Swords of Sanghelios Records
RECORD I
The New Lesson
Vakan Sradamai
October 20th, 2552.
18:33 EAT {East Africa Time}
High Charity, the Covenant's holy city. On the inside of this mushroom colossus was a city of booming species. Many military personnel guarded certain places of interest, all bundled up in various areas around. A little less known is how many civilians were within the city. Seven and a half billion species of sentient life forms gathered here under The same banner. So many different walks of life, cultures, planets, ancient religions, and more. They all were united under the same premise, salvation. The Great Journey was a beacon of hope for them as they strived to create a better world for the living, even if it cost their lives. The center of the city was the towering forerunner ship which most of these species practically worshiped. It created a bright light acting as a sheet of holiness.
Even so, the Covenant emblems and insignias drape and cover the city like an embrace. Civilians felt very much safe underneath their Prophet's wise counsel.
People talked with many crossed tongues. Most spoke Unggoy or Sangheili, as their language was primitive and basic which made it easy to communicate. Unggoy as a species were less than intelligent so their language would reflect such knowledge. Certain words or vowels were not used, making it easier to communicate. Whereas Sangheili was an upstate elegant tongue that was easy to interpret due to the lack of physical interruptions. Certain sounds, vowels, and consonants the Sangheili could not physically produce thus making it easy to understand them once a user understood the dialect.
But in one of the main marketplaces, civilians we racked with joy. So many different languages going back and forth it was a mutter, to say the least. A new Halo has been found, and the Prophets were taking the entire city there. Earlier just the thought of another Halo in existence would be heart-jumping after the Demon destroyed the last one. Many were saddened by this event, and some to the point of tears. All their lives, and for longer, ten generations many have been told of the promise of Halo. Its divine embrace guides all who are worthy of the chance of freedom… salvation.
But now, another has been found. And not just that… but they are going there? Now? The civilian uproar of excitement was overwhelming. The burst of happiness could not be contained and neither could their impatience.
Yet on the side streets was less than that, there was a hint of sternness and military discipline. In the military district, most civilians were not allowed into and had hardly any interaction with the outside. Many officers (especially the Sangheili), thought that interacting with loved ones constantly left room for weakness and regret. If that was to spread, even hesitation. And in the worst of cases, the exotic sense of insubordination (this was the rarest of instances).
Many of the military cast still "hung out" together even though of the social stigma of cross-species. It was a social grievance in one's spare leisure time to have continued to accompany another from a different species. It was considered a social rejection if one chose another kind of their own. Even still, most within the military branch never cared. They never had to endure what civilians had to, so their thoughts and opinions are like sheep among the lions. It was almost hysterical.
But within a dimly lit room, the cast of a foreboding shadow was the unknown. Strange and unfamiliar music hummed in the background. Purple hexagonal patterns mark the walls telling of the forerunner's ancestry. Multiple species within the Covenant gathered here. Mostly Unggoy, their small reptilian penguin frames waddling about. The Sangheili are tall and lanky yet very toned and muscular. And Kig-Yar, hairless birds with no sense of honor in their work. They all gathered in a fair-fit room that seemed to be a break room or eating area.
Hardly any Jiralhanae, as the apes prefer to stick to their packs. And Yanme'e only interacts with their hives, hence being nicknamed 'drones'.
These three conversed the most with one another in social settings and combat, which is fairly ironic as Kig-Yar is only in it for the money. About a dozen or so various ranking members of the Covenant gathered here. It was a local area for those off duty in their activities. Mostly species interact with species and although it seemed like a meshing of beings everyone for the most part kept to themselves.
Unggoy would have occasional banter about the Sangheili's eating habits (they did not have an atomically 'normal' jaw so it looked strange to most). And the Sangheili would threaten to pop their methane tanks. In their world, it was mostly set and consistent, even on board High Charity. The Unggoy were just foolish enough to say such things.
But around a table were three elites. Minor rank as their armor was shown. Deep blue configurations drizzled their shiny new look. These fresh elites had hardly seen battle, young and firey they were bursting at the seams.
"Did you hear the prophets have discovered another Halo?" one of them said in a deep tone.
One coughed with a raspy voice, "Indeed, the Oracle also has been found."
"This is great news!" the third clasped his hands together, "soon we will be on the ring."
Sliding doors quickly opened on the far side of the room. The crowd's bar conversations quieted as a figure stepped in. Everyone slightly began to mumble amongst their groups. Even the few officers in the room took note of the entry.
A Sangheili, standing at almost eight feet tall ambled with a commanding posture. His armor that he wore astounded the people inside this makeshift cafe.
A golden Honor Guard. A Royal Guardsman.
It was uncommon to see a traditional Honor Guard outside his post in the common area of the military. They believed they were holy in a sense, the divine mandate of heaven was blessed to them to guard the holy ones, so why should their precious time be wasted by the common riff-raff? Their brother's red mail would glisten in the light as a pillar of what the Covenant stood for, and the aesthetics of their glowing orange patterns would show its beauty.
However, Ultra Honor Guards held a high authority among even the already prestigious Guards. Blinding white armor stood as a blotch for many to gaze upon. Their duties were to command and organize the entire branch such as officers, and were seen only as Guards to very high-ranking Sangheili and the San'Shyuum Counselors themselves. Their Legendary title, the Lights of Sanghelios, was a beacon to all the Sangheili who rested their eyes on their resolve.
But Royal Guards is hardly ever seen even on broadcasting within the Covenant live streams/media. Their will was similar to an Arbiter, a direct arm to the actions of whatever the holy prophets command. Their role was out of honor, not disgrace which was the core difference. Their title was mythical almost to that of mystery. It was rare for them to be in the public eye, and to have one here, in this place was astounding, to say the least.
As he approached the counter, the Royal Guardsman did not even look around at the strange spectators. He was not even phased. A strange bar counter is laced with the same purple-type design as that of the Covenant. At this bar counter was a fellow Sangheili, significantly shorter than the Guard, and wearing a thick dark gray robe rather than armor, telling of his base civilian nature.
"Did he send you?" asked the bartender.
The Guard sneered in his pride, "I would not be here otherwise… Do you have it?"
He chuckled, "Indeed," then pulled out a huge tray of sorts on it was a strange oval-shaped metal bowl. Inside this bowl was a soup, deep blue with orange and green plants inside. The Guard stared at it making sure it was what he was looking for. After a second he nodded in thanks and turned around for the exit. As the door opened and he left the bar, all the others inside were still in a half-state of shock.
As the door closed behind, the tender reached out with his hand slightly, "I still need those utensils back."
Out in the lively street was the booming civilian district. The Guard clutched the plate with the bowl with tight vigor as if his own life depended on it. There was a certain sidewalk on the side of the main street which he began to walk on. As he passed many civilians in their daily activities he did his best not to make eye contact. He had never been involved in civilian life… to see others in this environment was strange to him.
A group of female Sangheili (much smaller than him) passed by giving some gazes that were questionable at best. He sneered in righteous piety at the thought of flirtation.
Grunts moved in huge packs with their young waddling about like small livestock. Their breeding had been recently allowed to increase due to more grunts being required for the war effort. Even then still restricted, the thought of grunts getting out of control again was too… unsettling. There had already been so many grunt rebellions and revolts, that it was disgusting enough to contemplate.
A few Sangheili he passed gave surprised nods of respect as they passed, something he gave in return. The streets this time of day were just about midday, almost the peak of ongoers. Everyone was doing their tasks and activities within their rights until they passed the golden blight of Covenant Patronage. Their mouths would drop as if they had met their hero, the once-in-a-lifetime moment. He was a celebrity of sorts, and no one knew his name. But everyone knew him by his title as if it was branded on his very skin.
Eventually, he reached a huge tower. It was tall and lean and reached to the tops of almost high charity itself. A set of staircases leads to the top of a long ramp. At the top of the ramp was a gated area with the red Honor Guards standing at their posts with their long staffs. A tall door laid at the base of the structure which was blue and dark gray reversed engineered forerunner technology.
The golden elite began to walk up the ramp, and the two other Honor Guards nodded in respect to him. One of them pressed a few buttons on a blue glowing kiosk, which made a few beeping sounds before lighting up. The gate in front opened wide revealing an open area with many inside. San'Shyuum in their priestly robes gathered around in this meeting area scattered in various and diverse conversations with one another. Each wall had an entrance or door which had two more Honor Guards stationed on each one.
With the garrisoned door opening it made quite a loud opening to which everyone could see the singular Royal Guard. The San'Shyuum however, hardly noticed him and after a second turned away and continued back without batting an eye. Very interesting and different dynamics are from the rest of the Covenant. Not that he cared, but the difference was noticeable.
This library of sorts had holo books on the shelves like a logged catalog. Two stories of 'bookshelves', played with all types of knowledge waiting to be opened and obtained. These 'librarians' of sorts were talking with themselves and gathered around the long tables and the aisles. Amongst many things, reading was the San'Shyuum's greatest desire. They wanted to know all, for without knowledge after all is no power, and without power is no authority, and without authority is no Covenant.
Passing through the few clustered groups of long-necked aliens, he approached the back of the room. In it was a huge gravitational floor pad. It was circular and about two yards in circumference and glowed to a pinkish purple. He stepped onto the pad, and without even saying anything, the anti-gravity matrix surged around his body translucently.
It gracefully lifted him off the ground and into the air. Hovering for a moment only a few inches above before it graced him up at a fairly slow rate.
A few yards above the ground be gently veered to the surroundings below and the San'Shyuum in their contemplations. He never understood their ways nor did he want to. They were above him in the caste of the Covenant for a reason, maybe because of their… strangeness?
As he ascended to the ceiling above, a trapdoor cracked open in the ceiling revealing a slightly blinding white light. The gravitational lift took him into the light, making the Royal Guard squint his eyes a little. Making it through to the other side, his whole body passed through the entrance before the trapdoor underneath closed. When it did the zero-gravity hold released, letting his feet elegantly touch the floor.
He had been here… a lot actually, this was his station. Purple Covenant designed curvy walls and ceiling, a single pink light from a lamp of sorts hanging from the center of the room. A giant living room of sorts, a strange hump on the side of the room almost resembling a couch. A counter on the side with huge barstools. There were no windows or entrances for 'natural' light to enter, except for one. The huge door transparent with glass was cracked just a smidge. Light peered in creating a perfect view for its embrace to take over the dark.
Now the Guard could hear a faint humming sound coming from the outside window/door. As he approached with the bowl of soup in hand, he lifted a now free hand and gently opened the door. The balcony could see all over High Charity, the whole city. A small 20x20 semicircular space with Covenant indented handrails covered the rich place.
Two chairs, and a small end table (for a human it would be fairly large for an end table but these aliens are much bigger). In one of the chairs was a San'Shyuum, frail and old. His eyes faded and his hair was silver around the chin and eyes. Now the eyes faded and white making him almost blind. Their robes were a deep blue with gold coverings along the edges telling of his royal nature. Gold earrings draped off the San'Shyuum naturally long earlobes.
Upon the enable of sorts was a crown, shining in its very bright yellow. A blue ring encased in light on the front… This was the regal crown of The Holy One… a Hierarch.
As the Royal Guard approached the elderly San'Shyuum he placed the plate with the bowl down on the end table next to him. Standing up to attention he lowered his head slightly in respect,
"Your dinner you requested sire, Holy Prophet of Mercy."
Turning his neck slightly in his chair since it was slightly angled. He was deep in thought looking out to the whole city, almost like he was trying to grasp its expansion, his tone, ancient and wise. Very raspy and worn as if in his lifetime he had done a great deal of debate and lecture, "You know I do not like being referred to in such a way."
"My apologies, sire."
"In any case, did you bring Langfoo stew seasoned with Upa Leaves?"
"Yes sire."
"I see," he clasped his hands together, "tell me Vakan. Do you know where Langfoo comes from?"
Vakan, an ascended name only few were allowed to have. It was a Holy name of sorts, traditional to the tales of old Sangheili warmasters and ancient Arbiters. Older names such as these were seen as taboo or uncultured to be named in such a way. It still was somewhat fitting for this Royal Guard, but even many Elites would frown at this sight. Vakan, the name of the first Arbiter, now born in flesh as a Guard to a Holy One.
There was hesitation in his voice, "no i do not."
"It's a exotic meat from Langolia. The bird it comes from is fast and nimble and is a trophy to most hunters," he held up his hands for a moment emphasizing while he speaks with them, "Upa Leaves on the other hand, picked from a very rare plant only in the deepest caverns in Doisac, the Jiralhanae's homeworld."
"I can see now that this is a very exquisite and expensive dish."
"I sent you out to the common military zone to obtain it…"
The guard huffed, "I still do not know why."
"Eat," the Hierarch chuckled.
Completely baffled, the Royal Guard was starstruck. Not by the notion of the expensive regal sustenance, but by the thought of eating with such a Holy One. It was uncommon for an Honor Guard to be eating at all, only permitted in morning and evening shifts when the guards 'exchange hats' with the next shiftee.
A Royal Guard on the other hand has even less of a time to do so, sometimes only in the early morning. So now even the thought of this was blasphemy it seems, possibly even heretical.
Finally after collecting his scrambled thoughts "My Lord," gulping in between each sentence, "I cannot."
"Why is that?" he expressed with a frail tone, "You have been my personal guard for quite a while now, and it feels as if I do not know you," said the Prophet.
"It is against Sangheili tradition. I must not eat with anyone other than myself."
"What about your lover?" He motioned to the other chair, patting it once.
Vakan moved to the chair and sat down in it grunting once. He glanced out to the city below taking in the view.
"I am not allowed a mate," he said.
"Ah," Mercy chuckled, "you Sangheili and your 'traditions' seem very cumbersome," he motioned again, lifting the very large and oddly shaped spoon to the elite, "eat, this is something I'm trying to teach."
Vakan frowned, "I am not one of your students sire."
"The day you stop learning is the day you wither. Remember that."
The elite stood up from the chair in frustration shaking his head. He leaned up against the railing gazing not to the city but divinating into his mind. He veered back to the Prophet of Mercy for a moment, "What must I learn?"
"To be lowly in a title such as yours. Eat, I am ordering you."
Grunting once he gripped the bowl of stew with one hand and the spoon in the other. Standing up he tried not to stare at the frail old San'Shyuum. He respected the wisdom enough to continue, but this still felt… off.
Vakan raised a spoonful of soup into his mouth and through his mandibles. As the liquid mixture hit the back of his throat, sensations rocked his taste buds. He had never tasted something as good. The history of all his life was slop compared to this. This soup was heavenly and beyond what he could comprehend.
"Well," Mercy mumbled, "how is it?"
"Very good. But why my Lord?"
"I do appreciate you, to which I will warn you, change is coming, this is the beginning Vakan, I can only hope that you are prepared," he paused to take a breath, "another halo has been found, the Great Journey is about to start."
After months of being a Royal Guard for this Hierarch something was seriously wrong. His calm elderly deminor now was twisted and demonic. Unsettling it was, and it caught Vakan off-guard. It was a strange foreshadowing he predicted, almost coming across as a threat. The pupils of Vakan were small and focused whereas the Prophet of Mercy was wide and expanded, very telling of their differences.
Halo, everyone was unbelievably excited for it, even the prophet. Even though a pious Sangheili like Vakan was wanting, his duty to being a Guard triumphed his religious views. Maybe this is what the Holy One wanted to teach?
