A/N: Trying for three in three. As I'm writing, it is coming a bit more easily. I suppose I should let you know that I will be taking some liberties with Halo Canon and using the universe for my own sick pleasure. I will try and stay within reason and constructive criticism and questions are appreciated. Thank you for all of your reviews and follows, it really motivates me to keep going.
The Reclaimer Legacy
Part 3
By BrokenPoet12
X
Unknown Location
Forerunner Planet Requiem
Human Year 2557
The first thing that gave any indication he was awake was the feeling of cool air circulating over his face and arms. Air that did not have the metallic taste of his suits' air scrubbers. Without opening his eyes tensed his muscles to check for responsiveness and any evidence of restraints. Finding his limbs responding and no restraints in evidence he tensed once more. With a movement faster than the human eye could detect, John was up and off the table and down into a defensive crouch. Scanning quickly he found himself in a featureless room with no windows and no obvious entrance. Indeed the only thing visible was the table that he had awoken on. Wary, doubly so because of his lack of armor and usable weapons, the Chief slowly backed away from the platform until his back hit the solid wall behind.
Glancing down, John found himself clothed in a plain material, vaguely similar to the scrubs that UNSC medical personnel wore, but fashioned out of a different fabric. It was light and would offer no protection should he need to defend himself. Frowning, he slid a hand out until it touched the wall and began to work his way left. Feeling no seam or any control to activate a door, he continued until he was two thirds of the way around.
Suddenly his ears popped and a wave of light washed over him. In an instant he was gone and in an instant he reappeared, surrounded by bright light. While his eyes adjusted, he used his hearing to scan for any noise. The sound of trickling water reached out to him and he felt warmth on his skin. Blinking to clear his vision, John straightened as he took in the sight around him.
The ground before him was green and slopped away in all directions. Trees and shrubs of all kinds were sprinkled as far as he could see and in the distance he could see the telltale shimmer of a large body of water. It was the sky above him that held him in place. As far as he could see across a horizon of reds, blues, violets, and fiery oranges were structures. It looked as if a child had collected all manner of objects and hung them at random. There was no sense of order, and yet in the chaos there was a kind of beauty. It looked as if entire worlds were in the sky above him. And ominously, he saw Halo rungs, in progress and completed.
"Beautiful. Isn't it?"
Whirling, John crouched, looking for the speaker that had approached without him knowing. Seeing nothing, he scanned and began to move towards the closest tree line hoping for some cover.
"Reclaimer, where will you go?"
The voice was amused, male, and ageless. He could not pinpoint it. Scanning again, the Chief cleared his throat and spoke.
"Identify yourself."
"Come now Reclaimer, surely we can speak without fear. No harm will come to you if you offer your trust."
"Identify yourself now!"
He heard a faint sigh, but couldn't pinpoint its location. Suddenly in the clearing where he had been standing there was a figure. Tall, as tall as he was. Dressed in a simple tunic and mask and standing perfectly still. Cautiously the Chief scanned his surroundings once more before turning fully towards the figure and approaching it.
"Why should I trust you? Where am I?"
The figure did not speak, but it lifted its hand to remove the mask that it wore. Stopping several meters from the being, John took in his features and a flash of recognition crossed his face.
"Yes Reclaimer, you know me. Or rather, you know my kin."
"Why have you brought me here? What more do you want of me?"
Weighing his words carefully, Lifeshaper watched the man before him, contemplating his humanity. Such feeble creatures as these given the greatest of gifts, and now trusting them with the Mantle. Setting aside his doubts, he offered a thin smile to the human before him and gestured behind him.
"My Mother will be pleased that you are awake and unharmed. She was worried. There is much to do and I fear there isn't much time left. Please come with me."
The Chief looked to where the Forerunner was indicating and was surprised to see a doorway where before there was nothing but grass. With nothing to lose he nodded his assent and the two stepped through. Static engulfed him again as a blinding light enveloped him.
X
Without warning, the ground reformed beneath his feet and the Chief stumbled slightly. He regained his footing quickly and turned to his companion. To his surprise, the figure was already some distance ahead, looking back expectantly.
"I apologize for the circumstances of your journey. I know it is disorienting. That will pass quickly. Come."
Without further prompting, the Chief stepped forward and fell into pace behind, scanning as he walked for any threats.
"At least tell me who you are."
"I am the Lifeshaper."
"You are Forerunner."
"And you are a human. Yes. These are the names that each of us knows. I am one of the last of my kind."
Lifeshaper paused, and cocked his head thoughtfully.
"As are you Reclaimer."
John didn't miss a step but in his head the names and faces of all of his fallen brothers and sisters flashed painfully through his mind. And then another face, one loss that had hurt him more deeply than any of the others. Despite himself, his fists clenched and he felt a mixture of anger and fear. For the second time in so short a period he was afraid. Lifeworker seemed to be aware of this and turned fully towards him.
"I meant no offense. Come, she is waiting."
Sighing softly, the John nodded and fell into step behind him. Speaking quietly the two beings conversed.
"The Librarian is your mother."
"Yes. And my father was the greatest warrior our society had ever known. And I am a Lifeshaper, the greatest of the remaining Lifeworkers. And you are a human, but with something much more inside of you."
"Who was your father?"
Lifeshaper hesitated before responding, and when he did it wasn't the answer to question.
"You are here because the work you have begun is still unfinished. There is a threat looming, one which rivals anything you have ever encountered. One of your own making, and possible through one of our greatest failures. And you are here because she needs you."
The two of them reached the end of a long corridor, and turned. Down the end of the passage, a square of bright light was visible and it grew larger as they drew near. Striding in silence, the Chief contemplated the Lifeshapers' words.
"Who needs me? The Librarian?"
"Yes and no. She will undoubtedly have a task for you, but it is not she of whom I speak."
The two of them were lit now by the light source at the end of the corridor. Stopping, Lifeshaper turned to face John and stared him straight in the eyes.
"Then who?"
"She sacrificed everything to protect you. She destroyed my father, and she gave her life for you. And now…she needs you to live Reclaimer."
John couldn't move as the meaning of Lifeshapers' words flooded through him. Disbelief warred with the brief hope of what it could mean. Suddenly he was immersed in a memory, the last one of her that he had. He could feel the weight of her hand against his chest, see her skin bathed in blue light and feel her presence all around him. And then she was gone. Without even a whisper, she had gone and he was alone.
Wordlessly, Lifeshaper opened the doorway before them and motioned for John to step through. When he hesitated, the two men locked eyes and took a measure of each other. Not knowing what awaited him, the Chief took a deep breath and nodded.
"Take me to her."
And with that, he entered the light.
X
I am not intending to make Chief an emotional wreck or whiny little girl, this chapter was done so that I could set up a few things to come.
As always reviews are appreciated.