Torrents of rain fell from the dark sky, drenching the inferior land. What would usually be early evening was now pitch-black and the rain throwing a thin mist into the air. The heartless water created a chill in the air that bit anyone not wanting to feel it. It signaled a long night of miserable weather.

At the mercy of this weather was Ian, soaked and chilled the bone. Suen would kill him for being so irresponsible. He spent the entire day hunting with Anoka, chasing game all over the forest. They even got larger catches than normal. However that came at a price as they realized they strayed miles from their original destination. By the time they got back to civilization, it was well into the afternoon.

There was no law or caretaker's rule of timing, but it was far later than their original intentions. While Anoka returned home, Ian made the poor decision of killing time. It was mostly of aimlessly walking around the city. By the time he reminded himself where he was, he was miles away from the stronghold and night was falling with a rainstorm. Just great.

The boy was trying not to shiver, bundling in his leather-like jacket given to him by the Sangheili. He originally tried to run, but quickly lost his breath and fell into walking miserably through the growing rivers of water.

His decisions were even stupider considering the fact he wasn't supposed to be alone for too long. He was first always with an escort until they finally gained trust in him to go out of his own. The young human wondered if he was betraying their trust right now.

Tensions were high on Sanghelios, even after the end of the war. Ian's caretakers were trying to shield him, but he wasn't foolish. Most of the Sangheili were happy the war was over, but there was always that fraction that didn't. And that fraction was growing larger. Not to mention new reforms that were being introduced were making more unhappy. Ian suspected that more politics were involved, but once again he was shielded.

It was these very tensions that endangered him. The Sangheili have hated the humans ever since their encounter; and old habits die hard. There was no doubt—Ian even saw them—that there were Sangheili wishing him away or even dead. And it was only a matter of time until a gutsy one stood up and did something about it.

Little did the human realize that time had come sooner than he expected.

Ian jumped when he heard a faint sloshing sound behind him. He instinctively whirled around and peered through the sheet of water, only to see nothing. His skin automatically crawled. Ever since he began his journey home he felt like he was being watched, or more like followed. He had even heard strange noises and a flicker of brief movement a few times. But he could never find the owner and was forced to rationalize himself. But now his list of reasons was shortening.

He stood still for a few seconds before turning back around, once again blaming paranoia. But as he began moving again, he saw that black flash in the very corner of his vision. He instinctively quickened his pace, careful to not look too obvious of his growing fear. The human had just rounded a corner when it happened.

Suddenly super strong hands grasped him: one on his shoulder and one wrapped around his torso. Ian gasped at the grip hoisted him up at least a foot off the ground. He heart pounded when he realized this creature was two-to-three times larger than him, and far stronger. A growl rumbled in his ears, almost deafening his sensitive hearing. Hot breath panted on his neck and shoulder, but instead it sent chills coursing through his body as his hairs stood on end.

Ian let out a struggling yelp and began to flail his legs. He pounded his leg on what felt like the attacker's knee, but to his disappointment they were armored. The growl grew louder into one of frustration. The grip tightened and Ian felt himself being hoisted a little higher, propping the back of his head on the attacker's shoulder. Though the boy still couldn't see the creature's face. No doubt it was a very angry Sangheili.

He let out another roar as he felt the attacker moving, backing up into the shadows. Ian kicked harder and tried to drive his elbow into them, but his strikes only hit hard metal.

"Get off of me!" he demanded. "Let me go!"

The Sangheili continued to ignore him as they retreated farther, heading toward the entrance of the warehouse next to them. Just before the black roof closed over him, Ian was able to let out one last cry.

"SOMEONE HELP!"

Suddenly his world spun, becoming a blur with powerful streaks. His vision panned down and he saw the flash of a dark cold floor before slamming into it. He grunted in pain. He heard another slam immediately follow, which was most likely the door being locked in place. Now the only sound was the force of rain on the roof far above and the growling of the Sangheili. He was speaking his native language, but Ian failed to understand. He wasn't the best at his lessons. Though he could hear the fury in his tone.

Ian growled with effort as he forced his palms into the ground and slowly pushed himself up. He expected the Sangheili to push him back down, but they continued to pace impatiently, each stomp a crack of thunder. Ian was forced to measure himself to a crouch as his head pounded and swirled. He looked up to see who exactly his attacker was.

It was obviously male, as Ian already guessed. He wore golden armor, indicating his high rank. Though Ian noticed the armor seemed a little darker than the gleaming shine of most. The boy could spy the Sangheili's skin, as this armor exposed more than most. His scales were a sickly pale with patches thicker than others. Under the rim of the attacker's helmet were gray beady eyes. They looked almost lifeless, but Ian could point out the endless fury within them.

The Sangheili looked down at his prisoner with disdain and his mandibles moving constantly as he growled in his language. Ian tried to follow along, but what he could catch wasn't helpful. He was really wishing he tried to learn the Sangheili's language better. Finally the Sangheili seem to catch on to Ian's lack of knowledge. The boy was surprised when the alien suddenly switched.

"You come with me," the creature growled savagely. The Sangheili's English owned a heavy accent and was more growl than words. It didn't sound proper at all. It just proved that the Sangheili wasn't very educated with other languages himself.

"And if I don't?" the boy countered.

Despite his impaired language skills, the Sangheili seemed to understand what Ian meant. In answer, he growled savagely and snatched out a skinny handle. With just a twitch of his wrist, two white blades made of crackling plasma appeared with a sizzling hiss. An energy sword.

The Sangheili raised his sword, drawing out the last of Ian's nerve. In a panic, the boy yelped and stumbled back, losing his balance and falling on his back. Propping himself up with his arms, he desperately tried to backward crawl a couple paces away. The aggressive Sangheili only stomped after him, waving his energy sword before him.

Suddenly before the attacker could near his sword again, a loud slap filled the air. In the same instant, the sword flew out of his hand and the alien let out a roar of pain. He stumbled back, holding his wounded hand.

Startled, Ian immediately rolled to his side to where the noise had come from. It was then he saw a very familiar figure.

"Glacier!" he cried in relief.

At the edge of the warehouse, outlined against the new opening and rain, was a tall Sangheili. They were over eight feet tall dressed head-to-toe in pristine white armor. The male clutched a carbine in his hands, still aiming it at Ian's tormentor. The wounded one looked back at the newcomer, his eyes narrowing with dangerous fury.

"Virl 'Sadum," he growled deeply, his voice filled with that heavy accent as he stated the newcomer's real name.

"Leave the human alone," Virl—known to Ian as Glacier—ordered. "The punishment to those who attack him was very clear."

Ian's attacker roared in response and began to yell at Glacier in Sangheili. After a seemingly long speech, Glacier only replied with a couple sentences. Whatever they were saying, it wasn't a happy conversation as both seemed annoyed. Especially when the attacker roared at Glacier's response.

The assassin dived for his fallen energy sword, but was interrupted as Glacier shot again. The attack hit his shoulder, sending him stumbling back. The victim quickly ripped out his plasma rifle and fired a few shots at the intruder. A few hit him, making the white commander growl in annoyance. He lunged away and without warning he disappeared in thin air.

The assassin seemed panicked as he realized Glacier had activated his camouflage. He fidgeted in place and tried to look in multiple directions at once. He moved his weapon back and forth, now uncertain how to hold it. He had forgotten about Ian.

Suddenly an empty space by the Sangheili was replaced by a white tower. In the same instant, Glacier pounced on his opponent, wrapping his arms around his torso and driving him down. His victim roared in protest, but Glacier was already settling his weight on him. The white Sangheili sent a powerful fist into his captive's head. His head jerked to the side and the wind was knocked out of him. Glacier was able to deliver a couple more blows, but a Sangheili's ability of quick recovery allowed his captive to retaliate. He swiped at Glacier's helmet, forcing him to wince and for the attacker to regain the advantage.

He pounded on Glacier's armor a couple times himself before being able to pull his legs up. He suddenly drove his feet into the commander's stomach, sending him flying. The white Sangheili slammed onto his back with a yelp. Meanwhile, the golden one was already on his feet and snatched his sword. He quickly reactivated it and swiped it down at his victim to cut him in half. But Glacier was just as quick.

Before the blade came in contact, the commander ripped out his own energy sword. Far too fast for the naked eye, the two swords clashed as the almost-victim-to-be used it as a shield. A crack of lightning and bright flash filled the air.

Glacier used his superior strength to push the other's sword back, sending the attacker stumbling backwards once again. Ian's defender leaped up to his feet to deliver another strike, but this time the golden Sangheili was ready. He pushed the commander back with his palms, forcing the older one to lose his balance and stumble. The assassin's eyes lit up with glee as realizing he had an opening. He charged, bringing up his sword to send a deadly attack. But it never happened.

Just as Sangheili was about to swing his arm, his body suddenly went rigid. Glacier blinked as his enemy became completely frozen; his raised arms not even lowering. The attacker growled and twitched, showing he was trying to resist and fight his own body. At first the white commander was confused, but then noticed the green electrical sparks across the Sangheili's armor. He looked around to see super-thin wires of mini-lightning from the warrior's back, waving through the air… and connecting to Ian's fingertips.

The boy's face was twisted. His eyes were narrowed and crooked with his lips curled back. It looked like he was battling a migraine and frustration at the same time.

"Hurry, Glacier," he croaked, his voice strained. "Can't—do this—forever."

Immediately Glacier's mandibles curled into a Sangheili's smile as he realized Ian was using his power to control the assassin's armor—and the commander had the advantage. He lunged to his feet and charged at his opponent. The smaller Sangheili was defenseless as Glacier delivered several accurate blows born from years of training and fighting. The victim grunted as his head was forced down as the white Sangheili struck the top of his head. Immediately after Glacier balled his fists into one and swung them up, ramming them into golden Sangheili's jaw.

The beast let out a roar of pain. At the same time, Ian gave in and released his spell, unlocking the assassin. The result was the Sangheili flying back and slamming hard onto the ground, all the wind and strength in him ripped out of him. Ian crumbled to his knees and fought to regain himself, but he judged he was in better than his victim, who was completely dazed.

As the creature lay completely motionless, Glacier pulled out his sword. He walked over to his victim and activated it. Just as the Sangheili tried to lift himself up, the other hovered his sword over him, the sizzling electricity an inch from his face. First the inferior one twitched his head back and his eyes flashed with surprise, but then they hardened into humiliated fury. Glacier said something to him in Sangheili, which Ian finally caught what he meant.

"Do not return."

I am much happier with this chapter, even it was kind of frustrating not using the mean Sangheili's name. So I apologize for the repetition in this chapter. For those of you wondering who exactly "Glacier" is, don't worry, I'll explain in the next chapter.