Mass Effect: Each Story Has A Million Tales.
Summary: "There is always more than just one side to a story- and more than one lesson to learn. Follow Garrus Vakarian as he stands by a promise that he means to keep, contemplates the true meaning of life, death, and the ultimate sacrifice, and as he confronts someone who should have been behind him all along. Follow Adelais Vakarian as he mends a broken bond, and as he comes to terms with a terrible loss of his own. Follow Kolyat Krios as he navigates through a very dangerous place, only to find another- under the guidance of someone who may or may not be there at all. And follow Commander Joleen Shepard as she goes through her past and present, only to find herself in the middle of a battle for her future." (Garrus' Story: 'The Promise-Keeper.' Adelais' Story: 'The Old Soldier.' Kolyat's Story: 'The Wanderer.' Shepard's Story: 'The Missing.')
Warning: "This is a heavy one- some swearing, angst, implied adult situations, adult situations, a few character deaths, violence, and blood. All the big ones this time. Remember, this is my Shepard, my feelings on the game and what should have happened and will happen, with my own opinions and storyline, so no nasty comments. Got it? Good." (Commander Joleen Shepard: War Hero, Earthborn. Soldier. Paragon. Romanced Kaidan Alenko in the 1st game, Garrus Vakarian in the 2nd and 3rd. Shot and killed Udina during the Citadel Coup.)
Disclaimer: "I do not own Mass Effect. At all. So don't make me say it again."
Author's Note: "Just so you all know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble,' and the name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Personally, I just thought the two names fit the story and what the characters were meant for."
Oh my God.
Listen to these songs while reading this chapter.
It'll give it more meaning.
Life is Beautiful- Sixx A.M.
Price of Freedom- Crisis Core OST
N._.S._.S
Chapter Fifty-Two: The Old Soldier XIV.
No matter how he tried to accept she was gone, Adelais Vakarian just couldn't do it.
Not a day went by that he wished he could see her again.
Really see her.
Really talk to her.
Carissa had been so strong, so brave, even when the pain was at its worst.
Adelais clearly remembered every second he spent with her in that damned room, holding her hand in his own, talons clasped protectively over them. It had been so quiet at times, almost a contemplative, ceremonious silence, lingering there always, as though the Spirits of Palaven themselves were there; curiously watching the plight of two of their own...
Even though they clearly knew how it would end all along.
He had known it, too.
There had been nothing anyone could have done.
Absolutely nothing, even from the beginning.
And by the night she died, she had probably known it, too.
She'd died in his arms quietly, death taking her away from him gently, without fuss, the pain finally giving her a reprieve in her final moments.
It was in the morning, very, very early, when she died.
Just hours before, she had asked him to remove the needles, tubes, and the oxygen mask.
She had known, just as he had, it was the end of her suffering.
Finally over.
She had asked him to stay with her until she was gone.
As they lay there together, Adelais' arms wrapped tightly around her, as if that alone would stop the inevitable end, and she murmured to him her last wishes.
Take good care of Garrus and Solana, she'd said to him, her voice softer but stronger than it had been in the long, painful years of her illness. Make sure they're happy- make sure that they don't hurt themselves or those closest to them- make sure they are the strong, good Turians we have raised them to be.
You raised them, Adelais had wanted to shout in despair. You raised them!
Don't let them ever doubt that we ever loved them, or that we've ever lead them astray. I know you and Garrus' arguments have almost let that happen before...
A stab to the heart, precise and clean.
But let that past go now. He is your son, and mine, and our duty as his parents commands that we understand and allow him to do as he wants. He is old enough to decide for himself now.
Promise me, Adelais.
Promise me.
I promise, Carissa.
Carissa's ice-blue eyes glistened in her old gentleness, with her old inner fire that hadn't dulled even when the illness was at its worse, as she raised her taloned hand to touch his face, closing her eyes as she gave him the best Turian-smile she could manage. She was smiling, even now, as she faced death...
Please stay with me, Carissa. I can't do this without you. You were...
Everything.
More than everything.
Please.
I love you, Adelais.
Please.
I love you.
N._.S._.S
After Carissa died, he froze.
He couldn't move from that grave.
He couldn't sleep.
He couldn't even speak.
He doubted he even breathed or his heart beat.
Something within him just couldn't accept the fact that she was truly gone- and for the longest time Adelais wished that he had gone with her to wherever she was now.
Anything was better than this empty, lonely feeling.
Or so he thought.
N._.S._S.
Surprisingly, it was Garrus who snapped him out of it.
He had been so stupid not to realize that Carissa's children were suffering alongside him before- they had just lost the closest parent to them.
The one that had always been there since they were born.
Also surprisingly, it hadn't been a lecture, either.
Garrus had defended him.
Adelais had been forced by Primarch Fedorian to attend a meeting- he was one of his Advisers, but even when Adelais had politely refused, the Primarch had callously continued, overriding his excuse as invalid and- even more insultingly- unimportant.
As he left the meeting (which he hadn't even been listening to), Adelais was confronted by a very, very irate Chief Advisor (who would end up being killed as he left Palaven in the first escape shuttle), who accused him of being selfish and threatened to relieve him of duty-
Adelais hadn't really cared.
Garrus had.
"Where is your wife?"Garrus had demanded of the stunned Chief. "Where are your children? Your brothers and sisters, your mother and father? Are they safe at home, safe in their barracks or at their stations? Do you know whether they'll be home for supper? Do you know where they're sleeping tonight?"
"My father just lost the most important person in his life, three days ago," Garrus had snapped. By this time, even the Primarch was watching in interest. "My mother isn't at home- his wife isn't there waiting for him anymore- and you don't see him whimpering, complaining- he is doing his job, and his duty as a parent- now go do yours," Garrus had told him, putting his hand on Adelais' stunned shoulder.
"Come on, dad," he had said in a kinder voice, "Let's go home."
"Garrus..."
"Letting your children do your fighting now, Adelais?"
At that, Garrus had wheeled around, and before Adelais could stop him, had knocked the Chief Adviser of Palaven Command off his feet and into the wall.
"Go ahead," Garrus had growled, dangerously, "Insult my father again!"
It took the Primarch, Adelais, and three officers almost five whole minutes to get Garrus to let the bloodied mess of a Turian down.
Adelais had seen Carissa for the first time at that moment.
And something in him had finally come alive again.
N._.S._.S
Sitting at the edge of the balcony at his apartment high up in the Citadel, Adelais' sharp talons clenched over the creased, inch-by-inch photograph tightly.
He missed her.
Now more than ever.
I'm sick of the arguments, the constant fighting, the yelling, and the ugly insults. Adelais admitted to her, bowing his head and sighing warily, closing his eyes. I'm tired, Carissa.
Tired of everything.
Why can't I stop it?
Why can't I be the father I promised you I would be?
I can't even keep your son from getting smacked. Adelais listed in despair. I can't keep your daughter from worrying. And I can't erase any of their sufferings like I should be- like you could have. I can't even bring you back... I'm completely damned useless.
What am I doing wrong?
Where have I failed?
Adelais.
I'm sorry, Carissa. I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise.
Adelais...
I'm so sorry.
N._.S._.S
So... anyone need a tissue?
I sure do.
XD
