This is one I’ve been listening to a lot, and in particular reminds me quite a bit of certain Halo themes and characters.
VNV Nation - Retaliate**
**
> I can almost hear
> your heart in the darkness
> how fast it is beating
> how close you are to me
>
> I can almost hear how tensely you are breathing
> out there in the darkness
> listening for me
>
> I can almost sense
> your skin on my fingers
> tension and the fear
> anticipating me
>
> I can almost see you somewhere in the darkness
> praying for advantage, clinging to a chance
This instantly makes me think of the Didact, trapped in the Cryptum on Requiem. Knowing he’s trapped there, knowing Humanity has been reseeded and evolved once more into a space faring civilization upon the realization a “Reclaimer” has stepped foot into Requiems confines.
For me this entire first part makes me think about him being trapped, waiting, scheming cleverly from within like a hunter playing with it’s dinner. And once John puts his hands on the hand pads…well. The prey has been tricked into unlocking the cage of the hunter. (I know for many Ur-Didact was an underwhelming boss but the visuals I get from the lyrics are pretty sweet. Kind of like a mini-movie of those events from his perspective. Ready to pounce on the feeble human who so foolishly released him from the exile imposed by his wife.)
This also makes me think of the part of Chief we rarely get to see. The part of him that is scared. The part of him that DOES feel that “OHSHIT” moment when he realizes something big has just happened or been set into motion. Usually he shoves those feelings onto the back burner and manages to ignore them for the most part, for the sake of the mission. These lyrics specifically bring to mind the moment Cortana yells at him to remove his hands, and his body language is more or less screaming “Oh -Yoink-” before he goes and hides behind cover because he has no idea what he’s just opened, unleashed upon himself. I have no personal doubt that some of that was out of fear - as well as just logical tactical thinking. You opened a giant, mysterious Forerunner sphere…who knows what’s in it? Probably better to not be standing right in front of it until you know it’s safe. Which it wasn’t.
> Justice never waivers
> it is my single purpose
> relentless the pursuit
> I will find you where you hide
> counting on your indecision
> deciding when to strike
> calculating movement
> the senses of the chase
This part 100% makes me remember the story behind the Ur-Didact, and his intense hatred(“strongly disliking” ?) for Humanity. His desire to eradicate, conscript them to be his digital slaves as vengence. His twisted version of Justice, his relentless pursuit of Humanity only stopped by The Librarian locking him away.
> the game of chess begins
> the pieces moved in place
> your advantage growing slimmer
> your options growing thin
This is a bit more obscure, but it generally makes me think of the metaphorical “chess game” Ur-Didact was playing with The Librarian before the firing of the Halo rings. The little plans inacted by The Librarian, her meddling, fiddling and tweaking. The Didact’s deceptions, his attempting to mutate himself. Being forced into exile. Defying Librarians inteded plan of him being cooperative and forgiving of Humanity by the time he’s discovered once more and released. The potential to see John and Halsey as mere ‘chess pieces’ in The Librarians game against The Flood, even tens of thousands of years on. We still continue to see this chess game being played out.
> The hunt is what defines us
> imminent defeat
> the back of your shirt soaking
> Fear all you can feel
These four lines make me think of the Ur-Didacts Promethean Warriors, and his Warrior-Servant followers. Specifically, “The hunt is what defines us” making me think of their designed intention to battle the Flood, to hunt the Flood. “Imminent defeat”, also applying to the Flood, and to Humanity. With enough time and force his Prometheans could provide defeat for both the Flood through sheer numbers and lack of ability to absorb them. And also Humanity through Composing and using them to flesh out his army. His feeling of total power and ability to squash his enemies. Being a bit arrogant.
The last two lines make me think of the Chief and other Spartan IVs and Marines with him on Requiem. The sudden release of a Forerunner military leader and political power(in ages past), would be a fairly terrifying concept. Especially considering Chief was tossed about like a rag doll and treated like a mere bug to be stepped on. I’m sure he knows that the Didact could very well rip him apart if he had so chosen to be bothered, and he couldn’t have done anything about it were it not for Cortana. He’s got Luck on his side, but I’m certain he still feels fear, strain, and emotional stresses.
> One of us the hunter, one of us the prey
> one of us the victor, one to walk away
> one who’s left remaining, one of us who stands
> one who lies defeated, beneath the other’s hands
>
> When the dust has settled, only one of us will see
> which of us was worthy, which of us was weak
> and when this time is over
> only one of us will say
> which of us the victor, and which of us the prey
(These sections twice in a row at the end)
This particular bit, because of the music behind the lyrics at this point in the song, bring to mind another battle between the two characters, Chief and Didact. How it may go down. How, realistically, Chief doesn’t really have too much of a chance. The technology alone surrounding the Didact and his ability to ustelize and understand all remaining Forerunner tech cause him to outclass our Halo-Hero many many times over.(Yes I know the battle in Halo 4 was underwhelming, Pulse grenade derpderp). This makes me think of it as coming from Didacts point of view. A sort of taunt. Come and get me. Come and see who’s really the prey. Let’s see who’s really worthy of the Mantle. I dare you.
The over all feel and theme of the song itself also reminds me of the Ur-Didact. The song is a very “orangey” tinted song for me, with streams of gold, red, and silvers. All colors I associate with power, strength, ability, sometimes arrogance, deception(orange is a very deceptive color).
As mentioned in the first post briefly, I’m a chromesthesiac. The colors of songs often hold a lot of sway over how I “experience” those songs, and in turn what I get out of them. Scenes I see, characters it reminds me of, mini-movies I see in my head spawned out of those colors/color associations. I’m curious to hear how you experience music!
(I’m also slightly lazy but think of the other forum goers too!)