Chapter 17: Halo
As the Dark Nation continued to expand, becoming an even more terrifying realm of monsters
and infection, another alien species arrived—one that would add yet another layer of horror to
the already nightmarish landscape. From the Halo universe came the deadly and insidious
Flood, an ancient parasitic species that could consume and corrupt any life form, turning it into
one of their own. With their arrival, the Dark Nation became an even more twisted place, filled
with the unrelenting hunger of the Flood and their terrifying ability to spread across worlds.
The Flood brought with them a terrifying array of different forms, each more grotesque and
deadly than the last. The tiny Spores and Infection Forms scuttled across the ground, seeking to
latch onto any living creature and take control of their bodies. The monstrous Pod Infectors and
Seeder Infectors spread the Flood's infection even further, while the Pure Forms—including the
hulking Tank Form, the precise Ranged Form, and the stealthy Stalker Form—added new
combat capabilities to the growing Flood horde. The Carrier Forms, bloated with infection,
lumbered through the Dark Nation, releasing more Flood infection spores into the air.
But the true danger of the Flood lay in their ability to corrupt any creature they encountered.
Combat Forms of infected Humans, Brutes, and Elites now roamed the Dark Nation, their
bodies twisted and grotesque, their minds enslaved to the will of the Flood. Even worse were
the massive and terrifying forms like the Proto-Gravemind, the powerful and sentient
Gravemind, and the towering Abominations and Juggernauts that spread chaos wherever they
went. The Keymind, a highly intelligent Flood collective, began organizing the Flood, making
them even more dangerous.
With the arrival of the Flood, the Dark Nation became a breeding ground for infection. The other
monstrous entities—the necromorphs, zombies, and countless creatures from other
universes—found themselves competing for dominance against the relentless spread of the
Flood, whose only goal was total assimilation of all life.
However, the Flood were not the only ones to arrive from the Halo universe. As the Dark Nation
descended further into chaos, The One Above All transported the heroic survivors of the Halo
universe to the safety of the Light Nation, where they could find refuge from the endless battle
against the Flood.
Leading the charge into the Light Nation was none other than the legendary Master Chief
(John-117), humanity's greatest soldier and the key figure in the fight against the Covenant and
the Flood. By his side was the ever-loyal AI Cortana, whose intelligence and tactical skill had
saved countless lives during their many battles. Captain Jacob Keyes, the brave commander
who had led humanity's forces through many conflicts, and his daughter, Miranda Keyes, were
also spared, finding peace in the Light Nation after years of war.
Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson, the battle-hardened Marine, was transported alongside
his comrades, including the brilliant scientist Dr. Catherine Halsey, who had created the Spartan
program. Other key figures from the war, such as Admiral Preston Cole and Commander Sarah
Palmer, were also saved, along with Edward Buck and Jameson Locke, who had fought
valiantly in humanity's darkest moments.
The Spartans—legendary super-soldiers who had been the front line against humanity's
enemies—were transported as well. Noble Six, the hero of Reach, along with his fellow
Spartans Jun-A266, Emile-A239, Kat-B320, and their leader Carter-A259, found sanctuary in
the Light Nation. Fred-104, Kelly-087, and Linda-058, long-time companions of Master Chief,
were also spared, continuing their fight for a better future in a world where war had finally
ended.
Even the AI companions of the Halo universe found their way to the Light Nation. Roland, the
witty AI from the UNSC Infinity, and Serina, the AI who had once led the Spirit of Fire, joined
their human companions in the Light Nation, where they could continue to provide guidance and
support. The Spartan Red Team—Jerome-092, Alice-130, and Douglas-042—also found peace,
their war against the Covenant and the Flood finally over.
Yet not all who arrived from the Halo universe were human. The Elites, once the enemies of
humanity, had found new purpose in their alliance with the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam. Now, Thel
'Vadam and his Elites were transported to the Light Nation, ready to leave their past conflicts
behind and forge a new future as allies to the humans. The Covenant, however, was not so
fortunate.
The remnants of the Covenant—a fanatical alien alliance that had once sought to wipe out
humanity—were left to join the ranks of the Dark Nation, where their cruelty and thirst for
domination aligned perfectly with the forces of evil that ruled there. The Prophets—Truth, Mercy,
and Regret—led the Covenant forces in the Dark Nation, alongside the brutish Jiralhanae
(Brutes) and the relentless Hunters formed from colonies of Lekgolo worms. Drones, Grunts,
Jackals, and other Covenant forces, now free from the destruction of their homeworlds, found
their place in the darkest corners of the Dark Nation.
The Covenant's presence in the Dark Nation added yet another faction to the ever-growing
chaos, with the Flood continuing to spread their infection across the land. The Dark Nation had
become a battleground where monstrous forces fought for dominance, each one more
dangerous and insidious than the last.
Meanwhile, in the Light Nation, the survivors of the Halo universe were greeted by their fellow
humans and allies from Silent Hill, Dead Rising, Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, The Walking
Dead, Night of the Living Dead, World War Z, The Last of Us, Dead Space, and Aliens.
Together, they shared their stories of war, survival, and hope, each one grateful for the
protection of The One Above All and the chance to build a new life free from the horrors of their
past.
