This is the penultimate chapter of Halo: Requiem. After that is an epilogue regarding the aftermath of the events on Requiem. I may put a poll if I should make another Halo fanfic called Escalation of The Guardians and have it become a two parter. I wouldn't mind your opinions on the matter either. As always, please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 11: End of Requiem

"Just remember, Crimson. We got your backs." Jun said to them

"Same to you, sir." Benji replied to his mentor

"Let's get this done before us and the Infinity get dragged into the sun with Requiem." Rosenda declared

Fireteam Crimson followed Jun-A266 and Rosenda-A344 as the Spartan-III duo had the lead, following their mentors through the cave system. Time was running out on the account of Requiem violently trembling, leaving almost two hours left before Requiem and Infinity collided with the sun leading to the destruction of both. They ran at their full speed heading to the waypoint of the artifact's location, as Covenant forces and Promethean Knights converge at their position preparing to open fire at the Spartans.

"Incoming, at three o'clock!"

"I see them." Jun said as he and Benji took shots at the incoming enemy forces. A Promethean Knight appeared behind Jun, only be killed by Jan who sneaked behind it as he side glanced at nodding back. "Appreciate that assist, Janissary

"Engage!" Rosenda ordered as her, Jan, Kevin, and Nat laid down some opening fire as Promethean crawlers showed up in the fray

The six Spartans engage the Covenant and Promethean forces, taking down enemy units of Grunts, Jackals, and Knights with precision and coordinated tactics. Rosenda put her CQC skills to use when facing the Elites, weaved through every attack made by the Elites as Jan joined alongside her mentor. Jun staggered an Elite charging at him as the zealot fell close by the Spartan-III, putting the Elite down with a few bullets with his pistol before he and Benji advance with the others. After the Knights were down, a large wave of Crawlers headed toward their way as the Spartans attempt to make short work of the Prometheans rushing out of the tunnel.

"Target down!" Kevin said, eliminating an Elite with a lethal takedown as he slashed an Elite's shields before finishing the zealot off

"Frag out!" Nat yelled, throwing a frag grenade at a group of Grunts that died upon explosion while she butts an incoming Elite with her weapon and spraying the Elite with bullets. "Pushing through." she said as her and the rest of the Spartans continue to advance toward their primary objective

Once the Spartans fight their way past the Promethean machines, they head through a tunnel leading them to a massive glowing Forerunner structure. Crimson along with Jun and Rosenda begin clearing out the Prometheans guarding the structure. Taking down waves of Promethean Knights, Crawlers, and a pack of Watchers as the Spartans enter the structure navigating through the alien architecture to lead the way toward the Forerunner artifact anchoring between Requiem and Infinity. Jun, Rosenda, and Fireteam Crimson reloaded their weapons and had them trained on all directions as they quickly proceeded with a notion of caution.

"Tell us you got something, Oracle." Jun said to her

"Affirmative, Sierra-A266." the AI responded as she was the scanning the are via the environmental scans of Fireteam Crimson's armors. "I'm picking up high energy readings that resonate with the same energy signature as the artifact onboard Infinity. No doubt, the artifact is close by."

"In that case, show us the way." Jun ordered

The Spartans approach a door at the center of the structure, but it remained locked. Oracle instructed them to go to the lower level of the structure, entering a chamber containing the power source. A glowing cylindrical device that was located at the top of a ramp, guarding by Prometheans as the Spartans fought the machines before activating the power source. After the Prometheans were taken care and of the power source activated, they headed back the upper level and reached the center door that was now unlocked. They entered the chamber of where the artifact was located, moving up the ramp where they find a control console. Behind the console is a large glowing ring-like structure attached to a massive spire. The artifact itself is concealed within a floor compartment between the console and the structure. Jun nodded at Benji to shut the artifact down, only for Jan to spot something and tackle Benji out of the way from an incoming beam that struck where he was. Jun, Rosenda, and the rest of Crimson aimed at the direction of the blast as they spotted Arvos hovering above the Spartans.

"I knew you would be here." Arvos landed on his feet at the top of the spire. "Your kind is known to be very tenacious in acts of desperation. Perhaps even reckless."

Jan pointed her weapon at the Prelate. "I say we're just more determined than reckless."

Arvos chuckled in amusement. "Indeed. Now, tell me..." he waved his energy rifle at him from Jun to Nat. "Where is the other half of the Janus key?"

"Away on our ship. You won't be getting it."

Arvos lightly scoffed. "I highly doubt that, especially considering the state you are in currently. Your ship is anchored to Requiem, is it not?" he queried, seeing the Spartans keep their weapons at him. "Which could mean one other thing. The other humans you accompanied, they are still in the Librarian's domicile on Requiem with the other half of the key. Jul M'Dama's sacred shrine. In that case-" Arvos dodged a shot from Kevin as the Prelate growled in annoyance at the Spartan's defiance. "I see you wish to be difficult. Very well!"

Arvos ignited his energy blade and charged at the Spartans, using his energy shield to block and deflect the incoming bullets. One of the bullets that deflected from Arvos energy shield hit Jun's as his armor's shield were low and on critical. The Prelate flew toward them with his jetpack, firing his energy weapon that shot a beam of sorts. The beam hit some of their shields, as Jun leapt into cover. Crimson and Rosenda used their enhanced reflexes to evade the incoming stabs and slashing from Arvos's energy blade. Nat and Benji were the first to be seen flying by the Prelate's strength and beam, partially displaying a hit to their shields. Unfortunately, Jun was hit in the crossfire once his shield was down as he was wounded in the battle.

"Jun! Are you-"

"I'll be fine! Just deal with him!"

While Fireteam Crimson and Rosenda engage the San'Shyuum Prelate in fierce combat, Jun tirelessly goes over to shut down the artifact. An unwavering focus he attempted to shut off the artifact, even as he sustained injuries from the ongoing battle with Arvos. Crimson and Rosenda keep up their relentless assault against Arvos, as the Prelate noticed Jun about to use the control console to shut down the artifact. Jun glanced to see Arvos had his attention on him as he tossed aside Kevin toward Jan. Rosenda had leaped toward Arvos from behind, avoiding the shots from his energy weapon as the Prelate tossed her. Fortunately, Benji called out a small drone that Rosenda was able to catch onto instead of falling to her death as she fired her assault rifle at Arvos.

"Keep him distracted! I'm going to shut this down off!" Jun ordered

"We've got you covered, sir!" Kevin responded as he and Rosenda land precise shots at Arvos and his shield, cracking it through the timed shots

Despite their efforts, Arvos is proven to be a formidable opponent as he used his energized blade skillfully and his shield even when its cracked. Rosenda landed back on the structure and opened fire before Arvos sliced her weapon in half, leaving the Spartan-III to rely on her CQC skills and evade his attacks with combat knife in hand. She was lucky enough to disarm his energy rifle that scattered away close by. Arvos tossed brute spike grenades and plasma grenades at Fireteam Crimson, leaving the four Spartans to avoid the explosives.

"This guy's tough!" Jan exclaimed, dodged another explosive that went near to her. "Is that artifact off, yet?"

"We need an opening to bring this Prelate down." Benji said, as Jun glanced at the fight continuing but also at the Prelate's energy rifle

"I'll make an opening. You work on that console." Jun ordered as Benji nodded and did what he was ordered before administering biogel at Jun's wound

Jun forced himself to get up as he attempted to aid his comrades in need. Meanwhile, Benji put himself to work on the control console as he finally managed to shut down the artifact. As the artifact powered down, the energy field dissipated with Arvos noticing what Benji has done. The Prelate decided to aim his sword at Benji all the while deflecting and blocking the gunshots, narrowing his eyes at the Spartan in his sights. Before he could make the final blow, Jun fired off a shot using Arvos energy rifle as the Prelate's shield and armor was critically hit, dealing a major blow. Seeing Arvos weakened, Fireteam Crimson and Rosenda seize the opportunity. Kevin and Nat shot the Prelate, leaving him wounded as Jan and Rosenda make a precise and powerful strike incapacitating that fatally wounded Arvos in the process.

Outside of Requiem and in orbit of it, the UNSC Infinity remained anchored to the shield world until Palmer and Majestic finished things on their end. After Crimson completed their objective with their mentors, it rest in Majestic and Palmer's hands. While they waiting for the other team to shut down the artifact, the Infinity's sensors suddenly picked up something on their scanners.

"Captain!" Roland shouting out all of a sudden

Captain Lasky turned to the ship AI's attention. "What do you see out there, Roland?"

"It's... a ship." everyone on the bridge including Lasky looked over the direction of a large shadow passing by the Infinity. "A big one."

They all looked to see a ship fly pass the Infinity, resembling a giant crater with Forerunner technology. It was twice the size of the Cryptum but to Roland, it reminded him of files regarding the Covenant former city-ship called High Clarity according to some of the reports that was based on Forerunner technology.

"Should we be worried here, Roland?"

"In normal circumstances, yes. But... that ship is leaving instead of attacking us." Roland stated as the forerunner crater ship entered a slipspace portal. "And until that other artifact is shut down on Requiem, we won't even be able to pursue it, Captain."

"We'll have to save that pursuit for another time."

Crimson heard Arvos speaking the language of the San'Shyuum, while Rosenda helped up Jun on his feet as she applied biogel to his wound. Jan walked toward the bleeding Prelate and knelt down to hear what Arvos was saying.

"Soonar botarinad kos vokesau kyned. Glonwa vaed zarahar. Janjur Qom."

"What did he say?" Jan asked the team's AI

"This is only the beginning of a new era." Oracle translated upon Arvos's death. "Long Live Janjur Qom. The Ancestral home."

"I'm fine. The biogel will hold until we get the med bay on Infinity." Jun assured when the Spartans heard rumbling

"We need to move." Rosenda said. "Now!"

All of a sudden, the chamber began to tremble and fall apart as the floor shook in the aftermath. The Spartans took that as their cue to leave, heading out the exit. Suddenly, the Spartans started floating in the air at random and dropped to the ground. Their shields damaged upon the impact before charging up as Crimson start making their way through the tunnel. Upon exiting through the tunnel, they encounter a group of Sangheili zealots as some of them were cloaked.

"We don't have time for this. Charge!" the Spartans push pass the Elite, killing them with weapon fire and charged plasma grenades snatched from the bodies of previous Covenant

"Oracle get our bird ready for take off!"

"Already done! Just get out of the cave!"

Jun, Rosenda, and Fireteam Crimson see their Pelican in view once they ran out of the cave. The Pelican doors opened as all six Spartan jumped onboard, with Kevin taking control of the cockpit before the doors closed. Once the doors were shut, Kevin flew away from the warrens as the shield worlds continues to fall apart with the Pelican lifting off. Kevin piloted the Pelican, flying through the incoming and falling debris as the pelican escaped the planet. The radar indicated a friendly above their direction as Kevin knew whom it could be.

"On your twelve, Majestic."

Both pilots of the Pelican increase their speed, flying out of Requiem through an enormous crack in the shield world's plating. The Pelican headed for the awaiting Infinity, through the hangar as a couple of technicians watch them arrive before the technicians ran and cover their heads as the Pelican got closer. The landing of the two Pelicans was rough, but they arrived intact in the end.

"Captain, we're onboard!" Jun said on the commlink

They heard the Infinity's engines lit up, rocketing the ship away from Requiem. As the ship exit the frame, the artifact is jettisoned by the Infinity tumbling through space. Both it and the ancient Forerunner world, hurtle toward the sun as they swallowed by its sun itself. After the Infinity got some distance, the sun collapsed and then unleashed a fiery explosion. Infinity opened a slipspace portal, fleeing from the incoming explosion of the sun as some of the sun's plasma followed through it. Nonetheless, the ship is intact after making its escape unscathed.

"Captain Lasky to all crew, we made it!" Lasky said as cheering could be heard throughout the Infinity

Jan sighed. "So... all in a day's work, huh?"

"That's putting it mildly." Nat replied as the rest of the Spartans exited the Pelican

Jun glanced at Fireteam Crimson. "Good job, Spartans." he said with a smile as Rosenda took him to the medbay

Lasky along with Jun, Palmer, and Kevin without armor head over to the lab room. "You sent them to stop me." Palmer said

"Captain Lasky sent Majestic to find Halsey, and we went to find Jul M'Dama." Kevin pointed out to the Spartan Commander

"Do either of you see a difference, Morales?" Palmer asked in a retort

"Yes, ma'am. I do."

"Enough." Jun said, breaking the argument as they went in the lab. Glassman was present, wearing a sling while nearby machines examine the half of the key. "Dr. Glassman, what do you have for us?"

Glassman had a somewhat dazed expression. "This tech is something." he noticed the expression of those present waited for him to continue. "Well, the first test showed that it's inert. But this part is really weird." Glassman clicked a screen above them, showing microscopic images of the key's structure. "It's unlike anything we have seen so far. On a molecular level, it's incomplete. Almost as if we're missing a piece."

"We are, doctor. We have a piece of the Janus key and Jul has the other." Kevin stated. "And Dr. Halsey."

"And when he shows himself, we'll be ready for him." Jun added

"If you excuse me, I'm heading up to prepare for the funeral service of those we lost on Requiem." Lasky said

Kevin and the two Spartans saluted. "Sir." he said, which left Palmer to turn her attention to him

"Ready room. Now." she ordered a low tone

Kevin sat in the ready room, while Palmer paced back and forth before she decided to speak breaking the slience.

"What the hell were you thinking?" she asked throwing a cold glare

"Did as what we said we were doing, tracking down Jul M'Dama to eliminate him." Kevin stated. "Seeing that he had Dr. Halsey, the plan changed. We'd retrieve her and kill Jul."

"You and Crimson weren't order to hunt down Jul M'Dama and you know it." Palmer leaned toward him with her hands on the chair. "You disobeyed orders and went AWOL."

"Commander. If we wouldn't be here, and you along with Majestic would have been dead by the Forsaken if we didn't stick around like we did." Kevin said, defending the actions done by he and his team

"That isn't the point! Before the Infinity got boarded by Prometheans and Covenant, Roland was put out of commission by Halsey. Another AI was put in his place, your team's AI."

"Oracle has a contingency protocol that stores her in a data server onboard the Infinity if Crimson were captured or killed." Kevin explained to Palmer. "What happened on the Infinity when it was attacked was only a coincidence. Her and Roland's help was invaluable on Requiem and repelling enemy forces on the Infinity."

"Halsey was still with the enemy all this time."

"Commander, none of us knew that Jul was communicating with Halsey using the artifact itself. It caught us all off guard. Despite her crimes, Halsey is still one of the best, if not the only brightest minds we have in the UNSC." Kevin replied. "Considering how things turned out afterward..."

"What are you saying?"

Before Kevin could respond, the door to ready room opened to show Jun in his black business suit as the rest of Crimson were behind him.

"Palmer, leave the room. There's something I have to discuss with Crimson alone." he said

Palmer side glared at Kevin before saluting Jun, and leaving the ready room. The door was closed behind her as Kevin got up from his seat, with his team standing in attention alongside him. Jun had his hands behind his back as the "retired" Spartan-III stared out into the window of space.

"I won't lie to you. This will no doubt a problem for you." Jun started to turn his attention to Fireteam Crimson. "The Security Council will want to know what happened on Requiem. With the shield world, the Janus key, and Halsey."

"Meaning...?"

"Meaning you'll have to be present with Palmer and Captain Lasky as a possibility."

Benji sighed. "Of course, there's that as a possible outcome." he said, seeing narrow his eyes at the thought of meeting the Security Council

"You said we have to tell them everything that happened in Requiem." Nat replied. "Does this include the Forsaken?"

Jun nodded in reply. "No embellishments whatsoever. But that isn't the only thing I wanted to discuss with you four. I wanted to ask what you know about the Prometheans."

"They served the Forerunners and were warrior servants." Jan recalled. "And that they're based on ancient humanity."

"It's more complicated to that. Some of the Prometheans you fought..." Jun paused to look his proteges in the eye. "They were once human, specifically humans in New Phoenix six months ago." he concluded, seeing the shocked expressions of the young Spartans

Jan gasped. "What? All of them?"

"Yes." Jun answered. "All of whom were present at the attack on New Phoenix. The attack itself was caused by a living Forerunner known as Ur-Didact, and he was the supreme commander of the Forerunner military during this time."

"Is he still around?"

"It's classified, and apparently above my pay grade." Jun replied. "I chose to admit this information to the four of you because I trust you to be confidential in not revealing this anything."

"When did you know about the Prometheans being humans, Jun?"

"When the Didact's Gift was delivered for Halsey to study by Majestic. It was that moment she discovered an AI filled with human memories." Jun stated

"New Phoenix. Thorne's grew up there, right?" Jan asked, as Jun nodded in response. "I can only imagine what's going on in his head when he found out the truth about Prometheans."

Roland appeared before them. "Chief of Staff, it's time."

"Understood. Thank you, Roland." Jun said to the AI as Roland disappeared

"Funeral?"

"Funeral."

Personnel gather for the funeral of dead marines, army troopers, pilots, and 14 Spartans that died on Requiem's second campaign. Flags of the UNSC were folded and placed on the caskets of those that were killed in action, the names of the fallen to be sent away to their families or next of kin. That present at the funeral wore formal military attire, while the Spartans wear the standard undersuit and blue fatigues used before they sync into their Gen 2 Mjolnir armor. Every Spartan fireteam stood in attention in view of the funeral caskets, none so than the three fireteam members of Domino as they carried the casket of the late Victor Mendoza. The other Spartans do the same, setting them aside inside the airlock with all the rest as the airlock closed behind them. The caskets were jettisoned out of the airlock, entering the vast coldness of space.

Elsewhere, the massive ship of the Forsaken drifted away after attacking a UNSC facility in orbit. The facility itself floated in a wreckage, due to the aftermath as dead human bodies were adrift in space. Technology from both Covenant and the UNSC were scavenged, taken to serve a purpose as Sharquoi moved the equipment and salvage with their enormous strength. Blueprints of ship layouts, communications systems, Q'lin workers combining both arsenals of the two group to serve the offensive needs of the Forsaken. Lastly, robbing technology regarding flash cloning as a freshly made Pytauri stepped out of a large oval pod covered in green liquid. Knuld walked by, inspecting the clone before nodding a growl as the two Raloka took the clone to be fitted in armor. He headed up toward the command bridge of the ship where Q'lin and a couple of Pytauri guards stood in attention of their warchief, now standing by Vidar with the Huragok engineer Constant Adjustments. The Prelate glowered in view, filled with the mournful loss of his brother but the raging anger for those who took his life. Knuld noticed his expression stared away with the scowling expression on his face knowing this was only the beginning.