Leena's POV
"So we're heading to an Ardat-Yakshi Monastery?" I asked Liara from the screen.
"Yes," Cypher's mate confirmed. "But these are Ardat-Yakshi who chose to live at this temple so they wouldn't harm anyone but don't underestimate them their still powerful biotics and dangerous"
"We'll be careful Liara" Shepard promised.
Liara nodded before telling Cypher to behave himself and she disappeared from the screen. The shuttle arrived outside of the monastery and we all got out. Saren and Garrus were with our group for this mission.
"I don't like the cold" my husband muttered.
"Agreed it doesn't suit well with our people" Saren added.
As the shuttle left we noticed another next to us and it was giving off heat so someone came through here recently. With our weapons drawn, we entered the temple and it was dark inside due to power loss. Also, there wasn't an elevator so we had to climb down a ladder to the lower level.
"What the f**k was that?" I asked hearing a haunting shriek. Whatever it was there was more than one. We examined several rooms and some of them were trashed. Our group also found a dead Asari and she had been one of the Commandos. Saren found a datapad and picked it up to look through its contents.
Next to the dead Commando was a Reaper corpse hence why the Commando teams went silent.
"Found a floorplan that has a location of a bomb" Saren explained. "The bomb's location is inside the Great Hall"
We entered through another door and gathered any important information in the room before making our way into another. Suddenly a blast got our attention and on the lower level was none other than Samara.
"Very good I almost didn't hear you" the Justicar greeted us. "It is good to see fellow friends again"
She then looked around the room.
"The corruption here runs deep"
"What brings you all the way out here?" I asked the older Asari.
"My two surviving daughters have lived here for centuries, I've come for them, unfortunately, the Reapers have already infested this place before my arrival"
"Samara, we met when you were hunting Morinth are these two Ardat-Yakshi just as dangerous?" Shepard asked.
"Falere and Rila have followed the monastery's rules ever since they've arrived and they show no inclination towards violence"
"So you're here to save them then?"
Samara looked down.
"They are my responsibility and one that cannot be abandoned even as our galaxy crumbles"
"Your girls might be able to tell us why the Reapers hit this place" Garrus stated.
Samara agreed before the same shrieking sounds as before got our attention. The Justicar said she would regroup with us before walking off with her biotic power coming to life. Before going into another room we found another dead Asari Commando and Shepard made sure to get her last message for her bond mate.
At some point, we finally found what was making the god-awful screeching. It was a new form of Reaper and it was ugly. Cypher took flight and began to burn the damn things while we shot some other Reaper creatures down with our artillery. Thankfully there weren't many enemies and soon the room was cleared.
However whenever a group of enemies was killed Cy usually returned to our group but this time he didn't.
"Guys over here!" the Metal Dragon shouted and we hurried in the direction of his voice.
Cypher was perched on top of a column and was sniffing another Metal Dragon. The Metal Dragon was jet black and it made a biting attempt at Cypher.
"Hey! I'm just trying to help you female"
"You obviously haven't learned any manners" the black dragoness reprimanded. "It's rude to randomly sniff another Metal Dragon without their consent"
"Manners? You're giving me an attitude when I'm trying to see if you were hurt!"
"Oi! Knock it off with the fighting!" I yelled getting the two dragon's attention. "What is your name?"
"My name is Noire and I've lived in this area for all of my life, the residents at this temple have been kind to me but now most of them have transformed into hideous beasts"
Noire was younger than Cypher was if I were to guess. Her eyes were white and they looked like diamonds amongst her black scales. I had Cypher leave Noire and the silver Metal Dragon returned to my shoulder. Noire's attention suddenly went to Saren. The older turian was eying her in return with interest. A few minutes passed before Noire opened her wings and she made her descent and right into Saren's arms.
The black dragoness made a purring sound and rubbed her face under Saren's mandibles.
"I'm so confused," Saren said looking at me unsure what to do.
"Sorry" Noire apologized and she got Saren's attention. "But I never thought I would find a companion of my own, it's the same bond the shifter and the silver scaled male share, perhaps later I can give your more information"
"Very well" the older turian agreed as Shepard got the door ahead unlocked. As we entered an Asari was fleeing from another Reaper and she used her biotics to kill it. Then Samara appeared just as another Reaper showed up and she killed it.
"Mother you came!" the Asari said in surprise.
"As soon as I was able" Samara responded to her daughter. The Justicar then introduced us to her daughter Falere. Falere looked scared and I didn't exactly blame her if I were in her shoes. Falere then explained her older sister Rila had been taken by the Asari-looking Reapers.
"These things began to harvest us and then turn us into these foul beasts"
The Ardat-Yakshi nodded at a dead Asari Reaper and it was effin uglier up close. Falere wasn't happy when she learned there was a bomb in the Great Hall. Again I could relate if someone just came in and wanted to destroy my home. Falere took off and jumped off to the second level and Samara followed after her. The elevator that led down to the lower level was broken so we looked for another way down.
Upon entering another area of the temple more Reapers met up with us. At seeing them Noire shrieked and took flight from Saren's shoulder and she used her dragon fire to kill the Reaper foes. She then flew around before returning to land on Saren's shoulders.
"These beasts have brought chaos into my home so they will feel my wrath"
"I like you," I told Noire.
Noire flashed me a smirk with her fangs before we continued to the lower level. More of those Asari Reapers were down here and Cypher had the pleasure of killing the things with his dragon fire this time. After some time we came upon the Great Hall and close to the bomb was an unconscious Rila. Falere was trying her best to get her sister to wake up.
"Oh, shit" I swore when I scented the foul smell the Asari Reapers had coming from Rila. It was already too late for her and soon she would become the same monstrosity as her fellow Ardat-Yakshi had before her. Rila then opened her eyes and Falere breathed a sigh of relief and helped her sibling up.
However, Rila's eyes turned black and she began to choke Falere. Falere fought back and pushed her sister off of her.
"I'm sorry but she's becoming one of those Reaper monsters," I said to Falere before giving Samara a sympathetic look.
Garrus and Shepard examined the bomb and they looked for the detonator.
"We got company!" Cy shouted as several of the Asari Reapers arrived.
The Metal Dragons took flight and began to burn their targets down while the rest of us gunned down the remaining ugly bastards. It took a few minutes to kill the ugly ass monsters before our attention went back to the bomb. Rila then woke back up and Falere rushed over to her sister.
"Falere go! Take the elevator"
Falere was confused until she saw Rila had the detonator!
Shepard grabbed a hold of Falere who fought back as we made our way to the elevator. Rila told her sister and mother she loved them just as she began to fight off the Asari Reapers using her biotics. The moment we got into the elevator Shepard got the door closed and he released Falere. It wasn't long until we felt and heard the bomb go off and Falere punched the doors in frustration and grief. Shepard gave his condolences and placed a comforting hand on Falere's shoulder.
I placed a hand on Samara's shoulder and the Justicar shot me a thankful nod. Outside of the monastery, Samara spoke about Rila with pride and Falere seemed to take comfort in that. Samara also chose not to kill her last daughter and Falere reassured her mother there was no need to. She would remain behind at the temple and rebuild it. She also added if the Reapers came back they wouldn't take her alive. Then Falere hugged her mother and Samara returned it a few seconds later.
"I will visit when I am able after this war is over" Samara promised. The Justicar then turned to us and not only thanked us but she also planned on joining us later in the fight against the Reapers.
Back on the Normandy
Saren's POV
"Are you ready to form the link?" Noire asked me.
"I might as well be"
The black dragoness chuckled before she placed her snout into my right palm and I felt the powerful link come to life between us. I never understood how strong the bond was between Cypher and Leena until now. I felt Noire's emotions flow through me and it felt right. Eventually, the link made the final connection and Noire pulled her snout back.
"I understand this will take time for you to adjust but know I am glad I finally found you" Noire went on. "Also I will not only protect you but that of your mate as well"
That got a smile to come to my lips. Noire flew onto my shoulder and pressed her face against my cheek. In return, I scratched behind her right side fin and she hummed in pleasure when I did that.
Leena's POV
"You've been quiet everything okay?" Garrus asked me.
The two of us were laying down on our bed and my husband had me in his arms.
"I'm just sick of the Reapers causing so much chaos" I admitted. "My heart hurt for Falere too"
Garrus kissed my forehead. My left hand was intertwined with his and we both wore our wedding rings. After a mission, we put them back on.
"This war will end and we will be on the victorious end" Garrus stated before placing my left hand to his mouth plates and kissed it. "And then I plan on keeping you in bed for days"
"Pervert" I reprimanded the turian.
"I am most certainly not" he countered. He then smirked. "Then again I am with my wife"
My Archangel then gave my behind a squeeze and I smacked his waist in return.