Editing Atriox

Later in the war, the [[Covenant]] began to use Atriox's [[pack]] for frontline troops, throwing them against the [[United Nations Space Command]] as cannon fodder. Groups of forty Jiralhanae would be sent to storm enemy positions, clearing the way for follow-up attacks, but typically all of the attackers would die in the process.{{Ref/Reuse|ANE}} Sometimes repeated waves would be ordered against entrenched humans even when it was clear the battle had already been won, making it seem as if the leaders simply wanted blood, regardless of which side it was spilled from. Atriox was the first to return as the sole survivor of one such suicide mission — a feat which he repeated multiple times after that. During one engagement, Atriox and thirty-nine others of his pack brothers assaulted the last bit of [[UNSC]] resistance on a planet, led by [[First Sergeant]] [[Jessica Kress]]. By this point he had already distinguished himself enough to warrant a leadership role during the assault. He led warriors through a breach in the western section of the marine base. Atriox charged headlong into the enemy's position, slaughtering [[UNSC Marine Corps|marines]] mercilessly. Before long, instead of only Atriox remaining among the Brutes as usual, there were only two human survivors: Sergeant Kress and another marine. These two attempted a daring escape through a packed crowd of Jiralhanae in an [[M12 Warthog]] but Atriox fired upon the vehicle with a {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}, killing its gunner and throwing Kress from the chassis as it flipped over. He casually approached the last living human on the planet and waited, allowing her to stand and assume a fighting posture with a [[combat knife]]. The marine bravely lunged forward at Atriox but he caught her in the gut with the haft of his [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]. As she collapsed, he raised it overhead and brought the head down on her exposed form, smashing her into bloody pieces.{{Ref/Comic|Id=RoAC1|RoA|Issue=1}}

As Atriox continued to lose pack-mates over the course of many battles, his resentment toward the Covenant, and the [[Hierarch|Prophets]] in particular,{{Ref/Game|Id=TB|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=[[Phoenix Logs/Campaign Logs/The Blinded|The Blinded]]}} grew.{{Ref/Reuse|ANE}} Tales of his improbable survival made him legendary in the eyes of many. However, Atriox did not believe in the [[Great Journey]] and viewed the genocide of the humans as wanton. In [[2549]], during the [[Algolis Invasion|occupation]] of the [[human colony]] of [[Algolis]], Atriox returned once more to base as the only living veteran of a recent battle. The Sangheili in authority over the group of Jiralhanae to which he belonged, [[Itho 'Hesiikee]], was troubled by the cult of personality surrounding Atriox. Speaking to the [[High Prophet of Truth]] via remote communication, he noted that Atriox was never supposed to have survived this long. His unprecedented success and celebrated reputation could pose a threat should the Jiralhanae begin to question their role in the [[Great Journey]], especially given rumors that his faith was already wavering. Truth believed Atriox could still be a valuable tool of warfare, and stated that he would only sanction his elimination if it was confirmed that he had lapsed in his loyalty. Atriox was seated alone, still covered in the blood of marines, when the Sangheili approached him. His commander offered praise of his prowess, but Atriox rebuffed it by saying it was simply the duty he had been assigned. Further congratulations drew his ire and he told the Sangheili that he doubted his brothers were defending the Great Journey as opposed to dying pointlessly. He also rebuked the underestimation of the humans' abilities that ostensibly caused so many of his pack to continually be killed and said that perhaps absolute loyalty was not the path to righteousness as the Covenant taught. It was reported to Truth that Atriox was even more dangerous than they had feared. The decision was made to have him executed, but it was agreed that it must be done so delicately in order to avoid martyrdom.{{Ref/Reuse|RoAC2}}

Another battle on Algolis was soon underway, and Atriox once again found himself being flown into the heart of it surrounded by other Jiralhanae, all of whom were outwardly inspired by his presence save for one, who locked eyes with him during the flight. Atriox assaulted the marines garrisoned at the compound they were assaulting. His movements during the conflict were carefully watched by the Sangheili hoping for his death through the use of [[San'Shyuum]] [[Eye]]s that flew over the carnage. Having secured victory, Atriox found [[Michael Taylor|a wounded marine]] and instead of finishing him off, he told the young man to run. As he did so, Atriox lazily followed after him. The marine stumbled and fell and as Atriox came closer he loudly proclaimed his frustration and hatred for the Covenant's lies to the frightened human. With no malice toward the man, Atriox killed him. Atriox then turned around to find himself facing the Brute with whom he had stared down during the [[Phantom]] ride into battle. This warrior challenged the blasphemy he had overheard, and Atriox desperately implored him to use reason and to see the Covenant's beliefs and strategies for what they were. Despairing of the possibility that his zeal could be argued away, he raised his hammer and dared the accuser to fight him. He took a hard blow to the side, but in the end Atriox stood triumphant over the Jiralhanae's corpse.{{Ref/Reuse|RoAC2}}