When There Was Faith is a collection of short stories bound together into a single tale. While each one is separate from the rest and features a different point-of-view, all chapters deal with aspects of a common plot. Each chapter features a new point-of-view character from a myriad of perspectives, including humans, various Covenant species, and even The Flood. The story takes place during the plot of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2. The last chapter concludes before the Master Chief returns to Earth on the Dreadnought in the closing cutscene of Halo 2.