Chapter 1: The Second Holy Ring

Covenant Holy City High Charity, 9th Age of Reclamation, (October 2552, Human Calendar)

The remains of the fractured Halo Ring formerly known as Installation 04 silently drifted through space over the gas giant known as Threshold. Near the burning remains of the ancient Forerunner ring was a fleet of Covenant Ships that all surrounded a giant mobile planetoid station, High Charity, the Covenant Holy City. The inhabitants of giant mushroom shaped mobile city were all mourning over the loss of the sacred ring which they believe would bring them salvation. A small fleet of Phantoms flew towards the city, exiting the gas giant Threshold's atmosphere. Onboard these Phantoms were Tartarus, Rtas Vadamee, Thel Vadamee, and various other Covenant Special Forces who were returning from their mission to cleanse the heretics present at a gas mine…

Deep within High Charity, inside the Prophet Hierarchs

private quarters sat the prophets Truth and Mercy in their gravity thrones, staring at an image of fractured Halo Ring.

"It truly is a pity that the sacred ring was destroyed by the demon" Mercy said in his raspy elderly voice.

"Indeed brother. But we must put aside our sorrow to face the future of the Covenant. One that involved the total annihilation of the Humans for that they have done."

The 2 sat in silence for a moment before the door behind them opened with a chime. The 2 turned to see they Chief Executor and Captain of the Jiralhanae, Tartarus walk into the room, carrying a silver sphere with a bright blue light under his arm, and the newly elected Arbiter Thel Vadamee, followed by 2 walked over to Mercy and Truth, where they kneeled in front of them on the floor.

"Noble Prophets of Truth and Mercy, the heretic leader has been silenced." The Arbiter said

Truth nodded

"You have done well Arbiter, you may retire to your quarters for the evening."

"Thank you noble hierarchs" the Arbiter replied, standing and walking out of the room.

Tartarus looked up and presented 343 Guilty Spark to them.

"This holy artifact was retrieved from the heretics."

Truth and Mercy looked pleased.

"An oracle, surely left by no one other than the gods themselves!" Mercy exclaimed

"Excellent Chieftain. You have served us well. Place him in the constraint field, we wish to speak with him"

Tartarus nodded, walking over to a small pedestal in the center of the room. He placed Spark in the center, who floated up above it as the field activated, locking him in place floating in the air.

"Thank you Tartarus. You may go no."

Tartarus grunted to his brutes and they followed him as they left.

"You may leave as well guards." Truth added, as the 2 Sangheili Honorguards followed them out of the room, leaving Truth and Mercy alone with Spark.

The 2 brothers floated in the chairs over to the small glowing ball.

"Tell me Oracle, what is your name?"

"Greetings, I am 343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04. Or at least I was until it was destroyed, by a reclaimer."

"Fascinating Oracle! Is there anywhere else we may find of the these holy rings?"

"I'm sorry, but my creators concealed my knowledge of the other installations locations from me, in case I was ever captured by the Flood."

"Then that is all for now Oracle" Truth replied, as there was a beeping sound across the room from a console.

Truth floated over and examined it.

They were receiving a transmission from the carrier Solemn Penace, which their brother, the Prophet of Regret was currently on board.

"It is from our foolish brother."

"What does he want?" Mercy asked

Truth hit play, and the display showed the transmission.

"Brothers, I am sorry for my premature arrival and attack on the Planet known as Earth, but you must understand that no Human presence was foretold. I only wanted to uncover the relic so our transcendance could be quickened-"

Truth paused the message.

"Now he apologizes for his rash behavior? His actions led to a total embarrassment of our forces!"

"It would seem so brother." Truth replied "what shall we do with him?"

Mercy rubbed his chin for a moment as he thought.

"This calls for a council meeting, and we will decide his fate together."

"There is more to his apology." Truth said, hitting the play button

"-However, I must report my discovery. After our hurried withdraw from Earth, we went into slipspace, and discovered a second holy ring! I plan to light the ring as soon as I am able."

"By the gods!" Mercy exclaimed "salvation is assured!"

"We must journey to the sacred ring at once. Prepare High Charity for slipspace departure immediately!"

Truth turned to 343 Guilty Spark again

"Oracle, how can we unlock the holy ring and begin the great journey?"

"The Installation can only be activated by this object" Spark said, projecting an image of the Index "Known as the Index, which can be found at a structure known as a library. However, I regret to inform you only reclaimers can insert the Index into the control console."

Truth nodded and turned to Mercy

"We must journey to the sacred ring at once. Prepare High Charity for slipspace departure immediately!"

A few hours hours later, the Council Meeting was held, and it was ultimately decided that Regret would be spared from public shaming, thanks only to the Prophet of Mercy and the High Council. Outside of High Charity in space,various slipspace portals opened, and various Covenant Ships flew through them. Then, a very large slipspace portal opened above High Charity, which headed through it, before all of them closed, leaving the Souell system desolate with no sign if life, as the remains of Installation 04 drifted through space…