I have been doing a bit of research myself on this topic since this forum was created to help contribute in some way or form. So far I have found nothing new to add, that is until now. When I was looking through the book of Revelations, I happened to stumble upon this verse: “These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. That if anyone try’s to harm them, fire flashes from the mouths of the prophets and consumes there enemies. This is how anyone who try’s to harm them must die” (Revelations 11:4-5 NIV). I was trying to think how this would fit in to the plot line of halo, so I kept on reading. “When they complete there testimony, the beast that came up from the bottomless pit (Gravemine) will declare war agents them. He will conquer them, and kill them” (Revelations 11:7 NIV). This verse really got me thinking. This theory may be a little off topic, but pleas continue reading. What if perhaps Gravenine was a bigger part of the plot line of halo then we previously thought…. This is going of the theory that the forerunner were human. The forerunner created the flood. What if perhaps there was a gigantic war between the forerunner, and there creation; the flood. The halos were built to kill the flood if I am not mistaken. The forerunners built the halo’s as a last resort probably after most of there race had been infected. The remnence of the forerunner fled to earth to escape the flood. Now this is were the “ark” comes into play. The ark as stated in halo 2 is the spot to activate all of the halos remotely. What if perhaps the ark was also the only safe spot within the halo’s blast radius? When the halos were activated the only sentient life that remained was on earth. The flood having no food to live off of, were then secluded to remote parts of the universe. Now you’re probably asking yourself “where does the covenant come into play?” This next theory may seem a little far fetched, but what if the forerunner created the covenant races as well as the flood before they set off the halos. The various covenant races could have escaped to planets outside the halo’s blast radios. What if the flood, after the covenant had formed, took over the prophet race and the flood in a way roold the covenant (after all, Gravemine was inside high charity). I know, this would be the biggest plot twist ever in gaming history, but pleas keep reading. What if the flood wanted revenge on there creators? That would make since why the covenant wanted so much to eradicate the human race. What if Gravemine was the covenant’s “gods” “Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are there instruments” (The fall of reach pg.98). I think this quote is self explanatory. Now, finally going back to the above verse. Gravemine would dispose of the covenant when they were no longer needed (after the humans have been severely weekend). Which happens near the end of halo 2? The above is merely a theory. I realize my theory has many holes in it, and is slightly off topic of this forum. Feel free to flame and critique this theory. This is merely an idea I decided to post in order to build upon or the spark new ideas and theories on the plot line of Halo.