Editing Reversed messages

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{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{Era|H2|H3}}
'''Reversed messages''' refer to a series of messages hidden in ''Halo'' music tracks. There are thirteen reversed messages in the ''Halo'' series: one in ''[[Halo 2]]'', three in ''[[Halo 3]]'', 8 in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', and one in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
{{Ratings}}
{{Cleanup}}


== Destroyer's Invocation message ==
There are four reversed messages in the Halo series, one in [[Halo 2]], and three in [[Halo 3]].
In the ''Halo 2'' soundtrack ''Destroyer's Invocation'', (the first movement of the ''[[Mausoleum Suite]]'' on the ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]]''), a mysterious voice chants. If this mumbling is reversed ([[Media:Reversed_message.ogg|listen]]), a voice is heard saying:  
 
== Destroyer's Invocation Message ==
 
In the Halo 2 song ''Destroyer's Invocation'', (the first movement of the ''Mausoleum Suite'' on the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, a mysterious voice chants. If this mumbling is reversed ([[Media:Reversed_message.ogg|listen]]), a voice is heard saying:  
 
:''...I have walked among men and angels for three thousand years. Time has no end... no beginning... no purpose.''


:''…I have walked among men and angels for three thousand years. Time has no end… no beginning… no purpose.''
:''I wander the earth, seeking forgiveness for my horrible crimes against God and man.''
:''I wander the earth, seeking forgiveness for my horrible crimes against God and man.''
:''I live to see death and destruction, evil… over the light, but the light cannot be extinguished.''
:''I live in a prison of my own demise.' ''
:''I am lost…in time''


The voice can be heard in the beginning cutscene of the level ''[[The Arbiter]]'', the level ''[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]'' when [[John-117]] rescues the Marines, and during the level ''[[The Great Journey]]'' when [[Thel 'Vadam]] battles [[Tartarus]].
:''I live to see death, destruction, end, over the light, but the light cannot be extinguished.''


In [[2007 (real world)|2007]], [[Martin O'Donnell]] posted on the [[halo.bungie.org]] forums that he wondered "why the transcript (of the reversed message) is still wrong."<ref name="hbo">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive26.pl?read=783501 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''i wonder...'']</ref>
:''I live in a prison of my own demise.''


== Black Tower message ==
:''I am lost...in time''  
In the ''Halo 3'' soundtrack, during the first few minutes of the track ''Black Tower'', there is yet another message that can be heard if one reverses the music. Here is a transcript:


:''Eyes from Death's dream kingdom,''
The voice can be heard during the cutscene before [[The Arbiter]], the level Gravemind when you rescue the Marines, and during The Great Journey when you fight [[Tartarus]].
:''Appear as sunlight on a broken column.''


:''There in Death's other kingdom walking alone,''
Recently, however, [[Marty O'Donnell]], in a post on the Halo.Bungie.Org forums, stated that he wondered "why the transcript (of the reversed message) is still wrong." This seems to indicate that changes must be made to the transcript before it is accurate.
:''Trembling lips form prayers to broken stone.''
This message appears to be a reference to T.S. Elliot's Poem, ''The Hollow Men.'' The first part of the transcript refers to lines 20-23.


:''In death’s dream kingdom''
There are many theories as to whom the voice belongs. The most plausible candidate is [[032 Mendicant Bias]], however other possibilities include a [[Prophet]] or the [[Gravemind]].
:''These do not appear:''
:''There, the eyes are''
:''Sunlight on a broken column''


The second part refers to lines 47-49.
== Black Tower Message ==


:''Waking alone''
In the Halo 3 soundtrack During the first few minutes of the track ''Black Tower'' There is yet another message that can be heard if you reverse the song. Here is a transcript:
:''At the hour when we are''
:''Trembling with tenderness''
:''Lips that would kiss''
:''Form prayers to broken stone.''


It is also worth noting that lines from the last stanza in T.S. Elliot's ''The Hollow Men'' were used in the [[Cortana Letters]], which was repeated at the end of the [[Halo 3 announcement trailer|''Halo 3'' Announcement trailer]] and in ''Halo 3'' itself.
:''I smote Death's dream kingdom,
:''Appearing as sunlight on a broken column.''


== Dread Intrusion message ==
:''There in Death's other kingdom walking alone,
In the ''Halo 3'' soundtrack, a reversed message can be heard in the tracks ''[[Gravemind (music)|Gravemind]]'', and ''[[Dread Intrusion]]''. The entire message is currently unknown, however, several lines are intelligible. Oddly, the voice during these messages sounds different from Gravemind. It echoes considerably, rendering several lines unknown, it is much deeper in pitch, and multiple other voices can be heard. This could be a reference to multiple Graveminds from the past that  speak as one because of inherited knowledge. The first two lines both have [[Seven|7]] syllables each, a possible '''7''' reference.
:''Trembling lips form prayers to broken stone.''


:''Side by side, we march as one,''
:''Humans and Elites will die,''


:''The Earth will fall if we strike together,''
:''So forth shall all of life.''


The exact person who is speaking is unknown. Just like the ''Destroyer's Invocation'' Message, there are many possibilities about whom it could be. The likely candidates are the [[Gravemind]] and the [[Prophet of Truth]], since only [[Sangheili|Elites]] and [[human]]s are mentioned.
This message appears to be a reference to T.S. Eliot's Poem ''The Hollow Men.'' The first part of the transcript refers to lines 20-23.


A voice can also be heard on the level, [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]. It can be found in the second [[barrier tower]]'s control room, where there are [[Brute Stalkers]].
:''In death’s dream kingdom
:''These do not appear:
:''There, the eyes are
:''Sunlight on a broken column''


==Data pads==
The second part refers to lines 47-49.
Similar to Halo 3's terminals, ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' has reversed [[Forerunner]] audio in the background of the [[Data pads]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_HcWBU9dJg '''YouTube''': ''DATA PAD SECRET MESSAGES FINALLY DECIPHERED - Halo Reach'']</ref>


:''Culling data''
:''Waking alone
:''Corruption contained''
:''At the hour when we are
:''Breach identified''
:''Trembling with tenderness
:''Welcome Scion''
:''Lips that would kiss
:''Lineage confirmed''
:''Form prayers to broken stone.''
:''Rogue confirmed''
:''Purge Initiated''
:''Protocols Reinstated''
:''Gathering sources''
:''Scouring Arrays''
:''Prioritizing''
:''Cross-referencing''
:''Referencing''
:''Daemon Running''
:''Searching''
:''Researching''


==Cryptic Whisper message==
== Gravemind/Dread Intrusion Message ==
In the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' soundtrack ''[[Cryptic Whisper]]'' a mysterious voice chants. If this mumbling is reversed, a voice is heard saying:


:''We squander eons in the darkness''
Also in the [[Halo 3]] soundtrack, a reversed message can be heard in the tracks ''[[Gravemind]]'', and ''Dread Intrusion''. The entire message is currently unknown, however, several lines are intelligible. Oddly, the voice during these messages sounds different from Gravemind. It echoes considerably, rendering several lines unknown, it is much deeper in pitch, and multiple other voices can be heard.
:''While they seize our triumphs for their own''
:''The [[Mantle|Mantle of Responsibility]] for all things belongs to [[Forerunner]]s alone''
:''Think of my acts as you will''
:''Do not doubt the reality''
:''The [[Reclaimer|Reclamation]] has already begun''
:''We are hopeless to stop it.''


The voice can be heard in the beginning cutscene of the level ''The Arbiter''. The message alludes to the [[Ur-Didact]]'s [[Wikipedia:Suasoria|suasoria]] from ''[[Halo 4]]'''s [[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]].
:''Side by side, we march as one,
:''Humans and Elites will die,''


==Sources==
:''The Earth shall fall if we strike together,
{{Ref/Sources}}
:''So forth shall all of life.''


{{Easter Egg}}
Exactly who is speaking in this message is unknown. Just like the ''Destroyer's Invocation'' Message, there are many possibilities about who it could be. The likely candidates are the [[Gravemind]] and the [[Prophet of Truth]] since only [[Elites]] and [[Humans]] are mentioned.


[[Category:Halo 2 Easter eggs]]
[[Category:Easter Eggs]][[Category:Halo 2 Easter Eggs]][[Category:Halo 3 Easter Eggs]]
[[Category:Halo 3 Easter eggs]]
[[Category:Halo: Reach Easter eggs]]

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