Reach for Halo

Wakening

??? P.O.V

???: Hello? Can you hear me? 

That voice... It's been... so quiet. For so long. Who was talking...?

???: Good. You can hear me. Do you remember your name? 

My name...? It's... 

???: Do not speak to him. 

A different voice calls out. Deeper and darker than the other. The tone sends shivers down my spine, a blanket of dread threatening to cover me. A light appears in the distance and a small warmth spreads over me. Sensation returns to my body. I look down and see I'm dressed in nothing but my usual clothes. A black t-shirt and jeans. 

???: There! See the light? Run to it! As fast as you can! You can do it! 

???: NO!

Something whips from behind. A lot of somethings. Fleshy, creepy and gross things. I don't waste a moment and start rushing towards the light to try and escape from the approaching creatures. The more I run, the closer the creatures seem to get. I can practically feel tongues trying to lick at my ears. 

I reach out to the light and just as I'm about to pass the barrier, giant slimy arms wrap around my ankles and pull me down! I scream, but no sound comes out. My voice was completely silent wherever this place was. I claw at the ground to try and reach the barrier of light, but the tendrils become harsher in their tugging. 

???: The destroyer of my reign will submit to me! You are MINE!!!

???: Not if I have anything to say about it! 

An arm stretches out from the light and grabs me by the wrist. With one strong tug, I'm pulled away from the darkness and into the light. I'm blinded by the bright white and it takes me a moment to adjust to the sudden transition. 

My eyes sting from the blinding light, but they begin to adjust. As my vision clears, I get a good view of my new surroundings. It looked like a giant snowfield. Similar to that of the Halo ring. As I look up at the sky, I notice a very strange sight. The sky was an odd combination of colours. Red, black and blue with what looked like giant holes that seemed to resemble eyes. It was a creepy sight to witness. 

I push myself up to my feet and continue gazing skyward. 

???: What is this...? 

A small gasp escapes my lips at the realisation that I can finally speak! Or rather that my voice can be heard now. Then, a small huff comes from behind me. 

???: It's been too long, Mutasim. 

Turning around, I'm met with a familiar face. The long blonde hair of a once nerve-wracked marine and a smile of a youthful soul. 

Mutasim: Lilith? H-How are you...? 

Lilith: Looking like this? Yeah, I know. It's... creepy. Isn't it? Last you saw me, I was a Flood lifeform. 

Hearing that made me remember everything that transpired. The Ark, the Halo Rings, the Flood, how I chose to stay behind to ensure nobody else would be trapped on the Forward Unto Dawn. 

Mutasim: How... How long have I been here? 

Lilith: Not as long as you think. Or do you mean how long you've been in stasis? If you're asking about the second one, then 2 years. 2 years you've been adrift in space. Thanks to Cora, the Arbiter found you. And now you're back on Earth. But... There's been some complications.

I frown at her. 

Mutasim: "Complications"? 

Lilith: The Elites took you out of your stasis pod and did a scan. Turns out, when you were in the stasis pod, a Flood spore had snuck it's way inside with you. Mutasim... You're infected with the Flood. That's why you're here. This is the Hivemind. Or rather just one part of the Hivemind that I was able to make.