Editing Great Schism

{{Era|HCW|Post}}

|conc=[[Insurrection]], [[Human-Covenant War]], [[Blooding Years]], [[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]

|image=[[File:Schism 3.png|350px]]

|date= [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]]<ref group="note">The massacre of the Sangheili on Earth on October 20, 2552 (witnessed in ''Halo 3: ODST'') is regarded as an isolated incident leading up to the Schism, whereas the conflict at large is considered to have begun with the Sangheili's banishment from the Honor Guard and the subsequent outbreak of all-out hostilities within ''High Charity'' and its fleets on November 2.</ref>–Ongoing as of [[2559]]<ref name="The Return">'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''' "[[The Return]]" - '' "It was a terrible war. The Prophets provided the Brutes with powerful new weapons, hoping that they would in turn defend their Prophets against our wrath. But when the Prophets went into hiding, the lack of leadership allowed the Brutes to return to their savage nature and they soon began to fight against each other. This lack of solidarity made them much easier prey. Some of my fellow commanders continue that fight even now"''</ref>

|place=[[Milky Way|Milky Way galaxy]]

|result='''Ongoing'''

*[[Covenant]] {{c|Until [[2552#December|December 11, 2552]]}}

*[[Jiralhanae]] factions {{c|From [[2552#December|December 11, 2552]] onwards}}

**[[Lydus' clan]]<ref group="note">Peace negotiations attempted with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], as of 2558 they remain left at a standstill.</ref>

**[[Tem'Bhetek's faction]]

*[[Sangheili]] factions

**[[Joyous Exultation Covenant]]  

[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]† <br>

[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]† <br>

[[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]]† <br>

[[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae|Chieftain]] [[Tartarus]]† <br>

[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]] [[Gargantum]] <br>

[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]] [[Melchus]] <br>

[[Prelate]] [[Tem'Bhetek]]† <br>

[[Minister]] [[Boru'a'Neem]]†

[[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] <br>

[[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]] <br>

[[Unidentified Shipmaster (Righteous Vigilance)|Unidentified Sangheili Shipmaster]]<ref name="The Return"/> <br>

[[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]]† <br>

[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]]† <br>

[[Scion]] [[Tul 'Juran]]<br>

[[Ranger]] [[Stolt]]<br>

[[Blademaster]] [[Vul 'Soran]]<br>

*[[Combined Fleet of Righteous Purpose]]  

*[[High Council]]

*[[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]]

*[[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]]

*[[Tartarus]]

*Fleet Master Voro Nar 'Mantakree

*Xytan 'Jar Wattinree

}}

{{Quote|This is the third vector of chaos.|[[Zo Resken]], former Prophet of Clarity to his [[Sangheili]] liberators<ref name="gl232">'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 232''</ref>}}

The '''Great Schism''',<ref name="GoO">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 240''</ref> also known as the '''Covenant Schism''',<ref name="GoO245">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 245''</ref> or the '''Great Betrayal''' among the [[Sangheili]],<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''The Return'', ''page 247''</ref> was a major civil conflict between the forces loyal to the [[Covenant]] against the Sangheili and their followers, which split apart on [[2552#November|November 3, 2552]] that initially starts by the fractured leadership over the failure of Thel 'Vadam on preventing John-117 for [[Battle of Installation 04|destroying Installation 04]]. During the Schism, three major factions fought for victory: the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]] allied with the [[UNSC]]; the remnants of the Covenant led by the [[San'Shyuum]] and the [[Jiralhanae]]; and the [[Flood]], which took over the Covenant holy city of ''[[High Charity]]'' in an effort to assimilate the other warring factions. The Schism marked both the end of the Covenant and the partition of its client species for a thousand years.<ref name="GoO245"/> For UNSC, it is also serves as a major turning point that leads to the [[Battle of Installation 00|end of the war]] after their [[Fall of Reach|disastrous defeat on Reach]].

===Background===

For centuries over the course of the [[history of the Covenant]], certain [[Sangheili]] eventually came close to discovering the truth about the [[Forerunner]]s, which would falsify the [[Covenant religion]].<ref>[[Halo 2: Anniversary]] - [[Terminal/Halo_2:_Anniversary|Terminal 11]] -  "In some cases, that influence was already being used to question the decisions of your Hierarchs. In fact, that very questioning often gave rise to the charges of heresy that so neatly removed the challenger from the Hierarchs' concern."</ref> This was made even more apparent when [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction]] spread information about the Great Journey being false.<ref>[[Halo 2]] - [[The Arbiter]] - "Our Prophets are false! Open your eyes, my brothers! They would use the faith of our forefathers to bring ruin to us all! The Great Journey is a-"</ref> Intending to prevent the Covenant from falling apart, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] made plans to eject the Sangheili species from the hegemony, viewing them as untrustworthy and doubting their reliability and loyalty. It all starts with the failure of Thel 'Vadam on preventing John-117 from [[Battle of Installation 04|destroying Installation 04]], the place that was considered as the sacred rings by The Covenant itself that places on Councils to doubt Sangheili could protect it. Truth would replace the Sangheili with the [[Jiralhanae]], as he saw the latter as more willing and unquestioning pawns. He had appointed [[Tartarus]], a loyal Jiralhanae, to the position of [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] who would help him execute his plan. Feeding off the rivalry between the Sangheili and Jiralhanae, Truth knew that Tartarus and the Jiralhanae would be more than happy to replace the Sangheili as the Covenant's military leaders. Truth kept these schemes strictly to himself and waited until the time was right to implement them. After Truth learned the location of the [[Earth|human homeworld]], he secretly amassed [[Truth's fleet|a fleet]] of over five hundred warships, commanded entirely by Jiralhanae, at the command-and-control station ''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 297''</ref> In [[2552#September|September of 2552]], this station and the fleet [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE|were destroyed]] by a group of [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] who learned of its purpose shortly before the invasion could commence.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 407''</ref> This put a temporary halt to Truth's plans.<ref name="oct20">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>

On October 20, the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]] made a move Truth did not expect: having discovered a significant [[Forerunner]] [[Portal at Voi|artifact]] on Earth on his own, but unaware of the fact it was humanity's homeworld, he took [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|a fleet]] of fifteen ships to Earth.<ref name="oct20"/> Immediately after Truth learned of this, he sent the remnants of the fleet he had amassed to Earth; he gave his Jiralhanae troops orders to forcibly overtake the Sangheili in command of the remaining forces on and above Earth. When Regret retreated from Earth, his Sangheili-led ships in orbit continued to engage the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]], but now without a leader. Only moments after, the Jiralhanae forces within the fleet and on the ground killed any remaining Sangheili,<ref name="odst">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref> as Truth had ordered. They continued to hold [[New Mombasa]] until the reinforcements sent by Truth arrived. As ''[[High Charity]]'' and the rest of the [[Covenant fleet]] were now on their way to the newly discovered [[Halo Array|Halo]] [[Installation 05]], Truth's scheme remained secret from the rest of the Covenant. Regret, who would arrive at Delta Halo weeks before ''High Charity'' and the rest of the Covenant, would serve yet another purpose for Truth: the final stage in Truth's plan.<ref name="oct20"/> With the arrival of UNSC ''[[In Amber Clad]]'' commanded by [[Miranda Keyes]] and John-117 on [[Installation 05]], the UNSC decide to [[Battle of Installation 05|assassinate Prophet of Regret]] after they got the intel they need and John-117 is tasked to execute it.

After the Prophet of Regret was killed by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] on [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]], the two remaining [[Hierarchs]] reorganized Covenant society. Claiming that the Sangheili could no longer protect the Prophets due to Regret's death, they replaced the Sangheili with the Jiralhanae as the Prophets' [[Covenant Honor Guard|protectors]]. The Sangheili viewed this as a violation of the principle that the Covenant had been founded upon and threatened to resign from the [[High Council]].<ref name="icon">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> This would spark the start of the Great Schism.

{{Quote|The Great Schism is upon us. The unbreakable Covenant [[Writ of Union]] has been split asunder. This is the end of the Ninth, and final, [[Ages of Reclamation|Age]].|Xytan 'Jar Wattinree<ref name="GoO"/>}}

[[File:H2A Terminals - Murder of the Councilors.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The death of the Sangheili High Councilors.]]

Truth further demoted the Sangheili by giving command of their fleets to the Jiralhanae. Truth knew that the High Council would elect a new Hierarch to replace Regret, and so he made his move to eliminate the [[Sangheili Councilor|Sangheili High Councilors]] to prevent a more moderate Prophet from being elected and ruining his grand plan to eliminate the Sangheili and humanity.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/high-council '''Halo Waypoint''': ''High Council'']</ref> Once enough Jiralhanae were in place, Truth instigated a pogrom by secretly ordering the assassination of many Sangheili Councilors.<ref name="uprising">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Uprising]]''</ref> Many Sangheili High Councilors and former Honor Guards were ordered to meet in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|Control Room]] of Installation 05 to begin preparing for the [[Covenant religion#Great Journey|Great Journey]]. However, [[Jiralhanae Captain]] [[Melchus]] arrived at the Control Room with a large, heavily-armed contingent of Jiralhanae and proceeded to massacre the Councilors and former guardsmen.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 219-222'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Truth also freed all Jiralhanae prisoners and pardoned them after release.<ref>'''[[Halo Wars]]''', ''[[Halo Wars Timeline Events|Timeline]]''</ref> This was perceived as an insurrection against the Covenant to the Sangheili, as well as many [[Mgalekgolo]] and [[Unggoy]]. Loyalist factions were led to believe it was a Sangheili revolt. After the assassination of the Councilors, war broke out on ''High Charity'', with the two sides polarizing quickly. However, this was at first a debate over orthodoxy and leadership. The true split occurred when the Sangheili discovered the truth about the Halos and the Great Journey. Their disillusionment changed their goal from reforming the purity of the Covenant to actively fighting against it the following day. Around this time, Truth left the [[Prophet of Mercy]] to die at the hands of the [[Flood]], solidifying his place as the autocrat of the Covenant.<ref name="gravemind">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]''</ref>

At the front lines of the original conflict aboard ''High Charity'', the species of the Covenant took distinct sides. Those who followed the San'Shyuum included all but a few Jiralhanae,<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 55''</ref> most [[Kig-Yar]] and [[Yanme'e]], some Unggoy, and a minority of the Mgalekgolo. The forces allied with the Sangheili consisted of many Mgalekgolo, Unggoy and [[Huragok]].<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', "[[Wages of Sin]]", ''page 509''</ref>

[[Chol Von]], a [[T'vaoan]] [[Shipmaster|shipmistress]], renamed her [[missionary ship]] ''[[Paragon|Joyous Discovery]]'' as ''Paragon'' at some point of the Great Schism.<ref name="md141">'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 141''</ref> During the Schism, she captured a [[Phantom]], killing two [[Sangheili]] in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 73''</ref> After discovering that the [[Zo Resken|Prophet of Clarity]] was attempting to aid the Sangheili, the [[Prophet of Exquisite Devotion]] attempted to have him executed for treason. However, a group of Sangheili led by [[G'torik 'Klemmee]] arrived and rescued the Prophet of Clarity—resulting in the death of Exquisite Devotion in the process.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 242''</ref> The group would later escape ''High Charity'' aboard a stolen supply ship, ''[[Journey's Sustenance]]''.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 250''</ref>

The shaky alliance between the Sangheili and their former foes, the [[human]]s, was forged out of necessity and revenge against the Covenant to some extent.<ref>'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]'' "I will have my revenge on a Prophet, not a plague!"</ref> Both sides had two common enemies that wished for their extinction: the Covenant and the Flood. This alliance of circumstance was forged in the [[Control Room (Installation 05)|control room of Installation 05]], when [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Major Avery Johnson]] and [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]ee united to prevent the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]], [[Tartarus]], from activating Delta Halo and firing the Halo Array.<ref name="journey">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Great Journey]]''</ref> The Arbiter persuaded many Sangheili—though far from all of them—to ally with the humans.<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 159''</ref>

On November 17, the devastated [[UNSC Home Fleet]] attempted a last-ditch assault on the Prophet of Truth's [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], which had integrated with [[Portal at Voi|the Forerunner artifact]] that Regret had discovered nearly a month prior. This attack failed and a [[Indulgence of Conviction|Flood-controlled battlecruiser]] crashed in [[Voi]] only moments after Truth's fleet entered the [[Slipspace portal|portal]] generated by the artifact.<ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[The Storm]]''</ref> However, the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]], led by [[Shipmaster]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]], arrived in pursuit of the cruiser; as the fleet glassed the city and its environs, the Sangheili and UNSC agreed to follow Truth beyond the portal.<ref name="floodgate">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Floodgate]]''</ref>

The joint Sangheili-UNSC fleet arrived at the Halo Array's control center, [[Installation 00]], on December 11. During the [[Battle of Installation 00|ensuing battle]], the Fleet of Retribution completely destroyed their Jiralhanae counterpart, despite the latter's three-to-one numerical superiority.<ref name="ark">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]''</ref> Sangheili forces later helped SPARTAN-117 disable the shield generators protecting the installation's [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]], in which the Prophet of Truth was hiding. Master Chief John-117 and Arbiter Thel 'Vadam entered the Citadel and fought through what remained of Truth's personal guard. After reaching the control panel they discovered that the Hierarch had been infected by the Flood; as the Prophet slipped in and out of lucidity, 'Vadam stabbed him in the back.<ref name="cove">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]''</ref> The Flood-controlled ''High Charity'' was destroyed shortly thereafter,<ref name="cortana">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]]''</ref> effectively dissolving the Covenant.

Shipmaster 'Vadum evacuated the remaining Sangheili and human forces after the holy city's destruction. Seemingly, only his flagship, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', remained. Any remaining Covenant forces were killed when Halo [[Installation 04B]] was activated and the Ark was severely damaged by the debris; the activation also ended the immediate threat of the Flood. The Master Chief, the Arbiter, and the AI [[Cortana]] had escaped on the frigate {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}, which was split in half when their escape portal closed too early.<ref name="h3 halo">'''Halo 3''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref>

Though 'Vadam sought a lasting peace with humanity, many of the Sangheili were not willing to suddenly end their war with the humans. Many Sangheili insurgents, rallied together by the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], incited [[Blooding Years|war]] against the Arbiter and his allies for collaborating with humanity.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'''</ref> [[Jul 'Mdama]], a former member of the Servants of the Abiding Truth, eventually formed his own [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant faction|revival of the Covenant]], with the Sangheili again serving as its leadership caste.<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 441''</ref>

With Truth dead, ''High Charity'' destroyed, and the Ark heavily damaged after Installation 04B's firing, some of the remaining Jiralhanae forces tried to rebuild their tattered strength to continue their war of conquest.<ref>'''Halo 3''', multiplayer level ''[[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]''</ref> Even though the Jiralhanae eventually collapsed into various civil wars, they still posed enough of a threat that Sangheili commanders kept up the offensive against them for at least another six years, even as they continued to lose irreplaceable warships and the war continued with no end in sight.<ref name="The Return"/>

[[Tem'Bhetek's faction]] planned to use a [[prototype Halo installation]] to genocide the Sangheili species by activating it near [[Sanghelios]].<ref>''Halo: Fractures'' - ''Halo: Shadow of Intent'' - Page 206 - "'Transport the ring to where?' The Minister cocked his head to one side. He looked genuinely puzzled and disappointed that Tem hadn't already guessed.'To Sanghelios of course'"</ref> This faction continued the efforts of the Great Schism up until its defeat in 2553.

 

{{Clear}}

*A [[Covenant]] artifact retrieval team led by [[Sesa 'Refumee]] is investigating a [[Threshold gas mine|Forerunner gas mine]] in Threshold's atmosphere when he encounters 343 Guilty Spark. Inspired by Spark's words, 'Refumee and his team [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|go into open rebellion]] against the [[Hierarchs|High Prophets]] of the Covenant.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminal 11]]''</ref>

*[[Thel 'Vadam]]ee, the [[Supreme Commander]] of the Fleet of Particular Justice, is tried before the [[High Council]] and sentenced to death. However, the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] overrides the Council and makes the Supreme Commander an [[Arbiter]] of the Covenant. Truth then sends him to kill Sesa 'Refumee and destroy his rebellion, which they dub "[[heretic|heresy]]".<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref>

*Moments after Regret's withdrawal, Jiralhanae within the Covenant forces quickly kill all Sangheili and seize control of the Covenant forces on Earth under secret orders of the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''"Ten Twenty" history article''</ref>

*The Prophet of Truth's Jiralhanae-led reinforcement fleet arrives at Earth and starts the excavation of the [[Portal at Voi|Ark Portal]]. They kill all remaining Sangheili in the city.<ref name="odst"/>

*The [[John-117|Master Chief]] tracks down and kills the Prophet of Regret on Installation 05.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Regret (level)|Regret]]''</ref>

*''[[High Charity]]'' and its [[High Charity defense fleet|defense fleet]] arrive at Installation 05. Witnessing the assassination of the Prophet of Regret, the Prophet of Truth [[Changing of the Guard|replaces]] the [[Covenant Honor Guard]] [[Sangheili]] with [[Jiralhanae]]. Insulted, the [[Sangheili Councilor]]s threaten to resign from the High Council.<ref name="icon"/>

*The Arbiter and Tartarus are sent to retrieve Installation 05's [[activation index]]. The Arbiter successfully takes the index, but Tartarus tries to kill him and takes the index from him, having been secretly ordered to do so by the Prophet of Truth.<ref>'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''</ref>

*Most of the Sangheili Councilors are taken to the surface of Installation 05 where they are murdered by the [[Jiralhanae]].<ref name="uprising"/>

*The Prophet of Truth transfers command of the [[Covenant military]] to the Jiralhanae, while Tartarus declares war on the Sangheili, and the [[Fall of High Charity|Fall of ''High Charity'']] begins. Fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces breaks out all over ''High Charity''. As word spreads, fighting takes place throughout the fleet, as Sangheili and Jiralhanae controlled ships attack one another.<ref name="gravemind"/>

*The [[Flood]] invade ''High Charity'' during the battle, entering the city's dome via precision [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] jump aboard {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and its embarked [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelicans]]. The [[Prophet of Mercy|High Prophet of Mercy]] is attacked by an [[Flood infection form|infection form]] and abandoned by the Prophet of Truth, who now reigns as the Covenant's sole leader.<ref name="gravemind"/>

*Tartarus attempts to activate [[Installation 05]] by forcing [[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]] to insert the Index into the Control Room's [[The Core|Core]].<ref name="journey"/>

*Thel 'Vadamee, with the aid of [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] and Rtas 'Vadumee, kills Tartarus.<ref name="journey"/>

*Commander Keyes aborts the activation of Installation 05, placing the entire [[Halo Array]] on standby status. [[343 Guilty Spark]] reveals the existence of [[Installation 00|the Ark]].<ref name="journey"/>

*The Flood takes control of ''High Charity'' and many of its warships. [[Jiralhanae]] and [[Sangheili]] fleets remaining around the city-station continue to destroy each other.<ref name="journey"/>

*The Prophet of Truth departs ''High Charity'' for Earth aboard the [[Forerunner Dreadnought]], to join the [[Battle of Earth]]. The [[Jiralhanae]] forces there are already engaged in fighting with the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Unbeknown to the [[Prophet of Truth]], John-117 is on the ship, with the intention of "finishing the fight".<ref name="journey"/>

*[[Imperial Admiral]] [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree]] plans to lure the [[Jiralhanae]] leadership to the Sangheili base world [[Joyous Exultation]] and plans an ambush for them. He deploys the newly-promoted [[Fleet Master]] [[Voro Nar 'Mantakree]] to [[Onyx]] to recover the [[Forerunner]] technologies there and prevent the UNSC forces there from claiming it themselves. A [[NOVA bomb]] captured by the [[CSO-class supercarrier|supercarrier]] ''[[Sublime Transcendence]]'' devastates the planet moments after 'Mantakree's forces leave, the survivors joining 'Mantakree at Onyx.<ref name="GoO244">'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''pages 244-245''</ref>

*The Forerunner Dreadnought arrives in the [[Sol system]], and proceeds on course towards Earth at near-relativistic speeds.<ref name="bnet">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 01/23/09'']</ref>

*The Forerunner Dreadnought enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere. [[John-117]] ejects from the ship upon reentry, landing in the jungles near [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref name="bnet"/>

*[[Battle of Voi]]. The Prophet of Truth uses the Forerunner Dreadnought to activate the Portal, and his loyalist fleet follows it through the portal. The [[Flood]]-infested Voi, only to be contained by the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili fleet]].<ref name="floodgate"/>

*Truth and his loyalists arrive at the Ark, pursued by the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]]. [[Battle of Installation 00|A massive battle]] begins over the Ark. All of Truth's vessels are eventually destroyed over the Ark by the Sangheili fleet.<ref name="ark"/>

*Sangheili and human forces [[Battle of the Citadel|fight]] their way to the [[Citadel]]. The Prophet of Truth, the last Hierarch of the Covenant, is executed by Thel 'Vadam with help from the Flood. John-117 stops the Ark from firing the Halo rings.<ref name="cove"/>

*''High Charity'' is [[Raid on High Charity|destroyed]] by John-117 after he overloads the city's main reactors causing them to detonate.<ref name="cortana"/>

*[[Rtas 'Vadum]] evacuates all humans and Sangheili, via the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', back to Earth.<ref name="cortana"/>

*Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, John-117 and [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] [[Raid on Installation 04B|battle]] to the [[control room]] of [[Installation 04B]]. Guilty Spark runs [[Rampancy|rampant]], killing Johnson before being subsequently destroyed by John-117. Installation 04B's sentinels turn on the Spartan, Thel 'Vadam, and the Sangheili. The unfinished Installation 04 is activated, devastating the Ark and destroying the entire local Flood infestation including the [[Gravemind]]. These final events ended the Human-Covenant War.<ref name="h3 halo"/>

*John-117, Cortana, and Thel 'Vadam escape the Ark. With their escape vessel, {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} cut in half upon slipspace transition, only Thel 'Vadam gets back to Earth.<ref name="h3 halo"/>

 

 

 

*'''March 5:''' Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and elder [[Jiralhanae Chieftain]] [[Lydus]] attempt to reach a peace agreement, but they are [[Battle of Ealen IV|attacked]] by [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|a Covenant splinter group]] on [[Ealen IV]].<ref name="escalation1"/> The ambassadors are rescued from the planet, but the negotiations come to a standstill.<ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''[[Halo: Escalation Issue 3|Issue #3]]</ref>

 

*In ''Halo 3: ODST'', it is implied that the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] was aware of internal conflict within the Covenant from early on. During the level ''[[Tayari Plaza (level)|Tayari Plaza]]'' which takes place on October 20, [[Edward Buck|Buck]] asks [[Veronica Dare|Dare]] about the Sangheili bodies lying around the city, as they appear to have been killed by the Jiralhanae; Dare responds that said information is classified.

File:Hqdefault.jpg|The Sangheili watch as the Jiralhanae Chieftains betray and murder their comrades, igniting the Schism.

File:H2A_-_Great_Schism.jpg|Sangheili and Jiralhanae ships war above ''High Charity''.

File:Schism_2.png|A Sangheili facing a Jiralhanae in combat.

File:H2A Great Schism.png|Civil war rages among the Covenant around ''High Charity''.  

File:923831-Full.jpg|The Prophet of Truth's armada prepares to engage the Arbiter's [[Fleet of Retribution]] during the [[Battle of Installation 00]].  

File:Schism_4.png|Sangheili warships and ground forces after a victorious battle.

File:Escalation_schism.png|A [[Sangheili Minor]] and [[Jiralhanae Captain Major]] locked together in combat.

File:HLC The Great Schism.jpg|One of the Sangheili leaders, [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], duels against the Jiralhanae leader [[Tartarus]].

*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''

**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''

*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}

==Note==

<references group="note"/>

{{Reflist|2}}