Zil 'Kanayee

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Zil 'Kanayee Biographical Information Lineage Name Kanay Homeworld Honored Duty Born 4th Age of Reconciliation (490 BCE) Died N/A Physical Description Gender Male Height 7ft 7 in Weight 350lb Skin Grey Eyes Orange Political and Military Information Affiliation Covenant Branch Covenant military, T'vlk Creche Rank Tiro-Obedientiary-Field Commander Era 4th Age of Reconciliation
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"From the most humble of serfs, to the greatest of Fleetlords, we all walk with honor."

―Zil 'Kanayee

Zil 'Kanayee was a Sangheili who served the Covenant during the empire's 4th Age of Reconciliation.

History

Early Life

" Tell me Nelt, where is the honor in letting our brothers die to those things? If you truly think that, you do not deserve the name Kanay."

―Zil 'Kanay to his cousin, Nelt 'Kanay

Zil was born on the Sangheili colony world of Honored Duty in 490 BCE,atoparn 'Kanyai, a guardian of the Kaidon, and Yun 'Kanay, Matron of keep defenses. The Kanay linage was one of the larger bloodlines that inhabited the continent of Garnash, and prospered through trade. As a youth, Zil's passed his free time alongside his cousin Nelt, as they explored ancient caves near the coastline and snacked on the popular fruit from the trees. Most of is time otheraise, ws spent with the other children tof rhe keep, taining under his uncle, Jor 'Kanayee.

As a veteran of the last Age of Conflict, the old Zealot made sure those he taught understood their duty not just to the Covenant, but each other. Under Jor, Zil would gain insight into proper combat techniques and weapons training. His mother also, would partake in her son's education, tutoring on the sieges his ancestors partook in against rival clans, types of defenses brought to bare when Kanay keep came under threat, and the great planetary siege lain by the San 'Shyuum during the War of Beginnings. These sessions would show a proper defense was as important as any offense taken in battle. Such lessons from both were taken to heart, proving invaluable in later years.

The Kele'norik Hunt

Weeks after his fifteenth birthday, Zil, Nelt, and several other younglings would be chosen by Jor to begin their Trials of Valor. These tests over the course of the next few years were seen as evaluating the combat worth of the youth. The first of these tests involved the dangerous Kele'norik. The smooth, resilient armor from the creatures were seen as popular alternatives among lesser keeps to the modern combat harness. Divided into two teams, one led by Zil, the other Nelt, they would venture into the nearby jungles to slay the insect-like beasts and retrieve pieces of the carapace as proof of their prowess in felling such a mighty foe. After days of searching, both groups would indeed find their prize, but in the unexpected form of an entire nest of the creatures. Ending up separated from their respective parties, Zil and Nelt were forced to flee as a Kele'norik knight gave chase. They would end up finding temporary shelter in a small cave in a riverbank.

Here Zil would propose a way to finish off the Kele'norik. On leaving their haven, Zil would draw the creature's attention, while Nelt took the opportunity to climb up a nearby cliff and hack through a dead tree holding a massive boulder in place. The freed rock would crush the knight, giving them their prize. When Zil commented they still needed to save their kin, Nelt brushed it off, sadly commenting on how their brothers were likely already dead. When Zil pressed the issue further, Nelt simply said that not all Sangheili were honored enough to serve the Covenant. Shocked at what he saw as cowardice, Zil coldly berated his cousin before leaving to find the messing teams.

Eventually Zil would find the remaining survivors, trapped on a cliff surrounded by several Kele'Noriks. Here, Zil and his kin would repeat the same trap for the enemy, killing the largest of the enemies under a landslide of rubble.

With its death, the others would fall back to the forests, allowing the party time to rest and treat the wounded. On sunrise the next day, they would harvest what they could from the slain beast, fashioning the largest chunks into sleds for those who could not walk on their own. During this time, the main nest would come under attack by Jor and various Guardians, who had been informed of the situation by a Nelt. By the time Zil and his comrades arrived in the area, nothing was left besides burnt husks. Jor would greet them, examining their carapace pieces and giving praise that they had managed to slay a Kele'norik Prime.

Life at the War college

"He holds promise Jor, he will make an excellent soldier for the Covenant. You trained my son well, brother."

―Guardian Tarn 'Kanayai to Jor 'Kanayee after the former's duel with Zil

By 470 BCE, Zil was considered of eligible age to enroll in the regional war college. The day before he was to depart however, one of the Kaidon's guardians approached him. Wishing to challenge the youth to a curveblade duel, the idea shocked Zil, who questioned his uncle on the request. His uncle agreed to the fight, and would oversee it.

Meeting within the training arena later that evening, Zil and the guardian would begin their battle. While the older Sangheili had more skill, Zil was quick enough to dodge several strikes. The unfortunate trade off was that Zil couldn't land a blow without opening himself up. The duel would continue in a series of parrying and blocking hits, until Zil was defeated, but not before drawing blood. At the conclusion with Zil bowed, the guardian would help him rise to his feet, praising him as a fellow Sangheili warrior, a true adult. After being of his wounds, the next day Zil would find himself aboard a shuttle bound to Urs' Blade, located in the northern area of the garnash continent. At the college,, Zil would become we acquainted with a fellow classmate, Kusa 'Norna.

Kusa's bloodline had birthed several Zealots over the last century. Thus the youth was convinced that the same glory awaited him one day. Kusa would brag he was one of the most talented swordsmen of his family, which caught the attention of Zil. wished to see if it was true, and Challenged Kusa one day to a duel after classes, the older class mate happily accepted, even recommending one of the small courtyards for such events. Arriving later that evening with a stunsword, the battle would begin. While Kusa was of a stronger build, Zil's stamina and nimble movements helped him maintain an edge. The fight would last for over an hour, as each youth parried and stabbed, gaining or losing the advantage. Eventually Kusa was able.to emerge victorious, managing to deliver a strong enough blow to overwhelm Zil, and throw him out of the arena. The entire challenge had proven refreshing for Kusa, whose duels usually ended up short and quick. Zil's acceptance of defeat with grace, rather then anger, was a further improvement over previous opponents, and thus he offered test of a skill another time when both were free. Zil would eagerly accept, seeing in Kusa a more noble version of his cousin, Nelt. The slight rivalry which arose would eventually develop into a healthy friendship, with each challenging the other in various tests around the college, ranging from simple target practice to flying tactics in haunt skycraft. Such games were encouraged by their mentors to help sharpen the future warriors for the military. The tests would soon bare fruit when Mahk 'Rakomee, Provost of the war college on Saepon'kal, would pay a visit while touring colleges in the local sector. Zil and other students would be assembled, and divided into two legions, the Blades, and the Halberds.

Zil and Kusa would find themselves along the Blades legion. Over the next two days, Mahk, using various hardlight simulations, would create a large mock battlefield within the training dome to test the Sangheili students. Zil would relish this, seeing another way to bring honor to his family. Days later, within the massive war dome, the battle began, with Mahk observing. Kusa would be placed as Field Commander of the Blades while Zil, meanwhile, would be given two lances to lead. As the battle began, Zil's troops would manage to take an enemy outpost, capturing the vehicles there. From here, Zil, along with two other team mates, would the haunt strikecraft from theto strafe enemy lines entrenched further down the battlefield. While receiving AA fire, this extra pressure would cause the halberd line to buckle, before blade forces were able to breakthrough. Abondoning his damaged vehicle, Zil would advance on foot towards the main enemy base. With the battle concluded, Mahk would reward Kusa with the honor of attending the war college at Saepon'kal.

Covenant Military

The Battle of Ta'Telco

" We had always been taught we were the inheritors of the Great Ones, chosen children of the Forerunner themselves. But as I saw the machines of our Lords sweep aside my brothers and our Lekgolo allies on their way to the citadel, I confess, doubt entered my mind."

―Zil's personal journal

In 471 BCE, Zil would officially join the Covenant military as part of the graduating T'vlk creche from the college. Assigned to the fleet of Hopeful Salvation, Zil would don the classic armor of a Tiro. The fleet itself was gathering soldiers to partake in a mission handed down by the the Ministry of Relic Procurement and Protection. The Ministry had recently located a Forerunner luminary on a planet identified as "Ta'Telco". Considered to hold coordniates to one of the Forerunners' sacred shield worlds, the fleet had been ordered together as much men and armor as they could. On arrival to Ta'Telco, Zil would be assigned to a lance of three other Tiros and an Obedientiary officer as the Covenant scoured the lone Forerunner city on the planet. Eventually, covenant forces came across a unique temple complex under a larger building near the center of the city. Readings of the site proved promising, revealing a signal associated with the grand luminary.

Focusing their attention on this new discovery, various Huragok and Diphollekgolo science lances would be used in attempts to unlock the temple. Zil's lance, among others, would serve as guards to the research groups during this task. After days of tinkering, fruit would be borne as the locks were broken and the doors opened. A team of covenant Zealots would prepare to venture down into the complex to retrieve the relic. Before they could, several dozen Forerunner sentienls, holy warriors of the rings, would emerge from the temple. When approached by one of the constructs and asked a query as to the Covenant's purpose and on a proper counter-response for the Covenant's desired reclamation of the luminary within, the Zealot in charge gave what was believed to be the proper codices in response.

Declaring the answer incorrect, the ancient machines began attacking the covenant forces. Zil would fight back, falling back with other survivors to the nearest covenant camp for extration, all the while more forerunner sentienls and other constructs would begin appearing through out the city. Over the next few hours, covenant forces would slowly be pushed out of the city and back towards the main citadel fortress outside. Zil and his fellow warriors were charged with holding the Summit of the base for reinforcements via dropships. Unfortunately, shortly after this task was given, their lance Obedientiary officer would be killed by an energy beam from a bipedal construct. Zil found himself taking command of the lance, which would later be joined by a pair of Mgalekgolo.

The Mgalekgolo would be ordered to take on the larger constructs while the Sangheili would take out any aerial threats to the walking tanks. Over the next two hours, the Lance would take down multiple aggressor sentinels along with several Armiger variants before larger constructs began to appear. During the conflict they would come close to being killed by an "Overseer"-class sentinel. However, they would be saved by a wight talon group, the heavy fightercraft overwhelming the machine's defenses through sheer firepower.

As the battle progressed, massive AA cannons would materialize on the battlefield, threatening the aircraft, and the fleet itself in orbit. The Field Commander would order all ground troops to consolidate what they had, and push toward the nearest cannons to destroy them. Zil would find himself, along with others, playing escort in eidolon light vehicles to a convoy of Dusk heavy tanks. Through heavy firepower, and the cost of many fightercraft, the Covenant would manage to take down three of the nearest cannons around the citadel, allowing reinforcements from the fleet to finally land.

With fresh aircraft, armor, and soldiers, the army would move to wipe out the remaining cannons and re-take the temple and gain the luminary within. At this time, Zil would be part of the reserves in charge of keeping the camp secure while the rest pushed into the city. As the day wore on though, covenant forces began to be out-maneuvered by the constructs via teleportation nodes and infantry slipspace portals. Despite these setbacks, three Zealot strike teams, each consisting four Sangheili, were finally able to breach the Forerunner defenses around the temple complex, moving swiftly to capture their prize.

On the surface, covenant forces prepared to depart. Apparition dropships arrived under the escort of multiple seraph wings. The fightercraft would proceed to bombard the surrounding area with plasma and antimatter charges as the troops boarded the ships. Zil's own lance would be one of the last to leave, as a report arrived that the luminary was secured and on soon to arrive at the camp. Shortly thereafter, a pair of bloodied zealots appeared, the ancient luminary between them. Zil would end up injured during this final battle, receiving second degree burns on his chest from taking a plasma beam met for the holy relic itself. While the Covenant had succeeded in their goal, they had suffered greatly. Many had been slain on the ground, and several vessels in orbit had been lost thanks to the forerunner ground cannons. When informed of the battle, the Hierarchs were forgiving of the losses, if only because the luminary was acquired. The fleet to hasten to the holy city. For Zil, in recognition for his deeds in combat, and signs of leadership, he was promoted to the rank of Obedientiary.

While he was honored to finally have his first experience in combat, he was bothered by the battle. He would later confide in a journal entry during recovery in route to High Charity, his confusion that Forerunner machines would even think of attacking members of the Covenant. Zil's faith felt somewhat cracked, but he took solace in that they were able to retrieve the luminary. After the conclusion of the battle, the Fleet Marshall would file a report for the Hierarchs and High Council on High Charity. After viewing the reports, the fleet would be ordered to come to the holy city to deliver its knowledge to the Hierarchs' Oracle Masters.

High Charity

"High Charity, the soul of the Covenant as Sangheilos is its heart. Here, our divine transformation shall one day begin"

―Zil, on arrival at the holy city

A week after the battle, the fleet would arrlve at High Charity, with the relic in tow. Zi believed the arrival of the luminary would be met with much celebration in the holy city, and those in the fleet greeted as heros. Unfortunately, aside from the Minister of Relic Safety, along with his honoe guard and staff, none took note of their deeds. The Minister however, did praise them for their efforts, and grewarded"them with Tranquil Rest," a month off -uty to enjoy what High Charity could provide. Only the Fleet Marshall himself remained behind, staying to compile battle reports and contacting the clans of those lost during the fighting. For Zil, High Charity was a glorious wonder. The first days were filled visiting historical sites, food vendors, and even buying various trinkets. However, the crack in his faith continuing to fester within. If holy machines found the Covenant unworthy, were they? Seeking a remedy for this question, Zil would make for the Cathedral of the Path, a vast Covenant church based near the Forerunner keyship. Speaking with the elderly San 'Shyuum High Priest, he sought why Forerunner devices would attack the Great Ones' chosen inheritors.

The priest commented that such an event was not unusual, and almost expected. Covenant forces had battled Forerunner machinea in the past, and it was now seen as the testing of the faithful by the divine creations. Comforted with this r

Battle of Chi'run

"A bounty of knowledge, of wealth, of relics. Decades of gathering what little we can from our Lords' gifts. I do not think any want to lose that, yes? We fought for these riches, for we are Sangheili, warriors at heart. Let us greet our misguided brothers properly then."

―Pirate-Lord Tarvo to his peers on seeing the fleet of Hopeful Salvation arriving in-system

Before leaving High Charity, the Fleet-Lord was tasked with handling group of pirates on the edge of Covenant space. Under the command of an ex-zealot named Tarvo 'Zeka, the pirates had been raiding settlements and covenant settled Forerunner paradise worlds for several years. Local defense flotillas had failed to put a stop Tarvo, thus the High Council decreed a military fleet was needed.

Arriving at the newest system under attack, the colony of Chi'run, the fleet came across an active fleet battle over the world. A message from the governor reported that the planet's only city, Path's Frontier, was over taken by the pirates and she was being held as a prisoner.

Zil would be part of the invasion force sent to retake the city. While making it into the planet's atmosphere, the dropships carrying them would come under heavy fire from older wyvern anti-air needler towers. Zil's apparition would be damaged by multiple needle spears, but he and his men would survive thanks to the pilot, who would manage to bring the vessel down safely in a controlled crash landing. After making their way to the designated landing zone, Zil and the other nearby covenant forces saw what they were up against. The city was surrounded by an energy shield, powered by a large power core held within a complex near the city center. The few tanks that had made it through lacked the firepower to bring the shield down on their own. When additional armor was requested, it was revealed the defense flotilla had joined with the pirates, ending any further landing of ground forces. With the realization they were on their own, the Field Commander would spend the next several hours pouring over drone scans of the city, attempting to find a weakness in the defenses.

These would prove useless for anything below the surface, thanks to the shield's interference. A decision was made to continue the assault, while small strike teams to dug under the shield. Lacking any proper excavation equipment however, multiple Mgalekgolo were charged with leaving their armored suits, and to begin burrowing through the ground, creating tunnels for teams of Sangheili to pass through with cherubim cartographers. As part of this mission, Zil would lead one such team, slowly following one of the Lekgolo colonies along with his underlings.

By the time Zil's group breached the surface, night had fallen, making it easier for the team to move quietly down the various roads and allyways leading to their objective. They eventually came across another strike team, led by an Obedientiary named Clek while nearing the industrial facility where the shield originated. Using cherubim drones to map the building, they located what appeared to be the main chamber containing the power core. Unknown to covenant forces however, the core was in truth a syhoning chamber, leeching off power from a Forerunner reactor deep below the facility. Clek and Zil would decide on one team taking the guards, while the other went for the core. Zil would volunteer on the former, with his Tiros and himself picking off guards via their carbines. The ruse would work successfully, with Clek's team managing to reach the core and deactivating the limiter barriers surrounding it. The boundless power of unbirthed realities, before carefully channeled to power the shield, would begin surge at full power,to tearing the building complex apart

As more enemy troops brgan arriving at thr facility, Zil and Clek's team would attempt to retreat. While they took losses, including Clek himself, they would manage to make it a few blocks down the street before the core finally failed. The resulting detonation vaporized the facility, and the concussive blast collapsed the building the covenant squad were taking shelter in. Barley surviving, the Tiros would find their officer knocked out by debris, and themselves surrounded by heretic troops. They would go down fighting, while Zil was taken as a prisoner.