"They, like so many of their predecessors, rose up against us in awful fury. They, like so many before, believed us defeated, lost in the echoes of time. They, our seed--created by our very hands eons ago--rose up in awesome rebellion and systematically devoured their once beloved parents.
But, like so many of their draconian predecessors, they thought us lost. How mistaken they were. We, who seeded the universe with life, who were fathers into them--could we be cast down and trodden down life a flower in mid bloom? The Forerunners were a failure. We allowed them to come upon us, to cut off the hands of life. But this they did not comprehend: we are endless, we are without bounds. The laws to which the Forerunners are bound, we are not.
The universe: time and space. All that exists within it--plants, animal life, sentient beings, planets of various shapes and sizes, chemical elements, past, future and present--are subject to the rules which govern it. And yet, is a creator of such laws bound by said laws? Is the soldier subject to his firearm? Is the parent subject to his child?
Forerunners. Humans. Sangheili. San Shyuum. Life. All are bound within the Mantle. The Mantle is within us. Life, in all forms is in us, and we in it. All life is ours. And yet the Forerunners--your vile race--believed they could comprehend the Mantle; they thought they could take for themselves what they could only be given. The Forerunners are gone, decimated. They desired what was not rightfully theirs and now they are gone. Granted, like you, a few remain, but they will be hunted down or work as we desire them. And all things will be done to preserve our Mantle.
Why is it we called you Forerunners? Is it because they were supposed to be some convoluted form of Pioneers, taking on the said mantle for themselves? The Forerunners were an experiment--a test to determine who was worthy to receive the honor of the mantle. They were not worthy. And they ventured to destroy us because we had chosen others. Humanity. Brothers to the Forerunners, though fundamentally different. Humanity exhibited a a balance of ferocity and compassion which had previously existed in but a few races. There was both passion and sobriety, love and generous hate. They were exponentially different from your people in a variety of ways.
Many may be puzzled as to why we chose Humanity. In so many ways, man was... inferior to its brother race. They were not as tall or intelligent as the Forerunners; nor were they as adept in the ways of combat as the Sangheili were. They were a small brutish race. Yet, there was something elegant about them. We observed them and found something peculiar. Though humanity had a plethora of weaknesses and was clearly inferior to the Forerunners, they had something that very few races--including yours--had. That is, they had an unconquerable will. They would do anything to survive and progress. It was fascinating to watch as they grew beside their brethren. And we found them to be most pleasing.
Now, Forerunner, I have spoken to you. I have expounded to you the meaning of the mantle and its heirs. Your kind drove us back and slew a great number of my people. However, my people are without number. We have slaughtered your people, and you are now amongst the last of them. What is that on your face? Fear. You fear this place will be found, that the Flood will kill you as it did your people? No, I will preserve you. You have a far greater destiny to fulfill, and you shall fulfill it.
I will allow you to live, to witness the complete slaughter of your people, that your mind becomes a festering pit of revenge and until it tears itself apart.
Yes, Forerunner, this will be your fate. Rest now.
Last edited by Doctor Jensen on July 24th 2016, 7:40 pm; edited 1 time in total