Halo: Trials of Fire

Author's Note: This story is a sequel to Halo Reach: Legendary. In addition, it takes place during the events of Halo 2. References will be made to the events that take place in the game so if you've yet to play Halo 2 or haven't played it in a while I would suggest playing or watching vids of it online first before reading. Lastly, just wanted to remind everyone that whenever the Covenant refers to Reach it will be with the phrase "human home world" for two reasons; one that the Covenant probably does not care about Humanity enough to wish to learn what their planets are named and two, in their mind Reach was Humanity's home world since the Covenant did not know that Humanity's real home world is Earth.

Chapter One: The Heretic

October 20, 2552

Covenant Holy City, High Charity. Ninth Age of Reclamation

"For failure such as this, no punishment is too great"- Halo 2

"We'll be rendezvousing with the fleet in thirty seconds, Sir." An Elite said.

"Good. Stay on course." A gold Elite replied. He turned to his right and addressed the Prophet sitting in a hovering chair next to him. "Noble Prophet of Prudence, we shall be arriving at High Charity momentarily."

The Prophet cut him off with a wave. "Despite what you may think Commander, I can hear. And I heard your subordinate quite clearly."

The Elite nervously clicked his mandibles. "I apologize Noble Prophet."

"There is no need." He said as he pulled a small ball from his enormous robes, "It has been a long and tiring journey from the human home world. If the message we received is to be true, then right now I imagine High Charity is already at the Sacred Ring—"

"Entering the Sacred System now." the same Elite said. The purple lines passing the outside the ship faded as the supercarrier entered the system. A large brown gas giant takes up most of the viewing window; in front of it, floats several burning pieces of metallic loops, the remains of Installation 04.

"Or what's left of it." The shocked Prophet said. He stood up from his chair and instantly a silver armored Honor Guard was at his side. "Thank you, Vir Gramee."

The Honor Guard silently nodded his head in reply. Prudence looked a moment longer before returning to his chair. The gold Elite spoke. "Forgive me Noble Prophet, but we were warned about the Ring's destruction."

"I know. I did not think the damage would be so severe. I assumed the damage repairable and the delay only minimal." He shook his head. "This is no delay. The Journey is over unless another Ring is found and considering how long we have searched for just this one ring…I fear it will be another age before we find another."

"You should not despair Noble Prophet." Vir Gramee said to him. "If you lose hope now then the others will lose hope and the human that did this will have indeed won."

Prudence smirked at his remarks. "You are right, my friend. I apologize for my moment of wavering. We should hurry if we are to make it to the trial. Commander?"

The Elite began issuing orders for the ship to hurry to High Charity. Meanwhile, Prudence and Vir continued to whisper to his right. "Come let us go to the hangar. Knowing Truth, the trial has already started."

The duo left the bridge and proceeded slowly to the front hangar.

"How do things look for the Elite responsible?" Vir asked Prudence. Prudence began to toss his ball up into the air catching it as it fell back down.

"In all honesty, not well. Based on the damage and the events that led to the ring's destruction, I fear that the one responsible is about to become a pawn in another of Truth's political moves. As you know, the Prophet of Mercy has deemed the one who allowed the human vessel to successfully leave the human home world a Heretic. However, he did this without consulting the rest of the council. Moreover, should the other members learn of Mercy's actions then it may give the human sympathizers the fuel they need to force Truth to offer what's left of the humans a place in the Covenant. If Truth wishes to maintain power and keep this war going the way he wants, he will have to place all the blame on the Elite in charge of protecting Halo."

"A scapegoat then." Vir replied.

"I am afraid so. More than likely, the council will deem him a Heretic and call for his public humiliation and execution."

"Do you think Truth will comply?"

The two stopped and Vir realized he was standing inside High Charity's hangar. Except for a few Engineers, Minors and Jackals the hangar was mostly devoid of life. The two pressed on to the council chambers. As they stood in an elevator, Prudence placed his ball back inside his robes and answered his question. "Truth will no doubt take the military service he has provided into account and base his judgment on that. As for what I personally believe, no doubt Truth will agree with the council's ruling of heresy however, I do not think he will squander either the opportunity or the incompetent's life."

"Who may I ask is the incompetent?"

Prudence looked up at the Honor Guard with a surprised expression on his face. "Vir, I thought you knew. His name is Thel Vadamee, Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice."

Vir Gramee felt his heart hit the bottom of his gut while Prudence continued with the conversation. "If memory serves, I believe he was a subordinate under you before you rose to your current position."

Vir nodded. "He was a Minor, just starting in the military. I was an Ultra at the time and found him to be most capable of leading troops into combat. After our initial fighting together on various human worlds, I was given the honor of serving you and have not heard of him until now."

As they neared the top of the lift, the two could hear Truth's voice as he spoke to the Council. The lift stopped and the two walked out into the large Council Chamber. All around them sat silver armored Elites and Minor Prophets staring towards the front where a single gold Elite stood on a small platform. Nearby a pair of brutes stood as if waiting to escort him away. Directly in front of him sat two well-dressed Prophets and a hologram of another while a grey haired Brute Chieftain with a Gravity Hammer stood off to the side watching events unfold. The Prophet in the center was speaking when they took their seats in the back.

"—led your fleet with honor and distinction. But your inability to safeguard Halo…was a colossal failure."

A Prophet in red robes stood up, made a fist, and yelled, "Nay, it was heresy!"

The room exploded into yelling as the various councilors began debating the decree. Vir stood at Prudence's side and looked on his former subordinate with pity.

Oh Thel Vadamee, you were once better than this.

"Now we wait to see Truth's reaction." Prudence whispered towards Vir.

"I will continue my campaign against the humans!" Thel Vadamee said to the Prophet in front of him.

"No…you will not." Truth said and glances at the Brute Chieftain who then lets out a commanding bark to the two Brutes near Thel. They approach, each getting ready to grab an arm but Thel quickly brushes them off and is escorted out of the chamber as Truth says, "Soon the Great Journey will begin. But when it does, the weight of your heresy will stay your feet. And you shall be left behind."

A general murmur arose as the various council members prepared to leave. Truth addressed them saying thanks for their attendance and inviting them to head back to their individual rooms where they could watch Thel receive his Mark of Shame and to be ready to decide on a suitable punishment for his failure. Prudence and Vir followed the other councilors as they dispersed back to their rooms. As Prudence and Vir exited the lift that carried them away from the Council Chambers and to the Council quarters, a single silver Council Elite member was standing nearby as if he was waiting for them. The Elite approached them. Vir glanced at him and gave him a respectful nod.

"Ah, Councilor Miree." Prudence said to the Elite, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Good day to you Prophet of Prudence." He answered and walked toward the hovering Prophet. "I hope your journey to the human home world was productive."

"Indeed. I am sorry to hear about this latest…set back."

"As am I. To think I supported his promotion. I hope he suffers a painful and slow death."

Prudence smiled wryly. "Is that your recommendation or what you desire to have happen?"

"What if I said both." He replied.

"Then I would say your expectations are too high." He motioned for them to begin walking forward. "And while there is no doubt that the whole of the Council shares your opinion, I doubt Truth will waste this opportunity to add to his own guard. My guess is that he'll be humiliated then cast as one of Truth's personal guards. Despite his recent failures, I fully believe that Truth means to use this Elite to further his own agenda and if not dead then as a guard where he can keep close watch on him."

Miree grunted. "Truth does have many schemes."

"Speaking of schemes, are you aware of the events that took place at the human's home world?"

"You mean aside from their annihilation, no."

"I see, what if I told you that we have a Heretic in our midst."

The Council Elite stopped cold as Vir and Prudence turned to face him directly. "You lie."

"I do not. Vir Gramee himself was a witness to this fact. If you would please Vir."

He nodded and said, "What the Noble Prophet says is true. I was sent to the surface of the human world to keep watch on a recently promoted Field Commander who was tasked with the removal of a Heretic. This Heretic not only allowed the humans to sink a relic of our Lords underwater but also allowed the humans to study it and learn its many secrets. In addition, the ship that came to the Sacred Ring was able to do so because he failed to stop its departure. Moreover, the Demon responsible for the Ring's destruction also carried knowledge obtained from the relic the humans sunk."

"Blast." The Councilor growled. "Who is the one responsible for that failure?"

"A Field Marshall and a relative of yours at that I believe." Vir answered.

"Relative? I have no relative that is a Field Mar—no wait, Cyril Miree, another Sangheili who showed exceptional promise. Does he still live?"

Vir shifted his weight and answered, "When last I saw him, he was boarding a human vessel with a grey Demon after defeating the Field Commander sent to kill them."

"A DEMON! First he fails to kill it and now he aids them!" He let out a slew of curses before regaining his composure. "Why does he aid them? Even better, why does he continue to exist?"

"I do not know. Perhaps he seeks to one-day fight the Demon or has some other plans for it. However, it is worthy to note that the same Demon that caused his disgrace is the very one he now follows."

Miree uttered a low growl. "Are we cursed to be humiliated by these creatures whenever the relics of our Lords are involved?"

Neither of them responded. After a moment, Prudence asked him, "What do you plan to do now?"

"Nothing. At the moment, I have too little information to do anything. And while his heresy is a blight upon the universe, he is beyond my reach…for now at least. However, the day will come when that will be rectified. Tell me, who was it that declared him a heretic? Was it Truth?"

"It was Mercy who held his trial." Prudence answered. "And as I was telling Vir as we arrived, Mercy has not deigned to share this information with Truth or the rest of the Council. I imagined if he did and word of this affair spread to the anti-war faction, they would call to question Truth's intentions. If nothing else, they would use both of these events to try to force Truth to extend an invitation to the remaining humans for a chance to join our Covenant."

"Something that you would no doubt support fully." Miree quipped.

Prudence shrugged. "Come now Councilor Miree, I am simply less short sighted than the others. While I have no particular love for the humans, I do admire their tenacity, cunning, and ability to wage war for as long as they have. Though to be fair, their history is filled with many conflicts, so it is no wonder that they have persisted as long as they have in the war against us. If anything I find Truth's…unwillingness to see reason to be short sighted. The humans are gaining an understanding of the sacred relics better than even the best of our scholars and have a greater understanding of technology than even our best engineers. Look at what they have accomplished; with their own hands, they have developed their own weapons, ships, and methods of travel that we ourselves had to borrow from others and even then, our understanding is no greater than theirs is. Not allowing them a place would be a crime in of itself."

"Perhaps, but can we really allow a race whose only skill it has is to create greater ways for destruction?"

"And yet we allow the Brutes to roam our halls." Vir interjected. Miree glared at him.

Prudence cleared his throat. "What my guard says is indeed worth noting. I am well aware of the prejudice you and the Brutes have toward each other. However, even amongst your proud race there are those like the heretic who respect the humans even if they do not outright admit to doing so. Besides, wouldn't we be better off with their destructive ways being used for us rather than against us?"

Miree pondered what he said for a moment, then let out a resigned sigh. "While I do not like the notion, I see no fault with what you say. However, I will reserve judgment until I see with my own eyes what they are capable of doing. If they are indeed a race of warriors then they must prove their worth like any other. However, seeing as they are keener to fleeing I do not think I will be too impressed."

"I believe they are allowing their noncombatants to flee not their warriors."

"They would do better if they trained them to fight."

"Forgive me for saying this honored Councilor," Vir interrupted, "however; I do not believe we are in a position to criticize the humans when we ourselves only allow a certain population of our species to fight."

Miree narrowed his gaze at him, "What do you mean, guard?"

"I mean that the humans are more willing to allow both their males and females to fight whereas we only allow our males. In this, they are better than us. How can we claim to be better warriors when they are more progressive with the use of theirs?"

Both Miree's and Prudence's attention was focused on the Honor Guard who shifted uncomfortably under their scrutinizing gaze.

"Interesting." Prudence said stroking the hairs on his chin. "I did not know they allowed their females to fight. How sure are you of this?"

"Quite." Vir replied, "The Demon that brought down the Field Commander is a female."

"Hardly extensive proof but a start." Miree said. "I will consider what we have discussed and keep an eye on that schemer Truth. For now, I shall return to my quarters and contemplate the fate of the incompetent one currently here. May the Lords continue to protect you both as you walk the path."

The Councilor turned and walked in the opposite direction as them. Prudence and Vir Gramee turned around and continued forward towards his room.

"I will assume that the other guard is currently preparing my room." Prudence asked Vir.

He nodded. "I told him of this task before I arrived on the bridge of the ship."

"Perceptive. However, I have to ask about the Demon you encountered. Tell me, what is your impression of her?"

"She is a very capable warrior. Cunning, quick, and has the same love for close quarter combat as some of our sword wielding Zealots. As a commander of troops, I could not say. She seemed to be more of a solo type of fighter, however; I believe that is where she excels the most if the report the Field Commander left us is to be believed."

"And what did that report detail."

"The results of the Field Marshall's failure and how a lone Demon was able to slay six of his warriors, a cruiser, and an entire division of warriors before another Demon rescued her."

"Tenacious and strong willed. All promising qualities."

Vir tilted his head slightly to the right in confusion, "Noble Prophet, if I may ask why these questions?"

"Because my dear friend," the Prophet answered stopping in front of a large light blue two story house . He pressed a button on his chair and opening the steel door in front of them. "I am beginning to formulate an idea. One that may serve us well in the future."