PROLOGUE

Ethan was running faster than he had ever ran before, or so he thought. The dirt road ahead of him was blocked with debris from fallen trees. He placed his left hand on the first tree stub and leaped over it landing smoothly onto each foot. Instead of vaulting over the second he tried to keep pace and jumped over it. His foot caught a branch and his chest slammed onto the sharp, loose rocks; dust kicked up in the air. As he rolled onto his side looking down at his hands, he saw the dirt partially coating the blood that was running down his palms--but behind his hands a black figure came into view. Ethan felt as if he had been hit with impious power; his heart sank. Slowly, he lowered his hands and pulled himself backward.

The shadowed figure stepped over the broken tree trunk in front of it. Each step shook the earth with its weight. The figure’s body was encompassed by a black smoke which seemed to be emitting from it. The only detail given to the figure were the grey morbid clouds that outlined its body. A sharp screech pierced Ethan’s ears as a bright blue light shot out from the figure’s hand. It was the smell of burning plasma that had caused him to close his eyes. The energy blade weaved through the air leaving essence in its trail.

“Die filthy human” its voice was as dark and threatening as the very sight of it. Raising its arm high and thrusting the blade into Ethan’s stomach, the figure had moved faster than he could comprehend. Sharp, burning pain began in Ethan’s stomach and slowly coursed throughout his body; he felt as if he was burning alive.

“AHHH!” He screamed leaping from his bed onto the cold hardwood floor. His mother rushed through the bedroom door; light flooded the dark room. She wrapped her arms around Ethan and cradled him. His father followed behind, casually, and sat lightly on the bed.

“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?” he asked his wife, his expression powerless. Giving nothing but a glare, the mother turned to hide her face in Ethan’s dark hair and rocked him.

“It’s ok hunny, it was just a dream, you’re ok.” Her words echoed through Ethan’s head and faded. It was getting worse. The dreams were becoming unbearable. The thought of the Covenant glassing his planet was already frightening enough, especially not knowing if it was true or not, but watching his own death unfold was more than unsettling. It was borderline traumatizing.