Swords of Intent (sequel to Rose of Titanium)

Chapter 26: First Encounter

     POV: 3rd

     Chief woke up to the sound of creaking wood, as if someone was sneaking through the house Jaunes sister allowed them to stay in. He silently stood up and barely opened the door of the room he was in. He saw Onyx making his way to the front door. "What are you doing?" Chief asked

     The younger spartan turned to his mentor. "Just for a walk, I can't sleep." Chief slid out of the room he shared with JNPR and Qrow, before joining Onyx.

     The two walked outside and began to walk aimlessly. "You know, thinking back on what all we've been through, it's almost overwhelming" Onyx spoke. "Now that I think of it, everything I've been through has been helping me...I don't know, feel like I'm actually human. Not the soulless killing machine ONI turned me into."

     "You talk like you don't want that to happen" Chief pointed out.

     Onyx nodded in confirmation. "Remember the first day we met?" This time Chief nodded. "Well, it was the last time I ever cried."

     17 years ago

     Little Onyx was in an alleyway, hiding from thugs as he tried to survive. Wonder if I'll ever find that floaty thing that brought me here, or of mom will find me. His thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of screaming and explosions. What he saw was the stuff of nightmares for the little boy. Helpless people ran for the lives as aliens slaughtered them.

     Little Onyx ran back into the alley and hid, alone and terrified. He hoped his mother would come save him, but to no avail. The young boy heard a sound and peeked from his hiding place.

     There stood a hulking mass of green armor. "Relax, I'm here to help" the man said in a gruff voice. The boy however, saw something off. Young Onyx grabbed a rock and threw it. The green casually leaned to the side, but heard a thud right behind him. He turned around to see an elite zealot. The two opposing forces locked in combat, with no clear winner able to be seen.

     Young Onyx looked around and saw a chance he could help. As the two fought he climbed a fire escape and made his way to a cinder block. The boy used all the strength he had to push the block off the ledge, sending it and himself down on top of the alien. The zealot was stunned from the impact, giving the spartan the chance to finish it off.

     Onyx however didn't come out unscathed. The cinderblock had fallen on top of his leg and snapped it, causing the Young boy to scream in pain. The soldier decided to pick the boy up and take him.

     Soon Onyx calmed down. He saw as three other Spartans approached him and the one carrying him. "Chief, where'd you find the kid?" The other male asked

     "In an alley" Chief answered. "He actually saved my life."

     "Well, come on" one of the female Spartans said. "Let's get that leg patched up." The team of four Spartans took the young boy with them to the pelican.

     As Linda worked on making a splint Frederick asked "What's your name kid?"

     The boy sniffles. "O-Onyx, my name is Onyx."

     "A fitting name for someone who saved our squad mate." Linda complemented.

     "Do you know where your family is?" Kelly asked. Onyx shook his head no in response.

     The four Spartans looked at each other before Chief spoke up. "Stay strong, you'll find them someday."

     Little Onyx wiped the tears from his eyes and gave them a look of determination. "Yeah, I'll be strong, and find my family!"

     Present day

     Onyx and Chief stood in the middle of the park as they looked up to the starry sky. "I've experienced happiness, anger, worry, all but one emotion."

     "This isn't anything like the war we were fighting two years ago" Chief pointed out.

     "But it's still a war, and not just that but one I was thrust into." Onyx sighed and looked away. "Remember what I told you about Salem?"

     Chief nodded. "That the gods cursed her with immortality."

     "Yeah, we'll that's not all they did." Noble Six looked back to his predecessor. "I met the light God, he brought me back to life to put a stop to Salem. I actually did die on Reach, but the gods placed me back here to clean up this mess."

     "So what, are you going to cut all ties, just because you're scared?" Chief asked. "We all die some day, you just have to accept that." He looked to the horizon as it began to change color. "Sun's coming up, we should head back and prepare for Argus base." Six gave a nod, and the two began to head back.