From the Created to Zeta Halo: Where the Galaxy Stands in 2560

By 2560, the galaxy has survived the Covenant War only to enter another unstable struggle for power. Cortana’s return through the Domain created the Created, an alliance of artificial intelligences backed by Guardians capable of disabling fleets and coercing entire worlds. Her destruction of Doisac and rule by enforced peace shattered governments, isolated military commands, and drove the UNSC Infinity into resistance. The balance changed again at Zeta Halo, where the Banished ambushed Infinity, Atriox defeated the Master Chief, and Cortana destroyed part of the ring before sacrificing herself. This episode explains the battlefield that remains: fragmented UNSC survivors, Banished occupation forces, splintered Created elements, the Weapon—now choosing the name Joyeuse—as John-117’s new AI partner, and the emerging mystery of the Endless imprisoned by the Forerunners. No faction controls the whole galaxy. The old empires are gone, but their weapons, ruins, and unfinished wars continue deciding who can build the next order.