Editing Lights of Sanghelios

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Seealso|Sangheili Honor Guardsman}}
{{Unit infobox
|variant=Cov
|name=Lights of Sanghelios
|image=[[File:H2-Sangheili Honor Guard Ultra-Render.png|300px]]
|authority=[[Covenant]] [[High Council]]
|authority-title=Affiliation
|branch=[[Covenant Honor Guard]]
|mission=Protection of important individuals
|role=Specialized unit of Honor Guard
|size=
|species=[[Sangheili]]
|armament=*[[Energy stave]]
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
|equipment=*[[Sangheili harness]]
*[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
|notable=
}}

The '''Lights of Sanghelios''', sometimes referred to as the '''Honor Guard Ultras''' or the '''"Helios"''' for short,{{Ref/Book|Id=enc134|Enc11|Page=134}} was a distinctive unit of [[Sangheili]] [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] in the [[Covenant]]. The name "Lights of Sanghelios" is a reference to a [[Wikipedia:Globular cluster|globular cluster]] of stars near the Sangheili [[Urs system|home system]].<ref name="CH">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''pages 153-154''</ref>

==Overview==
===Roles and responsibilies===
The Lights of Sanghelios represented the most adept and highest-ranking combat units within the [[Covenant Honor Guard]], consisting solely of [[Sangheili]]. Members of the elite unit were often given the privileged duty to protect the [[San'Shyuum]] of the [[Covenant]].<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant-honor-guard '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant Honor Guard'']</ref> High-ranking San'Shyuum politicians hand-picked Honor Guardsmen within the Lights of Sanghelios to serve as their personal guards for their living quarters. The [[Ministry of Fortitude]]'s tower was protected by at least two of these Sangheili, who were chosen by the [[Minister (title)|Minister]]s for their combat abilities.{{Ref/Reuse|CH}} 

===Organisation===
The Lights of Sanghelios were frequently given command of standard [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Honor Guardsmen]] in numerous battles and engagements.{{Ref/Reuse|enc134}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Despite their stoic nature, Sangheili within this unit would gladly have given their lives to protect a San'Shyuum.{{Ref/Reuse|enc134}}{{Ref/Reuse|CH}}

===History===
On [[2552#November|November 2, 2552]], following the death of the [[Prophet of Regret|High Prophet of Regret]], the remaining [[Hierarchs]] recommissioned the Honor Guard and [[Changing of the Guard|replaced]] the Sangheili with the [[Jiralhanae]]. The Lights of Sanghelios were likely disbanded as the former Sangheili within the unit handed down their weapons and armor to the Jiralhanae, as they were forced to step down from their position.{{Ref/Level|H2|Sacred Icon}} Shortly after, at the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]], the remaining Sangheili serving within the Lights of Sanghelios attempted to lead Sangheili and standard Honor Guardsmen against the Covenant.{{Ref/Level|Id=gravemind|H2|Gravemind (level)|Gravemind}}

==Equipment==
The Lights of Sanghelios sported the same ornate [[Sangheili harness|armor]] as the regular [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guardsmen]], with the exception being that the base armor they wear is a distinctive bright-white instead of crimson red.{{Ref/Reuse|CH}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} This color is consistent with the [[Sangheili Ultra]]s of the regular [[Covenant military]], hence their title. The Sangheili within the unit typically wielded [[energy stave]]s,{{Ref/Reuse|CH}} though the weapon was mostly ceremonial and was rarely used in actual combat.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=349}} In most engagements, the Lights of Sanghelios armed themselves with {{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}s or a [[Type-1 energy sword]] for close-quarter combat.{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}}

==Trivia==
* The Lights of Sanghelios depicted in ''Halo 2'' in the beginning cutscene for the level ''[[Sacred Icon]]'' are instead depicted as regular Honor Guards in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
* In the final section of the level ''[[Gravemind]]'', one of the possible variations of the glitched [[Honor Guard Councilor]], which was intended to be a [[Sangheili Zealot]], takes on the appearance of a member of Light of Sanghelios.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
[File:H2 Honor Guard Ultra.png|A Helios in ''Halo 2''.
File:Honor Guard Ultra Helmet.jpg|A Helios handing down his armor to a Jiralhanae during the Changing of the Guard in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Sangheili Ranks}}

[[Category:Covenant military units]]