Ballad of a Stray Wolf

02 May 2021

22:00

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2317 hours August 30th 2552

Aszod Ship-breaking yards, Epsilon Eridani II

Spartan B312, callsign Noble 6 dumped the data pad on the ground, and cocked his rifle. He was running out of ammunition for his DMR, and despite the small army of UNSC corpses he was certain he would need to switch weapons soon. 3 hours had been enough for him to use up nearly scrap of the high powered rifle ammunition. He lamented having to lose his preferred weapon for only a moment.

He considered the contents of the data pad as he peeked through his door to evaluate the contacts on his motion sensor. The 19th data pad he had found on dead troopers in his recent missions. Some rumours of an AI group called the Assembly. He had been curious to see if it held secrets to saving Reach, but as always it was too late, he was the only one left. The planet was being glassed like his home over a decade past, and soon he would die with it.

A few thrown grenades and the encroaching squad of grunts was torn to shreds. Needles burst off his shields, and he ducked low before returning deadly fire. His eyes flickered to his HUD in an instant, noting his depleting ammo. His enhanced mind calculated the distance to the nearest weapon. As dropships flew overhead, he moved swiftly, cautiously and efficiently.

As he pried the MA37 Assault rifle from the dead hands of one of his fellow Spartans, his mind drifted back to Noble 2s death. The only other Spartan from Beta group, losing someone he considered one of his brothers and sisters in all but blood had been as painful as losing his former squad. He shook his head, he didn't have time to be distracted, every second he wasted the oncoming Covenant Armada would take to close the noose, to drag with them, closer and closer to his death.

He had accepted he would likely die this time. He wasn't holding out for a miracle, but he would still make his own, or die trying.

A phalanx of Jackals, dropped off by the Spirit dropship now raining plasma on his position advanced. Needles and plasma bolts flew like raindrops. As his mind and body went into overdrive he pushed himself just enough to not waste energy, while keeping his armour intact, dodging projectiles and punishing any Jackals that failed to hide behind their shield completely. A leap and he was within them, swinging his Assault Rifle like a bat. He broke bones like twigs, utilising his martial knowledge to dismantle them with practised ease.

As his eyes flickered to his motion sensor once more, he ducked, barely dodging a hail of plasma fire from another squad of Elite Minors. With superhuman accuracy, he poured a hail of bullets at them. Keeping them on their toes just enough to be unable to concentrate fire. He grabbed a Jackal Shield and put it on his arm. Compared to Zealots and Ultras, the 6 Elite Minors were reckless and predictable. In a blur of motion he advanced on them, bringing up his pistol as he broke one's shields, a single shot, and the aliens' battle brother yelled in rage for only a moment. It took only a moment for him to reach the closest warrior, crashing into its chest with his shoulder at over 50 kmph. He twisted at the last moment, applying every kilo of his armour's half ton bulk to the Elite, its jaws split as the weaker shields and less protective armour on the lower ranked warrior allowed the Spartan to pulverise it's bones and internal organs.

The body slammed into a third Elite and the two behind attempted to focus their fire, so he grabbed the dead Elites Plasma Rifle and finished off the fourth one's shields before emptying the remainder of his ARs clip into it's organs. He then threw the Plasma Rifle at the fifth, before unsheathing his dagger to stab the third Elite's throat as it swung at him with an energy dagger. The sixth was brutalised with the Jackal shield and the fifth necks broken with his armoured gauntlets. He picked up his weapons and moved on.

As he considered possibilities for escape, a Phantom dropship flew overhead, his Rifle eliminated the gunner with deadly efficiency, but the squad of Ultras and Zealots had him caught out of cover. He recognised the teamwork of the would-be assassins, and promptly stopped holding himself back. This was it, he thought worriedly, the Zealot at the back was likely the highest ranking one in the area, a Field Marshal, or perhaps the Carriers Shipmaster. If he survived this he might have a chance at escape.

As an Ultra tore the Plasma turret from its stand and dropped from the Phantom, he focused fire, aiming for its head. As it flinched and struggled to keep aim its fellows roared in excitement at the Demon before them. His Jackal shield started to go red and he quickly brought up his pistol, letting his armour's shields deflect any fire he couldn't dodge, the Ultra fell finally, but as he brought the Jackal shield back up, he was flanked by another Ultra. He dashed to the side, hitting its skull with an elbow and breaking its energy shield before headbutting it.

The Jackal shield sputtered and died in the corner of his eye, before plasma hit the device, half melting it. He grabbed the hot metal and threw at a third Ultra before using the shield as cover to reload. He then leaped out, dodging plasma fire to engage a Zealot with an Energy Sword. As fast he could, he ducked under it's swipe and lashed out, sending it reeling, he struck its arm, breaking its weakened shield as it dropped the sword, as his own shield broke he smashed its skull with his knee.

He spun to the side as plasma impacted his faceplate, cracking it. His HUD sputtered into static, and pulled out the damaged piece with his fingers before returning fire. He felt his death draw near as he realised his helmet was now useless. As he finished off the fourth Ultra, he took off his helmet and placed it on the ground before reloading, in the corner of his eye he again saw movement, he smashed his shoulder for the nth time that day into the threat, breaking its shield and finishing it off with a brutal stomp. Another kicked him to the ground, he rolled and kicked it off him with both legs as his arms provided leverage to kill the Elite with brute force.

A Zealot appeared and he kicked again, knocking it down and it's sword away, as he rolled over to get up, he heard an energy sword being drawn meters away. The Zealot reached him faster than he anticipated, stabbing his right shoulder with an energy dagger, the pain nearly made him falter, nearly.

As the Zealot swung at his neck, he grabbed its arm and twisted, he pulled it into a shoulder throw before breaking its neck with a swift stomp.

He looked up to see the Field Marshal. He noted that its sword was held in its left hand, as he rushed to grab the one on the ground, it waited, as if unafraid of the Demon that had killed every Covenant warrior that it had sent after him, and its entire squad of high ranking and very deadly Elites.

As he picked up the sword and took a stance, his right arm hanging loosely but not unmoving, he could not help but wonder if this was it. The Field Marshal suddenly spoke, its voice low and gravelly, hauntingly confident.

"Your head shall be mine Demon, that I promise. Any last words."

"No. Spartans never die."

As the Spartan examined his surroundings, he felt his confidence return. The Field Marshal took his distraction as the bait it was and leaped with amazing speed, striking out fast enough to make the air crack. The Spartan III blocked, twisting out of the way, before circling his assailant. Watching it closely. It struck again, and again, pushing 6 to his brink, taking advantage of his wounded limb to bring him within the sword master's rhythm.

Only seconds later in the high speed exchange, B312 struck with a low lunge, the Field Marshal catching his blade with its own before twisting it away, he struck out, his right arm screaming at him, yet no weaker for its injury, the Field Marshal eyes widened in stark surprise as his fist met its face, and it was sent back, its' feet shot out to catch itself, only to land on one of its dead brethren, but the Spartan was dealing with no normal Elite. It deactivated its sword with a flick, and his balance faltered for a second, but before it could get up, he jumped forward striking down.

The Field Marshal turned on its energy daggers barely in time to catch him, quick as a flash he unsheathed his knife with his right arm and stabbed at its shields, failing to penetrate as his shoulder screamed again.

It raised its legs, and he leaped back as it kicked him, his armour absorbing the force as he went flying. The Spartan hit the ground heavy. But he was still determined to live, to fight again. He had seen enough dead civilians and broken soldiers, he refused to die here. He leaped up, and moved. Running faster than his body could take, his tendons and muscles straining at the friction despite the even ground. The Field Marshal was not taken by surprise again, and barely blocked his strike with its sword.

They clashed again and again. Noble 6 slowly spent nearly every drop of stamina he had, pushing his superhuman endurance farther than ever before, moving faster than he thought he was capable of. Finally the Field Marshal caught his sword in a lock and pushed him down into the ground, however as the Field Marshal pushed, the ground collapsed, and both fell through the hole.

B312 summoned up his remaining strength and kicked the Field Marshal away from him, both slamming into the walls of the cavern before reaching the bottom with loud thuds. The Spartan landed carefully, his armour's gel absorbing the impact with ease.

The Field Marshal, having lighter armour and active shields was already on the move. Yet despite everything he thought he knew, the alien slowed to a stop as it examined their surroundings. Rock melded with silver metal, and artificial lights hinted at what they had found.

The towering alien harrumphed, as if amused. It then spoke once more.

"Impressive Demon, you surprised me again. To think our battle would lead me to a holy relic, if you had disabled my ship this temple left by the gods would have been buried under glass. Tis a pity you humans cannot join the Holy Covenant, for you fight with honour and courage I cannot ignore. Alas, the prophets demand your death."

The Spartan was confused, angry and excited all in one. This site was clearly the remnant of some long lost civilisation, and from the aliens recognition, clearly related to their gods. He might find a way to survive or escape Reach here. Yet it was something he could not ignore. Humans joining the Covenant? He could not forgot the worlds he had seen glassed, the billions burned, and countless battles, bloody and hard, ever since he had sworn to fight, as he watched his home burn.

He didn't bother responding, knowing better than to waste his breath. He shot through a nearby doorway, turning to block another strike from the Field Marshal. In his mind, he gasped.

It was a bright and electric blue. Bolts of lightning from mysterious devices feeding its edges. It stretched across the entire room, easily 20 metres wide. A massive array of equipment littered the room, and monitors displayed unknown readings.

His surprise suppressed as easily as only a Spartan ever could, B312 jumped into the slip-space portal with hope blooming into his heart. Behind him, the Field Marshal followed without hesitation.

Kevu 'Suzamee bared his fangs as he followed the Demon through the black void. He was deeply amused and proud. He felt that the discovery of the Holy Temple, despite it not appearing on his ship's scanners, meant he held the favour of the gods. Even if died now, he would be happy, for the hidden Spec-ops team he had prepared as backup in the case he failed would have both seen him dominate the Demon that had slaughtered his forces in one on one combat, and more importantly would discover the holy relics hidden beneath the surface.

What they would find, he could not imagine. This portal might have been open since the very god's ascension for all he knew. Ahead of him, he finally saw a light, it gradually grew brighter and brighter.

The light disappeared, and he saw his foe before him as he landed on smooth green rock. However, despite having a Demon mere metres from him, he could not help but focus on his surroundings, a smoothly cut tunnel, with glowing gems lining the ceiling like stars. His helmet's interface however had far more to say, and so did he. He felt it, the air, the weight, it was different.

This was a different world, and from the stiffening facial features he struggled to interpret ahead of him, the Demon felt it too. The gravity felt ever so slightly weaker. He hesitated, if this was a human world, killing the Demon may prove fruitless, perhaps even counterintuitive. After all, if he failed to bring the Demons head back alive, how would anyone know he had killed him? Perhaps they would assume he had died killing the Demon back on that fortress world, but from the lack of a blue portal in his vision, they would likely find the Holy Temple empty, and wonder where he had gone.

However, this might not be a human or Covenant world, he best act with caution. He had not lied to the Demon after all, he had great respect for humans after so many battles, though he also knew of them many cowards and traitors, he had never heard of a Demon that was a coward.

No, better to the leave the Demon alive until he could ensure both glory and his survival.

However, before he could think to propose a truce with the Demon, he heard a sound.

It was far away, constant and heavy, he felt it more than heard it, even as his motion sensor brought up 6 contacts approaching.

The Demon didn't ignore his shifted posture, though neither completely focused their attention away from the either. Positioning themselves so best to react to both threats.

The sound grew louder still, and now he could recognise it, it was the treading of feet, of a stampede. The contacts were moving faster than he or the Demon could run. Though not faster than either could move. The speed was around four times as fast as a ghost before it used its plasma boost.

The contacts turned the corner, and now he could see them. 6 hulking figures of muscle and thick skin, physiques that almost reminded him of Jiralhanae, yet were slightly sleeker, and also humanoid. If not for the mammalian skull and large horns on the creature, he would suspect it were a naked Demon. However it towered even above the Demon, matching his height.

He did not recognise these mysterious creatures, but he had no time for research or scans. They were coming, running at over twice the greatest speed he could sprint when pushing his body and armour to his limits.

He shifted his energy sword as one approached him, before slicing it in half.

Its corpse flew past him, and in the corner of his eye he noticed the Demon engage another.

A second struck at him, moving fast, much faster than the Demon had, but not quite fast enough. He dodged by a hair's breadth, and kicked it, sending the beast flying.

A third was upon him immediately, so he lunged, his blade piercing its chest, where a human's heart would be. He was rewarded for his effort with the beast screaming as its body fell down his blade, and just before it slammed into his sword's hilt, it turned into ash before his very eyes.

Kevu Suzamee felt his heart beat hasten, as he realised what he was dealing with. Such foul sorcery could only be the work of those damned by his gods, such as, for example, the hated parasite. He was certain its appearance did not match the parasite, but even so, he could think of little else capable of disappearing before his eyes like this. The water that should have been within the creature's body has simply disappeared before its eyes.

He was struck from the side, the creature he had kicked away, judging by the blood on its chest, clearly not finished just yet. His shields sparked as his body struck the wall, and as the creature roared, he roared back.

This time, he sliced off its head, before cutting a hole in its chest and pulling out what should have been its heart, a glowing red crystal. Its body turned into ash the second he removed it. Interesting.

As he looked to the Demon panting in exertion to the side, he considered his options.

In truth, while he was but the gods' instrument, Kevu Suzamee did not hate humans. There were humans he hated, cowards, weaklings, traitors and honourless curs. However he did not hate them, he had fought many battles against them, and while he had once looked down upon them, he had grown to respect that tenacity where some of his brothers found themselves annoyed at their stubbornness. This however was a Demon.

This Demon, and many others had slaughtered countless of his brothers in arms, killing endlessly, hopelessly, in a vain attempt to save the fortress world. Nearly every one of his warriors had died, most against this single Demon before him. However, he had been sent here by the gods, this creature's mysterious nature reminded of the parasite, perhaps this was a message from his gods. If he worked with the Demon, he was certain he could kill the creatures.

"Demon."

"I told you, didn't I? Spartans never die, they're just missing in action. Well both of us are now. Even if you kill me you'll probably spend most of your life trying to escape this planet, assuming one of those things don't kill you."

The Sangheili grunted in amusement.

"I wouldn't die so easily, Demon. However, you are correct that these creatures are a problem for me. My armour's power cell will not last forever after all, and these vermin are unnatural. So I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal? Let's hear it then."

"A truce. These vermin remind me of the parasite. I would be willing to tolerate your existence if you aid me in killing them. Until we find a way off this planet that is. Then your head shall be mine."

"Very well then, that works for now. Don't think I'll let my guard down though. What do you suggest we do with these corpses then Zealot?"

Kevu considered the red beasts for a moment. Then recalling some of his past battles, the heads of these creatures matched those of cattle found on human worlds.

"Their heads, are they not similar to your peoples cattle, Demon."

"I suppose they are. The head of a cow, and the body of a man. I believe that was the legend of the Minotaur."

"They are called Minotaur's, Demon?

"Yes. A creature of myth and legend, known to roam a labyrinth one could never escape. They shouldn't exist. I suppose if they do, it's not impossible that weare in a labyrinth right now. Can your armour make a map?"

"Humph, such a thing is but a trifle, this combat harness was forged by some of the greatest armorsmiths on... Hmm. It seems this place is some sort of labyrinth indeed."

"Any problems, Zealot?"

"Yes, there appears to be many floors. My scanners can't detect all of them, but there are at least 22. We are 7 floors down. I suggest we investigate the surface, but first let's collect these crystals."

"Very well, they might prove useful."

The Spartan put the Energy sword on his belt, and unsheathed his dagger and got to work.

Kevu did the same, however watching the Demon, he noticed how the last corpse left behind its horns.

"Interesting, perhaps it likes you, Demon."

"Real funny Zealot, now pass them over, these might have some use later."

After the Demon had put the horns and crystals inside pouches on his armour, and Kevu had run checks on his armour, they were ready to leave.

"Let's go."

However, before they could take the route Kevu's computers had calculated would take them to surface, another contact appeared on his motion sensors, it blurred, moving towards them far faster than the Minotaur's had.

"Incoming, try not to die, Demon."

Seconds later a figure blurred towards them around the corner of the tunnel, both Elite and Spartan prepared themselves to fight, however the figure stopped in the middle of the tunnel and let out a gasp of surprise.

The figure was human. This was concerning. Humans did not run faster than bullets. The figure moved far faster than the Minotaur's had, if they reached close enough for combat, he was not certain if he could move fast enough to strike them.

B312 had seen many things in his short life. Planets being glassed, alien fleets, teleporters and many more. But today he had seen many things he could not imagine. A slip-space portal in atmosphere, affixed to the ground no less, Minotaur's and now a superhuman well beyond a Spartan.

It appeared to be a young girl, with black hair and brown eyes, as well as tanned skin. She wore a loincloth and a band of white cloth around her chest. However, the large weapon in her hands was what drew his attention. It appeared to be two large bronze swords with their hilts joined together. They were decorated with simple patterns and a blue circle at the base of each blade.

The girl raised her arm and pointed in complete and utter confusion at the Sangheili beside him. It's energy sword crackling with energy, the Zealot merely tilted his head.

"̴͈͓̓̓̀̈́͊̓W̷̡̨̼̼̟͚̔̀͋̋̍̑́̉h̴͍̓̈̏̾̀́a̸̢̛͍̫̿͌̈́̃̃̚͠t̸͈̗̞͉̪̂̌͜ ̴̢͕̗͎̳̰̬̞͌͋̇ͅt̵̼̹̞̝͇͙͔̍͊̄͆͛̚͝͠ͅͅh̸̢̩̻̤͙̬̖̓e̶̢̢̼̖̗͔͕̎̉̔̇̉̈́̌ ̸́͐̓́̅̕͜͝h̷̲̹̬͂̊̀̌͗̑ͅę̴̾̚l̸̢̜̯͎̭̪͐̅̈̒͒̄͠ļ̷̨͔̪͂̓̇͒ ̴̬̾͛ĭ̷̼̖̏̈́̅̊̒ŝ̵̱̻͓̠̟̱̗̉̆ ̷̨̗̲̃t̸̨̛̪̲̬̯̠͙̞ḧ̵̯̼́̇́̄̚a̴̡͖̤͐̚͠t̸̢̢̙̘̹̘̥̲͉̎?̶̗̲̽̋̾́̏͝"̴̡͎̗̝̃̏̈́

The figure spoke, however, unsurprisingly they didn't speak English. Or any other language he knew. He glanced at the Zealot, he didn't trust the alien as far as he could throw, which was surprisingly far, but he couldn't survive down here alone, not injured and without a helmet.

"Does your armour have a translator? I don't understand a word she's saying."

"Oh, can't communicate with your own people Demon, how disappointing, I suppose I will give a token effort."

"̷̺͓̦̖̘̺̐̈͑̄̀͝Ȳ̷̡̨̡͓͈̟̮̹͔̥̗̥̜̗͔͊͊̈ơ̴̞̦̻͍̙̩̰̳̂̈u̷̧̞̯̞̖̗̣̺̾͘ ̶̢̥̼͑̈̄̄͂͋̕͘̚͘ç̵̡̖͍̪͉̞̣̳͔̰͕̦̜̂̍̚ͅà̴̢̞̜̮͔̙̳͙̳̬͙̖̘͚̩̏͛̕ń̵̛̖̞̲̝̦͖͇̗̞̫͉̪̟̥̰͝ ̴̢̛̻̙͎͍̫͚̼̭͎̟̙̮̤̄̈́̌̏͝͝ṫ̸̡̨̧̙̭̟͖̗̲͙̻̟̩̞̳́͠ą̵̧̭̯̬̼͚͇̼̇͑̀̈͌̋͌̍͒̏̏̽͐̈̐ĺ̸̢̬̖̗̯̲̮̝̘̟͂͆̀̂̀͌̐͑͑̉͘̕͝͝ͅk̶͎̳̰̞̤̝̼̘̔̔͗͗̔̍́͐̚̚͘͜?̶̧̡̢̰̹̮͙͚̗̳̭̊̂̓̄͑̓͂̽̀̑̽̇͗̚͘ ̴̭̬̠̩̗̅̂͛͋̊̃͆̆́͠͝W̸̢̛̼̥̥̟̐̾̅̀̒̐̀a̶̧̧̩̘̺̝̜̻̣͔͋̆̚i̸͕̻̲͉̹̩̯̥̹̎͒̂̔͆́̀͗̿͐̕t̵̟͇̐̀͛̇͗̅͝,̶̜̺͙̻͕͉͚͙͙̃͋̊͆̂̕͝ ̶̧̡̹̼̻͇̘̘̪̭̜̬̪̭̒̉͌́̿̏ͅÍ̴̡̞̜͍̙̣̻͓͇̤̋͛̂̎̉͒͆̈̀͠ ̶̡̠͉̗̮̘͌̈́͌ͅĉ̸̢̛͎̤͖̤̮̳̠̰̮̇̓̇̆̄̏̒͛͗̊̋̚͠ͅͅa̴͇͔̍n̶̢͉̙̯̫̠̱͌̈͆́̇͑̅́̓̕'̴̙̲͕̔̓͊̔̒͂͗͛͂͋̌̈́̉̆̀͜ṯ̷̢̡̡̠͎̞̹̾̈́̆̓͋̈́͐̀͜ ̶̛̛̛̟̤̗̮̪͚͕̺̹̠͔̂̇͑̊̉̔̇̚͜͝͝u̷̗̲͕͕̻̝͖̟̠̲̪̯͈̒͌̾̕ͅn̴̦̤̺͙̾͑̇̍̔̓̒͗̀̌͘d̵̨̡̻͇̙̜̠̗̓̔̀̋̌̈́̀͝ȩ̵̫̰̝̝̤͖̋ȓ̵̢̡͙̦͍̝̦͈̞̘̪̩͇̙̭̽̌̐̓̔̉̚̕s̴̢̛̗̜̫͇̗̰͓̼̹͊̀̿͗́͑͂̀͝͠͝ţ̸̛̳͎̰̲͚̝̬̝̪̣̳͉͔̹̉̏͐͊͑̈͌̏̈́̀͋̎̉͠ã̵̻̟̝͔̟̰̺̎̈́̓͗̔̊́̈ñ̸̨̯̟̜̞̞̲͊̏̏̉͑̃̉͒̓̈́̏̓͛̕͜ḍ̵̢̡̙̱̗̰̼͈͔̪̠̝͍̳̓͌̾̇͗̽͝ ̶̛̭͖̮͉̃͛̾͋̋w̵̞͎̺͚͉͈͉͙͕̟̓̍͂͛̋̄̈́͂̏͛̓̈́͐͝͠h̴̢̛̬̬̜͇̥͎̳̮̻̦͖̲̫̀̀̏̎̅͒̍̇̒̕͘͠ͅà̵̢͕͔̻̮̗͆̄̈́̋̄̃̈́̓̆́̎t̷̥̦̄́͋͆͋̆̌̈́̇ ̷͙͍̈́̿͆̆́͊̆͂̾̕̚͝͝͝y̶̧̠̝̺͎̙̰̓̇̉̾̈͛̿̈̉͐̓̈́̎̉͘ͅö̷͓̖̙͖̮̲̦̫͈̦̙̠̖́̓̈͂̀́̂̽́͐̾̑̕u̷̬̗̤͗̈́̃̕̕͝ṙ̸̡͚̠̲̖̊ ̷̢̡͚͚͈͖̞̯̦͉̳̞̤̈̑̀̅́̉͆̓̅̄͜ͅs̸͚̤̲̥͙̻͔̮̏a̴̛͇͔͍̳͖͈̐͑̽̽̔̌̄̃̅̋̍̈́̕͠ẙ̴̡̬̠̝̖̈̔̿̓̇͒̏̎̃̓́̽͂i̶͇̠̟̱̳̘͓̓͗̀̕n̷͔͇̲̯̈́́͑̀̅̆̋̔͗̏̂͂́͠͝g̴̨̗͉̦̲̖̲͕͉̝̱͙̱͐̆͘͜!̴̧̦̤̩̓̔͋́̂͗̌̃̽͂̚"̶̜̉̎̔̿̈́̿͛̄̐̑͊̔̚͝

The Zealot was silent for several seconds. Then he looked at the Spartan.

"Demon, my translator does not recognise this language."

"That's a problem."

"Demon, there are no human languages my translator does not have, it was made from the translators your own people made after all."

"Then, we aren't in UNSC space."

"̵̧̢͍̞̭̩͇̯̟̰̦̋̓́̇̇Ơ̸̡̨͔͎͇̺̙̰̭̣̙̂͒ͅͅi̸̛͇̼͚̯͙͉͇̗̠͍̒̎͌̋̑́̄̕̕͜!̵̨̖̹̥͔͚͎̯̠̹͛͂̑́͗̀̽̚͝͝ ̵̨̻̳̩̙̲͚̻̺͙͇̱̀̊̔̉̈́͌̉̈́͒͊͘͝ͅS̷̡̨̨̢͙͉̗͇̽̓̀̚t̸̛̗͖͕̿̇̍̒̆͑͆͋̋̇͆̅͑̍o̶̙̼͂̈́́̾́̐̒̀p̷̛̗̓̔͗͊̂̎̀̔̚͝͠ ̵̢͈̤̘͉̲̪̮̅̒͊́́͌͗͑͑̅̐͌͜ỉ̵̢̧̟̤̖̲͇̝̘̼͇̫͗͗͛̉̕͜g̷͍̙̹̜̮̰͎͖̘̭̝̟̐͐ͅņ̴̡̙̱̣̺̩̞͂́̅͑̿͐͝ǫ̵̘̳̮̘̲͚̰͖̭͝ͅr̷͔̠͎͔͈̲̬̟̈́̈́̄́̚ͅi̶̛̻̳̘̫̝̩͓͉̻͕̪͖̥̰̳͂̈́̇́͊̓͋̇͠͠͝͠n̵̢̬̈́͂́̾͛͗̓̑̄̊͝ͅg̶̢̝̯̬̦̰̈́̈́͊͛͛͆̔̇̚͝ ̵̨͚͈̠͎̥̼̲̮̟̤͚͌͋̌̀̍͗̂̌͌͊̐͆̚m̵̗̫̦̫͇̃͑̃̓̽͑̄̾̉̂͌̂̔͝ȩ̵̢̛̝̫͇̮̫̠̼̭̪̼̖͂̇̈́̇͠ͅ!̶̨̞̗͑͊̏͗̓͌͒̚"̴̧̨̭̣̹̪̮͈̹̬̫̓̋̋͌̊̎͘̚ͅ

The Spartan and Elite looked at the girl, and then each other.

Noble 6 sighed, and then brought out a data pad. He gave it to the girl, and glanced at the Zealot.

"Guess we'll have to do this the hard way."

After showing the girl some footage, and matching some symbols to words, they were eventually able to get across the meaning, 'take me to your leader'. Which she did. Taking them deeper into the dungeon.

Noble 6 was slightly concerned, but the creatures that showed up, while much faster and stronger than a human, didn't hold a candle to the Minotaurs from before. The girl watched to see how they did in combat, speaking loudly at them despite the language barrier, occasionally using her unwieldy weapon to kill a creature or several.

The Zealot was quiet, likely not happy about the situation. Normally, you would expect him to be the opposite, after all, there were at least seemingly humans on this planet. However, if they were not part of the UNSC, who were they? Could he even return to UNSC space? By the time he did, would there be anything left?

Eventually, on the 11th floor they reached the group and the black haired girl was leading them too. This however, was not the reassurance 6 was hoping for. While they looked human, small differences, pointed ears, furry almost animal like ears on the top of their heads, suggested perhaps they weren't as human as they looked. They had wagons pulled by what looked like horses, and many wore heavy backpacks and bags. It looked almost like some refugees he had seen before, trying to take everything they could with them as they escaped the Covenant onslaught.

The group rejected much more dramatically than the dark haired girl had, immediately going edge, some pointing at the Zealot, others exclaiming in surprise.

The dark haired girl merely put her hands on her hips and smiled smugly like a cat.

A young boy with blue eyes and blond hair approached them. However, his posture and movements spoke of decades of training and combat. The boy was clearly not a boy. The way his companions regarded him only supported this conclusion, several looking to him as if watching an accomplished General or Admiral.

Following was a girl who looked similar to a girl they had met, but looking older with much longer hair, although judging by their similar heights and how they interacted he guessed they were the same age, and the first girl was merely less developed due to genetics or diet.

Several more figures also approached looking curious, a short and well armoured burly man. A tall woman with pointed ears and green hair wearing robes. A young woman wearing light armour with a bizarre headpiece accompanied by a young man with furred ears on the top of his head.

The dark haired girl exchanged words with the leader of the group. She then pointed to him, and gestured to her side, patting it. He brought out his data pad once more, the metallic device, hardened for military use undamaged from his long hours of combat by some miracle.

This time, they spent significantly longer trying to communicate. A few creatures attacked and were dealt with by some guards, each comparable in speed to the dark haired girl, and highly skilled in close quarter weapons.

Once they had managed to get across that they were lost, Noble 6 showed him the Minotaur horn and used his data pad to show him and the Zealot fighting 6 figures.

To his confusion, the boy traded words with the short haired girl before hitting her on the head. He wasn't sure why, though he guessed they might have been tracking the Minotaurs. Perhaps they were very rare, they couldn't possibly be dangerous considering how fast the girl had been in comparison to them. That weapon she carried as well was certainly not light from how it cracked the floor whenever she struck the ground.

After that, they ran into a problem. What the boy was trying to communicate didn't make much sense, and some of the onlookers pitched in. What writing on someone's back had to do with reaching the surface, he didn't know, but he accepted anyway. Though the figures of people in the clouds made him wonder if they might have a way off the planet after all.

"Are you finally done, Demon?"

"It seems they want us to join them in reaching the surface. Perhaps we'll find answers there, or more questions."

"Good, I tire of this place."

As they accompanied the group to the surface, Noble 6 pondered on what exactly had happened to them.

As Six stared at the figure before him, he briefly wondered if jumping into that portal had been a mistake.

They stood within a large building, it's architecture was something he vaguely recognised, but it was hard to tell if its purpose was either civilian or military. He guessed it was a little of both. It was richly decorated, and surrounded by walls, with a well defended gate. They were standing opposite three of the individuals they had followed up here, as well as a fourth sitting on what looked like a throne opposite him.

The being before him appeared to be a young woman with red hair, and barely open light red eyes. Her figure matched the girl they had first met, underdeveloped, but not unhealthily thin. Her clothing also matched that of girls, in how much skin it covered. Shorts, and what looked like the top half of a hoodie? All of that though didn't concern him right now.

What did was the aura the girl gave off, as if she was something far, far more than she appeared. She smiled brightly and his and the Zealots stunned silence.

She opened her mouth, and Six was stunned to realise he could understand her words.

"Well, well. It seems my kids have troubled you, visitors. Or should I call you aliens?"

Six felt rather perturbed to realise that aliens applied to him as well. It was true from one point of view though, he was 'alien' to this world. Nevertheless, they could communicate efficiently now, though how was beyond him.

"No, we aren't here to visit Ma'am, we're lost."

"Hahaha, you got lost and ended up on the wrong world did you? How did you pull that off?"

"We jumped through a blue portal."

The girl coughed, as if surprised by the statement.

"You did what?"

"We jumped through what I assumed to be a slip-space rupture, a bright blue portal. Well, it must have been something else since we didn't see the exit portal when we arrived. You probably don't know what that is though, if you want proof I can show you the footage from my armour."

"Hah, I don't need proof, I'm a goddess after all. It's not as if you two whippersnappers could lie to me."

The Zealot seems to bristle at this, but is interrupted.

"A goddess you say?"

Six fixes the girl with a hard stare, while the aura the girl gives off is strange, strange enough he can't completely discount her words, he did however struggle to believe that gods could exist in a universe where planets burned every month. He had stopped pleading for gods to help him long ago.

"Yup kid. Surely you can tell already? The names Loki. Oh, and you haven't mentioned why you jumped into a giant blue portal."

Six looked suspiciously at the Zealot, the Elite merely grunted in amusement.

"Why don't you introduce yourself Zealot."

"With pleasure, Demon. Loki."

The Zealot murmured the name, as if tasting it.

"My gods willed the death of humanity, and my holy Covenant are their instrument. If you really are a god, and not a fake, then you'll recognise the name Forerunners. We had conquered this Demons planet, slaughtered all in our path, and I was engaging him in combat before he escaped through that portal. Now that we are far from home, we struck a truce until we can secure passage."

The self-proclaimed goddess frowned.

"I'm afraid I don't recognise that name, though I can interpret the meaning behind it. By any chance, are these gods of yours anything like me? Or are they up in heaven?"

"No, my gods have long ascended through the great journey, their messages are passed onto us by the Holy Prophets."

"I see, so you don't know what a Falna is then?"

At this Six interrupts.

"Does that have something to do with the writing on people's backs your second in command kept pointing at?"

"Ah, a smart one, ya? Yup, that's right. A Falna is the gods' blessing. It allows kids like you to grow in strength through battle, training or adversity. You've already seen the effects on my familiar members down in the dungeon."

"Is that how that dark haired girl could move so fast, with this blessing of yours?"

"Ah Tiona Hiryute, yup, she's a level 5. If an adventurer achieves something that would impress even the gods, they can level up. Though few ever level up, half of the adventurers in this city are still level 1."

Noble Six continued to prod more information out of the goddess, until once they had the general situation down, she got a glint in her eyes.

"So welcome to the city of Orario, kiddos. What are your names again?"

Six looked at the Zealot, it huffed once more in amusement.

"Dave B312."

"Kevu 'Suzamee."

"What kind of surname is B312?"

"Classified Ma'am."

The self-proclaimed goddess frowned once more. Then shook her head as if ignoring that.

"So then, you two want to go home right? I can't send you back right now, we gods and goddesses are playing a game you see. Using our divine power means we forfeit. That said, I have a better idea. How about you two join my Familia? Perhaps you'll find a way home in the Dungeon?"

As Six looked at the Zealot once more, he decided it was a good choice. If he could achieve the superhuman speed and strength Tiona had displayed, along with the benefits of his augmentations, when he did get back he would certainly be able to affect the war better than he could before. The problem was the Zealot, but he was confident he could gain power from this goddesses blessing quicker than the Zealot could.

He had no reason to think about it or discuss it with the Zealot. Perhaps if he did something to gain the goddesses approval, she might ask another god 'up in heaven/Tenkai' to send him back. The Zealot saw the determination in his eyes, and its jaws spread.

"If the Demon will accept your blessing, then I suppose I cannot let myself fall behind. We still haven't concluded our fight after all."

"Ma'am, we'll accept."

"Great, now sign here."

Six raised an eyebrow at the paperwork she had pulled out of nowhere.

Authors note:

I wrote this in May, but felt like I didn't pull off the tension between a Spartan and a Zealot right. I didn't want them to kill each other, but failed to write it in a way I found satisfying. That said, after some editing, I decided I liked it anyway and posted it here. I have a handful of other snippets that aren't up to par, if you want me to post those as well please let me know in the reviews, otherwise I'll be focusing on the fics I've already posted. I have started a fic on QQ, but I'm not sure if I'll post that here since it's a multicross.