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."

N._.S._.S

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Wanderer XVI.

He was standing at the edge of the Great Lake again, so close that he could feel the refreshing coolness of the endless, translucent mists surrounding it. He stood with one arm neatly at his side, and the other, his injured right arm, across his chest, tightly gripping the brown-leather prayer book hidden in his jacket, smiling slightly.

"Have we done enough?" He asked, aloud, to no one in particular. "Have I done enough?"

That is for you to decide.

Kolyat turned his head, lips twitching into an amused smile. "You're the one with the answers here, father." As the young Drell spoke, he turned away from the translucent, dark waters to fully face his father.

Thane shook his head, quite mournfully. No, he said slowly, Not anymore. This battle has an infinite number of ways it could end, each with their own minute decisions that have to be made in order to make them a reality. This time, it depends on the decisions of those at its heart.

"And who would that be? The Commander, of course?" Kolyat pressed with another, wider smile.

Siha is not the only one.

"But she was last time?"

Thane shook his head. No one person's decisions would have won or lost the Reaper War alone," he explained, kindly, Just as your actions did not entirely hinge upon the Galaxy's ultimate survival.

"Thanks," Kolyat chuckled, "I should have known."

Don't take what you've done lightly, Thane warned, You have done something truly impressive beyond any measure, and will most likely live to tell the tale.

Kolyat gave his father a cautious look. "Most likely?"

I cannot guarantee, even after all you have scarified, that you will live, Kolyat, Thane said, seriously. That will always depend on you and the decisions of those around you.

"Cheery," Kolyat answered, good-naturedly. "Any word of that sword-throwing lunatic who attacked us on the cliffs and nearly killed me?"

What would you do if I said he was the mastermind behind the attempt on the Vakarian family?

Kolyat shrugged. "Was he?"

Yes.

"Who is he?"

He is yet another contingency plan of the Illusive Man's, set into place after the Reaper War was over. An assassin on par with Kai Leng. The project that birthed him was "Project Hades," which is also his namesake.

"Hades. Very fitting," Kolyat chuckled again. "He's after me, isn't he?"

Yes.

"A rematch would do him some good."

Do not take him lightly, Kolyat. He is very dangerous.

"I know, father. He won't get the best of me," Kolyat said, turning back to the Great Lake. "Not this time," he promised, quietly, dark eyes staring into the gently rippling waves at his feet, "This time," he repeated with another, confident smile, "I'll be ready."

Thane gave him a concerned look. You'll challenge him with no weapon, then?

"No weapon?" Kolyat lifted up his injured right hand. "I've got one right here."

A weapon you can use without slowly killing yourself?

"Haven't killed myself yet, have I?"

You've come close.

"True," Kolyat admitted, "I'll be careful."

Thane shook his head. You don't stand a chance if you do not intend to kill him.

"Oh yeah?" Kolyat replied, "Guess I'm dead then."

Kolyat.

"There's no way I'm breaking that promise. I've already broken too many."

You realize you'll be risking everything? Thane answered, looking away.

"I don't care."

Thane gave him a slow, understanding nod. A promise is a promise.

Kolyat smiled back.

A promise is a promise.

N._.S._.S

The alarms were what really told him what was going on.

What was finally happening.

They're here, he realized with a small smile and a jolt of excitement. Throwing off the heavy blankets and grabbing his jacket, with the brown-leather prayer book already stowed inside.

It's time!

He could hear a great disturbance outside the quietness of the Med Bay. As he put on the jacket, he was confronted by a scene of chaos just outside the Med Bay.

He saw the pilot, Joker, tearing through from the Mess, cup still in hand, as fast as he could. He saw Chakwas bustling toward him, eyes wide and looking like she was about to shout at him.

Now!

Moving as he did in the Cerberus base back in Kahje, just a blur of brown, green, and black, Kolyat easily side-stepped the old woman, and he could have laughed at she stood where he did just seconds ago, blinking in confusion, as he darted into the elevator, and closing it just before Joker entered.

Ignoring the pilot's started, "What the hell?" Kolyat punched in the CIC, and was lifted quickly there, where he was confronted with the sight of the Commander and Vakarian, who were at the Galaxy Map.

"They're clearing the Relay in ten minutes. Make sure the Relay Fleet is ready, and find the others!" she ordered EDI, who vanished into the cockpit.

Seeing the exit on the other side, Kolyat darted silently toward it, and made it just before the Commander turned her head- and he could have sworn that he saw her dark brown eyes flash toward him before turning again, and saying something just as a harried-looking Joker and a worried-looking Solana burst in.

Close enough, he thought to himself, and set out into the empty Docking Bay, disappearing as if into thin air just as the Councilor Sparatus and Primarch Victus appeared from the Elevator.

N._.S._.S

Thane hadn't moved from his place at the edge of the Great Lake during Kolyat's leaving or during his flight from the Normandy. His eyes were closed, his head was bowed slightly, and his hands were clasped together.

He was murmuring a prayer, quietly, gently.

Almost pleadingly.

Amonkira, Lord of Hunters,

Grant that his hands be steady,

His aim be true,

And his feet swift.

And should the worst come to pass,

Grant him forgiveness.

With his final hope sent, the Drell turned on his heel and, with one last look at the glistening pool of water behind him, disappeared in a wisp of bright white light, lighting up the forest around him as daylight would, before returning to the world of the living, this time with but one purpose.

To watch over the son he had just witnessed truly growing up.

N._.S._.S

So, it's all finally coming together!

Tell me what you think with a nice Review!

XD

-J