The small platform descended from the large sphere floating above us and soon it touched the ground. A figure came into view as a human-like creature with a muscular body and hands containing six fingers instead of five. He was wearing shiny silver armor with orange streaks, and floating pieces above his shoulders. However, I was looking at his face: He was wearing a helmet with the same design and glowing golden eyes.

I stared at him in awe. Then he spoke.

"So the lonely one approaches, you are the one that hides; that resists me,"

My heart thudded and realized that he was the voice I heard inside the structure. The large carapace creature let go of my arm and bowed before the armored alien on the platform. Soon more of the large carapace creatures arrived and bowed before him.

"Didact, Didact, Didact!" They chanted in mechanical voices.

The Didact, those words made me feel like my heart was going to stop this time. I stood before the Didact; I couldn't believe it. "You're the Didact?" I asked.

The Didact raised a powerful arm as if reaching for me and suddenly I was lifted off the ground and floated towards him. Telekinesis, okay so that's what he's got. His helmet divided into three sections and vanished behind the back of his head. I could now see his face as he held me in the air.

He had a small brown set of hair that ran down the back of his head instead of the top. His eyes were orange; he had no nose, and his mouth contained grayish teeth with one sharp fang sticking out on each side of his lips. Now any human would probably look at his face and think he was ugly, but I did not think it was, in fact, I wasn't sure what I thought about it. It was a strong face; thick and tight skin drawn against the skull.

"I am; you have a curious heart, human," He said.

I looked at him unable to move. I felt like he was choking me, but he never tightened his grip. "Yeah.....uh....I do...what do you want with me? I've heard stories that you hate humans,"

The Didact looked at me fiercely. "Yes, the very race that were supposed to have the Mantle of Responsibility passed down to them. But I know Man is never to acquire the Mantle; it belongs only to the Forerunners. Your kind brought the Flood to our shores," He said.

The Flood; that was the parasite that I had heard so many things about, yet I was surprised he would bring it up. I thought that most of the Flood got wiped out when the Ark was destroyed from the Master Chief firing a premature Halo ring being built there.

"But the Flood...." I started to say,

"The Flood must be destroyed, my Promethean Knights are not enough created by me. Your kind shall serve as protection for the Galaxy and the Forerunners, but I need a guidance. That is you." The Didact interrupted.

I fell silent. Me, his guidance, What did he mean? He didn't want to kill me? It looked like he wanted to, but he wasn't going to. I looked at him in silence my heart still racing.

"Ah, you are a weak one. I would have captured the human that released me, but he is nothing more except a fool. You will do nicely. I seek an understanding of humans, having a prisoner will be a valuable asset in remaking the humans into my army. I will know their weaknesses," He told me and continued to hold me in the air but never thought to choke.

I still could not bring words to my mouth. All I could do was just listen and stare into his eyes as if I was enchanted to meet him. In fact, I was enchanted to meet him, more than he knew.

So he was going to take me prisoner. I thought that was better than a UNSC search party finding me. "I thought you hated humans enough to kill all of them," I said.

"You are different," The Didact answered. "You are the key to my victory. I shall destroy the Flood at any cost. Come now, you are mine." Then he pulled his arm backward and pulled me onto the platform with him, and I bumped up against him.

He was about twice my size as I only went up to the lower part of his chest. He raised his arm in the air once again, and his fingers waved in a signal to his Promethean Knights to come to him while his other hand grabbed my throat but he did not squeeze.

My heart was racing faster than ever; even though he did not squeeze I were still afraid he would; For he looked stronger than the Master Chief, and even a gentle squeeze from his hand could crush my spinal cord instantly. He was close.

"Not a word until I say so," He whispered. Then the sphere-shaped object began to open above us and the platform I stood on with the Didact rose up and entered the sphere. His Promethean Knights followed, and all I could do was close my eyes until it was over. So I did.

Silence was around us, and I opened my eyes. The Didact was looking upon me with two Knights beside him. "My Cryptum human, if you please rise, there is no need to fear," He said as I stood up. "Follow me." He commanded and I did without question walking between him and four Knights.

The Cryptum on the inside looked like metal with orange lines streaming on the walls doors, even the floor. Everything was shiny, but it seemed that while every Forerunner structure loved blue, the Didact was all about orange. The orange lights made it feel like the place was on fire. It was unpleasant. I didn't know where he was taking me, but my freedom was nothing but bittersweet now.

First I was a prisoner of my boring scientist foster parents, and now I was a prisoner of probably the last living Forerunner, who had a strong hatred for humans. He was indeed powerful and even though he said he wouldn't kill me; something told me he would trick me.

I followed the Didact and his Promethean Knights down the metal ramp and into the next hall.

"Speak," He said suddenly without turning around to look at me as we walked further down.

Along each side were several statues most likely ancient Forerunner heroes.

"Ummm does this lead to the prison cells?" I asked without thinking, but the Didact's answer was firm.

"No human, I do not wish to imprison you. You will have no value in a cell; therefore, I am taking you to your room," He said. I was surprised to hear him say that.

"What are those?" I asked, looking at the statues.

"They are war sphinxes, ancient Forerunners nothing of interest to you as to what I must accomplish. We have held the Mantle, and we will continue to hold it," He said as if shutting down my curiosity, and then he continued. "Now then human, my Cryptum has become my home and now it is yours as well. Go wherever you desire, when I acquire your help my Prometheans will come for you. I will let you live if you promise not to leave." Then we stopped in front of another door.

The Knights moved aside, and the Didact opened the door. "Go now," He told me.

I walked towards the entrance but stopped in front of him. "You know, I have a name. It's Emily, and if you are going to allow me to roam this place freely then you are free to call me by my name." I told him and then walked into the room. The Didact said nothing and then departed with his Prometheans.

The room on the Cryptum was small and cube shaped with two of those sphinxes against the back wall of the room holding an inverted metal arch at the bottom. It almost resembled a hammock in my books. On the wall behind it was a large orange and transparent window that seemed to offer a solid view.

I sat down on the metal hammock, and thought this was supposed to be where I was going to be sleeping. I lay down on my back and found the metal to be warm, rather than hard and cold. The Didact was treating me more differently than I thought, but something still told me he was up to something. At the same time, however, due to his ability to be kind enough to let me roam free, something else told me he was not as evil. I turned to look out the orange window and saw that we were high in the sky. I could only guess that the Didact was planning on leaving Requiem, but I did not know anything yet. I turned on my side and within moments. I fell asleep.