Chapter 13: Warrior World.
Our ship was transferred to be a part of the absolutely massive fleet that was constantly orbiting around Sanghelios in order to defend it from… something.
What threat would attack a planet that's home to the greatest warriors in the galaxy, I will never know. Even looking at the world through the hangar shield door, it gave off this aura of danger you just don't get from anywhere else.
Maybe that's just a natural instinct to stay away from a world populated by an entire race of elite warriors.
"If any of you are going to explore the planet below, you must keep your communications equipment on you at all times."
Standing in the hangar bay once again, I listened closely to what my commander had to say. Rtas was currently briefing all of us on the proper protocol for visiting the Sangheili homeworld.
Normally sangheili would be the only ones given the privilege of doing so while on tour, but as Bero would be escorting me I was included.
Looking beside me, I could see the nearby sangheili were not exactly thrilled with the idea. Luckily for me, they couldn't say very much with Bero standing directly next to me.
"All of you must check back into the ship once every three local days. Transport will be available using your communications. Understood?"
The entire group sounded off with a, "Yes, sir!"
Rtas seemed pleased with the response. "Good. Dismissed."
Feeling a hand grasp my shoulder, I turn and look up to my mentor. The swordsman simply gestured to a nearby phantom before departing toward it without a word.
Following closely behind, I am filled with a strange excitement I have never felt before within me.
Each time I have visited somewhere new, I was thrown into the unknown. Tossed head first into either backstabbing jackals, vicious division squad mates, or rebellious jiralhanae… but now I'm able to simply walk around and see the sights without the threat of something looming over my head.
This is a chance to see something that not a lot of people get to see, the elite homeworld not exactly known for being a vacation resort. Most of the different races were sent here as agricultural workers or merchant traders, a part of society that I was not a part of.
But now I get to see it!
Barely containing my excitement, I didn't even realize we were ready to depart until the ship jerked forward, a sign that we were already on our way towards the planet below.
My attention being returned to my surroundings, I could see Bero staring down at me from his standing position. His head was tilted sideways in confusion as he examined me, making me want to giggle a bit at the strange gesture from the stoic sangheili.
"You seem distracted."
The deep voice stopped the mirth rising up from within me, preventing it from leaving my muzzle in a giggle. The statement forced me to confront the truth, as I simply shrugged before smiling.
"I'm visiting somewhere new, why shouldn't I be? When I was growing up, mom didn't let me out of her sight, so going on adventures like this is always exciting…" Trailing off, I bring a talon to my chin before I continue. "I think this is the first time someone hasn't threatened or attacked me though…"
Thinking back, it does seem rather odd that every single time I visit somewhere new, something goes horribly wrong and I need to react to it.
When I visited space, I had to go through a blockade. When I went to High Charity, Yar threatened my mother and I. When I went to basic training, I got unexpectedly attacked by a bunch of hungry desperate jackals…
I'll try not to think too much about that… I'm sure this visit will be peaceful.
The swordsman seems to take the information in for a moment before he nods. "When we arrive, you will stay by my side until we reach the training fields. If you get lost, simply use your communications." Bero then fixes me with a stern gaze, and his voice becomes deadly serious. "Your training begins today, so prepare yourself."
His voice was flat, and what he said was something I already knew… but after he said those words, I got an ominous feeling.
So much for not being threatened.
My sudden brooding was interrupted by a voice calling out from the cockpit. "Leader, we have arrived."
(\(*v*)/)
Woah.
Unable to prevent myself from staring up to the massive stone statue of a Sangheili in bewilderment, I take the time to study it in more detail.
Standing proudly in the middle of a vast open training field was the stone carving of a sangheili warrior of old. The grandeur that the work of art was somewhat muffled from the chipps and eroded edges that time took from it, but the symbolism remained.
The ancient warrior hefting a massive stone sword upward in challenge toward the stars above with his mandibles, one broken, were spread wide in a roar that seemed to defy time.
All around me, young sangheili hopefuls trained amongst each other in a large open field. Several groupings of elites were scattered about as they trained amongst themselves. The many growls and grunts of pain creating a nearly constant background noise in the area. Each of them doing their best to become better warriors under the statue of an honored warrior long since passed from the galaxy.
Sadly, I wasn't able to properly admire the ancient statue before something landed near my foot with a soft thump. Looking down, I could see a long battered stick rolling toward me.
Reaching down, I pick up the long piece of timber. Taking a moment to examine the stick, I found that there were several dents from heavy impacts in the otherwise smooth and pristine wood.
Looking up, I see Bero casually examining a similar piece of wood. Seemingly satisfied with what he saw, he points his quarterstaff towards me.
"Prepare to defend yourself, Sohm 'Bir."
Confused, I tilt my head.
"Sir, I thought we would be training my sword fighting." I hefted the piece of timber upward to emphasize it before getting into a coiled ready stance. "This is a staff… how does it help me-"
Thwack.
Unable to help the loud bird-like squawk from leaving my muzzle, I tumble to the ground as Bero's staff impacts my leg. Landing on my rear with a soft thump, I groan in pain as the stoic sangheili stands over me unamused.
Sadly, I don't know what was worse. Him defeating me so easily or the sound that left my mouth. Looking up from my spot on the ground, I see my mentor standing over me with a smug look on his face.
After only a second of silence as he examines me, he simply says, "Would you rather we train with live blades or sticks?"
Quickly realizing that if he attacked me like that with a sword, I would be missing a leg, my response was fast.
"Sticks please."
Grunting, the elite simply backs up to his initial position and returns to his ready pose.
Getting up from the dusty ground, I dust myself off. The desert-like red dirt of this planet seemed to get everywhere, causing a small cloud of dust to surround me as I casually tried to rid my new armor of the annoying dust.
Thwack.
Landing face first onto the ground yet again, I groan before pointing accusingly at the swordsman.
"What was that for?"
The elite simply backs up to his ready position yet again, holding his stick outward.
"A warrior must always remain alert, even when an enemy might not be present. If you were paying attention, you could have prevented that strike easily."
Growling, I stand up and ready myself. Paying close attention to my opponent, I clutch the long piece of timber tightly. The determination to not get caught off guard and sent into the dust again filling me.
The elite seemed to be completely at ease as he examined me with his staff held casually in one hand. I could easily tell from the tense muscles in his legs and arms that he was ready to strike at any moment, but as it was he doesn't appear like he wants to attack me.
After a few moments of nothing happening, I decide to initiate the fight.
Coiling my legs for a lunge, I grip my weapon tightly. Flinging myself forward, I try to land a solid hit on his chest.
Only for the sound of a loud clunk of wood impacting wood to resound before Bero reaches over and grabs the end of my staff. Blinking for a second, I tried to yank my weapon back but the sangheili's grip was as strong as steel. I watch in horror as he pulls me toward him just as he brings his foot up and kicks me solidly in the chest, sending me flying to the ground again.
Groaning, I roll onto my chest before pushing myself off the dusty ground. Standing up, I almost didn't react in time to catch my staff as it was thrown to me.
"I told you to defend yourself, not attack."
Dumbstruck, I point accusingly to the swordsman. "You weren't attacking! How am I supposed to defend myself if you don't-"
Seeing the attack coming this time, I jumped over the sweeping strike that came my way. Staying alert, I land and coil myself down into a crouch and keep my hands evenly spaced on the wood to give myself a better grip in case he tries to grab it again.
The elite didn't stop at the single attack, as he spins the staff around and sends it my way yet again, this time toward my face. Watching as the polished wood hurtles toward me, I only had a moment to react.
Knowing my two options are dodge or block, I settle for the one that allows me to keep my footing. Bringing the staff upward to prevent his staff from hitting me, I prepare myself for the impact. Knowing from my training as a youngling that any elite was significantly stronger than me, I angled the wood so it would bounce away rather than simply trying to stop it altogether.
Sadly, I didn't calculate how accurate he could be with that staff.
Thwack.
The elite landed the hit against the knuckles of my left hand which caused me to open my palm reflexively, dropping my staff onto the ground.
It took a moment for the pain to register, but once it did, I knew I was doomed. Looking down as my now useless weapon clattered against the dusty ground, I felt horror fill me as I realized what was coming next, and also that there was nothing I could do to prevent it.
Feeling another swift kick to my chest, I am yet again sent flying before impacting the ground in a heap.
Ow.
Looking up yet again, I see Bero leaning down to pick up my staff only to toss it towards me once again. Seeing the staff land next to me as it kicks up another soft cloud of desert dust, I rub my stinging wrist for a moment before picking it up once again.
"As I said before, you were focused on my weapon, not my actions." The elite's voice was even, though it seems lighter than before. "Focus on my movements and my actions. An expert in close quarters combat can use their tool of choice, be it a sword, staff, or even a gun to deceive their opponent, but the body does not lie."
Not exactly seeing what he meant by that, I nonetheless stood up and prepared myself for another painful loss. Yet again crouching down and steadying my stance, I keep my eyes focused on my opponent.
As it was before, I saw his muscles tense but his stance relaxed as he examined me without moving. The elite seemed to just be casually examining me from a distance.
Focus on you? How does that help me? If I can't look at the weapon, how will I know what to block?
Actively resisting the urge to keep my eyes on his weapon, I continue to watch the small changes in his stance.
After a moment, the elite shifted his weight and began to pace slowly around me. Keeping him in front of me, I turn myself to where I continue to keep him within my line of vision.
"Good… Good. Your stance is steady even when shifting."
Feeling my eye twitch, I acknowledge the praise but try not to react to it. I knew that if I dropped my guard at any point it meant I ended up in the dirt again.
Bero paused in his pacing again, before he switched directions. His stormy grey eyes watched me carefully as his hands gripped his staff tightly, though his leg muscles appeared to be less tense then before.
Seeing the strike coming before he even moved, I shifted my weight backward as I took a slow but very deliberate step away from the elite.
His eyes brightened as his mandibles twitched.
"Well done!"
Feeling like he was mocking me, I growl angrily toward him before trying to calm myself down again.
"All I did was take a step away from you."
The elite let out a hum as he continued to examine my tense form. Even while speaking I knew that he was searching for any kind of opening.
"Ah, but why you did so is important. You saw the attack coming from my body, not my weapon did you not? It is as I said, the body does not lie."
Realizing he was right, I feel a bit of my remaining anger seep away.
He would know better then I would anyway, so why am I even second guessing his teachings?
Keeping my attention firmly on the sangheili, I see that his stance has changed a bit. He has shifted his leg backwards a bit and is leaning slightly forward.
Tensing my muscles, I prepared myself to dodge out of the way.
Sure enough, the elite springs forward and tries to use his staff to land a strike against my arm. Quickly reacting, I spring my legs open, flinging myself upward and over the elite. Landing behind him, I spin around and ready myself for whatever might come next.
Seeing the elite a few feet away from me, I examined him again. He appeared to be as relaxed as when we started.
"There he is, the sangheili who is training a kig yar."
"Odd. Who would take the time to train such a weak and dishonorable race such as that?"
"I bet I could take that kig yar on even without a weapon, they are so weak."
"All they are, are greedy mercenaries. I bet that sangheili was simply desperate for money and isn't even a warrior."
Suddenly, my attention is brought over to a small group of three sangheili who are causally examining us from a fair distance away. Looking over, I see that most of them were young. The group of them were jeering and calling us names, not caring in the slightest caring that we could easily hear them.
I don't know why, but their childish insults really hit a nerve. After the last few days of being insulted by spec ops sangheili even on the field of battle, only to find out that even the sangheili children jump to conclusions like that simply infuriated me.
Feeling a deep angry growl leave my muzzle, I grit my teeth as another round of insults reaches me.
Thwack.
Landing face first into the dirt, I groan loudly in pain. I could hear the mocking laughter of the young sangheili nearby, causing me to grit my teeth in anger.
"Do not become distracted, as on the battlefield that leads to death."
Ignoring the pain from Bero's recent attack, I lean up off the ground and point angrily to the hysterical young sangheili nearby.
"Can't you hear them? They keep spewing stupid insults our way, and you expect me not to get distracted?"
My rant was cut off as my mentor shakes his head. "Intimidation and humiliation are both tactics on the battlefield. You must learn to control yourself, lest you fall to a baited insult rather than a blade."
Sighing, I try to calm my nerves a bit. Focusing on what Bero said, I realize he is right. I stand up yet again and ready myself for another fight as I focus my attention away from the distraction.
If someone makes me mad on the battlefield, that is an easy way to lose track of what I am doing and end up shot.
After a moment of examining Bero, I see that he is not paying me any mind as his attention remains focused on the grouping. After only a moment, he lets out a snort before he begins to make his way over to them.
"Though I suppose it would only be right if I let you defend your honor."
Wait, what?
Watching in horror as the elite swordsman walked casually over to the small group, I am treated with the sight of three hysterical teenage sangheili flip their attitudes around near instantly. The laughing stops as they all realize they might be in trouble.
"Since you all seem to be confident enough to insult someone without cause, let us see if you can back up your claims. Leave your weapons and follow me."
I could see the moment they realized their punishment was less than they thought. They seemed to perk up as they all dropped their staffs and began to follow Bero back over to me.
"The three of you will face my apprentice." He stressed the word, causing the young sangheili to gape upward toward him. Bero, not paying the gaping younglings any mind, continued. "First to yield loses."
Seeing my new opponents stand a bit taller, I watch as they walk closer to me. Before they take a stance, however, one of them turns back to Bero and puffs out his chest.
"Just watch, you will be training me next!"
Bero simply gestures towards me before crossing his arms, seemingly content to watch what happens.
Unbeknownst to the young sangheili in front of me, I was examining them closely while they were taking the time to brag. The elites were young, but still taller than me. I knew that I couldn't overpower them easily, but simply due to how they were young and less experienced then most of their kin, plus the fact that I was armed and they weren't, put me at an advantage.
Eventually, the elites turned around and faced me, not even bothering to get into any sort of combat stance.
"Begin."
Watching them closely, I crouched myself and kept my stance as steady as I could as I prepared for anything.
After a moment, one of them opened his mandibles wide, letting out a loud roar of challenge as he charged me head on. The larger elite was fast, but his technique was non-existent.
And not as fast as me.
Sidestepping him easily, I hooked my foot in the nook of one of his digitigrade legs, and pulled. The elite's roar turned into a yelp of surprise as he tumbled to the ground.
Turning, I repeated one of the moves from the time I first met Bero and swiped my staff across the downed elites head, causing him to curl up and groan on the floor in pain.
Backing away from the downed combatant, I scan around for the other two. One was holding back and examining me closely while the other decided to go the same route as the first.
Deciding instead to simply time my strike correctly this time, I swing my staff toward him and land another solid blow against his arm.
The young sangheili was stunned by the pain for a short moment but caught himself before continuing to barrel straight forward.
I wonder how much damage can he will take before he yields?
Quickly sidestepping the elite, I am reminded of the rampaging jiralhanae that we fought not too long ago. This sangheili was just as angry and blindly throwing himself towards me with reckless abandon, similar to the brutes.
Smiling, I know that I could win this fight. It wouldn't matter how much stronger this elite was compared to me if he never landed a hit. I could easily land clean blows each time he passed me.
Watching him spin back around, I decide to simply jump over the elite this time. Bouncing over the sangheili as he came close to me, I brought my staff up and landed another clean blow against his head, sending him tumbling into the ground, where he remained unmoving.
Looking back around, I could see the third elite circling around me as he tried to reach a blind spot. Knowing that this one was the one to finish first, I charged him head on.
Watching the elite closely with my sharp eyesight, I picked up on the tensing of his leg muscles. He didn't change direction, but I knew he would try and dodge me similar to how I sidestepped the elite from before. Angling my strike to where I assumed he would be, I swung with as much strength as I dared to use and was met with a loud and very satisfying thwack as my strike connected with his shoulder.
Following up with a quick strike to his exposed side, I landed a hit on his midsection which sent him tumbling back onto his rear.
Pulling back my staff in order to finish him off, I watch as he brings his hands up and shouts "Yield! I yield!"
Satisfied that the threat was gone, I turned around only to see both of the other two elites still on the ground with my mentor over one of them. He appeared to be examining him for a moment before he turned to me and smiled.
"Winner, Sohm 'Bir."
I tilt my head in confusion, before gesturing to the one behind me and asking, "Sir, only this one yielded… Doesn't that mean the fight is still going?"
Bero shakes his head before gestures to the young sangheili.
"Your victory here was a complete one and I'm sure they know it, yield or not." Bero then gestured for me to follow him to another part of the field, content to leave the groaning sangheili to their wounded bodies and pride.
As I walk towards the open area, I am left feeling a bit better about myself. Turning back around to look at the younger sangheili, I could see all three of them were up and furiously throwing themselves into their training. I caught a few glances in our direction, but once they saw me looking at them, they quickly turned away again.
Sure, I might not be able to even touch Bero quite yet, but I'm not a pushover. I can hold my own, and I'm sure I'll only get better over time.
Thwack.
Falling down onto the dirt, I rub the back of my head as yet another welt begins to form. Growling, I glare hatefully up towards my mentor.
"What was that for?!"
The swordsman doesn't even react to my outburst as he gestures for me to stand up.
"I have told you not to become distracted. Remain alert at all times."
Groaning loudly, I stand up and face the sangheili, determination coursing through me as I bring my staff up to defend myself.
(\(*v*)/)
Finding myself wandering a bustling marketplace, I take a look around.
Several different races were all wandering about. Most of the people here were sangheili, but I could see several unggoy and kig yar tending to small open marketplaces. Food seemed to be the biggest item available, with a vastly different product everywhere I looked.
Rubbing my numerous bruises, I start to look for something to eat. I got my first payment for my service yesterday, and it was a sizable bit more than I originally thought I would get for my first payment. I didn't actually realize that during my time training, I was actually getting paid as well, so I was able to spend some money on getting some food that wasn't that gods awful slop they serve on the ship.
Looking to a stand where an unggoy seemed to be serving bowls of what appeared to be overgrown worm stew, I nearly gag as the earth-like stench reaches me.
Some of this stuff doesn't look much better…
Deciding to continue on with my search, my mind begins to wander as I examine the ancient surroundings. The newfound freedom I gained after my first week of absolutely agonizing training made all the new discoveries all the more worth it.
The keep nearest to the training field Bero picked was rather large, boasting nearly four hundred warrior families, and as such it had its own marketplace and economy.
The many religious monuments and ancient history that I was able to visit were absolutely fascinating. Everything from thousands of years old stone ruins around the hyper advanced society, to massive castle-like keeps housing ages-old warrior clans were everywhere on this planet.
It, at times, felt like I was constantly switching from different planets while simply walking down the streets. The peaceful surroundings on the planet honestly surprised me considering that the entire race thrives on conflict, and yet everyone seemed to be getting along great.
All around me was the evidence that the sangheili were a thriving species, from the advanced technology to the bustling markets. It really drove home that the caste system definitely favored the ones near the top.
As I looked around me, I couldn't spot a single urchin or downtrodden sangheili. Everyone seemed well off, which was definitely a drastic change to what I considered to be my home.
I still could remember from the many visits to the marketplace on T'avo the hungry desperate looks from almost everyone. The starved expressions from the people as a whole as they all simply tried to find their next meal.
None of that was here, the sangheili simply living peaceful lives as they have for the last several thousand years.
It seemed rather unfair, but it isn't like I can change how Covenant society works. This form of normalcy has been around long before I hatched.
Deciding to continue on with my search for food, I decide to focus on the smells.
When in doubt, follow your nose.
A vast amount of smells wafted all around me as I tried to pick up anything that seemed appetizing. Sadly, everything in the immediate area either didn't smell that good, or would cost me far more then I would like.
Moving on, I continue walking down the street, content with searching.
Everywhere I went while I was exploring even in a place as simple as this open marketplace, I could see that the sangheili didn't ever lose track of their history.
Ancient statues, similar to the one on the training fields, stood proud all around. Some were explained with plaques and some were not, but each and every one was very obviously an important part of history.
After a while of passing up stall after stall, an oddly familiar smell reached my nose. The scent of seasoned meats, similar to the ones my mother used to pick out, caught my attention through everything else and caused my mouth to begin to water.
Following the scent for a moment, I am met with a run down looking stall manned by three t'vaoans.
Two of them appeared to be rather young, with the larger third one appearing to be trying to usher anyone that would listen to their stall, though sadly most people seemed to be passing her by.
Looks like a mother and her two chicks trying to make ends meet.
Brightening up a bit, I make my way over to them. Waving my hand in greeting, I gain the attention of the stall owner.
"Hello there! Is that your stall that smells so good?"
The kig yar turns to me before her eyes brighten considerably. Gesturing for me to walk toward the counter, I happily obliged. Walking up to the counter, I see several different cuts and meats placed into displays in order to keep the elements off of them. The food looked absolutely amazing, and the prices looked to be lower compared to the other stalls I have been to.
"Well I should hope so, I season my meats with only the finest spices I can get my hands on!" The older skirmisher slipped behind the counter before she gestured to the display. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"
Looking down to the delicious looking food in front of me, I end up picking a particularly large fresh looking cut.
"That one please."
Smiling, the kig yar in front of me barks an order to one of the other two younger kig yar behind her.
The younger kig yar opened the case and began to wrap the meat up as the scent from all the spices and seasonings filled the air from the opening.
While the smaller t'vaoan packed the meat up with obviously practiced precision, the mother asked for payment which I handed over without any complaints. After all, it didn't even put a sizable dent in what I had on me.
After a moment, my meal was handed over and I decided to try and start up a conversation.
"So what brings you to Sangheilios?"
Sadly, the reaction I got was not the one I was expecting. The happy attitude that she had moments before seems to disappear in front of me, only to be replaced with sadness. She was quick to cover it up, but I easily recognized the facade.
Gesturing to her stall, she smiles. "Oh, just trying to stay alive I guess."
Her tone was joking, but I could definitely tell there was an undertone of annoyance.
Looking back to the two younger kig yar, I could see they were not nearly as happy as the mother appeared to be. They appeared to be exhausted, with the one that wrapped my meal furiously licking their talons clean.
What is going on here?
Feeling a bit concerned for the younglings, I decided to speak up. "Are you three okay? You look…" Searching for the right word for a moment, I look the three over before finishing my thought. "Desperate."
The happy facade disappeared immediately, replaced with a crushing depression that I didn't quite expect. However there was another emotion that crossed her face alongside the depression.
Anger.
"Of course I'm desperate! Aren't you?" She angrily gestures toward the crowd of sangheili passing by behind me. "It's all their stupid fault! I had a good thing going on T'avo! A nice den with a good mate, but now?"
Taking a step back, I wasn't quite prepared for the outburst I received.
"Now, I'm sitting here trying to sell what little food I can get my hands on to the exact same people that are occupying my home!"
Seeing one of the younglings reach up and grab her furious mother's arm, they pulled softly and their small female voice cut through the anger.
"Mommy? It's okay."
Looking down, I could see the mother's anger fade away as she looked down to her young. Giving the chick a sad smile, she ruffled her daughter's feathers before she turned back to me.
"I'm sorry. It has been rough…"
Shaking my head, I felt sympathy fill me. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried."
Silence followed as the two of us sat there awkwardly, neither knowing exactly what to say. Looking toward the younglings, I realize that I want to help these people.
"Here." I take out all the remaining credits from my first paycheck and set them on the counter. "You need them more than I do."
The mother's eyes widen as her mouth falls open. After a moment of gaping at me dumbfoundedly, she asks.
"What?"
Nodding toward the small pile of money, I smile. "I have food and shelter on the ship I am stationed on already. You obviously need the money more than I do."
I could see the moment realization came across her and relief spread rapidly. Quickly scooping the money off the counter, I see her immediately try to hide it as best she could.
"Hmph, greedy kig yar."
Looking over, I could see a sangheili wearing an intricate toga-like piece of clothing walking away from the stall in disgust.
Greedy? I just gave away money!
Turning back to the frantic mother who was now barking orders to her two younglings, I realized he most likely didn't even see me. He simply looked at the desperate mother hoarding what cash she could simply to stay alive and provide for her family. Something that sangheili probably never had to do.
Blinking, a realization filled me.
The other races of the Covenant only see us as greedy because they already have everything. We have to fight hard for what little we can get, while they are all looking down from above.
I honestly didn't think that they even knew what the majority of our population had to live through on a daily basis, fighting for every bit of ground that we could simply to live a bit more comfortably. Their thoughts weren't based on malice or anger, simply a lack of understanding.
Thankfully I was one of the lucky ones, though I only grew up like I did because my father provided for both me and my mother…
He is also a pirate... Something that is even more hated than the rest of our population.
Feeling a small body crash into me, my muscles tense as I prepare myself for a fight. Slightly angry with myself for becoming distracted even after the last week of literally having the lesson never to let my guard down beaten into me, I snap myself out of my thoughts and focus.
Latched onto me, the youngest kig yar of the stall was hugging me tightly, latched onto my waste as she nuzzled me. After a moment, the youngling looked up to me and gave me one of the brightest smiles I've ever seen.
"Thank you nice lady."
Unable to help the feeling of warmth filling me, I smile back down to her.
"You're welcome."
Watching as the smaller kig yar rounded the counter to rejoin her family, I see the mother is nearly crying in happiness as her eyes were definitely misty.
"Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me… to us."
Waving her off, I shake my head.
"It was nothing, really. I was simply looking for a meal for the day." Running a hand through the feathers on my head in embarrassment for a moment, I begin to chuckle. Looking back down to the food in my other hand, I smile. "As I said, I was just looking for a meal and the way your food is prepared reminded me of home."
The stall owner seemed to think of something before she reached down under the counter and brought out a colorful bag. It appeared to have seemingly random splotches of colors all over it from bright orange, blue, and purple splattered everywhere on it. After a second, she nods to herself before holding the strange bag out for me to take.
Tilting my head, I reach over and grab a hold of the strange item.
"That is a package of the spices I use. Take it, with my blessing." The smile she sent my way then appeared far more genuine than the facade I saw earlier.
Smiling back to the small family, I end up feeling a lot better than before I came here.
"Thank you. I'm sure this will make the slop on my ship taste at least slightly better."
Laughing, I politely excuse myself before turning to make my way back down the street.
"Bye, nice lady!"
"Come back anytime!"
Unable to help the smile that remained on my face, I opened the package and began to eat as I walked. Only one thought filling my mind as I bit into the food.
Delicious.
(\(*v*)/)
Sitting on the edge of a massive cliff face overlooking one of the planet's many oceans, I watched as one of the suns dipped closer to the horizon.
The scene was beautiful, but my mind was still focused entirely on what just happened.
I was sitting on top of a large stone column, nearly ten feet in the air. Somehow, the slight breeze coming up from the salty ocean air below calmed my nerves, though it couldn't help my mind from continuing on with it's thoughts.
"Now, I'm sitting here trying to sell what little food I can get my hands on to the exact same people that are occupying my home!"
That could only mean that the Covenant is still on T'avo. The thought disgusted me, knowing that the same people that attacked my home were still there.
The same people I'm serving with for money.
I knew I couldn't do a thing about it, but the idea still infuriated me. The idea that the same people that saw us all as greedy dishonorable pirates were keeping our entire population down because of a false assumption was just so… so…
"Somehow, it does not surprise me to find you up there."
Turning away from the beautiful scene in front of me, I glance down to see Bero looking at me from down below.
"You haven't been answering your communications."
Shifting a bit in embarrassment, I reach down and place my helmet back onto my head before glancing back out to the ocean, I sigh deeply.
"I'm sorry. Something happened today, and-"
"Worry not, it was not anything involving your duties… Though do try and keep an ear out. If it had, you would have been considered a deserter."
A long moment of silence comes and goes before I decide to ask a simple question, though I don't know exactly why.
"What ideals should I fight for?"
Hearing the rocky ground clink as different stones bump each other when the sangheili shifts his weight below me. Another moment of silence comes and goes before his answer comes.
"If only there was a correct answer."
Surprised, I glance down to the elite who is now staring out over the sunset.
"We can only fight for what we feel is right. I can not decide that for you."
If only it was that easy, right?
"Why do you fight?"
Without any hesitation whatsoever, Bero replies.
"I fight for my family, so that no threat will ever get close enough to harm them."
Blinking down to the stoic elite, I tilt my head.
"You have a family?"
Chuckling, the elite looks up to me. His face was a bit less stoic then it normally was as he simply nodded.
He fights to protect his family, but even if I wanted to protect mine, how could I when the bombs came?
"If the thing that threatened your family was more than you could handle with a sword, what would you do?"
The elite studies me very closely for a moment before he answers.
"I would face it nonetheless. A sword is not your only weapon, though that is something you have yet to learn." The sangheili taps his forehead with one of his long fingers. "There is always a way, one must train your mind as well as your body to find it. You are still very young, Sohm 'Bir, and these topics are too vast. Let us enjoy the sunset for now."
Turning back to the ocean just as the twin suns dipped below the horizon, I felt a bit more at peace.
—Author's Note—
So, this happened.
I actually got about 2000 words into this chapter before yet again realizing it was actually the next chapter again… so I got a head start on 14
I was actually laughing maniacally while writing the training scene. Does that make me an evil person?
Oh, also, if everyone could keep the reviews about the fanfiction itself and not about the random flame reviews I'm undoubtedly going to get, that would be great. I'm an adult, I can handle internet flame, and prefer to hear how ya think about what I wrote rather than what you think about what someone else wrote about my writing.
This chapter, if you can see this text, has not been looked over and I wrote it in a fit of insomnia. Will check it when I wake up for any errors.
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