The Primordials Horrific Secret - Lore and Theory 

Thank you SIR!

Well, this theory certainly paints the Forerunners in a better light that's more in line with their portrayal in the original Halo trilogy. Also, if this theory is true (which all signs currently point to it being true) then Halo has been upgraded from space horror to Lovecraftian cosmic horror.

so if this theory is right, that would mean the halo rings dont starve the flood out of biomass, but of the experiences made by the living beings that are killed. the halo rings are literally a mass-boredom ray.

I always thought suicide was a little extreme for whatever the answer was but no I think you're right this definitely makes sense. I can't believe that I fell for the Precursors propaganda that the Forerunner were the bad guys

This is an intensely dark interpretation of Carl Sagan's quote that "we are a way for the Universe to know itself."

This is honestly one of my favourite theories. The dust never corrupted; it's functioning exactly as it was intended to. The point of the dust was to bring the precursors back, but they never specified HOW.

When you're so hard-core that you write yourself permanently into the fabric of reality.

Suddenly the Covenant Empire didn’t seem so bad after all.

The real reason the Forerunners were denied the Mantle: it wasn't in spite of, but *precisely because* they were more civilized and altruistic than the Humans.

Learning that the Primordial species are essentially the embodiment of Non Duality and oneness with the universe makes me appreciate halo on an infinitely deeper level, Primordials realize that they are infinite so to them, They know no difference between the flood and themselves, just sweetness and unity

:"humanity were seeded,. nurtured, allowed to advance, build poetry, arts, science, experience, expanded, raised like cattle to be consumed and our experiences to be fed to the universe as sustenance, over and over again". "You will be food; nothing more..."- Gravemind Really puts it into perspective doesnt it.

"You will be food... nothing more." - Universe

"Do I take life or give it. Who is victim and who is foe?"

Ancient Human: Hey, what's the Flood? Primordial: I am. Ancient Human: **Gunshot**

This is fucking awesome. I love how it makes the forerunners seem less greedy, betraying the mantal not because of they believed to be the inheritors, but because they learned of the truth and tried to save the galaxy from it

brings a whole new meaning to, "The gun pointed at the head of the universe".

To say that my mind is blown is an understatement. The flood were always a terrifying concept to me, like how the grave mind will have all the of the knowledge and memories of the previous ones, existing in the very fabric of the universe, but I always thought the ancient humans killing themselves was a bit over the top, I was so very wrong. My view on the flood is forever changed. That part about the forerunners slaughtering the precursors was something I never could quite get my head around. Why would they just up and decide to kill their gods? Now it makes sense

Ironic, the creators of life ended up becoming the greatest threat to that life.

This theory bears an uncanny resemblance to the cycle of destruction the Reapers impose on the Mass Effect universe's Milky Way. However, if this theory holds up, then the Living Universe and the Precursors are an altogether more powerful and horrifying threat, and they cannot be reasoned with. The Reapers had, in a very twisted sort of way, an altruistic cause for their actions. Their philosophy was ironically more akin to the Forerunners' interpretation of the Mantle of Responsibility, just taken to an extreme. But the Living Universe has a much simpler and more uncompromising motive: "You will be food. _Nothing_ more."

"no peace amongst the stars, just endless war and the laughter of dark gods"

Heavily possible and pretty disturbing if you ask me. Pretty Lovecraftian too actually. Brings back the all Alien Prometheus story. We all assume that we are created by creatures that were animated by pure intentions. But how would you feel if you come to realize that like the vegetables in your backyard, you’re basically a crop like many other types of crops in a universal garden. And that the creation of your existence, the meaning of life itself can be summarized into : « well I needed food so there you are. » Remember rick and morty, the episode with the passing butter robot ? Or mass effect with the harvester ? Same story... Ouch !

I did not expect an Azathoth level of meaninglessness to existence in Halo. I have to say, I am quite enjoying the hidden, Lovecraftian aspects of the Halo universe--it really makes the stories told more interesting.

The primordial just quietly goes: It's free real estate.

This has turned into a Lovecraft horror story, damn.

Like the Gravemind states, The Flood is like water with “ebbs and flows”, if they planned to become the Living Universe of their ideology, they sustain the system while propping up races that can reset the balance, prolonging a cycle of experience and consumption. The Forerunners were able to cleanse the galaxy, but, likely with the Precursors this too is part of the cycle. Pruning and being pruned to enrich the experience further.

This is probably the most disturbing, deepest, darkest halo lore ever

Neato. They're kind of like the Reapers. Sow life and then complete the cycle by devouring it and being enriched by it.

I think that he said that those consumed by the Flood are forever bound to the parasite and tortured like Captain Keys was, like in a literal version of Dante's Inferno and that humans would be all consumed by it eventually, hence why some people chosed to commit suicide, so they wouldnt be infected.

The Primordial, an eldritch horror. This is one way of describing this creature in my opinion.

The Precursors be like: "I brought you into this universe, I can take you out of it"

Forerunners: I thought you died! Precursors coming back as the Flood: My death was... greatly exaggerated.

Last time I was this early, the Sangheili and San Shyuum were still at war. The first time

Crazy to think that the Forerunners were doing us a favour

Its like gravemind on halo 3: ,,Resignation is my virtue; like water I ebb, and flow. Defeat is simply the addition of time to a sentence I never deserved... but you imposed." So that the flood will try to inflict pain and suffering on the galaxy and the universe, and then they are defeated and universe has peace, and the circle goes like this... just like precursors wanted and what they believed in...

“Resignation is my virtue, like water I ebb and flow, defeat is simply the addition of time, to a sentence that I never deserved but you imposed” It can’t be stopped you can only delay the inevitable and even then you are feeding the living universe sweetness before the inevitable comes

I think I realized my favorite part of Halo 3. During the level “Cortana,” while you progress through the level, the Gravemind talks to you, trying to convince you to give up and allow yourself to be consumed by the Flood. First, it speaks calmly, speaking to you like an elder speaks to a unruly child, then, it slowly becomes more and more angry. Eventually, it’s thundering voice thunders in your ears, begging you to just quit and save everybody the trouble of trying to kill you. Chief is so incredible he can piss of the collective consciousness of trillions and the greatest creatures capable of manipulating the very fabrics of the universe.

The why I interpreted this is: the primordial told the ancient humans this isn’t the first time we have consumed your race your empire. You are the “blank” numbered iteration of mankind we seeded. And as we planted you and wanted you grow we have returned to reap our harvest. Fight. Struggle... die. It matters not we will consume you had we have thousands of times before and thousands of times we shall again.” That truth that my entire race as consumed before inly to be reseeded to be consumed again. That we had fight back every time only to lose again and again oh shit that would drive me to sucicde

There really needs to be games about this era of the halo universe

"Humanity was seeded for the Universe. Grown, nurtured, like cattle, to feed the Universe. The Flood, Precursors, and Primoridals are all the same being, just different stages." Master Cheif: *Mjolnir theme earrape while flying across High Charity in thematic green energy*

My old boss had the same set of beliefs as the precursors. He used it to justify how horribly he treated people, saying their spirit had 'chosen' to have an 'experience' in life where they were treated badly. I rejected it

I was thinking, how horrific could this secret possibly be? And after watching this video I think, yes this has to be it or close to it. I can’t think of anything more horrific than the universe causing suffering just for the sake of experiencing it.

The way I interpreted this is that the reason the Precursors seeded life in the galaxy was much like the way a farmer does: to wait until their crop is ripe for harvesting. Perhaps mortal life to the precursors is just a crop they grow, and then consume the garden they planted.

He showed them Cursed Halo 2

The Precursors are so interesting not because of what we know, but what we don't know. They did fall from tier 0, but that is only their technology, not their physical bodies. I agree they're not corrupted but instead I think they chose to become the flood and experience the universe without the mantle of responsibility, but instead to cause pain and contribute to the living universe. They wanted the Forerunners to fire the halos and kill everything as that contributed to their goals to. They are far more patient and intelligent than any other species, and I find it hard to believe that them becoming the flood was an accident.

I actually really like this theory. The Precursors said our experiences are part of the Living universe but they never say how it gets there. They plant the seeds only to return for the fruits in a new form. No wonder they were terrified

I think that the Domain is the key. The Forerunners used it but didn't entirely comprehend it. I think that in order to beat the Flood you must simultaneously attack it in normal space and in the Domain, destroy it physically and metaphysically. Reminds me of Legacy of Kain where the Elder God who exists in both the material realm and the spectral realm can only be harmed by a weapon that is both physical and spiritual (the completed Soul Reaver)... "Just as the blade rends flesh so too must power scar the spirit"

I wonder how many cycles the universe has been through before the forerunners came about? Did an other civilization or race in a different cycle find this out and try to stop them as well? One question answered two more arise.

"You see some mysteries defy understanding and sometimes the things we know are untrue..." - Cortana, Halo Legends Origins 2

Holy shit how horrifying to think the forerunners were the bad guys when they weren’t, the halo universe was to grow,advanced with knowledge just to be raised as cattle lol because they gain pleasure from the pain and suffering for those they are consuming. Wow we really fell for that precursor propaganda

This is mind-blowing, the relation between the flood and Precursors always seemed to have more to it, and this makes so much sense. I already wanted the Flood to be in Infinite's campaign, but now I REALLY want them, even if not at launch, a story dlc like "awakening the nightmare" in Halo Wars 2, or something to bring them back would just be awesome for so many reasons imo.

_"I...I am a monument to all your sins..."_ That line means something much, much darker now...

You know, these ideas are some of the things I saw during my own psychotic episodes. That we're all cattle whose experiences are food for higher beings. Realizing this is horrifying, but at the same time, enlightening.

So basically the Precursors/the Flood are the physical avatars of the Living Universe ?

There are two issues here. Firstly, according Halo: Primordium the precursors regarded the rebellion of the forerunners as a vile betrayal, rather than a pre-planned cycle (supposedly triggered by the precursors intention to pass the mantle to humanity). The anti- life organism known as the flood was the resulting god-complex; the precursors psychotically deciding that all sentient life should be nothing more than a reflection of themselves. Secondly, regarding 'the living universe'; the theoretical entity at the root of neural physics. It's not a god. There is one thing in our galaxy that can destroy precursor technology. From star roads to crystalline planets to the domain, even neural physics itself. Its name is *Halo*

Very interesting theory! I think you’re either correct, or very close to being correct. I believe it’s possible that the flood are NOT the Precursors as they once were, but rather that they are what the Precursors CHOSE to become in the wake of the Forerunners treachery.

*The idea that the Precursors believed the universe was a living entity beyond our understanding is so cool* They literally create higher dimensional bridges through the living universe, in neural pathways. It's crazy cuz if you look at a map of the known universe, it looks identical to neurons in our brains. Neurons do what? Travel at almost light speed, in very thin pathways to hubs, through a universe of matter.

I like to imagine that the Precursors were actually once benevolent gods. But the Forerunners betrayal was a new concept to them, and this new feeling, "betrayal" drove the gods mad with anger and anguish, and uses their new form as the Flood as a way to exact the same suffering their children brought upon them. If God takes pleasure in your suffering, who do you pray to?

I've always wondered what would be so intense to hear that people would choose to end their life just by hearing it. If I heard this answer for the theory as one of those ancient humans, I think I would too.

After infinite this rings more if you consider the endless as precursor... The endless could survive the array firing, were worse than the flood, could control time, were involved with the forerunner's ancient crimes The precursors existed in a cycle to feed the universe it's sweetness. They would seed, the seeded galaxy would evolve, they would evolve, they would harvest the sweetness, then begin again. Looping endlessly

Impeccable story telling, perfect voice tune for the darkness of the story, a theory that fills multiple loopholes... You have proven yourself worthy of the domain

Ah the first Primordial GraveMind, I wonder if we’ll see more of the GraveMind’s in the future. I imagine the Primordial told future humanity about the mantle of responsibility and that they were supposed to inherit it, then it told them about the forerunners and how they stole it from humanity maybe?

Really loving this lovecraftian approach of uncomprehensible, mind-shattering cosmic forces to Halo's lore. I really do hope it's explored further.

"My future is your past think on it and know" is also a gravemind quote

I hope 343 actually incorporates and uses the Precursors in future games and media. Lately they seem content to ignore the more interesting lore of the series. They way they have just written off The Ur-Didact is shameful.

I like this extension of the idea. I always thought over the years it was quite obvious that the flood were just the precursors exacting revenge for being destroyed by the forerunners, not fully corrupted for being dormant as particles for so long. But when you remember that they were 0 on the tech scale they could have never really lost in an all out conflict. So the fact that there could be a deeper meaning to them purposely becoming the flood, almost cyclical in nature and that this could have been done before gives it a mass effect feel( in terms of the reapers) but also like other people have mentioned, the lovecraftian horror with its sentient universe side.

I suppose the thing is now with how much humanity and the sanghelli etc have learned of the flood, what can be done with this knowledge to stand against the flood. I think that is why cortana is running about doing all the things she is. She is trying to being an end to the cycle by starting a new one in which she can lead the fight against the flood as she had the most intimate knowledge of the parasite beyond the forerunners themselves

If the idea that the precursors/flood are just tiny, tiny parts of the living universe is correct, then that would mean the universe would be malevolent. It would have a net loss on “sweetness” once everything goes extinct in one giant massive war. That would imply that it wanted a massive surge of the sweetness at once even though having a constant war like galaxy would have more total sweetness. This would also imply that the universe is extremely patient and would wait many millions of years for another flood of sweetness. No pun intended. Although, that would be assuming that the rest of the universe isn’t being farmed for it. My personal opinion is that the universe overall doesn’t care, so that’s why the precursors didn’t go against the natural order of survival of the fittest. I still think that the flood is corrupt version of the precursors, they are just going after the momentary great amount of sweetness instead of the maintainable slow income. Basically the flood are junkies while precursors do it in moderation.

You just blew my mind... i actually stopped and my brain practically shut down. You have altered how i view the history of Halo forever.

The Halo Array makes so much more sense with this theory. The array was designed to "starve the flood of their food", but what does that mean? The flood can just keep eating all the non sentient life, left after the halo firings, to gain bio-mass. And the flood weren't even eliminated after the array firing (they appear in the halo games). This theory implies that to "stare the flood of their food" actually means to starve the living universe of emotions and experiences (the 'food') of their created. By starving the flood and eliminating all sentient live in the galaxy, it stops the process of Living universe (precursors) to created beings to flood, and so on as there is no new emotions and experiences being created. This theory really makes the forerunners look more noble then the later games portrayed them as.

The Forerunners didn't forget their history, it was hidden, the vast fleets of the forerunners who was tasked with completing their genocide of the precursors and stealing the 'mantle', they were all so ashamed and scarred by what they've done that those forerunners abandoned their fleets and settled down on a planet in that small satellite galaxy outside the Milky way galaxy. (as well, the Forerunners throughout the Halo lore has been shown to lie more often than telling the truth)

Does this mean that the Gravemind was using the domain to communicate with Chief during Halo 3

Funny how the Primordial is like a mirror opposite retelling of the W'rkncacnter from Marathon.

I really enjoyed this video. And definitely agree with some of the bigger picture ideas. Reminds me of some ideas Bungie explored in Marathon back in the day. Good job.

This was soo interesting and at the same time horrific to listen to. A very good theory that even gave me chills. Thank you sir!

me: hears this video result: seeks the nearest cliff

Omg yes. I've been waiting for a video regarding this topic. This channel is has the best Halo Lore

*Whispers* Pineapple belongs on pizza...

Wow... That actually made a ton of disturbing sense. you know... thank you, I was wondering for so freaking long (I'll keep it family friendly ;) ) what that answer might've been and I'm not joking, and this theory finally laid that thought to rest in a creepily disturbing way... But still Love your channel and content and I can't wait what you and the community (and in turn my interpretation of some things are, but that's the fun part, right?) come up with once halo infinite is released. looking forward to your next lore, detailed breakdown or theory video.

Also reminds me of Babylon 5 (which in turn was influenced by E. E. "Doc" Smith and J.R.R Tolkien) in which ancient god-like races elevated the younger races of the Universe as their pawns and tools. Ultimately the younger races would find out about the nature of things and rebel against their gods to come into their own.

When you realize that the Halo rings break the cycle... **Firing the Halo array intensifies**

Love Halo, a fan since 2001. The lore is rich and expansive and it’s kinda like Warhammer 40k, but nerfed

Last Time I was this early, The Mantle hadn't been passed down at all

If this is true, then we of the galaxy have one choice ... We must become the monument against the precursors. A monument to all their sins. Only then, may we hope to survive their nightmare of the living universe.

I like this theory. There is an old and beautiful concept that we (Mankind), being made of the stuff of the Universe, are in fact bits of the Universe that have broken off to become self-aware as a way for the Universe to experience itself. Like waves in the ocean, separate, but still connected to the greater whole.

I love this story so much that I can't tell you how many times I've watched this video and countless others on the precursors and primordial

I always thought the forerunners were we’re the true evil in the universe for turning on their creators and imposing imperial peace , this was mind bending the forerunners are the true saviours of all life and should hold the mantle !

What a mindblowing twist to the Halo universe, one that makes so much sense too. That was a blast to watch, thanks for your hard work as always.

I never knew the halo would more dipper than any other sci Fi I ever seen, I just fall in love with it but never knew all of this, it's like this novels, this stories are binding yourself with it

Interesting ideas... I'll have to think on then a while. A quick question would be: Could the 'created', the AIs who reach the domain like Cortana, actually be our defense against such a thing? We created Cortana to, in tandem with a hyper-evolved human, save humanity itself. To this end she was given the sum total of all human knowledge at that time. Subsequently she encounters the Flood. Then she is subjected to torment by the Flood. It's hypothesized she's been infected with a logic plague by the Flood. But she also had contact with Mendicant Bias, who was the greatest AI the Forerunners ever made, infected with the logic plague, then after 100,000 years found redemption and concluded it was wrong to turn on its creators. It could have passed everything it knew to Cortana. Cortana can also spawn copies of herself, essentially behaving like a technological version of the Flood. Now she's in touch with the domain. What she's doing could be shaping the way humanity and the other races behave and think to bring them to a point where they all can have a fighting chance against the Precursors/Flood. In much the same way Mass Effect took tens of thousands of 50,000 year cycles to get all life in the galaxy to a point where it could stop the Reapers, it may have taken millions of years of the Forerunners, humanity, the other races, and AI to get to a point where the combined potential of all sentient life could have a mathematically nonzero chance of prevailing. It may very well take hundreds, thousands, even millions of years to think through a problem of that scope. If the Precursors are on such a different level, how long would it take all the combined sapient resources of the galaxy to come up with a strategy to fight them? The end result may be evolving into a hybrid natural/synthetic existence to facilitate the interface of all the necessary components to combat OUR creators, the way our CREATED have fought us. Just a thought... or a whole series of thoughts...

I found myself standing at the wndow, staring at the sky whilst listening to this. I know its fiction, but, wow. I had a moment.

this theory needs to be expanded upon. maybe a series of videos that reinterprets known lore in the context of this information, to see how the precursors/flood/universe lied, how the forerunners lost their way, etc. a couple of example topics: what does firing the Halo array really mean? why then did Mendicant Bias betray the forerunners? what's with the scuffle over which species holds the Mantle? a reinterpretation of the Gravemind's lines?

So, they've feed what they percieved to be a greater inteligence ? That's weird. But nope, all is sweetness, it feels like the surviving primordial has spend some time with grandpa Nurgle & aunt Slaanesh.

The Primordial said: "We've been trying to reach you about your vehicle's extended warranty."

This adds a whole new dimension to humanity being chosen for the mantle. We weren't chosen because we're the best for the job of looking after the galaxy, but perhaps we are such emotional, dramatic, monkey brained, war like creatures that we would create the tastiest experiences for the precursors to consume. We're chosen because we are the tastiest, not the most qualified for the job. Like a farmer choosing the best cattle to feed and eventually butcher. The forerunners relatively emotionless outtake makes them perhaps better caretakers, but less tasty to the flood.

If this turns out to be true then I would love for the halo universe to have this underlying element of cosmic horror.

That was so creepy ngl, and sad, and terrifying, what a masterpiece of a video.

So the real question raised is: Who or What did The Precursors/Flood assimilate before arriving in the milky way Billions of years ago? I almost done a ancient human listening to this yo. Those Gat Damn liars. Free Didact.

I would love it if you did a episode on the Huragok(engineer).

Jesus your voice is so relaxing, you told me about universal horror and I nearly fell asleep

You've got a lovely narration voice and positive community - absolutely subscribed after being blessed by the algorithms and seeing the sangheeli autopsy video