Unveiling Atriox: The Halo Villain Who Defied Destiny!

In the distant world of Doisac, on May 28th, 2510, a Jiralhanae will be born into the Covenant Empire, yet to be identified by his clan. For devoted fans of Halo, this towering alien is none other than Atriox, an antagonist who has achieved remarkable success and popularity within the Halo franchise. Since his debut in a short cinematic trailer for Halo Wars 2 at Gamescom 2015, Atriox has grown to become one of the most iconic villains the Halo series has ever produced. Despite only appearing in two Halo games as of now, Atriox has made appearances in numerous books, comics, Waypoint Chronicles, and even a TV series. As we mark Atriox’s 485th birthday this year, let’s delve into his life, influence, and potential future in the Halo universe.

Atriox’s Covenant Servitude and Revolt Explained

As a devoted admirer, let me recount my perspective: In the year 2492, eighteen years after the multi-alien religious alliance had discovered the Jiralhanae species, I, Atriox, was born. The Jiralhanae, including myself, were then integrated into this empire known as the Covenant. My early life was immersed in the Covenant’s teachings, a stark contrast to the independent and warring planetary past my fellow Jiralhanae had once known.

However, everything changed when I encountered the venerable warrior Escharum. Recognizing my potential, he took me under his wing as his daskalo or mentor, teaching me the ancient customs of our people and honing my skills in combat. It was through Escharum’s guidance that I rapidly ascended the ranks within the Covenant military.

Starting from the outbreak of the Human-Covenant War in 2525, Atriox was a renowned stealth warrior among the Brutes, specifically a member of the Bloodstar unit known as the Brute Stalker. His battle skills were unquestionable, but he and his fellow Brute Stalkers remained under the command of Sangheili Silent Shadows – another type of elite stealth warriors. This was typical for many Brutes within the Covenant because most Sangheili harbored suspicion towards the Jiralhanae and were resentful about the San’Shyuum’s desire to elevate the species into influential roles they previously monopolized. However, despite this animosity, Atriox remained with the Bloodstars for years, primarily targeting Spartans and other UNSC special operatives.

Atirox’s Disillusionment with the Covenant

By the year 2549, Atriox was removed from his position in the Bloodstars and compelled to fight alongside his kin on the battlefield as the Sangheili and San’Shyuum hierarchy started using several Brute clans as disposable forces against the UNSC. In groups of 40, Atriox and his comrades were repeatedly sent into combat for supposed honor and progress towards The Great Journey. Battle after battle, Atriox’s clan wreaked havoc and destruction on human bases, but only Atriox managed to survive these conflicts. This gradually inspired members of various Brute clans, causing concern among the High Prophet of Truth, who perceived this as a potential threat to the Jiralhanae’s loyalty towards the Covenant. As Atriox increasingly showed contempt for the Covenant faith, particularly in the reckless deployment of his fellow Brutes into battle, he became more and more antagonistic towards the Covenant’s beliefs.

The Rise of the Banished

On the freshly conquered alien planet Algolis, Truth instructed High Commander Sangheili ‘Hesiikee under Atriox to accuse a Brute of heresy and carry out his execution to prevent him from being glorified as a martyr. However, upon Atriox’s return from battle alone, just as ‘Hesiikee was about to strike the Brute with a bloodblade, Atriox seized the energy sword and killed ‘Hesiikee instead. As Elites in the vicinity rose up in protest, Jiralhanae spectators, including Decimus and En’Geddon, slaughtered the Elites and applauded Atriox. This Brute, along with Escharum, then formed a new group known as the Banished, where beings of all kinds could unite for personal success, riches, and liberty, as long as they pledged allegiance to Atriox and his values.

Over the coming decades, I found myself leading a multitude of species to join the ranks of the Banished – the Jiralhanae, Sangheili, Kig-Yar, Unggoy, Huragok, Lekgolo, and even humans like the renegade Spartan-IV Ilsa Zane. In our early years, we primarily focused on raids against Covenant and human planets, but quickly grew into a force to be reckoned with. After The Great Schism and the downfall of Cortana, we became the most powerful entity in the galaxy.

Many were drawn to us for the promise of glory in battle, while others saw us as a beacon of unity amidst the chaos following the Covenant’s collapse in 2552. By 2559, I and the Banished had taken control over several former Covenant and human worlds, including my native Doisac.

Atriox’s Conquest of the Ark

In the year 2558, Atriox and his Banished forces, traveling aboard their flagship, the Enduring Conviction, expanded their raids beyond Covenant and human installations, targeting the Ark – the forge of the Halo rings. Their aim was to seize control of Installation 00 and harness its power to produce Halos. Upon arrival, Atriox’s troops eliminated all human researchers on the site. However, they encountered resistance from an unexpected source: the long-lost UNSC Spirit of Fire. Despite this prolonged struggle and the loss of Decimus and the Enduring Conviction, Atriox managed to discover coordinates leading him to a powerful ancient race, the Endless, on Zeta Halo. He then returned to the Milky Way Galaxy in search of Zeta Halo.

The emblem of exile, the Signet of Atriox, draws inspiration from Atriox’s gravitational mace, Chainbreaker, a creation that fused parts of Atriox’s gravitational hammer with the bloodblade of Itho ‘Hesiikee.

The Creation and Many Depictions of Atriox

343 Industries and Creative Assembly aimed to craft a formidable and intelligent villain for the main antagonist of Halo Wars 2. To achieve this, they opted for a Brute character but intended him to be unique, resembling the Arbiter in a way that he defied his species’ usual traits and stereotypes. Thus, Atriox was developed to possess both intelligence and terror, reflecting his inherent Jiralhanae power, contrasting with the brainless Brutes typically depicted in previous Halo games. The design of Atriox, along with John DiMaggio and Damion Poitier’s initial voice performances, immediately resonated with the entire Halo community, prompting 343 Industries to capitalize on this enthusiasm.

Ever since making his initial appearance in the 2017 game “Halo Wars 2”, character Atriox has continued to show up in various novels and comic books such as:

Halo: Tales from Slipspace
Halo: Rise of Atriox
Halo: Shadows of Reach
Halo: Outcasts
Halo: Epitaph
Halo: Empty Throne

The fame of Atriox reached such heights that he was cast as the main character in Paramount’s debut season of “Halo” series. In this alternate Silver Timeline of 2552, Atriox, as portrayed by Paramount, remains loyal to the Covenant and is sent to Eridanus II for a confrontation with Master Chief over a Forerunner artifact known as a keystone. In the last episode of the first season, Atriox, accompanied by Brute troops, protects the High Prophets Truth, Mercy, and Regret on Raas Kkhotskha until his presumed demise at the hands of Master Chief.

In the Halo series, the character Atriox is played by different actors: John DiMaggio provided the voice for Atriox in Halo Wars 2, while Damion Poitier handled the motion capture. For Halo Infinite’s version of Atriox, Ike Amadi did the voice acting and Bruce Thomas performed the motion capture.

Atriox’s “Death” and Fate in Halo Infinite

In the year 2558, when the AI named Cortana seized power over the Forerunner Domain and released her army consisting of Guardians, Prometheans, and renegade human AIs, most military forces surrendered swiftly under her strict rule of peace. One of the rare groups that defied Cortana were the Banished. This defiance enraged Cortana, leading her to command her Guardians to obliterate Doisac and its moons, resulting in the near-extinction of the Jiralhanae race. Outraged by this act of genocide, Atriox directed most of the Banished to attack every UNSC base and began plotting Cortana’s assassination. Additionally, he planned on transforming Zeta Halo into a new home for the Jiralhanae and making it the Banished’s central headquarters.

Following the capture of the UNSC Infinity and the apparent demise of Master Chief, Atriox encountered Cortana deep within Zeta Halo. After a brief exchange in which Atriox declared he would not alter his life’s course if given the knowledge of his death, Cortana made a self-sacrificing move, destroying a section of Zeta Halo along with herself. This act seemingly claimed the life of Atriox as well. The sudden destruction triggered an emergency slipspace jump, leaving Banished forces stranded on the ring and forcing War Chief Escharum to take charge. However, after the death of both Escharum and the Harbinger at the conclusion of Halo Infinite, Atriox was discovered to be alive within Zeta Halo, awakening the remaining Endless.

Atriox’s Potential Future in Halo 7

It’s still a mystery why character Atriox disappeared for six months following his supposed demise, but it’s predicted he’ll have a significant part in the future of Halo. Given the ending of Halo Infinite, it seems likely that Atriox will be the primary antagonist in Halo 7, leading the Endless against Master Chief and the remaining UNSC forces on Installation 07. This could lead to Master Chief engaging Atriox in a boss battle similar to Escharum’s. If so, Halo 7 might mark Atriox’s final demise as he would be one of the last major threats to humanity after Cortana’s passing. However, even if Atriox is killed in Halo 7, his influence may continue through the Banished and War Chief Severan, ensuring that the strength and rebellion of Atriox will never fade from memory.

2025-05-28 13:24