Episode 7 opens with an intense conversation between John and Makee's consciousness, both grappling with the revelations triggered by touching the Halo Keystone. John pleads with Makee not to lead the Covenant to the Halo, fearing they will use its power to destroy mankind. However, Makee assures him that his intentions are not to guide the Covenant to the Halo and extends an olive branch, offering John a chance to join him in a life of peace. But before they can delve deeper into their discussion, they must reluctantly release their grip on the Keystone.
Meanwhile, on Onyx, Parangosky's instincts are on high alert as she decodes the mysterious signals emanating from the Covenant fleet that Cortana has commandeered. Some speculate it could be a black hole, but Parangosky's unreadable expression hints at a different, perhaps more ominous, possibility - Halo. She orders Ackerson to mobilize a team of Spartan-IIIs to infiltrate the ship and gather intelligence.
Unfortunately, the Spartans' mission is cut short as they are quickly obliterated by unknown forces. A determined Parangosky, unwilling to cede the Halo to the Covenant, orders Ackerson to dispatch another team, despite his warnings of the risks involved. Ackerson tries to reason with her, but Parangosky is fixated on stopping the Covenant's reach for the Halo, even if it means sacrificing the entire Spartan fleet.
Elsewhere, Ackerson deploys a marine team with the objective of capturing John, but the soldiers balk at the task. Kai, who has returned, joins John's side, determined to help him in his quest for the right path. Back at the library, Halsey confides in her daughter, revealing that it was here where she discovered a strand of DNA that was a hybrid of human and Covenant genetics. She believes this discovery could herald a new era for humanity.
Meanwhile, Soren and Laera find themselves in a tense confrontation in the arena. Soren tries to persuade Laera to leave Kessler with the UNSC, hoping for a chance to become a Spartan. But Laera, steadfast in her resolve, refuses, declaring that she will not allow her son to be turned into a mindless killing machine.
John, in a fit of rage, confronts Ackerson and chokes him until the latter reveals the location of John's suit. On their way to retrieve it, Ackerson drops a bombshell, revealing that Parangosky has lied to them about the spike's true nature. Once activated, it will incinerate everything within a million miles, both Covenant and humans alike. Parangosky's calculated gamble is clear: if they lose, they won't get the Halo, but if the spike is triggered, neither will the Covenant.
John finally reaches his suit, and before slipping into it, he demands that Ackerson come clean and reveal what Parangosky did on Reach. The stakes are high, and the truth, when it comes out, will shake the foundation of their world.
Ackerson comes to the realization that his actions will lead to his own demise, yet he resolves to do what is right. Kai makes the decision to accompany the Spartan, while John sets his sights on reaching the Halo. Inside the library, Kwan-ha and his companions decipher the cryptic cosmic code, unlocking the immense doorway. They traverse the ethereal light bridge, discovering it leads to an ancient laboratory of sorts. Within, they stumble upon the remnants of a scientist whose form closely resembles a human's, and beneath their feet, a staggering alien metropolis lies hidden.
Soren arrives in the nick of time, leaping into the arena to rescue his son. But soon, he is overwhelmed by the guards, affording them the opportunity to abduct Kesslar and Laera. Meanwhile, John encounters Parez, who urges him to join the fight, believing it will revive the soldiers' waning morale. However, John firmly declares that he has a different mission in mind.
Elsewhere, Halsey and Miranda delve deeply into the artifacts unearthed from the laboratory. In the climactic confrontation, Ackerson confronts Parangosky, but she remains unmoved. But her plan takes an unexpected turn when John seizes the microphone, revealing to all that he still lives. His revelation ignites a spark of hope among the Marines, who had lost all faith after the fall of Reach.
John boards a spacecraft, entering the warp drive. As he emerges from its embrace, his gaze is drawn to the longed-for Halo ring, shining in the distance like a beacon of hope in the vastness of space.
