Disclaimer: I do not own any chatacters from Halo. They are Microsoft's and Bungie's. The only thing I own is what I add to the Halo universe. CII is the sole owner of Telek Heros.

Brothers in Spirit

Chapter 6

Ninth Age of Reclaimaiton

UNSC Calendar November 26, 2552

The trio made their way to the Phantom. "I think we have over stayed our welcome. That Shipmaster looked like he was ready to kill," Rick said nearly panting as he ran to keep up with the two Sangheili.

"Was that the infamous Telek Heros? He has been wanted for many cycles. There was once a high bounty on him. The Prophets wanted him dead or alive. Preferably dead. I had always dreamed of going after him. But with the alliance the only ones to have a price on him now would be the Prophets." Aron said with pride.

"Or maybe his brother," Nastar said with a laugh. They all laughed in agreement.

"Well, I'm glad you didn't go after him. Cause if what Nastar said is true. Then both of us would be dead. I have seen Admiral Heros slice a Sangheili in half with just one swing." Rick replied with a hint of worry.

"Let's enter the Phantom before Shipmaster Morak decides to have us all strung by our entrails," Nastar said as he was looking over his shoulder.

"Great idea," Rick replied.

The trio entered the Phantom and took a seat. Nastar gave the pilot the coordinates to the High Council of Scholars building. The Phantom lifted and exited the hanger bay doors. "With Sangheilios safe, I shall take you to meet my family and show you where I grew up." Aron said with a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

"That would be nice," replied Rick, "Maybe some day I'll show you my home."

"I would be honored," Aron said proudly.

"We are entering the Sangheilian atmosphere," announced the pilot, "ETA of landing zone two units."

"That is very good news. Notify me when we reach the landing zone," Nastar said to the pilot.

"Yes, High Scholar," replied the pilot.

The trip to the surface was uneventful. Rick thought he'd feel uncomfortable being in the presence of just the Sangheili. But the presence of Aron he feeling of belonging, which is a feeling he had never felt before. He was used to feeling out of place.

Aron sat in his chair the anticipation of going home was overwhelming. He wasn't sure if it was the presence of his childhood friend that made the trip more exciting.

The silence was broken by the pilot, "Landing zone in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1."

"Aron I will need a little time to get the Council together. Could you meet me here in two units?" Nastar asked.

"Yes, I'd like to show my brother a few sites. We won't go far. My home, I'll show him after we meet the council." Aron replied in a voice almost full of excitement.

"It is time to disembark," Nastar said in a low voice.

Nastar was the first to go down the gravity lift. Followed by Aron then Rick. Rick was shocked by how much Sangheilios resembled Earth, especially the old pictures of mythical Atlantis.

The city of Athenos was set on a hill with white sand along the shoreline of one of the great Sangheilian oceans. The white towering buildings had a look of gold in the sunlight. Off in the distance on what looked like an island stood a pyramid. Rick looked in that direction and said, "What is that? It resembles a Mayan pyramid with an Egyptian flare."

'I'm not sure of what Mayan or Egyptian are," Aron replied, "But the building you are looking at is one of our many temples to our gods. And I mean our old gods, the Sangheilian gods, before the Covenant. Come I want to show you one of our hanging gardens."

The two walked down one of the many streets. The city was alive with activity. Sangheili were out. Some were doing errands and daily chores. Shops were everywhere. The buildings didn't look like what Rick thought would be in an ex-Covenant race. They looked like Human architecture. Aron pointed out points of interest to Rick. They turned down another busy street; they walked a short distance when they came upon a large gate.

Aron said, "We are here."

As they entered, Rick was in awe at the site. He said, "Wow, this place looks like the Hanging Gardens of Ancient Babylon. I now have a few questions for your scholars. Sangheilios looks a lot like a modernized ancient Earth."

Aron replied, "The Covenant preached the Forerunner seeded all. But Humanity was an abomination to them. However I'm beginning to wonder if our races were somehow intertwined with the Forerunner. With us being the Aborchrith and you saying my home world looks like ancient Earth. Come there is a cefa' shop over here. Let's have some cefa' and sweet bread at the shop. There is a great view of the garden there."

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Nastar entered the large white building that housed the High Council of Scholars. "Brothers! Brothers!" he said excitedly, "The Aborchrith has been fulfilled."

"How?" one of the High Scholars asked, "When were the children born? It had to have been within the past unit."

"No, they were born twenty-one cycles ago. The reason we didn't know about them, one is Human," Nastar said in a low voice.

"A Human!" exclaimed another High Scholar, "How could this be?"

"The Prophets war with the Humans caused us not to be able to detect the birth of the Aborchrith," explained Nastar, "But that didn't keep the them from finding each other. They knew each other as children."

"That is amazing," said the first Scholar.

"It was all predicted in the prophesy," said Nastar.

"Where are the Aborchrith?" the second Scholar asked.

"I shall bring them here," Nastar said in a tone of satisfaction.

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Aron and Rick walked to the cefa' shop. Rick found them a table on the terrace. Aron went and got their cefa' and sweet bread. With everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours, Rick was now feeling the pangs of hunger. The two sat and enjoyed the view as well as their meal. It might be a while before they get another one.

The time passed quickly. Rick and Aron talked more about what it was like for them when they were children. It wasn't long before Aron's com crackled. "Aron, I need you and Rick to come to the High Scholar Council Chambers. Where are you and I'll send a transport," Nastar said excitedly.

"We are at the cefa' shop in the Ralla Hanging Gardens," Aron replied.

"Splendid, you are close. A transport will be at the gate in less than a quarter unit," said Nastar.

Aron looked at Rick and said, "They are ready for us. The Council is sending a transport. It is going to meet us at the gate."

Rick drained his cup. As he stood he heard a voice that sounded feminine shouting, "Aron! Aron!"

The two turned to see a Sangheili running up to Aron and throwing her arms around him. Aron looked at Rick and said, "Rick, this is my twin sister, Kierra."

Kierra looked at Rick then back at Aron and said, "It is odd to see you in the presence of a Human."

Aron replied, "Kierra, I'll explain it all later. Could you get Mother and Father together. What I need to tell you all I want to do it all at once. Have Mother make arrangements for one of her special dinners. We will be at home in a few units."

"I'll do what I can. You know how busy Father can be. Have you heard from Linad? The last we heard he is suppose to be stationed on the Shadow of Intent."

"That is one of the cruisers that is going to the Human's home world to help the Arbiter. He is under the command of Shipmaster R'tas Vadum," Aron replied proudly, "I hate to leave you so quickly. But I'll see you at home tonight. There is a transport waiting for us."

Aron and Rick went to the gate. There was the transport. It looked like a gunless Spectre. In place of the gun was a two person seat. Rick and Aron climbed into it. The two rode in silence to the Council Chambers. Outside they were greeted by Nastar, "Come, come," he said in a hurried voice, "Let's not keep them waiting. They all want to meet the Blessed Aborchrith."