Author's Note: Thanks to Kalshion for being my proof reader.

Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Halo universe, which is the property of Bungie Studios. However, any non-Halo species (and characters made from them) belong to me.

This is the last Chapter. I hope you enjoyed the story!

Chapter 17: Aftermath

He immediately recognized the place: a hilltop overlooking a vast sea, and he feared he had succumbed to his injures, as impossible as it seemed considering how minor they were.

Fear not child. A familiar voice reassured him. He turned to see the silvery form of Azuwezia behind him. We are merely taking this opportunity to give you a chance to ask any questions you may have.

We? The Arbiter then noticed there was another with her, one that was much different then her in many ways. This one stood on four powerful legs, with a pair of immense wings attached to its shoulders and a powerful tail at the back. An arrow shaped reptilian head sat upon a sleek muscular neck, a head that was crowned by horns. Like Azuwezia its eyes were white and pupilless, however its hide was a gleaming gold and its claws and wing membrane were bronze. Its gaze reminded him of a powerful commander that was wise and fair to his troops. "Ramekozu I presume?" He asked.

That is correct warrior. The golden Messenger said, his voice deep and commanding, but not intimidating. I am the one you called upon for strength during your battle.

"One I lost…" The Arbiter said a bit bitterly.

You cannot lose a battle that is not yet over. Ramekozu told him.

That is right…Kesi has to escape from all those ships. He realized.

Kesi still has a role to play in this world. Azuwezia said. His fate is tied to you, but it will not be you alone to defeat him. The Arbiter blinked in confusion at this somewhat cryptic message, but nodded anyway: he got the feeling he wouldn't get a straight answer about it if he asked.

But enough about what has been and what will be. Ramekozu rumbled. We know you have questions, let us hear them so that we may answer them to the best of our ability.

The only question he really had was one he tried to ask last time here was here. "Why did the Messengers of my people abandon them?" He asked.

When the true message of the Mother is repeated countless times but ignored, the Messengers lose hope for that world. Azuwezia explained. Your people have been stuck in an endless loop of false truths for centuries due to the lies of the Prophets.

Such a situation ongoing with no clear sign of resolution oft forces the Mother to doom that world. Ramekozu said grimly. The Mother is a very patient being, but even she has her limits. Your world, your people, would have been brought to an end by some means if you had failed.

"Me!?" The Arbiter reeled back a step.

Yes. You were your people's last chance. Azuwezia said. It was the Mother herself that guided your steps to where you are now. It was she that influenced the events to make you the man you are today. If you had chosen wrongly during that time, your people would have been doomed.

The Arbiter had to sit down, his hearts beating furiously. How could he have known that the fate of his people rested on his shoulders? "You are saying…I was meant to discover the truth behind the Prophets lies…and open my people's eyes…" He said breathlessly. The two entities before him nodded their heads. "Then…I must still have work to do…my people are confused and lost…they no longer know what their purpose is!"

No. Ramekozu said. You purpose in your people's salvation has all but ended.

You opened the door for them, it is up to them to go through it and see where it leads. Azuwezia added. The path to the truth must be taken alone by each individual through their own trials: the path to the truth is different for each man and woman. The only time you have a say in it is when they ask you about your faith. When they do, you are only to explain your beliefs and not preach it to them. That is the Mother's way.

You can however continue to lead your people as you are now. Ramekozu said. To be an example for them.

"I will continue to do so to the best of my ability." The Arbiter said. Another question came to mind. "If the Mother is able guide people herself, why does she need Messengers?"

Mortal minds are oft limited in their ability to see. Ramekozu said. They oft cannot grasp that the Mother is everywhere and everything.

When they do grasp it, they still feel the need to give the Mother form. Azuwezia said. They feel they need something tangible to believe in and the Mother, as powerful as she is, does not have this ability herself. Hence the Messengers: we become the imagines, the 'gods', in mortal minds of her and we take the shapes of creatures that they would most identify with.

"Then why do you appear as you are to me?" The Arbiter asked. "Would you not be Sangheili or a native creature of my homeworld?"

We are the Messengers of the Gurgen and the world they live upon. Ramekozu answered. As the Gurgen were our first followers, we took their shape. Since you are the first from another world to accept us as your Messengers, we do not see the need to alter our form.

"Will the Messengers that originally covered my world return?"

We do not know. Azuwezia admitted. But take heart child, it does not matter which Messenger you listen to, it is that you listened at all that matters..

It is time for you to return. Ramekozu said, spreading his wings. And for us to depart.

Keep the name you have given yourself…Azu 'Ramiz. Azuwezia said with a faint smile. You honor us with it and may it be a reminder of the trials you have gone through so far. She started to rise up, but then stopped and lowered her head to his level. Her face looked grim. But be warned, there will come a time in your life where you feel the world is about to end, a pain like you have never felt before. Something that faith cannot sooth, but only a loving heart can.

Another cryptic message and again the Arbiter knew it was pointless to ask what she meant.

We bid you farewell. Ramekozu said, lifting himself up into the air with a powerful stroke of his wings. May you continue on the path of the truth!

As he watched them fade into the distance, he thought he heard another voice.

Arbiter.

Arbiter!

"Arbiter!"

The Arbiter snapped his eyes open to be greeted by the Master Chief's visor in his face. "Gah!" He yelled, pushing the Chief's head away. "Do not do that!"

"You had collapsed." The Master Chief said blankly. "I thought you had succumbed to your injuries."

"Yeah well I have not." The Arbiter said, getting to his feet, only to nearly fall over again. The Chief caught him. "How long was I out?"

"Only a minute or two."

Yet…that conversation felt a lot longer then that. He thought, remembering the conversation he had with the two Messengers clearly. Then again, dream like states only last a few seconds if the scientists are to be believed. "We should get back; the others will want to know what has happened."

"Agreed." The Arbiter said, letting the Chief support as he couldn't quite trust his legs yet.

"Maiken." Vl'asuna said she ran up to the Arbiter when she saw them approach the infirmary, Master Chief still supporting him. "Are you alright?"

"Only minor injuries and exhaustion 'Mura." The Arbiter replied. "How is Rtas?"

"He will live." The Lipor said. "Not liking the forced bed rest though." She smirked.

"Ha! Now he knows how I felt!" The Arbiter said with a chuckle.

The trio went to Rtas' room where Johnson was teasing him. "Awww look on the bright side Halfy..." The human smirked. "You will have a nice scar now to show off to the ladies!"

"Shut up human." Rtas growled, looking miserable.

"Damn…I was just getting used to him actually calling me by my name too." Johnson pouted.

"Rtas." The Arbiter handed him his energy blade. "As I promised."

"Looks like you turned out better during this fight then I did." Rtas said, gratefully accepting his weapon back. "Come here 'Johnson'…I want to show you how I feel about you…" He ignited his blade with a grin on his face.

"Um…I think I'll stay right over here…." Johnson said, backing up to the door.

"Stop fooling around Rtas." The Arbiter scolded. "You are supposed to be resting after all."

Rtas snarled in disappointment but turned off his energy blade. "Did you get the bastard?" He asked.

"Unfortunately brother he fled in his Phantom after the Spartan got involved." The Arbiter said regretfully. "But not before we both gave him some scars to remember us by. Provided that is, he somehow escaped all those ships chasing him."

"And unfortunately that is the case." Cortana announced from a console. "He managed to get back to his ship and do a slipspace jump."

Both Rtas and the Arbiter muttered some curses in Sangheili; Johnson muttered a few of his own. If Vl'asuna did as well she did so mentally. "No matter." The Arbiter growled. "Have the Shadow of Intent send word to every ship in the allied fleet that Kesi 'Musav and crew the Righteous Justice is henceforth branded as traitors and are to be destroyed on sight!"

"The Councilors will not like you making this decision on your own Arbiter." Rtas warned.

"We do not have time to let the Councilors to sit on their asses debating on this matter for days!" The Arbiter snapped. "We cannot allow Kesi the chance to gain more supporters and continue this conquest of his."

"Feels good to be the Arbiter again eh?" Johnson asked.

"Damn straight." The Arbiter growled, ripping off his helmet. "Where is my real armor?"

Kesi stomped through the corridors of his ship after leaving the infirmary, against the doctor's wishes, making his way to the bridge. The doctor said his eye couldn't be saved, but he figured that out on his own. The man had trembled as he told him this, obviously fearing some kind of retribution. What a coward: to think he is the younger brother of the late Tora 'Halimee! Kesi couldn't fathom why Tora spared him from the slaughter, but then again if he hadn't they would be without a doctor. Still, he vowed to keep an eye on Telo 'Kalim for possible treachery just to be safe. After all, even cowards sometimes grew a spine…

He entered the bridge and sat down in the command chair. From the screens he could see they had exited slipspace. "Any sign of pursuit?" He asked.

"No Shipmaster." Came the response from one of the bridge crew. "They did not follow us."

"Good." Kesi felt tired and was in pain despite the pain medication he was put on, plus he knew he looked terrible right now, with half his head, his chest and numerous other areas bandaged. However he used that pain to drive his hatred of the Arbiter and his allies, starting to plot anew.

"Shipmaster, a message just came through."

"What is it?" He demanded.

The Major at the communications console hesitated before replying. "It's a message from the Shadow of Intent, to all ships of the allied fleet. The Arbiter has had us blacklisted and branded as traitors to be shot on sight."

Kesi snorted, not that concerned. "The Councilors will revoke that order as soon as they learn of it." He said. "They do not like such decisions being made without their approval."

"Still sir…as soon as the Arbiter is able to plead his case they will unrevoked it."

"I know that." Kesi said coldly. "Which is why we must act quickly." He rose from his seat. "Set a course for home. We are to resupply and tie up any lose ends we have before the Council makes their decision. If all goes well we should be long gone before our former comrades have authorization to fire upon us."

"As you command Shipmaster. But…" The Major hesitated briefly. "What will we do after that?"

"We will become a thorn in both their sides." Kesi said simply with a growl. "And make them regret crossing me…."

A/N: Yes this chap was full of foreshadowing. And yes…that means there's a sequel in the works. ;)