A newly formed faction that splintered off from the Elites were featured in "Halo 4" (2012), led by Jul 'Mdama. Following the destruction of the Covenant in "Halo 3", this smaller faction self-proclaimed to be a new “Covenant” and worships the Forerunners as gods, seeking to awaken the Didact (a dormant Forerunner commander) on the Forerunner shield world Requiem. After the Didact's awakening, they ally with him and his mechanical forces known as Prometheans. In "Spartan Ops", Jul 'Mdama's faction battles the forces of the UNSC "Infinity" for control of Requiem, ultimately destroying the planet after getting one half of the Janus Key and escaping with Doctor Catherine Halsey. The continuing battle with this faction and a few other factions is featured in the "Halo: Escalation" comic series.