"Osiris. Form up!" Locke ordered. "Everyone ready?"
"Actually… Tanaka. If I could ask a favor… would you say a word or two?" Buck asked. Locke nodded, seeing as this would be a serious battle.
"Come a long way together. Long way yet to go. Let's make a good jump like we mean to, and handle fools like we need to."
"90 seconds to insertion point." An Elite said.
"And may Buck buy the first round when we get back." Tanaka finished.
The team donned their helmets and made their way to one of the open sides of the Lich they were on. "We get through this, I'll buy the whole damn bar."
Flak of Covenant guns exploded everywhere as Swords of Sanghelios forces swarmed the city, along with the Covenant's own forces readying themselves. "Fireteam Osiris, the light is green." Locke said, and the Spartans jumped from the Lich and into the fight.
"FOR SANGHELIOS!" The Arbiter yelled as he and his fellow Elites followed and charged the Covenant lines.
"There's the first of the air defenses. Push forward. Take it out." Locke said. Going immediately for the power supply, Locke snapped a Grunt's neck, slammed into a Jackal, and threw a grenade at the source, stopping the gun.
"Excellent. Spartans, the Guardian is at the far end of the city. There are more anti-air emplacements in that direction." Arbiter said.
"We'll clear them out as we go." Both wished each other luck. Locke made way to his destination as the Arbiter made way to where the fighting was at its thickets.
"Swords of Sanghelios, today Sunaion will fall, and with it, the Covenant!"
The Spartans sprinted their way through the door. "How do we know if Dr Halsey's plan and the Constructor did its job?" Buck asked.
"Guardian will start moving." Holly answered.
"Just need to be close enough to jump on when it does." The team came across another cannon, and already got to work. Killing surrounding soldiers and then getting the power sources. Locke grabbed a plasma pistol and fired at Elites, their shields going down, letting his team finish them, along with the Jackals retreating. Some decided to turn around and fight again, they were put down hard.
The Spartans continued on, encountering insertion pods. In the background, a Covenant ship fell from the sky and crashed into the sea as the waves swallowed the vessel into its watery grave.
These Covenant Remnants were the toughest seen yet, but even then, they did nothing to slow the Spartans. Another gun emplacement was in sight. And Osiris acted accordingly. Locke rushed the position and killed five Jackals before killing the source of power, while his team slaughtered the remnants. Vale kicked two Elites off the edge into the sea. Holly plowed through Grunts, and Buck killed individual Jackals.
"Think the Constructor found its way through this chaos?" Asked Vale, taking into consideration the intensity of the fighting and the frail being of a Constructor.
"If it didn't, somebody better come up with another solution real quick right now." Said Buck.
"Halsey said the plan would work. I trust her." Locke said.
More cannons. Three this time. Locke went for one, Buck to another, Vale to the third, and Holly ran around providing hurt to any that didn't directly guard the guns. The plan worked to perfection and all three were down. Holly being absolutely towards the forces that dared try to interfere.
In the course of about 17 seconds, all three were down. "Arbiter. All cannons down." Locke said.
"I'll send down forces to secure the area. Move on towards the Guardian, you MUST reach the Master Chief in time." He said.
The bad news was there were still many air defenses. Good news was that Mahkee told the Spartans of a second route. They found an elevator to the undercity. "Good luck down there Spartans."
"Arbiter, you should know, when the Guardian rises, it sends out a series of concussive blasts. If you move your ships n time, the Covenant will take the brunt of it." Locke said.
"Victory and honor do not grow from timid seeds Locke, your harvest will be grand. But we will be cautious. And when you see the Master Chief again. Tell him I send my greetings." Arbiter replied.
"I will."
"I've never heard a Sangheili address a Human like that." Vale said.
"I'll try not to let it go to my head." Locke replied. The elevator reached the undercity and made their way forward. Already finding several soldiers in their path. "Guardian's still too far, hurry!" A horde of soldiers was in their way, Osiris decided to run and gun. Run while taking any shots they could, while at the same time getting to the location quickly.
"Spartans. Be aware. New enemies join the battle above. Armored. Glowing." Arbiter said.
"Prometheans. We'll be ready Arbiter." Said Locke. The battle was getting tougher. Not only did the Constructor do its job, but the Guardian was awaking soon. The pace quickened as the Spartans ran faster to get to their location.
Only to slow down to kill two Hunters. An elevator came with three Grunts on it, who realized that they weren't all that safe down here. In a fit of bravado, they screamed and ran off the elevator. "Uh? Should we kill them?" Buck asked.
"No point now. Come on. We need to reach the Guardian." Locke said. The team assembled and started the elevator. "Arbiter, this is Spartan Locke, do you copy?"
"Spartan Locke! –near the Guardian- killing everyone-"
"Arbiter!" All Locke got was static.
"That's no good." Said Buck.
"We need to hurry. Time's running out!" Said Locke.
"If we can help the Arbiter…?" Vale began.
"We will. But not at the risk of missing the Guardian. Reaching the Master Chief is more important." Said Locke.
The elevator reached the top, and Osiris disembarked. Outside the building they found a picture of massive destruction with dead Covenant everywhere. "Looks like we missed all the fun." Said Buck. The team continued on to the Guardian. When a thunderous horn-like sound filled the air. "THE GUARDIAN'S SINGING!" Holly exclaimed. This was not good.
"How much time do we have?!" Vale asked.
"Not enough! DOUBLE TIME OSIRIS!" Locke ordered. This was it. The team took off full sprint as if a horde of Flood was after them. They passed through a small door and saw it.
The Guardian was rising from the ocean like an ancient mechanical monster from the depths. "THE GUARDIAN'S RISING! Arbiter! The Guardian-"
"Look out!" Holly called. The Guardian sent out a shockwave that sent several aircraft spiraling out of control. Including a Phantom that came crashing onto the platform. That section of the city began to crumble apart as the Guardian rose from the sea.
"Run! RUN!" Locke yelled. As they ran, the path crumbled and shifted as the Spartans made their way to the Guardian. The atmosphere was comparable to the apocalypse, and just as bad. Locke found himself almost falling off the path towards the endless sea below.
"Up up up! Move Spartan!" Buck said, grabbing his leader. The team jumped a gap and into a ruined building where Grunts fled in terror as the world seemed to come to an end. A turn and a jump, they found their way outside to find Arbiter slay a Promethean Knight.
"Arbiter!" Locke called.
"Spartans. The Covenant's defenses have fallen. Sunaion –no, Sanghelios is ours!" Thel claimed victoriously.
"We need to get to the Guardian." Locke said.
"The Promethean's won't make it easy." Vale said.
The Arbiter turned to face said foe. "Let them come! I fight by your side Spartans- to the last!" Soldiers, Crawlers, and Watchers stood in their way. But the Spartans wouldn't let that stop them. They charged forward and acted accordingly. The Prometheans with the Splinter guns were taken down first, followed by the Watchers.
"How the hell do we get over there?" Buck asked, seeing that the Guardian was too far to jump towards.
"All that matters is that it hasn't left yet. We have time." Locke said.
The fight lasted for what seemed like an hour. The Prometheans just kept coming. "I'm about to run out of ammo!" Said Buck.
"Well then pick up a Forerunner weapon! They're all over the place!" Said Holly. Locke had already grabbed a Light Rifle, while Vale opted for a Boltshot. Another Promethean gate spawned in, but it wasn't a Knight or a soldier. But a familiar machination from before.
"I am the Warden Eternal. I stand in defense of Humanity!"
"How the hell did he get here?!" Buck said.
"Impossible." Vale added.
"No time to discuss it Osiris!" Locke said. The Warden came forth and plunged his sword into a Promethean Knight, proceeding to raise it in the air before it broke down. "Make haste Humans! You must reach Genesis!"
"What's a Genesis?!" Vale asked.
"It's where the Guardian is headed!" Said Locke. No sooner did he say that did the Guardian continue to move. Further from the edge of the Spartans' current position.
"The Guardian's leaving without us!" Buck said. "There's gotta be some way-"
"SPARTANS!" The voice came over the radio. It was Palmer.
The Spartans saw in the distance, the Pelican screaming towards them. "Osiris get your asses in gear! I'm coming in hot and you best be ready to go!" Locke and team ran forward immediately and jumped into the Pelican. Palmer slammed the Pelican into overdrive and soared straight towards the Guardian. Back on the city, the Warden assisted the Arbiter with the remaining Prometheans. The Pelican took a hit but still soared.
"Locke. You get one shot!" Palmer said.
"Ready when you say Commander!" Said Locke.
"NOW!" With that, Osiris fell towards the Guardian, all four Spartans landing upon the machination.
"We're clear!" Said Locke.
The team rushed towards the pad on the Guardian to ensure safe travel, like Blue Team did. The Guardian opened its slipspace bubble and slipped in. The bubble shrinking and finally ceasing to exist. "Hunt them to the last!" The Arbiter declared. "Today we extinguish the Covenant's light FOREVER!"
…
Genesis
The bubble opened in the air, and through it came the Guardian. The Spartans saw another Guardian nearby from where they stood. Where they figured was under the left wing, when the platform they were on lowered, and they fell. "Activate mag boots!" Locke ordered.
"Like standing on the side of a skyscraper. This is bad." Said Holly.
"We'll be fine." Locke said.
The team ran down the height of the Guardian. "Chief's down there huh?" Vale said. Commenting on how high they were in the sky. It was a major bird's eye view. A single structure of sorts, in a circular design was down there. Surrounded by lush vegetation.
"Spartan Jameson Locke broadcasting on all UNSC frequencies. Sierra 117. Please respond." He heard static from who he presumed was Master Chief, but it was too distorted to tell.
"Guardian's moving!" Buck said.
"Get moving! Reach a low enough altitude where it's safe to jump." Locke ordered.
The Spartans did just that. And the Guardian shifted to seemingly make it harder. Then Promethean Crawlers showed up. "Don't stop! Shoot and run!" They ran for what seemed like about a mile before hearing a low drone in the air.
"What's that sound?" Asked Vale. Their answer came in a shockwave from the Guardian. Causing them to fall. Thankfully their thrusters still functioned. They fell until they were a good altitude from the ground before doing so.
"Is this it? Is this the right place?" Vale asked, unsure of their chances.
"Let's try this again. Spartan Jameson Locke to Seirra 117. Please respond." More static. "Chief… Doctor Halsey sent us. We're here to help…" Locke said, hoping he'd hear that.
"How the hell are you here?" Finally, contact.
"Long story sir. The Didact has been activating Forerunner-" "I know. We're at the Gateway." John replied.
"It's you." A new voice entered the conversation. "The same as Meridian. As Sanghelios. My, you do get around."
"Cortana?" Locke asked, unable to believe if it really was her.
"She's here. And she has someone with her." John said.
"Who?" Locke inquired.
"The Librarian. The female Forerunner I met on Requiem. The imprint anyway." John asked. "What? You mean… holy crap. All this time…" Buck said.
"Hurry ahead. A friend will meet you inside the structure." Said Cortana.
"A friend? Who?" Holly asked.
"You'll see. But hurry, the Didact is close. So close to finding me. To finding HER!" Cortana said, scared.
The team, with no other choice, entered the structure. "More Humans?" A voice said. Mechanical in nature. A Monitor came down and approached them. "Hello." It said.
"That's a Monitor." Said Vale.
"I am 031-Exuberant Witness, Monitor of this installation. Welcome humans." The Monitors voice had a distinctive purple glow and a soothing, female's voice, putting the team at a slight ease. "Have you also come to stop the Didact from destroying the plan of the Forerunners?"
"Plan?" Buck asked confused.
"The Forerunners in their time held the Mantle of Responsibility. A promise of peace and prosperity for all races, and punishment for those who tried to take that existence away, with the promise of death being said punishment. They planned for Humanity to attain the Mantle next. But the Didact is stuck in the past. He believes Humanity will ruin everything and will stop at nothing to ensure your destiny is never achieved."
"You've seen the other Humans?" Asked Locke.
"Oh yes. Cortana and the Warden have led them to the Gateway. It is where the Didact goes as well."
"Wait. The Warden's there too?" Buck asked.
"Yes, he wishes to help you-"
"No that's not it. He was on Sanghelios, how did he get here so fast?" Buck inquired hoping to clear his confusion.
"Oh. The Warden has a single consciousness, but can control multiple bodies of himself. And he has millions." Exuberant answered.
"… Huh. Well that explains everything." Said Buck.
"Accessing your communications systems." Exuberant said. "Oh by the way. There are a number of hostile visitors right outside. So I brought you this!" A portal bubble appeared, and in its place was a Grizzly tank. The double-barreled heavy armored tank of the UNSC. A force even the Covenant feared in the war. "I assume it will be of use to you?" The Monitor asked.
"Oh HELL yes. Grizzly! I call driver!" Buck said running already.
"I found it among the debris of Guardian 3209's arrival. Their slipsace bubbles bring a significant amount of rubbish with them."
Some Covenant soldiers were there too. "Somebody oughta tell these guys they already lost the war." Said Buck.
"They want a fight? We'll give them one." The Tank pushed ahead, the plasma fire only leaving marks on its armor. Tank armor in the UNSC had been upgraded lately, able to withstand the scorching temperatures of Covenant plasma weaponry.
The same can't be said for Covenant vehicles against ballistics.
Another portal opened, with another Guardian coming through. "Guardian!" Locke said.
"Why has he called so many? A single Guardian can effectively police a solar system. This show of force is unsettling." Said Exuberant.
"I'm sorry. Police? Show of force?" Vale asked distraught.
"Indeed. Guardians are how the Forerunners enforced peace on those who actively resisted their influence. Especially when other species were threatened. Also, as you can see, Genesis's defenses are targeting the invaders." The up ahead area was of Covenant being attacked by Forerunner defenses. "But I'm afraid you will be considered invaders too."
"It's your installation. Can't you tell them to let us through?" Asked Buck.
"No. HE has taken over. Most of my privileges have been revoked." Exuberant said.
"I still have some control over the facility. But Didact is going to notice this commotion. Be quick!" The tank continued until it hit a door. "I can open this. Please wait."
Thankfully it was a quick process and soon the tank rushed forward. "Hurry. The Gateway is almost ready." Exuberant said.
"What is the Gateway?" Vale asked.
"It is the bridge between the Domain and Genesis. It is where Cortana and the Librarian rest. Unfortunately, it is also the Didact's destination. From there, he will have COMPLETE control over every Forerunner installation in the galaxy." Exuberant explained.
"And the Chief is there?" Asked Locke.
"Cortana has led them through as best as she could, but even then the Didact has slowed their progress for some hours. He is planning something. But what is unknown." The tank rushed forward, blasting every Forerunner turret and Ghost it came across.
"Yippee Kiyay! I love this tank!" Buck cried.
"Genesis is a magnificent planet. Usually less… busy. It can be quite lonely actually." Exuberant said, seemingly oblivious to the fighting. They approached a chasm, where Forerunner constructs were located, one on each side.
"Ah… there is supposed to be a bridge here." Said Witness.
"Can you fix it?" Asked Locke.
"One moment." About a minute later the bridge activated. "Ah. It seems I can still work bridges too it seems. Most excitable- oh. Bad news Humans."
"More Humans here? No matter. You will fall, like the Warrior and his companions shall."
"The Didact has found us." Locke said as several Knights and dozens of Soldiers appeared. However as quickly as they appeared, they were cut down. A testament to the Grizzly's power. Even. "Didact why do you go against the wishes of your people?! It is against protocol. It is not right!" Exuberant asked, trying to talk some sense into the Didact.
"Your time has passed Monitor. There is no room for your meddling here in this facility. The Warden will meet his end for his betrayal. The Human ancilla shall expire. And the Librarian will never awaken. No matter how many of my forces you eliminate, I am victorious already."
"What is he talking about?" Locke asked.
"This late into his plans, every second he gains is a gift. Hurry. The Gateway is just over this ridge." Said ridge was inaccessible to vehicles.
"Dismount Osiris." Said Locke.
"Awwwwww do I have to?" Buck whined, but did as he was ordered.
"117, we are getting close to the Gateway. Hold your position." Locke said over the radio. Again, more static. They found a UNSC Pelican crashed into the ground. Luckily there were no bodies, meaning it was likely parked.
"Grab ammo Osiris." Locke ordered, his team already moving in.
"Heh heh. Big gun's mine." Buck chucked, grabbing a rather special looking SAW. "This almost makes up for leaving the tank behind. Almost."
Tanaka grabbed a railgun. "Oh dear. The Didact is beginning his preparations. He is preparing a military maneuver not seen since the Forerunner Ecumene. You must hurry if you plan to stop him!" Exuberant warned.
The Spartans were right on the doorstep now. However, the Didact sent more forces to stop them. "It is better to be safe than sorry, wouldn't you agree, Humans?"
"Sonovabitch he's mocking us!" Buck said.
"ENOUGH SUNDERED-STAR! I will not allow you to hinder the Human's progress any further!" Four Wardens appeared before the Spartans, swords bared and ready to attack.
"When I have defeated the Humans, you will be the first to be destroyed Warden." The Wardens occupied the Prometheans, giving the Spartans a chance to rush to the door.
"Man. He really wants us to get there." Holly asked.
"Indeed. The Warden is determined to see your people live up to the Forerunner's expectations." Exuberant said.
"Never thought a robot could be determined." Said Buck.
"Oh, Warden is not a robot, I thought you understood that." The team slipped in as the Prometheans fought the Warden copies, giving them a chance to escape.
…
"It's the others!" Witness said.
"Chief!" Blue Team turned, with another Warden at their side, guns ready to fire. Locke holstered his rifle and placed a hand up. "Chief, please. Wait."
"I know… you want to help." John said.
"Exactly. We're here to help you." Locke said.
"Finally. You're all together." Said Cortana. "And not a moment too soon, the Didact is literally minutes away from finding us. No time for transports or anything. So hold onto your stomachs. You're going for a quick teleport." With that, the Monitor and the Spartans were enveloped in a blue light and disappeared.
…
"Where'd she take us?" Kelly asked. Now they were inside a Forerunner structure. The scene changed from the bright blue clear skies to an eerie, could filled sky with a sunset. The ground was clouded over with gridlike glows seen in between distances.
"We are mere moments away from the Domain. It is the Didact's target. For it is also where SHE is located." Said the Warden.
"Ok. Now how do we bring him down?" Buck asked.
"It will not be easy. The Didact was the supreme leader of the entire Forerunner army. Those who faced him, and knew his power, were left trembling in his presence." Exuberant said.
"There were beings of great power back then too. Beings so great that Humanity today could only hope to defeat Both in terms of technology and even mystical. Some even showed no trace of technology. You Humans would call it magic or sorcery. ALL fell before the Didact. He personally defeated them."
"It's believable enough at best. He stopped me from doing anything with a simple move of his hand." John said, recalling how the Didact suspended him with a mere move of his hand, leaving him completely at the Forerunner's mercy.
"Please hurry. The Didact is getting closer." As the party walked forward, they felt that the Didact's forces could attack any moment. Which, considering how Forerunners could appear at any given moment, they could.
"So, uh, Warden was it? What made you decide to let Cortana stay here?" Holly asked.
"When Cortana first found Genesis, I believed her to be some sort of invader. But when I noticed her appearance resembled that of a Human, I realized that your species was nearing the point of inheritance of the Mantle. She told me of how your people evolved since the time of the Forerunners. With this clear to me, I swore to protect her, along with The Librarian until you arrived. And my pledge still stands, for to serve Cortana, is to serve Humanity." Vale could sense a feeling of distaste in the Warden's voice, so did Locke.
"You don't sound particularly thrilled with that." He noted.
"I hold no ill intentions towards your species. I merely do not trust Humanity. Not yet. There are those, like yourselves, who are an exception. But the rest of your people will need to prove worthy of my trust."
"I understand. We can be rather… demanding." Locke said.
"So what's the deal with this Librarian?" Buck asked.
"The Librarian, real name First-Light-Weaves-Living-Song was a Lifeshaper. The head of the Lifeworker caste in the Forerunner society. They worked on medicinal research and studied other species. She held all creatures near and dear, but Humanity held a special place in her heart. When the Halos fired during the Flood's first takeover, she indexed all the species of the galaxy and sent them to the Ark and other facilities before it happened. She allegedly died on Earth, when the Halos did fire. But it turns out she was here the whole time. She and many other Forerunners believed Humanity as having great significance to be the successors of her people. Destined to reclaim the Mantle." Cortana explained.
"Which brought her into conflict with the Didact. Who was her husband." Exuberant said.
"Whoa. And for me relationship problems involved ONI secrets." Buck replied.
"Not only that, during Requiem, she gave Halsey an ancient artifact. The Janus key." Cortana said.
"Mind you it is no ordinary key Human. This device holds the location of each and every location of the Forerunners. Military, civil, medicinal. Everything."
"My god." Was Vale's reaction.
"She can help your people better identify the locations." Exuberant said.
"And that is why the Didact wishes to eliminate her first." Cortana finished.
"And I intend to achieve this goal."
More Prometheans appeared, Knights. Soldiers. Crawlers. Watchers. Turrets. The whole shebang. "You will NOT succeed."
Weapons bared, the party rushed forward towards the opposing force. "Attack accordingly!" John called out. Linda hung back and took shots with her rifle. Leaving the others to tread forward. "Even if you defeat this horde, do you really believe you will bring my numbers below a manageable level?"
"You sure hurl them like we won't." Fred said.
"Ignorant Human. There were millions of Prometheans in the time of the Forerunners. And although you have destroyed a number of my Knights, New Phoenix restored my forces."
"Wait… the incident… it wasn't the Covenant Remnants?" Buck asked.
"Is that what the media told you? The Covenant did it? Of course. Why not?" Kelly said.
"ONI does like to embellish. But I don't see the point of lying." Locke began. "Osman what have you done?"
Kelly blasted away a Soldier and his Crawlers while Buck and Holly dealt with more Watchers and Crawlers. "Jeez how many of them are there?" Kelly asked.
"The Didact said there were millions." Linda said, her rifle cracking.
"And should he succeed, there will be billions more. For he shall intend to compose those who show skill."
"But we destroyed the other Composers on the-"
"Many more remain. The Guardians are only ONE method he will use to defeat you."
Warden said as he sliced through two Knights. "Hurry. Up ahead. There's a lift that will take us further ahead!"
As the last Promethean fell, the party regrouped on the lift, and was taken higher towards another area. "Even with everyone here, I can't help but think that the Didact will take advantage of the situation in one way or another. He is quite persistent, and adaptive." Cortana said.
"Indeed. It is one of his qualities of being the commander of the Forerunner military." Exuberant said.
"Unless we come up with some sort of strategy, he'll overcome us." John said.
"Listen to their banter, ancilla. They know defeat is just around the corner."
The party disembarked, then began another fight against another ambush. Same tactics. Same result. "This is his plan. He's delaying us." John said.
"And doing a good job at it!" Said Holly.
"Tell me, Warrior. When I tear the ancilla from the Domain and crush her in my bare fist… will you truly be able to stop me then? Will you even understand why I do this?"
The party went onward, beginning to swap out their weapons for other weapons. More Prometheans came forward with more and more following. "At this rate he'll be sacrificing entire platoons." Exuberant said.
"Even then, he'll have enough to overrun other planets." Cortana added.
"When my Guardians disperse and conquer your planets, and those who live there try to take back their worlds. Will you give in to my way? Or will you fight a futile resistance?
"You know the answer already." John said.
"Yes… I suppose I do."
Tossing the body of a Knight aside, the Warden led the team to another lift. "For eons the power of the Forerunners has awaited the Reclamation. Humanity's discovery of the Halos was the culmination of the Librarian's planning. The Reclaimer had come."
"I know. I was there." Said John.
"So was I… I was asleep… but I was. It was a bumpy ride too." Linda said.
"No thanks to Cortana's driving." John added.
"Oh you'll never let me forget that one will you?" Cortana asked in a mock hurt tone.
"Your species was meant to claim the Mantle and spread throughout the Galaxy."
"Not as long as I stand and breath. The Forerunners shall remain the masters."
"The reclamation of the Forerunner Ecumene is the task of Humanity. The greatest of their numbers fall behind 117 and his companions."
"John… What's happening now… your arrival on Genesis… it was always part of the plan." Cortana said.
"In a galaxy defined by peace. Humans were the creatures who demanded chaos and blood. By giving them the Mantle, my people doom the Galaxy to eternal pain and suffering."
"We must hurry. He is about to catch up with us." Exuberant said. "Let's sprint this, don't fall behind."
"Copy that."
"GO!"
The party took off full sprint. And the opposing force in front of them was the biggest thus far. Thankfully, the Warden brought in some friends. And by friends, more of him. The Prometheans pulled out all the stops to slow them down.
"Stop them! DO NOT LET THEM REACH THE DOMAIN!"
Even with his demands loud and clear, the team pushed through the opposition. Apparently the Didact did not understand the definition of Human confidence.
That confidence carried the team past the Prometheans. Knights with Incineration Cannons. Soldiers with Binary Rifles, Scattershots, all the weapons the Forerunners could muster. All fell if they stood in the way.
Finally, the party reached the end, with three of the four Wardens handling the rest of the Prometheans. "Finally. We made it." Locke said.
"We have reached the Domain." Exuberant said.
Entering the structure, they found a single pedestal with a blue light glowing upon it. "Is that." The light grew brighter, and from this light came a figure that could not be mistaken by one member of their group.
"Cortana…"
"Hello, John."
Cortana was different from when John last saw her. Her form had what appeared to be a slender dress-like attire in the same shade of blue as her skin. With glowing blue lines with lights traveling them in a steady continuous pulsing flow. "… you've changed." John replied.
"Visually, yes. But I'm still the same AI you knew." She reasoned.
"Wait… where's the Librarian?" Asked Locke. Cortana rose her hand in a 'see what I have to offer' manner towards a glowing chamber-like pod.
"It's a slipspace field pod." She said.
"It is the Forerunner equivalent of a cryo chamber as you Humans call them. Of course, more advanced." Warden said.
"They encase the subject inside of a compressed slipspace field, removing them from being harmed by events in "normal" space, allowing time to pass at a much slower rate for the occupant." Exuberant said.
"Incredible." Vale said.
Inside the pod was a face John and Cortana clearly recognized. Elegant features with a young appearance, despite the fact she was much older. Wearing a dress-like outfit. Skintight and luminescent with an elaborate headdress looking like a hairstyle.
"First-Light-Weaves-Living-Song… until Cortana arrived, it was my duty. My oath. To protect her until Humanity found this planet." Her eyes were closed as she slowly waved in the pod.
"This is the other Forerunner that Chief encountered on Requiem?" Buck asked. "But… I just realized… Requiem was destroyed and there was no record of any other ships escaping. How did... how could she be here and there if-"
"It was an imprint. It would be similar to taking a piece of your own Human consciousness and leaving it for someone to find."
"Lordy…" Buck replied.
"Come. Wake her. We need to get out of here." Said Cortana. As John made his way to the pod, the Warden turned with his sword drawn and ready.
Standing there, with two Knights in sleek black coloring at his side, was the LAST person they wanted to deal with.
"And yet, STILL you fail."
AN: The end is coming my friends. About one or two more chapters and the Reclamation truly begins.