A/N: Well, there's three missions until Halo 2 is complete. I am going to do ODST before Halo 3 and possibly do Halo Wars. And for the extra reactions, yeah I am not going to do that. But, however, I am going to bring it back in Halo 3. I just want to take a break from Halo 2 and ODST. I know that you're pissed that there's no reaction from other universes, but that'll give me more stress. Trust me, I'll do the multiverse reaction at Halo 3.
Disclaimer: I do not own Akame ga Kiru and Halo, They belong to their rightful and respectful owners.
As the next cutscene plays, everyone even Esdeath feel a sense of dread and primordial fear as the atmosphere had an eery growth covering the screen.
(Cutscene)
Master Chief wakes up to himself being wrapped by a huge tentacle dragged along a corridor into a huge chamber. Eventually, he is brought towards the head of a massive creature.
"What was that?!" Wave exclaimed when he saw a huge 'snake' moving.
Cortana: "What...is that?"
"Yeah, what was Cortana talking about?" Suzuka asked.
The Master Chief is held in front of the Gravemind's head, a mass of fleshy mandibles. It speaks in a deep, gravelly voice.
"WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT!" Mine shouted as she saw the teeth and the mandibles. This was beginning to be like the Proto Gravemind scene again.
"Remember what I said about earlier. Well, this is the Gravemind, Reclaimers." Everyone was shaking at this knowledge and they could only wonder how there was one in the first place.
"Yeah, but still-" Mine was about to say again.
"You can't. It is self-aware and fire won't do any damaged to it." Delta informed Mine. "You shouldn't repeat yourself."
"Okay, despite being ugly, I don't feel like throwing up." Leone admitted.
"Now this is less scary than last time." Lubbock said as he watched the scene.
"I thought that the Proto Gravemind was scary, but this takes doesn't seem to scare us." Wave agreed.
Gravemind: "I...? I am a monument to all your sins."
"What does that even mean?" Seyru asked.
"It means that the Gravemind as seen all of you actions, Reclaimers." Delta answered.
Everyone had their eyes wide open at this statement at this knowlege.
The Chief looks up and notices he is not alone. Two tentacles bring forth a struggling Thel 'Vadamee, as they are held next to each other.
"Well, it looks like the Gravemind saved 'Vadamee in time." Najenda mumbled as she still has hatred for what Thel did in the name of the Covenant.
John-117: "Relax. I'd rather not piss this thing off."
"Y-yeah, good advice." Leone stuttered as she'd barely revocered from seeing the Gravemind for the first time.
Thel 'Vadamee: (surprised) "Demon!"
The Gravemind makes loud huffing sounds, and indicates the Master Chief, and drags him closer.
"I think I won't be having nightmares from this." Bulat said.
"I agree with you bro." Tatsumi agreed.
Gravemind: "This one is machine and nerve, and has its mind concluded." (a tentacle wraps around Master Chief's head and disturbingly pets the Chief's helmet, then indicates 'Vadamee)
"That was highly disturbing." Tatsumi admitted as he was shaking in fear due to the Tyrant Dragon's blood flowing through his body at seeing this demonic abomination.
"Even with our Imperial Arms, I don't want the tentacle to pat my head." Wave agreed as he could picture the Gravemind patting him in Grand Chariot's armour.
The Gravemind makes another brief huff, before indicating 'Vadamee (and dragging him closer).
Gravemind: "This one is but flesh and faith, and is the more deluded."(shakes the Arbiter around and turns him upside down)
Thel 'Vadamee: "Kill me or release me, parasite. But do not waste my time with talk!"
Gravemind: "There is much talk. And I have listened. Through rock, and metal, and time.
"Wha-what does that mean?!" Sheele asked fearfully.
"That means the Gravemind has seen everything that you, even you Esdeath had done." Delta revealed.
Everyone was even more scared at this knowledge and could only imagine the Gravemind talking to them.
Gravemind: Now I shall talk, and you shall listen."
It raises two tentacles, one wrapped around a red Monitor, the other merged with an infected Prophet of Regret.
"So, the red one is the monitor of this Ring?" Tatsumi said as he ignored the infected Prophet.
"Affirmative. That is 2401 Penitent Tangent and he was the reason for the creation of the Gravemind." Delta answered and was quite shocked that Penitent was captured by the Flood.
2401 Penitent Tangent: "Greetings! I am 2401 Penitent Tangent. I am the Monitor of Installation 05."
Regret struggles to speak through his excruciating pain.
Prophet of Regret: "And... I am the Prophet of Regret, Councilor most High... Hierarch of the Covenant!"
"God, he's in so much pain." Leone said.
"Well, that's what gets for his incompetence." Esdeath sighed as she never really cared about him.
2401 Penitent Tangent sees the Master Chief.
2401 Penitent Tangent: "A Reclaimer? Here? At last! We have much to do. This facility must be activated if we are to control this outbreak!"
"Well, considering the situation of the war and that Halo is a doomsday weapon, I would say that containment is better." Najenda countered.
"You are correct Reclaimer. The only way you can kill the Gravemind is to block it off and eventually, it will starve." Delta informed the group as this might be useful in the future.
Prophet of Regret: "Stay where you are! Nothing can be done until my sermon is complete!"
"Sermon?! Are you serious right now!" Mine yelled.
2401 Penitent Tangent: "Not true. This installation has a successful utilization record of 1.2 trillion simulated and one actual. It is ready to fire on demand."
Prophet of Regret: (to the Arbiter) "Of all the objects our Lords left behind, there are none so worthless as these Oracles!" (yells) "They know nothing of the Great Journey!"
"The Great Journey?! More like the Great Purge!" Mine yelled again.
2401 Penitent Tangent: "And you know nothing about containment! You have demonstrated complete disregard for even the most basic protocols!
Gravemind: "This one's 'containment'..." (gives a disgusted huff) "And this one's 'Great Journey'... are the same."
"Yeah, we already knew about that." Najenda said.
It lowers its tentacles, and Regret shrieks in fear.
Gravemind: (to 'Vadamee) "Your Prophets have promised you freedom from a doomed existence, but you will find no salvation on this ring. Those who built this place knew what they wrought. Do not mistake their intent, or all will perish as they did before."
"Perish as they did before. What does that mean Delta?" Tatsumi asked.
"That means that the Forerunners activated the Rings 100,000 years ago. Which destroyed all life in the galaxy." Delta answered.
"Wait, if they activated the Rings, how are we even alive?" Seyru asked.
"That is one I cannot tell you Reclaimers as it goes against protocols." Delta responded as she knows full too well about this Shield World. From what she'd known from the Archives, this Shield world was for a research and development outpost and after the Rings were fired, Humans as well as the Forerunner creation of Danger Beast were planted into this world.
At this moment, 'Vadamee stops struggling against the tentacles. He stares somewhat curiously at the Gravemind.
John-117: "This thing is right. Halo is a weapon. Your Prophets are making a big mistake."
Thel 'Vadamee: "Your ignorance already destroyed one of the sacred rings, Demon. It shall not harm another."
"Harm another one?! DO you have no idea what it does!" Mine yelled once more.
"He doesn't. he's still blinded by the faith of the Covenant." Delta sighed.
Gravemind: "If you will not hear the truth, then I will show it to you. There is still time to stop the key from turning, but first it must be found." (indicates each in turn) "You will search one likely spot, and you will search another. Fate had us meet as foes, but this ring will make us brothers."
Everyone soon shivered at the last sentence that the Gravemind had just said. It was true that they all met as enemies, but soon became friends.
Master Chief and 'Vadamee disappear in teleportation rings. Fade to black.
"You guys wondered how everyone will react to that?" Lubbock gulped, with everyone agreeing.
"I think that they'll freak out when they learn that the Gravemind can see everything." Tatsumi agreed.
Esdeath just closed her eyes for a bit until the Gravemind's voice came into her head.
"Child of my enemy. Why do you come to this place again? I offer no forgiveness to you." The Gravemind's voice said and soon disappeared.
Esdeath eyes snapped wide open, which caught everyone else. She soon shrugged it off before she looked back at the screen.
Fade back on High Charity.
A swarm of Covenant ships attack each other outside of High Charity. Fade in on the walkway outside the Council Chamber, Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen guard the gates from Unggoy and Kig-yar rioters.
"God good, things are not doing good in High Charity." Leone said.
"It is the Great Schism, Reclaimer." Delta answered.
Prophet of Truth: "We are, all of us, gravely concerned."
Cut to Council Chamber. A line of Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen standing at attention. An Unggoy cameraman focuses a holographic camera on Truth as he delivers his propaganda, while the Prophet of Mercy watches from aside.
Prophet of Truth: "The release of the parasite was unexpected, unfortunate.
"Yeah right. You ordered the release." Mine huffed at the irony.
Prophet of Truth: But, there is no need to panic. In truth, this is a time to rejoice. A moment that all the Covenant should savor." (raises the Index) "For the Sacred Icon has been found. With it, our path is clear, our entry into the Divine Beyond guaranteed! The Great Journey is nigh..." (the Unggoy notices the Master Chief appearing out of thin air behind him) "...and nothing, not even the Flood, can stop it!"
"Or maybe he can." Leone smiled at Chief entrance.
The Chief looks down at the shocked Unggoy.
John-117: "Boo."
The Unggoy yelps, throws up his Needler, and flees. The Master Chief catches the Needler and aims it at Truth. Two Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen shield the Prophets with their pikes.
"Damn straight!" Leone cheered as she liked Chie's entrance.
Prophet of Truth: "Kill the Demon!"
The Prophets and some Jiralhanae escape through a gravity lift, leaving two Jiralhanae behind.
"Reclaimers…." Delta started. "Duck for cover."
{Gameplay}
Almost immediately, Mine and Leone were instantly killed by the two Brutes while Akame and Najenda went to cover.
"Oh, WHAT!" Mine yelled as she didn't move one tiny bit.
I barely moved." Leone frowned as she was about to charge in to the brute.
"You should've moved straight away." Najenda looked at the two. "The monitor gave us a warning."
Inside Job
Cortana: "Brutes! The faster you can kill these Brutes, the better." (Najenda kills one Brute.) "They don't have shield generators, but take them out before...
Before the Brute went berserk, Akame killed the Brute just in time for Najenda and her to pick up the Brute Plasma Rifles.
Several Unggoy emerge from side doors in the chamber to provide support for the Jiralhanae. Soon, Najenda and Akame kills all the Grunts in the room. Mine and Leone soon respawned in.
"What the hell was that thing doing?! Sending us just to be killed!" Mine exclaimed.
"Probably getting the Index from him." Akame answered the obvious question.
Brute (loudspeaker): "The Demon has infiltrated the Council Chamber?! Protect the Hierarchs! Seal the exits!"
Cortana: "Oh, I don't think so."
"Yeah, tell 'em Cortana." Leone said.
Side doors open up, unleashing waves of Jiralhanae and Unggoy upon the four. After a protracted battle and Leone dying a lot.
CortanaCOM: "Watch out for the Captain, it's got a Brute Shot!"
"C'mon what the-" Mine was about to say but got her shields down by one shot. She soon killed it with her Needler.
Mine, Akame and Najenda are able to kill all Covenant troops in the room. Leone soon respawns and picks up two dual wield needlers while the three had Carbines from the Fallen Brutes.
"Aww man, no Carbine for me." Leone pouted.
"Well, that's what you get for charging in." Mine said as she loaded a new magazine in her carbine.
Cortana: "Put me down on one of the pedestals near the door."
The four approaches the door, and Cortana's hologram appears on one of the two pedestals.
Cortana: "That Prophet, Truth. He has the Index! You've got to take it from him. Let me get these doors. (The doors open) Go! It will be easier to track Truth if I stay in the network."
The four fights his way through many Jiralhanae and Unggoy, including an Unggoy Heavy operating a plasma turret
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Mine said and shot the gunner of the turret down.
As Mine took care of the Brutes, the three kills the Grunts and makes it to the ledge where Thel 'Vadamee was tortured and branded with the Mark of Shame. Here, more Covenant troops, including Kig-Yar try to stop the four's progress.
"Aim for their heads." Najenda recommended and killed two Brutes with her Carbine.
"We'll take care of the honour guards." Akame said and threw one plasma grenade to one and Leone did the same.
Reinforcements soon arrive from a gravity lift at the far end of the ledge. Eventually a group of three Jiralhanae arrive, one with a red flag attached to its harness.
"Watch out ladies. The one with the red flag has the Brute shot!" Najenda warned the group and took care of the Captain while the others took care of the rest.
Cortana: "Truth is moving through the lower levels of the tower. I'll reverse this Grav Lift. Drop down, try to cut him off."
The four drops down the Gravity Lift, kills a pair of surprised Unggoy and Kig-Yar, and enters another hallway. Mine picks up the Beam Rifle and the three picks up new Carbine ammunition. More Covenant troops appear but the four hid just to let them pass.
"Okay, none of us would survive if we were in that place." Wave admitted as he was seeing a lot of enemies.
"Well, it's a good thing that High Charity haven't pass through our planet." Tatsumi breathed for relief.
Brute (loudspeaker): "Reinforce all approaches to the holding pens. Slay the Demon on sight!"
Cortana: "They're beefing up their patrols. Stay sharp."
The four enters a cross section, but with both left and right doors locked, he continues ahead.
CortanaCOM: "Wait a minute! I'm reading Marine IFF transponders. The signals are originating somewhere below your position."
"Reclaimers, I would use stealth when you four are rescuing the marines," Delta warned.
"Alright." Najenda nodded her head and looked at Leone. "You heard her, Leone?"
"I got that alright." Leone answered as she knew that she would get instantly killed by the Brute, especially the ones that has a Brute shot.
The four defeats another group of Covenant troops in the corridor, along with a trio of Kig-Yar that enter from the cross section the Spartan previously passed.
Cortana: "There's another lift in the next room."
The four exit and finds a two-leveled, large room with a Gravity Lift, guarded by a pack of Jiralhanae with Kig-Yar support. Akame, with the help from Mine eventually eliminates them and reaches the lift on the lower floor.
Cortana: "Here, Chief. Jump in."
The Chief takes the gravity lift down. He passes a level, alerting a pair of dozing Unggoy and a Jiralhanae, and continues down. Immediately he passes another level, and catches a glimpse of a dead Sangheili Honor Guard Ultra with an energy sword lying beside it.
"Jeez, the Brutes do love killing their enemies in a brutal fashion." Leone said ash she remembers seeing them in Reach.
"That is part of their nature, Reclaimer. And they usually eat their victims cooked, dead or even … alive." Delta revealed.
Some of them had the urge to throw up at the knowledge.
They finally reach the bottom, guarded by a Jiralhanae with its back on the four.
CortanaCOM: "There are two groups of Marines in the detention block. I'll zero in on their locations, you neutralize the guards... quietly."
"Akame…." Najenda looked at her subordinate.
"Got that." Akame nodded and soon killed the Brute silently.
This action caught the others attention, but they were all killed by Mine, Leone and Najenda with their carbines. Akame went down on the lower level, where she eliminated all of the hostiles with her carbine and a tactical plasma grenade throw.
Cortana: "Chief, come to the lower level. The Marines are just inside, careful of the guards."
"Ugh, I don't know how long till I last in this mission." Leone groaned.
"You and I only died once, and that's an improvement than the last mission you've played." Mine countered.
The four drop down two levels lower, and aggressively clears the guards outside the doors, before loading another magazine and enters the brig. Thee encounter a patrolling Jiralhanae with its back to them and four sleeping Unggoy.
"I'll deal with the Brute." Akame said and soon back smacked the Brute, which waking up the Grunts.
Unfortunately, Leone ambushes the unwary Grunts and eliminates them all. Once all enemies are dead the brig doors unlatch, and the Marine POWs arm themselves with dropped Covenant weapons.
Marine: "No sense sticking around here!"
"Yeah, I wouldn't imagine what was it like there." Lubbock agreed.
Cortana: "One more group of Marines to go, Chief."
The squad exits the brig and immediately come under attack by more Covenant guards on the mid-level.
Cortana: "Chief, come to the middle level. More guards, get ready."
The team levitates up to the mid-level and frees the second group of Marines, who arm themselves, again, with dropped Covenant weapons.
Cortana: "That's all the Marines, Chief. Good work."
CortanaCOM: "We'll get out of here the same way we came in - the central Grav Lift."
CortanaCOM: "Hostile reinforcements coming down the lift!"
A large team of Covenant troops come down the gravity lift, and set up plasma turrets around the platform. The team ascend to the top level and after a struggle as the four players had manage to kill all of the Covenant.
Cortana: "The lift is clear. Step on in."
The Marines, one by one, step into the lift and leave the area.
Cortana: "We've got to get after Truth, Chief. Step into the lift."
The Chief enters the lift and is sent to a room with Marines waiting. The dead Honor Guard Ultra Sangheili seen earlier still lies on the ground. Akame picks up the energy sword and soon the four rushes to safety.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "Fear not, my brothers! The Sacred Icon is secure. It was Tartarus and his Brutes who took the Icon from the Flood, and for that they have our thanks."
"Actually, it was Thel who did your dirty work, you hypocrite." Mine said as she heard the irony.
"And Thel would kill that Prophet if he ever encounters Truth." Akame agreed as she knows that he's really pissed about the betrayal.
CortanaCOM: "Excellent! Truth is broadcasting on the move. It'll make him much easier to track."
"Yeah, and I want to punch him in the face again." Leone commented as she wanted to do the same like when she punched Regret.
Three Sangheili run out of a nearby door, under fire from a lance of Yanme'e. The team eliminates them and enters through the open door. They continue into a hallway, walk pass another dead Honor Guard Ultra lying on the floor, and encounter a pair of Sangheili Honor Guardsmen fighting several Jiralhanae and another lance of Yanme'e. After all the Covenant are dead, another swarm of Yanme'e emerge from the door and attack the team. The team eliminates them and reach a cross section where a dead Mgalekgolo lies. The team continues into the next hallway.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "The Elites have failed to protect the Prophets, and in doing so, have put all our lives at risk. Let no warrior forget his oath, 'Thou, in faith, shall keep us safe, whilst we find the Path.'"
"Yeah, but it was your idea to betray them in the first place." Lubbock countered.
"And let's not forget that the Empire is now fracturing." Tatsumi added.
"Let's hope what will the outcome be in this skirmish." Wave finished.
CortanaCOM: "I've got a fix on Truth just outside this tower, Chief. There's an exit nearby - hurry!"
The team enters another corridor, and sees a pair of Jiralhanae and a group of Kig-Yar attacking three Sangheili Honor Guardsmen. They manage to eliminate the warring Covenant and continues onward, passing another dead Mgalekgolo as they leave the area. They enter another area, patrolled by a pair of live Mgalekgolo, who are eventually eliminated by Mine with a new Beam Rifle after a struggle.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it."
CortanaCOM: "You wouldn't believe the number of kill-systems the Covenant are throwing down around me. Not to worry, it's pretty sloppy stuff. I guess they never expected a hostile intelligence to penetrate their networks from the inside."
The door in front of the team opens, revealing a duel between an energy sword-wielding Sangheili Honor Guardsman and a Jiralhanae on a platform on top floor of the first Valley of Tears. Eliminating the victor of the duel as well as the Kig-Yar Snipers in the distance, where Mine was shot again.
"I think there's a thing with Mine and Jackal Snipers." Chelsea pointed out, earning her a glare from the Genius sniper.
Not wanting to fight, Akame did a huge sword swing while Leone and Najenda were killed by the Covenant.
"Did you have to do that?" Leone looked at her friend.
With the three respawning, they go through a door, where it revealed a wide and long staircase, splattered with purple blood. They walk down the slope.
CortanaCOM: "The Covenant just destroyed two of their own ships! And I'm hearing reports of small arms fire throughout their fleet."
"I bet it's the Elites that did that." Najenda hoped as she knows that the Elites are smarter tacticians than any other Officers within the Imperial Military.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "Creatures of the Covenant: the path is broad, and we shall walk it side by side!"
The teams exit and finds a gravity conveyor. They step into it and begin to convey to the other side. A slipspace rupture opens on their far left, and UNSC In Amber Clad emerges from it.
"Holy shit, is the UNSC going to bring more backup?!" Leone looked at the Frigate.
"I wouldn't believe so…" Najenda said as she saw the Frigate last time in the Library. And also where the Flood were highly present.
Cortana: "Slipspace rupture... It's In Amber Clad!"
The In Amber Clad flies by overhead.
Prophet of Truth (Loudspeaker): "Be glad! A reward for all your toil and all your sacrifices is near at hand."
The team reaches the other side as the sound of In Amber Clad crashing is heard.
Cortana: "Hailing... No response. She crashed into another tower ahead of our position. I'll keep trying to make contact, but I'm not registering any human vital signs."
"Damn it, Miranda….." Najenda said titening her metal fist as she knows what is going on.
A Kig-Yar Sniper notices the team, and they quickly eliminate it. Well, Mine was shot straight away. A pair of Unggoy and a pair of Sangheili turns by the corner and attacks the team. Soon two Jiralhanae appear and fire at the Sangheili. The team eliminates the Covenant troops and reaches the first Hanging Gardens. Intense fighting between Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen and Special Operations Sangheili rages over it.
"Let's leave this one out." Leone suggested.
The team rushed through the troops and a pair of Sangheili Rangers emerges from the tower. After clearing the area, the team continues and encounters another Gravity conveyor. Several Unggoy and Sangheili appear, one of them wielding an energy sword emerge, and begin to fire at the Kig-Yar led by two Jiralhanae on the other side, who moves to the side the Sangheili-led forces are on. The team eliminates all the Covenant and enters another door, which leads into the Mid Tower. A group of Yanme'e fly by the narrow corridor, unaware of the human presence.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "At this moment, the Council is gathered on Halo, to see the Icon secured."
Brute (loudspeaker): "Rise, pack brothers! Cast down the Elites!"
That brought back bad memories for Mine as she remembers those types of people in her childhood constantly harassing her. But she felt a hand grab on her left shoulder and saw Tatsumi smiling. She let out a blush, which then got her glares from Esdeath, Chelsea and a few other girls.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "There are those who said this day would never come. What have they to say now?"
"They would survive this harsh thing." Mine answered as she knows that Elites are tough and are able to survive situations that will possibly kill all of them.
Brute (loudspeaker): "Once the towers are clear, we'll drive them from the lower district!"
Continuing down the corridor, the team arrives at a small area with a Gravity Lift in the middle of it and plants on the lower level. Yanme'e and Sangheili Rangers fly around the narrow space, firing at each other. A Sangheili Honor Guardsman and Special Operations Sangheili provide support fire, but are soon intercepted by a pair of Jiralhanae and two Kig-Yar. The team clears the area and advances into another narrow corridor. Exiting the Mid Tower, the team find another Gravity Conveyor.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "I have listened to the Oracle, and it confirmed our deepest hope. The Great Journey begins with Halo."
"Well, looks like it Thel's job to stop them from activating the ring." Chelsea stated.
Brute (loudspeaker): "The Elites are falling back to the Mausoleum. Fools! Their Arbiter can do nothing for them now!"
"Oh, just wait until he comes to kill all of you." Mine commented with a wicked smile.
Prophet of Truth (loudspeaker): "Who would doubt the Prophets? What have they foretold that has not come to pass?"
They move on to the other side, reaching the second Hanging Gardens. Panicking Unggoy run around it, soon coming under attack by a pair of berserking Jiralhanae. The team kills all Covenant present and continues to the next Gravity Conveyor, and enters a door. Now on the bottom of another wide and long staircase, the UNSC forces are attacked by a trio of Jiralhanae, who fill the air with grenades from their Brute Shots. Moving up as they eliminate the Jiralhanae, they reach the door at the top and arrives at the second Valley of Tears.
A single Sangheili defends itself from a Jiralhanae and a Kig-Yar Sniper, while another Jiralhanae attacks a pair of Unggoy near the pond below. Several more Unggoy are present nearby, trying to fend off the Jiralhanae. The opposite door opens, and three Sangheili, one of them an Honor Guardsman, along with a fuel rod gun-wielding Unggoy Heavy, who proceeds to fire at both the UNSC forces and the Jiralhanae. Scaling the Valley, the team hikes up a slope, meeting two energy sword-wielding camouflaged figures, followed by several Special Operations Unggoy. After eliminating the troops and picking up the energy sword, the team enters another door into an area held by the Sangheili-led Covenant. A Sangheili as well as several Unggoy patrol the area.
"Well, looks like we only died a few times. Which is good." Mine sighed and breathed some air that some of them died a few times.
The team kill the Covenant present, silently or not and continue into the next room, meeting more patrolling Sangheili and Unggoy, who are all Special Operations units. Shortly after, a Jiralhanae and two Kig-Yar launch an attack on the area from the opposite door. Caught in a crossfire, the Sangheili-led forces are wiped out before the humans and Jiralhanae-led Covenant turn their attention to each other. The team eventually emerges victorious and opens the next door. They find a long bridge leading to the Mausoleum of the Arbiter. On the teams side, a pack of Jiralhanae supported by a Kig-Yar Sniper launch an attack on a Sangheili position in the center of the bridge.
CortanaCOM: "If we're going to catch Truth, we'll need to take a shortcut, straight through the Mausoleum. Look on the bright side: for now, they seem much more interested in killing each other."
A swarm of Yanme'e soon descend from high above, firing at the Sangheili. The team eliminates all hostiles and advance, but are intercepted by more Sangheili-led forces, including a pair of Mgalekgolo. More Yanme'e descend to add to the chaos. After defeating the opposition, the surviving forces enter the Mausoleum and come across a very large fight inside involving Jiralhanae, Yanme'e, a Mgalekgolo pair and three Sangheili Ultras.
Cortana: "You might consider sitting this one out."
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Leone said as she and the others watched the fight
After a long battle, which sees the four as the only survivor.
"Damn, in the end they killed themselves." Leone looked at the bodies.
"That's a good thing for us since we didn't need to fight." Mine agreed.
Cortana: "Hang on, I'm picking up two more transponders. It's the Commander and Johnson! They're closing on Truth's position, Chief! They'll need your help!"
"Crap, forgot they're also Reclaimers!" Leone remembered.
"And we need to save them before the Covenant use them to activate the Ring." Mine added.
Cortana's avatar appears on a pedestal next to the exit.
Cortana: "This way, Chief."
The exit opens, with several Stealth Sangheili (augmented by Sangheili Ultras) and a sword-wielding Honor Guard Councilor running out. The four kills them and continues through the bridge.
CortanaCOM: "...This isn't good. I'm getting confirmed reports of Flood leaving In Amber Clad's wreckage. Let's get the Index and find a way out of here, before things get really ugly!"
"In Amber Clad's crew were….. infected." Wave stating the obvious as he recalls the ship crashing.
"Damn it Miranda, just like your father, if only you didn't park your ship near orbit within the library." Najenda said as she and her father had some similarities.
"Just relax, General Najenda, she doesn't have the experience like her father." Bols countered to be a bit fair.
"And that Gravemind just used us." Tatsumi said as he gripped Incuriso.
"Since there's a lot of bodies, the Flood can use them." Kurome added.
(Cutscene)
Tartarus and his Jiralhanae take Keyes, Johnson and 343 Guilty Spark toward a platform where the Prophets of Truth and Mercy wait for them, with three Phantoms.
Tartarus: "Split them up. One in each Phantom."
The Jiralhanae do so rather brutishly. Keyes notices In Amber Clad in the tower before being pushed into the Phantom. The two Phantoms take off. Tartarus kneels before the Prophets.
Prophet of Truth: "The hopes of all the Covenant rest on your shoulders, Chieftain."
Prophet of Truth hands Tartarus the Index.
Tartarus: "My faith is strong. I will not fail."
"I highly doubt that." Mine said.
Pod infectors spring up and rush them. The Jiralhanae spot them and they get ready. Tartarus and the Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen manage to stab or crush most of them.
"Damn, despite not having harness armour, they could still pack a pretty good fight." Leone said in awe.
But one gets through and latches itself onto Mercy's throat, knocking him off his throne.
Prophet of Mercy: (screams in agony)
Tartarus reaches to remove the infector.
Prophet of Truth: "Let him be."
Tartarus looks at Truth in surprise.
"Oh, I see now where this is going." Bulat realised when he heard Truth's tone.
Prophet of Truth: (to Mercy) "The Great Journey waits for no one, brother… not even you."
"Good god, that's a betrayal right there." Wave uttered.
Prophet of Truth boards the Phantom and the Jiralhanae Honor Guardsmen follow immediately, but Tartarus hesitates, staring at the dying Prophet of Mercy. He looks at the Index, makes his decision, and walks away.
Level ends.
"Oh man, I want to play the next mission." Leone said.
"But, I haven't played with my precious Tatsumi." Esdeath frowned, earning glares from Mine, Chelsea, Leone, Akame and Cosmina.
"We wouldn't just play the next mission yet." Everyone looks at Delta.
"What is it?" Tatsumi asked.
"Just to let you know, I am going to be gone for a few days due to the things that are going to be in the next sequel, Reclaimers." Delta answered as she knows that they're going to enjoy the Believe campaign.
"So, what does that imply?" Najenda asked.
"That means that I won't be there when you play the Side Story, But my pet Huragok will be there." Delta responded.
"Oh yeah, it the biological computer one." Wave remembered.
"It is indeed. I have the trailer for you. So, you want to see it before we continue with the mission?" Delta questioned.
"Hell yeah!" most of them answered.
"Well, get ready for this Reclaimers." Delta announced.
Break Trailer: Halo 3 ODST The life
