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The legendary John-117, one of the last Spartan-II commandos left in the galaxy, awoke in an amber colored field of wild grain. As he grasped his head due to an intense headache, something was amiss. He felt flesh where cold, metal should be, it became apparent that his helmet was gone. Not only was his helmet gone, but every part of his MJORNIR Powered Assault armor, except his black bodysuit, was nowhere to be seen. John didn't like the feeling of him being without his MJORNIR, that suit had become a second skin to him over the years of fighting the Insurrectionists and the Covenant.
Something else was amiss, or rather someone.
Cortana.
Frantically, but in vain, John scoured the area in search of his helmet hoping he could secure his A.I. companion. When it could not be found, he collapsed to his knees and stared at the dirt. This entire experience made no sense at all, where was his armor, where was Cortana, and where was the Forward Unto Dawn?
The last thing John remembered was being put to cryo-sleep inside the UNSC frigate, well half of it anyway. Somehow he had managed to end up on this world, a world where the unknown was ever present. He scanned the horizon in search of smoke, a likely indication of the Dawn's crash site. When no smoke could be found, John was even more confused. His only choice now was to head deep into the decedent forest ahead and look.
John sprinted headfirst into the treeline and maneuvered past tree after tree. However, the path ahead became more and more difficult. Thorny shrubs pierced and punchered John's skin despite being clothed in the only remaining part of his MJORNIR armor, the black bodysuit. Finally, John could go no further. His crimson blood seeped from his wounds with dirt and sweat stinging bloody portals.
Pain was something he never truly experience before. John took bullets and plasma rounds as a Spartan, but he was protected by his armor and a constant supply of bio-gel that healed his wounds. Now, he may as well be running through the forest naked. All he could do was collapse back on the ground and wince at the stinging pain.
Suddenly, a mysterious voice rang out from behind him.
"Oh child of my creators why do you suffer so deeply?"
As John turned around he was awed by the presence of the voice's figure. He looked like a man in his 60's, weathered by age was evident in his wrinkled face, bald head, and shallow blue eyes. This man chose a peculiar form of dress in that he was wearing what appeared to be a Roman-era toga with a crown made of Laural leaves. However, his most striking features were his ghostly blue glow pulsating around his form and an image of a circle with a J shape centered in it floating above his head.
"Who are you?" John asked.
"I am someone you should know already John, did you not read the Terminals on your journey through the Ark?" the man questioned.
"I did, but what was said made little sense to me." John replied sheepishly.
"Very well, I suppose you deserve an explanation of everything," the man said, "I am Mendicant Bias, creation of the Forerunners, traitor to them, and shameful former servant of the Flood. Eons ago I was sent to combat the parasites, but was persuaded to join their cause. It was a most detestable act and an act that I remain ever repentant for. Yet, in the end, the Flood is temporarily defeated through the Halo Array and I am recovered and scattered. My fragments were present in two sources, one half aboard the Forerunner vessel manned by the Covenant and on the Ark. Your construct, the A.I. Cortana, proved to be a most challenging match as he attempted to abort the cruisers launch during the events of High Charity's fall. Instead of fighting, I chose to meld with her in secrecy. My other fragment was divided into the seven Terminals you located on the Ark. Now I am one again and speaking to you."
John was bewildered. If what Bias was saying was true, perhaps he could explain what is going on.
"Do you know our whereabouts Bias?" asked John, "I am afraid I am lost in this dark forest all alone."
"You are not alone John," Bias replied, "I have been with you ever since you recovered your construct. Now come, I shall guide you out of this bleak domain."
Bias raised a metallic staff into the air and caused a magnificent white light to pierce the darkness. To John's amazement, a wide path opened to his right. Bias walked into the newly opened trail and John followed. John still had some questions that required answer, so he pressed on.
"If you are an A.I. how can you project yourself in such a fashion?" John asked.
"I am a creation of the Forerunners," Bias answered, "Their technology far surpasses your...primitive scientific achievements. As such they could do many things, an example being an A.I. allowing itself to project a physical manifestation of itself to anyone it chooses."
"Do you know where the Dawn crashed on this world?" John questioned, "I haven't seen any evidence thus far."
"Your ships location is not of great importance at the moment John," Bias said, "No, first I must show you something, something very important."
"What could be more important that finding my only transport back to Earth?" John asked Bias, "Can you tell me what you want with me?"
Bias stopped in the middle of the trail and looked at John sternly.
"The reason I need you to follow me is so I can show you why my creators chose YOU to rule after them." Bias said.
"I don't understand that statement." John replied.
"Do you ever wonder why in your past exploits all of the technology left behind by my creators, the Forerunners, worked under your command? It is because they chose your species, humanity, to claim the Mantle, the designation of protectors of the galaxy. The Precursors handed it to the Forerunners and they handed it to your kind. That was their promise to you and I intend to show them that their trust was not misplaced."
"Why?" John asked.
"The answer will be reviled after our journey. Come quickly, our destination is fast approaching." Bias declared.
After ten minutes of slowly traversing the forest, an opening presented itself to the duo. As John stepped out of the dark forest, he was shocked at what lay before him. Nestled in front of him was the Flood-infected ruins of High Charity, still fully intact.
"No...I destroyed that place on the Ark, why is it...?" John stammered before Bias stepped in.
"Relativity intact?" Biased questioned, "Through a twist of fate, this wretched hive provides a key lesson on why the Forerunners chose humanity over every other known species in the Milky Way. Tell me, are you familiar with the work's of Dante?"
"He wrote The Inferno." John stated.
"Yes, I only know of this through your construct, but after reading his works I feel his tale offers the perfect experience to convey my lesson to you."
"How?" John questioned.
"You shall see. Now I must ask you to abandon all fear before we enter the hive."
"I am not afraid." John grunted.
"Then let us proceed." Bias said with a slight smile.