Escharum: Difference between revisions

Despite the fact that [[Atriox]] valued the [[humans]] in the Banished{{Ref/Novel|Id=DW6B|Halo: Divine Wind|Chapter=6|Page=102}} and that his denouncement of genocide as "barbarism" with "no reward" allowed the Banished to incorporate [[Jiralhanae|feuding]] [[Sangheili|species]] in the first place,{{Ref/Comic|Id=ROA4|RoA|Detail=''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox Issue 4|Issue 4]]''}}{{Ref/Comic|Id=HuntingParty1|Hunting Party}}{{Ref/Comic|Id=ROA2|RoA|Detail=''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox Issue 2|Issue 2]]''}} Escharum decided to go against Atriox's core principles that tied the Banished together and declared humanity's destruction for reasons unknown.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=RiseOfBanished|hXrMkGXtk0c|Halo|Halo Infinite The Banished Rise|Quote=Escharum, leader of the Banished, declares humanity's destruction to be imminent, starting with its heroes.}}

As the Master Chief destroyed a [[Gorespike cannon|Banished AA gun]], Escharum sent a hologram transmission to the legendary [[Spartan-II|Spartan]] to challenge him to a battle, describing it as "a true test of legends." As the Master Chief took down the second of three AA guns, Escharum sent [[Tovarus]] and [[Hyperius]] after the Master Chief, informing the Spartan of the two's role in the [[Hand of Atriox]], but they also fall to the Master Chief. Following the fight, Escharum briefly argued with [[the Harbinger]] and directs more Banished forces to protect the [[Command Spire]] controlling the ring's repairs. Once the Harbinger was gone, Escharum, who was revealed to be dying of a worsening terminal illness, ordered [[Blademaster]] [[Jega 'Rdomnai]] to bring him the Master Chief alive. Although concerned for Escharum's worsening condition, 'Rdomnai complied with his wishes.{{Ref/Level|Id=Pelican Down|Hi|[[Pelican Down (Halo Infinite level)|Pelican Down]]}}

After the Master Chief and [[the Weapon]] succeeded in shutting down the Command Spire and stopping the Reformation,{{Ref/Level|Hi|[[The Command Spire]]}} Escharum angrily contacted the Harbinger and accuses her of failing. The Harbinger revealed that the [[Silent Auditorium (location)|Silent Auditorium]] has been partially rebuilt, although she admitted that she didn't know if it was enough. Escharum ordered the Harbinger to find out and he smashed the holotable in a fit of rage. 'Rdomnai asked Escharum if there was a problem and he stated that he was losing patience with the Harbinger and demanded that 'Rdomnai tell him that his mission was a success. 'Rdomnai simply stated that the Master Chief will come to them and revealed that he had captured [[Fernando Esparza]], much to Escharum's delight. Escharum ordered 'Rdomnai to keep Esparza alive, but to have his fun as 'Rdomnai deserved it. Escharum laughed as he watches 'Rdomnai drag Esparza away.{{Ref/Level|Id=Repository|Hi|[[Repository (Halo Infinite level)|Repository]]}}

When the Weapon interfaced with a terminal in the [[Repository (location)|Repository]], attempting to find Esparza, she discovered that they were beneath a big Banished structure and that a message had been left behind by Escharum for the Master Chief. In the message, Escharum showed the Master Chief Esparza being tortured and taunted the Spartan about his empathy for Esparza's plight. Escharum promised that Esparza will not die by his hands, but that he would suffer until the Master Chief stood before Escharum. Escharum claimed that the Banished's ability to get rid of their empathy for others made them strong compared to humanity whom it makes vulnerable and defeatable. Stating that their time together is ending and that he awaited their final fight, Escharum ended his message. The Weapon discovered that Escharum had embedded coordinates within the message so as to make it easier for them to find him.{{Ref/Reuse|Repository}}

When the Master Chief arrived at the [[House of Reckoning (location)|House of Reckoning]], Escharum sent him a holographic transmission, taunting the Master Chief over the number of humans that had entered and died in his arena. Once the Master Chief entered the arena, Escharum encouraged him to scavenge weapons which he called a remnant of the dead soldiers' sacrifice and a testament to the Banished's strength. Escharum began sending in waves of Banished troops to attack the Master Chief, but they all fell and he was able to continue on. Escharum appeared in another transmission, stating that [[Cortana]] and the [[Created]] had destroyed [[Doisac|his world]], but she was unable to kill the fire that burned in the heart of the Banished, the loss of Doisac only making them stronger and asked if the Master Chief could say the same. The Weapon wondered why Escharum was telling him all of this and he explained that death changed people, forcing them to look at themselves and make a choice. Escharum chose to fight, the same as the Master Chief would have done. On the next level, Escharum contacted the Master Chief again, recalling the [[Siege of Palghanar]] where a settlement held out against Escharum's forces for nineteen days before falling. Escharum claimed that while they fought well and hard, they were doomed from the start. The Master Chief entered the next arena where Escharum again taunted him before sending more Banished forces after the Spartan, this time including a [[Mgalekgolo|Hunter]] pair, but once again, they all fell to the Spartan. As the Master Chief carried on, Escharum contacted him again via hologram and mused about the symbolism of Halo's looping structure. On the third level, Escharum taunted him about how quickly and easily the Banished had defeated the ''Infinity'' and sent 'Rdomnai after him. However, the Master Chief managed to kill the Blademaster as well and Escharum told him that 'Rdomnai had wanted to kill Esparza, but Escharum had promised him a sweeter kill or a warrior's death. In a final hologram transmission, Escharum warned the Master Chief that no matter the outcome of their final battle, the Banished still controlled Halo, having come ready for war with a thousand legions occupying it. Escharum promised that the Silent Auditorium would give up its secrets and the Master Chief's interference would be just a fleeting irritation.{{Ref/Reuse|House of Reckoning}}

 

Finally reaching Esparza, the Master Chief and the Weapon set to work on releasing him from Escharum's torture device. Escharum reminded the Master Chief that he had promised not to kill Esparza and revealed to the Weapon and Esparza that this had never been a trap, but rather a test of mettle and their battle ended there. Escharum dropped down in full armor and announced that their story would become a legend told by those who survived them. Armed with a [[Scrap Cannon]] as well as ''[[Diminisher of Hope]]'', Escharum attacked the Master Chief, eventually surrounding himself with an energy shield that was connected to the machine holding Esparza, causing any damage that was inflicted upon Escharum to be transferred to Esparza. Directed by the Weapon, the Master Chief destroyed the relays powering Escharum's shield in between bouts of fighting with the old War Chief. Once his shield was permanently disabled, Escharum switched from his cannon to his [[gravity axe]], but the Master Chief finally emerged victorious, bringing Escharum down with his weapons fire and mortally wounding him.{{Ref/Reuse|House of Reckoning}}

 

As the Master Chief and the Weapon freed Esparza from the torture machine, the mortally wounded Escharum staggered over to the two men, demanding that he continue their fight, but the Master Chief informed Escharum that it was over. Collapsing into his foe's arms, Escharum stated that nothing ends and that his death would inspire a thousand others and he asked the Master Chief to tell them that he died well. The Master Chief held Escharum as he died, surprising Esparza with the respect that the Spartan had shown the old [[Jiralhanae]] given that Escharum was a monster. The Master Chief told Esparza that at the end, Escharum was just a soldier, hoping he'd done the right thing and questioning his choices. Although Esparza thought that it was over since the Banished's leader was dead, the Master Chief warned him that there would be consequences and that there always were.{{Ref/Level|Id=House of Reckoning|Hi|[[House of Reckoning]]}}