Halo: Magicka

A/N: If you guys like this work and feel like supporting me, you can do so at my P*treon at: p*treon.com/godofnull 

You will be able to read up to the halfway point of this arc, when this catches up, I'll release the latter half on there in advance as well. If you guys think there's a better way to release on there, let me know though.

Replace the * with an a.

Anyway lets get on with it.

...

"What's your name?" Jon asked a kid who was sitting across from him while I quietly ate my food. His voice carried a steady confidence that hadn't always been there, and it made me smile. He was growing, standing on his own two feet now in ways I'd always known he could. Watching their interaction, I let myself relax, just for a moment, before my thoughts drifted to the path ahead.

Becoming a Spartan III has a lot of advantages over any other path available to us. The augmentations would bring me to the level of the Spartan IIs, but without the high mortality rate that defined their program. The Spartan III enhancements relied more on advanced chemical processes than invasive surgical procedures, reducing the risks significantly. And unlike the Spartan IVs, I wouldn't have to rely entirely on my armour to make up for any physical gaps. I'd be stronger, faster, and tougher in my own right.

Beyond that, my knowledge of future events regarding spartans was more robust. The Onyx conflict, Operation: TORPEDO, the prototype Spartan IV augmentations—I understood the critical moments, the decisions that shaped victory or loss. With that knowledge, I could manipulate outcomes, steer events in ways that might save lives, and even change the trajectory of entire missions.

I was definitely volunteering myself for that prototype Spartan IV programme. Who wouldn't in my position?

The key, however, was subtlety. I couldn't afford to stand out too much. I'd need to blend in with the larger Beta Company, ensuring it didn't meet the same catastrophic end as Alpha Company had. If I played my cards right, I could help steer them toward a brighter outcome.

But the risks? They were significant. Exposure to the UNSC—and, more specifically, to ONI—was all but inevitable. They were relentless when it came to identifying anomalies, and once they got even a hint of my true nature, they wouldn't stop digging. It was only a matter of time before they noticed I wasn't just another genetically enhanced soldier.

My magical abilities were a double-edged sword. As much as they set me apart, they also made me a target. I sighed quietly, knowing I'd have to rely heavily on the Illusion school of magic to keep my secrets safe. I didn't like Illusion magic; it lacked the variety of Alteration or the comforting certainty of Restoration. But in this world, survival meant using every tool available, even the ones you didn't like.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Jon laughing at something the other kid had said. This was nice. Although I knew that it would soon be time to hop into our cryopods once they'd rounded up all children from this system.

....

Months later, December 2439.

"Cadets! Welcome to Planet Onyx!"

The voice of our commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Ambrose—better known as Ghost Spartan—boomed across the landing zone. His towering figure, clad in a green MJOLNIR armour, radiated authority. The reflective gold visor of his helmet swept across the rows of freshly arrived Spartan III candidates. Despite the sterile air and the sun beating down on the barren plains of Onyx, an icy chill crept down my spine.

Jon stood to my left, his posture stiff but resolute, his eyes locked forward. I could feel the weight of his determination, his anger, and his hope.

As the dropship engines cooled behind us and the dust settled, the sprawling horizon of Onyx came into view. Vast, windswept plains stretched endlessly, interrupted only by jagged rock formations and the sprawling facility in front of us. I could sense the faint hum of dormant power buried deep beneath the earth, a vibration only I could feel through my connection to magic.

Ambrose continued, his voice sharp, carrying the weight of unyielding discipline.

"You have been chosen because you are humanity's best chance for survival. The Covenant is relentless and merciless, and they will not stop until every last one of us is ash. But you? You are humanity's sword. Its shield. And its last chance to strike at their heart."

Jon flinched slightly at the word sword. I placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, grounding him as I kept my gaze forward.

"You will endure pain. You will taste defeat amongst yourselves. But those who persevere will become legends. You will become Spartans and Spartans do not fear death—we defy it."

A low murmur passed through the assembled cadets as Ambrose's speech ended. In the silence that followed, I allowed myself a moment to process everything.

Onyx. A planet rich with Forerunner technology, a place that would become far more significant in the war than most realized. Its secrets—its hidden shield world—were something even ONI didn't fully grasp yet. I couldn't let that knowledge slip, not even accidentally.

Jon's fingers twitched slightly at his side, his nerves still showing despite his composed face.

"Steady, little bro," I whispered under my breath. "We've got this."

He glanced at me briefly, a flicker of resolve crossing his face before he nodded.

He gestured to the instructors standing behind him—hardened UNSC personnel with sharp eyes and sharper tongues. "These men and women will guide you. They are your lifeline. You will follow their orders without hesitation, without question. Understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!" the cadets roared back, the sound of their voices echoing off the barren rock formations.

Jon's voice was strong and steady, but I caught the slight tremor in his fingers. I placed a hand briefly on his shoulder, a silent reassurance.

We were divided into groups shortly after. Jon stood a little straighter at that. I felt a flicker of pride seeing him absorb every word, determination etched into his young face.

As the sun began to set on our first day, the chill of the Onyx night began to seep into our bones.

"You will now board the dropships, and jump out at altitude utilising the Falcon Wing Aerial Descent Units!" He ordered, "Senior Chief Petty Officer Mendez here will give you further instruction now."

"Drill instructors," Mendez stepped forward.

Three dozen NCOs snapped to attention, "You will find Falcon Wing aerial descent units on the field. Load them ASAP and make sure your trainees are properly fit-led. Their safe deployment is now your responsibility."

The instructors all nodded and began partitioning the children into preselected groups before leading them onto the drop ships.

Kurt looked at us seemingly impressed. I guess we were all better behaved than Alpha Company when they started, although that's purely on my part.

Before we exited the dropship, I made my way through the trainees, clasping hands and offering what looked like nothing more than a reassuring squeeze or pat on the shoulder. But with each contact, I wove layers of magic—[Calming Touch] to steady their hearts, ease their fears, and silence the panic creeping at the edges of their minds; [Heroic Touch] to fortify their resolve and lend them a spark of courage.

Each spell was supercharged, each touch carefully timed and deliberate. By the time I reached the dropship, I felt my reserves running dangerously low. Half my current mana pool had been spent on ensuring these kids would step into the sky with steady hands and firm hearts. This would also make me seem more normal among the backdrop since I would be noticed quite quickly among a rabble of these children if I hadn't.

I leaned back against the cold metal interior of the dropship as it began to rumble to life, my breathing shallow as I tried to recover some of my lost energy. Across from me, Jon was double-checking the straps of his Falcon Wing harness, his brows furrowed in concentration.

"You okay?" he asked, glancing up at me briefly, "that must have taken it out of you but... thank you, big bro."

I forced a faint smile, "Yeah, you're welcome Jon. I'm just… catching my breath."

He nodded and turned his focus back to his gear.

The engines roared as we lifted off, and the vibrations rattled through the deck beneath our boots. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, feeling the hum of the dropship, the quiet pulse of magic still lingering in my fingertips, and the collective heartbeat of the trainees around me.

This was it—their first real test. I could only hope that when the spells wore off, the experience would leave a mark on them. Confidence. Resilience. A spark of something unbreakable.

Because we were going to need it. All of us.