Hey all! I have the next installment ready for your reading/reviewing pleasure. Originally I was going to wait for a little before doing the next bit, but the muse had other ideas. Next chapter will be up after I get back from SPRING BREAK (don't get excited, I'm just going home :D). Now appearing: the Prophet of Regret. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Halo.
Part Two: Regret
Heresy!
These pathetic, sniveling creatures are barely capable of space travel—how could they be Forerunners? It is impossible, it must be some sort of trick! How could the Oracle, our most holy and sacred guide, be so misled?
I still find fault in Mercy's actions. The old meddler had to have done something with those Lekgolo worms. Something must have happened to the Oracle—that is the only reason it could dare say that the Forerunners were left behind, that these…these…creatures are our divine makers!
Still, the Oracle's words could cause enough doubt if someone else were to hear them. It is fortunate that Mercy and Truth agreed to disconnect the Oracle: we cannot risk anyone else hearing such blasphemy. If one of the other San'Shyuum were to hear this, or worse, one of the Sangheili…but it is of no matter now. The Oracle has been silenced.
In a way, I suppose I must be thankful for this blasphemy. Were it not for the Oracle's words—and Truth's machinations—I would not be sitting in my throne wearing the mantle of the Hierarchs. I am fortunate that Truth was able to convince the old fool to stand beside us as a Hierarch, or else the High Council would never have given us their support. And indeed, none of this would have occurred without my ships finding the human world, without me telling Truth and pledging my devotion. The Oracle's words and his attempt to launch the dreadnaught were the final events that led to my coronation, so I must be thankful that things happened as they are.
Enough of these musings. I must remember why I agreed to this—for the security of the Covenant. Words such as these, however true or false or blasphemous they may be, would destroy our Covenant.
I will never allow that to happen.