Chapter 1

Aria

Disclaimer: I do not own Halo, at all. I really wish I did though, then I'd make the entire thing melee weapons =D

Summary: Master Chief, or John, is living life as as a normal civilian after being saved from the Forward Unto Dawn. That is until a Forerunner speaks to him in a dream, warning him of an evolution of the Flood. Will John put the dream off as a dream and nothing more, or take heed of the warning?

Author's note: John's now a civilian, so he's not so 'military' and rigid. It makes him easier to write xD. Plus, he's a lot more fun (: So here we gooooooo~~

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The bright light engulfed the room. John blinked and his eyes slowly adjusted to the glare of the light, and he could make out the figure of a slim woman with long flowing hair. The figure walked towards him in a graceful cat-walk like strut. John arched his eyebrows as the details of the woman became clearer and clearer.

Streaming down her body were symbols, like Cortana except a lot more complex. She seemed almost translucent with a cyan glow. John took a step forward. There was something about her face, something that tingled familiarity in him. John knew he had never seen this woman but there was a sense of déjà vu when he saw her. It seemed almost as if he knew her. And her face, the beauty that it was, was indescribable. It was as if John was blind and seeing her face was like seeing the sun for the first time. Her hair was smooth as velvet, flying in the air as if there were a wind blowing them. Her eyes were an aurulent gold, its deep tone mesmerizing.

"John..." the woman called out to him. Her voice was smooth and fluid as water. The voice was empowering and it enticed John to listen and obey. If she had told him to kill himself, John was sure he would have done even that.

"Who, no, what are you?" John managed to choke out. She was in no way human. The only thing he had ever set eyes on (which was a lot) that had symbols on, was Cortana, an AI.

"I am Aria. A Forerunner," the goddess replied.

A Forerunner?! Impossible! Aren't they dead? John's thoughts raced through his mind.

"We are not dead. We are never dead. We are immortals. We have simply left your world."

"How did you -"

"To Forerunners, your thoughts are as blatantly obvious as your words."

"So we are a -"

"Lower form of life, yes."

"And who are you to say that when you look like a human?"

"It is the other way around. You humans look like me. I created you humans in my image."

John blinked. How long had he lived normally, and now a Forerunner appearing to him. Was there something that the almighty Forerunners might need him to do?

"Indeed, John."

"What is it?"

"The Flood."

John opened his mouth and shut it, letting the familiarity of that word sink in. Technically it had been more than a hundred years since he had even seen a Flood life form. He racked his brain and pulled out an image of the grotesque, inhuman, parasitic beasts.

"Since you're here, handle it."

The cyan woman sighed, and looked down, as though thinking of words to say. John stared enquiringly at her, attempting to read her expression. But her face was blank, completely empty and devoid of emotion.

"The Flood have evolved." Aria said at last.

John snorted. "So?"

"The Forerunners can handle them no more; we need the help of Humans, as much as I would not like to admit it."

Surprise hit John. "The Forerunners can't handle something?"

The woman smiled gently, "Do not think of us as gods, John. We left because we were unable to handle the flood. That was why we built the Halos."

"Yeah and that –"

"No time, John. I must leave."

"Wait!"

But just as he had shouted that, light engulfed the room once more and John covered his eyes, shielding them from the pure white light.

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Sunlight shone through the vents of the window. John stirred. His eyes were unwilling to open and suffer the sun's glare. His hands moved to cover his face.

"How did you sleep?" a female voice spoke from the other end of the room.

"Quite well."

"Dream of anything?"

"Speaking of which, yeah –"

On the other end of the room, on a data port, a purple holographic figure blinked and took the form of a slim female with short, cropped hair. And of course, symbols running down her body.

"Tell me about it, then," Cortana inquired chirpily.

It was just a dream. 'Aria' doesn't exist. A dream, nothing more.

"Forget it, I don't remember it."

"Ah well, and here I was curious to know what goes on in your mind."

Aria... Aria... only a dream, perhaps? But it, no, she, was so real. Could it possibly be just a dream, or something more? John's head buzzed with activity. This was a feast for his thoughts. No, a dream nothing more. My life is peaceful, I won't let the likes of a dream disturb me.

END

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Author's Note: Please don't flame (: oh and tell me if I should continue, 'cos if this is terrible I won't bother with a second chapter. Constructive criticism please~