By the events of "Halo 3" (2007), the Flood intelligence known as the Gravemind infests and captures "High Charity", while the Elites assist humans on Earth in defending themselves. The High Prophet of Truth's forces excavate a portal to the Ark, located outside the Milky Way. The Elites chase Truth, and the Arbiter (an Elite holy warrior) kills Truth ultimately destroying the Covenant. After the Flood controlled "High Charity" arrives at the Ark, the Arbiter and Master Chief decide to activate a partially built Halo ring (the replacement for the ring that the Master Chief destroyed in the first game) destroying the Flood and sparing the rest of the galaxy. The remaining humans and Elites escape back through the portal. The Human-Covenant war ends in December of 2552, and the Arbiter leads his Elites back to their homeworld. From this point onward, the Covenant ceased to exist.