The Valleys of Tears were natural environment modules on the Covenant holy city High Charity. They were located between the towers near the edge of the city's main dome, and accessible by Gravity Portals. Environmental modules known as Hanging Gardens were located nearby. During the first hours of the Great Schism the Covenant Loyalists and the Swords of Sanghelios fought in these areas. At some point in the battle John-117 passed through on his way to the Forerunner dreadnought. It is assumed that after the Flood took over the High Charity these areas were overrun with infection and may have been flooded after High Charity crashed into the Ark.