A Disclaimer: I, in no way, shape, or form own or claim to own any part of Halo or Halo 2. All the characters, worlds, and other such content is the intellectual property of Bungie. The entirety of the following is meant solely for entertainment purposes, and is not intended for any fiscal or other such gains.
An Author's Note (hopefully the only one I'll ever need)- There, I've satisfied all the lawyers (I hope).
REALLY IMPORTANT- For the purposes of more accurately looking into the Covenant species, they are referred to by their Covenant names. Thus, the Elites are now the Sangheili, and the Prophets, well, I just never refer to their species' name. Don't want you getting all confused, wondering "Where are the Elites? And who are these Sangheili chaps?"

Thou in Faith
Prologue

So full of hate were our eyes
That none of us could see
Our war would yield countless dead
But never victory
-From the First Canto of the Covenant Writ of Union

21 Earth years before the formation of the Covenant, in a temple of the species that would go on to become known as the "Prophets"…

The Lesser Oracle of Ironic Justice hovered respectfully behind his superior. He rather admired the technology of the hovering chair. Still in the experimental stages, it had an awful tendency to wobble in the air, which filled the Oracle with a not inconsiderable amount of nausea. However, the chair held the delicate frame of his body quite comfortably, and it surely was better than sliding along the ground, forcing his tender feet to be worn down by the highly ceremonial, but lamentably jagged stone floor. To imagine any part of his beautiful skin being torn up, even the least visible parts of it on his feet, was an absolutely unbearable thought!

And the Lesser Oracle of Ironic Justice did pride himself on his skin. Still resplendent in young salmon tones, it made the Oracle quite attractive among his species. The Oracle was also assured that his slender, leathery neck, and deep, glassy jet black eyes fulfilled the requisites to be considered a desirable partner. If only he had the elaborate headdress of a Greater Oracle to crown his head. Then none could resist him. Alas, his ambition and focus had not yet led him to such glory among his species. Yet, becoming a confidant of the Higher Oracle of Tragedy was certainly a step in the right direction.

The Lesser Oracle studied his elder. And the Higher Oracle was quite the elder. His skin had long faded to dull gray tones, and his black eyes had gone equally dull. His skin was horrifically wrinkled, with numerous liver spots developing on his neck. Perhaps worst of all, he was clouded in the morbid stench of age. There were rumors that he was as old as the ancient temple they walked in, which had seen sixteen generations of Oracles pass through its halls. No commoners though. The gods forbid the lowly filth ever taint such a structure.

Even in age, however, the Higher Oracle of Tragedy still held an unmistakable aura of power. Perhaps it was the foot tall headdress of the Higher Oracle, a beautifully crafted golden substance that mimicked the shape of the temple they walked through, a splendidly simple spiraling tower. On most, it would have looked outright silly. But on the Higher Oracle of Tragedy, there was a strong dignity. The Lesser Oracle mused that his superior's strength could stem from some innate quality.

The Lesser Oracle had just about figured out this quality when his hovering chair suddenly dipped in the air, the left edge of the bottom grazing the stone floor. The Lesser Oracle shook with a great jolt and scrambled to get his chair level. When he finally did so, the Higher Oracle of Tragedy allowed himself to laugh briefly. The deep and rumbling noise held almost as much gravity as levity. The Lesser Oracle found himself leaning in towards his elder, forgetting his mishap and wishing to hear his superior speak. The Higher Oracle of Tragedy did not disappoint.

"It is quite a remarkable thing, what you have done. Hardly you have come of age, yet already you hold the position of a Lesser Oracle. Most cannot attain that position until halfway in the bloom of their life." The Lesser Oracle, captivated by the melodic bass tones, almost forgot to reply with the proper respects.

"I am humbled by your praise, venerable Elder. I only hope that being appointed to my station so young will allow me to serve my brethren all the better."

"An appropriate response, albeit filled with insincere formalities." The Lesser Oracle's eyes shot open in shock. "Do not pretend that you hope to serve. You think of other things, my young associate. And you hardly respect my age. You revile it. What you respect…" A pause for effect. "What you respect is my position, and the power that comes with it.

"But do not fear, young one. I will not begrudge you for your ambition. To the contrary, I would settle for nothing less in a Greater Oracle." The Lesser, or perhaps now Greater Oracle of Ironic Justice perked up. "However, I would caution you to beware that ambition. You are an Oracle or Ironic Justice. It would only make it all the more fitting that you who climb the ladder so fast slip and fall back to the earth. Back to the common rabble you so despise."

"I would like to think I consider the future enough to avoid such a demise."

"Keep your eyes planted on the future, and the present will tear you apart. If your own chair can catch you unaware, what hopes do you have of fending off those who would do you harm?" The still Lesser Oracle of Ironic Justice recoiled in shame at the remark. And the Higher Oracle simply laughed. "Do not concern yourself too much with my words. You are still young. And I, I am long since past the point when my spirit must embark towards its final destination. What could I possibly know?"

"You know much, great elder. Your knowledge is myriad, and your wisdom…"

"My wisdom and knowledge have decayed where my body should have. Now, I know but one thing, and my wisdom tells me but one thing." The Lesser Oracle could not help but lean in as far as he could, hanging on the Higher Oracle's words.

"And what, dear elder, is that?"

"War is coming to us. Or rather, we are bringing war to others."

"Others?"

"The great Beasts of the forest. The Sangheili."

"Those creatures? Impossible! We are far better off leaving them to wallow in their filth."

"Yet we will bring war to them. For you see, Greater Oracle of Tragedy..." The newly minted Greater Oracle beamed with pride. Not only was he a Greater Oracle, he was of the higher Temple of Tragedy. This was a magnificent day. A splendid day! Perhaps the best of his life! But, the Greater Oracle of Tragedy diverted enough attention from his ego to listen to the Higher Oracle finish his prophecy. "We will have little choice to war with them. After all…" The Higher Oracle paused and allowed himself a most maleficent smile, and the Greater Oracle of Tragedy shuddered as he looked upon the chilling countenance.

"You will die by the Sangheili."

The Greater Oracle of Tragedy's day was noticeably soured.