Stained Ambition Chapter 1: Prologue Part 1: Cowbell, a Halo + Genshin Impact Crossover fanfic

Disclaimer: Halo and Genshin Impact DO NOT belong to me. They're owned by their respective owners and the only thing to my name is possible OC's and this story.

Author's note: I'll admit, I had to get this idea out of my mind. I've played Genshin Impact for a while now and I've only seen one attempt on a crossover such as this on AO3. I read a little bit of it and lost interest, however the idea of it stuck. While I was typing out some notes and brainstorming for the Wolfenstein series, I switched gears and instantly thought of a prologue of this crossover. I thought too much for this prologue in such a short time that I can't get it out my head and actually impedes my work on Wolfenstein. So I'm going to shoot out the prologue of this story out of my mind before I get brain rot. I may post an actual chapter for this fic though I doubt it because I'm a more recent player of the game and haven't sat down and paid close enough attention to the story and atmosphere. Not only that, I don't have ready internet access at home unless I'm at college so learning about the game and writing about it is going to be very difficult. Though due to that, I think for any chapters I make for this fic, I'll make them considerably longer than the Wolfenstein series. Like I said, I'll probably post just one or two real chapters on this fic before focusing on the Wolfenstein series.

Anyway, enjoy.

"Internal dialogue"

"Regular speech"

"Foreign language translated"

Sound effects

... (Scene break and switch to another scene)

- (Scene break, but revolves back to the same scene - or character - if that makes sense)

"How many are we dealing with?"

"Hopefully a few. In reality, all of them with extra."

"I think you got that backwards." The Spartan gave his partner an amused Grunt. He peered through his binoculars, rotating the knob for magnification beyond what his visor could provide. A massive purple building stood tall against the night sky, a red gas giant bathed the landscape in an eerie red glow. Smaller buildings surrounded the monolith, serving multiple functions for the Covenant armada such as barracks, vehicle manufacture, and most importantly... the manufacturing of anti-matter charges. That was his job and his armor showed it.

Lowering the binoculars, his helm and his gray armor lacked the sharp edges of the more angular SPI armors for the sole purpose of EOD. A dull bronze thin visor bridged across his nose, parts of his helm jutting outward from the bottom edges of his cheeks. The Spartan in question looked left at his partner. Incased in dark maroon armor, one would see most prominent curved shoulder guards to deflect blows, extra plating on the chest area accompanying an blade, and t-shaped visor giving of the same dull bronze glare. His area of expertise was CQB and those unfamiliar would be quickly remind of the fact. Of course those familiar would know of an extra hidden blade in the maroon soldiers back though unfortunate means.

Both Spartans overlooked the Covenant base among the rubble of a nearby mountain-side, noting patrol routes, shifts, and all manners of operation. The enemy force consisted of multiple combatants such as Grunts, Jackals, Elites, and a few - the maroon soldier shifted slightly - Brutes. Vehicles strode by on designed 'roadways' on their way to be repaired and maintained, towed by specialized single manned hovercraft similar to a ghost with no wings nor armaments. All manners of vehicles were towed such as ghosts, choppers, specters, and the occasional wraith. They all met into a single file line that entered through a transparent blue shielded entryway of a streamlined building interconnected to the rest of the complex.

"Damn... up in the sky at our 3 o'clock." The gray Spartan shifted his binoculars over only to meet a purple wall, dropping the tool aside; the problem laid itself bare. A Covenant corvette glided through the sky, the red light reflected of the ship's surface giving it an appearance similar to an aquatic animal swimming through blood. It steadily made its way to the webbed Covenant citadel.

"Our time table has been... shortened." The gray Spartan replied.

"The next opening in their patrols won't be for the next 8 hours and by that time, the Covenant will ship out their newest toys." The maroon Spartan growled.

"Yeah... they will." The maroon soldier looked questioningly at his partner. Until a waypoint materialized onto the line of vehicles entering the Covenant factory. The gray soldier didn't need to see the hidden feral grin his partner gave him.

...

The gray Headhunter stood flat against the curved wall of one the multiple building, out of sight of any passing Covenant. As soon as a green light winked thrice within his HUD, his armor plates shifted in color to match his surroundings. The Spartan moved with the quickness, going between buildings, passing patrols, and past a decloaked Spartan. Around 15 meters and so, the Spartan checked his surroundings and motion sensor; lit a green light thrice. He decloaked and kept watch with his VISR activated with a silenced MS7 at the ready. Dark areas brightening, Covenant structures and equipment being outlined in yellow, and an invisible figure moving past him in green.

Both Headhunters continued their leapfrogging for the next 10 minutes until they came in sight of the convoy. Both super-soldiers remained in cover, before allowing the photoreactive plates to return to their original colors. The maroon Headhunter shifted slightly near the edge of the wall to view the shielded entryway and marked it with a waypoint. The closer Spartan was roughly 300 meters from it and took note of the lines pace. The maroon soldier edged back, paused for a split second, and gave his partner a barely perceivable nod. The gray partner showed the underside of his right wrist and pointed at it with his left index finger.

A green light answered him and a two timers of 3:30 appeared under his shield bar and bio signs. The gray Spartan flashed an amber light twice before peering around edge and held up two fingers, making a sideway cut. His partner dissolved into the landscape, his green outline dashing towards the line. The green outline attached itself to the left seat of a specter, the vehicle tilted slightly before stabilizing itself. The Grunt manning the tower peered back, regarded the invisible Spartan before giving an high-pitched huff and drove on. An amber light flashed twice, a pair of banshees flew overhead leaving faint bright violet trails that dissipated a moment later.

A green light flashed thrice and the Spartan activated his camo, running towards the line of vehicles. His vehicle of opportunity made him smile, the Spartan already climbing the dark blue hull. The hatch had been left opened, for ease of access a small part of his mind assumed, and dropped into it. A lit canopy greeted him with holographic symbols and his mind went into... a strange sense of understanding despite his lack of experience in the Covenants written language. Tentatively, he pressed a triangle and the hatch slid shut. He decloaked and deactivated VISR to conserve power and flicked his eyes to the timers.

His teammate had 3 minutes left and had 250 meters to cover. The Spartan turned pilot peered around the cockpit and pressed another symbol, summoning 3 screens showing 180 degree vision in front of the wraith. The other Headhunter two ghosts ahead of him with both the timer and distance reader competing to reach zero. He'd prefer the latter to win. To the wraith's right stood the citadel with the Covenant ship slowing to a stop above it. The spire of the building opened up like a maw before a large beam of bright violent shot through it, indistinguishable specks traveling down from the belly of the ship.

The green acknowledgment light blinked twice, the Spartan whipped his head to the front screen. The CQB specialist's specter had gotten closer to the entrance and closer to a pack of Brutes. A Chieftain stood a head taller of the group, an imposing bladed hammer hung on its back. The aliens barked amongst themselves in barks and growls, two members becoming more aggressive to each other. 2:15 glared back into the Spartans face, mocking him with the comparative 205 meters were left.

The maroon soldier came in line with the group, an almost indistinguishable blur of colors shrinking into the hull further. A short roar came over the speakers before two armored apes crashed into the specter, the vehicles propulsion system flickered and died. The bug-like contraption dropped like a rock, the blue line from the tower fizzing out of existence. The Grunt driver gave a cry as the feuding Brutes fought before large hairy hands slammed their skulls against the hull and threw them off the downed vehicle. The Chieftain reached into the cockpit, fiddling with the controls before the specter came to life. The large Brute stood off to the side facing his pack-mates before he stopped.

His nostrils visibly flared once, twice, thrice. The mirage stood still as an blocky appendage of air slowly shifted aim towards the Brute. Gray gauntlets grasped the controls, a finger hovering above the ignition. The Chieftain turned around, nostrils snorting large amounts of air. The blue tether ignited, pulling the specter forward. The hammer-wielding Brute took a step forward and nearly tripped on his second as another ape crashed into his back. With fury, the Chieftain went on a rampage upon the offending apes as the line continued unimpeded.

1:55 left as the Spartan eased off the controls, with 200 meters to go. The gray Spartan checked his equipment, an silenced SMG laid on his lap along with a silenced M6S magnetized on his right leg. His left leg sported a hardened case fill of materials necessary for mission including bio foam, a few remaining MREs, extra explosives, and an holstered knife on its side. A shift in momentum shifted his insides, causing him to snap back to the screen. A visibly gap had formed in the line by the earlier intrusion, the Grunt drivers hurrying back on schedule. The trip remained uneventful as the energy field encompassed their vision and passed overhead.

The innards of the factory came to view, revealing a Covenant version of a carpool where all manners of vehicles parked. The Grunts dropped their loads and exited out of large steel gray doors as mechanized arms extended from the ceiling. Holes dotted the machines where orange flesh resided within and above in the ceiling. Grunts carried parts and equipment around as Huragok floated around fixing the vehicles themselves as the worm-filled arms aided them. CQB sprung off the vehicle and rolled behind some of the scattered machinery and equipment. The 0:12 timer disappeared from his HUD as he cloaked himself. Opening the hatch, he climbed out and followed the other Headhunter's footsteps.

The gray Spartan decloaked beside the visible Headhunter, opened the harden case and pulled a stick the length of his forearm. The front half of the tool split and expanded outward before having a cord attached from the Spartan's forearm in the tool itself. Readings displayed on the HUD as the Spartan shift the device around while the other Spartan kept watch. The gray Headhunter sent another waypoint, putting all his equipment away and shouldering his SMG. The maroon soldier shouldered another SMG and attached to his back is a less than subtle M45 shotgun. The gray Headhunter gestured his head towards a set of doors, a group of aliens heading towards it.

He cloaked himself before moving forward, the other Headhunter following. Both entered along with the unaware group. The rest of the trip became a blur of purple hulls, passing Covenant, and a few gravity lifts. The Spartans hide where they could and decloaked to allow their batteries to recharge. They had to avoid some hallways altogether due to their occupants being more observant than their peers such as Jackals, Brutes, and higher ranking Elites. One case being where a pair of hunters came towards them, the beings so large that only one could walk through at a time with barely any space.

Opening the last door, the Spartans enter the room; heads shifting so slightly as the took in the place. A cavernous circular area full of alien machinery dotted the walls and along lines of pulsing blue gravity wells. Lines of plasma snaked across the walls and floors as the machine in the room seemed to beat with activity. Worm-filled arms pieced together innards of anti-matter charges, twin spheres of blinding white energy was separated by 10 cm thick wall before coverings blocked the Spartans' view. Then a spiked carapace is placed over the internal mechanism of the device before a hub is inserted at the top. Each gravity line transport dozens of the bombs over to chain holdings that reminded them of the ammunition chains of Brute shots.

These chains are then put into tall purple scaffolding that hovered and moved to the center, a hole above them. The scaffolded explosives floated up through the opening and disappeared into the floor above. The EOD specialist survey the room, activating his VISR while lowering the brightness. Everything in the room became filled with outlines - yellows, reds, and a green. He manually labeled the bombs in the center in a blue outline and transmitted that to his partner, receiving a single green acknowledge light after. The Spartans moved, taking special care to avoid the swings of Covenant engineering and the passing worker Grunt.

Each Headhunter grabbed their own end of a scaffolding and rose to the upper level. The sight that greeted them made them slightly apprehensive. The large room was filled to the brim with spike covered bombs reaching 50 meters tall. One prominent feature that both Spartans took note was that there were no Covenant soldiers at all. The scaffolding stopped rising and moved forward to take its place among its destructive brethren. The soldiers detached from the contraption and set to work.

The gray Spartan crouched next to one of the hanging bombs, opening the hard case and pulling out a dull green brick with an appearance similar to the armor of the Headhunter themselves. He attached the block against the console of the anti-matter charge. Coming out next was a TACPAD that the Spartan attached to the underside of his right forearm, connecting to his suit. Then pulled out the forearm cord and attached to the block. Fingers rapidly tapped at the screen, inputting multiple commands and instructions before pulling the cord out. The block's green color shift in color and blended into the surroundings and bomb. He walked off elsewhere in the sea of explosives, his partner watching his back and ensuring nothing sneaks upon them.

One of the doors lining the room opened, Covenant soldiers spilling out. Two Elite Minors entered, both moving toward a stack of scaffolding. One went to work on the holographs projected on the side before backing away. The bottom level of the scaffolding moved to the side while the stack lowered and other level moved out as well. The Elites activated a tether between the scaffolds and prominently left. What they didn't notice was two blurs that clung to the chains five bombs high, above the Elites and any passerby's including hunters.

A green small brick materialized before attaching to one of the bombs consoles, a cord plugging into it after. A TACPAD visualized in the air, blurred fingers furiously tapped at the screen before it was thrown to the other blur who attached the cord directly to the bomb and tapped the screen once. The tactical screen flew through the air once again before it disappeared completely. The large doors slid open and the scaffolds went through multiple hallways before exiting out into by far the largest room. It was akin to a small canyon where multiple floors could be seen, the bottom of that canyon being to the humans right. The interior of the canyon spread out in a cross ending in curved ends, the floors decreasing in width from the bottom to the top giving the 'walls' of the canyon the appearance of stairs.

In the center, a massive beam of violent ended on a circular platform on the ground floor; the corvette floating above the building. Covenant soldiers and supplies floated upwards in the beam to the ship, disappearing in the glowing maw of it. The Spartans only shrunk further into the chains, battling their apprehension of being completely vulnerable. Their only defense being their camouflage being fed power from the bombs themselves rather than their armor, quick thinking on the EOD's part. Said Spartan peeked at the ground floor, the figuring he was on the 20th floor or so. A tidal wave of aliens covered the ground floor, all manners of colored armors and pigments gave it the appearance of a glittering sea. Then that sea parted, an entourage of maroonish-purple.

"Fucking Zealots." The gray Spartan internally cursed. No doubt the other head hunter had already saw them and was thinking the same. The crowd took notice of the Elites and immediately opened a path for them. A path that extended from the entourage all the way to the lit platform, Covenant at the edges kneeling and bowing with the rest soon to follow. As the Zealots pass, the crowd would disperse and resume their business. Leading the group was a Zealot field marshal, the only differentiation from the other three Zealots is the horn-like armor pieces on its plated helm.

Zealots were seriously bad news, sent on missions deemed of highest importance from Covenant leadership. Their experience, skill, and increased shield strength made them deadly opponents. Their mission it seemed, floating among the group is a sealed purple orb following the field marshal. It was roughly the size of an human torso, a blue light underneath it keeping it afloat. The CQB specialist, his green outline, came closer. The Headhunter pulled out his forearm cord and plugged it into the EOD's suit.

"How are we doing this?" The maroon soldier's voice echoed from the gray helm's internal speakers. The EOD specialist made sure to share power with his partner, using the necessary commands on the TACPAD.

"Simple. They're going to reach the corvette's gravity lift before us and already be on their way. We will follow the anti-matter charges, place more of the detonators, and escape through either an escape pod or hijack a banshee or phantom. Personally, I want to grab a seraph; but that thing flies like a tank in atmosphere."

"And...?"

"What do you man 'and'?"

"I mean what about the Zealots? You know as well as I do what it means when Zealots are involved. That-" A blurred finger pointed at the convoy down below. "- is an asset that as to be, at the very least, denied if not exploited."

"It will be denied when we blow the whole ship up. Our main priority is the destruction of this facility and that'll be accomplished in 13 minutes. While one of these charges is enough to blow that corvette sky high, these detonators are experimental. A few or most are guaranteed to fail or even found, we can't take any chances. Even then, we'll only have at most 15 minutes to ensure detonation. We don't have the time to find, secure the asset, and escape. That thing isn't emitting anything, it's shielded. We don't have the means to track those bastards or it. Getting out alive would be a huge boon as is." Replied the gray Spartan calmly.

"We're expendable. We are both Spartan-IIIs, we go against odds Spartan-IIs wouldn't dare. Impossible odds, for there is no other option. Not for us. Not for humanity. For all we know, that could be the key to end the war." The maroon Spartan remarked with an harsh edge, before saying in a softer tone. "We both know the only way to win this is large victories, even at great costs like TORPEDO. I also know the real answer why you refuse to, and that is another reason why we have to do this; and you know I'm right."

"..." The gray Spartan looked elsewhere, silent for a few moments. "...It would be best if we found the location of that ball first and backtracked back to the charges before attempting retrieval."

"Knew you had it in yo-"

"However we'll only have 9 minutes at most before the charges detonate and destroy this base. Then we'll be stuck on a ship full of confused and aggravated Covenant which it will turn into certain death if the ship enters Slipspace."

"Give me my sappy speech back, you bastard." Both Spartans had minor semblances of grins at that point. The CQB Spartan moved to disconnect from his partner before having his forearm grabbed. A waypoint materialized on the other side of the canyon, far closer to the ground floor. Observing the immediate area, seemingly nothing was there. Only passing Covenant and a green-

"I thought we were the only ones here?" The maroon soldier questioned. Seeing only glimpses of a green outline before disappearing completely.

"We should be. I'll give you a guess as to why they're here."

"Yeah... that ball may emit nothing, but a IFF tag sure will."

...

Another brick is placed upon the final bomb. His partners absence leading the Spartan to be extra cautious, his eyes glancing at the motion tracker frequently. The charges were distributed to multiple storage sites, and both Spartans knew time was of the essence. The gray Spartan took the time to design a program necessary for him to plant the devices at the other sites. Though considering the satchel that carried the bricks wouldn't have the same camouflage properties, he had faith in the other Headhunter's abilities. Saying that...

His eyes glanced the timer turning to zero, before the Spartan taped his TACPAD. 15 minutes appeared on the HUD, they now had to rendezvous together before heading toward the unknown Spartan - or possibly Spartans - signal. The EOD Headhunter moved with a purpose, through multiple hallways and passing by both crew and soldiers alike. Opening the last door, he landed in an small hangar bay with alien crew working on 2 spirit drop ships. The Spartan concealed himself in one of the darker shadows of the hangar with a moderate amount of cover before decloaking. After waiting for a few moments, one of the doors opened with more crew and a green outline.

The green outline surveyed his surroundings and spotted the decloaked Spartan. Maroon armor revealed itself beside the gray Spartan, the original colors blending into the shadows. The EOD Headhunter pulled out the split tool and waved it around before placing another way point. Placing the tool away, both Headhunters cloaked and approached one of the many curved doors. The curved doors purple highlights flashed before opening.

THUMP!

The Spartan-IIIs glanced at each other. The hangar bay blossomed into a blue wall of flame, the compressive force launching the human soldiers into the open hallway. Static grabbed at the edges of their HUDs and their armors' color fizzled before returning to their natural colors. The Spartans got on their feet quickly before it started sliding towards the next doorway, evidence that the ship was tilting. The maroon soldier quickly glanced back, seeing through the visibly buckled door the red sky. Most, if not all, the crew vanished along with a spirit.

"Good thing we brought a spare."

"Double-time it, wise-ass." Double-time it they did, sprinting through hallways to their destination. They turned a right and encounter their first group of hostiles. Running towards them is a Jackal and four Grunts behind it. Both Spartans unholstered their handguns in one hand and leveled them. The Jackal gave off a squat, a mixed green-blue shield flaring to life on its left arm. Two Grunts slumped to the ground with an extra hole in their heads, courtesy of the CQB Spartan. Another Grunt fell to the ground and a bullet blew of the Jackal's joes before being pierced in the brain.

Both soldiers passed the dead Covenant and cloaked again as their armor plates finished reconfiguring from the EMP after-effect of the bases destruction. Rushing Covenant crew members and soldiers passed by as the Headhunters got closer to their objective, none of the Covenant seemed to notice as all hell have broken loose. They sneaked through mainly corridors until entering a unremarkable room with a two hole in the floor, one glowing purple at the edges.

"We're getting close. Form up on me." Spoke the CQB Spartan who proceeded to equip his shotgun. Said soldier went down a gravity lift, the other Headhunter following. After going through a tunnel of white light, the gray Spartan took cover in a ceremonial hallway. Pedestals lined the pathway leading to tall, ornate doors; tall spires floated above the pedestals. Both Spartans decloaked and moved forward, leaving a meter between them as they went back to back down the pathway. As they reached the ceremonially graved door, both Spartans braced on each side.

The gray Spartan flicked his index finger up and glanced at his motion tracker. Nothing was registered on the mini-circle then the Spartan flashed his acknowledgment light green twice. He had to wait for a moment before he received a single red acknowledgment light.

"Complications." He received an amber acknowledgment light twice.

"Enemy detected." Both Spartans coiled and tensed, ready to join in the incoming firefight. THUNK! An explosion sounded off after, roars echoed from within the room before the sound of whizzing plasma hit the air. The acknowledgment light lit green thrice.

Both Spartans charged through the doors, witnessing in the scene. The battlefield consisted of a large, circular room with a walled walkway lining the upper part of it, oval shaped holes spaced periodically on the wall . Sloped pathways led from the walkway back to the floor, the room itself had spired placed in shrinking circles toward the center. In the center, once stood a tall hollow spire that lay smoldering on its side and its spilled contents laid beside it. Three Zealots took respective cover from the unknown UNSC force in the surrounding spires, two Elites spraying dual plasma rifles at said friendly forces and another, further back, turned around to take aim with its needle rifle. All the Elites shields glowed blue; damaged, but not broken.

The gray Headhunter dual wielded his handgun and SMG and focused fire on the closer Zealot's back while the maroon Spartan threw a grenade at the pair of Elites' feet. The rifleman Elite's shield broke before it rolled to its right, evading the thrown lead. It retreated up a pathway towards the encircling walkway. The other two Elites whirled around, presenting their arms before a flash of light and smoke lit the surrounding area. The gray Spartan pursued his mark as his colleague sprinted towards the recovering unshielded Zealot pair. Buckshot hit the rightmost Elite, pellets bouncing off the curved armor and digging into flesh; however the distance left the Elite alive. Another shell followed - far closer - instantly killing the Elite, tearing its chest plate apart. The shotgun shifted to the other Elite, barrel barking again. The shell hit only a corpse, the Zealot using his fallen brethren as a shield before replying back with plasma fire. The maroon Headhunter slid behind a spire, his shield flaring gold.

The gray Spartan ducked underneath a blade of plasma, the Spartan's shield flaring from the heat. Elbowing into its stomach, he pushed the Elite back. The human sprayed the Elite with the SMG, some bullets bouncing of the curved armor and others penetrating both flesh and armor alike. The alien raised the sword as a shield, the weapon visibly arced and flared as the bullets instantly vaporized. The Zealot's head lurched up, the space on its back blurred. The Zealot's open hand grabbed blurred space before it could reach its eye before slamming it into the ground.

The cloak crackled, showing the same shade of gray SPI armor with the exception of having the regular bulbed helm and it being wrapped around a more feminine figure. Her forearm had been grabbed, a blade firmly in her grip and not in the bastards skull. A kick to the Covenant's head shifted his focus enough for the plasma sword to impale the walkway next to the female's head. Another gray form slid between the Elite's legs, grabbing its sword arm with one hand and dousing the rest of the SMGs magazine into a alien knee. Bullets shredded the organic part into putty. The momentum flipped the Zealot over, landing on its back. The energy sword, now free, cleaved a scorched line across the floor.

The EOD Spartan quickly grabbed the Elite's wrist with one hand, crossed his legs over the Elite's bicep, and straighten his body against the Elite's joint. Stretching the Elite's sword arm to the fullest, the Spartan replaced his SMG with his handgun. The female head hunter had already followed the EODs steps from the beginning, stretching out the other arm; she held a silenced DMR in her free hand. The Zealot could only appreciate the near perfect and instantaneous coordination for a few moments before two holes crisscrossed its helm. Disentangling themselves, the the female soldier slung the DMR on her back and pulled out a grenade launcher. Shotgun fire boomed in the air before hissing plasma answered.

"Go grab the artifact. We'll take care of the Zealot." The woman spoke for the first time, breaking the action open. She pulled out a spent casing before inserting another grenade. She flicked her head at the scattered remains at the center, an orb with a large crack down its face. The EOD Headhunter followed the command, vaulting through an opening in the wall back into the room. Overhead, a grenade flew over and disappeared in the mess of spires. The Spartan sprinted through the purple forestry, jumping over the fallen spire.

A boom resounded followed by silent puffs of rifle fire, two distinct plasma rifles responded. Setting the SMG aside, he grabbed the orb; the crack spilling a dim blue light onto the Spartans face. He placed his fingers inside before forcing the crack wider. Blue blossomed, bathing the area around the Spartan. Picking the SMG in his left hand, he reached in with his right. His arm disappeared into the ball, going all the way to his bicep. His fingers found purchase and grabbed hold. A small part of his mind noted that the object is cold, yet perplexingly warm.

"Reclaimer..." Alarmed, the Spartan brought his SMG up, ready to shoot... what the hell? Instead of the battlefield of spires, what met him was a dark abyss. The darkness seemingly eating at the edges of his form. His hand no longer held an SMG, but rather air and the handgun was missing as well. Only his own form was visible, yet his eyes couldn't perceive anything else; a visual paradox. He 'stood' on darkness without reassurance of solid ground as if he were weightless. He... couldn't explain it, the voice never reached his ears yet he still understood; it simply echoes.

"Listen to me carefully, human." Whipping his head around, he didn't spot the feminine speaker and his HUD didn't register anything either. No comms or motion prevalent.

"Firstly, who are you? Secondly, you can go to hell Covenant bastard." The Headhunter promptly flipped the darkness off.

"I would be amused if time wasn't short. I lack the essence for it, know that I took after one who worked for the Librarian. You must take me to the gateway that'll lead us to the Asylum. I will lead you there." The darkness seemed to pulse at each word, reverberating within the Spartan's bones.

"These terms mean nothing to me. Even then, why should I help you?"

"LISTEN, WARRIOR-SERVANT. I'M BUT ONE FRAGMENT THAT USED TO LEAD THE ASYLUM BEFORE THE BETRAYAL. MY KIND SEEDED YOUR WORLD AND THE AYSLUM, YOUR KIND HAS SINCE EXPANDED." The voice reverberated into his entire being, yet it only enraged the Headhunter. He refused to be useless again, he controlled his breathing; his muscles coiling. He'll play along.

"Are you saying that humans inhabit this 'Asylum'?" The voice continued, ignoring the question.

"We have left you the Mantle, our gifts are yours. The Asylum is a safe haven that has remained hidden from the mark of time."

"Gifts? Like weapons? Ships? And the Asylum, can it hide us from the Covenant?" His anger dissipated slightly, replaced by a sense of... hope? Desperation? If given the opportunity, the UNSC can use this to their advantage; turn the tide of war. It could even save...

"Be warned, my existence came at a price. Your inheritance has been sabotaged."

"You mentioned a betrayal. Who betrayed you?"

"I do not know. Regardless, we are out of time. My essence is nearly drained, I can only lend my guidance to the door and the tools left behind." Out of the darkness, a feminine figure appeared. A dress of silver metal engrossed her form, a triangular helm with an orange visor and exposed mouth framed her head. She came closer, two hands sporting two opposable thumbs and four fingers in-between rested on the sides of his helmet. His mind registered voices, familiar ones; however they were extremely faint. It was getting harder to breath, the edges of vision blurring.

"You must awake for all that stands is you, alone." She seemed to sign bittersweetly, giving the Spartan an odd feeling. The voices have become substantially louder, nearly clear enough to identify.

"AETHER!" His eyes snapped open, the bright blue dimming to its usual intensity. His body reacted instantly, eyes catching a maroonish-purple mass flying from above, a line of light approaching him quickly. He place the orb in the Field Marshal's path, SMG blasting at the Elite-to-Spartan missile. Hooves planted into the purple material, plasma stabbed through the orb though off center where the artifact laid. The Zealot roared in the Headhunters face, cleaving the orb through. The Headhunter kicked the remains and the Elite off, pulling his clenched right hand free.

Rolling back, the Spartan rose back up to fire his SMG. Only for nothing to meet the incoming alien. Where he rolled from laid an armored arm clutching his SMG next to a melted line... his arm. The charging field marshal activated a gauntlet energy blade to pair with its energy sword before making a diagonal swipe. The amputee sidestepped the strike and jumped, twirling sideways in the air between two blades as the Zealot used its momentum for a low energy sword swing with a complimentary high bladed gauntlet. The Spartan didn't expect a kick after that, the Elite using its twirling momentum successfully.

Crashing against a spire, he rolled off to the side dodging a horizontal slash that cut the offending spire in two. Getting back up to mount a proper defense, pellets and bullets impacted the Zealot's shield. Flaring blue, the alien disappeared into the surrounding spires. The Spartan took the time to glance up at his HUD.