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Threshold
Forerunner Gas Mine
9th Age of Reclamation
The moment Thel heard R'tas words, his blood went from being warm, to being ice cold. Sniffing the air, he realized what they were going up against. The Parasite, he thought, horror suffusing his veins.
The Parasite, known to the heretical Humans as the Flood, was one of the few threats that could make a seasoned Sangheili warrior break out into a cold sweat, and with good reason. The Flood was not a force to be trifled with; one had to destroy it, or otherwise it would consume all that stood in it's way. While heretical, Halo's destruction had stopped the spread of the monstrous pestilence that was the Flood.
Apparently, I was wrong to think that was true, he thought. Hearing gasping, Thel looked to see Bero leaning against the wall. The younger Sangheili was not doing good; his eyes were widened, his pupils constricted fully, and his breath was coming in deep, but quick, gasps. Both eyes darted around, almost as though they were searching for a threat to avoid.
Concerned, Thel moved to comfort the younger Sangheili, only for R'tas to move forwards first. "Bero," he called out, his voice calm and comforting, as though he was speaking to a frightened child. "Bero, breath. You're going to be fine. Calm yourself." Moving closer, he gently held the younger Sangheili in a comforting hug.
That seemed to snap Bero out of that state, as he gasped once before relaxing, wrapping both arms around R'tas muscular body. "I-I'm sorry, Commander," he gasped. "I-I don't k-know what happened. One moment, we were entering, the next I-I was…"
"I know what was happening," R'tas replied. "Your mind is warning you of what might happen if you let them infect you once again. It is also punishing you for what happened on the Infinite Succor, even though there was nothing you could've done to save yourself. I will do what I can to help you, but I need you to collect yourself and breath."
For a minute, Bero did just that, breathing in and out slowly in an effort to calm his racing mind. Slowly, but surely, his hearts stopped hammering in his chest, the knots in his stomach relaxed, and his mind became tranquil once more. Letting go of R'tas, he said, "Thank you, R'tas."
"You are welcome, Bero," R'tas nodded. "If you need to leave, I can -"
"No," Bero firmly stated. "I cannot. If I do, I will allow my fear to control me, and I will be weak because of it. What better way to conquer your fear, and replace it with cautious respect, than to face it head on, so that you never have to be afraid ever again?"
R'tas had to admit, Bero had a good point, though he feared that the younger Sangheili was being foolish and headstrong. Nevertheless, he knew that Bero outranked him, and as such, he couldn't refuse him. "If that is what you want, then I will not stop you," he decided moments later.
As Bero moved ahead of them, Thel walked over to R'tas and said, "I fear for his life, R'tas. If Bero has another moment of panic like that -"
"He won't," R'tas replied. "I don't know how I know, but I do know that he will remain firm and strong even when facing the Parasite. We must press onwards now; every moment we delay is another that the Heretic Leader uses to get further from us." Finding that to be completely agreeable, the two moved forwards.
The first room they passed through was nondescript, with the only noteworthy thing being a large biohazard container that held a sickly green liquid inside, likely Flood material. Moving through the room, they passed through a door into a hallway that had transparent walls and flooring. While Thel couldn't see anything in the fog that pervaded the room below, he did hear the muffled sounds of what sounded like a fight. Not wanting to find out anymore, he continued forwards.
The next room he entered was a large room that was split into two levels. The first level, where he was at, was mostly catwalks with transparent sections. The bottom level, however, had a number of columns, as well as what looked like a door down below. He also thought he could smell the sickly sweet stench of putrefaction down there.
Looking around on the upper level, he couldn't find any doors that led ahead. I do not like this, he thought as he looked below himself. Something is not right. I feel as though we are walking into an ambush. Still, there was no other path forwards, so he gently hopped down onto the lower level.
When he landed, he found the source of the smell. Flood bodies were on the ground, as well as a number of Heretic Elite corpses that were lying around. Blood was splattered onto the walls, as well as on the floor, painting a macabre scene. "By the gods," an Elite gasped, "what happened here?"
"Me have bad feeling about this," one of the Grunts remarked.
"You always have bad feeling," his compatriot grumbled. "You had bad feeling about morning food nipple!"
Irritated, another Sangheili growled, "Close your jaws, or I will bind them shut!"
"Hush!" Thel ordered, with everyone falling silent. "Do you hear that?"
"I do," Bero replied.
As he said this, a floating orb of some kind flew into the room, a quiet whining sound coming from it as it moved through the air. On some hidden command, it flew downward into the room, before coming to a stop just above the floor. As soon as it did, the image of the Heretic Elite's leader shimmered into existence.
"See! Heretic!" a Grunt shouted, firing it's plasma pistol. The plasma simply passed through the hologram, with the Heretic Leader chuckling at the Grunt's antics.
"Hold your fire!" R'tas ordered. "Hold your fire!"
Once the hologram reformed, the Heretic Leader began speaking. "I wondered who the Prophets would sen to silence me." Looking at Thel, he said, "An Arbiter? I'm flattered."
"He's using a holo-drone," R'tas observed. "He must be close. Come out so we can kill you."
The Heretic Leader laughed, a cold, chilling sound that echoed in the room like the laughter of a ghost. "Get in line. That is, if you do not become the servants of the horrors awaiting you." With that, the hologram winked out of existence, with the holo-drone falling onto the floor with a light, tapping sound.
As soon as that happened, Thel heard it: a disgusting, slithering sound, like something wet was being dragged across porous rock or slime. It was a sound that R'tas and Bero were all too familiar with. "Leader!" a Sangheili shouted.
"Stand firm," R'tas ordered. "The Flood is upon us." As soon as he said that, all hell broke loose.
Without any preamble, Infection Forms dropped down from the ceiling and onto the ground. Large, ugly, bulbous things, they moved with a speed that belied their size and danger. One burrowed into the corpse of a Sangheili, while others raced towards any bodies that were suitable hosts.
As he fired, Thel watched as the corpse of the infected Sangheili stood up, it's body mutating grotesquely as the Infection Form reanimated the bead body. By the gods, he realized with horror as the creature charged at him. Not even the dead are safe from the Parasite's touch! Dodging to the left, he drew his Energy Sword and plunged it into the creature's chest.
Apparently, the corpse's weakened structure couldn't take the blow. Within seconds, the creature disintegrated, it's body falling apart as pure plasma tore through it's flesh. Shattered remnants of armor and bones fell to the ground. Sickly green liquid splattered onto the ground, or boiled when it hit the energy blade. The smell of putrefaction was replaced almost immediately with the smell of burnt and charred flesh.
All around him, the others fought desperately to keep the tide of undead corpses at bay. A Grunt screamed as an Infection Form burrowed into it's flesh, with the Grunt mutating into a grotesque, fleshy sack that began to swell. "Help… me," it gasped, it's mind remaining somewhat intact. As an answer, an Elite plunged an Energy Sword into it's back, mercy killing the Grunt.
Soon, the undead tide of Flood began to taper off, with less and less coming to assault them. As he killed the last one, Thel heard a loud scream. Turning around, he watched with horror as an Infection Form latched onto Bero, it's proboscis piercing into his flesh. Screaming, Bero grabbed at the creature and was about to wrench it off when somethinghappened.
It was as though something about him was off, as the Infection Form let out a loud squeal before trying to tear itself off of him. Much to everyone's surprise, the creature was literally stuck, unable to even remove the proboscis. If it wasn't for the horror of what was going on, the scene would've been comedic. What happened next, however, left everyone speechless.
The Infection Form began to melt into Bero's flesh, it's body being slowly merged with the younger Sangheili's body. Feeling desperation and fear for the first time in it's life, the Infection Form relentlessly struggled to break free, to little avail. Within thirty seconds, it had been half-absorbed by Bero's body; within another thirty seconds, it had been fully absorbed. The only evidence that it had existed, was the hole it had torn into Bero's tech suit.
Thel's eyes were as wide as they could go, his mandibles having drooped out of shock. By the gods, he thought, his mind racing as he processed what had happened. Words could not describe the surprise that was now causing his mind to race. A moment later, he asked, "Bero, w-what happened?"
"I… I don't know," Bero replied, his eyes wide with the same shock. "Did… did I just… absorb that… thing?"
"It looks like it," R'tas agreed, the same shock running through his mind. Moments later, the battle hardened veteran regained his senses, becoming serious once more. "Are you alright? Is the Parasite in control of you?"
"No," Bero replied. "I-I don't know how, but I'm… still myself." Looking at R'tas, he asked, "What's… happening to me?"
"I don't know," R'tas remarked, "but it appears as though the mutations you suffered earlier might have something to do with it. We will investigate once this mission is done. If anything else happens, Bero, inform us immediately. You understand?"
"Yes," Bero replied.
"Then we must continue onward." As he said this, the door opened. As they moved through, R'tas pulled Thel aside and said, "I'll follow when more reinforcements arrive. While you pursue the Heretic Leader, keep an eye on Bero. I'm worried about him?"
"Why?" Thel asked. "Is he a threat?"
"No," R'tas replied. "I'm worried about his mind. It's only recently healed. Who knows what wounds might reopen when given the chance? Just make sure he comes out of this sane and alive. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now go. I'll follow when I can." With that, R'tas released Thel, allowing him to catch up with the others ahead.
He didn't need to look far, as he soon found where the others had arrived at. Beyond a small airlock room was a large, cylindrical shaft that stretched downwards around a hundred meters. The elevator was shaped like an octagon, with a central elevator column running through the middle of the elevator. The shaft had some walls that were deep set, while others had what appeared to be containers of some sort inside of smaller shafts.
Unfortunately, the Flood had managed to get in here as well, as Thel found that the other Elites had engaged them in battle. Pulling out his plasma rifle, he quickly went to work silencing the offending creatures. Plasma bolts flew through the air as they fought.
Out of all of them, Bero was perhaps the most infuriated, and with good reason. "You foul creatures would dare infest my body?!" He screamed, spittle flying out of his mouth. "I will teach you Parasites what happens when you dare infect me, you foul, loathsome, creatures!" His Energy Sword was a blur, with Flood being cut down every time he swung the weapon.
Eventually, there were none left, with the bodies around Bero showing the most damage. "You alright?" Thel asked.
"I'm fine," Bero replied. "I hate these things!"
"This place is filled with the Parasite," an Elite murmured. "Not even the heretics deserve this."
No, Thel thought in agreement. No one deserves this. If there was a fate that Thel didn't wish upon his worst enemies, it was infection by the Flood. They destroy everything that makes a person a person, leaving only a husk that they can control. No one deserves to die like that.
He was about to move when the elevator platform began to descend. "Arbiter," Bero called out. "The shaft down below likely contains more Flood! We must remain vigilant."
"Agreed," Thel nodded. With that, he prepared for a battle.
Later on, he would describe it as one of the more protracted battles that he'd fought as a warrior. The elevator moved slowly down the shaft, stopping periodically to collect more of the canisters in the walls. During the trip downward, Flood relentlessly attacked them, with most of the Elites avoiding infection.
Not all of them were lucky, though. As they moved downward, Thel heard a scream of pure agony behind himself. Turning around, he spotted an Infection Form burrowing into an Elite's chest. Acting fast, he fired on the creature, killing it as the Elite fell down.
Running over, he could see the wound, which was already becoming gangrenous. "K-kill me, Arbiter," the Elite gasped, pain in his eyes as the veins in his neck turned a sickly green color. "I do not wish… to become… one of them."
"You will not," Thel replied. "I will assure it." In a single motion, he beheaded the Elite, while splitting it's body down the middle. Thel watched as the Elite, now beheaded, mouthed the words 'thank you', then his eyes rolled up into his head, his expression becoming one of peaceful sleep.
While he'd seen death before, this particular death hit Thel hard. Falling onto his knees, he could feel tears streaming down his face. Unbidden, he began to whisper a Sangheili death chant, asking the gods to give the fallen warrior comfort, and to ensure that his spirit found its way to it's ancestors. After that, he got up, his eyes still streaming tears as he advanced forwards.
He nearly jumped when Bero came over, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "You did what you could," he said to the Arbiter. "Not many, Arbiter, would've done the same. I fully believe that he is thanking you for saving him from a terrible fate right now."
"I know," Thel replied. Turning to Bero, he asked, "Are you doing well?"
"No," Bero replied. "I still wonder how I survived, when one of my friends died in front of my eyes. Why am I so special? What makes me able to survive the Flood, when all of my friends are consumed by it?"
"I don't know, Bero, but I intend to find out when we can. Promise me this: that you will help us finish this mission. We need as much help as we can get."
"I fully intend to complete this mission, Arbiter. When we return, though, I will ask the Huragok in the apothecariums to find the source of my immunity. Perhaps we can give other Sangheili the chance to survive the Parasite."
"Maybe. We must make haste now."
"Agreed." With that, the elevator came to a stop, with a doorway leading further into the facility.
The doorway led into a hallway that was littered with bodies. As they advanced, one of the Elites said, "We should've brought weapons to burn these bodies. Everyone is a potential vessel of the Flood." Thel nodded in agreement, even as Bero dismembered the bodies with his Energy Sword to render them useless to the Parasite.
The hallway took a sharp turn to the left, before opening into the observation room for what appeared to be a chamber of some kind. Looking inside, Thel could see what appeared to be weapon emplacements, some raised platforms in the room, as well as a door on the far end of the room. The Heretic Elites and Flood were locked in a massive battle with each other.
Turning around, he was about to leave when a Combat Form tackled him. The blow was powerful enough that he staggered back, smashing into the transparent material behind him. Weakened by age, the material shattered like glass, with both Sangheili and Combat Form falling into the chamber. "Arbiter!" Bero shouted.
Thel's breath came in short, quick gasps as he fought the creature on top of him. Both eyes widened as he saw the Infection Form in the creature beginning to extend it's proboscis, fully intent on infecting him as well. Roaring out of fear and effort, he hurled the creature off of him, before stabbing it in the chest with his Energy Sword. "I'm alright," he called out to Bero. "I need some help! There are too many in here for me to handle alone!"
"We're coming," Bero shouted. Moments later, he and the other surviving SpecOps Elites jumped down into the chamber. "Keep the Arbiter safe!" he shouted. "Silence the Heretics and purge the Flood. Let none survive!"
The fight that happened next was intense, though Thel would only recall it as a blur of movement, plasma fire and desperate calls for aid. What he did recall, though, was that they had slowly beaten the Flood and Heretics back. Eventually, they managed to break free, entering the doorway on the other side.
"Whew," an Elite gasped. "That was far too close for my liking."
"I agree," another replied, massaging a sore shoulder. "We were nearly killed there. Let us hope that things are easier from now on."
Moments later, the airlock door they were in opened, allowing them to access the exterior walkways of the base. As soon as he stepped outside, Thel was nearly swept off of his feet by a howling gale. Looking around, he gasped when he found that the storm was upon them. It was now twilight, with lighting providing the most illumination.
"Leader, the storm is about to hit!" a Phantom pilot shouted. "We cannot maintain our position!"
"Bring the Phantoms closer to the mine," R'tas ordered calmly. "We're not leaving until the leader of these Heretics is dead." Thel heard a crackle on his BattleNet transceiver, with R'tas shouting, "Arbiter, the Flood have spread throughout this station! We don't have enough troops to manage such a large infestation! Find the leader of these Heretics! Kill him now!"
"We are on it," Thel replied. "He has proven to be a clever foe, but his time is running short." Turning to the others, he shouted. "Follow me! We must find the Heretic Leader!" With that, they advanced forwards, weapons ready.
The Flood, and Heretics, didn't make this job easy at all. Throughout the entire trek up the winding ramps, they had to fight off Sentinels, Flood and Heretics, each one trying to kill or infect them. As he moved up the ramp, Thel thought he spotted the Heretic Leader duck into a doorway. You won't escape me now, he snarled inwardly.
Following the Heretic Leader inside, he found himself entering a massive chamber, tall enough that it could house several Phantoms with room to spare. The center of the room was empty, but he spotted ramps that led upwards to platforms over his head. Looking ahead, he spotted a doorway, with the Heretic Leader running pell mell for the door.
Snarling, Thel charged after him, while the others dealt with the Flood and Heretics. Just as he was about to catch up, an energy barrier activated, throwing him backwards. As he got up, the Heretic Leader said, "This will save me from the storm, but you will be consumed."
Roaring, Thel smashed his fist into the barrier as the door behind it closed. "Arbiter," R'tas asked has he and the others came closer, "where is he?" Thel merely snorted as he motioned to the door behind himself. "Stinking Flood bait boxed himself in tight. We'll never break through this!"
As R'tas said this, Thel looked at a hologram of the station. Looking at where the cables were at, he began to think to himself. Wait a minute, he realized. If I sever the cables at their connection points, 'Refumee will be forced to abandon his hiding place and flee. A moment later, he told R'tas, "Then we shall force him out."
"How?" R'tas asked.
"That cable. I'm going to cut it. Get everyone back to the ships."
"I'm coming with you," Bero decided.
"It's too dangerous," Thel replied. "I do not want to risk you, Bero."
"You'll need help," Bero replied. "Fighting against the Flood alone is a senseless plan. I will keep them distracted while you cut the cables."
For a moment, Thel looked as though he was about to protest, then he said, "If that is what you wish, then I won't stop you."
"Warriors," R'tas announced, "the Arbiter and Bero is going to continue upward, cut this cable loose and scare the Heretic from his hole!"
"May our Lords guide your hand," an Elite told Thel.
"We shall not forget your sacrifice," another agreed.
As he moved towards the ramp leading upwards, R'tas said, "Keep your blade handy. I doubt the cable can withstand its bite."
"Agreed," Thel nodded. With that, he and Bero began to move upwards, towards an elevator lift that the hologram had identified as the way up. Moving up, he was about to head for the second platform when an energy beam shot past him. "Sentinels!" he shouted.
"I've got them," Bero shouted, firing his plasma rifle. "You keep moving forwards!" With that, the two advanced, with Bero providing cover fire, while Thel advanced towards the elevator shaft. Reaching it, he hit the required glyph, with the elevator quickly moving upward.
Eventually, they managed to reach the top, with the lift coming into a chamber. It was massive, with the entire chamber shaped like a triangle. On each corner was a mounting point for the cable preventing the gas mine from falling into the deeper layers of the gas giant. Three pairs of ramps led to the upper level, where the cables could be accessed.
The Flood and Sentinels were engaged in a heated battle, with neither side paying much attention to the two at all. "I'll keep them distracted," Bero informed Thel. "You will cut the cables while you can."
"Agreed," Thel nodded. With that, the two went about their jobs.
As they did so, R'tas said, "All of my Phantoms are in the air, Arbiter. Go ahead, cut that cable!" Moving forwards, Thel reached the first cable, which was anchored to the station. Drawing his Energy Sword, he began to slash and hack at it.
It didn't take long for the cable to fail. With a loud SNAP-TWANG, the cable snapped, with the free end quickly retracting upwards. At the same time, the station began to lean towards the affected corner, with bodies and dropped weapons sliding that direction. Whoa, he thought as the station listed, barely having enough time to hold onto something.
"That's one," R'tas reported. "By the Prophet's, look at the station list!"
No need to tell me twice, Thel thought as he moved for the second one. The Sentinels had taken notice, only for Bero to distract them once more. Reaching the second cable, Thel did the same thing. Again, the station listed, this time, away from the last cable.
As the station listed, Thel watched as the floor sharply slanted downward, with the Flood struggling to hold on. "Bero!" he shouted as the younger Sangheili held on for dear life, having nearly been knocked off the other side by a Combat Form.
As he struggled to keep his grip on the edge of the ledge, Bero could see his life flashing before his eyes. Memories whipped past his eyes with the speed of a Banshee, from the first time he tasted a meal, to when he became a member of the Covenant. I remember when I pledged my life to uphold the Covenant, he thought as he held on. Now… for the first time in my life… I'm not ready to die. Even as he thought this, his grip failed.
For a moment, Bero thought that this was the end, that his life was about to end right here and now. What he did not know, was that his life had only just begun. Something wondrous was about to happen to him, something that had begun the moment the Flood had infected him on the Infinite Succor.
As he fell, Bero felt a sharp pain in his back, along with an increasing tightness. Gasping, he tore his chest and back armor off, just as something ruptured through his tech suit. The next thing he knew, he was not falling: he was flying. Gasping, he looked behind himself to see what had happened.
To his amazement, he spotted two large, bat-like wings that had grown out of his back. Powerful muscles rippled under this skin, with both wings beating in order to keep him flying through the air. At first, he was confused, then he realized it. That pain in my head! My body was mutating further! That infection form must've triggered another beneficial mutation: I can shape-shift now!
A roar of laughter erupted from his mouth as he realized that the Flood had unwittingly helped him. Beating his new appendages, he flew back up to the platform, where he landed by a stunned Thel. "How?" the Arbiter asked, both eyes as wide as they could go. "How did-?"
"Not now!" Bero shouted. "We must drive the Heretic out of his hiding place!" At first, Thel looked like he was about to demand answers, then he shook his head and refocused on the cable. With a final swing, he severed the last one.
Two things happened then. The first was that the station suddenly leveled out, with both Elites falling flat onto their backs. The second was the thing that Thel had hoped for; up above them, the cable had begun to give way, the strong material unable to maintain a proper connection. In an instant, the connectors slipped free, with the last one tearing free of the station.
Just like that, the station entered free fall. In just two seconds, Thel found himself floating over the floor, his body having become weightless as it too entered free fall.
"I've got you," Bero shouted, beating his newfound wings powerfully. Grabbing a hold of Thel, he flew over to the elevator platform, hitting the glyph moments later. With that, the lift descended, with Bero holding the two down on the ground. Once he felt weigh return, he let go.
"That did it," R'tas reported. "The station is in free-fall! The Heretic Leader is on the move! Do not let him escape! We'll keep pace as best as we can!"
"Move!" Thel roared, with both Sangheili running as quickly as they could.
Much of their high speed chase through the facility was a blur, with Bero and Thel fighting through any Heretics that stood in their way. It wasn't long before they reached a platform outside. Spotting the Heretic Leader, Thel fired his weapons, with the Heretic Leader returning fire as well. Running, he got into a Banshee, just as Thel got outside.
Seeing the Banshee turning around, both his eyes went wide in alarm, just as he rolled forwards behind another Banshee. Plasma bolts raked the ground where he'd been, though they missed thanks to his quick thinking. Firing off a couple shots, Thel quickly boarded the Banshee he found, with Bero flying just behind him.
"What lunacy!" R'tas shouted. "He'll never escape this maelstrom in a – Wait! The hangar bay! There was a Seraph fighter docked inside! Arbiter, you know what to do!"
Gunning the throttle, Thel charged forwards, ignoring a pair of Banshees that fired at him. One of the shots clipped the fighter, forcing it into an aileron roll. As it neared the platform ahead, he realized it was going to crash. With a shout, he threw himself out, just as the fighter was upright. With a loud, "OOOFFFFF!", he smacked into the platform's edge as the Banshee crashed. Shaking his head, he huffed in frustration as Bero landed nearby, with both Sangheili running inside.
Again, they ran through the facility, fighting off any Flood and Heretics inside. Having been through those areas before, they were able to quickly backtrack through the facility. Reaching the hangar bay, Thel spotted the Heretic Leader clambering onto the Seraph. "Turn, heretic!" Thel shouted.
There was a moment where the Heretic Leader was about to continue, then he stopped and turned around. "Arbiter," he spat angrily. "I would rather die at your hands than allow the Prophets to lead me to the slaughter." Facing Thel, he dropped off the fighter and onto the ground.
"Who has told you these lies," Thel growled. He got his answer moments later, when someone began to hum. Moments later, a large orb with an optical receptor came down towards them. "The Oracle!" Thel gasped.
"Greetings," the Oracle replied. "I am 343 Guilty Spark! I am the Monitor of Installation 04!"
"Ask the Oracle about Halo," 'Refumee told Thel. "How they would sacrifice us all for nothing!"
"What do you mean?" Thel asked, confused.
"Oracle, what does he mean by this?" Bero asked.
"He refers to the primary function that Halo has, or had rather," Guilty Spark replied. "My makers designed Halo to contain the Flood, and render it harmless. Perhaps when we leave, we can -" Just as Guilty Spark was about to continue, 'Refumee fired on Thel and Bero, forcing the two to take cover.
"The Elites are blind, Arbiter," 'Refumee declared as he used his armor's jump jets to land on the Seraph. "But I will make them see."
Counting down, Thel and Bero moved out, only to see three 'Refumee's. "Which one?" Thel asked as the copies opened fire.
"I have him," Bero snarled. Leaping into the air, he used his newfound wings to fly forwards. "The copies don't do any damage! The real one can!" As he said this, he angled directly at 'Refumee.
To say that the Heretic Leader was surprised was an understatement. Still, he didn't lose his wits for a moment, as the two began beating at each other when they collided. How is he so strong, 'Refumee thought as he grappled with Bero, eyes widened at the younger Sangheili's musculature. It is as though he is made out of living metal!
Just as he thought this, Bero angled towards a column. Before 'Refumee could correct, both of them collided with the column, stunning the two as they landed on the ground. Recovering faster, Bero, who was now in an aggravated state, did something dramatic: he bit down on 'Refumee's neck.
In an instant, his teeth sharpened and elongated, becoming strong and sharp enough to penetrate 'Refumee's tech suit. 'Refumee screamed, a loud, wailing sound as Bero's teeth sliced into his neck. Within seconds, one of 'Refumee's arteries was severed, with blue blood spewing out. Letting go, Bero watched as 'Refumee staggered backwards, his movements becoming feeble as his lifeblood spilled onto the ground. In thirty seconds, he was incapable of holding back the tide of blue blood coming out of his neck. In another thirty seconds, he was incapable of doing anything.
Walking over, Thel looked at Bero and at 'Refumee's corpse. "It is done," he said.
"It is," Bero replied, wiping at his mandibles. "Sorry about that. I was… aggravated."
"It's alright," Thel nodded. With that, he began dragging 'Refumee's blood soaked body towards the hangar door.
"Unfortunate," Guilty Spark remarked as the hangar doors opened. "His edification was most memorable."
"I had no choice, Holy Oracle," Thel replied as he let the body drop. "This heretic imperiled the Great Journey."
"Oracle?" Guilty Spark asked, confused. "Great Journey? Why do you insist on using such inaccurate verba-" He was about to continue when was sucked towards something. "Ohhhmmyyy AAUUUGGGHHH!" With a loud CLUNK, he impacted the head of a Gravity Hammer.
Looking up, Thel was surprised to see Tartarus, and a Phantom, nearby. "That is the Oracle!" he shouted. "Be careful!"
"So it is," Tartarus remarked. "Come. We are leaving this system." Looking at Bero, he asked, "What happened to him?"
"Long story," Bero replied. "I need to see the healers when we return." With that, they boarded the Phantom and left. Things were starting to escalate.