an ODST among Heroes.

S2-13

The Library, as Izuku learned it was called, proved to be a grueling, asymmetrical trial that tested every ounce of his training and endurance. He had trained alongside Spartans, learning to move with precision and strike with power, but none of it prepared him for the relentless horrors of the Flood. These creatures were faster, smarter, and more adaptive than any enemy he had faced before. Worse still, they didn’t stay down.

It wasn’t enough to shoot them once or even twice. It took entire magazines of ammunition to shred them into mincemeat, and even then, they had an uncanny ability to reanimate from what should have been fatal injuries. Limbs would regenerate, twisted and grotesque, as they crawled or staggered forward, driven by an insatiable hunger to infect and consume.

The endless corridors of the Library were a nightmarish labyrinth. The Flood came in waves—small, balloon-like Infection Forms swarmed in droves, latching onto anything they could infect, while the larger, more grotesque Combat Forms charged with feral aggression. Izuku and his Yggdrasil ADS armor were pushed to their limits as he fought inch by bloody inch through the chaos.

Abject Testament floated nearby, providing guidance and occasional bursts of cryptic commentary. The Monitor’s calm, detached demeanor felt like a cruel contrast to the carnage unfolding around them.

“The Flood is utilizing the dead Covenant from the wreckage, Reclaimer,” Abject Testament said as they advanced. “Most troublingly, they appear to be working to repair damaged vessels. While primitive by Forerunner standards, such efforts could eventually result in their escape from the installation.”

Izuku’s heart sank at the implications. If the Flood managed to repair even a single Covenant ship, they could spread beyond Halo, threatening the entire galaxy. The stakes had never felt higher.

"Monitor," Izuku asked as he blasted apart another wave of Combat Forms, "what’s the purpose of this ring?"

Abject Testament paused briefly, its photoreceptor glowing brighter as it responded. “Installation 03, like all Halo installations, is a weapon designed to contain the Flood. In the event of an outbreak, the ring can be activated to eliminate all sentient life within its effective radius, thereby depriving the Flood of hosts.”

Izuku froze for a moment, processing the enormity of what he had just heard. "So the Covenant worship a weapon of mass destruction," he muttered bitterly, shaking his head. Then an idea struck him.

“Monitor,” he asked, his voice firm, “can we choose a specific location to fire the ring?”

Abject Testament tilted slightly, as if considering the question. “It is possible to localize the firing sequence to a designated area. However, such an action is highly irregular and would require manual input from the control room. May I inquire as to the purpose of this request, Reclaimer?”

"Let’s just say there are people out there who want this ring used on them," Izuku replied grimly, thinking of the Covenant forces desperately trying to claim the ring for themselves.

“I see. Very well. Let us proceed to the Index.”

The journey only grew harder from there. The Flood seemed to sense their goal, increasing their efforts to stop Izuku and the Monitor. Every step closer to the Index brought larger swarms, more ferocious attacks, and horrifying new mutations. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the constant, sickening squelch of Flood biomass.

Izuku had trained for high-pressure combat, but this was unlike anything he had ever experienced.  it was a grueling, inch-by-inch slog. The Flood adapted to his tactics, forcing him to improvise and stay constantly on the move.

Hours passed in a blur of gunfire, screams, and the endless echoes of Abject Testament’s calm directives. When he finally reached the Index chamber, Izuku was battered, exhausted, and running low on ammunition. But they had made it.

As the glowing green construct of the Index floated before them, Izuku reached out and took it, feeling its unnatural warmth in his hands. “Got it,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos behind them.

“Excellent work, Reclaimer,” Abject Testament said. “We must now proceed to the control room to activate the ring. Time is of the essence.”

Izuku nodded, gripping the Index tightly. He knew the fight was far from over. If anything, it was only just beginning.

----

Lucia Vickerson stood on the bridge of the UNSC First Reverie, her eyes locked on the holographic display of the shattered Covenant armada. The destruction had been cataclysmic, the aftermath of hours of brutal combat. Now, the Covenant’s fleet lay in disarray, and the path to the mysterious ring installation was finally clear.

“Proceed to the ring,” she ordered, her voice steady, though her heart raced with a mixture of triumph and dread. As the First Reverie began its approach, a sudden transmission crackled to life on an unknown frequency.

“This is Sergeant Halsey. First Reverie actual, are you there?”

Lucia’s heart leapt. “Good to hear from you, Sergeant,” she replied. “Any progress?”

“Affirmative,” came Halsey’s voice, laced with exhaustion but resolute. “I’ve made it to the ring’s control room. But, ma’am, this isn’t just some alien structure. This entire place... it’s a galaxy-destroying weapon of mass destruction.”

Lucia froze. She had braced for surprises, but this revelation shook her to her core. “Halsey... I... Listen carefully. I’m ordering you to hold that control room. Keep the Covenant out at any cost. They cannot activate that weapon.”

Halsey’s tone turned urgent. “Ma’am, there’s more. There’s something else on this ring. I don’t even know how to explain it. You won’t believe me if I told you, but listen carefully: attempt no landing. Treat any ships trying to land or breach the hull as hostile.”

“What?” Lucia’s brow furrowed as unease began to settle in. “Sergeant, I’m ordering you to clarify. What’s going on down there?”

Halsey took a deep breath. “It’s called the Flood. They infect and consume anything they touch. They’ve already taken over Covenant bodies, turning them into... something else. Do not land, ma’am. I repeat—do not land.”

Lucia’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “How bad is it?”

“It’s getting worse by the hour,” Halsey said grimly. “We’re running out of time. The only way to stop this is to activate the ring. And, ma’am, I’ve got a plan. The Covenant believe this ring will bring them their so-called Great Journey, some kind of ascension to godhood. If we fire the ring in their territory, we can use their delusion against them—and deal a crippling blow to their entire empire.”

Lucia’s breath hitched. “You’re talking about taking the ring into Covenant space?”

“Exactly. The ring has a slipspace drive. Once I’ve ensured the control room is secure, I’ll jump the installation to a high-priority Covenant sector. Once we arrive, you extract us, and we activate the ring. Ma’am... this could be how we win the war.”

Lucia stared out at the debris field of Covenant ships, her mind racing. The Flood, a galaxy-destroying weapon, and a plan that could cripple their enemy in one decisive blow—it was audacious, risky, and horrifying. But it might be their only chance.

“Halsey...” she began, her voice wavering. She clenched her fists, then steeled herself. “Do it. Consider that an order.”

Halsey’s voice came back, calm and resolute. “With pleasure, ma’am.”

As the transmission ended, Lucia closed her eyes, the weight of her decision settling heavily on her shoulders. The stakes had never been higher, but if Halsey’s plan worked, they might just turn the tide of the war.