I think it’s something that pre-dates the Precursors or something that pre-dates possibly even The Flood.
> “Halo 4 is the next blockbuster installment in the iconic franchise that’s shaped entertainment history and defined a decade of gaming. Set in the aftermath of Halo 3, Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Halo 4 marks the start of a new trilogy that begins with its release in 2012.”
The Precursors were never evil, they fought to defend themselves against the rise of the Forerunners and lost drastically.
> “I am the last of those your kind rose up against and ruthlessly destroyed.”
> —The Timeless One to the Didact
So who or what is this Ancient Enemy? It could be the Precursor equivalent to the Flood that long ago were imprisoned and John has the path to confront it. That means this thing, this Planet in the Halo 4 trailer isn’t Forerunner at all. It may in fact be Precursor.
Or is it something else entirely? Are the Forerunners the Ancient Evil? Possibly, considering that they were genocidal to Humanity and Precursor. That would be an awesome plot twist, the Forerunners turning out to be the Ancient Evil.
Well, I can say for sure that we will never encounter Precursor artifacts or ruins. Because they were based on neural physics, Precursor artifacts and ruins were destroyed by the Halo Array’s firing 100,000 years ago.
Anyway, yeah, it’s possible the Ancient Enemy is something that pre-dates the Precursors. However, I strongly believe that it is not the Forerunners.
> Well, I can say for sure that we will never encounter Precursor artifacts or ruins. Because they were based on neural physics, Precursor artifacts and ruins were destroyed by the Halo Array’s firing 100,000 years ago.
>
> Anyway, yeah, it’s possible the Ancient Enemy is something that pre-dates the Precursors. However, I strongly believe that it is not the Forerunners.
The Precursors and Forerunners are probably still out there somewhere in another Galaxy, surely after the great Forerunner-Precursor war some of the Precursors must have evacuated . And when the Halo array fired before that Forerunners I think 100% left in what numbers they could here’s why.
> D: The Mantle has not failed!
> I’ve already razed scores of worlds
> - sterilized systems, routed and
> [disintegrated] the parasite! We’re
> learning its tricks and strategies.
> We can halt this thing! And we can
> follow in Their footsteps!
>
>
> There are no unstoppable forces in
> this universe. There are no
> immovable objects. Everything gives
> if you push hard enough.
He’s talking about the Precursors but after the great war I don’t understand this. It’s open that in these next Forerunner saga novels the Timeless One makes another appearance.Possibly.
The Great Journey held some truth after all.
> “I will begin our Great Journey without you, carrying this bitter record. Those who came after will know what we bought with this [false transcendence] - what you bought, and the price you paid.”
But Librarian replies:
> L: The Mantle. You still hold to
> that [fairy tale] after all that
> has happened? After this thing has
> consumed a million worlds?
>
>
> Can’t you see? Belief in the Mantle
> sealed our doom! Weakened our
> [protectorates], bred dependence and
> sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship]
> has stripped those we would keep
> safe of any capacity for
> self-defense!
>
>
> Were we such noble [Guardians] when
> we drew our line and abandoned
> billions to the parasite?
Somewhere between Primodorum and the Array firing Didact had a huge change of heart.
Mm. I don’t think 343 would confuse new fans by introducing the Precursors just yet. The Precursors, along with ancient humanity and the Timeless One may be hinted at and maybe introduced in 5 and 6. But an entirely new enemy altogether may be a bit much for players new to the Halo Universe.
> > I’ve considered this possibility. It very well could be the race from Terminal 5.
>
> The race in Terminal 5 may be San Shyumm (how ever you spell it) it just looks like something that that race would build.
> > Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t the Ancient Enemy of the Forerunners the Ancient Humans described in Cryptum?
>
> Yes, and Spark confirms it by tolding about cure to the Flood what was inventend as you may know by Ancient Humans.
Thanks, I thought they were the same when Spark mentioned the cure similarly to how Bornstellar described it in Cryptum.
I think that the points that have been made here are very valid. But you have to wonder, if 343 industries is creating the cannon and we are theorizing about it in there forums, are they using us to get an idea of what we want or are they messing with us.
This is turning out to be a very deep conversation, Hmm
> Interesting thoughts, guys. I have a strong feeling, as does most everyone, that Forerunners will appear in the game, but not as an enemy.
In the Terminal at the end of CE:A 343 talks about Didact still being here (Instillation 04) and that his wrath would make them (Humanity) prefer the Flood.
If we encounter Didact in the Reclaimer Trilogy we will most certainly see John get his -Yoink- kicked.
> > > I’ve considered this possibility. It very well could be the race from Terminal 5.
> >
> > The race in Terminal 5 may be San Shyumm (how ever you spell it) it just looks like something that that race would build.
>
> Smooth and curvy.
Impossible. The SS who formed the Covenant were the only group of their species who were spacefaring post-Halo. The rest of their species refused to touch the Forerunner artifacts, and died with their planet. And am I the only one who noticed that a ship similar to the one from T5 is also on the cover of Primordium? I get the feeling the Forerunners screwed around with an extra-galactic race and are now at war, judging from the look of Primordium’s cover, which is also Halo 4 concept art.
> > Interesting thoughts, guys. I have a strong feeling, as does most everyone, that Forerunners will appear in the game, but not as an enemy.
>
> In the Terminal at the end of CE:A 343 talks about Didact still being here (Instillation 04) and that his wrath would make them (Humanity) prefer the Flood.
>
>
> If we encounter Didact in the Reclaimer Trilogy we will most certainly see John get his -Yoink!- kicked.
343 was rampant at the time, and probably did not know that the original Didact had died.
> And am I the only one who noticed that a ship similar to the one from T5 is also on the cover of Primordium? I get the feeling the Forerunners screwed around with an extra-galactic race and are now at war, judging from the look of Primordium’s cover, which is also Halo 4 concept art.
You might be onto something here. So, maybe during Halo 3 at the end when the ship gets split, some Forerunner(s) did this because they need MC’s help, as they are at war. His ship in Halo 4 trailer could’ve been attacked from the Forerunner enemies, and they are trying to help get him into the planet. And in Primordium’s cover art, you can see destruction and fire in the background, this could be evidence for war or battles.
> You might be onto something here. So, maybe during Halo 3 at the end when the ship gets split, some Forerunner(s) did this because they need MC’s help, as they are at war.
Mendicant Bias is the one who did it so he can tell the Forerunners essentially, “Sorry about my betrayal”.
> His ship in Halo 4 trailer could’ve been attacked from the Forerunner enemies, and they are trying to help get him into the planet.
Not too sure how much the Legendary Ending counts for Halo 3, but it seems like he’s just drifting near it. May not explain the explosions, but who knows.
> And in Primordium’s cover art, you can see destruction and fire in the background, this could be evidence for war or battles.
It’s still Primoridum’s cover now, it may not apply to Halo 4 anymore.
> > You might be onto something here. So, maybe during Halo 3 at the end when the ship gets split, some Forerunner(s) did this because they need MC’s help, as they are at war.
>
> Mendicant Bias is the one who did it so he can tell the Forerunners essentially, “Sorry about my betrayal”.
>
> He could have sent Chief there to assist them, therefore redeeming himself.
>
>
>
> > And in Primordium’s cover art, you can see destruction and fire in the background, this could be evidence for war or battles.
>
> It’s still Primoridum’s cover now, it may not apply to Halo 4 anymore.
Still, it’s some pretty detailed concept art. If they already have concept art of the Forerunners being at war, they’re probably at war. The Timeless One could be assisting the T5s if you think about it enough.
Did you forget the Forerunners fought the Flood for nearly 300 years? Primoridum takes place right after Bias wiped out the Forerunner capital and the Timeless One made his threat. Why does it have to depict Forerunners fighting after Halo 3?
> Well, I can say for sure that we will never encounter Precursor artifacts or ruins. Because they were based on neural physics, Precursor artifacts and ruins were destroyed by the Halo Array’s firing 100,000 years ago.
>
> Anyway, yeah, it’s possible the Ancient Enemy is something that pre-dates the Precursors. However, I strongly believe that it is not the Forerunners.
A lot of people think the ruins on Installation 05 were Precursor ruins.
“You know, I think the forerunners built these new structures around the old, to protect them, to honor them. Pure speculation, mind you. I’d need to make a thorough survey to be sure.”