"The Cathartic Void" by S.P. Turner
***Disclaimer: The property of Mass Effect and its Universe belong solely to Bioware. I am merely a fan who has been inspired by its contents and build a fictional story of my own. I am proud to share it with fellow gamers, readers and fans of the Mass Effect Universe.***
((Prologue Song: "Time" by Hans Zimmer))
Prologue – Lucid
They say you only live twice. They say that your life flashes before your eyes when you die. They say to look for a white light. Humans say a lot of things, most of them platitudes that have been spouted for centuries. It's interesting how those who describe death are ones who have yet to experience it for themselves. In my opinion, the best explanation of death's inevitability was provided by an archaic yet famous British poet:
"For the sword outwears its sheath, and the soul wears out the breast. And the heart must pause to breathe, and love itself have rest." – Lord Byron
For years in the field, I've faced death. Every day I've managed to delay it. Now it ends here, and I've never been as certain of it as I am at this moment. My sword, my body and certainly my soul are very weary. Here I stand at the greatest precipice of my existence and I find my mind drifting. Before my mother was taken from me, she said to be careful of my actions, for many would know me by my deeds. Perhaps she spoke of the decision that I am about to make – the single choice that will affect every organic and synthetic being forever. Both this choice and my death will cast a shadow on the galaxy, but of what shape? Shadows are silhouettes that haunt and endlessly follow, reminding us always of who and what we are.
A dear friend of mine was making a time capsule of sorts, saying that if the worst came to pass, a record of the galaxy could be passed on. "How do you want to be remembered?" she asked. I let her decide. The truth of my two lives is not one that will ever be captured in a holo or datapad, nor through word-of-mouth. The story will be twisted and distorted for years to come. But what will the truth matter to them when the lie brings so much more comfort and joy? I will be thought of as the savior of the galaxy, as a paragon, as legend. I am none of those things, yet that is the shadow that they will choose to see. At the edge of this abyss, I see my own shadow and no longer does it haunt me. Rather it is a faithful mirror or my own making, and never has my reality been so transparent. I see all I was, all that I am, and how all of it has led to this moment. There was only one choice from the start, and only on my terms will I now make it.
Dying here and watching this war play itself out is the best death that I could have asked for. No, I am not afraid to die, nor am I afraid of my own shadow. Some like to say that you begin dying as soon as you're born. So if I am to tell you my entire truth, I suppose I should start at the beginning of the end…