The road to the Scarab was filled with ghosts, tanks and other Covenant vehicles ready to either stop or slow them down.

He and Mithrax took cover while the Arbiter maneuvered the Wraith and Rtas covered the rest of the area. "You know, a few pikes and Walkers could have been useful." Jake peeked and exploited Fatebringer's perk, disabling a ghost's moving capabilities and giving Thel a clear aim on it.

The Kell barked a few orders to the Captains and nudged his head forward. "Unfortunately our time for the preparation was limited. We arrived to you as soon and as fast as we could." He crouched and squeezed the trigger. The beam rifle hit a Brute square in the head, he fell and the ghost crashed against the mountain's wall, blowing up.

"Fear not!" Thel rumbled over the comms. "I shall clear our path towards the Scarab. May these wretched animals burn!"

"Quite poetic…" Ghost privately commented.

The Eliksni adopted a skirmishing tactic, since they did not have access to mechanized infantry. They would rush out of cover or quickly peek to suppress the Covenant before rolling away just as plasma energy impacted the ground near them.

The group rounded the corner and there was the giant.

"There! That Scarab's main gun will break the Control Room's door. At the far end of the beach there's a passage into the cliff. It'll take you up to the Scarab…" He paused and growled. "…the Brutes control the cruiser! I'll remain here, make sure no reinforcements get in behind you."

Thel dismounted from the Wraith and joined back the group as they crept inside the entrance.

They didn't expect two Hunters and a Spec Ops behind a makeshift barricade to greet them. "The Arbiter? And I still thought he was dead! Hold your fire. The Hunters have come to our aid, Arbiter." The Spec Ops' eyes darted to the Guardian and then to the other aliens. He blinked his reptilian pupils as he processed the image.

"They are with me." Thel proclaimed, he looked behind his shoulder at Mithrax. "Mithrax, Kell of House Light and his Eliksni are allies of the Guardian, and if the Guardian is our ally then they are too. They will stand by our side in our quest, brother."

"So be it. Let's go, Arbiter!"

Brutes were stationed above the next level with stairs on the right. One of the mammals pumped the safety off his turret and roared. The Hunters raised their shields and parried most of the plasma, enough for the rest of the group to spread across the room. Vandals provided support while dregs threw their grenades, Jake, the Arbiter, one Hunter, Mithrax and the Captains padded their way up.

The giant controlling the turret managed to annihilate with a burst four dregs and two vandals that weren't taking cover behind the Hunter remained on the main level. Jake stuck a fusion grenade on the Brute's back, he exploded and was sent flying in the air. Thel and the Captains engaged in close quarter combat, although the Arbiter had far more experience against the Brutes, the Eliksni's arc shields proved to be the key to victory as the Covenant's plasma did not match the correct element. They were hard to bring down.

The door suddenly opened and out of it marched five more Brutes. Thel, Mithrax and the others were still preoccupied with the others, the Guardian bolted towards them and unleashed his solar powers, he summoned his hammer and then struck on the floor. The wave incinerated the poor targets.

Thel 'Vadamee snarled, the Brute he had engaged proved to be far more vicious and wild than he had anticipated. He grabbed his throat and slammed him againt the wall. The pressure was too much to handle, his grip on the energy sword diminished more and more.

He… He couldn't breath-

BANG!

The body dropped. Thel rubbed his throat and deeply breathed, he looked at his savior.

Mithrax lowered his rifle and shifted his gaze between the dead Brute and the Sangheili.

He nodded.

Thel snorted and nodded back.

"I'm sorry for your… men, Mithrax."

"They have given up their lives to save our people in the Ketch. No one could ask for a better death."

"An honourable death indeed." 'Vadamee remarked. "Let us go, we must cross a bridge and another part of this building before we can take control of the Scarab."

The Hunters stayed behind to stop any attempt at flanking them. The bridge gave them a clear view over the Control Room.

"I calculate about twenty-five minutes before Tartarus begins the activation sequence. If the ceremonial stuff lasts a while, that is."

They silently neutralized a patrol of jackals and divided into two groups. One went to the left side, the other to the right. On the right Arbiter and Jake crouched, the latter peeking and growling. "Insolent beasts! They have trapped my brothers in cages! We must free them."

"A collective ambush will do the trick." He turned around to the other aliens and raised his gloved fingers. "On my mark."

3…

2…

1…

It wasn't long 'till the Brutes were overran. He shot with Fatebringer the locks on the energy cages and stared with a frown at the Sangheili and Hunters joining them. Just because the message of his and the Arbiter's alliance had been broadcasted over the network, it didn't mean the Sangheili's, or what remained of it, part of the Covenant wasn't hostile to him.

It took a while for the Eliksni and Humanity to cooperate and live together under the same roof.

It would be the same for the Elites.

It was rather unexpected when they arrived at the roof and Johnson took the opportunity to bash the head of a Brute with his elbow, temporarily stunning him as he had noticed their presence, and to jump inside the opened hatch of the Scarab.

The area proved to be rather difficult to clean as the number of Brutes almost matched their own. They lost all the Elites and only two dregs, three Vandals and one of the Captains remained. Them and the trio.

They walked towards the edge, the Scarab rotated its visor and pointed it at Jake.

"Jake? Where the hell have you been? We thought you had been transported to some kind of special facility or that you had been shot to the other end of the ring!"

"A small delay, Sergeant. Nothing major. I have been reunited with an old friend of mine though."

The Scarab gazed at Mithrax.

"Uh, friend of yours, right? Haven't seen this fella's species anywhere. Well, if they're with you, then they're cool with me, Guardian. Won't have to blast 'em."

"I am a 'he', Sergeant." The edge in Mithrax's tone clearly showed annoyance from the Kell. "And I assure you, we both want the same thing: stopping Halo from being activated." He placed a claw on his chest. "I am a Sacred Splicer, specialized specifically in handling technology."

"So you know how to get into Halo's systems?"

"I have just crossed between universes but I'm sure that with the correct data, I will be able to help you."

"Good enough." Johnson sighed as his gaze fell on the Arbiter. "Listen, you don't like me and I sure as hell don't like you. But you're not trying to choke our dear Guardian or his alien friend so I get it you 'revaluated' your ideas. And if we don't do something, Mr. Mohawk's gonna activate this ring and we're all gonna die."

"Tartarus has locked himself inside the Control Room."

"Well, I just happen to have a key! Come on, you, Jake and…"

"Mithrax." The Kell supplied.

"…Mithrax grab a banshee and cover me! He's gonna know we're coming."

Three Banshees piloted by Minors landed on the platform. "Here, Arbiter!" One shouted. "You can use our Banshees!"

"Send the instructions and schematics to Mithrax." He said to Ghost. "He's gonna take a while like me to know how to use one."

Said Kell whirled around to face what remained of his platoon. "Maintain your position here. If the Brutes regain this vital strategic canyon, then they could flank us at any moment. Once the Control Room is secured, we will come back for you and head for the Ketch." Having said so, Mithrax boarded one of the Banshees, which usually big enough for a Sangheili, was actually enough for an Eliksni too being that they were of more or less the same stature, and tested it in the air. He flew in circles a few times and tested the weapons while Johnson took the lead with the Scarab and Jake and the Arbiter engaged in combat against the nearby Wraths.

"Sergeant, can't you speed up things a little bit? We can't switch our Banshees with brand new ones forever!"

"Try piloting a giant spider like tank when you have absolutely no idea of its functions as you were more preoccupied with destroying them, smartass!"

"He has a point Jake."

"Ghost, please, don't take his side."

Eliminating the aircrafts was the hardest objective of their current mission. Johnson's Sacrab had taken quite the beat but was still up and running. And most importantly? Ready to fire.

"You have a clear shot, Sergeant. Send our regards."

"Ya can beat yer immortal ass I will! Hey, bastards! Knock, knock!"

The green beam charged.

BOOM!

Smokes and flames were ignited, the entire foundation shook.

"Gonna take a while for me to join ya folks. Reach the inside and stop King Kong before he deletes half the universe like Thanos. I'm on my way."

Did he just quote two non comparable franchises and smashed together in a single sentence?

He shook his helmet. "Roger that, Johnson. Mithrax, Arbiter? Time to say hello to Tartarus."

They navigated through the rubble, the Titan in the front and aiming Fatebringer to cover all sides. Mithrax was the tail, carefully examinating their surroundings, while Thel had his energy sword ignited and prepared.

Heavy footsteps at the end of the room alerted them. Two of the many Brutes had special armour in red and yellow, perhaps they were special forces? Marked for their accomplishments? He had never questioned this type of armour pattern when Chief battled them.

Thel sensed his doubts. "That armour was previously worn by Sangheili's guards. Councillors's guards to be precise. Often tasked with protecting the Prophets themselves."

He suppressed a groan and gritted his hidden teeth. "We don't have time for this!"

CLANG!

The Titan put much more energy in those hammers as they also penetrated the ground from how hot they were. Most of the time Guardians carefully channeled their Light in making sure it wouldn't damage the surrounding structures, this time he unleashed Sol's full power.

He landed on his knees and cracked his neck. "Let's go."

Neither of the two aliens commented.


Tartarus pushed Keyes on the console. "Come, human. It is easy! Take the Icon in your hands…" He slammed the Index in the hole. Now it just had to be turned by known genetic material. "…and do as you are told!"

"Please, use caution!" 343 widened his eyes from one of the Brutes' grasp. "This Reclaimer is quite delicate!"

The Chieftain snarled. "One more word, Oracle, and I'll rip your eye from its socket!" He glanced at Keyes. "Which is nothing compared to what I'll do to you."

"Tartarus, stop!"

Tartarus grumbled. "Impossible." He turned around to stare at the three new arrivals. He narrowed his eyes for a moment on Mithrax before concentrating them again on Thel.

"Put down the Icon."

"Put it down?" He looked offended, almost thrown back. "And disobey the Hierarchs?"

"There are things about Halo even the Hierarchs do not understand."

Their audience grew restless in patience, they took two steps ahead but their Chietain stopped them. "Take care, Arbiter. What you say is heresy!"

Mithrax hmmpf-ed. "Are you truly so blinded by your beliefs, Tartarus, that you are not willing to hear what your reason has to say instead of religious explanations?"

He pointed the Index at the Eliksni. "Mind your tongue, you abomination! You must also arrive from wherever the Guardian originates, but you have no word in this holy quest! Neither you, or him do!"

"My kind has made repetitive mistakes similar to yours against humanity. We weren't ready to listen." Mithrax highly raised his head and tapped his chest with his fist. "But I was. Will you?"

"Perhaps it is not us who shall explain it. Oracle? What is Halo's purpose?"

"Collectively, the seven-"

Tartarus snatched 343 from the Captain's grip and shook its frame in rage. "Not another word!"

Jake aimed Fatebringer. "Hey, hey, hey! Let him go."

"Please…" Johnson walked between Mithrax and Thel with a Covenant rifle in his hands. "…don't shake the lightbulb." A Captain growled. "Ah, ah, ah!" He nudged his weapon towards him. "If you wanna keep your brain inside your head, I'd tell those boys to chill."

Tartarus conceded, coughing at his companions.

"Go ahead, do your thing. We've got your back."

"The sacred rings. What are they?"

"Weapons of last resort, built to eliminate potential Flood hosts, thereby rendering the parasite harmless."

"And those who made the rings? What happened to the Forerunners?"

"After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died… as planned. Would you like to see the relevant data?"

Something caught the Guardian's attention, a shift in the Brute's expression. Perhaps it was working? Perhaps Tartarus would see the truth as Thel did? Years of indoctrination were hard to break. Many proofs and concrete explanations would be required to do so. He knows it very well. Because the two proofs are standing in the same room, one near him and one near Johnson.

"Tartarus." The Arbiter laid his head and eyes low. "The Prophets have betrayed us." He whispered.

The Chieftain stared at the Monitor for a few seconds. He growled and launched it on Johnson, it knocked the Sergeant on the floor.

"No, Arbiter!" He slammed Miranda's hand on the console, activating the procedure. The entire inner installation powered up and the mechanism shifted. "The Great journey has begun!" Platforms moved around. Tartarus grabbed his hammer. "And the Brutes, not the Elites, shall be the Prophets' escort!"

"Seems like the Prophets' brainwashing is more effective on the Brutes."

"Yeah." He transmatted Corrective Measure and joined the two aliens in firing upon the Captains. "Looks like it."

Tartarus had apparently activated a special protective shield around himself. Even his weapons couldn't pierce through his defences. They all jumped on the main platform and Tartarus punched his chest multiple times with his free hand. Inviting the trio to try and take him out.

"Distract him." Mithrax said. "I'll interface with the mainframe and see if I can stop the ring." He placed his rifle on his back and scattered behind a cover.

"Send him schematics and informations on Halo's system. Me and Thel will handle Tartarus."

"On it."

"Tartarus!" The Arbiter exclaimed. "This is madness!"

"This is not madness, Arbiter. This is religious persecution! And I will not allow you or anyone else to stop the Great Journey."

Thel clicked his mandibles together. "So be it."

BANG!

Tartarus groaned. He moved away.

Johnson cheered. "Let the son of a bitch stay still! I can lower his shield with this baby over here! Takes three shots."

That means he needs a clear line for two more times.

Mithrax had managed to sneak past the Chieftain, he used his gauntlet to open a direct link with the Index. Using years of experience, he graciously moved inside the circuitry and systems of any technology. He suddenly cursed in his native language. "Biometric security, of course! I will not be able to stop the activation sequence, but I can slow it down! Get rid of Tartarus and we can bring Miranda or Johnson here!"

The Titan avoided Tartarus' strike, the hammer struck the floor beside him, creating a hole. He didn't have time as the Brute grabbed him from the floor from his throat and threw him against a column.

Tartarus snapped his head at Mithrax's voice. He roared. "Stay away from the Sacred Icon, Abomination!"

He charged towards the Kell, hammer ready to strike. Mithrax widened his four eyes behind his helmet and-

Another roar, the Arbiter crashed on Tartarus' chest and they both rolled on the ground. The latter recovered first and planted his foot on the Sangheili's chest. He raised his weapon.

BANG!

The white shield was very weak, Johnson waited for his rifle to cool off.

Tartarus puffed air in frustration and disengaged, hoping to find a better entrance.

He didn't expect a sudden pressure on his neck. "Get off me, you insect!" The Guardian groaned and tightened his hold on Tartarus, while he wouldn't be able to actually harm him, he could slow him down. Tartarus did all he could to shake the Titan off his back, going as far as slamming himself on the floor multiple times. Jake was relentless.

"Johnson, for the Traveler's sake, shoot this goddamn monkey!"

The Sergeant whipped his scope up.

BANG!

This time, the pressure had an effect on the Brute. He latched his giant hand on Jake's arms and tried to tear them away. Thel 'Vadamee had also recovered and he pushed himself on his knee with his fist. "Arbiter! Do it! Do it!" The Sangheili followed his gaze on the energy sword resting beside him. He knew what he had to do.

With his final energies, he roared and bolted towards the two. He buried his weapon deep in Tartarus' chest, but the blade also pierced Jake's. "This was your choice, Tartarus." 'Vadamee spat and retracted the sword.

Both Tartarus and Jake fell. Thel watched Ghost materialize and scan his Guardian's body. "I'll bring him back. Go help Mithrax and the others."

Keyes jumped on the platform, she sprinted towards the Index. Mithrax noticed her and ejected himself from the security, stepping aside to allow her to retrieve the artifact.

The entire system turned off as well as the lights of the entire structure. A white hologram soon appeared. It displayed words in an unknown language.

Miranda raised a brow and turned to the Monitor, who had graciously transported Johnson. "What's that?"

"A beacon."

"What's it doing?"

"Communicating at superluminal speeds with a frequency of-"

"Communicating with what?" She interrupted him.

"The other installations."

"Show me."

The image shifted to the entire Halo array.

"Failsafe protocol: in the event of unexpected shutdown, the entire system will move to standbye status. All remaining platforms are now ready for remote activation."

Mithrax opened another datapad in the form of a hologram and accessed the schematics.

"Remote activation? From here?"

"No." The Eliksni answered before the Monitor could. He guided a small image from his claw to the free space on the left. It expanded and showed a Forerunner artifact. "The activation will commence from the 'Ark', that's where the key shall be turned."

"Correct."

"And where, Oracle, is that?"

Thel 'Vadamee joined them, Jake had been just resurrected and slowly padded his way to the same spot.

"Unfortunately outside and very far from your solar system. However, there is a special Forerunner device simply labelled as 'The Artifact' which can be used to create a portal and land on the requested target."

"Indeed." Mithrax echoed. "It's on Earth, your Earth to be precise."

"We have to get there before the Covenant do." Jake gestured to the Arbiter. "Your race might have been enemies to Humanity before, but you can rectify some of your mistakes now. Help us get back to Earth and stop Truth. Let this war end!"

"I had already plans to complete my revenge on the false Prophets." He nodded. "Very well, may our alliance continue until the Covenant are completely eradicated. But what about you?" He turned to Mithrax. "This is not your war, it never was."

"It became ours when we discovered a threat to our people. We're stuck in this universe and finding a way back could take an unspecified amount of time. Protecting my kind is all that matters."

"Let us move then. Our fleet is drawing close to this ring. We'll protect your 'Ketch' on the way to Earth."

On their way out, Mithrax glanced at the Sangheili. "Thanks, for saving me."

Thel reciprocated the glance. "We're even now, and I always repay my debts."


It was strange to find himself in a familiar envinroment of his universe such as an Eliksni Ketch. Some of the crew was still sealing the holes and reparing the damage from their arrival. Apparently some these mutinied House of Salvation members were also able to use Stasis. A great turn of events for Mithrax.

Speaking of Mithrax, the Kell was busy talking to Vraskor, the Captain of this vessel. The rest of the Sangheili's ships were almost prepared to abandon this Installation and head to Earth, however the majority would stay there and try to contain the Flood outbreak. The last thing they needed, was the parasite landing on their homeworld.

"Guardian!"

He smiled. "Eido." The Kell's daughter approached him. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you have stayed at the Tower?"

"I requested participation in this parley. Father has fortunately accepted my demand. Scribes are often fundamental in exchanges as neutral voices."

Ghost clicked. "At least your father has had the common sense of letting you stay away from the fights. Have you already started writing about this journey?"

She eagerly nodded. "Oh, yes! A journey in another universe? Fascinating! We knew of the existence of parallel timelines but the theories of different universes were just… well, theories!"

The Titan thought of 'Vadamee. "I think the Arbiter would be the perfect interlocutor between our worlds. Being he is of alien species in this world, he could be useful to document its history."

"Is he? Uh, I shall request a meeting as soon as possible then."

A few Eliksni on the bridge shrieked. Everyone looked at the source of such turmoil and froze.

"May we talk with the Guardian?" Xur, agent of the Nine, whispered from underneath his hood. Starhorse snorted and shaked his neck back and forth, perhaps its way of nodding?

Jake was the first to recover from the shock. He sighed and approached the two entities. "Xur, old friend. Always like to make an entrance, uh?" He pointed his thumb at the animal. "Who is that?"

"This is the Starhorse. I will spare you from long and meaningless explanations just to let you know that it has decided to grant you a gift for your successful endevours. They will help you throughout your quest."

Two weapons floated in front of the Titan. They were both modified versions of that universe's arsenal. The first was a Battle Rifle, while the other was half a Sangheili energy sword. He took them in his grasp and tested their flexibility and weight. He did not shoot, it wouldn't have been a bright idea.

"Until next time, old friend."

They disappeared.

Eido tilted her hood. "Shouldn't you have asked what they were doing here?"

He shrugged in response. "Xur has proved time and time again that it's useless to try and extract answers from him. To quote him: 'I'm simply a tool of the Nine'. Instead, I'm more preoccupied of how I should explain your presence to Admiral Hood and the rest of the UNSC."

Yeah, Hell would rain soon enough.