Opening Notes:

A second chapter that ended up being much longer than originally intended. Regardless, I'm thankful for the overwhelming support so far and will hopefully continue to deliver with this next installment. Enjoy!


II: Shifting Sands


"Patience boy."

Ethan obeyed his father's command as he locked his sights onto the enubaro in the distance. Its larger set of tusks dipped into the shallow depths of the oblong oasis. Desert palms and flush greens surrounded it, contrasting the fact that the dry season was now in full swing. The boar-like creatures had been forced northward towards the river valley, which had come to serve as a beacon of life to the region. While not usually a problem, the migratory herds had been disrupting supply lines as of late and had proven to be a nuisance in countless other ways.

Unlike their terrestrial counterparts, an enubaro carried with it a thin, dusty coat and a thick layer of organic plating around its skull that masked much of its features. They also had two sets of tusks and were over twice the size of the ones found back on Earth. The enubaro before them appeared to have been cut off from the rest of its herd, which was nowhere to be found.

Ethan had hunted before but only with low-caliber rifles and against the local vermin that were scaled lizards. Even then, trapping and drowning the vicious little reptiles afterward proved to be just as effective. Thankfully, they weren't kali'thras or their giant rak'tha cousins, with the former being exceedingly rare and the latter choosing to make their homes within the dark caverns of the Karfu mountains that lay past Rak to the north.

Regardless, the list of dangerous fauna to watch out for while traversing the Uldt desert was extensive and each tended to be deadlier than the last, so it paid to be well-armed and have some baseline understanding of the wilderness that was Carrow's surface.

"Remember Ethan, always be sure of your target and what lies beyond it. Never shoot unless you intend to make the shot count, but hesitate and the opportunity that once presented itself will be forever lost."

The sun held against their backs as the pair laid atop a dune that overlooked the shaded haven, whose vegetation continued to stand proud in spite of the drought that continued to ravage the rest of the area.

"Take into account windage and the arc of the bullet. In a short-range engagement, these factors will matter less, and the Oracle will aid you in such decisions from afar, but a scope is only one such tool that a sniper uses to ensure the trajectory of the shot. Equipment can and will fail you at a moment's notice and often during the most inopportune of times. Therefore, look to what the environment is telling you and verify that all sources agree before you choose to exit concealment."

Ethan did as he was told, noting the seifs in the distance and the way that the steady wind blew through the treetops and across the surface of the water. He confirmed his other sources as well and then steadied himself.

"I'm ready, father."

"Good. Remember that with an enubaro, a broadside attack will guarantee a clean kill. While the weapon you currently bear against it will cut through the creature's cranial armor like a warm knife through butter, we are above such theatrics. After all, a misplaced shot due to overconfidence could very well be your last. Now hold your breath like I've taught you, then shoot."

The boy listened to his father's advice, placing his finger on the trigger. His intended target was still caught unaware and having its fill beside the water's edge. A measured heartbeat, then a second, and then a trigger squeeze that brought the rifle screaming back to life. Its war cry pierced through the veil of silence as its salvo left the barrel and the heavy recoil took over. Ethan closed his eyes on instinct and grunted from the force placed against his body, but the sharp pain soon rescinded and was replaced with a prolonged soreness.

After finally recovering his senses, Ethan looked towards the oasis, where his target was now left to bake in the desert heat and the sound of silence once again ruled over the haven. A large hand soon fell to his tender shoulder, provoking another soft murmur on his end.

"Wonderful Ethan, absolutely wonderful. A clean kill to be sure." Elias then stood up and beamed down at his son. "Addax will surely eat like kings once we've prepared the meat."

Ethan could hardly contain his excitement as he also made a move to stand, however, his father moved faster and stopped him with a raised hand. "Have you confirmed the safety of your weapon?"

The boy's eyes went wide as saucers. "Oh! No father, I'll do that right away."

"Good. Once the rifle is secured, bring it back to the Warthog. There is something that I want to show you afterwards."

Ethan nodded his head, moving to secure the high caliber rifle and then hoisting its bulky mass into the air. Thankfully, the Warthog was only a stone's throw away and his father relinquished his heavy burden upon arrival, stowing it away after confirming that Ethan had in fact accomplished what was asked of him.

"Now, turn around and raise your arms for me."

Ethan once again did as he was told, feeling a leather strap slip around his arm and then the opposite soon after. A carrier for a pair of magazines hung from one side of his body and a sidearm suspended from the other. He then felt a pair of hands pivot his body back towards the Warthog. Afterwards, his father unfastened the sidearm from its leather holster and held it out in front of them.

"The MK40 Sidewinder. She may be an older model and a peashooter when compared to the SRS99 that you just fired, but she's reliable and will serve you well into the future." Elias then held a topped-off magazine in his hands. "These extra mags will be yours once you've learned the weapon inside and out." The man lifted his desert poncho and slipped the additional magazine back into his own holster.

Ethan could hardly sit still, as he had always wanted his own sidearm but was told that such an event would only occur once he had proven himself. He was ecstatic, he was happy, but the ghost of a memory soon took hold and spoiled his mood in one fell swoop.

He had felt this way before four months ago but was only left waiting inside Addax's makeshift observation tower, in the cold and staring out across the river bank towards the Sangheili keep. Though the keep's structures continued to climb higher with each passing day, he initially hadn't given up hope. In fact, he had worked tirelessly alongside his father to prepare lessons that would one day help Xeva with her English.

He also yearned to learn more about her kind and to converse with someone that was his own age for a change.

But then the restless days turned into bitter weeks, which then turned into hopeless months. The Sangheili had honored the deal but had also chosen to leave the humans to their own devices. And as the season changed, he was still left unsure as to whether he would ever see Xeva again.

"You still miss her." His father's voice brought him out of his haze.

"I…don't know."

"You do," Elias stated as a matter of fact. "You're giving me the same downcast look that your mother used to give me when she longed for something, so don't bother lying to me or to yourself."

He couldn't help but ball his fists out of frustration. "I've just waited for so long without an answer. It's just so unfair!"

"Unfair? How do you think that I felt as I clung to a creased photo of our family before every drop, never truly knowing if my feet would ever touch solid ground again, let alone find the rock that we used to call home? Yet still, I pressed on knowing that such uncertainties were nothing more than facts of life, even if I was afraid that I wouldn't ever see your smiling face again."

"I was afraid too."

His father's gaze softened at the confession. The man extended his free arm to indicate the area around them. "Yet here we are, standing together in present, despite the uncertainties that we each held in the past. Life may be unfair at times, but I've found that a patient seeker will be satisfied through the passage of time."

Ethan looked up to his father in dejection. "But I've waited long enough. Surely she's almost forgotten about me at this point."

"Forgotten about you? No. If she's anything like her uncle, she's long since carved out a place for you in her mind. Sangheili do not forget easily, and I'm willing to bet that she's just as upset about waiting for your next interaction as you currently are. Trust me boy, Xeva misses you as well." His father then looked to the Warthog. "Now come, we shouldn't let such thoughts spoil your most recent achievement. After all, we now have an enubaro to prep for transport."

His father returned his weapon to him, momentarily pressing a hand against his shoulder afterwards. Surprisingly, the soreness that resulted from the sniper rifle's recoil had since faded away and he only felt the transfer of warmth through his clothing. Elias then hoisted himself into the Warthog and called back to his son.

"Come Ethan, the day is far from over and we've lingered in the Masov Oasis long enough. Besides, I don't know about you, but I don't fancy coming across any more dangerous wildlife without a chain gun at our disposal. We'll load the enubaro in the cargo bed and return to Addax."

The boy nodded, holstering his weapon after a couple of attempts and climbing in next to his father. He heard the rumble of the vehicle's engine soon after. The pair of humans then started off towards the oasis below, intent on collecting the creature that Ethan had successfully shot just minutes before.

Carrow's dry season had made life difficult for their outpost, which was still very much in the process of taming the land that they had since come to call their home. Supply lines to Sandholm had made things a little easier, but even a single missed shipment or raided caravan could prove disastrous for their small settlement, especially since Xytan 'Rotam had yet to call on them for aid or provide them with his own.

They had seen several Sangheili patrols along the river's edge since that night, but much like the humans, the alien race enacted to leave the other alone for the time being. Tensions neither elevated nor lessened, yet existed all the same. He just hoped that Xeva was alright and her people were not being impacted by the change of season to the same degree as his own.

The Warthog soon came to a halt next to the downed enubaro, which long since laid limp with its elongated snout still dipped beneath the water's surface. Both humans then jumped out and began to assess the creature, which was even larger up close. His father ran a hand against its muscular hide, confirming the shot that had ultimately spelled its demise.

"He's a big one alright. Although, I'm still left wondering as to why he was separated from the rest of the herd. The things are nothing if not mulish and foolhardy, so whatever spooked it must have been—"

An inhuman whine suddenly split through the morning air. The sound of distant footfalls followed soon after and appeared to be quickly converging on their location.

"Ethan, get back in the Hog."

"But I—"

"Now!"

Elias then made a move to retrieve the sniper rifle, setting up next to the vehicle in case a hasty retreat was required. Both humans then looked towards the adjacent dune as the insensate cries only grew in intensity. Sure enough, an enormous mass soon crested the mound and set its sights on the humans in front of them.

The reptilian creature's long, flexible neck was covered in orange and red frills that puffed out alongside the decorative feathers that covered its beaked skull and continued all the way down to its thick, fanned tail. A set of stocky hindlimbs kept it upright, while its long spade-like forelimbs remained suspended in the air as it stooped in full stride.

"Vezsla," Elias muttered. His father then shifted the sniper rifle in his hands to wave down the feathered mass, shouting all the while. However, his efforts proved ineffective as the figure continued to grow in size as it neared their position at an alarming rate.

Deciding that things were starting to get too close for comfort, Elias switched to his sidearm and fired off a series of warning shots at the creature's feet in an effort to get its attention. After the fourth shot, the vezsla let out a startled squawk and moved to pivot its large body away from the new source of danger. However, the creature only succeeded in stumbling over its tetradactyl feet and burying its head in a mound of sand less than a dozen meters from the comparatively tiny human, who breathed out a sigh of relief and then made his way towards the downed reptile.

"Survived through the Ark Conflict and passed up recruitment into the Spartan-IV program, only to be nearly flattened by an oversized, space chicken," his father muttered before kneeling down to pull the vezsla's entrenched head out of the sand. Elias then placed a hand on the creature's muscular neck, which caused its large frills to flutter in response. "It would appear that the dry season has brought with it yet another potential pest for Addax to deal with."

The vezsla's own reply came in the form of an exhausted caw as its enormous chest continued to shift the sands beneath it. While known to be harmless and to predominately feed on the desert plant life scattered throughout the Masov Oasis, there had been multiple accounts of such foragers going after smaller creatures or rummaging through unsuspected caravans in order to survive. However, as the thing continued to cause tremors in the sand with its ten-meter long body, it appeared that hunger was currently the last thing on its mind.

"What's wrong with it?" Ethan called out, still unsure as to whether he should leave the confines of the vehicle to investigate the strange creature alongside his father.

"Scared out of its wits. Enough to seek the aid of another species." Elias looked to the dead enubaro and then back towards the adjacent hilltop before picking up his sniper rifle. "Stay in the Warthog, Ethan, it would appear that our work out here is not yet finished."

"What about the vezsla? Let me go with you."

"The creature will not harm you in its current state but whatever lies over that dune very well could. Stay with the Hog. I will not repeat myself a second time. With luck, I'll be gone for but a moment." His father then began to make his way up the same dune that the creature had retreated from, cresting it and falling out of view shortly after.

A sharp chirp suddenly drew the boy's attention away from the mound of sand. The vezsla appeared to be in the process of righting itself. Its powerful arms pushed against the earth but gave out almost immediately afterwards, causing the creature's head to be encased in the sand once again. The frills around its neck wilted to the earth in response.

The boy couldn't help but giggle at the vezsla's woes. With some trepidation, he chose to leave the relative safety of the Warthog and go against his father's wishes, slowly approaching the mass of disheveled feathers. Even while it lay on its belly in a defeated posture, its thick torso stood taller than the human. Thankfully, its long neck meant that he was still far enough away from its taloned mitts, which glistened in the sunlight.

He then knelt before the newest mound of sand—much like his father had done earlier—and moved to brush away the covering that had become the vezsla's tomb. It responded to being released to the fresh air with a startled squawk, opening and closing a razor-sharp beak, but the creature made no move to lash out at the human who had just assisted it.

"Please don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."

The long neck then lifted from the ground; a set of golden slits met his gaze before the sturdy set of arms once again dug their way into the sand, providing leverage as the vezsla's head climbed higher and higher into the air. Reaching its final height, the reptile puffed out its mop of feathers and stared down at the smaller mammal, who now stood level with its shins.

Fearing for his life, Ethan took a couple of steps back but lost his own footing immediately afterwards. His rear-end kissed the ground beneath him, leaving him exposed to the reptilian monster that dipped its long neck until its beak hovered directly in front of him. The maw then opened, displaying a row of leaf-shaped teeth.

As its hot breath washed over him, a forked appendage suddenly shot forward, temporarily blinding the boy but receding to a safe distance afterwards. He heard a deep rumble originating from within the vezsla. It closed its golden eyes momentarily and then opened them in order to return to its towering stature. The creature pivoted on its hindlegs before making its way towards the opposite side of the pool of water, the deep furrows created by its heavy footsteps were concealed shortly after as a result of the fanned tail that brushed across the surface.

Sensing that he was now free of danger, Ethan pushed himself back up onto a set of shaky legs, still observing the bizarre creature as it lifted its head into the scattered treetops, seemingly hungry now that whatever crisis that had befallen it earlier was now resolved.

"Ethan!"

The boy shifted his attention towards the voice, locating his father at the bottom of the dune with the large sniper rifle still firmly in his possession. It didn't take long for the man to return to his son with a tightened gaze.

"Didn't I tell you to wait in the Hog?"

"The vezsla got its head stuck in the sand again, so I went to help it," Ethan answered.

His father looked to the giant bird in the distance, which was still busy poking its head through the palms and foraging through the lower vegetation. It let out an occasional coo or caw, depending on whether its efforts were met with success or failure.

"Odd creatures that are surprisingly docile, especially considering Carrow's other less than sociable inhabitants. The coloration on that one was rather unique as well. And while they may yet prove to be beasts of burden, it's probably best to just leave them be. Besides, I have something else that I want to show you, so come with me."

With that, the man moved to once again climb the dune that he had just scaled. Ethan was left to follow closely behind, soon reaching the apex of the mound and looking off into the distance towards the innermost reaches of the region. The sun at their backs washed the area in its light, revealing every jagged rockface and patch of green that dotted the rest of the desert sanctuary.

He gazed up at his father in confusion, unsure as to what he ultimately meant to show him.

"Tell me what you see, boy."

The boy began to observe the surrounding area for a second time. "I see limestone ridges and large spires in the distance, which contain the dunes that separate us from—"

"Look in the immediate vicinity, Ethan, what do the formations in the sands between the havens tell you. The knowledge contained within will serve as a valuable life lesson while living on Carrow."

He looked again and tried to recall from memory. "You taught me that we can tell the direction of the prevailing winds by observing the shapes of the dunes, which…" He scanned the formations in front of them, starting from the left and slowly making his way to the right, but the completed picture only left the boy perplexed. "That doesn't make any sense…there are lines that don't belong."

There were large furrows cut into the desert that seemed to meander outside of what would normally form naturally and that were large enough for a Pelican to land within and still have ample room to spare. It was as if they were created by an organism.

"And what do you think could cause such abnormal formations?"

He turned to look back into his father's eyes. "A kali'thra."

Elias nodded his head. "It would seem that we've found what spooked the vezsla and displaced the enubaro that you shot. This dry season continues to bring with it new and unique chall—" His father suddenly spun on his heels and pointed the muzzle of the sniper rifle behind them. Their apparent adversary wore similar garb and held an assault rifle in their hands.

"Whoa there, Gunny, it's just little old me," the other man stated in an attempt to dissuade Elias from planting a 14.5mm round directly into his skull. "Now let's just lower that weapon of yours before you kill me, the boulder behind me, and then the poor Elite relieving themselves on the outskirts of Rak."

Elias smirked at the thought. "Then I better start thinking about picking out a bouquet of flowers to send to the Sangheili's grieving widow."

"Depending on the Elite, you may have to requisition an entire dropship of flowers. Nevertheless, permission to speak my mind in front of your son?"

His father lowered the barrel of the sniper rifle. "You already do, John, so just spit it out while we're all still young."

"Hey, I'd like to think that I'm an exemplary role model, unlike yourself. Isn't that right, Ethan?"

"Uhh…"

"Ignore him, Ethan." Elias shifted his attention back to the other man. "Now, what was it that you wanted to say to me?"

"Care to explain why there's a dead enubaro lying next to your abandoned Warthog while you two are up here doing fuck all? Also, why in the hell is there a—"

A loud squawk came from below and heavy footfalls slowly closed in on their position. Sure enough, the vezsla from before soon cast its shadow over the three humans. The sunlight caught its decorative plumage and bled through its red and orange frills. Its long neck darted back and forth as if checking the area for danger.

John ran a hand across his face. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by drumsticks over here—no wait, that was precisely my point. Why in the world is this creature..." The other man signaled towards the vezsla next to him. "...following me around like some lost puppy?"

The gesture earned the human another series of squawks, which were closely followed up with a soft coo as the creature finally decided that the coast was clear. It then lowered its heavy torso to the ground and looked on in curiosity at the funny mammal that continued to antagonistically point at it.

"Would you look at that, I think you've finally found another being in this universe that can stand to listen to the sound of your voice."

John shot daggers at the other man. "Screw you. My voice is first-rate and you should consider yourself lucky that I've graced you with its presence for this—" Another squawk caused one of the man's eyes to twitch as he directed his attention back to the vezsla. "Hush you. You're lucky that you're a lot bigger than me, otherwise, I'd punt your feathery ass straight off of this dune."

The vezsla simply snorted and then rested its head on top of the sand, choosing to bask in the morning heat instead of paying any more consideration to the whiny human that stood next to it.

Ethan laughed and Elias couldn't help but smirk. "Oof, I do believe that you just lost another potential friend because of your bad temper, John. A shame, would've done you some good too."

The other man closed his eyes and sighed. "Why the hell are you up here, Elias? When I saw the abandoned Warthog, I expected the worst, especially after I saw the dead enubaro, and then big bird over here decided to pay me an unexpected visit while I rifled through the vehicle's compartments."

Elias placed the butt of his sniper rifle on the ground and then wrapped an arm around his son. "I gave the boy a chance to prove himself while we surveyed the area and came across a straggler. Ended up being a clean kill and I'm proud of him." His father then let go as his expression turned a shade darker. "But we were interrupted shortly after by the—"

Another coo escaped the creature's maw before the same rumbling that Ethan had heard earlier took over, yet this time the noise remained persistent as the vezsla shut its golden eyes.

"Err…that. Anyways, the vezsla fled to the oasis below from this dune and we went to investigate what had ultimately spooked it. We found our answer shortly after," his father finished.

The other man raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate on just what it is that you found? As much as I like skimming across the desert in a Mongoose to play fetch, there's still a lot to be done back at the outpost."

"I think it's better if you saw it for yourself."

His father then stepped aside and motioned towards the area on the opposite side of the mound. The other man muttered in annoyance but walked forward anyway, changing his attitude in a heartbeat after gazing across the sands.

"Is that? No…"

"I'm afraid that it is."

John turned back; a worried expression was now written across his face. "That's not possible. We were told that the river valley and Masov Oasis were safe havens from them. Our sources—"

"Date back to a time when the planet was first settled, before the war and the mass exodus that resulted thanks to the Covenant. Even today, not a lot is known about them and they could very well be migratory in nature."

"Or just fiercely territorial and this one was forced into the region by another. Is that where the dead enubaro's herd originated?" John inquired.

"I'm unsure at this moment in time, but we mustn't stand here and worry about such matters. The beast surfaced and then disappeared once more beneath the sands."

"Mustn't worry? A goddamn kali'thra has left its tunnels outside of our home and may yet slip in through the backdoor unnoticed. I may have not seen one in person, but the stories told of such creatures should be enough to warrant our attention."

His father shifted the sniper rifle back into his hands. "And give it the attention that is required we shall, but one sighting during the dry season should not cause us to lose our heads. We are aware of its presence now and will warn the others. Besides, there's never been a recorded attack from such creatures, which are exceptionally rare to begin with."

"You think that those who were attacked would even live to tell the tale?"

Elias shrugged. "Well, you could very well be standing next to one right now, and its plumage seems to be mostly intact." The vezsla cawed in response, turning itself over in order to warm the other side of its body and forcing John to move out of its way in the process.

"Hmpf, the giant ostrich most likely just saw one of its smaller cousins scurry past its feet and panicked as a result." John then gave the mass of feathers a light tap with the tip of his boot, causing the plumage to puff out in response. "It seems like every alien species is dropping by unannounced today."

It was Elias' turn to raise an eyebrow. "Is that so? Care to explain just what was so urgent that required you to trek out here to retrieve us? I told you that I wanted to spend the morning with my son and left the outpost in your command."

The other man looked Elias dead in the eye. "Which has continued to run like a well-oiled machine in your absence, but a runner from the Sangheili keep arrived shortly after you and your son left. And after a brief…disagreement, Colts allowed them within the central courtyard with weapons in hand in order to deliver the message directly to me."

John looked down at his own weapon.

"It would appear that the great Xytan 'Rotam is finally willing to come out of his ivory tower and deal with us peasants. He's requested a meeting along the Astlehich river this afternoon. We're to bring our best warriors and most capable advisors." John's gaze then fell Ethan's way. "Your son was requested by name to be in attendance as well. I was told that the meeting was a matter of utmost importance and to refuse would be an affront to the bonds formed earlier this cycle."

Ethan suddenly felt all sets of eyes turn his way. If he understood the last couple of sentences correctly, that could only mean one thing. As a geyser of excitement built up inside of him, he allowed a single utterance to escape his mouth:

"Xeva…"

[—]


Ethan currently found himself in the passenger seat of another Warthog, but this time it belonged to a small convoy of vehicles leaving their Addax outpost and bound for the Astlehich river. At this point, the sun above them had shifted to the other side of the horizon, marking the warmest part of the day.

They had returned to the outpost earlier that day with a couple of extra members in tow. The enubaro was loaded safely and now being attended to by Sonia, one of his other caretakers. As for the vezsla, it chose to tag along up until they reached the inner courtyard, where it was shooed off after it decided to sniff out their food reserves and nearly toppled a building in an effort to get to them.

While he was sad to see the creature go in the end, he was told that Addax currently had no means of containing such a creature let alone feeding it long term. Thankfully, it left peacefully but not before forcing John to chase it around with a broom and a loaded magnum. The profanities that spewed forth from his mouth in between the torrent of squawks showcased that he was indeed a connoisseur of the trade and a man of letters, at least that's what his father relayed to him before telling him to cover his ears and not repeat anything that he had just heard.

He looked down to the data pad that was now in his hands, which served as the culmination of his work over the past few months. Hopefully, he would be allowed to share it with Xeva once they arrived. While he was told by his father that she would likely be in attendance, the runner had not spoken about her directly. He was still in the dark, but at least the spark of hope was once again alive.

Ethan looked over to the Warthog's driver, his father had chosen to wear his signature battle dress uniform. The sniper rifle from before was also switched out for a DMR and shotgun. However, he was told that it was all for show, at least as long as John and Colts chose to behave themselves around the Sangheili, which was a tall order depending on the day.

They numbered eight in total while the rest remained behind in order to stand guard over the outpost. Each person in attendance aside from him had served in the war at some point in time and were carrying their own armaments. They had been told to meet the Sangheili at the midpoint between their respected settlements. While he was excited to speak with the other race, he was also terrified of seeing Xeva's uncle again.

Their convoy crested the final dune and began to make the final trek into the river valley. The desolate terrain soon gave way to fertile grounds dotted in colorful flora that he had never seen before.

Ethan peered further off into the distance, spotting the Sangheili fortifications atop the rock formations on the opposite end of the valley and serving as the keep's inner core. The umber towers capped in bulbous domes made their little sandstone outpost seem rather pitiful in comparison. This was the closest he had ever been to the keep and he was only left astounded at the sheer scale of the structures.

"Really is something else, isn't it?" His father shifted his eyes to him momentarily. "Sangheili may be as stubborn as they come, but once they set their minds to something, the end result is quite impressive. Honestly, it sometimes makes me wonder why Xytan didn't just outright reject my offer the last time that we spoke."

"Because humans and Sangheili are stronger together?" The boy offered.

"I'd like to think so Ethan, but there are some who are still stuck in the past and fear the winds of change. And while I get that the end of the war is still fresh on everyone's mind, we're all going to have to bury the hatchet at some point if we intend to flourish on this new world."

"And Xytan believes that?"

"He's as honorable as they come when one speaks of the Sangheili, despite the mistakes that he's made in the past." The man then laughed. "However, that Sangheili is a planner to his core and clearly used the last few months to his advantage. But unfortunately for him, so did we."

Elias gestured at the data pad in his son's hands. Ethan smiled, but one of his father's statements made him curious.

"What did he do in the past?"

The man gave his son another sidelong glance.

"He earned his rank."

The Warthog in front of them began to slow as they finally neared the edge of the river, which weaved its way through golden banks wrapped in a dense covering of balmy green. The place was a paradise and it was almost as if the humans had suddenly been transported to an entirely different world. It was only the keep situated on the bluffs above that broke the tranquil mirage that threatened to take hold.

Their convoy rounded a final rock formation and came before another Sangheili structure, which appeared to be a large tent in the shape of a red turtle shell. It was pitched on a shallow incline above the water's edge. A pebbled trail behind it led upward towards a sizeable ledge that housed a couple of Phantoms, which looked similar to the one that had landed in their outpost the same night that he met Xeva.

Armored Sangheili were everywhere, with some standing guard in front of the strange-looking tent, others unloading supplies from the dropship, and still more in the process of setting up defenses along the perimeter. A sentry quickly spotted their convoy, directing the lead vehicle to park in a nearby alcove with both trailing vehicles following in close succession.

Their Warthog's engine was shut off, then Ethan felt a gloved hand land on his shoulder. "No sudden movements and keep that pistol of yours underneath your poncho. While Sangheili value strength, to draw one's weapon with ill intentions can only lead to disaster."

"Aren't they our allies though father?"

"Yes, but with most of Addax's protectors currently in this river valley, we're leaving ourselves exposed on the home front. And we're still unaware as to Xytan's full intentions for this meeting."

"But you said that he's an honorable Sangheili," Ethan countered.

"He is and I trust him with my life, as was the case during the final stages of the war. He's also kept his word thus far and I believe that he fully intends to honor the second half of our agreement. But until we see his face, stay close to me and be on your best behavior while in the company of the Sangheili. Speak only when spoken to and treat them with the same kindness that you showed Xeva that night."

His father released him from his grasp after a light squeeze. They both then exited the vehicle with Ethan clutching the data pad tightly in his arms. The man slipped the shotgun on his back, leaving his helmet behind and directing his son to rendezvous with the others close by.

"Why would I do anything different?" Ethan asked in transit.

Elias grinned. "That's what I like to hear boy. Truth be told, I wasn't expecting any trouble from you to begin with." His father then caught Colts' gaze as they stopped in front of the rest of the members of their outpost. "It's the others I'm worried about."

"It does so warm my heart to finally hear you say that, Elias. However, I can't guarantee that I won't let one or two things slip, should our honorable neighbors decide to take advantage of our absence from Addax," Colts responded. "We're making a mistake; I should've stayed back with Sonia and the others, especially when it comes to coordinating efforts to investigate the kali'thra sighting out in the oasis."

His father tightened his gaze at the older gentleman. "Neither we nor Addax are at risk of succumbing to either source of danger. We're in the company of allies and you were called upon as a warrior from the Sangheili elder—"

"To likely lick the split-lip's bootheels. I know you and the alien have history, Elias, but you're much too trusting of their kind. I don't trust an Elite as far as I can throw them, and they're damn heavy. Also, actions speak louder than words, which if we're gauging on that aspect alone, the keep's elder still leaves much to be desired."

"These kinds of things take time. Xytan will have a good reason for delaying support up until now. Regardless, I need you to keep such thoughts to yourself until we've returned to Addax. Just have a little faith Colts, they're good people once you understand the culture behind their motives."

Colts balked at the other man. "Their 'culture' is what almost led to the total annihilation of our species. Also, the last time I put my faith in one of them, my wife ended up riddled with plasma burns and died in my arms shortly after. Your outpost has given me a new purpose in life and I intend to defend it until my dying breath, even if that means I have to put down a couple of their own in the pro—"

"Simmer down, old man. I have no love for their kind either, but the confrontation that you had with the runner back at Addax could put us in a tough spot should the keep's elder inquire." John stepped in, wearing his own battle dress. "Like it or not, we need their support right now, so tie up those bootstraps and fall in line."

Colts sighed and tugged at his grey beard. "Fine. But just so we're clear, I will not bow down and honor some false king who plays second fiddle to another hiding away in Rak. If this deal of yours finally goes south and we somehow make it out alive, we'll have no choice but to retreat back to Sandholm."

"He'll honor the rest of the deal, I'm absolutely sure of it."

"For all of our sakes, I hope that you're right son."

Armored footfalls then converged on their location with the sentry from before now flanked by two other Sangheili. The desert tones on their armor made them stick out like sore thumbs amongst the vegetation that surrounded them. Each stood at a height well above the humans who were forced to shift their attention upwards even though the Sangheili stopped some distance off.

"Humans, the elder is expecting you shortly in his hut." The sentry looked straight down at Ethan, their predacious eyes causing him to further tighten his grip on the data pad. He didn't find the same warmth within them that he had seen with Xeva. "Keep the youngling close by, it would be a shame if it were to stray too close to the river and drown."

Without another word, the sentry turned and began to make their way towards the red hut in the distance. The two other Sangheili moved to box them in and waited for them to follow the first.

"It!" Colts hissed under his breath as they began to move. However, the man neglected to push the matter further thanks to the death glares coming from both John and Elias, the latter placing himself directly behind his son while they continued towards the large tent. Their presence alone drew the attention of every Sangheili in the area. Some looked on in curiosity but many carried negative expressions that made him feel unwelcomed.

"Stay strong, boy," his father whispered down to him.

As they approached the hut, they began to hear shouting in another language. A heated argument appeared to be in full swing that put even the guards standing outside on edge. The large burgundy curtains in front of the structure were then violently pulled to the side, revealing a Sangheili who pushed the sentry aside and stood before the company of humans. The saurian eyes began to look each of them over in irritation.

"Ahh, it would appear that the vermin have finally arrived." The new Sangheili's voice was filled with venom. Their hardened gaze then fell to Ethan. "And you must be the human child that I've been hearing so much about." The alien took a step forward, forcing the boy to retreat and bump into his father. "At least your primitive mind understands when it is in the presence of a superior—"

"I suggest that you leave the boy alone." Elias placed himself next to his son, unfazed by the aggressive alien in front of them. The rising static in the air made everyone in the courtyard hover over their weapons.

"And has a father to fight his battles for him as well. Xytan 'Rotam has truly gone mad." The Sangheili then addressed the entire group. "Let me issue a warning of my own: your kind are not welcome on Rakoi. That little outpost of yours alongside the other human settlements continue to stand as an insult for every Sangheili lost on Glyke. This is our world now, and there will come a day where you will stand alone, so leave the planet now and your lineage may yet survive."

A deep rumble suddenly erupted from behind the curtains.

"The only one who stands alone is you, Thars 'Sarov." A Sangheili that stood head and shoulders above the rest then came forward, their golden armor shining in the daylight. "Rojka 'Kasaan has chosen cohabitation and so have I, so I suggest holding your tongue and returning to Rak while you still have your honor intact."

Thars sneered at the request. "Honor? Don't talk to me about honor, Xytan 'Rotam, when you've all but uprooted tradition in favor of collaborating with the nishum. I expected to find strength upon visiting your keep, instead, I've found nothing but—"

"Enough!" Xytan roared. "You will honor the decrees of your cousin and Kaidon, or I shall personally make him aware of the slander that has occurred within the halls of my keep. Now go in peace, Thars 'Sarov. I now have more pressing matters to attend to with the humans that stand before you."

Thars' eyes shifted down to the plasma rifle on his thigh and then back up to the giant in front of him. However, as a command in Sangheili brought forward even more guards, the alien turned back to the members of the other race. It was as if he was cementing each of their features into his memory.

"Weakness, all I see is weakness that will only serve to drag the Sangheili down. Enjoy your time on Rakoi while it lasts, because we are too different and such an experiment is doomed to fail in the end."

With that, Thars carried himself towards the path leading up to the dropships, calling out in his native language and being accompanied by a dozen or so other Sangheili, many of which responsible for the poisonous gazes cast their way upon arrival. He soon fell out of view behind the continued efforts to unload supplies from the nearest Phantom.

The Sangheili in front of them sighed. "You have my apologies, gunnery sergeant. I'm afraid that Thars still mourns the loss of my people's colony of Glyke and it has clouded his judgment on certain matters. He is blind to what is best for this world. Unfortunately, he does not truly stand alone on such sentiments. However, I can assure you that your people are safe here," Xytan stated resolutely.

"It is alright, general; we all suffer from a lapse in judgment sometimes. Sadly, there are negative sentiments on both sides due to the war that haven't gone away since its end." Elias looked to Colts briefly. "I owe you an apology as well for what occurred earlier this morning. I'm afraid that I was away from Addax with my son and not available to settle the verbal disagreement that resulted with the runner."

Xytan also shifted his attention to the older human, who appeared to be a lot less sure of himself now that he stood in the presence of the towering alien. "Yes, I was made aware shortly after they returned safely to the keep. See that it doesn't happen again and there will be nothing more to discuss."

The Sangheili's expression then softened as he looked down at the human boy. "Nonetheless, I see that you've also brought Ethan as requested. Come, let us escape this desert heat and discuss matters within the confines of my hut."

[—]


"Will such arrangements work for you, gunnery sergeant?"

Elias sat next to his son and stared across the decorative table that separated the humans from the Sangheili.

Much of their initial discussion with Xytan rehashed the earlier trade agreements that required no further discussion. The harsh reality was that Xytan and his people were also in the process of rebuilding, and despite still having larger numbers at their disposal when compared to the human outpost, the elder chose to focus his efforts within his own keep. However, remaining true to his word, and in typical Sangheili fashion, he also elected to leave Addax alone as a means to test the other race before additional measures could be taken.

After the confession, his son allowed a glimpse of sadness to surface across his expression, which the Sangheili general took immediate notice of. In fact, Ethan was the human that Xytan seemed to focus almost entirely on, even when addressing his father. Any other parent would have found it unsettling, but Elias had been around Xytan long enough to know that the Sangheili was still in the midst of testing his son and meant him no harm.

At the moment, Xeva was nowhere to be found. Instead, Xytan had a dozen of his personal guards and a couple of his advisors in her stead. Like his own people, they chose to largely remain silent unless directly called upon. Thankfully, John and Colts had behaved themselves up to this point, with the latter even offering up finer details to the trade agreements that he neglected to recall or fell out of his line of expertise. After all, Colts had run a shipyard back on Reach before it fell to the Covenant, and despite his xenophobic tendencies, brought with him a well of knowledge that had served as a boon to their outpost.

He briefly looked to others on his side of the table for any signs of disapproval but surprisingly found none.

"Yes general, I believe that such arrangements will work for Addax. My only ask is that you give us more notice in the future as to when you intend to hold meetings such as this. While I seek to strengthen the bonds between our respected settlements, I also intend to make up for lost time with my son."

The golden helmet once again swung in Ethan's direction, the boy had yet to release the data pad from his arms. "You must understand that my current duties result in a dynamic schedule and have offered little in the way of rest these past few months. I also fear that there is still much to be done with regards to even completing the keep itself. However, I understand that humans carry more weight in establishing such connections with their younglings." Xytan turned back to face him. "I promise to give your outpost more notice in the future when meetings such as this arise."

"Thank you, general."

Xytan nodded and pushed himself out of his seat, towering above everyone else in the tent. "With such matters attended to, I now wish to speak with you and your son in a more private setting." Worried expressions on the human side of the table immediately surfaced and several people made a move to get out of their seat but were quelled by a raised hand. "I wish to meet along the riverbank and discuss such topics at length. Your warriors and advisors are welcome to stay inside this hut and converse with my own advisors while we are away. Of course, you'll be returned to them once we've concluded."

"That won't be necessary, I can direct the others back to our vehicles and we can wait for their return there," John cut in with the subtly of sledgehammer, already knowing that it was useless to argue against splitting their party up.

"If that is where you wish to wait, then so be it. However, I'm afraid that I cannot give you humans free rein of this river valley just yet." Xytan then barked a command in his native language, compelling the other Sangheili to their feet. "You'll be safe while in the company of my guards until we've returned. Now go in peace and I look forward to meeting with you all again in the future."

John simply nodded his head and kept his true thoughts hidden; however, Elias received a critical look from Colts as he stood up and followed the others out of the tent, leaving his son and him alone with the keep's elder.

Elias sighed. "You must forgive their shortsightedness, general, they—"

"It's Xytan in an informal setting, Elias, and think nothing of it. My kind are just as guilty, maybe even more so given the circumstances. With that said, I'm afraid that we both face an uphill battle when it comes to changing the hearts of the people we've sworn to protect."

Xytan then moved to their side of the table, kneeling before his son in a manner similar to when they first met. The boy looked up in surprise but held his ground.

"It has not escaped my attention that you've been holding that data pad over your heart since we've first entered my hut. Would you mind explaining to me why that is?"

"I…I was afraid that I'd lose it. It's very important to me," Ethan replied, allowing his voice to be heard by Xytan for the first time in four months.

"And why is that?"

The human paused but then allowed a wave of confidence to carry him as the corners of his mouth lifted. "Because it will help Xeva with her English and I…" The wave immediately came crashing down, the smile wilted, and the boy shifted his gaze to an inconsequential spot on the ground. "I brought it to show her, but she's not here and I've waited for so long..."

It was Xytan's turn to smile. "So quick to lose hope when the path that you seek lies within reach." The Sangheili then offer an outstretched hand to the boy. "Would you like me to lead you to her?"

"She's here!" The boy looked back up and his eyes lit up.

"Yes Ethan, and she's been rather upset at me because of my reluctance to allow you two to see each other since that night, so let's correct that issue before she attempts to overthrow me," the Sangheili's smile grew even further.

The smaller human beamed up at the alien and reached out a hand but hesitated as it neared the leathery appendage that hovered next to him.

"I have no cause to hurt you, Ethan. I would never hear the end of it if I did."

Ethan nodded and allowed his hand to be swallowed up by the Sangheili's. He was then gently pulled to his feet. After releasing him from his grip, Xytan moved to address the boy's father.

"Come, Elias, my niece and your son have waited long enough."

With that, the giant made his way towards a side entrance in the hut, pulling back another curtain and allowing sunlight to once again reflect off of his golden armor. Elias stood up, directing his son to follow the Sangheili outside, where they took an immediate right, made their way down a shallow slope, and continued towards the river's edge.

They then rounded a series of large boulders, the last concealing a sandy beach scattered in palms and a series of flat rocks that dipped beneath the water's surface. Three other shapes then came into view, the first two appeared to be guarding the last, who gazed across the river and towards the keep that loomed in the distance.

Xytan then stopped before the threshold of the beach, turning back to the human adolescent with his mandibles still holding the smile from earlier. However, Ethan faltered and looked down at the data pad that was once again clutched to his chest. The happiness that once coursed through his veins had given way to something else—he was nervous and now afraid to see things through.

Elias moved to stand next to his son. "What's the matter, Ethan? This is the moment that you've been waiting for since we first started putting those lessons together for Xeva."

"What if I do something stupid like last time, or get tongue-tied when trying to talk to her, or make her feel uncomfortable, or...what if she doesn't like me anymore?"

"Life is about taking chances in spite of the uncertainties that shroud the path in front of us. Trust me when I say this: your future self with thank you for choosing to live in the present. Now go, it's unwise to keep a girl waiting."

The boy closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and allowed his confidence to return. "Thank you, father."

"It's not me you should be thanking."

Ethan bobbed his head and turned to the Sangheili in question. "Thank you, Xytan 'Rotam, for allowing me to see your niece again."

The golden helmet shifted up and down, its owner then gestured towards the beach in front of them. "Go to her Ethan, I must discuss a few matters with your father in private. We'll come fetch you once we are finished."

The boy beamed up at Xytan one final time before breaking out into a sprint, blowing past the Sangheili and waving his free hand in order to get Xeva's attention. Her desert-toned helmet shifted in the direction of his voice, revealing a pair of emerald eyes that immediately lit up in recognition. The Sangheili was then on her feet as well, meeting the human halfway with a smile adorned on her mandibles.

Afterwards, the girl motioned for the boy to sit next to her on the rock that she once occupied. She then began to point out objects in the distance as the sound of their distant conversation flooded the beach.

Satisfied, Elias moved himself to stand next to Xytan, who looked equally as pleased with the result.

"A single interaction that occurred a few months ago and yet it's as if they've known each other since birth. I thought the boy to be an extraterrestrial at times, but now things make so much more sense. But in all seriousness, it's a shame that you dragged your feet for so long, Xytan. My son was devastated to have put all of that effort into preparing that data pad for Xeva and not hearing back until this morning."

"Are you questioning my methods, Elias?" The reptilian slits fell his way.

"No, I understand why you did it and would've likely taken similar steps myself if I were placed in your position. It's just a shame that the younger generation had to suffer because of it."

The giant next to him sighed. "I needed to know if your kind could be trusted if left alone. I do not make any of these decisions lightly, especially when it comes to impacting each of our people's future. Regardless, I've still kept my word in the end."

"That you did, and words cannot describe how much I appreciate it."

Both men looked back towards the beach. The pair had switched roles with Xeva now in possession of the data pad and Ethan the one pointing at objects on the screen.

"While I'm happy to see you again, is there something that spurred your decision to meet on such short notice? I've worked with you long enough to know how you operate Xytan, but my son and I ended up having to be chased down out in the oasis in order for the news to reach me in time."

The Sangheili next to him moved onto the beach, sitting down and resting his hands in the warm sands. Elias shrugged his shoulders and joined him soon after, adopting a similar posture.

Xytan then gestured towards the river in front of them. "A reminder of Glyke, an open wound that still festers and hardens the hearts of a great many Sangheili that now call Rakoi their home. Billions dead and complete lineages wiped out in the blink of an eye."

"A war crime that came as an answer to another," Elias responded, immediately thinking of Reach.

Xytan nodded. "While I can understand their pain, they often fail to see the other side of the equation, which will only lead us into another war if we stand by and let them succumb to the same poisonous thoughts that the San'Shyuum fed our people for years."

"Should I be concerned about this Thars 'Sarov and his connections to your Kaidon?"

Xytan laughed at the question. "Thars is a spiteful creature that is equally as spineless. You saw the way he retreated like a startled Unggoy once I intervened. I believe you humans have a saying for it, involving some manner of domesticated fur animal."

"His bark is worse than his bite," Elias offered. "I can't really blame him though, because I've seen the way that you throw that body of yours around in a fight. Poor bastard would've been flattened before he even had a chance to retaliate."

His last statement earned him another laugh. "Perhaps, but enough of him. I'm more interested in learning how an ODST makes up for lost time with his son."

"And if that same ODST tells you to mind your own business?"

"Think of it as another demand from the 'overbearing tyrant.'"

"Hey now, I used that descriptor once in the heat of battle and you were busting my balls at the time," the human shot back out of indignation.

"Yes, because the other descriptors were so much better. I believe 'oversized dinosaur' came to be your favorite."

"A term of endearment. Besides, it came about after you decided to nearly get yourself killed due to charging into a detachment of Jiralhanae head-on, while we were supposed to be waiting for backup, selfish bastard." He muttered the last part underneath his breath.

Shouting from afar interrupted their conversation. Elias looked to the source of the commotion, only to find that his son was now sprawled out across the sand with Xeva standing over him with a concerned expression on her face. The man made a move to stand up but was prevented from doing so by a four-fingered hand that forced him back into a seated position.

"Your son decided to spark banter between the two and my niece decided that a playful shove was in order. Please allow her to make up for her mistake, she needs to learn how to control her strength."

"By practicing it on my son?!"

"She would never intentionally harm the boy, especially now that they've been reunited. Besides, I suspect that your son needs to uncover his own strength."

Elias looked on as the younger Sangheili offered her hand to Ethan, who accepted the gesture without hesitation and was slowly pulled back to his feet. Xeva then aided the human back into his seat with an apologetic expression on her face. Ethan smiled back and appeared to reassure her that he was okay.

He sighed. "Ethan acts just like his mother. He's kindhearted and open-minded, yet lacking the survival instincts and grit of a warrior. I've been trying to instill such qualities in him and today was no different. I took him out into the Masov Oasis to track a herd of enubaro that was spotted in the area. We found a straggler and I gave him a chance to prove himself."

"Which he did."

Xytan's correct response gave him pause but he continued soon after.

"The round hit between the front shoulders and severed its spine. It was a clean kill and I was proud of him. The boy was ecstatic, but it only served to remind him of your niece. And…" A thought suddenly occurred to him. "Apologies Xytan, but something I failed to bring to your attention in the meeting is that Ethan and I came across the tunnels of a kali'thra while out in the oasis. We suspect that the dry season may have influenced its decision to enter the oasis."

"I'm already aware of its presence as well as the situation that you found yourselves in this morning, which is another reason that I wanted to speak with you in private."

The dots finally connected in his head and the human narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "You swindling, overstuffed lizard...you sent another Sangheili to shadow us this morning, didn't you?"

Xytan's mandibles twisted into a knowing smile. "I did say that you would be closely monitored. If it makes you feel any better, you could think of it as extra protection should things have escalated further with my larger, feathered cousin."

The alien's expression then turned serious. "However, the fact remains that one has surfaced in the region and I was hoping that your outpost would consider aiding my people in investigating the area in the near future. Members of the keep are aware of the superstitions surrounding such creatures, but we're still very much newcomers to this world. Think of it as a peace offering should we uncover anything where the creature decided to surface."

Elias' gaze softened. "I'd consider lending support to the cause but would have to converse with my people first. However, we were already in the midst of coordinating efforts to visit the site, so I can't imagine it will take too much to convince the others, despite those who carry stronger opinions about the Sangheili. Just promise me that you'll ease up on the eavesdropping. I want us to work together again and not go behind each other's back, even if the underline intentions are good."

Xytan placed an armored fist across his chest. "You have my word." He then bowed his massive head and then looked back towards Elias' son. "In the end, my methods were meant to keep your youngling safe."

"He already has a father that does that. Also, don't try and deny that you meant to test the boy as well."

"Hmm." Xytan suddenly appeared to be lost in thought as the golden helmet shifted from the human boy to the Sangheili girl. "I'm guessing that you still have that drawing tucked away inside that armor of yours."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Drawing? What in the world are you..." His mind sifted through the possible options and eventually came to an understanding. "Ah, you mean the photo that I pulled out before every engagement." He delved into a side compartment in his armor and then brought forth a battle-scarred photograph of his family. Of course, there was him, Vivian, Ethan, and his—

"May I see it?" Xytan asked out of the blue.

"Uhm, sure thing chief." He then passed the photograph to the Sangheili, who held it out in front of them. His wife's brown hair and blue eyes were unfazed as a result of the countless battles that he had carried her through.

"She was beautiful. Vivian was her name if I recall correctly. A shame that I can't tell her in person how much Ethan looks like her. He even has her eyes." The photograph was then passed back to him.

"The boy took her death hard, especially when he was separated from his younger brother shortly after, who was presumed dead after UNSC forces liberated the area. I was in an entirely different system at the time and only learned of the news after my ass was pulled out of the fire."

"You've told me this story once before; it was my kind's doing. A tragedy, no child should ever have to witness their parent's death at the hands of another." Xytan shifted his saurian gaze down to the human beside him. "Despite the name-calling, you were surprisingly tolerant to my presence considering the circumstances. I'm now curious as to why that was the case."

Elias ran a hand across the back of his neck. "Part of it was because I had grown so accustomed to death at that point and was numb to the pain, especially after the search efforts for Ethan's brother turned up nothing. The rest I chalk up to a willingness to see the mission through in order to return to my surviving son. Of course, your charming personality and scaliness grew on me with time. Hardship also has a funny way of bringing dissimilar people together."

Xytan looked back at the younger human. "That it does. Perhaps you and your wife's personalities were more intertwined than you believe. I see shades of you in him as well. And the way you willingly shed your old life in order for your offspring to find success in this one is…admirable."

"Not getting sentimental again, are we general?"

The mass of gold next to him failed to answer, instead, Xytan focused all of his attention on the pair of emeralds that hung in the distance.

"Xeva has never known the true identity of her father. As you probably know, the purpose of this is to not give one youngling a distinct advantage over another when it comes to finding their place in this world. The strongest and most capable will naturally rise to the top through the effect of their own merits.

"But Sanghelios and her people are changing, Elias. With the tendrils of the San'Shyuum cast aside, we are now on the cusp of a cultural renaissance, one that challenges the rigid roles of old and the very fabric of what makes a Sangheili a Sangheili.

"Like you, I was looking to start over after the war, but was soon placed into a seat of power because my clan was decimated and few remained to take up the mantle. Deemed the most capable to carry us through the hardships, yet powerless to pursue the one thing that pulled me back in the first place. With that said, I need you to promise me that what comes out of my mouth next will not leave this beach," Xytan finished.

Elias gazed up at the man beside him, still unsure as to what he was driving towards. However, he wasn't about to say no to someone he'd consider his friend. He placed a gloved hand over his chest. "You have my word."

Xytan nodded and looked back at his niece. "Xeva is very much like her father was growing up, strong-minded and protective over those who she deems worthy of her attention. However, she is also temperamental and impulsive. Up to this point, she has been difficult to control and I fear that my newest position has only accentuated these negative traits."

Elias couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like most children really, human at least. I'm sure that she'll grow out of it with time." He observed the pair from a distance, Xeva had since shifted herself closer to Ethan and allowed him to lean on her in order for him to better walk her through whatever was now on the data pad. Both were now also smiling like idiots. "Despite the earlier shove, you wouldn't think such negative traits even existed."

"She acts like an entirely different Sangheili when around your boy, which is further proof that there's a powerful, yet gentle creature just underneath those scales, one that I've been trying to pull to the surface these last few months. She's as stubborn as they come and has chased away a great many of her kind because of her attitude."

"What happened to her father?"

"Dead as a result of the war, or that is what she has come to believe. Regardless, she's developed an obsession for uncovering the truth and longs for a similar bond to what exists between a human child and their father, which has made hiding his real identity difficult, to say the least."

Elias thought about what Xytan had said and done so far while on Carrow, a sudden realization came to mind. He then moved to place a hand on the golden armor next to him. Xytan was far too tall for him to reach his shoulder comfortably, but his improvised gesture would suffice nonetheless. "A father's daughter indeed—Xeva isn't the only one who now longs for such a relationship. For her father never died and has simply donned a mask and looks on from afar, or at least that's how it was supposed to happen. Am I sufficiently over the target, Xytan?"

Xeva's father lowered his head and sighed.

"She's all but scorned me over the topic, and I've come to envy the relationship that you have with your son. For like you, she's my only surviving child and the war opened my eyes to the harsh truth that comes with how my people raise their young. Imagine observing from a distance, watching them stumble, yet never truly being able to support them due to the rigid nature of your culture. I want her to know me as Ethan knows you, but success has become my cage."

"Yet you took a more direct approach anyways."

"Which wasn't a problem until I assumed my new role. My status and attempt to play a larger role in her life have only made her more abrasive, which is the very thing that I set out to correct. Nothing was working and she was pushing more and more of her own people away, including me."

The human couldn't help but chuckle. Everything was beginning to make sense now.

"Until you were notified that a human outpost had encroached on your lands and you started digging into the details. Because in the end, you needed an outsider's perspective." Elias then looked at his son, who was in the middle of a game of charades with Xeva. Her visage shifted from one of confusion to one of amusement as the emeralds lit up in understanding. "And you found one in him."

Xytan's mandibles shifted into a smile.

"Ethan can help her become the Sangheili that I know she can be, that the keep needs her to be. Of course, I also wish for your son to understand our culture and the ways in which it is changing for the better. However, like your outpost, their relationship will be closely monitored by interested parties on both sides of the aisle. Because despite what Thars 'Sarov may think, the notion that humans and Sangheili can live in peace is alive and well. With the Kaidon's graces, your outpost is now under my protection for the foreseeable future."

Elias lowered his hand back into the warm sand. The Sangheili next to him had offered his son a chance to make something of himself. While he trusted Xytan, he was still unsure as to whether the Sangheili as a whole wouldn't take advantage of his family somewhere down the line. He wanted a small, quiet life for them, not another target on their backs. However, Addax needed Xytan's support and Ethan would never forgive him if he were to bar him from seeing Xeva.

A risk worth taking that would hopefully pay off in the end. He took one last look at his son, who was now giggling alongside Xeva as they laid against the flat rock and looked out towards the keep in the distance, its silhouette looking far less menacing than it had before. Ethan's father thought some more and then finally made a decision.

"Alright Xytan, let's talk specifics."

[—]


Closing Notes:

While largely a setup and worldbuilding chapter, I hope that it entertained nonetheless. The next chapter will focus back in on Xeva and Ethan's relationship. I have some fun interactions in mind, so stay tuned!

Thanks again, and constructive feedback is always welcomed.