My AU retelling of the events in ME2, with a completely new take on Cerberus, the Shadow Broker, and the Collectors. Examines the themes of what exactly constitutes death and life, the line between revenge and self-hatred, and how small amounts of light can shine in every darkness. Not a happy ending. Includes my takes on Overlord and LotSB. Rated M for language and violence.

[AU] The Illusive Man said that salvation comes with a cost. When corruption seeps into the galaxy, when centuries of status quo suddenly breaks in a mere decade, when blood's spilled among the stars like never before, when extinction looms over civilization, when morality is merely a shade... salvation can only come with sacrifice. [AU First Contact War & Reaper War; GRAPHIC]

The First Contact War brought untold destruction to Earth, reducing Humanity to a shell of its former self. For 900 years, Humanity has been working tirelessly to lay claim to its own slice of the Milky Way Galaxy, and they are prepared to bring the Council to its knees to accomplish their goals. (Massive AU, New Technologies, and a far different humanity.)