I do not own Halo in anyway, shape, or form. Halo belongs to Microsoft and 343 Industries
-Year 24-
It has been four years since Zhar became a member of the Covenant military and he still hasn't been deployed. The High Prophet of Tolerance, along with the High Prophet of Restraint and the High Prophetess of Obligation, made a concentrated effort to promote good relations between all of the member races of the Covenant the day they became the Hierarchs of the Covenant over sixty years ago after the First Unggoy Rebellion. So far, they were doing a good job.
There has been very little conflict since the First Unggoy Rebellion, apart from the induction of the Jiralhanae into the Covenant, which occurred eight years before Zhar was born. The most recent conflicts were the Sixteenth Unggoy Disobedience and the heretical reign of a Kig-Yar pirate prince named Krith. Both conflicts were resolved swiftly by a Sangheili warlord thrall named Ripa 'Moramee.
Today, Zhar was in one of his keep's training rooms, wearing his armor's skinsuit and punching a bag full of sand that was hanging from the ceiling. Until he was deployed, he would stay at Chavam keep as part of his uncle's personal guard. As the kaidon of the state of Chavam, there were many individuals who wished to see his uncle dead and it was Zhar's job to make sure those individuals failed.
Everyday, whenever he got the chance, Zhar would come into the training room he was currently in and start exercising like he was currently doing to maintain his physique for when he would finally be deployed. On most days, he was alone. Today was different. After he punched the bag open, pouring sand all over the floor, Zhar heard a feminine voice behind him.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." the voice said. Zhar turned around and saw a Sangheili woman, perhaps five years younger than him. She wore a black kimono that complimented her slender figure, her eyes were silver, and her jaw arrangement was perfectly symmetrical. In her right hand was a curveblade.
"Not at all." Zhar said to her. "Why do you have a curveblade in your hand?"
The woman looked at the floor for a second before looking back at him. "Just because I am a woman doesn't mean I cannot wield a weapon." she said to him defensively.
"I didn't say that. I was just wandering why you walked in here with a curveblade in your hand." Zhar said. He was trained to understand that an individual coming towards you with a weapon drawn means to kill you. However, from her stance, he knew that this woman did not mean to kill him.
"I'm sorry. Most men tend to scoff at the notion of a female fighter." she apologized. "To answer your question, I often come in here when no one is around and practice with it."
"Wouldn't you rather have a sparring partner so you could learn more?" Zhar asked her.
"I would but no one is willing to be my sparring partner." she replied. Zhar then remembered that combat training for females usually didn't go beyond basic. They were expected to stay on Sanghelios to manage politics and care for children, not fight on the frontlines.
"I'll be your sparring partner." Zhar told her.
"You will?" the woman asked, surprised that a male volunteered to help her be a better fighter.
"Of course. Now get into a combat stance and we'll begin." Zhar said as he grabbed a curveblade from a nearby weapons rack. She did as she was told and their sparring session began. It lasted for about an hour before it ended in a stalemate. Zhar, while larger and physically stronger, was slower than her. The woman was the complete opposite. She may have been smaller and physically weaker than Zhar but she used speed and flexibility to her advantage.
"You learn quickly." Zhar said to her after catching his breath. It certainly didn't help that he had just finished excercising moments prior to their sparring session.
"Thank you." the woman said to him. It then dawned on Zhar's mind that neither of them knew each other's names.
"My name is Zhar." he said to her, holding out his hand.
"Shesha." she said to him, taking his hand into hers and shaking it.
"I hope to see you again, Shesha."
"Likewise, Zhar." she to him, smiling as she walked away. It was at this moment that Zhar felt a strange feeling in his chest. Shesha was a beautiful and strong woman. Her lovely figure, those silver eyes, that beautiful face of hers, and her skills with a blade. Zhar was in love with her.
-The Next Day-
Zhar was currently standing near the kaidon in his personal chambers. The kaidon himself was standing at his balcony which overlooked his state. Zhar was fully armored and had a plasma rifle holstered to his hip and a carbine holstered to his back. Zhar tried his best to think about protecting the kaidon but all he could think about was meeting Shesha again. The kaidon turned around and noticed that Zhar seemed to be deep in thought.
"Is everything all right?" he asked Zhar.
"Yes, sir." he answered rather quickly.
"Please, drop the formalities." the kaidon-his uncle told him.
"Of course, uncle. And everything is all right." Zhar told his uncle, who wasn't buying it.
"Something is on your mind, Zhar. Otherwise, you wouldn't be simply standing there and stare out into space." Zhar understood there was no point in keeping secrets anymore. His uncle found a couple of chairs, sat on one of them, and beckoned Zhar to sit as well, which he did. Zhar then took a deep breath and spoke.
"There is this woman named Shesha that I met yesterday and I just can't stop thinking about her, no matter what I do." he said to his uncle.
"Then go up to her and tell her how you feel." his uncle said.
"That's just it. I don't know how to tell her without coming off as a fool." Zhar said. No amount of combat training ever prepared Zhar for courtship. "There are so many things I admire about her. She's strong, smart, and beautiful. I just wish I could tell her without coming off as a fool."
"Then do it." a voice from the door said. Zhar and his uncle looked towards that direction and they both saw Zhar's mother standing there.
"How long were you standing there, Khalia?" his uncle asked.
"Long enough, Khan." she answered. She then faced Zhar and continued. "All you have to do is go up to her and tell her exactly how you feel and what you like about her. No pickup lines. Just be honest. You can't go wrong with the truth."
Zhar thought about it for a moment and realized she was right. "All right, I'll do it. Thank you." he said to his mother, getting up from his chair and walking off to find Shesha. He found her stretching in the training room where they first met yesterday. Zhar knocked on the wall to get her attention.
"Shesha." he said.
"Zhar. It's good to see you again." she said.
"Likewise. Shesha, there's something that I wish to tell you."
"What is it?" Shesha asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I have been thinking a lot about you lately." Zhar started. "There are many things I admire about you. Not just your appearance, but your personality and your skills with a blade. What I'm trying to say is this: Shesha, will you allow me to court you?"
Shesha smiled, walked closer to Zhar, and gave him her answer. "Yes, I will allow you to court me." Zhar smiled at her answer.
-A few months later-
For the next few months, Zhar and Shesha courted. As time went by, their feelings for each other became more pronounced. Eventually, among the most memorable nights of their lives happened. They were at the cliffs of Qivro, facing the Csurdon Sea. Both of Sanghelios' moons were in the night sky, surrounded by countless stars. From where they were, they could see the city of Sunaion.
"It is a lovely night." Shesha said.
"Not as lovely as you." Zhar said. "Shesha, I have something important to ask you."
"What is it, Zhar?" Shesha asked. Zhar took both of her hands in his, looked directly into her eyes, and spoke.
"We have been courting for several months and I have decided that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Shesha, will you marry me?" For a moment, Shesha was overwhelmed with happiness. She got over it quickly, embraced Zhar, and gave him her answer.
"Yes, I will marry you, Zhar." Zhar smiled and embraced her as well.
-Wedding Day-
Zhar was wearing a black robe with white trim. Standing next to him was Shesha, his wife-to-be. She was wearing her usual kimono and had a veil covering her face. Performing their wedding was the kaidon himself.
"It was the Forerunners that first attained godhood and pledged to watch over us as their children." the kaidon started. "It from their love of us that we first learned to love one another. It is from this love that we learn that a life lived alone is no life at all. We gather here today, under the loving gaze of the gods, to bear witness to the union of two souls in eternal companionship. May they journey together in this life and in the next, in prosperity and poverty, and in joy and hardship." He turned towards Shesha and continued.
"Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"
"I do. Now and forever." Shesha told the kaidon. The kaidon turned towards Zhar and asked the same question he asked Shesha. Zhar gave the kaidon the same answer Shesha gave him.
"Then by the power vested in me, I declare this couple to be wed." the kaidon said. Zhar lifted the veil covering his new wife's face and pressed his nostrils against hers. It was the Sangheili equivalent of a kiss.
-One year after meeting Shesha-
Zhar and Shesha had settled into their new home. They were currently in the living room, sitting on their couch and viewing the newly-crowned High Prophets of Truth, Mercy, and Regret give their first speech to the Covenant on their holovision.
"The 23rd Age of Doubt has ended and the 9th Age of Reclamation has begun." the Prophet of Truth began. It was met with applause by those in the High Council Chamber. Truth raised his hand to silence them and continued with his speech.
"Most of those we encountered in our search were compelled to join our holy union. They now take part in our holy quest. In exchange for their allegiance and service, they shall be granted freedom and salvation when the Great Journey begins. But some, like a new species we have encountered called humans, have chosen to impede our progress. They have destroyed holy relics on a large scale. For their sins, they will be hunted until there is nowhere left for them to run and none of them remain alive." That last part got Zhar's attention. It meant he would be deployed soon and he would be away from Shesha for quite some time.
"We will do this, for the humans' destruction is the will of the gods and we are their instrument." Truth said, finishing his speech.
The Human-Covenant War has begun and Zhar is going to be part of it. Remember to review. Tell me what you liked or hated but no flames please.
