Shattered-Epilogue
Heller felt sick, as for an instant, there was nothing. No light, no weight, no direction. And then there was everything. He fell a short distance out of the portal, onto dry, dusty ground. After laying on the ground for some time, he realized how much things suddenly hurt. It was better not to move anything. Then, he noticed the creeping blurred edges of his vision, as he struggled to make out what was around him. All he could make out was a blurred shape in the distance, growing larger. And then that was it.
T'soona sprinted along the dusty plain as she saw the light and form of the portal, and in the distance, saw someone stumble out of it, and lay still on the ground. It had to be Heller! She ran faster than she ever had in her life, closing the gap to the portal. As she approached, golden rings of energy appeared as another appeared out of thin air, being dropped into the dusty ground near Heller. She came skidding to a halt in the dust as the figure picked itself up, choking. At once she knew who it was.
The simple robes, adorned with various golden rings and precious minerals attached to them in small quantities. The hard, stone like appearance of his skin, and the youthful brown eyes of his, as they looked into hers, realizing just who it was he was seeing. A slender three fingered hand reached into his robes, pulling out a small plasma pistol. He held it to her, charging it up as she approached.
"Heretic! Stay back"
T'soona rushed forwards, as the realization hit her, and all the little things lined up. She had been used. She rushed forward, as the Minister let go of the trigger on the pistol in terror. The large green blast of plasma impacted on her shields, draining them, but not completely. She still had the devices from Vigilance on her. She lashed out with a backhand, swatting the pistol aside, before leaping onto the Minister of Toil. Her green eye stared maliciously into his, as her hands clasped around his neck.
"You used me! All this time, I was a pawn! Just like the rest of my kind!"
The Minister chocked out,
"Politics......it was always politics."
T'soona shook him, increasing her grip.
"What madness was it!? Why!?"
"They......needed.....a....leader!"
"So you used me! Fooled me into trusting you to do one last service, one last noble task! And when I was done my use, you were going to kill me, just like the High Prophets!"
T'soona curled her fingers as she reared back her fist, smashing into the Minister's face. She reared back, smashing into him again.
"How could you!? How could you do it, use me! Use Heller! I want to know!"
She smashed into his face again, nearly closing one of his eyes shut and breaking his front teeth. She pushed him into the ground as she rose, reaching over for the discarded plasma pistol, pointing it to his head.
"Talk!"
The minister spit out teeth and dark red blood before finally speaking, staring down the pistol pointed at his forehead.
"Exemplar, I never planned to use you. Not at the start! War raged on, and it was clear there was a divide between my men. I had to choose a side! Just like your people!"
T'soona's mandibles flared as she listened. Her finger was slowly pulling down on the trigger of the pistol.
"So even with the knowledge of our gods and what they had done, you still chose the Jiralhanae!? You chose to lead them!?"
The Minister spit more blood out as he spoke.
"Your people would never trust me! And why would they!? But you. You were loyal."
T'soona's hand shook as she looked into the eyes of the Minister. They held no regret, no feeling of remorse.
"No. I was sick. I was blind. And all this time, I had been the monster. And I let people like you lead me, like cattle to slaughter!"
She pressed the pistol closer to the Minister's forehead. His eyes watched hers defiantly.
"Do it then, Exemplar! Have your revenge! Be the shining example of your people! After all, it's what you are."
T'soona overcharged the pistol, stepping back to take aim at the Minister. He was right in her sight, sitting there. But something stopped her. The words of Vigilance returned to her, about her people. The events that had transpired, while she was here, alone. There were so many treasures here, wonders from so many races. Wonders from her own people. The thought of it sickened her, as she stood there, in her battered, broken armour. Compared to her people from the past, she was nothing, a barbarian.
She stood there, looking into the eyes of the Minister. But she was free now. She could choose, to do whatever she wanted. And right now, she was ignoring someone, someone important to her. Someone who cared for her, never wanted to use her, or fool her. And he wasn't well right now. She turned back to see the motionless body of Heller, still lying in the dirt. It was then that she realized. She was in control. If she aspired to be a shining Exemplar of her kind, then she would be.
The charge held in the pistol, until it finally extinguished, it's battery dead. She looked into the eyes of the Minister.
"I'm not your tool. I am an Exemplar! By the will of my people, not the San Shyuum and their false Prophets, I strive to be a beacon for all those who follow! You. You are a sad creature, deserving of no pity, or even the waste of time required to kill you."
T'soona dropped the pistol at the Ministers lap.
"However, you deserve whatever fate the gods bestow on you here, after I am gone."
T'soona swung as hard as she could, into the side of the Ministers head, knocking him unconscious. She turned around, walking back to Heller with her head held high proudly. Now would be the truly difficult task. She needed to try and figure out how bad Heller's injuries were, and carry him back with her. She wouldn't give up on him. Especially after what it looked like for him to get here.
Heller was easy to carry, but carrying him without causing any more trauma to him was the trouble. Eventually she settled for simply carrying him carefully and slowly in two arms. It was funny to her, in an odd way. For all the ways she knew how to fight humans, and break them, helping to mend their wounds was difficult. Bandaging up his largest wounds, which she found on his face and back, was simple. But she knew he had fractured bones somewhere in him, and that was something she couldn't fix.
She watched the sky as she walked towards her destination, a small structure on this dusty shrub filled plain. The single solitary star was beginning to dim, going into a night cycle. The dying rays of light shone on the many, many worlds around the one she was on. And it fascinated her utterly. There were so many worlds, like gleaming ornaments, all held together in perfect balance, each one home to different environments, life forms, and most of all, ancient galleries. This place was no weapon, it was a museum.
The particular structure she was headed to was nothing particularly special. But it was what it connected to that was. She pondered as she looked into Heller's face, bruised and battered. What was on this world? She hadn't really explored anywhere else but the structure she found in her first days. No matter, there would be time later. It was good to see him, but troubling to wonder at the price he paid for getting here.
As the last rays of light began to dim and darkness crept over the land, T'soona arrived at her destination, a rather simple tower, much like a large triangular beacon of sorts, with a pad sitting underneath it. The pad activated as she stepped onto it, surrounding her with a map of the worlds. Even now, it was all surreal to her. So many worlds, crammed into a pocket of slipspace, hidden. She keyed through planets, as Forerunner writing accompanied them, no doubt giving descriptions of who they were for. And, at last, she found it, a small little planet with a reddish hue to it. Like the first time she found this place, and laid eyes on this particular world, she knew there was something familiar to it.
With a smile she manipulated the glyphs together, watching Heller as she held him. The pad lit up with energy, and to the familiar hum of it charging, she smiled, before initiating the jump. She was going home.
Heller could hear things before he saw them. He felt a warm breeze pass over his skin, and heard the sound of grass as it swayed in the wind. The sun was warm and gentle. He opened his eyes, laying upright. For a second, as he gazed around him, a thought crossed his mind. Did he die? Was this heaven? It sure seemed like it. Then he realized, if he was supposedly dead, he should be in hell. Hell seemed kind of nice, lacking fire and lava, and tormenting visions of sins. As his eyes traveled down the horizon, through endless fields of gentle, golden grass he laid eyes on something in the distance. At first glance the first thing that came to mind was a castle. But even from here, he could tell, it wasn't worn down, and seemed, alien. The stone was shaped and carved in such a manner that seemed, pleasing.
He leaned over whatever it was he was resting on, what felt like a flat stone slab, and hauled his legs over to the floor. He felt the tug and pull of bandages wrapped across his chest as he moved. Still alive then. He sat over the bed, looking at his surroundings. He was up above the fields of grass, on what looked like a large rock formation. He found that the stone was very pleasantly smooth to the touch, warm from having been in the sun. He was at the top of the formation. He tried to stand up to get a better view, but one of his legs gave out from under him, as pain shot through his knee. He fell back, sliding down against the elevated rock he was resting on. Grasping his leg in pain, he tilted his head back, to something he'd never forget.
In the sky, along with the pleasant sun, sat dozens of planets, so close that you could make them out. Some were closer than others, but the sky blue sky was tinged with orange as the sun set, revealing them, as if they were moons. The sight put his pain in the backseat, as he marveled at the view. He had made it then. This was what was on the other side. Planets and planets and planets. But if he had made it, where was T'soona?
He pulled himself back up to the flattened stone he was resting on, trying to get a better view of things. He called out, and listened as his voice echoed on the wind, to no response. He called out again, and listened. From what sounded like it was coming below him, he heard hurried footsteps. He looked for the source, as they got louder and louder, until finally he heard her voice behind him. He scuttled around on the stone bed, his eyes coming into contact with hers. Her mandibles tightened into a smile as she rounded the rest of a bend hidden by more of the smooth stone.
He was surprised when she rounded the bend, appearing from around the grey stone, and noticed right away what she was wearing. She no longer wore her armour, or even her jumpsuit, but something, as best as Heller could describe as, alluringly beautiful. He was awestruck by it.
It looked like it was silk, smooth and flowing, but had an air of ruggedness to it. Her head and neck was exposed, showing off her tan skin. A collar of some kind of animal fur lined the back of her neck, ending as it trailed down her collarbone. Her arms were bare, showing off more of her tanned, smooth skin, but up a little ways below her shoulders, were golden rings around her arms, linked by thin threads of red, smooth material. Very small, bright blue holograms floated just off the rings around her arms.
The silk like material covered her, like a vest. Her chest was exposed somewhat, an opening flaunting the top of her chest off. Everything clung tightly to her, as if it was made for her. Small pockets aligned down lower, along with more small bright holograms. It was held closed by simple, ornate buttons that ran along the middle of the vest. As his eyes traveled lower, Heller realized whoever had made this had done so with the attractive physique of Elites in mind. The outfit narrowed at her hips, leaving them open with nothing covering them. Her legs were completely bare, save for two more golden rings at her ankles, displaying more holograms, and attached with more thin threads which linked to some form of footwear. The outfit ran down between her legs, hanging to just below her knees, in the front, and the back. Ornamental pieces clung to this section, various shining metals and minerals, all highlighted by more holograms.
He was speechless as she approached, only able to watch as she leaned down, and hugged him, taking care around the bandages across his chest. She held him tight, speaking softly.
"I missed you Heller! You had me so worried."
Heller returned the embrace, now finding the words to speak.
"I went through a lot to get here, wherever it is. I'd do it all again, just to see you. You look, absolutely beautiful."
She pulled back, kissing him on the lips.
"How do you feel? I don't know what happened to you, and I tried to fix up whatever it was that I could....."
Heller stopped her mid-sentence by putting a hand up.
"I'm okay. I feel like I got ran over by a train, but I'll live. I think I'll need some help walking for a bit. My knee has some troubles. But, you did a good job, for somebody who hates doctors."
"What happened?"
"I'll save it for later. It's a long story. Vigilance saved my ass. I would have never gone through without this if he wasn't there. Then he sang a poem to me, and shoved me through. That's all I'll say right now."
T'soona let go of Heller, moving to sit beside him on the rock. She stared up to the many planets in the sky, watching them shine as the sun dimmed further.
"You sent the minister through too."
Heller scratched his chin.
"We found out about him about halfway through the month after you left. Vigilance was doing some digging. What'd you do with that wrinkly bastard?"
T'soona looked out to the fields.
"I let him go."
Heller raised his eyebrows. Of all the people, he'd of never figured for T'soona to let someone like the Minister go. T'soona spoke before Heller could reply.
"I was about to. But then I realized what was more important, and when I looked at myself, I was disgusted. This world we're on Heller, isn't just some random planet. It's a museum! A memory of my ancient people. The things I've seen here, put my people to shame, and put me to shame. I realized, that I was not an Exemplar. But if I wanted to, I could be. And so I left him to his fate."
"You didn't pursue anything? You didn't snap his legs or anything?"
"I did punch him. I knocked his teeth out and left him unconscious before I left."
She smiled as she said it. Heller chuckled.
"You can do whatever you want. I'm just glad you didn't let him get away without a scratch."
Heller stared up at the sky.
"So, this place, wasn't a weapon?"
T'soona pondered it for a moment.
"Not entirely. Vigilance was right. It was an apology. It's like a big collection of everything all the races the Forerunners ever met lost. Ships, weapons, styles, architecture. Every world we see here is different, devoted to different races. But I can see why it was protected."
"You think they'd abuse it?"
T'soona looked out to the stone structure far off in the distance.
"Yes. All of them would. There are weapons here, and ships, technologies so far beyond what we have today, it makes all of us look like barbarians."
Heller chuckled.
"Sounds like you've been around."
"I had to do something while I waited. Sitting by the portal was killing me. I couldn't sit there idle, wondering what was happening to you on the other side."
Heller wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Same here."
The last light from the star finally faded, leaving them in the dim light from the other worlds. Heller shivered, having nothing on but his fatigues. T'soona felt it, and stood up.
"Come Heller. We should go inside. The nights here can be cold."
She extended a hand. Grasping it, he pulled himself up to one leg, as T'soona supported him on the other side.
"What do you mean, inside?"
"There's a small cave in this formation. The structure out there is too big for me, like a city, without people. And this place is beautiful in its own right."
The two slowly made their way down from the top of the rock formation, to Heller's luck, there was a relatively easy path to follow downwards, that led to the cave she mentioned. Halfway down from the ground, they found the entrance, which led deeper into the formation. It wasn't very pretty, but T'soona had turned the small pocket in the stone into something nice.
Blue lights lined the walls, and various things, which she no doubt found in the structure far off, filled the space of the cave. She set Heller down near a smooth patch of wall, sliding down with him once he was settled in. Heller looked around the small cave, taking note of all the various things.
"So, all this stuff, and what you're wearing, was made by your people."
T'soona looked around the room.
"Yes. I couldn't come back here without bringing something back. Some are weapons, others are just, beautiful. Furniture, Art, anything I could carry, I brought here. I'm not sure what some of the various devices are or what they do, but they're beautiful. The craftsmanship that was put into them, is, the most amazing thing I've ever seen."
Heller smiled.
"Your people sure put an emphasis on making things nice."
T'soona watched Heller, raising her brows.
"You should see what kind of spaceships my people could build Heller."
"They make that nice ship we rode in on look like crap right?"
T'soona laughed briefly.
"Yes, yes they do."
"You'll have to show me sometime. But right now, I want to stay here with you."
T'soona kissed him again, breaking off with a smile.
"I'm not leaving you ever again either. We'll explore this place, together."
Heller smiled.
"Vigilance left this place to us. It's ours now. He said we can choose to open it when we think everybody is ready. Personally, I think it'll be a while."
T'soona, being careful of Heller's various wounds, slowly moved so that she was sitting carefully on top of him. She rested her arms on his shoulders, bringing her face close to his. She looked into his eyes with some form of a smirk that she could manage.
"I'm okay with that."
Heller smirked back.
"Oh are you? Sure you won't get bored from no combat?"
She trailed her hands across his chest slowly and carefully.
"I did some thinking while I was out here. There's other ways to overcome the anxiety of living without combat."
Heller ran his hand along the side of her face.
"And what would those be?"
T'soona smirked as she kissed him again.
"Let me show you. After all, we've got time now."
She was right. This place, this museum, this apology from a long dead race, who paid the ultimate price, and committed the ultimate crime, if only to save so many, was here. And it was theirs now. So many worlds blanketed the sky. So many lost cultures, their triumphs and trials forgotten among time. What was left was here. Vigilance was right. The galaxy is a big, frightful place, and many outside would not be ready to know the truth about who and what they once were. So it would stay closed, for however long it needed to be. When the galaxy was ready, Heller and T'soona would be there, ready. Until then, they had all of it to explore, and all the time in the world with each other. And never again, would he be alone. And neither would T'soona.
Time and space did not stop them, as they traveled so far, across an ocean of stars. They carried each other in their darkest hours, and never faltered. They overcame their burdens together, which led to their greatest triumphs. And now, at last, they were together, inseparable, even from death. Nothing could shatter them ever again.