Ian stared blankly at the monitor before him. Really? The Covenant is making him play video games? Whatever, it's better than staring at the wall.
After an uneasy night's sleep, his escorts awoke him. They shoved him through several corridors only to push him in front of one of their computers. They ordered him to practice with it, so Ian did.
He actually caught on what they wanted from him. Oh, they want to make sure I'm that I'm not some fraud.
He surprisingly continued with effort. It was just a regular computer, just Covenant-based. Like Earth computers, it was filled with different programs for different uses. Ian tried them one by one; some were interesting, some were boring. He noticed they attempted to cut off the computer from the rest of the ship. It failed, though, as the boy noticed how to hack into the systems. But thinking better of it, he let it go and continued with the activities he was assigned.
After hours of using an alien computer that Ian dominated at controlling, his exercise was interrupted. A cobalt Elite stepped through the door to their private room. He and Ian's escorts exchanged a brief conversation in their native language. Ian perked his head up in interest at the change of setting.
"What's up?" he asked.
To his amazement, an escort answered. The Elite stepped towards him with a growl.
"We're leaving," the alien announced.
"Where we going?"
The Elite didn't replay as he grabbed the human's shoulder and dragged him out of his chair.
They exited the room, the newcomer breaking away and Ian heading towards a different direction. He realized it was a messenger. Ian's escorts led him through the ship's confusing network of hallways. He obediently followed, letting go of trying to memorize routes and hallways long ago.
But as they headed deeper into the ship, Ian noticed his surroundings began to change. Identical hallways evolved to more variety: fluctuating between narrow and wide, opening to decorated rooms, walls made of different metal and hues. There were even some actual plants put up. Even deeper in, alien hieroglyphics began to decorate the walls, glowing orange against the blue-violet metal. Armor began to change to. Violet colors became more often and the shapes became more ceremonial. Elites wearing armor with glowing orange plates and wielding deadly staffs became more often, too. Speaking of which, Ian forgot when the last time he saw another species of the Covenant.
At the end of their journey, they halted in front of a large door. It was guarded by four Elites dressed in red and orange armor, all of them appearing like statues. But when they realized Ian's party was given permission to be here, they obediently stepped aside and the door automatically opened. But instead of disappearing into the walls like most doors, the broad structures moved inward and to the side like most normal doors on Earth.
Ian peered through to see a wide open room, completely empty save for the figure waiting on the opposite side. Before Ian could get a good look, his escorts ushered him forward. Ian obliged, where he walked through the opening and down the center of the room. He blinked at the figure waiting for them.
It was skinny, brown-skinned creature. It had a skinny neck but a round strangely-shaped head and beady eyes. It was dressed royal red ropes and tucked inside a floating high-tech throne. Its eyes were narrowed as it observed its guests.
As they neared, Ian couldn't help but mutter, "I didn't know E.T. was with the Covenant."
Ian's party stopped several meters from the strange alien. In the corner of his eye, the boy noticed Glacier slipping from the shadows, arms folded.
"Welcome, young messiah," the strange alien greeted, raising his voice so it echoed throughout the room.
Ian blinked at what he was called. Eh?
The alien put a hand on his chest. "I am the Prophet of Regret. As a Hierarch of the Covenant, I assist leading the High Council and our forces to the Great Journey."
Ian didn't say anything. The alien introduced himself, but Ian wasn't comfortable with giving personal information.
The Prophet of Regret had an aura of arrogance and authority around him. He cared only for himself and if anyone got in his way, he would kill them. He seemed young, but Ian wasn't sure.
"You have special powers to will help accomplish our mission very well," Regret went on. "And you will do so. The Demon tried to destroy you, but you were strong. That was a sign. Now you have returned to us, and you will aid to the completion of the Great Journey."
Ian was careful not to look at the alien. "And if I don't agree?"
He swore he heard Glacier chuckle with a snort.
"It is not your choice," Regret argued, completely unfazed. "It is you destiny; your purpose."
Once again the human said nothing. He stared away and showed no emotion. He was trying not to have his strengthening emotions cripple again. He was not expecting to be introduced to Prophet Lunatic. Regret slowly raised his arms and had his fingers interlock, observing Ian.
"Show us your power, boy," he ordered.
Ian cringed and sweated a little. "Uh, i-it's not something I can just turn and off. I don't even understand how I do it."
"Show us."
Ian gulped. He understood if he refused again, he would pay. This Prophet was determined. If he wanted something, he got it.
Ian sighed and closed his eyes. There was a large pillar-like machine on either side of the room. Several broad lights glowed at different spots on them. Ian wasn't really sure of their purpose—maybe they didn't even have one—but they were technology.
His escorts moved away and the boy slowly raised his arms, an open palm facing each machine. He concentrated, waiting on that strange feeling and for it to take over. Finally after a few minutes, Ian felt his subconscious stirring. He then felt invisible cords within his mind reach out to his surroundings, searching for something to attach to. It wasn't long before they found the machines.
Immediately Ian's mind was erased of all train of thought. His body's systems suddenly accelerated and his skin tingled. Green electricity spouted from his fingers and eagerly raced for the machines. Like hungry snakes, they snapped at pillars and dug into them. The air filled with crackling sounds and the grinding of malfunctioning systems.
In a matter of moments, there was a brilliant flash of light and Ian's power was cut off. The lightning disappeared and the once running machines were now dead and smoking. A wave of numbness and dizziness capturing Ian, the young boy fell to his knees with a groan. However Regret was laughing hysterically.
"Yes! This is the power! This is the power!" he cried. "This is the power for our Great Journey!" Leaning on his armrests, the Prophet looked at Glacier. "Plot a course for the Sacred Ring. We leave immediately!"