- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
The image of the Forerunner faded, and as it did so Naslum saw two more of the creatures that had attacked Romsunee appear from the ceiling and drop down. His mind screamed at him to run, but his body stayed frozen to the spot. He watched horrified as the creatures closed the gap between him and them. When one of them leaped towards him, he cried out with fear and batted the creature away, surprised to see it explode.
The remaining creature exploded as well, seemingly too close to the initial creatures destruction. Naslum let felt his body shudder once, as adrenalin burned within him. Before he could relax, he heard Romsunee groan.
Something had happened to the Sangheili’s skin. It was becoming blotched with thick spores. His right arm suddenly ripped apart, and tentacles spilled out. What was once Romsunee climbed to it’s feet and began charging towards Naslum.
Without any preamble, Naslum’s hand went inside his clothes and was pulling the weapon he had brought from back in the laboratory in his home world free. With a quick flick the weapon was activated, and as the creature closed the distance between them and lashed out, Naslum plunged the weapon into it’s chest. A shriek escaped the creature and it plummeted to the ground, crushing Naslum down with it.
Not wanting to wait for any more of the creatures to come, Naslum pushed the fallen creature off of him. He climbed to his feet and quickly moved towards the doors leading out of the chamber. Naslum had only taken a few steps when he felt movement behind him and was turning to look when he felt a heavy pressure slam into his back.
He was catapulted forwards, his body cracking roughly against the wall. A cry of pain escaped Naslum as he fell to the ground, his body immobile. Between painful gasps for air, he craned his neck to see that the creature he had killed had indeed gotten back up to it’s feet and attacked him. Before it could follow up the attack and finish him off, the creature exploded. Naslum watched in confusion as what was left of Romsunee’s body splattered against the floor and walls.
Voices caught his attention, and Naslum attempted to look at the doors but he could not move.
“I’m afraid it seems two of the Sangheili made it this far into the station High Prophet of Law,” one of the voices explained, and Naslum painfully noted that it was the Prophet that had been aboard the Conviction of Fealty. The response that the Prophet’s comment garnered was garbled somewhat, and Naslum gathered that whoever was replying was doing so over a personal communicator.
“Yes, it seems they have encountered the parasite. One of the Sangheili was taken over by the parasite, and the other was attacked by it. I have destroyed the possessed Sangheili, what should I do to the other?” A pause followed while the person the Prophet was speaking to responded. “Yes, he is still alive. Injured, but alive.”
Naslum tried to speak, to tell the Prophet that he had seen the Forerunner, but his voice would not come. He moaned with pain as his back shifted, just as the Prophet appeared in his vision. He was holding the energy blade that he used to attack Romsunee.
“I am sorry to do this Naslum, but you have seen far too much. Those who try to get too close to the Gods, will find that they have broken one of God’s rules, and must be punished.”
The energy blade was activated, and the Prophet shoved it into Naslum’s chest, piercing his heart. The Sangheili had only enough time to open his mouth before the light left his eyes.
The Prophet stood up and cast his eyes to the center of the room.
“Yes, I believe they activated the stations defenses. Whatever spoke to them has been in this station for some time. Perhaps it was a Forerunner.” Another pause. “Of course, that is foolish thinking. The strike teams have been neutralized, and the others aboard the ship have been eliminated. No one that saw the parasite shall make it back to the planet.” A pause. “Understood. I will return to the ship and link up with the battle group.”
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Author’s Notes: This chapter was more plot development than anything, giving us all a look at the fact that the Prophets knew of the Flood’s existence before the discovery of the Halo’s. Also, shows more treachery at the hands of the Prophets.
One more chapter left in this look into the Covenant’s past, then were back into the main story. Thanks to everybody that’s reviewed, you guys are awesome.