I never thought I'd be writing another chapter so soon! But since it was on my to-do list, I decided to take a whack at it. At first, I didn't know how to approach it. But as I continued to add only a little bit then come back to it eventually, my fingers just sorta took over. And I've gotta say, this is incredible! I feel like I'm both in the story and a reader xD It's awesome! I feel all the excitement you guys do! :3 This is so much fun! Can't wait to see what I write next! ENJOY!
Section 1: It All Comes Down To This…
Even through his calm complexion, I knew Nikhal was sweating through every pore on his skin. This quarrel made him more anxious than a sniveling Grunt at the hand of death…for good reason. I would have slew his honor by now were it not for the fact that I was curious to see how he'd initiate the fight. I was giving him the first move. So far, it did not look promising.
"Are you going to fight, or not?" Remarked an agitated Regret.
Nikhal grunted tensely, quiet as the room itself, clenching his blade with all his might. This had become a contest of gawking at one another. Ten minutes into this uneventful tirade and I was prepared to surrender – even if it meant preserving what little honor I hold currently under my father's name. I had disputed within myself, especially after training with him all these weeks, if dueling with him was wise. It was obvious I played into his antics – anecdotes of imaginary equal status with me. He refused to give up during training so what is he doing at this moment? His honor is on the line!
I shook my head. I could not take this idiocy any longer.
"I had faith in you, Nikhal. I've trained by your side all this time and here you throw away your honor – your reputation – for fear. I was wrong to agree to this. Go home. I am finished here."
Disappointed, reviled, and hurt, I began to fill the halls with my hoof-steps. About five steps away from leaving, I heard a grunt of effort and the distinct sound of a blade rushing through the air. With a half-spin, I twirled around, both my blades in the air in blocking formation, fully evading the blade that Nikhal had swung at me.
"In the short time you've known me, have you truly ever seen me give up? Even when the odds are stacked higher than my eyes can look over?"
Nikhal pulled away and within a split second, he flailed his blade at me in all directions. Not so much in desperation but perseverance. He was not as afraid as everyone liked them to believe, he fooled even me. Shy, perhaps, but NOT afraid, nor a coward. Nikhal is nothing like his foolish father. He is full of surprises.
I hadn't had the time to train in him in the way of the blade, as I had planned to secretly duel with him when the time came. Never did I expect it so soon. Nonetheless, it has transpired and there is no turning back – for either of us. It is do or die – for our honor at least.
Nikhal's amazing reflexes and timing made the spectators in the room marvel – myself included. After a few sprees of randomized slashing techniques, Nikhal stepped backwards. He had obviously trained by himself prior to this day, and hidden his intentions from the eyes of the Squad. He appeared to be as honed as I was in my many years of my father's teachings. He instinctively withdrew from the duel momentarily, knowing I was predicting his movements. In order to defeat me, he must've realized by now that I have to physically fight in the dark. I have to quite literally hearth new tactics for every move rather than regurgitate basic ones for basic attacks. He'd have to be three or five steps ahead of me.
The moment he withdrew, plunged in my direction seconds later, and did not let up bespoke of this very thing. It's as if he needn't read my body language nor my mind – but, if I dare say, my eyes. His unmoving gaze made me feel exposed, predictable. These feelings of dread seeking my hide hadn't come upon me since the first days of training with father. Was this a subliminal method of some kind?
My answer lied in wait with his next move – a flesh wound to the shoulder. Grasping at the honor-flowing hole in my flesh, I clenched my mandibles together to ease the pain mentally and push past the ache. Only when the plasma is concentrated enough at the tips of the blade can it cause such torture. This was no ordinary cut. It was a warning. He was telling me that I was losing.
I hadn't even touched him and yet, here he is, having given me only ONE wound and I feel like I've been in battle a thousand times over. Where did he have the time and resources to conjure up such a blade? Wasn't this instrument one of the training blades, meant for new trainees? He…He must've swapped it when none of us were looking! He KNEW they'd want more out of him! That lousy… He purposely failed every quarrel to force my hand in this matter. He has deceived me. He wanted me to fight him so that he could show me what he was truly capable of. And yet, despite the lack of nobility, I am not angered by this. Mostly due to the small tarn of blood on the floor next to me. In all my years of training, this cunning is equal to that of my father and the Arbiters! It was my turn to shine the Glorious Light every Sangheili is born with.
Gasping for air, I fought through the agony. He nodded at me, acknowledging my efforts. When two warriors are synced in their honor toward eachother, it is unlike anything simpletons have ever seen. I roared furiously and pounced at him with full force, like that of a wild beast. This, among other things, was my last mistake for the day.
Section 2: Honorbound
"Wake up, child!" Said a frail voice as I opened my weary eyes. I could hardly see through the blurred vision of mine to make out the throne of Hierarch Mercy.
"Regain your senses, sister." Added Eelo, who kneeled at my body, leaning over me and tending to whatever wounds I sustained during the fight. My mind was foggy, hazy as a mist, unable to comprehend the previous battle.
"You fought well, Ruz." Gharan sounded slightly disappointed but also relieved. Was I thought dead?
The usually upbeat and humorous one exhaled heavily. "Nikhal bested you." Q'rin muttered
I was unclear whether that meant my impending doom as a warrior or something else.
I tilted my head to the right and observed a stoic Nikhal approaching my side. His demeanor had hints of caution, concern, and fear behind the title of a proud warrior that he had garmented himself with this day. He joined the others in kneeling beside me. The other three left us alone. Whatever he had to say would more than likely obscure my hopes of fighting on the battlefield.
"Ruz…"
"Say nothing, Nikhal." I stopped him from continuing. "I don't want to hear it."
He was quiet for a minute and then he lent me his hand. Not only was he reading my movements that I hold within my eyes, now he was reading my emotions upon my face. On my feet was the only thing I wished for in this moment; vulnerability was not my strong suit when it also meant the cost of my honor.
The question that was lingered in my mind could no longer be contained. And I was aware that Nikhal knew this as well.
"How did the quarrel conclude?"
"Your wound, which is now healed, I see, had proven too much for you in your last-ditch effort to win. I repentantly say that I needed to use something to coax your rage out of you. As you would have easily overcome me."
"I surmised most of that."
"I was captivating to witness such a whole new side of you, Ruz."
I ignored that comment as I was in no mood for niceties.
"Why did you deceive me into thinking you were afraid? Why cheat your way to victory?"
"I needed to surprise you, of course. Any less and those eyes of yours would have caught my intentions before I followed through with them. And as for the swindling… it was no more than proving that you would not give up irrespective of how the tables turned on you; irrespective of whom you are fighting."
"I see. So rather than it pulling you out of the conduit of spinelessness that you have tripped and fallen into, it was meant to be…in my favor."
With a nervous outbreath, Nikhal nodded in affirmation.
I nodded quietly in response and contemplatively began losing myself in thought. Everything I knew about this seemingly meek Sangheili was all incorrect and irresponsibly settled before more of his personality could be felt. This thinking would effortlessly slay me on the battlefield should I resolute as hastily concerning my enemies. I must not forget today's events.
As my thoughts drifted away from the victory of Nikhal, my mind coasted on the shores of defeat.
"Still bitter from the quarrel?" Nikhal asked, breaking my train of thought.
"I thought I told you I wished not to hear of it." I gruffly retorted, itching now to depart elsewhere and from the embarrassment I experienced only hours ago. The bruised wound was still fresh – and I am not speaking of the physical one.
"What is it you believe I will say?" He asked me as I brushed off the dust that collected on my armor when I had laid on the ground in defeat.
"Is it not obvious?" I declared. "I know my fate is sealed. I see how the Hierarchs speak in the manner they are as they discuss matters to themselves in this room, isolated from the rest of us. It is clear to me that I have failed."
Nikhal's only response was a smile. I had the nerve to question why he would wear such a smug countenance in my presence when he chortled softly and said,
"On the contrary, my friend. The Prophets had listened to my plea after you went unconscious. I informed them, as well as a few statements from the others, about your leadership with us, and they are currently discussing the possibility of all five of us making it through the doors to the battlefield."
"You are not meaning…?"
"I am. We have all potentially passed our Lord's assessments. They seem to hold greater regard for us as a whole than we previously supposed."
My honor had brusquely been repaid to me by the same hands that pilfered it. I was speechless. I was ecstatic. I was relieved. The only reaction I could reimburse my loyal friend was an affectionate embrace. Either I had done so with such force that all air escaped his mandibles or he was dazed by my gesture.
"I take it that you are in good spirits knowing this?" Nikhal queried.
"Indeed. This news is what I have been waiting for since my father's passing."
"I am glad." He chortled.
A moment later, the Prophets called for us to hear their judgements.
"Considering what we have observed for ourselves at this meeting, we see great potential in the five of you. Congratulations, young ones. You are the warriors you have been training so hard to become." The five of us exchanged brief cheers of our promotion. "Your first task on the battlefield will be debriefed in a few days. We shall call you back to us when we have decided where we shall send you. You are dismissed."
As we left the Chambers and back to our training grounds, we all celebrated with what we did best – training.
"What an achievement! All FIVE of us, as a unit, marching onto the battlefield!" Eelo optimistically professed as she fought the moving training dummy, full to the brim with confidence. Gharan, who was on her right, nodded in agreement.
"It is a noble feat. I look forward to telling stories of my first defeated enemy that lies at my feet!" Added Gharan as he was cleaning one of his treasured weapons. A Sangheilios coin flipped in the air to the left of Eelo.
"I look forward to the first respite after my first defeated foe." Chuckled a pleased Q'rin, admiring the coin he had just caught for the dozenth time.
"I myself am shocked." I further added to the conservation. "After that ostensible crippling overthrow, I thought for sure I would be sent back home where only silence awaits me." I looked to the sky thoughtfully.
"Ruz, my friend, why are you so dark during the most vital jubilation of our lives?" Q'rin said as he walked over, put his hand on my shoulder and patted it. "I know you are relived more than shocked by the outcome."
"Yes, my flippant friend, I am. Thank you." I smiled warmly at Q'rin.
"Naturally, O Great Leader." Q'rin bowed playfully as he returned to his favored spot.
"Do not tease me, you jester! I am not anyone's leader! Not on the battlefield, anyway." I remarked chipperly.
"According to the Hierarchs, you are." Gharan shot a look of friendliness at me. I knew this look. I once gave him this look before we became friends. However, despite the invitation, it seemed to be difficult to feel that once again and reciprocate.
A quiet and jealous Nikhal stood up from the secluded part of the grounds he typically favored and sat by me.
"Oh," I pleasantly said with a smile. "Greetings, Nikhal."
"G-Greetings, Ruz." Gharan smiled to himself as he watched us converse. He was quite perceptive about his teammates, even before the incident at the Academy with his father. Were it not for thefact that I was made leader, this trait would be ideal for him to be leader. He made it his concern to be well-versed in other's concerns. (He was probably the only one other than Q'rin who was fully aware of the hidden feelings that Nikhal possessed for an outcast).
"I do not know if I am alone in this but I believe I am ready to retire for the day." Gharan announced to those who were obviously the only ones listening.
"You are not alone, Gharan!" Eelo's manic attitude caused the usual brooding Gharan to smile.
"Wish to join us, Q'rin?"
"But of course!" He said as he ran to join them.
It was just Nikhal and I now. Neither of us were aware of that fact. We were too busy having a pleasing conversation about whatever topics sounded worth discussing.
"And that is how I was able to create such a unique blade without anyone knowing!" Nikhal joyfully finished his story of the secret affair with Eelo's brother and his handiness at work.
"Fascinating. And he increased the plasma to be a bit more deadly, you said?"
"Correct."
"That must have been difficult to forge."
"Not for Jaor! He can kiln almost any weapon you ask of him. Unless it is of human-origin. Any time he creates weapons for the trainees eager to fight humans with their own technology, he always manages to have something go wrong, like a poorly-made fuse or improper measurements."
I giggled. "That is humorous." Nikhal didn't respond. He seemed to be gazing at me. "Are you…ill, Nikhal?"
"No, I am of good health."
"Why is it that I doubt you, then?" Nikhal did not say a word for a while. "Nikhal?"
"Ruz…there is something I have been meaning to tell you…for a long time."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes. In fact, I've needed to say it since the day I met you."
"What?" I gasped.
"I…I have been fighting this emotion since I laid my eyes on you." I continued to puzzledly stare at him. "You are not the Eyesore the others once made you out to be. You…are like a caged beast, hungering for honor and hunting for war, locked within a heart of a Goddess of Light, touching the lives of any who pass you by. Believe not a word of your rivals. They only know jealousy; such avarice and greed that could easily steal away your gift lest you lower your guard. Ruz, I have…I have yearned so passionately to be touched by that light. But, in my timidity, I feared the light would consume me and leave me a hole in my very being so dark that nothing could wet its appetit. I…I implore you. Do not allow me to go on like this!"
He grabbed my hands, held them tight, and did not hide the tear in his eye. Words so softly yet loudly spoken moved me to the very edges of emotion.
"I…am uncertain of what to say."
"Say anything you wish, as long as I could call you mine one day."
At first, I wanted to flee. I was not accustomed to being desired. Then I wanted to embrace him. I have longed to be considered a treasure as he so obviously thinks of me. Now, see-sawing between actions, I know what I must do.
"I cannot promise that." I said standing up.
"But-"
"Say no more, Nikhal. Know this. It will take a heart with great courage to accept me. But it will take a heart with valor to keep me."
This time, I was not the one without words.
"What…does that mean?"
"It means you inane goof of a Sangheili, that we shall see if you are worthy of ensnaring my heart, let alone keeping it." I winked at him kindly. He was a good soul.
"Do you promise?" Nikhal called out to me with hope dripping in his voice as I turned around to leave.
"I do not make idle promises…"
With that, I gently whipped my tail across his mandibles, grinned and giggled softly, then walked away, leaving a starry-eyed Sangheili to his thoughts.
WHEW-WHEE! What a chapter! I was hoping for a little more in the first section but when I went to edit it, I felt like there was nothing to add. Also, I haven't been playing Halo for a while so any lore I've conjured up is purely made-up xD There probably isn't a way to increase the plasma of a blade or whatever, but I needed something to make the battle a bit quicker, just like they do in TV shows, and make it interesting and very climatic. Originally, I was going to end it at Section 1 but I didn't want a short chapter nor for it to end without resolve…though it would have been a great cliff hanger, I left it as a break within a chapter. Still a cliff hanger but not as much. Also, sorry I seem to have lost the ability to describe surroundings and situations. I used to do it in highschool, dunno what happened. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! I don't know when I'll be writing another one (seriously this time I mean it), the Prophets aren't the only ones who have to decide what these five young ones will be doing if you know what I mean…I might need good suggestions for missions for upcoming missions! I've only barely written one down that I've had for like ever xD If anyone has suggestions, I basically need missions that correspond to ranks. If you need a good idea on that, look up Sangheili ranks from the lowest up to just the one before Councilor. I can use at least a good number of whatever you guys give me :P See ya later!
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