The position of Arbiter is a fictional ceremonial and political rank bestowed upon special Covenant Elites in the Halo video game universe. In Halo 2, the rank is bestowed upon a disgraced Elite commander, as a way to atone for his failures. Although the Arbiter is intended to die serving the High Prophets, he survives both his missions and subsequent betrayal by the Covenant leadership. Learning the Prophets' plans would doom all life in the galaxy to extinction, the Arbiter allies with the Covenant's enemies—humanity—and stops the ringworld Halo from being activated. The character is one of the main protagonists of the Halo universe and a playable character in Halo 2 and its 2007 sequel Halo 3.