Purpose Of Existence Chapter 38: Some Call It Luck
"The Banished did not do this".
"Yeah, its not their style. They are brutal but I have never seen them mutilate bodies before".
"Something else did this… but what? Last time I saw something as brutal it was during…" Suddenly Master Chief's gaze rose from the ground. He started frantically searching for something, anything moving besides them.
He found nothing.
The others were obviously confused by his strange behaviour. It was Fred who broke the uneasy silence that had taken over the group.
"During what Chief?"
Behind the mask that his helmet created, Chief closed his eyes. This was something he was not ready to return to, not so soon, perhaps ever.
After a moment of hesitation he answered "After the flood attack onboard this exact space station".
Fred's eyes widened. Now that he gave it some thought, it all made sense. Yet…
How?
The flood is dead. Chief fired the ring. Nothing could have survived that shockwave, they had nothing to eat, had they?
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, this could be a message or a symbol. If Banished haven't done something like this before doesn't meant they could not have changed their ways and seeing what this Atriox is capable of… this wouldn't be that surprising".
Kelly had to give it to Jerome , always one step ahead of the situation "I agree let's not jump to conclusions too early, we should deal with the bodies tho, take their tags, they deserve closure".
Fred gave Kelly a nod of approval "However small I agree, the faster we get out of here the better. I have a bad feeling about this".
"Chief, what are our orde… Chief?" Too distracted by the sudden appearance of the bodies, they hadn't even noticed Chief leaving the group and starting towards the middle structure, a pearl in shape, surrounded by a O-shaped walkway. The pearl was as black as the night sky and illuminated the whole room with its deep blue shade. A beautiful sight, not taking in consideration the situation they were in.
Fred stared at their leader for a moment, deciding the best course of action. Turning back to his small group, he ordered the dog tags to be recovered, bodies searched and once the deed was done, for everyone to regroup and figure out a way out of the wreckage.
After the teams had scrambled Fred turned around and jogged after the Chief.
John was standing on the raised platform, seemingly completely enormed by the giant ball. Even after Fred yelled his name John didn't acknowledge him. He just kept staring at the ball. Fred slowed to a walk and stopped beside him, trying to see what the Chief was seeing… and failing.
Fred did a retake and after failing a second time decided to ask "Chief? What do you see? Why are we staring at the giant ball".
Fred could hear clanking of metal boots behind him and gave the rest of their team a sideways glance, turning back to Chief who again failed to acknowledge him.
"That's not a bad question at all… Why are we staring at the giant black ball?" Jerome chimed in. Chief still didn't give an answer but raised his hand and pushed it inside the ball instead.
Jerome's eyes widened and he moved to stop him but Fred's hand came between him and the Chief. The leader of red team gave him a stupid look, even if Fred couldn't see it, it was so goddamn obvious that he almost rolled his eyes. "Stand and watch, I think he's onto something".
Jerome remained tense and clearly wasn't quite ensured, but still fell back and rested his uneasy gaze to the Chief, whose both hands were inside the ball now.
For a moment nothing happened and Fred was a second away from asking if John was ok when it happened.
The giant ball started to open, filling the room in blue light. Even the visors of their Mjolnirs had trouble keeping the bright light at bay and the entire group hsf to turn and look away. Expect John who apparently had watched the entire show materialise before them.
Two giant pillars of blue light emanated from the base of the now open ball. Both towering over them and disappearing in the vast darkness of the giant structure. Apparently the roof had been open, or it opened when the pearl was activated and it led to a giant shaft, how long? Who knows.
Between the pillars was a black hole. Giant waves circled the nothiness placed in the middle. Atop this unnatural creation stood a figure around 2 meters tall, wearing blue ropes that hugged her figure and left just enough for imagination to attract the males of this long dead species. A female forerunner, much younger than the librarian at first look she looked like a hologram, yet her presence commanded respect and her voice carried certain power to it mixed with a dose of softness and relieve. Clearly she had waited for this moment for a long long time.
"Reclaimer, at last". She gave John a once over and nodded in approval. "So far, your species have come. From the young cavemen you rose and conquered the stars, survived the trials of the Covenant and now...You will take the humanities rightful place as the holders of galactic mantle. Since your first days, I have admired you. Your thrive to survive, your absolute loyalty to your friends and family. Even breaking the laws thrilled in your mind since young age".
As she talked, her figure neared John and stopped only centimeters away from his face. "I have followed your achievements for a long time spartan, some might take me as a simple gatekeeper but I hold the keys for the galaxy. Where ever you want to go I can take you, thas is power of the forerunners". She paused for a moment, during her entire speech, she seemed to be ignoring John's teammates, only now for the first time she brought them up. "Yet I believe I know where your destiny is leading you. She's like a magnet, isn't she? Have you ever wondered why you are so attracted to her? Why the universe always seems to bring you two back together. Even after all the trials you have endured, sacrifices you've made...Your journey is not at and end. I will take you where you wish to go, but there's still one more trial to endure".
By now, her figure had returned to its original spot, floating in the middle of the circle. She gave Chief a one last look and spoke "Survive and you two will be united once again. I did not believe I would ever say this but… Good luck, spartan".
With that she disappeared and a ear breaking screech was heard behind them. Along with shouting and the sound of guns going off. Chief turned around and saw the carnage that was about to be bestowed upon them.
ooOOoo
Haudi! So i'm aware this chapter is shorter than my usuals but this was a way too good moment to pass and it needed to be done, I'll think about writing another tomorrow but I won't make false promises. If a may quote a quite legendary character that also happens to be one of the major figures of this fic "Don't make a girl a promise you can't keep" :D.