a large sum of time. They open the doors at the same time with what seemed like practised ease, while the Arbiter glides past the doors without pausing to look at the shining plates above the doors. At last he looks up to the left and sees the door numbered 163. Spying further down the corridor, Arbiter finds his door, 167. All of a sudden something impacts him from the back, making him jump, yet it was only light enough to barely make him flinch.
#
I have been running around for at least 10 minutes, trying to find my room. Whenever I turn down one hallway, I swear I have been down there, but they all look the same. Who knows if I have been here previously... When I glance at the door's golden plate, it looks as though the numbers are changing constantly. I bring my hand up quickly to my forehead to wipe away a bead of sweat. I close my eyes tightly, hoping it would resolve the problem. I slow my breath like they showed me in basic training. Feeling my heartbeat diminish, I risk a peek at the gleaming door plate. 140. I close my eyes again, rubbing them, kicking me out of my stupor. I peer at the plate again, 132. Am I going crazy... I say aloud, my voice wavering. I shoot up when I hear the floor creak around the corner. I put my back up against the cold wall. Sliding over to the corner, holding my breath. Sweat dripping from my forehead, I hastily wiped it off with my arm, and hazard a quick look around the corner. All I can see is a blurred figure, as my eyes are playing tricks me. Undoubtedly, I am as scared as hell, but I didn't want the figure to know that. I attempt to calm myself, and I hear another creak.
I'm just going to go for it. Charge him head on.
I charge around the corner as quietly as I can, but find out, to my dismay, that he is standing closer than I had predicted. Smacking into an invisible force about 3 inches off his body, I get blown backwards onto my ass, and quickly accomplish a downed defence stance. I tense my muscles, getting ready for his attack.
#
The Arbiter abruptly spun on his hoof, to stare at me on the ground. I'm wearing my camo coloured pants, and gray tee-shirt with the left shoulder hanging down to my biceps. "Are you Sage Hashly?" The Arbiter enquired with a deep voice gently reverberating in his chest. I shiver as his rumbling voice penetrated my ears.
"Y...Yes." I replied trying to remain calm as my brain tries to unravel that an elite is speaking English...to me. He chuckles, as he extends his muscular arm down to help me, while staring at the defensive position I put myself in. That is the first time I have heard an elite speak English... That is the first time I heard an elite talk!
I took his 4 fingered hand, in mine, and was instantly lifted into the air by his thick arm. His skin feels almost of leather, but tougher, and a great deal softer. I can see his muscle etched into his skin. Wow, he is strong. I warn myself, while resisting the urge to shiver.
He is quite intimidating as well, with his ambitious amber eyes staring at me from 7, almost 8, feet in the air. He made my 5'6 frame look positively miniscule! His blue-gray skin easily visible through the mask of the Arbiter, while the purple mesh complete with Teal, lining the skeletal structure, is visible in the gaps where he had no armor. Although I do see a slight distortion where most definitely his energy shields are active. His long neck, covered in what looks like steel-plating, arched his head down a little above chest level. Meanwhile each of his 4 fingers on his hands are clawed at the end with talon like features. His feet are also different than humans. They have large feet, with 2 stumps protruding like toes, on each. His strong legs are not unlike a dogs back feet, where the heel, and ankle is near his calf, and his knee's arced out. This makes them able to move about easily, but unable to carry large loads for a long time like the humans' leg structures allow us to do. He peered at me blankly with his 4 mandibles flaring in excitement at the view of my military instincts I had displayed while on the ground.
Both of us staring at each other, wondering who is going to break the silence first. Talk to him! My brain shouts at me. Before I can say anything, he asks with a chuckle "Are you alright? You hit me pretty hard." That's...The Arbiter... and he's enquiring about my well-being... Maybe he IS as nice as they have always said. "Yes, thank you. I'm fine." I reply, wanting to say more, but having no idea what to say.
Trying desperately to think of something before he turns away, my mouth opens and suddenly "What room did Evans assign you?" I ask, before I could cover my mouth. Knowing it would do no good now, I checked the motion. All he does is let out a small laugh, and look to the right of him. Ooohhhh... Now it makes sense! Wait... isn't that room 167? I stare intensely at the plate trying to figure it out. "It's room 167, Sage." he says sheepishly, trying to figure out what I'm doing. My first meeting with an alien, and I make him think I'm retarded... Great.
"Oh... I'm in room 166, just across the hall from you!" A smile erupts from my face, and I watch him stroll towards his room.
"Would you like to come in... and talk?" the Arbiter asks me, still trying to get used to my name, as he opens the metal door with his massive hand. Aren't I assigned to a Sangheili team? I wonder if it's him... Wouldn't hurt to make nice with my new team, or even new people. Suddenly, I could feel my face getting warmer. I'm blushing, and praying that he would not know what a blush many questions raced through my mind at that moment, but the only response I could think of, is to walk into his room.
The Arbiter sat down on his elongated bed made specifically for elites, looking over the room with a rumble satisfaction, as everything is sanitary and to his liking. His bed has a massive red blanket, with a brown stripe down the middle. The walls of his room are a cloudy blue, and the desk is a polished brown. There's a shower deeper inside, and off to the corner in a separate room. It looks beige, but I think it is supposed to be white, as some places are lighter than others.
I stood at the doorway, looking flustered at the thought that an elite is being nice to me, on my first confrontation as well. are they not used to being around female humans? I wonder while shamelessly looking at the elite squirming on the bed, trying to get comfy. To be honest, it is funny watching him squirm. That is, until the light hit him in a certain angle, that made something in his hand spark and glow. Not wanting to be rude, I told him "Wow, your armor is quite shiny." Subtly pointing to his closed hand.
"Hn?" the Arbiter asks while glancing to where my finger is pointing. "Oh. Your captain gave me this, to give to you." he says, stretching out his arm. Wow, you sure are lazy hmm? I thought to myself while walking over to him. My lengthy strides taking the room in only a handful of paces, I reach him and place my hand in his, again feeling the warmth radiating from his soft leather-like skin. I carefully lift the metal box out of his hand, and sat down next to him.
"Are you here with some other elites?" I asked, trying to break the lonely silence.
"What did you call our race?" the Arbiter asked, with a rising anger in his voice.
"I called you an eli-" I'm cut short by the Arbiter.
"Please, do not call us 'elites.' We are Sangheili. 'Elite' is a demeaning name your race has given us in the time of war." Oh... I can tell he is going to be fun to be around. I sighed out loud.
"I'm sorry. I was never taught the proper word for eli-" I interrupt myself off before finishing the sentence "Sangheili before."
"Oh." He sighed. "I had thought it was part of your academics, now that we are allied. After all, we do learn a lot about humans in our training." he said positively, as if bragging. I risked a peek over at him, he is looking at me with, what I had guessed to be a el- I'm scared to even think it now... Sangheili smile upon his face. It is veritably different than a human smile, for he had no mouth. Only four big mandibles that right now, are widened. All I could think of is to nudge him playfully, and shake my head at him. Tsk tsk I said to myself, as the Arbiter laughed out loud.
Soon, I switched my attention from him to the box, as well as he. "Do you know what's in here?" I questioned, eyeing the alien sitting beside me.
"Not a clue" he replied, peering at me with his amber eyes, staring into my soul. I noticed his pupils had grown slightly when he stared at me, but I didn't reflect on it for that long. Must be some alien thing. I then envisioned a bunch of aliens in a group, staring at me, when their pupils kept expanding with their eyes. Suddenly they became too big for their head and- I'm pulled out of my psyche when I felt a large hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" I suddenly notice the Arbiter staring at me with a concerned look.
"Yeah, I'm fine" I say with a smile, "I just zoned out." I could see his head tilt slightly as if trying to access more of his brain. "It's a human term that means deep in thought and oblivious to their surroundings." I explained.
I return my concentration on the metal box that lay in my hands, and undid the latch, then I gently open the miniscule cube. Inside it lay the cloth insignia of a Sergeant Major!
My breath taken away, I could not speak no matter how hard I try. All I managed to do is to lift it out of the quaint box and stare at it. "It... It's... It's the rank of Sergeant Major... I've been promoted!" I shriek and resist the urge to wrap my shaking arms around the nearest body to mine.
"Congratulations." The Arbiter says through one of his alien smiles.
I sit back down on the bed, staring at the insignia, finally realizing what more responsibility came with this piece of cloth. Allowing my urge to reside, I leaned over and threw my arms around the Arbiter. With his scent sliding through my nose, he let a surprised gasp as he wrapped his arms around me lightly. Careful not to crush my petite body. For an alien, he smelled quite nice. It is a mixture between a damp pine forest, and a fragrant flower, I think the flower is just an additive of his armor polish though.
When we finally pulled apart after the long excitement-induced hug, I stood up and put my insignia on his desk, making a mental note to pick it up on my way out. I turned back to him, fully knowing i was going to have to apologize for the sudden surprise hug. "Heh... Sorry about that Arbiter. I just got so excited. I couldn't control myself." I apologized awkwardly.
"Don't worry about it Sage." the Arbiter replies in a comforting tone. "It was nice." he added before I could say anything.
"Arbiter... I was wondering. Do you have a name other than 'Arbiter' ?" I asked, trying not to be offensive.
"I have had a name in the past." He solemnly declared. I don't want to make him feel sad, or regretful, but I really want to know.
"Do you think you could tell me what it was?" I pushed him, knowing I shouldn't.
"I abandoned my honor a long time ago, leaving my name with it. I am now known only as 'Arbiter.'" he struggled to say. I'd guess it would've been a terrible event to make him lose his name AND honor. After all, the Sangheili are an honorific race. They wouldn't risk that for any small matters, not even for life or death.
"Can you tell me how you... lost your honor?" I ask reluctantly after looking at him. He seemed as though he was remembering how he had lost it. When Arbiter finally realized that I was looking at him, he looked down, and shook his head.
"My apologies. It is too personal to share." The Arbiter looked defeated. He wasn't even trying to keep his head lifted any more. I knew I couldn't push him any more. I didn't have the heart to do it, so I stop.
After a long awkward silence, I suddenly spoke up. "Arbiter, may I ask you what mission you will be going on during your visit?"
"I will be accompanying you with your investigation of missing human report." The Arbiter looks much more cheerful at the idea of going into battle with his brethren.
At that moment, I realized that this was anything but a simple investigation if the Arbiter was coming with his hand-picked squad of Sangheili. My mind starts to wander, and I was wondering what the mission would be like with Sangheili on our side. I had never dreamt that in my life I would be working with them, let alone, sitting on a bed, talking to one. The thought of that made blood rush to my face. I'm inwardly disgusted at that school girl reaction to a perfectly normal conversation between species. It's perfectly normal. I tried to convince myself, but somehow I couldn't shake the idea that this was something more than just a simple conversation. That I was actually making friends with an Alien species.
Humanity has made a treaty with the Sangheili, but we will always be indifferent about each other. Always avoiding one another out of the battlefield, and barely having enough respect to defend each other in the battlefield. We had never made friends with one before. Am I weird to actually enjoy the company of an alien presence. Am I weird that the fact of talking to a sangheili is comforting? Millions of thoughts are going through my head at that moment. But they aren't jumbled, and I could sort through them, dealing with each problem as they came.
I'm eventually interrupted by the Arbiter "I suppose you know that this is not just a missing human that we are after. Judging by the look on your face" he gestured one of his long fingers towards me "you already know that there will be casualties." I bet the look on my face changed several times after that last sentence.
"I had a feeling" I say shyly, not fully knowing what the Arbiter is really trying to tell me.
"Well, if you like, I could tell you what we are going to be doing down there. As I am the one that was consulted about this mission, and that about who we bring a long." the Arbiter hints subtly while he held my gaze.
His amber eyes staring at me, while his black pupils grew slightly. I nod and moved closer to him, as he was whispering so quietly, I could barely hear. "I fear a few of my brothers had been captured on S'Yilrar, as their report was due 20 day cycles ago, and I fear the worst for them." Right then and there I wanted to hug him and make him feel better, but something made me speak instead.
"Their Sangheili, Arbiter, they had to at the least put up a fight and weakened their attackers." I say, trying to comfort him. Failing to do so the Arbiter started talking.
"They could of. Yet I feel as though they are in danger..." All I could do was stare at him. "I fear they are de-" He added, but stopped when I rested my hand on his thigh.
"Would the council have them guarding Utumno, the capital of S'Yilrar if they did not believe that they could do it? Would the Sangheili council send them to their death, just because they did not want them? You have to believe in them, Arbiter. If your faith is well placed in them, they will be alive." The speech poured out of me before I could think and stop myself saying what I had already said.
The Arbiter looked up at me. I could feel the aura in the room shift from depression, to happiness. Right now it seemed as though nothing is wrong in the universe. The Arbiter laid his hand flat on mine, and spoke with new found confidence. "Thank you. You have made me see what a fool I have been over this..." he searched for the right word. "inconvenience." He laid his alien hand on mine and I could feel his tough skin. Smiling, I look up at him, and started to feel my cheeks becoming reddened.
I put my other hand down, and rested it against my hip. Feeling a little cheeky I say in a playful tone. "Ya know. You need a name. A name that a human can pronounce. Arbiter doesn't seem... right."
"What do you have in mind?" Arbiter asked, blinking at me blankly.
"I mean, I will give you a name!" I stated with a smile breaking my lips.
"You can try" he teased at me. Cocking my head slightly, I started thinking of names. The very first name that I thought of passed my lips before I could stop it.
"Amoren" I say, confused at to why I had actually said that, and as to how that had popped in my head. Why did that come up! Why! I don't even... I... What, WHY!
"Amoren... Amor... Amorn..." the Arbiter says softly, trying to get the right pronunciation. "Does it mean anything?" he questioned suddenly.
"Umm... Yeah..." I say bashfully. "It means Love." I add through shy eyes, still confused as to why I had said it. I stole a quick glance at the arbiter and he looked bewildered at what I had just said. He was clearly able to comprehend the human concept of love.
Still holding my hand, he picked it up and set it on my shoulder. "Amoren..." He says to himself slowly. "It is a weak name for a Sangheili such as I." So, You want me to think of a new name? I thought. But before I could get the thought out my mouth, I heard his deep voice penetrating the silent air. "It can be our little secret." I look at him, and he appears to be smiling slightly. I wonder if he thought that the word implied what I know it implied, but I can only hope for the best.
Amoren pulls me closer to him using his muscular arms. I'm so close at this point, I could feel the heat radiating off of his lean body. I finally realize that he had his arm around my neck in a leisurely fashion, and I was doing nothing to stop him. What... What is happening to me? I wonder, looking at him with a sincere look. "Amoren..." I say, trying to get used to calling him that. "Did you bring any other eli- err... Sangheili, with you for this mission?" I ask politely.
"Of course, Sage. A team of 2 could be easily compromised if one was captured, or killed. Whereas a team of 4 can move swiftly throughout the jungles and swamps of S'Yilrar without alerting anyone or running the risk of becoming compromised. " He replied in a reassuring tone.
I glance at him, and as soon as I see him, I need to ask. "Is one of your mission objectives to return with all team members, including me, alive and unharmed?" I wonder if he will just leave me behind on the planet. Maybe this 'nice guy' is just an act. I hummed in my mind.
"Yes. My objectives are to protect you at top priority. My people do not want your people thinking that I let you die." Amoren responds as he looked down at me.
All of a sudden a knock sounded on the door. "Go to the shower room, hurry." Amoren commands. It was when he said that, that I knew he would not let me down, would not refuse to protect me, even if he hadn't been instructed to. He cares for me, it is suddenly very obvious, but he tried not let it show. I feel an inner warmth when I think of Amoren protecting me. What... No... We're just friends. Why am I... How is he... Eventually I am forced to just give up. There is something about him that makes him stand out. That makes him different than the other Sangheili.
As I comply, I could see him stand and shout at the door "Who disturbs my rest!" His voice is so deep, and full of authority, it makes me shiver. Just to know that he was on my side, and was my friend was... there really is no word as to how I felt.
I hear another voice on the other side of the door, this one was not as deep as Amoren's, but I could still recognize it as sangheili. Even though I strained my ear, I could not make out what he was saying. It was as if it wasn't in english... Oh. Right. They speak to each other in their native tongue. I remembered, feeling quite stupid and humiliated. I'm largely thankful that I hadn't said it out loud, and that there is no one around to hear it.
After what seems like 10 minutes of waiting, I finally hear what my ears had been tricking me into hearing for the entire time. Footsteps. I quietly peeked my head outside the over laying wall of the shower room to see that it was only Amoren coming back from the door. Watching him slowly shuffle over to the bed and plop himself down with a sigh, I know something is wrong. I muscle up enough courage to walk over to him, and sit down beside him. "What's wrong Amoren?" I question, truly puzzled.
"That was Rhel 'Syruth. He came to confirm out departure time to S'Yilrar. That is until, he heard my voice, and started wondering who I was talking to." he answers my unspoken query. "I told him I was discussing some mission details with you... It was enough to make him to back to his room." he continued.
"Oh..." I say awkwardly, not knowing what else to say, when all of a sudden I blurt out a question that was on my mind. "Why did you lie to him?" I think I know the answer as soon as the question left my mouth.
"If they know that we're friends, I will become a disgrace amongst my team." He retorts solemnly. I instantly regret asking the question.
"Oh..." I reply. As my voice trailed off, I could hear the barely audible sigh escape from Amoren's depressed figure. I know the reason why he would be a disgrace if they knew. It was because humans, collectively, are weaker and are not driven by honour or pride as much as the Sangheili are. I couldn't stand to see him like this. I just met him, but... there's just something about him that makes me feel comfortable. Safe, when I'm with him. Mulling over the thought, I realize I didn't want to leave his side. I felt that without him, I would never be safe, always vulnerable.
As if Amoren could read my thoughts, he abruptly spoke up. "I would sooner die than to let my team think you are unworthy to fight amongst us." He growls chilling me with his deep voice. "When you are on the ground. I saw how fast you reacted, and acquired your defensive stance. Rarely do sangheili have a chance to see humans as worthy, to fight with us, as you are." he continued. "Even if my team doesn't, I will, make sure you survive this mission. A human as competent as you will be an honourable contribution to our team." Finally ending his speech, I nod my head and briefly, I start wondering if I should say my own speech, but instead I only manage to say something that was better left to think about, and not to be responded to.
"If you let people judge you, you become just another person. But if you refuse to let them judge you, you will become your own person. Someone unique." After I spilled out my thoughts into him, I wrap my arms around him, again and the sensation of the warmth of his body on mine returns. Feeling his muscly arms wrap around my fragile body, I feel safe again. Eventually my many sleepless hours aboard both ships hit me, and my eyelids closed. Falling sleepily onto the mattress with my arms draped around him, I turned into the unconscious realm of dreams.
#
Inon 'Khorda is walking along side Raxu 'Ervoin while patrolling their camp that rested a couple of miles from Utumno's front gates. The rest of the sangheili are sleeping soundly in their polyhedral huts that bask in the light that the 3 moons are emitting. Around them, a lush forest resides, complete with tremendously large tree's, dark green bushes, and a dirt path leading to the great city of Utumno. Their dark eyes skimming the trunks and scenery for any sight of movement. Ever since the Jiralhanae launched their last attack which brutally damaged the camp, they have been busy repairing their shade's that are declared in-operable due to a plasma grenade and the stolen concussion rifles.
Raxu and Inon are responsible for patrolling far outer reaches of the camp. They are the only patrol permitted to go that far while on duty. "Brother?" Raxu asks impatiently while Inon was busy fixating on one of the tree's.
"What is it my brother?" Inon replies after a long delay.
"I fear something is wrong. I hear the alarm of our camp." Raxu states, his voice full of displaced rage at the remembrance of what had happened only 10 day cycles ago. Inon rips his concentration from the oddly-shaped tree, and turns around to see a faint red glow in the distance.
"Brother. Hurry. Our brethren are under attack!" he shouts as he starts running. Shifting his weight from one side of his body to the other, Raxu starts sprinting after Inon towards the base.
#
A faint explosion sounds in the distance as Pota V'Bakiee awakes, and quickly jumps out of his hut. Looking around in his drowsy state, he spots the explosions off near the entrance of their camp. The shade turrets are still destroyed beyond repair, and the energy shield around the camp was taking a hefty beating. Pota swiftly runs, shifting his weight, and sounds the alarm within seconds. All of a sudden the base is in lock down. The alarm blazing, and the sleepy Sangheili wrapping their strong hands around their weapons. Quickly taking one last look around, he notices the mechanics that were working on the turrets have been slaughtered, and their bodies have been scattered by a central blast.
Pota runs hastily down towards the entrance of the camp, and saw a seemingly endless line of Jiralhanae charging at the camp with their guns blazing. Explosions sounding all around him, the energy shield finally faltered. Pota reaches down to his energy sword, and put the gauntlet around his hand, grasping the brass-knuckle like hilt inside of it, he activated the sword. Energy dawning down, smoke started whisking off it gracefully. Sangheili are passing him on the way to the fight activating their own energy swords and their smoke filled his nose with it's aroma. Eventually breaking out of his stupor he charges the Jiralhanae army with a warbling war cry.
Gripping his sword tightly, he shoves it inside an angry brute's chest while twirling around, he rips it out, and slashes the head off another one. Firmly kicking the carcass in the chest, the animal's decapitated body is propelled across the battlefield by Pota's strong leg's. Explosions ringing in his ears he focuses on the line of brutes ahead of him.
Pota charges forward jumping around one of the grotesque animals, slashing it's throat as he passes. Twirling around, evading a searing-hot plasma projectile that sounded off behind him, he jabs his sword through another's cranium. He rolls to his left, barely evading a plasma grenade thrown by a Jiralhanae, and it stuck to one of his companions, blowing up along with two more of the apes.
Clenching his empty fist around a plasma grenade of his own, he presses the button, and it lights up, a bright blue. Rearing back and throwing it into a mass of Jiralhanae, he's rewarded with a satisfying explosion and bodies launching every which way.
As Pota V'Bakiee peeks over his shoulder he glares at the mass of the huts flaming. The ones that aren't flaming lay in a heap with their parts scattered around the camp. He cautiously looks around, and saw he was among the last of the Sangheili that survived this attack. Yet there is still about twenty more Jiralhanae. Pota attempts to raise their morale and courage by sounding off a battle roar, but while detonations sound all around, his roar remains unheard. Giving up on his battle cry, he charges back into battle, forming an attack formation with his surviving brethren. They simultaneously prime their remaining plasma grenades and line the battlefield with them, blowing up about half of the lingering apes. But the apes have plans of their own. They aim their concussion rifles and launch salvo after salvo of super-heated plasma projectiles exploding upon impact. Pota launches into the air with a flurry of dirt as a projectile explodes in front of him. Looking around while in the air through eye's full of distraught, he notices his brethren collapsing before him. Dieing. Blood trickled down their still bodies as they lay there helpless. Suddenly, he impacts the ground with a sickening thump.
Fighting the impending death, and trying to remain conscience he grabs his energy swords that lay on the ground before him and rises from the ground gracefully. Holding his swords in both hands, he activates them, then stares the Jiralhanae with his head bent in anger. In bloodied vengeance he thunders a long war cry, and charges at the Jiralhanae with adrenaline pumping. Blood trickling down his body he lunges forward with his swords crossing through the torso's of the targets closest to him. Twirling around, barely evading a massive claw grabbing for him, he slices it off with one arm, and hastily chops the owners head off with the other in one swift motion. He turns around and is face first with a particularly ugly primate. Pota proceeds to headbutt it, and ram his blade straight into it's chest. All of a sudden something contacts with his head. His vision clouds with blood, and slowly fades to black. All he can hear is a everlasting ringing noise.
#
When Inon and Rexu finally reach the camp entrance, the sight that stands to behold them grotesque. Mangled carcasses lay on the ground, meanwhile Jiralhanae feast on some of their own deceased. Inon roars at the sight of their brothers motionless bodies on the floor. Rexu and Inon rip out their swords and charge forward to the surviving pack of Jiralhanae. Rexu propels himself into the air as Inon travels around to flank the pack. Rexu shoves his arm forward and rams his blade into the side of a Jiralhanae while circling his blade cutting 3 more in half. He soon receives a hairy fist to his muzzle and reels back unwillingly, watching as Inon sneaks behind him, and slices the creatures body in half vertically. Before his carcass even contacts the ground he moves onto the next one, cutting into it's chest with his sword and headbutting it towards Rexu. Who proceeds to put him in a bear hug and flip him over his head while he jumps onto him, sinking his blade through his neck.
Rexu eventually stands up from brutally murdering the one Jiralhanae, when he turns around he see's Inon being held by a freakishly large brute with silver fur. Suddenly Rexu feels something on his shoulder and is lifted into the air unwillingly. His eyes shut, and he slowly falls to the floor. Rexu fights his eyes to stay open and see's he and Inon are flopped on the shoulders of Jiralhanae, and are being hauled away. Rexu tries to move, but his body was weak, and he cannot. Whatever they had used on him disabled his most capable offensive systems, and are certainly not created by the Jiralhanae. Looking back at the camp, he descried it aflame and scattered parts litter the floor. Desperately trying to escape the inevitable, he tries to struggle but his muscles didn't react to his brain waves. Instead they just lay across the Jiralhanae's shoulders. Eventually, he gives up struggling and attempts to wake his sleeping comrade but fails. Only to emit a low whimper that reverberates through his chest. With his struggles combining with the paralysing toxin tiring him out, his eyes close slowly. The being clad in white armor releases his grasp on the real world, and slips into a near-comatose state of health.
#
My eye's tear open and I try not to scream as nothing in the room looks familiar to me. I sit up slowly, wondering what happened last night and found a warm sheet draping over me. I look to my side and descry Amoren laying on the ground looking most uncomfortable. Wondering if he was conscience I whisper his name softly. After I receive no response, I quietly peel the covers off of myself, and stand up. Carefully avoiding the Arbiter, I silently dance around him and proceed towards the door. I was almost out when I hear his low voice sound from somewhere deep inside his chest. I froze in place while I listen to him speak. "Sage..." he started still fairly drowsy "Where are you going?" Amoren finishes and nods towards the door.
"I was just going to go take a shower in my room. I tried not to wake you up... I'm sorry for waking you." I apologized softly. Looking up at him, I realize he is worried that he, himself, was scaring me and making me leave. I don't know how, but his eye's give everything away.
"Am I-" Amoren started to talk, but I cut him off, knowing what he was about to ask.
"Don't worry Amoren. If you are scaring me, I wouldn't of come in last night." I say with a confident smile. Turning around, I start on my way back to my room, when I remember about my insignia on his desk. "When will I see you again?" I hear as I bend down to pick up my cloth promotion. My emotionless face brakes into a hard smile after hearing his words of sincerity fill my ears.
"I'll be around. Besides, if you want to talk, just knock, I'm always available to friends My room is right across the hall from yours. How about I catch you later for lunch, or dinner?" I say with my voice raising at the end. I swiftly turn around to face him, while putting my decoration in my pocket. When I told him he could visit at any time, his posture, face, everything about hit visibly lit up, then he looked confused.
"Catch me later?" He asks quite baffled.
"It's a human term. It means that I will see or talk to you later." I respond in a groggy tone.
There was no doubt in my mind that I would be seeing him a lot before we drop into S'Yilrar, and oddly, I felt no repulsion or disgust, I only felt excitement and joy as I slide the door shut and walk across the hall. I could feel my the blood rushing to my face, my cheeks turning red.
As many failed relationships with guy's, even the ones that I only wanted to be friends with, had always ended badly. I don't know what comforted me to be with Amoren. All I know is that there is something odd between us, and I am determined to find out what it is.
#
Thought after thought raced through my mind as I prepare to take Amoren to dinner. It really shouldn't matter what I wear, as he wouldn't recognize the sentimental difference between a silk dress, and a casual outfit. I say to myself as I sift through my clothing. I just hope soldiers and crew won't think we're going on a date. A lump forms in my throat as the last word came into mind. Date. I unconsciously swallow the lump and spend little time thinking what it would be like to date Amoren. It wouldn't work. I tell myself. He's the Arbiter. All high and mighty Arbiter. I'm just a lowly... I can't help but let a squeal out at the remembrance of my promotion. I'm just a Sergeant Major. It would conflict our two races... I finish and abandon all traces of this thought from my mind. This would just be a dinner between friends. That's all we are. That's all I want us to be. Unless he wants... NO! My mind interrupts as I stop the last of the thought from being said to myself.
Finally deciding on a navy-blue tee-shirt that sinks down one of my shoulders, my signature camouflage pants and cap, I stroll over to the door and open it slowly while my mind teases me with thoughts. Thoughts about how he will be dressed, and how he will act when with me, around other people. I find myself tugging at the skin on my wrist as if snapping an elastic band against it to stop the thoughts. We are ONLY friends. I say to myself in an authoritative tone as I knock on Amoren's door.
#
God... What time is it! I wonder to myself after tossing and turning for several hours. Gathering back some strength as I sit up and rub the tiredness out of my eyes, I seek out my alarm clock. 1:06 A.M it read in big red numbers, staring me down, mocking me for not sleeping. Laying in my cozy bed, effortlessly trying to fall asleep, knowing the following morning would mark the start of my mission with the Sangheili. When I was almost asleep I hear a crisp knock on the door. "Ughh... " I groaned. "Who is it...?" I continue, and instantly light up to the response. "It is only I" Amoren's deep voice vibrates through the steel frame of the door. I wasn't sure why I was so happy to hear him since we are only friends. But some part of me wants something more. I want him to be around for a long time, and not just for this one mission. Was I going crazy? I wonder as I peel the sheets off me and shuffle towards the door. "What are you doing here at this hour" I ask sheepishly, still trying to work out my rapid train of thoughts. I slowly open the door to see him standing proud at my doorstep. It was when he saw the door was fully open he decided to answer my question.
"I keep thinking of our conversation, and..." He pauses. "Do you have time?" Amoren answers me, yet his answer only brought more questions.
"We all have time throughout our short-lived lives. It's how you use it that counts." I reply, my voice seeming mysterious, and sinister as I back into the room while inviting him in. My room was basically the same as Amoren's. However the bed was quite shorter and was closer to the ground than in his room. Amoren moves with a certain grace about him that made me think of mercury flowing down a tube. Sitting on the bed, he pats a spot for me beside him. Usually, I would not comply to such demeaning actions, but something made me, forced me to go closer and loiter with him. Sitting beside him, I notice he is a good 2 feet taller than myself, yet I'm not intimidated in the least bit. In fact, I feel comfortable and safe while with him. Suddenly, I realize I was leaning towards him. Yearning for the touch of his skin on mine... What was happening to me? I had never felt like this before! I feel my body temperature rise and I raise my shaking arm out and move my hand up and down on his armoured limb. The oddly-familiar warmth I've come to associate with his skin came back, along with the hard-soft texture. He slowly raises his gaze from the floor to myself, and threw one of his arms around my neck, nudging me closer and closer until I felt the heat radiating off his skin, and into mine.
In the past week that I have known him, Amoren has shown a strange amount of affection towards me. At least, it would be alarming for a human to have shown that much. He was kind, caring, sensitive about my problems, gentle, and starting to become less nervous around me. Maybe it was different for a Sangheili... But who knows for sure. I asked him before, but he said he thought of me only as a friend. But... They're not even human. Why should I be wondering... Was I really falling for a Sangheili?
Just then, I remembered all the times he defended me, stood by my side in arguments. We had always won, with my womanly intuition, coupled with his intimidating size and authoritative voice. There was no worse kept secret that we are friends. Even though they looked upon us with disgusted faces, I would say that the crew looked up to us, inwardly of course, as an example that even though our species are different in so many ways, it's the personality, and the person inside that really matters. That even though we look, different and speak in alternate tongue's, we can still understand and get along with one another. And that, is exactly what Amoren and I did. We got along, unlike most of the people I have known, he was... different. I could confide in him, I could tell him my secrets, and he could tell me his. It is kind of cool to have an alien race as your best friend.
Letting me hug his battle-hardened body, Amoren just sat there with me, on my bed in utter silence. Unspoken words travelled between us as we read one another through the distilled air. I look at him in the eye's, and am instantly caught in his gaze. Amoren's majestic eye's are like an amber puzzle, wanting to be solved. His pupil's expanding as if he was letting me into his soul. I could feel his warm gaze on my own eye's, trapping himself in my icy blues. "Sage" Amoren starts talking, ripping his eye's off of my own. "Lately, I've been having what you humans call nightmares." he could see the concern in my face, but before I could speak, he cut me off. "They mostly revolve around this mission." in the most grim voice he could manage, he continues. "The most recent is where we found my brethren, being tortured by the barbaric Jiralhanae. When finally we gain entrance to the torture chambers, they had been slain by the brutes primitive hands. When I look at them, I bow my head in remembrance. Searching for you to see if you are imitating me, I could not find you. Suddenly, I hear a scream from another room, and charge into it with my energy swords drawn. Sprinting into the room as fast as I can, I come face to face with an unrealistic quantity of them. Looking around to find cover, as my military instincts, I instead, find you. As soon as you meet my gaze, you mouth what I guess to be 'Run.' But as your mouth forms the last letter, a hail of spikes..." He finishes with a warble in his voice, clearly unable to finish.
"Amoren..." I squeeze him tighter at a desperate attempt to comfort him. "I promise, I won't leave you." I comfort with a tear swelling up in my eye.
A/N: 1st or 3rd person idea's in your review will allow me to captivate more of you with my writing. :) Also, I'm sorry. But the next update will be a bit... Probably end of november, since my school is piling up the homework. I hope to release it sooner though. Review, and Rate! :)