Hello again everyone! Sorry for the (extra) Long delay between chapters. I (for a long time) couldn't decide what direction I wanted to go. However after lots of thought and contemplation it hit me, what fun is it to tell a one sided story. (Now that I think about it, it's tons of fun!) And that's when I decided to hop the border, over into the Covenant side of things. And that is what this chapter is all about. The Covenant.
But before you start reading there are a few things you need to know. And that being for the most part how to read the character names. Here is a breakdown of the ones you need to know for this chapter...
Note: That the break down of the names are most likely incorrect. However I am breaking it down in the way that I read the names, so that you the reader can better understand how I'd say them.
Kesh 'Rtaumee (Ra- too-mee)
Ento 'Zokulee (Zoe-cool-lee)
Iash (I-ash) 'Oimatee (Oy- mot-tee)
And the last thing. The ship that the chapter takes place on was originally not part of the fleet that was discovered. However, the Covenant Super Carrier is the ship that is seen docked with the Cataclysm's Contender not the Covenant Assault Carrier that is mentioned in the prior chapter.
Okay, I think that I've covered everything that needed to be covered.
So without anymore delay by the author. Here is:
Halo: Cataclysm's Contender: Chapter Three: Visions of Change (Part One) Enjoy!
Halo: Cataclysm's Contender
(Chapter 3) Visions of Change (Part One)
Second Cycle, 004 Units (Covenant Battle Calendar) \
Covenant Super Carrier, Divine Victory; Flag ship of the Fleet of Transcendent Reconstruction; Flag ship of the Prophet of Ambition; En route to the newly discovered Forerunner Artifact,
(In the Private Sanctum of Sangheili Champion: Kesh 'Rtaumee)
Kesh 'Rtaumee stared at his reflection in the violet colored alloyed panels that lined the interior of his room. He kept staring with his amber colored eyes and the Kesh in the reflection stared right back. He was a tall, proud and mighty warrior among the Covenant. This fact was made clear by the black and gold colored armor configuration that he wore. Kesh 'Rtaumee was a Sangheili or Elite Zealot, as he had heard many humans call him right before they were executed on the battlefield.
Even though the Humans referred to his race as Elites and not Sangheili, he was still impressed that some had enough honor to acknowledge his rank, even in the face of death. However, this wasn't always the case, and the two jaw mandibles missing on the right side of his face were proof of that fact. The humans, however weak, never died quietly. They would always fight until they had wiped out their enemy, or until they where wiped out themselves.
"How much longer will this war with the Humans continue?" Kesh thought to himself as he reached up and massaged the area, behind, where his right jaw bones had once been. "Our forces would be better spent looking for the relics our gods left behind for us, and thus furthering us down the path toward the Great Journey, instead of having us fight these Humans."
Kesh was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the lock on his door chime and then open. Standing in the door way was Ento 'Zokulee. Ento, like Kesh, was a mighty warrior among the ranks of the Covenant and a fellow zealot.
Ento put his right arm over his chest and bowed respectfully and said, "My Brother, we've been summoned to the arena."
Kesh made a low laugh and said in a deep voice, "Do they really wish to challenge the Prophet's Champion this early in the day, what fools?" He paused and looked at Ento, "How many?"
"At least, twenty," Ento replied, "What are you thinking Kesh! These warriors are our Brothers!"
"Wrong!" Kesh growled, "They have yet to earn the right to be called my Brothers. Regardless, of the fact that they are of the same race as you and I. They have yet to prove themselves in battle. Then and only then will they become my Brothers."
Ento nodded his head understandingly. He knew that Kesh wanted only the best and sharpest warriors fighting along with him in battle. He didn't want those who were after glory and praise by his side, he wanted those who fought to preserve alive their fellow Sangheili. Warriors like that were true Brothers, all the praise and glory they could ever want would come, and stories of there actions would be chronicled in their Keeps, back on their home world of Sanghelios, for the generations after them to marvel at. This fact was proven by both Kesh and Ento being alive to this day. They had come across things in the past that would have destroyed them had they acted on there own. They had become true Brothers because of this war.
Kesh looked at Ento and said, "Those who cannot work together shall perish!" Kesh made a fist with his right hand and stared at it. He looked at Ento once more, and asked, "Are you with me, Brother?"
Ento again put his right arm over his chest and bowed respectfully saying, "I will fight by your side until the end." After another pause Ento looked up at Kesh and said with a sly voice, "Grab your weapons, its time for us to meet our new Brothers!"
Kesh nodded in agreement as he picked up and attached a dark cape to his armor, he then picked up and equipped his combat vizor to the front of his helmet, completely hiding his face. Following that, he walked over to the charging station that was built into the wall by his anti-gravity bed; he retrieved his weapons. He picked up two inactive energy sword hilts and placed them in the auxiliary weapon's compartment on the lower back of his armor. He then grabbed two more inactive hilts and placed one the magnetic plate on his left thigh and one on his right.
"Let us see if any of those whelps have what it takes." He said as he walked past Ento and out of his sanctum.
(The Prophet of Ambition's war chamber)
The Prophet of Ambition gazed in wonder. In the room before him was a large holographic image of the Artifact his scouts had found not long ago. The relic was beautiful. With its elegant form and sleek curve; it truly looked like something that would belong to a god.
Ambition laughed with satisfaction to himself. "At long last," he thought, "I've found the tool that will allow me too correct the sins that have been committed by that Idiot: Truth, and his accomplices; Regret and Mercy. Soon our Covenant will once again tread down the holy path that leads to the Great Journey. And this gift left behind by the gods will be the key to our transcendence!" He thought as continued to gaze at the image.
"However, there is still much the much work to be done," Ambition said aloud as he pressed a symbol on the right arm of his throne. That switch activated a link that allowed the Prophet to communicate with the bridge of his ship. "Ship Master," he called out.
"I am here, Holy One?" Came the sound of Divine Victory's Ship Master.
"Ship Master, how much longer will it take to reach the relic?"
"We will arrive at the Artifact within two units," Answered the Ship Master. "Was there anything else you wished to ask?"
"No, however if anything arises I will inform you." Ambition said. He then touched the symbol again and severed the connection. Then after a brief pause, he pressed another symbol, this time on the left arm of his throne and called out, "Cerberus come forth!"
Behind the Prophet appeared a hologram of a tall cloaked figure. There were no other visible features as to whom or what the AI was modeled after. The cloak was the only identifier. Everything else was covered in shadows and hidden away.
"My lord has summoned me, what does he require?" Came a low sinister voice from the AI.
"Tell me," pondered Ambition, "where is my Champion?"
"Your Champion is heading toward the ship's arena," came Cerberus' dark reply. "He and another Zealot are headed there."
Ambition sat silent for a moment and then quarried, "Why!"
"It seems, a rather sizable lot of Sangheili warriors have gathered in the arena. It would appear that they've challenged your Champion." assessed the AI.
"Most interesting," Ambition mumbled as he turned his throne to face the AI. "Join me there in my personal viewing chamber at the arena."
"As you wish my lord." Cerberus' figure bowed and then faded into the shadows.
Ambition then headed for the arena himself.
(The Divine Victory's Arena)
The journey to the arena, from his sanctum was one of silence and concentration. The two warriors were preparing themselves for what was soon to transpire. Kesh and Ento rounded another corner and came to a stop in front of a large blast door. On the door, written in Covenant text, was the word: Arena.
"I'll get the door," Ento said as he walked past Kesh and up to the controls on the door, and pressed the symbol that unlocked the door. The lock mechanism in the center of the door chimed and rotated clockwise. The panels that formed the door then retracted into the walls, thus opening the door.
Beyond was a large rectangular room that was separated into three levels. The first level was the pit or the area where warriors would do battle. The second level consisted of private box seats that were reserved for high ranking officials. The top level was for the spectators who wished to watch the event's that took placed in the pit, but were of lower rank. The arena was normally packed with spectators from every race that formed the Covenant. However, it was still early in the day and the spectators were few.
Kesh and Ento slowly entered the arena and the blast door behind them automatically closed and locked. Before them stood a large mob of Sangheili warriors of various ranks of colored armor. At the front of the mob stood a tall warrior wearing black armor.
"At last you have come!" bellowed the black armored Elite. That statement caught the attention of the others that were standing around him, as well as, those who were watching from the stands. "We," The black Elite made a sweeping gestured at the mob behind him, "were beginning to suspect that you had run away, and yet here you are."
Kesh wasn't phased by this Elite's attempt to intimidate him. He was just showing off to those around him, trying to make himself seem like something he was not. Kesh disliked this Elite very much. Arrogance was something that should be kept off the battlefield. It was a sign of weakness and a lack of honor.
Kesh crossed his arms over his chest and said in a low powerful voice, "What is your name?"
The black Elite was caught of guard by this question. Why would the champion want to know his name? The thought angered him. "You have no right to know my name!" He bellowed.
"You will answer, Whelp!" Growled Ento as he pointed at the Elite.
The black Elite snarled with rage, "My name is Iash 'Oimatee, and I will kill him!" He said as he pointed at Kesh while looking at Ento
"Is that so?" Kesh asked the enraged Elite.
"Yes it is so!" Bellowed Iash, "I will kill you, my Brother!"
"You are a child! Not my Brother!" Kesh growled as he unfolded his arms and pointed at Iash, "That is all you are and nothing more. If you were my Brother you would've had enough honor to come and challenge me yourself, however, you have no honor. And a child without honor is dead."
"I will kill you!" Iash growled again as he reached for his energy sword, "You had better prepare yourself!" He said as he flicked his wrist activating his sword's blue plasma blade.
"So be it!" Kesh said as he reached up and detached his cape from his right shoulder and then from his left. He let his cape fall to the ground behind him.
Iash growled as he charged forward at Kesh with is energy sword held low and off to his side. He was sure he could kill the Champion with a single blow.
Kesh waited as his rival charged him. As he drew closer and closer Kesh got ready, until Iash was right on top of him. Kesh leaped into the air avoiding the first attack of the battle, he came down and landed in a semi-crouch with an inactive sword hilt in each hand. He then turned to face Iash who had turned around and was getting ready for another pass. While still in a semi-crouch; with his arms out to his sides looking like he was going to tackle something, Kesh flicked his wrist's, activating his energy swords. The action stopped Iash dead in his tracks. The blades of the weapons Kesh held were dark red.
"What are you waiting for?" Iash barked at the mob of elites behind Kesh. "You to wish to challenge the Champion, correct?"
It took the mob of Elites a few seconds to register the call for help. Seconds later many energy swords could be seen, being thrust into the air, followed by a powerful battle cry. The mob began to charge forward, but stopped as Ento stepped in front of them. Ento like Kesh held a red energy sword in each hand.
"You couldn't possibly have thought that I'd just stand by and let you attack the Champion while I'm by his side?" Ento taunted as he took an aggressive stance. He brought his left sword's hilt up to his chest, while extending his right sword forward, pointing at the nearest challenger. "If you did, then you're terribly mistaken!"
The mob, again, thrust their swords into the air along with another battle cry and charged forward! After a few steps, the Elite at the front of the mob leaped into the air with his sword up, readying to bring it down for a heavy strike. However he was unsuccessful, because just when he was about to strike, Ento brought up his left energy sword and plunged it deep into his chest, killing him instantly.
Ento swiftly swung his left arm outward and down behind him; throwing the lifeless body from his blade. In the same motion he brought up his right sword and swung across the chest of another Elite sending it spinning off and colliding with another. His next attack connected with another energy sword. The look on his opponent's face was one of triumph, until he saw Ento bring up his other sword, he was powerless and unable to defend himself as Ento drove it into his chest. Ento struck down several more challengers in like manner, doing his best to keep the mob away from Kesh.
(The Prophet of Ambition's private arena box seats)
The door to the Prophet's box slid open. The interior of the box was dark, with the lighting turned off. That changed as Ambition entered. The rooms sensors detected the presence of life and activated the rooms lighting and other luxuries. The room was lined with the same violet colored panels that lined the rest of the Divine Victory's interior. There was a private bar and concession area, on the right side of the room. At the far end of the box, opposite the entrance, was a balcony that over looked the arena's pit, just below him.
Ambition maneuvered his throne forward, onto the balcony and up to the protective railing. He looked around and surveyed the other boxes on the second level. All but his were dark and lifeless. He did a quick sweep of the arena's third level as well. It was very much like the second; with only a few spectators present.
Behind him appeared Cerberus. Its hologram moved up to the prophets left. Cerberus raised his left cloaked arm and gestured at the pit. "The competition has begun." He spoke with a low and dark tone.
Ambition looked down and watched the battle unfold. He saw his Champion at the far end of the pit, wielding his red energy swords, with his back toward him, facing off with a black armored Elite. Closer to him he saw the mob of Elites charging another Elite. This Elite also wielded two red energy swords.
Ambition watched as the mob rushed the Elite closest to him. In the blink of an eye, this warrior tore into the mob striking down half-a-dozen rivals, with swift and fluid movements. The warrior's movements made it so he appeared to dance across the floor with a line of fallen enemies in his wake.
"Who is the one fighting the charge?" Ambition asked Cerberus without turning away from the battle.
"The one closest to us is a Sangheili Zealot named: Ento 'Zokulee." Cerberus answered, "He is part of your Champion's personal warriors."
The Prophet did not reply with any words, only with a few nods of the head as watched and pondered over that name, Ento 'Zokulee. He recalled that his Champion and this Zealot had been Brothers of war long before he met either of them. It was of no surprise to him that these two would be fighting along side one another, here.
(In the pit of the Arena)
Seeing Ento mow down members of the mob who were charging into the battle only enraged Iash even more. "How was this possible?" He kept asking himself, "No warrior, no matter how strong could survive a battle against these odds!" Or so he thought.
"Whelp!" Kesh barked at Iash.
The Champion's call shook Iash from his thoughts and brought his attention back to focus on Kesh. Iash looked at Kesh with a deep seething anger in his heart. "What?" Iash growled.
Kesh smiled underneath his combat visor. "You were the one who wished to slay me moments ago," Kesh said, "Why don't you try, with whatever scraps of honor you may have, to accomplish your goal!"
"As you wish," Iash said, "But first you must make it an even fight!"
"There may be hope for you yet!" Said Kesh as he deactivated his left sword and placed the hilt on his left thigh. "Now, shall we continue?"
Iash said nothing in reply, instead he charged forward. Kesh did the same, he ran forward to meet his rivals challenge. Their swords came together with a bright clash and exchange of sparks. The two combatants hopped away from each other only to jump forward again and repeat the attack.
The two warriors backed off once more. Iash started again, this time striking first and much faster than before. Iash spun around and brought his blade up to deliver a powerful blow to the Champion's head. But to no avail. Kesh blocked the attack and batted away his rivals sword.
Iash swung his blade quickly, only contacting the Champion's blade for brief moments. The two warriors danced across the floor of the pit, locked in their duel.
Kesh was toying with his opponent. He was letting Iash do most of the attacking, letting the fool ware himself out. He didn't know how this Elite got to the rank he was, or even how he got to be part of the Covenant Spec. Op's. Frankly Kesh didn't care. All he knew was that the Elite was unworthy to be in the position he was in now. And that it was time to fix this flaw in the Sangheili ranks. It was time to end this.
Iash came in again to unleash another round of attacks. He swung his sword like and ax and brought it down with all his might. The blue and red blades collided, releasing a massive burst of sparks. The blades hissed angrily as the two warriors continued to put on the pressure. Iash was trying to use his weight to over power Kesh. And form his prospective it appeared that it was working, the Champion was starting weaken. However, what appeared as weakness was really just an act. For just as Iash thought he was about to finish the fight, Kesh brought up his left hand and delivered a heavy blow to the left side of Iash' head, followed by swift kick to the chest, which sent Iash stumbling backward; landing on his back.
Kesh waited as he watched Iash pick himself up off the ground. "It is time to finish this pathetic excuse of a duel!" Kesh bellowed as he brought his sword up and pointed it at Iash. "Your existence ends here!"
Iash looked at Kesh and shook his head from side to side. "You are mistaken, Champion," Iash panted trying to catch his breath. "This is where you end and I begin!" He said in a mocking tone as he brought his left hand out from behind his back. "I shall soon be the one called Champion." He said as he activated the energy sword that he grabbed when Kesh had kicked him, just moments before.
Kesh was slightly impressed, but he did not give the whelp the satisfaction of seeing this. Instead he kept his eye's fixed on Iash as he reached behind and removed a sword form the auxiliary compartment on his back. "Did you honestly believe that I would come to a battle unprepared?" He asked as he watched the expression on the Whelp's face turn from one of victory to one of shear hatred; as he activated the new sword.
There was no response to the question Iash was just asked, only a loud roar of anger as he started to sprint toward Kesh. Kesh, however was done fooling around, it was time to put an end to this! With a great burst of speed Kesh charged Iash.
In the blink of an eye the two warriors where within striking distance of each other. It was then that Kesh did something Iash never saw coming. Kesh did a back flip off of Iash' left thigh; planting his left hoofed boot into the bottom of the whelps face; and while in mid-flip used his right sword; slashing vertically up Iash' torso. After completing the rotation and landing on his feet; Kesh sprang forward and drove both his swords into his enemy's chest and continued running until he pinned Iash to the lock mechanism of the arena's blast door.
It was now, with the grip of death fast upon him, that Iash reached forward and placed his right hand on Kesh shoulder, "you truly are the champion," Iash said as he gasped for breath, "but... Please, before I die... Promise me!"
"Promise you what?" Kesh said as he looked at the warrior he had just defeated.
"Promise..." Iash gasped for breath again, "Promise me that you will watch over my sibling in the... In the blue armor who is fighting your equal." Iash was looking over at Ento who was being circled by the remaining warriors from the mob.
"As you wish, I shall do as you request." Kesh said as he opened a COM channel to Ento. "Brother, bring those around you to me!" He said.
Seconds later came Ento's replied, "It will be done!" Ento said as he jumped over the Elites that were circling him and sprinted toward Kesh once he landed.
"You are a Sangheili... of great honor, thank yo..." Iash spoke as he slipped off into the clutches of death.
Kesh respectfully bowed his head. "May you find rest in the Great Journey." he said as he reached up and removed his combat visor with his left hand and pulled the last sword from the back compartment. He then turned around to face the Elites that were heading toward him.
Well what do ya think? I hope you liked it! If you have any questions or comments or just want to say hello, please submit a review.
I'll get part two up as soon as I can!
Thanks for reading!
-Atrolus Spartan V84-
