For fans who finished the Halo Infinite campaign wondering what comes next for Master Chief and The Weapon, the answer is arriving soon, but not in a new game or DLC. The direct continuation of Halo Infinite‘s narrative will unfold in a new novel from acclaimed author Kelly Gay, titled Halo: Edge of Dawn.
Announced via the official Halo Waypoint blog, Halo: Edge of Dawn is set to release this December, picking up immediately after the events of Halo Infinite‘s ending. The book returns players to the vast, mysterious Zeta Halo ringworld in the year 2560.
Picking Up the Pieces After Infinite
The novel plunges straight into the aftermath of War Chief Escharum’s defeat, a victory that threw the Banished leadership into disarray but didn’t end their presence on Zeta Halo. Master Chief, Spartan-117, remains on the ring, accompanied by his new AI companion, The Weapon, and their loyal pilot, Fernando Esparza.
Their immediate mission? To locate scattered allied forces who survived the brutal conflict. However, this search becomes entangled with a deeper mystery tied to the ancient ringworld itself.
New Threats and Ancient Secrets
A key element of the story involves a young combat medic who endured months of torture and imprisonment at the hands of the Banished and the enigmatic Harbinger during the events of Halo Infinite. This medic may hold crucial secrets or keys that could unlock the mysteries hidden within Zeta Halo.
Adding to the danger, Master Chief’s every step towards uncovering these answers is haunted by the relentless pursuit of the sinister and elusive blademaster Jega ‘Rdomnai, who is now hellbent on vengeance following his encounter with the Chief in the game.
A Narrative Structure Akin to a Classic
According to Halo Studios, the structure and tone of Halo: Edge of Dawn draw parallels to the beloved early Halo novel, Halo: First Strike. Like that book explored the fallout of the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, this new story is described as offering a “glimpse into the aftermath” of Halo Infinite‘s campaign, dealing with the immediate consequences while forging its “own new, self-contained adventure.”
Kelly Gay’s Return to Zeta Halo
Author Kelly Gay is a familiar and celebrated name among Halo fans. She previously penned Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, a novel widely praised for its brutal and terrifying depiction of various UNSC survivors’ experiences on Zeta Halo during the initial Banished occupation – the same timeframe as Halo Infinite‘s campaign. Critics lauded The Rubicon Protocol as an “excellent companion piece” to the game, praising Gay’s ability to craft compelling stories within the setting and suggesting her work has helped chart a “solid path for the future of the franchise.” Her return to Zeta Halo post-Infinite is highly anticipated.
While the core continuation of Master Chief’s story will arrive in this novel format, Halo Infinite itself continues to evolve as a live service game. Developer Halo Studios recently launched “Operation: Legacy,” allowing players to experience Halo 3-themed content within the game, including classic maps and modes like Grifball, running through July 8th.
If you’re eager to learn what happens next for the Master Chief on Zeta Halo, pre-orders for Halo: Edge of Dawn are now available.
Are you excited to dive back into the Halo Infinite story through this new novel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
