HTF Books

Halo Twisted Fate

Prologue


"Reach…I can remember like it was yesterday. The lush grass, the beautiful mountains, the fresh air hitting my lungs, everything about it was peaceful…until they came..."
"The war was long. We fought for her, for Reach. Me and my Team, side by side. Never treading behind, always there to watch each others back. The enemy fell to our might but even when we watched as Noble Team destroyed a major ship looming over our home, raising our arms to shout out for joy…our victory was short lived."
"Our numbers began to fall, we watched as those we struggled to protect, get slaughtered like flies in a room filled with poison, yet me and my team…we were never injured we kept fighting. Even after they left us behind….."


  It was cold and silent within the walls of the Frigate, not even the sound of the engines could be heard. Deep inside the hallways of darkness something was beginning to stir from a deep sleep. The hazel eyes within a helmet fluttered, trying to fight their way open. A Spartan was now waking from a long sleep in a cryo pod, slowly bringing the limbs back to life. It was a grey armored Spartan named Eris, and boy didn't she feel terrible. Her stomach felt like stone and she couldn't feel her limbs at all. The Ship's AI is meant to prevent this from happening but Eris can tell from the lack of lights something was wrong. However Eris was now focused on herself more, she needs to wake herself from this frozen bed properly. Being frozen for a while meant Eris has lost some muscle mass. Eris grabbed onto the sides of the open pod lifting herself a fraction. With legs shaking she tried stepping out the pod catching her foot on the rim. Eris fell in a heap out the pod luckily not injuring herself. She wasn't sure how long she laid there, but she soon lift herself again to stand on her own. Arching her back and raising her arms she gave a much needed stretch to all the muscles in her body before letting out one long sigh.

  The cryo room was dark save for the natural dim light beaming down the corridor through the open door. Eris shifted her eyes to look around her. The floors and walls are covered in water from where the ice began to melt. Narrowing her eyes at this Eris was starting to get concerned and suspicious. Surely being a prisoner there would be armed soldiers waiting and a medic team to check her health once she woke. But there was nothing, even the power was out all over. Eris removed her helmet letting her brown, shoulder length hair fall freely. It was then a stench of ash attacked her nostrils. Was there a fire on the ship? She knew one thing; the Frigate was no longer airborne because of the tilted angle it was now at. And so Eris decided to investigate what happened leaving the cold room while taking a magnum that sat on a table nearby. The corridor became lighter and lighter the more she strolled down it. Eris reached the end, quite suddenly in fact as she realized half the Frigate was actually missing. Shock struck her at the sight of this; there was no way this could have happened while she was dormant. She dropped out the ship landing on the ground a few feet below feeling the soft brown sand. Eris then gazed into the horizon.

  It was a desert of dark sand stretching as far as the eye could see with a light wind blowing across it. There were a few mountains of murky rocks in the horizon but still no signs of life, no signs of people. The sky was blanketed by a layer of dust making it impossible to see through it. The Spartan looked back up at the Frigate seeing a large amount of burns over the amour of it. Maybe the ship hit an asteroid field on the way to Sargasso? Still, some of the crew should have survived. Eris couldn't be this lucky… or unlucky depending how you look at it. But she was now alone on this foreign planet to fend for herself. The warm wind continued to howl away as Eris walked a distance from the Frigate. To see the damage this size Eris will need space between her and the ship, still she made nothing from this. Nothing about the damage made any sense. Eris caught a glimpse of a large planet in the sky before it faded behind clouds. Staring curiously at the spot the planet showed again. It wasn't a planet, it was Csodaszarvas, the largest moon of planet Reach.

 The Spartan's eyes light up in disbelief as the pale green moon remained in her sight. Eris' legs suddenly felt weak as she collapsed on her knees staring that the truth. This is Reach, the world she grew up on. On Reach there are no deserts like this. The sand beneath her is not made from rock, but ashes of the fallen civilization that once thrived peacefully on Reach. Thoughts and questions choked her mind in one go. What happened to her village? Are the other Spartans alive? But more importantly… who are the bastards to blame for this and to be punished. Within her helmet her eyes began to water for her loved ones she left behind. If Eris had known… she would have protected them till she joined them. But she was forced to leave Reach, she couldn't understand what made the Frigate return to this. A deep, angered frown formed on her face as she balled her fist and stood, walking off into the desert that waited for her. Eris was now determined to find them out there somewhere.

 The anger deep in Eris' mind lead her to a rash decision to leave the Frigate with no food or water. Marching on a dust storm was picking up, engulfing the sight of the Frigate behind her. To her luck the sand turned to rock as she reached a cluster of boulders, she was at the base of a mountain. Taking cover out of the wind in a nook in the rocks Eris reflected on her thoughts. Over and over she checked her GPS on her wrist, the same thing was shown, the surface of Reach. Eris sighed deeply feeling a sudden urge to sleep. She may have been out for a while in the cryo chamber, that doesn't mean she will wake fresh from it. In fact she feels worse and more tired thanks to it. Leaning her back against a wall she laid down hearing the wind outside with the light fading. Eris will have to wait till tomorrow for the wind to die down before she can go anywhere.







Chapter One: Isolated


It seemed the dust had grown much thicker and heavy in the air. The breathing of a woman slowed down and became heavy as her eye adjusted to the dust, picking out her target. Squeezing the trigger, the bullet from the DMR shot out and flew off into the thick dust. They heard the impact of the bullet as it took out a grunt, right between the eyes.
 "I give that a ten." a male cackled as he knelt at her side, taking aim with a DMR. She looked at him through the corners of her eyes as he fired as well, taking down a Skirmisher.
"Damn, neck shot." he grunted. His armor was a dingy yellow from the heavy amount of dust in the air. It would normally be a nice yellow with black detailing to it. Victor was his name, one of her tank teammates. Her and her team was left here on Reach as it was now scorched from the Covenant's glassing. It was so lush, full of life and beauty but now a wasteland, covered in smoke clouds and burnt plains. Bunkered in an abandon building that seemed to be a gas station, the female Spartan looked through her scope, seeing nothing; she lowered her weapon and relaxed some. This was Chelsey, the leader of their team.
  Black armor with a teal detail, her visor was a pure blue with that nice tent to it that gave it a nice lighting effect. She relaxed against the barricade wall as Victor kept an eye out. On her other side was another male Spartan, Darek, her brother who was tending to their fourth teammate Clair who was wounded. Darek had a teal with maroon going on while Clair, white with red detailing. She winced at the pain as Darek wrapped up her wounds.
 "We need to find a hospital..."Darek told Chelsey as she watched the two.
 "There's none at this point, there's no alcohol in this damn gas station?" Chelsey asked as he only shook his head.
"Shit..."she gritted her teeth as Clair gently sat up.
"Should we move to a different location?" Victor asked as he looked over at her.
"We do that and we'll get surrounded in no time..." she answered him as he looked back out.
"Take it easy, you're in no condition to move." Darek told Clair as she only ignored him.
"I'll be fine." she said as Victor glanced back at her.
"Clair..." he said sternly as she looked at him."Don't make us have to strain you to stay still." Clair only shook her head and laid back down. Suddenly loud plasma explosions hit near them, making the ground shake. The all too familiar sounds of a plasma engine whirring towards them.
"Damn it another Wraith..." Victor said looking at it through his scope.
"Can we take it?" Chelsey asked as Darek picked up a plasma pistol from a dead grunt.
"If someone takes out the gunner" he said as Victor snickered.
A few minutes passed as the Wraith hovered closer to the building; it was big, having a bug like metal to it with hexagon detail in it. Purple with a strong hint of blue mixed together. As it got closer not far from it, Victor laid on a small bed like rock, Sniper rifle in hand he aimed at the turret. With ease he snipped the turret, killing the elite within it. The tank, turned into his direction which he only waved.
"Bye bye~" he chuckled as Darek came out of his hiding spot, plasma pistol charged and ready, the shot shut the tank down. Allowing Chelsey to rush forward, and jump onto of the Wraith, forcing the hatch open. Before the Elite could react, she snapped his neck and began pulling him out of the vehicle.
"Darek go get some supplies together, Victor go get Clair into the turret." Chelsey ordered them, acknowledging her; they headed back to get ready to head out. Hopping into the driver's seat, she started it up and began driving over to the gas station. Once inside Victor knelt down to pick Clair up.
"Time to go~" she only mumbled at him as he carried her out. Chelsey got out of the driver's seat and watched the two. From her behavior it seemed Clair hated Victor but from her point of view she could see how close they were by how Clair laid her head against Victor's chest. Giving him a nod as he approached, they helped Clair into the turret seat.
Once they were packed they headed out. Chelsey and Darek sat on the sides of the Wraith as Victor drove. Holding on by the pipes from within the Wraith they gazed at the torched land that was once their home...
Thirty minutes passed and nothing came after them. No bullets, no Covenant, it made Chelsey uneasy but at the same time grateful. Her eyes seemed to grow heavy; she hadn't been able to sleep in days. Always fearing, always being on guard. It was too much for her and her team. Her head lower some as sleep tried to take her when the sounds of whistling caught her ears. Her head shot up when a plasma blast hit next to them.
Looking up they saw a small fleet of Banshees fly towards them. They were just the right size to hold a human or elite, with their purple and green detailing to them.
"Victor!" She shouted as he quickly maneuvered the Wraith around and began firing at them.

Eris walked along as she looked for any signs of life with the desert lands. Her head lifted up hearing the sounds of whistling and it was getting louder as another much louder sound was heading her way and suddenly from behind another large formation of boulders a Blue machine that resembling a bug floated backwards as it shot into the air where her eyes saw many alien like air craft's flying towards them. Two of the air craft's were taken out by the large floating machine.
"Clair keep firing!" Chelsey shouted out as Eris saw four Spartans on the machine two controlling the machine while two others sat on the wings of it, using their weapons to try and pick the crafts out. One Banshee swooped down and the pilot abandoned the craft, landing on top of the woman who shouted out an order. He was very large and not human as his four fingered hand grabbed her and threw her off.
 "Chelsey!" The Darek sitting on the other side of the vehicle shouted out as the Alien jumped off to go after her while the other air craft's kept firing at the others, pushing them back until they were forced over a cliff.
Without a second thought Eris bolted out of her position at high speeds, whipping out her magnum before sliding to a stop over the downed Spartan kicking up some dust. Eris was too distracted by this large creature to even check on the Spartan. Hesitation was causing Eris to freeze like a deer in the headlights as she towered over like a human shield, keeping her aim at the creature. It was the only human life Eris has seen and she is not willing to give it up so easily. All Eris could do was hold her ground and pray the other Spartan will get up.
"Another one?" She heard the deep voice as the alien came closer into her view, a large glow showing through the dust, when it died down she saw the glow was some large sword made of energy. His armor bulk and silver with blue gems decorating it. He towered over her a few good feet as his blue eyes watched the two; Chelsey slowly began trying to get up.
He only grunted, not making any more talk as he charged towards Eris. She has little time to react seeing the sword caused her body to set off an alarm. She quickly began firing at him but to no avail as the bullets deflected off. Her eyes caught the glimpse of a shield around it as she quickly dodged his sword by rolling into the ground. Before he could pursue her suddenly Chelsey got back up to her feet and threw herself onto him, making them both fall to the ground. In the middle of falling she had pulled out her dagger and lunge it at him but to only have him catch her hand. Now at a battle of strength, Eris looked over seeing this to only watch the alien head butt Chelsey, and kicked her off.
Her helmet flung off as her red hair shined from the sun's rays, light pale skin came to Eris' view as Chelsey fell to the ground for only a few seconds before getting back up. Eris' instincts to flee kicked in as she rushed over to Chelsey with a hand full of dust. Skidding in front of Chelsey as the alien stood before them once more. She flung it into his face causing him to back away to wipe the dust from his eyes. Hooking onto Chelsey's hand Eris yanked her away as they two ran off. Eris is a coward, but it is how she has survived these years. Out of sight Eris stopped behind a rock, fleeing may have been a wise choice since more of those… things began showing up. The only thing left for that sliver creature was the helmet of the female he failed to take down laying in the dust. The Elite gently picked up the helmet as his squad walked up behind him.
"Find them!" he ordered as his men scurried off to hunt the two down.
Chelsey tried catching her breath as Eris looked around seeing if their enemy was anywhere in sight. Chelsey looked up at Eris as she finally relaxed some.
"I thought we were the only ones alive here." She said mainly to herself but Eris seemed to of ignored but for good reasons. Eris was in her stealth mode, keeping low and quiet while watching the creatures move in different directions from one another. It wasn't looking good for the both of them. Eris gestured to the other Spartan to follow.
Following her the two began sneaking through the boulders to escape the enemy but once they made through the boulders to the plains, the silver elite from before grabbed Chelsey by her head and threw her to the ground. Eris turned seeing her comrade being thrown by the same Alien from before. Lifting the Spartan to her feet once again Eris whipped out her combat knife swiping the air between her foes and herself to get them to back off. It worked only for a moment before one's large hand grasped the back of Eris' neck lifting her, a fraction from the ground. To her dismay she dropped her knife to grasp the over sized fingers that choked her airway, kicking her feet wildly to connect with nothing. The rest turned their attention to the remaining Spartan.
The Elites were on top of Chelsey as she fought them off, kicking them away as one tried to throw her down to the ground. Eris watched the silver elite walk over with his sword in hand to kill off the Spartan she had tried to save. Finally forced to the earth her legs struggled as two held her to the ground until one landed a good punch, knocking her out as the leader it seemed stood over with his blade ready to kill her. Eris felt everything go heavy as the elite lifted his sword to kill Chelsey. But Eris passed out before she saw anything else.






Chapter Two: The Arbiter's Captives






When Eris woke up she felt light in weight, her eyes staring at the ceiling of dark blue with hexagons in them. Sitting up she looked down at herself, seeing she was now wearing a grey dress that was a halter top. Braces on her arms with sleeves that went to her wrists, she hugged herself feeling exposed. Her eyes wandered over seeing Chelsey, the woman she had tried to save, in the same situation but her dress was white with blue designs to it. The sleeves on her bracers were bell shaped. It was only in her nature to see her clothing as pointless rather than beautiful, after all she grew up as a rebel soldier. But surely they should be dead; it was the last thing she remembered. Eris finally laid eyes at the other woman for the first time, for a moment seeing this Spartan in a dress she had forgotten the soldier she truly is. Eris wanted to say something to wake her up but didn't know where to begin; she was so confused right now.
Chelsey groaned in her sleep as she began to wake up, opening her eyes she immediately sat up in bed and looked around. Seeing she was on an enemy ship she looked over seeing the woman from before. She didn't know what to say either, wondering why they are still alive and not dead like the others. Looking down at her dress she felt the material and cocked her head some. Finally calming down she sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at Eris again.
"Which program?" she asked her.
Eris tiled her head at the question. She wasn't sure what she meant by 'Program' and so folded her arms. The guess was this Spartan has been in the military too long. After all Eris did run off going rouge for a few years so it didn't help much and so made up an answer.
"None, if you must know." Eris said sharply. "Why?"
"Might as well know the Spartan who saved me back on Reach." she told her.
"I haven't seen you before in the Spartan 2 program..."she added.
"I wish I did save you, we would be here if I finished what I planned." She paused looking the other in the eyes.
"I'm Eris... but I'm not sure what Program I was in. It was... different from normal training you might have encountered... What about you? What's your name?"
"Chelsey S115, I came from the Spartan II program. I and my team were the remaining few, but I guess I'm the only one right now." she told her then began examining the room.
"They might have placed a video camera in here or something to keep an eye on us..." she added, looking for an object indicating so.
"Maybe." Eris said shifting her eyes around her as well.
"Whatever these things are… I don't think they want to kill us, at least not yet." She returned her stare to Chelsey with a serious expression.
"We have to stick together in this, and you are going to have to explain everything to me when we leave here. I have… over slept this war and need to know what you know."Chelsey nodded when the door suddenly slid open and stood before them was the silver armored elite, his blue eyes watched the two as he walked into the room.
"You." he pointed to Chelsey.
"Come with me." he ordered as she got up to her feet and glared at him but Eris stood forward pass Chelsey as if blocking her from him.
"Where ever she goes I go to!" Eris hissed at the Elite with sharp eyes pinned on his. The thought of something bad happening to her only ally caused Eris to be so defensive, even if Chelsey is capable of defending herself but Eris was most likely making a big mistake.
He made a grunt at her but did not raise his hand to put her in her place. Motioning his head to the door for them to follow as he headed out. Chelsey looked to Eris before following the elite as they headed out.
"That guy--" Chelsey pointed at the elite in front of them.
"Is an Elite or Sangheili. But by his armor he's an Arbiter one you have to worry about the most..." she told Eris as they followed him while two other elites followed behind them. Eris listened well frowning in thought at Chelsey's words.
"Arbiter? So he's his kind's hot-shot… like Spartans I take it." Eris whispered as they walked down the corridors. She then noticed two imp like creatures with stubby arms and legs with a pointing hunch on their backs, their face was mostly some type of mask.
"What about them?" She asked curiously gesturing with her eyes.
"Those would be grunts, Nasty and ugly in fact. They're the cowards of the military, would even comment suicide with grenades." she told her as they came into an elevator and stepped in. The Arbiter kept his eyes on the two females as a jackal looked up at the two.
"That is a jackal, their snipers. They're dumb enough to try and run at you straight on with one in hand." The Arbiter grunted at this and made a small glare.
"Oh hush split lips at least your kind isn't as dumb as the rest of your military, must I mention the ugly brutes?"She said in a cocky tone as the elites behind them suddenly chuckled a bit but went silent when The Arbiter glared at them.
"I wouldn't class over powering your enemy with numbers to be smart Chelsey." Eris added looking the Arbiter in the eyes.
"A whole group of your kind? Against two of us? I say that was a complement saying we were that dangerous. Do you fear us?" Eris murmured mockingly at the white Elite.
"Right now it was the smartest and lucky thing to have happen, or you two would be dead like the rest of that planet..."He said which made Chelsey snarl at him and tried to charge at him but the elite behind her, kept her in place.
     The urge to do the same as Chelsey was resisted. The only thing Eris could do was glare back in hate. It was clear his kind along with the others she has learnt about was responsible for all of it. Eris will have to take this with a pinch of salt and do as he told, for now.
The doors opened as they continued to walk along, reaching a large room which seemed to be a council room, was empty. Except three floating chairs, holding a figure in each one.
"Prophets..."The Arbiter bowed to the three as they looked over to them. Chelsey's rage filled her as she looked down seeing the Arbiter's sword handle on his leg plate holder. Grabbing it with speed, she charged at the three, the energy shot out and ready to kill but suddenly she was pinned down by the Arbiter when she was a few feet from the Prophets.
Chelsey roared out her anger. Eris watched in shock as Chelsey made a rash choice to attack. Already what looked like guarding in orange glowing armor was not at ease close by.
"You will pay! You will pay for Reach!"She yelled out as The Arbiter forced her to drop the sword. But as Eris watched the whole thing she swore she saw Chelsey's body glow with weird markings over her face and neck and pretty much everywhere else but once the sword turned off. They were gone.
"Control your prisoner Arbiter." One of the Prophets warned in a hasty tone.
"Forgive me Prophets."He bowed his head as he held her roughly to keep her still.
"Does it only happen when it is on?" Prophet of Truth asked as Chelsey blinked some.
"Yes it only shows when the sword is close to her. If she is a holy relic, then we have the key that will help us on our Journey." He told the three as Regret and Mercy looked over to their brother who rubbed his chin, thinking about this.
"What of the other?" he asked as the Arbiter looked over to Eris. She stared back with her hazel eyes laying softer on the Arbiter, like she was asking for forgiveness. It was obvious Eris was worried about her future but she knew the Arbiter will not speak for her. And so, Eris hung her head low fearing her fate is already sealed. The Arbiter watched her before looking back to the Prophets.
"I am still watching her Prophets. Her markings are not as strong as hers." he basically lied as Chelsey looked up at him.
"Then they are under your care Arbiter. Escort them to a more comfortable cell away from the others." Truth told him as he bowed.
"Thank you Prophets." he said before turning and began dragging Chelsey while picking up his sword. The two Elites made Eris follow as Chelsey was being dragged out of the room.
"I will take them from here."The Arbiter told the two. They bowed their heads before heading off.
The entire time Eris was taken away with Chelsey she frowned in disbelief. The Arbiter lied; even Chelsey seemed to have known that. Once the two guards were out of sight Eris stared up at the White Elite.
"Why did you do that?" She questioned quickly as if had waited long to ask.
"Because I find it odd that you two are completely the same but she carries markings of our gods while you don't." he told her as he gently pushed them forward back to the elevator.
"Why be rid of something that intrigues me?" he added as Chelsey stood there until he pointed a finger at her.
"Do something like that again and I will not be so forgiving." he growled at her as she glared at him and tried to bite his finger but he quickly pulled away and pulled her nose.
"Ow! ow! ow!"
"Behave." he demanded before letting go of her.
Eris was in deep thought at the Arbiter's words. Markings of the Gods? Maybe Chelsey and her had a similar temper but she couldn't understand it. Maybe it was a male thing, regardless of what race. Eris watched the Arbiter grab Chelsey's nose like a parent disciplining a child. A thought tugged on her lips forming a smile.
"You know, I could report you for mistreating your guests Arbiter. But since you have been so kind I think I shall remain quiet. Unless you do something like that again." Eris smiled, it was blackmail.
The arbiter looked over to her and grunted once more before the doors opened. It surprised Eris the fact the Arbiter reacted so calm around her blackmail. Perhaps it was no threat to him, it only added to the insult. Leading them to a new room once opened, had two bigger beds with a bathroom and an alien like wardrobe.
"You do not leave this room for any reason."He told the two.
"How long are we to stay here?" Eris questioned the White Arbiter, almost harshly.
"If you want to stay alive. As long as the Prophets want." he told them truthfully before leaving the room and closing the door behind him and locked it. Chelsey looked at the room before walking over to check out the bathroom. She sighed some and rubbed her head.
"I can't take this anymore." Eris started folding her arms. "We're Spartans, not princesses waiting to be rescued." She then looked around her seeing anyway of escape, none was to be found. Sighing deeply she sat on a bed. Looking to one side she noticed a bowl full of what looked like fruit. Eris just stared at it like she could make it come to her. It was clear she wasn't sure if it was edible or not. But the look in her eyes said she was hungry.
"There's nothing we can do right now."Chelsey said then looked at her dress.
"I hope they give us better clothes then this...This is very uncomfortable." she added before looking over at the fruit as well.
"It doesn't look human..."she eyed it for a moment before noticing a square line in the wall. Walking over, she gently pushed on it. Suddenly it folded down revealing a drink dispenser with some sort of glasses.
"Please tell me they have some water in here." she begged trying to figure it out how to work it.
Eris huffed at the device Chelsey found in the wall.
"I wouldn't drink from that, it could be Grunt piss for all you know." Eris sneered, mainly at the device. It was then her stomach complained, growling at her painfully. Eris' eyes returned to the bowl seeing the fruit poking out. Leaning over she took a rounded, purple colored one feeling its soft skin. The pains in her stomach only got worse the more she studied the fruit. She brought it up to her nose taking in its sweet scent before on impulse, biting into its flesh. It was too juicy and sweet, it was delicious. She stopped herself for a moment when a thought came to mind. Eris looked over at Chelsey with a curious stare.
"What happened to you before? When you got angry... your skin, changed?"Chelsey looked over to her.
"My skin changed?" she asked her when she nodded, Chelsey looked at her arm.
"I never seen it change before." she told her.
Eris narrowed her eyes at Chelsey.
"The Elites saw it too, maybe one of your augmentations is breaking?" Eris pointed out. It was the only thing she could think of seeing Chelsey as a Spartan after all.Chelsey thought about it.
"Maybe it has something to do with me when I was little being experimented on by Dr. Halsey..."she said Halsey with hate.
"But that's all I can think of..." Eris' posture turn sharp at the name, she too shared the same hate for that woman. Eris arched her back stretching it a tad.
"Well whatever it is, it is the reason we are now here. I hope your team outside this place is working on something because I don't think we can help ourselves this time."
"That's if they're still alive..." Chelsey frowned thinking about them.




Chapter Three: From the Ashes




Back on Reach, however, Chelsey's team laid on the ground at the bottom of the canyon. The wraith destroyed but luckily they were left with small bruises and cuts. Darek's fingers twitched as he groaned. Waking up slowly he saw a figure heading their way. He could only think that it was more enemies making sure they were dead. He didn't move there was no point to. There was nowhere left to go now. So he only watched as the figure came closer. But as the figure drew closer the more detail he saw, black armor, slender figure soon he saw the figure of a female ODST walking towards them.
Her body limping some, she made her way over to the wreckage and eyed at it. Her helmet still on he couldn't get a view of her face as she made her way over to the wraith.
"Dammit…"she grumbled to herself before checking on Victor's things, seeing only grenades on him, she tried unlatching the grenade belt on him but wasn't able to due to him being stuck within the wraith. Lightly punching the metal of the wraith she made her way over to Darek and gently pushed him over to look for ammo. Darek's hand suddenly lifted up and grabbed her, scaring her half to death.
"Stop…"he groaned out as she watched him. "I'm not dead…"he finished his statement as the woman quickly looked for any wounds on him.
"You don't have any major wounds. Can you walk?" she asked him as he weakly sat up. She placed her hand on his shoulder as he relaxed some.
"What happened here?" she then asked him.
"We were…heading for a stronger shelter, our comrade is wounded. Got ambushed by Banshees…They got ahold of my sister…"Darek said in a low tone as they heard Victor groan, finally waking up.
"Uh, my head." Victor complained as he moved his head some.
"Clair….Clair!" he tried calling out, seeing if she was alright.
"I am sorry for your loss, we lost many already. Right now we need to stay together and take cover for a bit before we can do anything." she told Darek as Victor pulled himself out of his seat and went to check on Clair.
"Is she alright?" She asked him as Victor gently pulled Clair out, who was still passed out.
"Yeah she's still breathing." He answered her.
"Good."she looked back to Darek.
"Get your things, we need to move." she told him before the two got up to their feet. Looking over Darek saw his DMR so he strolled over and picked it up off the ground. Victor carefully carried Clair as the three headed off into the desert along the cliff. It felt hours flew by as they walked along the burnt grounds of Reach but soon their luck changed as they came upon a destroyed warthog. Eyeing at it they noticed a few crates on the ground spread out.
Darek rushed over and forced one open, seeing first aid kits within. Opening the next crate he found food supplies and water bottles within.
"Finally…Victor get Clair over here." He told him as the two walked over. When Victor laid Clair down she gasped out in pain, making her wake up.
"Take it easy Clair. We got medical equipment now."Victor told her as she laid there in pain.
"What happened? Those banshees…Chelsey…"
"They got her Clair…"Darek told her which this news made Clair hit the ground with anger.
"Dammit…"she hissed out as Darek began cleaning her wound with a bottle of water and the first aid kit.
"Victor, check the other crates and see if the food is still good."he told him as Victor went to work. Darek's eyes never left Clair's wound as he worked on it but he knew the ODST was standing nearby. Keeping an eye out for enemies.
"I never did catch your name."he spoke to her as she gently looked over.
"Shia, Shia Cortez." She answered.
"Yours?"
"Darek. This is Clair and that is Victor." He said as she looked forward again.
"It's good to know there's still survivors on Reach." He added as she gently lowered her head some. Thinking about her team she was with before being the last one here.
"Yeah…was getting tired of being alone you know. Makes you go insane just talking to yourself." she joked, to lighten up the mood. Darek chuckled some as Victor tossed Shia a water canister which she gratefully caught into her hands. Taking off her ODST helmet she revealed her long black hair with green eyes. A green that glowed if the light hit it just right. Her tan skin had little sweat drops on it as she took a drink of water which cooled down her dried up mouth and throat. Darek gently took off Clair's helmet, showing her long orange hair and green eyes that were more neon then Shia's. Her skin a lighter tan, she winced as Darek gently lifted her head to help her drink some water.
"You think they finally left?" Clair asked them.
"Probably not, maybe two ships remain around here.." Victor said looking up into the air.
"Maybe we can find a place they haven't hit yet, call for help..." Darek suggested.
"And risk running into more Covenant?" Victor asked.
"Everything in the North is wiped out, like I said we should stay low for a little bit, wait until Clair's wound heals."Shia told them, taking another swig of her water, when she did she noticed something hugging the cliff on ground level. Squinting some she saw it was a cave.
"And I just found our hideout."she grinned as Darek looked over to where she was looking at.
"Victor see if you can tear out those seat in the hog." He said as Victor got to work and suddenly he ripped out one of the seats that were barely hanging on in the Wart Hog. Darek lifted Clair up once more and headed over there with the two.
Once inside the mouth of the cave, Victor forced the seat to lay flat on the ground where Darek laid Clair down onto the cushioned seat.
"There…Victor go get the other seat and supplies here."he told him as Victor headed out to get them. Shia gently sat down and groaned a bit in pain. She was tired from all that walking, her back sore and her legs shaking. She was surprised she made it this far; her eyes looked over to Victor as he continued working on Clair's wound. The heat was getting to Shia but now in a cave she felt the nice cool breeze from within cooling her off. She welcomed it as her eyes gently closed and before she knew it, she passed out.
When she woke up, she felt different as she found herself lying on a cushioned seat. She looked over and saw Clair sleeping with her armor removed only in her thermal suit. Her eyes looked over more to see Victor dragging in more things from destroyed vehicles while she noticed a perfectly intact Warthog resting outside. Darek came in with more things that looked like food and water bottles from a gas station.
"This should do..."Darek whispered to not wake the two up.
"Did you see anything?"
"Just one carrier to the south and I saw a few search units. Mainly Grunts and jackals. "Victor answered.
"We'll have to hide the Warthog then…"Darek said mainly to himself.
"Hmmmm which one of you moved me?" Shia asked as the two looked over.
"We both did, you looked uncomfortable on the ground."Darek answered as Shia stretched some after she got to her feet.
"You Hungry? Got some food here." Victor told her as she walked over.
"Yes, I'm starving." Shia said just as he handed her what looked like cracker snacks and other little snacks they picked up from the gas station and from the supply crates. Gratefully taking it, she sat back down on the ground as Victor went over to help Clair eat.
"I'm surprised you didn't get caught Victor."Darek now mentioned when he thought about it. Victor looked back over to him and chuckled.
"I did get caught. Took the unit out myself silently." he told him as Darek shook his head.
"My damn yellow ass armor blended in with some of the surroundings I made sure I wasn't followed. Only time this damn color wants to be on my side." he grumbled as Shia chuckled.
"Was wondering why you have yellow armor for a while." She said as Victor laughed behind his helmet.
"That's what happens when you take forever to get your armor done."Darek chuckled, trying to lighten up the mood.
"How was I supposed to know they run out of natural colors?" Victor asked looking back at him as he shrugged. Shia laughed as she sat there with the three but a frown formed on her face. Barely hanging out with them, she was already becoming attached to these people and the fear of losing them rose. It made her stomach turn as she slowly took a bite of her crackers, her stomach grateful to have food to fill her up. Her eyes looked out into the dead landscape of her once home. She promised herself that they would make it off this planet together, a promise she won't break this time.




Chapter Four: Babysitting Spartans





The Arbiter slept in his bed when suddenly a knock came to his door.
“Arbiter, the prisoners won’t eat their meals.” a honor guard called out as The Arbiter sat up from his bed, groaning out he rubbed his face before getting his feet on the cold steel floor. Getting his armor on, he growled as he left his room and headed off to where his prisoners were resting.
Getting there he watched a jackal run out of their room in a panic, dropping the tray of food in the process.
“I will not eat this! Do you not know what human food is!?” Chelsey hollered which only made the Arbiter snarl in anger and march towards the door. He waved the jackal who gladly left in a hurry before his head shot over to Chelsey who had her hands on her hips. The two gave each other a glare as if in a stare down or challenging each other. Eris only watched from her bed and smirked at the Arbiter.
“Are you going to clean that?” she questioned mockingly, feeling like she was pushing her luck with the Arbiter. A growl escaped his manables as he nearly charged at Chelsey mainly, since she was standing the closest to him. His eyes filled with rage which wiped the grin off of Eris’ face seeing him raise his hand towards Chelsey as if to hit her but he stopped.
Chelsey starred at him as if ready to be hit but she was thrown back as he lowered his arm, his eyes softened and a long sigh escaped him. He backed away some and headed for the door.
“Come with me.” he told them and walked out of the room. Chelsey eyed over at her companion who only shrugged her shoulders, just as confused as her. Eris got to her feet and followed Chelsey as the two walked out of their quarters. He looked back, seeing them following him and so he led them through High Charity, until they came to a large room with Grunts, Jackals and other covenant running about, preparing food for the soldiers. 
The Arbiter walked over and exchanged a few words to a jackal before the jackal nodded and left to get to work. Chelsey looked at everything as Eris kept cautious of her surroundings. Suddenly a few grunts walked over to the table near the ladies and placed trays of different meals down. Immediately Chelsey’s tongue stuck out in disgust.
“Eh it’s still not human food.” she complained before she felt four fingers on her head which gently made her look up at the elite.
“At least try them, if you do not like it, we will make you…your human food.” He told them in a calm tone. This made Eris sneer at him, seeing him play nice when he was a monster, not a beast trying to act like a gentlemen with Chelsey. That’s when her stomach growled when her eyes landed on the food. She hadn’t eaten a good meal in day’s maybe more. She looked over at Chelsey who looked pale from lack of food. They both needed to eat and she thought about the food, thinking it was better than nothing.
“This is going to stick to my ribs for a week.” She muttered, hoping no one heard as Chelsey too eyed at the food, her stomach growled as well, begging her to eat something. Her body moved on its own accord to the food and picked up a plate, her fork poked at the mashed potatoes that had different colors to it. Her stomach turned as she picked some of it up on her fork and slide it into her mouth.
The sweetness of fruit planted on her taste buds which made her stomach cringe in delight for more as she swallowed the food down.
“This is so good!” Chelsey said and greedily took another bite of her food, seeing this made Eris’ stomach ached more now, demanding her to eat and so she walked over to join her friend. Taking a bite of different meal, she hummed out her feelings to the food but no expression until she too began to eat hastily of the food before her.
The Arbiter stood there, watching the two eat like they never ate before. Not long he watched them try the other food on the table like starving kids. He could see their satisfaction in their eyes and happiness of eating something good, he couldn’t blame them, it looked like they were never fed properly. Gently crossing his arms, Eris looked over at him in her mid-chew, noticing him staring at them, almost rudely she must add. Swallowing her food, she whispered to Chelsey.
“Hey Chelsey, are they always…this nice?” Chelsey looked over to Eris, holding her new plate of food.
“No, it’s kind of odd really…” she answered as Eris narrowed her eyes, thinking about something. Eris then placed her food down and walked over to The Arbiter, she gave him an expression no one could translate, this made him look at her cautiously.
“We are done eating, we wish to be escorted back to our chambers for rest.” She said in a polite tone, even lowering her head in respect. This completely threw him off as he watched her for a moment. Was it that with a full stomach changed her behavior? If that was the case he would make sure they were well fed. He gave her a nod as Chelsey came up behind her to follow him back to her quarters, as they began to walk back Chelsey whispered to Eris.
“Why the sudden change?”
“A thought came to me; maybe The Arbiter is like the food. At first glance it seems horrible, but give it a try and it’s quite sweet.” She tried to explain to her. Chelsey blinked at this as she looked over at The Arbiter.
“Sweet huh?” she said mainly to herself. Reaching back to their Quarters, The Arbiter watched the two walk into the room. Chelsey suddenly stopped and looked back at him.
“Arbiter…What were you talking about…with the Prophets? Markings of a god.” she asked him as he eyed at her.
“You truly don’t know?” he asked her as she nodded to him, this made him walk up to her. Eris became uneasy quickly when her eyes saw him pull out his Energy Sword and ignited it. The markings on Chelsey’s body glowed once more like in the Council room. Eris starred at them; they shined like opal shells, those faint rainbow colors dancing together within the markings. Chelsey looked down and her eyes wide. She had never seen them before in her life; she wondered why they showed now. Looking up at the sword giving off light it answered only little of her questions in her mind.
“You must be joking right? Your Gods are lies.” Eris spat out unaware she insulted the Arbiter and his beliefs.
“You know nothing of our beliefs and that is why the Prophets want your kind slaughtered!” he shouted at her, lowering his sword while Chelsey remained silent, but her mind rushed with thoughts.
“Yet you don’t kill us?” she asked as Eris silenced herself. The Arbiter looked at Chelsey who only gazed at him, wanting answers.
“That is because you are a relic to our gods. There is a reason you have them.” He told her in a calm tone, his hand rested on her shoulder with a gentle caress. The action made her eyes look at his hand as well as Eris’, something they didn’t think the Arbiter would do.
“And when your people have no use for me what will you do?” she asked him, making him go silent, almost making him speechless. She pulled her shoulder away from his grasp harshly.
“After this is all over and you win this war, killing my people. Will you kill me and Eris like you’ve done to everyone else!?”she snapped, her eyes filled with anger towards this elite. The Arbiter looked away, trying to think of an answer but none came out like she already knew what would happen to her once this was all over. This made her gut twist in a knot.
“Maybe you should of just killed us on Reach, save you the trouble!” she added, throwing him back, his eyes glanced into her, seeing tears begin to build up in them. Suddenly Eris grabbed Chelsey by her shoulder and pulled her back, away from The Arbiter, for that split second, Chelsey could of sworn she saw hurt in his eyes as he left the room.
“Are you trying to get us killed!?” Eris whispered loudly in her ear, hating to side with the elite.
“I want the truth!” Chelsey told her the tears slowly going down her cheeks.
“Once they have no use for me, they’ll kill us anyway.”she told her as Eris smirked.
“Which is why we should play along till that day comes. Look, all we have to do is behave for now. Then maybe, they will take us out of this chamber or even outside.” Her smirk held mischief to Chelsey’s eyes. “That is when we make our move.” Chelsey let this seep into her brain and a weak smirk appeared on her face.
“Eris, I like the way you think.” she said seeing Eris smile, she began to head over to her bed.
“So tomorrow…”she sat on the edge of the bed. ”We surprise our host, make him feel like we are going to behave ourselves. Till then we build up our strength.” She collapsed backwards on her bed looking up.
“It’s not the best shot I have, but it’s the only one.” Chelsey sat on her bed, looking ahead, her mind thinking about the look on the Arbiter’s face. She knew deep down she got some sense into his mind. Not knowing that The Arbiter had been standing outside the whole time the two talked but he didn’t hear any of it. He was speechless, the questions she asked, running through his head. Would he really be forced to kill them? Especially Chelsey? She was, no is a holy relic he swore to protect. How could he kill something he so much believed in? His face finally looked over to their door. His mind slowly losing his focus on what he was fighting for. Looking ahead, he finally began to walk off.
The next morning a Jackal walked into the room with clothes but was the same exact ones. Chelsey sat up as the jackal walked over to hand them to them.
"Did you make these?" she asked as the Jackal nodded and looked at him. Eris watched half-awake while leaning up in her bed.
"Do you suppose you...could make some others clothes?" she asked curiously as the Jackal tilted his head some before he placed the clothes down and left the room.
“For an ugly ass thing, he sure knows how to tailor.” Eris commented bluntly, stretching her arms over her head.
“I look forward to getting back into my armor, that’s unless they still have it.” She added, Chelsey watched her swing her legs over the side of the bed, looking around some before placing them on Chelsey.
“What clown outfit do you think they will make us wear this time?”
“Sadly the same outfits.” Chelsey chuckled, lifting up the dress that was made for her. Eris got up to use the bathroom while Chelsey got herself a drink of water. She hummed some to herself as Eris finished up and walked out. The doors opened to their quarters, thinking it was the Arbiter, they were about to greet him but suddenly the Jackal returned with more behind him, one pushing in what seemed to be tailor equipment. Others, carried either large rolls of cloth or measuring equipment. The ladies starred, confused as the jackal walked up to Chelsey, holding out cloth samples for her to choose from. Eris pulled a face at this, already regretting her plan to act nice.
“By this it seems you don’t get to make clothes often do you?” Chelsey asked, seeing the jackals nod. Chelsey looked at the cloth and thought about it.
“You know what? I kind of want a body suit like The Arbiter’s. Think you can do that?” she asked as they nodded and got to work which measuring her. While Eris watched this strange creature move with grace around Chelsey she reflected on everything. Growing up in the military Eris felt she was missing something, that part of being a woman. She didn’t admit it to Chelsey but then she saw the reflection of herself in a dress yesterday she saw a different woman for the first time, a frail yet enlightening woman. Maybe this Jackal could help her feel that way again, the feeling of being… that woman again.
Eris froze, seeing the Jackal walk over to her with the cloth samples. She didn’t like the way he looked with all those sharp teeth lining in his long muzzle. Still Eris ignored it as much as she could and looked at what he had to offer. She eyed each one before she pointed to the silver cloth. Silver always caught her as well as rose red. The Jackal looked at the sample she chose before he left to collect more of that material. The two jackals with the measuring tools began measuring Eris while the third was sketching out ideas on a data like tablet.
Soon an elite minor walked in with the tray of food, he paused at the scene before him. Chelsey paid no attention to him as Eris closed her eyes as she was being measured. He scratched his head after setting the food down but just left the room. Eris eyed at Chelsey, noticing Chelsey breezing by this better than she was. It confused her but said nothing on the matter.
The Arbiter was heading through the corridor to check up on the ladies when he spotted the jackal walking back with a load of cloth materials. Blinking some, he walked over to the door to see what was going on.
“What are you two doing?” he asked as Chelsey looked over at him.
“They’re making outfits for us.” she smiled as she held her arms up some, Eris on the other hand pulled her arms close to herself the moment he stepped in to watch.
“Do you mind?” she asked bluntly, he blinked once more by her words, tilting his before he too left the room to leave them in peace. He stopped though, at the door, his eyes looked back them while they weren't really paying attention, his mind thinking about yesterday, he finally left the room to check up on some of his men.
Chelsey hummed to herself as she relaxed while the Jackals worked on their outfits. Eris eyed at Chelsey for only a brief moment seeing her really enjoy herself. Her eyes looked back at her dress, nothing but a grey blur, hard to tell what design they were going for but the thought excited her.
A few hours passed as he returned to check on them but when he walked inside, they were gone. He panicked at this; where did they go? Are they ok? His heart raced as he left to search for them. Thirty minutes in the search, he found them in the armory, a sigh of relief escaped his manables but once his eyes landed on Chelsey, he stopped in his tracks. She wore a leather suit, dark grey like his with teal strappings to keep it in place. A light teal veil connected to her hips. Silver ornaments attached to keep them there and give it that drape look.
Eris wore a breath taking silver roman like gown with white glitter that gave it a star feel. The top almost a turtle neck with the silver bangle with a blue gem, representing who was her care taker and her protector. Her sleeves like bells but not attached to cover her shoulders so they hung over her lower arm with the arm bangles. The belt the same but with more blue gems giving it a V shape. A chest and short thermal suit was underneath her gown to keep herself covered up.
Eris spun around in front of the mirror, the person in the mirror smiled back at her as she felt like a woman in the gown like she hoped for. She looked into the mirror and noticed The Arbiter's gaze on Chelsey, looking over she smirk finding another opportunity to mock him.
“Does her looks melt you Arbiter?” she asked him, watching Oldus step back and look at her, a blush appeared on his face.
“What? I uh…”he paused and cleared his throat.
“You are supposed to be in your room.” He stated as Chelsey pulled her boots on.
“There wasn’t enough room so they brought us here.” Chelsey explained while Eris chuckled.
“Even so, whose orders are to dress up their prisoners? I’m sure no one will mind us taking some fresh air from the chamber for a day. Please, we have no desire to leave your company.” Eris said softly, adding a convincing fake smile to add to the lie.
“Yeah Arbiter, it’s not fun being locked up in the room all the time.” Chelsey pouted some. The Arbiter swallowed the nervousness in his throat.
“I’m surprised you’re not trying to kill us.” He said, seeing Chelsey roll her eyes.
We’re not that crazy; we wouldn’t stand a chance with no armor. Besides we enjoy being pampered by you and everyone else.” She smirked playfully.
“Pampered? Don’t you get enough of that from the humans?” he asked, a bit confused.
“Ha! You must be joking. We Spartans may be top dogs of the military but we’re treated like monsters. Lifeless creatures to the human race.” She told him as he said, it explained why Chelsey was starting to adjust so well here.
“Then why do you protect them if they don’t even recognize you as beings?” he asked her as Eris butted in.
“Why, you ask?” Eris started losing her smile. “After losing your past you have nothing to turn to, so serving your kind is the only future most Spartans see. I however was lucky to live three years outside the ranks of a soldier...” Eris frowned as she paused. “... as a Rebel to Earth and all her Colonies.” Eris said almost like she didn’t want to. It was disgraceful Eris would betray Spartans who are enemies with Rebels. Some Rebels have killed innocent people ranging from woman to children to hurt the UNSC. The Arbiter frowned at this thinking about it. It seemed human kind was not what he thought it was just by the little info these women are giving him.
Chelsey stepped down and walked over to him.
“Well shall you escort us to our room?” she asked as he watched her and only replied with a small grunt noise as if saying yes. He looked over to Eris who pulled herself from her thoughts. Getting up she walked over to head back to their quarters.
As they headed back, Chelsey suddenly stopped on the bridge leading to the elevator.
"Oh look at that." she said as Oldus looked back at her then at the large garden below them.
"Yes that's the garden where we produce most of our food." he told her as she sat down over the edge. He tiled his head at this watching her as she sat there watching the view, then looked up to Eris and The Arbiter.
"Come sit, it's a really nice view." she told them. Eris sighed at this and went over and leaned on the railing. The scent of vegetation filled their nostrils. It was like an exotic garden you would find in private homes. All the plants and flowers were something different from the ones she’s seen on Reach. Some of the tree’s trunks grew in spirals rather than straight up. To their surprise, The Arbiter walked over and sat on the edge with Chelsey. Eris watched him as he relaxed some, enjoying the view.
“It’s very beautiful.” Chelsey stated as the Arbiter looked over to her.
“Yes it is” he commented as Chelsey looked up at him.
“Is your name really Arbiter?” she asked him. The Arbiter eyed at her once more.
“Or do you have a real name?” Chelsey asked, he paused for a moment, before looking back down.
“Oldus. Oldus Delamee.” He answered her.
“That’s a nice name.” Chelsey smiled.
“Where is it you plan to take us?” Eris began with the question aimed at Oldus without even passing one glance at him. Maybe it was the fact she was enjoying her new scenery.
"Nowhere as of yet." Oldus answered her as Chelsey leaned on the railing, watching the manmade waterfall that provided water for the plants.
“Tell then we are to be but your…icons of fame?” Eris asked talking about the amount of attention Oldus has been receiving from his followers.
“You two are no catch of the day trophies.” He said, his eyes darted to her.
“She is a relic, a holy subject of the gods. She should be worshiped and protected by her followers but the circumstances of her being human; it is not like that.” He said with disappointment, this caused Chelsey to eye at him.
“I suppose these Gods of yours is the only reason you kill my kind.” Eris sneered at him. “I have over heard a lot while being trapped here, slowly understanding your kinds beliefs. You call us Uncleans, and that we can control the technology behind these Gods.” Eris said loudly enough for a Minor class Elite to hear and snarl at her words. “You think your Gods are flawed by humans.” Eris spoke and soon took a large fist to the face falling to the floor as the Minor back handed her for speaking out of place.
“You dare soil your words over the Great Journey you ungrateful weakling!” The white Minor spat towing over her. Blood was dripping from Eris’ mouth as the impact cut the inside of her cheek.
"Eris!" Chelsey panicked as Oldus was to his feet. Two energy blades shot out form the bracers on his arms and quickly slashed his helmet off. Nearly scaring the piss out of him, Oldus stood between him and the girls, his blades ready to kill. Chelsey was next to Eris as she watched Oldus be so defensive of them even when Eris spoke out of line.
"You touch one of them again I will surely cut your throat next time." he snarled at the Minor who had two cuts across his face.
The helmetless Minor held onto his bleeding forehead while glaring and snarling at Oldus.
"I once looked up to you, seeing an inspiring leader. Now you shame not only me but your other brothers. When I have earned my respect and given the torch to lighten the way to the Great Journey, it will be you who will look up at me." The White Elite picked up the helmet putting it on regardless of his injuries and walked off. Eris spat out a gob full of blood that landed next to the strange purple colored blood from the Elite.
"Oldus... if he touches me again like that, I'm the one who slits his throat." Eris hissed mainly at the thought of Minor Elite. She stood wiping the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I didn't mean..." She stopped; it was clear she was trying to apologize to Oldus but was finding it hard to say in words.
"You two are under my protection. Those who seek harm will fall by my blade. You two are valuable, if they cannot see that, then the great journey will surely never come their way." Oldus told the two of them in a serious tone, they notice his gaze, it was different towards them. The blades in his armored bracers retreated back.
"Let us go I shall get a medic for your wound."
“There is no need for a medic; it is only a flesh wound.” Eris reassured with a smile. It was a cut inside her mouth caused by her own teeth during the impact of the fist, meaning her own body will deal with it naturally. After a while of walking the sight of their room was welcoming. At first Eris walked before stopping in the center of the room, huddling her arms close to her body with her back turned to Chelsey.
“I was right wasn’t I? You know… about their Religion.” She spoke softly while confused. In a way, Eris wished her opinions are wrong about the deaths of her and Chelsey’s kind.
Chelsey did not respond as she watched her. Making sure Oldus had left she sat down on the bed.
"Perhaps you are right, we don't know for sure though…"she answered
Eris shifted herself to face Chelsey with crossed arms.
“I’m sure the Elite’s reaction said it all, it’s only a matter of time before the rest rebel.” Eris muttered. In the past couple of days Eris has noticed that both Chelsey and herself are not welcome by all. Those would glare hatefully at them, passing whispers to one another. Eris is worried when Oldus’ back is turned that they will strike, they seem so angry after all. That’s when she thought about it, why was she so worried about Oldus now? Was the fact he practically defended her and Chelsey when Eris insulted his beliefs once more? Chelsey could see the sudden look on Eris’ face but said nothing as she lay down on her bed. Eris’ words made her also worry for the Arbiter. Her eyes looked up at the ceiling hoping their plans of escaping would not be ruined because without Oldus’ protection they won’t be able to make it out of there.