The Blackest Shade

Post-War of Annihilation (2561)
Chapter One: A New Kind of Deal 
Two voices of a conversation was not enough to fill vast halls and great chambers. They were dim echoes, reverberating off bronze marble floors and gilded ceilings until they faded into nothing. A contrary affront to this museum, the Preservation of the Ways, where it made its home in the city of Tuari. Normally, local Sangheili visitors arrived to explore the numerous displays of cultural and historical artefacts, a trip of exploration and learning about a past once viewed as unnecessary, or in some cases, outright heresy, by the Covenant. It even attracted the curiosity of humanity's brilliant minds, who often came with empty data pads and a host of questions for their tour guide. An exchange of sorts between the two species to further advance their understanding of each other. But as Akari 'Ruta paced alongside his guest and gauged their surroundings, he felt somewhat guilty for robbing his people of an activity that was not only important, but also a pleasure. Even if it was just for a day. 
"There is no greater evil in our culture." He said, his voice a rumble as he squinted his eyes, clearly enraged. 
His guest silently nodded.
"It is indubitable that spilling your own blood and healing yourself is dishonourable. More so when your brother abandons you without imparting a prayer. But what triumphs over those..." He slowed to a halt, his gaze travelling to the floor. His guest could see that his hands had become fists and were slightly shaking. 
Still though, the Sangheili chose silence and not to intervene.
Akari quickly regained his composure, releasing a sigh. He closed his eyes and put his hands together, turning to face his guest. They opened again after a brief silence.
"But nothing compares to the sting of betrayal. Even if I must bargain with the likes of you, it is only fair that I demonstrate to my former friend the consequences of his actions." He resumed walking, turning a corner. He led his guest into one of the halls that contained artefacts, specifically items of stone bearing ancient emblems and letters. Pieces of a precious past, once under threat of being erased by the immoral San 'Shyuum.
"Punishment. A reflection of your desire for justice. A reminder to him of the bond he has broken." Araki's guest said, turning so that their gazes met. 
"You are aware I cannot perform such an action. My order forbids it." He said. 
"I see, but considering his actions, I do not require a body. Only his head." Akari replied.
The guest looked around at the displays around them. He looked at his robes, his footwear, the kaidon that had invited him all the way here. The quantity of the payment on offer... it was all too much to resist. Akari watched with intrigue as his guest considered his reply.
"I admit, you impress me with your grandeur and wealth. And you have summoned me where it has been many cycles since I have returned a head." 
"Does that imply you will agree to my offer?" Akari's head tilted, hands at his back.
"Not yet. I must first learn if your conflict with the kaidon has spread far enough to be... noticeable." He shook his head.
"No. The Arbiter is preoccupied with his own affairs. He will not anticipate what you will do." Akari said.
"Your friend's decision to side with the Arbiter is regarded by many as a good decision. He has achieved so much already that he has been appointed to the Arbiter's council. Are you certain that what you intend to do is, to put it bluntly, foolish and dangerous?" The guest queried. 
"No. Nothing will happen to me. What I have built will not be undone by Akritta's treachery." Akari personally vowed, his expression deepening into steely conviction. 
The treachery of Akritta 'Havaloa, a greater kaidon who presides over the state Tuarvi inhabited. He chose to abandon plans to create a political clique with Akari in favour of the future and opportunities promised by the Swords of Sanghelios. Regardless, Akari had managed to create the faction. Two opposing sides and now it was up to the guest to take care of things.
The Sangheili pair crossed the room and entered into the next one, another room full of displays. This time they were of statues, paintings, and all things art. Created by ancestors who lived in a very different era and possessed an alien perspective on life and the world. A time when the Writ of Union was not written.
Akari's guest's eyes were on them, contemplating something. The kaidon glanced over. 
"What are you contemplating?" He asked, curious. 
"Our ancestors, they would have a lot to say to us about what has transpired over the years." His guest said, admitting something that was not directly said. 
"If you speak of judgement," Akari replied, "they would call us fools for ever siding with the Covenant." 
"It is not that, but..." Akari's guest and himself came to a stop when the former stopped at a statue. It depicted a Sangheili warrior, garbed in ancient robes and a blade that served as the forerunner to the modern energy sword. He stood tall and proud, the blade's hilt in his hands and pointed on the ground. He glanced at it longingly, eventually turning away and resuming the walk, sighing. 
"Does something trouble you?" Akari asked, mostly curious. 
"It is nothing." His guest assured him. 
"I can only wonder," Akari said, "but perhaps you are troubled by what you will face, assuming you accept my offer?" 
They came to another stop when the newcomer paused. His gaze was sideways, focused on nothing in a completely random direction. But eventually, he came to, looking at Akari with his mandibles a tad outstretched, a determined look in his eyes. 
"If trouble comes to me then I will deal with it." He said confidently.
"Very well." Akari inclined his head, turning to his guest. He gestured for him to follow. They resumed walking, intent on reaching the entrance to the museum. They walked through an open doorway nearby into another hallway.
"You lack honour, but I trust you enough to complete this mission. Deliver to me Akritta's head and you will be paid abundantly." The kaidon said.
"I suppose I shall. The amount of you have on offer, I find it difficult to resist." The guest replied. 
"I see. According to your fellows, you are the... punctual type. You always deliver, regardless of anything." 
"My fellows? You refer to those who you regard as lowly and dishonourable?" The guest raised an eyebrow sceptically. Akari chuckled.
"I admit, I have interacted with your kind before, but those are rare. They did not reveal to me not enough about yourself, but they assured me that they would dispatch a warrior who always completes the task he is given." He said.
Eventually they reached the entrance, which were a set of massive doors that were currently closed. Two guards idly stood on either side, wielding spears and adorned in armour. When they saw the pair approaching and the kaidon's idle gesture, they moved to open the doors. They grasped massive handles and began pulling outward, utilising all of their bodily strength to accomplish the feat.
Akari and his guest went outside. It was almost dark, so there were not any civilians in sight on the street. They turned to each other once more.
"Go now. I look forward to seeing this issue resolved." Akari said.
"I will contact you when it is done." The guest nodded.
"And before you depart," the kaidon added, drawing his guest's gaze before he could even turn to leave. "What is your name?" 
"I am Kejir 'Sehalai." The guest replied, arching an eyebrow.
"Ahh, that explains something. You are a blademaster, yes?" Akari looked somewhat intrigued, his head tilting sideways.
"Indeed." 'Sehalai nodded.
"Very well. As said previously, I look forward to seeing you complete this mission." Akari said.
"Farewell, kaidon." Akari's guest proceeded to walk down the steps while Akari returned inside the museum. 
--- 
Chapter Two: The Night
Nighttime on Sanghelios not only revealed countless stars but also the moons of Suban and Qikost. They orbited relatively close to the planet and so on certain nights, when both were seen together, it enhanced the atmosphere. It created something more beautiful to stare at longer and consider the small things of life, of what was or is most dearest to you. The stars were many, each a potential path or opportunity that could have been chosen. 
Standing atop a cliff face, Kejir 'Sehalai pondered the many what-ifs of his career so far. He looked at the stars and asked himself, could things be different? What if he had made different choices in the past? Could they have provided a better outcome? These questions, he was not sure if they had a sufficient answer. But, for the most part, he was content. And he was positive that mission would go swell.
He established his gaze to the keep that lied far off in the distance. The Oheretis keep, home of the highly respected kaidon, Akritta 'Havaola. It was surrounded by perimeter wall and a mighty gate out the front, which allowed visitors to enter through. Aside from it,