Disclaimer: I do not own Halo and etc…
An update at last ,sorry it took so long but I decided to update my 3 Halo fics at the same time, well moving on
Test of Faith
'' The oracle ''- The arbiter lowered his weapon and bowed down before him, every member in the covenant had always been instructed of their gods and their servants ,'the oracles', since childhood, although he never imagined to find one of them he had one before him in this moment.
'' Greetings ,I am 2401 penitent tangent, I am the monitor of Installation 05 '' –The floating red orb said as the arbiter lifted his head to see him. Curiously the monitor circled the arbiter as in inspecting something.
'' The reclaimer at last, now we can proceed ''
The arbiter had a puzzled look on his face by the words of the oracle ,reclaimer?.
'' Sorry ,but Holy Oracle, I'm not the reclaimer, I am…''
'' Since you wear the sacred armor of the holy test you are indeed the reclaimer ''
The arbiter finally understood, the armor of the arbiter meant more than just a battle vest ,since it was given only to the greatest warrior of the covenant then the oracle's words were true, he was the reclaimer.
'' Arbiter can you hear me ,we've tracked your position to the top of the main temple, we'll be there in a few minutes ''-Half jaw,'s voice was heard by the com.
'' You're leaving so soon, but you must realize the Test of Faith, it is imperative for the great journey '' –The red monitor said as the arbiter stood thinking for a few minutes.
'' If Its my duty for the great journey, then I will do it ''- The arbiter said to the monitor as he momentarily opened his com. link .
'' Half Jaw return to the base and warn the others of these parasites ''
'' You mean the Flood ''- The red monitor cut into the arbiter's conversation.
'' Yes, the Flood, I'll proceed with the oracle and complete the Test of Faith ''
'' What, the Oracle is with you ?''- Half jaw barked by the com surprised of their new guest. '' Wait arbiter, we'll come with you ''
'' I'm sorry but that's not possible , only the reclaimer can proceed to the Test of Faith ''- The red monitor cut into the elite's conversation.
'' I'll go alone, this is my duty as the Arbiter of the covenant, await my return at the alpha site ''
'' Very well , but I still don't believe your rotten luck arbiter, meeting the sacred oracle…, over and good luck''.-Half jaw said by the comm. And the phantom disappeared from vision.
'' Now then shall we proceed reclaimer ''-The arbiter nodded and a glowing light transported them to another sector of the ring.
Captain Keyes rested on his personal quarters , pipe lighted up and reading one of his favorite books, sure the covenant treat was still present ,but after finding about the great journey he didn't care for small things like that, a few hours ago he sent a strike force to eliminate the prophet, '' Cut the snake's head and the other dumb elites will follow blindly ''- He thought ,and for his ascension, he sent his best soldiers to retrieve the Icon.
'' I'm acting sloppy for a captain of the UNSC but, after I ascend I will rule over everything , now the only thing I need is for my Spartans to return with my prize and…''
'' Sir , ground teams bravo and gamma have failed to report their status, requesting permission to send a recon squad ''- A newbie marine came storming to the captain's quarters.
'' First of all soldier salute at my presence, we wouldn't want to tell sergeant Johnson about this '' – The marine quickly saluted for fear of another of sarge's reprimands - '' Second, It's probably a covenant strike force coming to retaliate for the prophet's demise, nothing to worry about, so I'm authorizing you for that recon squad, and third ,didn't you learn to knock at basic training''.
'' Eh, sorry sir, I'll get right on it sir.''- The marine run back to his post, almost tripping on nearby crates on his way out. The captain dropped a few ashes to the ash trade and continued onto his lecture.
'' Nothing to worry about…''
The arbiter felt dizzy as he landed onto solid ground, shaking his head he surveyed his new environment , huge black material walls and tunnels , along with strange triangular glowing panels.
'' Come along Reclaimer, don't want to be left behind now''- The red orb said as he quickly lead the way.
'' I'm taking that you're going to be my guide ,right holy oracle ''
'' Please just call me Penitent tangent , and yes reclaimer, I will guide you but you must make your way trough''
The arbiter prepared for combat, if he was going to make his way trough ,then obviously hostile forces were bound to come soon.
''We must cross trough 10 portals to reach the upper floor of the library, and we better make it quick, some rather I'll tempered intruders came to the 4th portal''
'' Intruders ?''
'' Yes reclaimer, green armor clad soldiers, I constantly told them that the Test of Faith was only for the reclaimer and that it began right on the first portal, but they ignored me as some decided to fire metallic projectiles at me, there's no respect nowadays''- The monitor said ,without noticing the angry expression on the arbiter.
'' Those accursed demons, how dare they fire upon the holy oracle, by the way oracle ,if they came to the 4th portal ,then why did you brought me here to the first one ''
'' Protocol does not allow me to aid the reclaimer on his Test of Faith so you must fend for yourself ''
'' Figures…, then lets go holy oracle ,we must get to the Icon before our guests''
'' Of course reclaimer, but first you might wanna take out those enemies'' –The monitor motioned the arbiter to his front were countless human combat forms along with infection forms crawled their way to their live prey.
'' This must be my first obstacle ''- The arbiter said to himself as he turned his plasma sword and lunged to his enemies, infection forms popped into his personal shield as he slashed the once humans to mere raw meat, his attention turned to a blob like thing with feet that slowly approached , the arbiter approached him and kicked him square in the stomach, but he was surprised when his enemy exploded sending the arbiter far to the wall.
'' Best be careful reclaimer, those infected hosts release flammable gases that explode in a wide radius ''
'' I guess you didn't tell me for the protocol didn't you'' –The arbiter sarcastically said to the oracle.
'' That's right reclaimer, now lets head on, we still have 9 more portals to cross ''- The red orb said as he hummed to himself, leaving the arbiter to recover for the past blow.
'' 65 take position ''- The chief barked by the com to his teammate , they had been cautious on their way to the Icon since more and more of those mutated corpses and mechanical things began to appear , making their way harder to their goal.
'' Chief section clear of hidden hostiles, but the door wont open , stand back while I plant a breach charge ''- The chief and his fellow Spartans took defensive positions as 65 planted the c10 charge, 65 took cover and blasted the gate. However only minor scratches were present on the forerunner gate.
'' No way, not even a small hole, what kind of material is this gate made of ''- 65 replied but was cut short as the chief detected movement. Combat forms of all kind poured their way out of ventilation hatches and lunged to their prey, the Spartans hold their ground but their ammo was getting short. The chief looked around and found an undercover tunnel.
'' Everyone fall back to this position, suppression fire ''- The chief send the new coordinates by his com and proceeded onward, after everyone was inside he deployed a lotus antitank mine and ran trough the small tunnel. As the Chief made it to the other side he barely missed the following explosion of those unfortunate flood to follow.
'' Lets move onward double time, before those things come back ''- A light of acknowledgement from every Spartan confirmed the order and proceeded onward.
'' …Which means that any living organism with sufficient biomass is a potential factor. These installations are quiteimpressive , maybe we can later on see them with more time ''- The red oracle said as the arbiter ignored him , who knows how many portals had he crossed but right now that red orb was getting on his nerves. Each time he engaged an enemy the red orb would distract him with an incoherent phrase that would give the arbiter a hurtful hit from his enemies.
'' I'm starting to doubt of these supposed oracles…''
'' Did you said something reclaimer ''
''Eh no, I said what are those mechanical things on the floor ''- The arbiter motioned to the down sentinels.
'' Those are sentinels reclaimer, they aid me to control any intruders as well as contain the flood ''
The arbiter almost fired upon the monitor after that last comment , -'' If they aid to contain the flood ,then why haven't you called for more to aid us ''
'' Protocol does not allow…''
'' Yeah, yeah I know, sorry for asking ''
'' But you wouldn't encounter so many flood if you discarded those heavy weapons, you would surely be faster without those'' – The red oracle said to the arbiter who carried a human rocket launcher, 2 MA5B assault rifles on each hand and a shotgun on his back as well as 7 frags.
'' Then how would I defend myself '' – The arbiter said, after he lost his plasma sword he reluctantly had to grab some human hardware that the infected forms carried, but he had to admit that they weren't so bad. As they approached a corner a combat form slammed his tentacle upon the arbiter sending him to the ground ,the weary elite raised both rifles and unleashed a barrage of lead to the combat form.
'' You see reclaimer. You would have dodged that attack if not for your equipment.''- The arbiter ignored him as he surveyed the weapons the combat form carried, a fuel rod gun and some plasma grenades.
'' Reclaimer, we must get going ''- The arbiter looked at the incoming flood that approached his position, the arbiter stuck a plasma grenade to the fuel rod and tossed it to the group, then he engaged active camo and crossed the tunnel , the monitor followed closely as the wave of flood dispersed trough the walls due to the explosive reaction of the fuel rods.
'' Reclaimer its inappropriate to turn yourself invisible for your enemy , that's against protocol…''
'' The active camo was already built into my armor, so I didn't brake any protocol ''- The arbiter smirked as the red monitor just continued to hum to himself.
'' This must be the Icon ,any ideas in how to take it ''- Spartan 103 said by the com as the chief inspected the energy field surrounding the Icon, probably that red orb sealed it in there as a safe protocol for any intruders, a shame that Spartans did not carry AI's with them, he could use one to lower that shield.
'' 65, 103, and 74 search for any power source near the energy field , the rest be on guard '' – The Chief barked orders as he proceeded to search for the power source of the energy field. The Spartans took defensive position near the energy field.
''12 demons, this will be difficult ''- The arbiter finally made it trough the 10th portal only to spot the demons near the index, thankfully an energy field surrounded the index stopping the accursed demons to take hold of it. The red monitor approached the intruders as the arbiter took cover near a pillar, the monitor continued to explain of protocols to the demons as they ignored him, unaware of his presence.
'' I'm clearly outnumbered ,but I must obtain the index for the covenant, I must device a plan ''
As the 3 Spartans continued to ignore the red orb that decided to appear once more to bother them , a loud explosion caught their attention , as the arbiter fired an incoming rocket to the group killing the 3 of them instantly, then he proceeded to empty the last round to another group, but the Spartans now knowing his presence easily avoided the explosive device.
'' 3 down 9 to go ''- The arbiter quickly took cover of the incoming fire. As he activated active camo to run to a different spot he was intercepted by a red orb.
'' That was very rude reclaimer, I was close to that projectile you fired ''- seeing the monitor approach the invisible elite, the Spartans aimed to that position dropping the arbiter's shield and getting a few rounds inside his flesh.
The arbiter quickly fell back and readied his weapons, sucking the pain he dropped the pin of 2 frags and tossed them to the other side of the room , he then draw his assault rifles and fired upon the demons with suppressive fire, if his supposition was right then the field surrounding the Icon would lower itself when he approached it, so he made a run to it and jumped to the field, however the energy field repelled him back as he was once again in need for cover.
'' Oh sorry reclaimer, you should have told me you were planning to take the Icon , want me to lower the field now ''
'' Do it quickly oracle ''- The arbiter yelled from his covering position as countless bullets flied over his head. The monitor lowered the field and proceeded inside, as the arbiter jumped into the elevator, the chief jumped with him and pinned the arbiter in the floor.
The arbiter avoided an incoming punch as he positioned his legs to kick the Spartan away of him, he then raised his rifle but the chief was more quick to respond ,as he disarm him and each one began an arm wrestle ignoring the red orb's commentary.
'' The energy field surrounding the Index will lower once we get to the lower level , I recommend you stop what you are doing when we get there ''- Penitent tangent said to the chief and the arbiter as they continued on with their fight.
'' There wont be any problem since you'll be dead when we reach to the lower level ''- The chief said to the arbiter who was surprised to find the demon as strong as himself.
'' I wont fail thecovenant , I will not ''
Lousy chapter but I had to take out the library level out of the way for the fic, well until next time, by the way review.