User:Ebon Shadowshot/Battle of the Barrens

The Battle of the Barrens was a conflict between the Covenant Loyalists and the Cult of the Black Sea in the closing months of the Second Invasion of Azather. It began primarily because of the Loyalists increased operations within the continents Jirana and Pokonso, nicknamed "The Barrens" by the Nartol of Azather. The Loyalists were forced to retreat to the Barrens due to their devastating loss in both space and ground operations during the Second Invasion of Azather. The Loyalist forces sparked hostility by destroying a small Cultist base of operations, causing full retaliation. Nartillian forces blockaded the Loyalist owned territory in October 2587, effectively cutting them off from aid. The multi-racial military group Task Force 343 arrived to fight off the Jiralhanae.

The Battle ended up in a massive defeat for the Loyalists as their establishments and their presence in the barrens were the last remnants of Loyalist forces on Azather and with increased pressure from both the Cultists and Task Force 343, the Jiralhanae and their Karidan allies were defeated, resulting in the end of both the Battle of the Barrens and the Second Invasion of Azather.

Shortly after the battle, the Efulia peace treaty was signed, ending hostilities between the Cult of the Black Sea and the rest of the Nartol species after centuries of fighting. The battle also ended all relations between the Cult and the Covenant Loyalists, whom had been allies since March 2565.