And here we go. Let the fight of gods commence. Don't worry on the length, the fight is most of the chapter.
POV: John Shepard
The Citadel was shaking, literally shaking like we were going through an earthquake. Not only that but I could feel it, I could feel Aedon and Dashi's power. It sounds weird to say that but their power could definitely be felt, even with them a few kilometers from us. Going to the railing I looked downwards and could see them as they stood across from each other. Well, I couldn't actually see them but a pillar of purple fire kinda stands out. Especially when it looks like a lightning storm is going on right across from it.
Their power only kept getting more pronounced around me. The shaking of the Citadel increasing. As both continued to increase in strength the fire and lightning grew with the shaking and power. It was at this very moment that I felt fear for the first time in a long while. These two were monsters of a different class, who could probably take on armies if they wanted to. Hell, Aedon technically did during the Suicide mission.
Another burst of power from them, their elements growing even larger now affecting the entire pillar they were on. With that burst of power came something else though, I could feel them. I could feel more than just their power, I could feel everything that was about them. Like their souls were open to me and everything that they were was shown to us. They were incredibly easy to tell apart.
Aedon's was drenched in determination and protectiveness but also reverence. Knowing him for years now that fit him well. At the core of it all too you could feel that he was bright; I don't know any other way to describe it. As for Dashi she was drenched in happiness, joy, excitement and anticipation. However, at her core all that could be felt was a sense of brokenness and what could only be insanity.
Then it was all gone, their fire and lightning receding back to them to the point that it was barely even visible at the distance. They were still visible through their powers and then in the next moment they disappeared. Literally disappeared only to clash right in the middle between them.
The shockwave that resulted from their connection was visible. Sending large and visible cracks across the bridge they were standing on. A moment later the sound of their connection reached our ears and even at this distance my hands immediately found themselves over my ears. We need to get the Councillors to shelter and now. I wasn't about to risk them in the open like this.
Taking them away I spared one last look towards the balcony. I don't know why I looked back in all honesty but it just felt like it was something I needed to do. However, standing right where we had been was a tall man with broad shoulders and his head covered in a hood. He was looking as me with only one side of his face showing.
I couldn't see the full of his face but I saw a decent amount. He had golden blonde hair and he had a smile on his face as he looked at me. Then he turned away from me to look at the fight and I turned away to escort the Councillors out of there.
POV: Aedon Wynne
*Through the Fire and Flames by Dragon Force
The Sickness by Kayzo, Ghostkid
You Want a Battle (Here's a War) by Bullet for My Valentine
In that specific order*
Staring down Dashi I felt my power continue to rise and saw that hers did as well as we stood across from one another. It was a euphoric feeling to be honest, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. My mind was clearer than it had been in years and it was like I was seeing the whole world differently. I even took a moment to raise and look at my augmetic hand, forgetting that Dashi was right in front of me for a moment.
"Feels amazing doesn't it?" I heard her speak and my eyes snapped back to her.
She stood there smiling at me with a smile that was far too similar to Miss T'Kari for me to be okay with it. I don't care if she was her mother, Dashi didn't deserve her as a daughter and I'm getting my pound of flesh from her.
Narrowing my eyes I brought all the power back into me. Tensing my legs with my ax and knife at the ready Dashi did the same across from me and then we moved. It was like the whole galaxy stopped around us as we took off at each other swinging our weapons in sync as we met in the middle. Ax and swording meeting in sparks as our footing was cracked by the sheer shockwave and power that exploded outwards from our connection.
We exchanged a few blows there, every time we connected against each other the entire thing cracked even further. Biotic fire sprouting up all around us while biotic lightning struck the ground around us. We were quite literally in a storm of hellfire as we fought, it was incredible.
Ducking below a slash that I wouldn't have been able to block, I jerked forward onto my knees. The momentum of my movement working enough so that I was able to slide on my knees around her side and stab at her side with my knife. She sprouted out of the way at the last moment ensuring it didn't stab her but she wasn't completely fast enough as I sliced her side. I had drawn first blood.
She tossed her sword away and teleported to it, catching it 15 or so feet from me facing me. Touching her side she looked at the blood on her hand before looking back at me and smiling. Nodding her head she picked it up a notch for the fight.
Shooting towards me with her sword raised high I was already on my feet and blocked the overhead attack with my ax and knife. In that moment I saw a crack appear on my knife and I focused on it for a moment but that was more than enough. Seeing my distraction she took her left hand off her blade and slammed it into chest.
On impact my armor cracked and I was sent flying. Literally flying through the air, off were we had been and slammed into what looked like a coffee shop. Growling at the development I dug myself out and stood up seeing my reflection for the first time. My eyes widening as I saw that sprouting from my back were wings. Angelic wings sticking over my shoulders and simple command from my mind and they were thrust out proudly.
Let's use them then.
I agreed with the voice and I sprinted out of the shop spotting Dashi immediately. She was 200ish feet away and closing fast. I chose to meet her charge and poured everything into my feet and wings charging at her. Fire enveloping my body once more as we neared. A mere moment later I was in front of her slamming my shoulder into her chest and sending her skidding backwards.
As she slid she slammed into and through a shuttle car making it explode as she hit the eezo core on the way through. She recovered immediately and jumped over the flaming shuttle sprinting right back towards me. Our weapons meeting instantly and the shockwave sending the horns of the nearby shuttles off. The glass of the stores around us shattering and the entire area shaking uncontrollably.
I could hear the screams of the civilians along with the gunfire of both C-Sec and Cerberus all around us as we continued to clash. None of it mattered to me as our weapons continued to meet the others. It was exhilarating to fight with everything that I had and as we kept fighting the entire area around us was being ripped apart by our clashes.
Shockwaves of unimaginable proportions ripping apart the ground as our weapons, fists and feet connected against the other. Turning the once stable and serene area into looking like it had just gone through an artillery strike. None of that really registered in my mind though as we kept fighting. The only thing of those that did register with me was that my mothers knife was continuing to crack further and further.
Catching her blade with my ax and holding it in place I tried to stab her with my knife only for her to grab my wrist and bend it backwards. Even with it being metal I could feel the strain on the joints and decided to let her have what she wanted. Dropping the knife I saw her show just a little satisfaction but it was short lived.
The moment I dropped my knife she was able to kick it away but my right wing extended over my shoulder and slammed into her head sending her flying away. Through the roof of where we were and at an angel that she would hit another arm of the Citadel. Taking a moment to look for my knife though I couldn't see it around me I chose to leave it for the moment. I needed to press the advantage I probably had now and the knife was going to break soon, I didn't want that to happen.
Commanding my wings I took off through the hole that she had made and followed the path of destruction all the way until I saw her standing. She was indeed on another arm with blood dripping from her temple but there was a smile on her face. A crazed one but a smile nonetheless. One that needed to be wiped away.
Putting all the speed I could into myself I shot at her with my wings carrying me there. Changing my ax into its halberd form on the way our weapons met in the middle again ripping apart the entire area that she stood on. This time though I lost the exchange as she held me there for a moment before twisting and letting my uncontrolled momentum carry me forward.
As I passed her she delivered a roundhouse kick to my back and sent me straight into a Cerberus shuttle. The thing exploded around me as I just happened to hit its eezo core. Though the fire didn't hurt me, if anything it gave me a power up as I focused for a moment and drained the floating eezo in the area.
Slowly I stepped out of the fire and saw Dashi was now only a few feet from me. We stared at each other in silence again before we disappeared to the entire galaxy but ourselves. The whole world stopped as our weapons impacted against each other. Moving around in what must've been a blur to everyone else. Each subsequent hit creating more shockwaves and destroying everything around us. Ripping apart glass and destroying a few pillars from shockwaves alone.
Smacking her sword upwards with the extended handle of the halber I delivered a straight kick to her chest sending her flying through two pillars. Not only through the two pillars but straight through one of the Cerberus mechs that was apparently in the area. Seeing her smash through the mech I saw her get up behind it and grab each side of the hole she had created and rip the thing in half.
With both halves in her hands she threw them both at me. Catching them in my wall I sent them straight back at her and she simply jumped over them and charged straight back at me. However, this time she never made it as once she was mere inches from connecting with me again shots splashed against each of our shields. Each of us stilling as we looked at each other, her sword coming down towards me and my halberd held in a position to block it.
Slowly both of us looked at where the shots had come from and a group of probably 50 Ceberus soldiers and a couple of mechs stood there. All of them had their weapons aimed at us and in a quick moment Dashi and I exchanged looks. No matter our thoughts of the other one both of us were completely infuriated that they dare interfere with our fight. Exchanging nods we both turned fully to the Cerberus soldiers.
We stared at them together for a moment before taking off. Neither of us were happy about working together in that moment but we each understood that these pests needed to be taken care of first. To say it was a fight would be a sin against that word alone. We slaughtered them, they didn't even have a chance. Most barely even got a few rounds off before they were dead.
The lucky ones of Cerberus got decapitated or died instantly in some way shape or form. The unlucky ones were those on the receiving end of Dashi's lightning that struck them and atomized them, extremely slowly and painfully. The even more unlucky few were the ones that took my scream point black and had their eardrums blown out before their eyes popped, then their brains rendered to mush. Painful way to go, they deserved no less.
The unluckiest of all though was their commander. I took his legs with a single swing before grabbing his head with my augmetic and draining him but not completely. Slamming my halberd into the ground next to me I then grabbed his arms and ripped them off as easily as you would snap a twig. Then I grabbed his head again but this time with both hands before squishing it with my hands.
Grabbing my ax my paranoia went off as I saw Dashi in the reflection of one of the mechs glass behind me. Spinning around I raised my halberd in time to block a strike with her sword. As our weapons connected though she let go of her blade. My eyes narrowing knowing that it was a plan of hers but couldn't figure it out until she disappeared.
Eyes widening at the development I dropped and rolled forwards. Barely dodging the strike she had tried to deliver from the air behind me. Snarling at this she simply walked towards me with a shit eating grin on her face as she rushed me again. Deciding to play defense here I let her charge and attack.
Each time we struck at each other her sword would fly off and she would use it acrobatically to attack me. Going out of her way to start throwing it around my body to try and disorient me from all the angles that she was attacking from. It was working too, with how she was teleporting around it was hard to keep up with her but there was always a pattern. One that I eventually found.
Connecting again against each other she let go of her weapon and it flew over my left shoulder. Spinning around I whipped my wing out and caught her the instant she reappeared with her sword in her right hand. My wing caught her right around her hips and sent her flying again.
Out the window and threw several Cerberus shuttles that were flying through the air as she headed straight for another arm of the Citadel. Taking off after her I got to her right as she landed and swung at her with my halberd. She dodged it by bending backwards and in a display of flexibility brought her legs up and kicked me in the chin. The hit sent me straight up through several floors of the arm before I slammed into a roof that held against my depleted momentum.
Landing back on the floor I took a moment to look around and found that I was near the tip of one of the arms. Less than two floors away from tip and all around me were Keepers who at the sight of me quickly began scurrying off. I didn't get another moment of reprieve though as Dashi appeared through the hole I had made, lightning crackling all around her.
We stared at each other for barely a moment before we were on each other again. This time she only used her teleportation sparingly. Instead choosing to meet me in actual combat as we fought against each other. The entire area shaking as we continued our fight; biotic fires springing to life all around us as her lightning left scorch marks everywhere as well. Though, it was apparent that she was slowly gaining the advantage.
In its halberd form my ax was stronger and had a far superior reach but I didn't have the same level of familiarity as I had with my ax and knife. It allowed her to start winning exchanged more consistently as she began to truly push her everything into it as I did as well.
Overclocking my entire nervous system and body to keep up with her and it was barely working. She was leaving me with cuts, small as they were they still hurt, all over my body. She still wasn't outright controlling or winning the fight but as of now I had more wounds than she did. That needed to change.
Deflecting her sword with the flat of my halberd's blade I moved with the deflection and stabbed at her foot with the pointed end of my halberd. Bending down and over purposefully as I did so she dodged the stab easy enough but was too slow to block or dodge my wing. The moment I had bent over I sent it out in a stabbing motion and it succeeded burying its tip into her left shoulder and sprouting out her back.
She screamed in pain before grabbing my wing with her hands and sending her biotic lightning through it. Then it was my turn to scream in pain as it felt like someone was running a red hot iron over my whole body. Though I returned that in kind as my biotic fire sparked to life on my wing and started burning her. Both of us now roaring in pain before each of us pushed through it and sent punches at our faces.
Both of them connected, mine across her face and hers across mine sending us both flying away from each other. Slamming against opposite walls we pushed ourselves up and looked at each other. Bringing up my halberd I switched it back to its ax form and prepared to continue the fight. We stood there opposite each other for a moment before the world stopped again and our weapons collided.
Only this time with a truly free hand I was able to get in some punches on Dashi. Most of the time she was able to block with her own free hand but it was doing its job. I could see her hand start to crack and bone fragments spinning out of it each time our fists collided.
Slamming my ax towards her neck after a brief exchange she caught it with her blade. At the same time I threw a punch towards her ribs in which she caught my wrist before spinning around with my wrist lifting me off the ground and slamming me back into the ground. Then she spun again and flung me out the window.
Slamming through the glass I tried to right myself in the air with my wings but before I could Dashi teleported out the window and tackled me in the air. Sending both of us spiraling through the air as we fought with fists and our weapons as we descended through the Citadel. Never able to break away from her as she had locked her legs around my waist.
Each time our weapons or fists connected they sent shockwaves out all around us sending the shuttles that got near us hurtling away and any glass we got close to shattering. As we kept hurtling downwards eventually I was able to get Dashi's legs off me and pushed her away only for her to grab my ankle and start to spin. Once, twice, and then she chucked me further downwards; straight at a Cerberus shuttle.
Just as I was about to hit it Dashi appeared above me and slammed me into the shuttle even harder with a kick. As she hit me though I was able to grab her ankle in return and as the shuttle exploded around us, the eezo core erupting, I started spinning as well. End over end, ignoring the pain in my body as I sent her hurtling towards one of Cerberus bigger shuttles that looked like it was trying to leave.
She went straight through and again the eezo core erupted as she burst through the shuttle. I followed her as soon as it exploded using my wings to increase my speed and slammed into her chest making sure to grab her sword as well to make sure she didn't leave. We hurtled downwards towards another bridge, like the one we had started the fight on, and I slammed her into it back first.
The impact threw me a good distance away after impact. My shoulders and back killing me but as I pushed myself upwards I saw that Dashi was struggling even more than I was getting up. With the pain she must've been in though she got up at the same time as myself. Still on her face was that smile, like she was having the time of her life.
Though, as each of us got up we knew that this couldn't go on for much longer. We were both exhausted from our fight, I don't know how long it's been going on but at least 15 minutes. That was an incredibly long fight by any stretch of the imagination for a one vs one bout. Either way, this fight would be over in the next minute, we both knew it.
Standing up a mere 20 feet from each other had an unspoken agreement and both of us got into our respective stances. We stayed in them staring at the other in the eyes for what seemed like eternity before we moved. Blindingly we found ourselves where the other had been a moment before.
Standing up I turned around even as I felt the slice on the outside of my right leg open and start to bleed. I winced at the pain but got to see Dashi holding her side where my ax had cleanly cut. Not deep enough to be life threatening for now but certainly a solid hit; more solid than hers at the very least.
We breathed heavy breaths, the damage from our fight now making itself truly evident. Blood basically caking our bodies all over both from the numerous cuts, bludgeonings and attacks along with the Cerberus soldiers interfering. Dashi still had the worst injury with a hole by her shoulder. Though neither of us were done or done with Essence yet; we still could've slaughtered hundreds of Cerberus soldiers even in our exhausted conditions.
Getting back into our stances we waited again and another instance later we had changed places again. My lower back erupting in pain I collapsed to one knee as I felt the slice start to open, at least my spine was okay but straight across my lower back was definitely a good cut. Though as I turned around I got to see Dashi stiffly turn around. From her left hip to her knee was an open and nasty cut.
Sliding back into our stances this was the final hurrah, both of us knew it. Our Essence's exploding around us with everything that we could give. Staring straight into each other's eyes and then the world stopped around us. As the world began to slow down I saw something spinning towards us flying over Dashi's head headed to where we would inevitably meet in the middle. Recognizing what it was but still keeping my eyes on Dashi I moved and she moved with me in perfect sync.
It was my mothers knife and as we went at each other it seemed to completely stop in the air. It was hovering less than a foot from where Dashi's head would be when we connected. Getting closer and closer to her I felt that in that moment I needed the blade. I wanted the blade in my hands, wanted it to be the one to do the deed. To fulfill my promise to Miss T'Kari and make it famous. It was as if my whole body demanded it. So I reached out for it and focused everything I had on it and then nothingness.
My world was black for a moment but then it ended and in my left hand was the knife as I hovered over Dashi. Whose sword was extended right where my neck would've been. Twisting around faster than I thought possible I stabbed it downwards and it went through her armor and into her back, right where her heart should be.
Landing I saw Dashi take a few more steps forward, dropping her sword in the process before falling to her knees. Turning quickly back to where the knife must've come from I saw Jack standing on a balcony with her arm still extended outwards. Nodding towards her I went back over to Dashi to finish it once and for all.
Only as I walked towards her I saw that my mothers knife had snapped. More than half the blade was gone and embedded in Dashi. Swearing silently I sheathed what was left of the blade before finishing my walk to Dashi. She was still breathing, though shallowly and with obvious pain, as I stood in front of her.
"You were… magnificent," I was infuriated at my words and ripped out my pistol, putting it on her forehead. "Don't… you need my power… They'll all want… you… a piece… of you… now… Everyone will… take my power… and… become… the… Inferno."
Before she could fall I pulled my pistol back and grabbed her face with my augmetic before draining her. It was the purest and tastiest drain I've ever felt in my entire life. Not to mention far and away the most powerful, dwarfing that of the Reaper I had drained. It was an experience and as it ended I could feel tiny bits of lightning sparking around myself before it calmed down.
When it did calm down I looked down at the corpse of Eshucivi Dashi and I wanted to be mad at her but I just couldn't. Here was a woman who was alone at the end, loved by no one, known by none beyond her reputation as a sadistic killer. Loser of everything in her life from start to finish; either through her own choices or others. With the only thing she will really be known for in the future will be this fight.
The thing is though as I looked at her for a moment I saw myself. I knew that if I didn't have the people I have and had in my life to help me I would've turned out exactly like her. I would've been only a killer with nothing left behind of myself after my death. Sad and alone… I knew too that on some level I was only a singular bad day from being like her. It was a line that I walked and with faith it'll never happen.
Breathing out a sigh of relief regardless it was all over. I had finally killed her, I could finally stop worrying about her. Taking a few steps away from the body I saw Jack jump down and land on the bridge before sprinting to me. When I saw her do that I felt my body finally just give out but I refused to let myself fall just yet.
Slowly, agonizingly, I craned my neck and left arm upwards. My arm raised I activated the Torch construct and it sprung to life before I released a biotic scream to the nonexistent sky declaring my victory. I held it for as long as I could before stopping it and looking down at Jack as she stood a couple feet from me. I nodded my head to her and then my world went black.
POV: John Shepard.
After dealing with the Councillors and making sure that they were in a safe spot my team had gone back out and into the fight. That being said it was quickly over, not five minutes after we had gotten the Councillors to safety did it end. It was obvious as to why though, their cout through Udina had failed and they didn't control the Citadel. No point in staying any longer when that was the case.
However, as we made our way around to fighting there was the unmistakable sound of shockwaves going off all around us. Like we were in the middle of artillery barrage only it was two people causing it. We caught glimpses of Aedon and Dashi springboarding all over the Citadel as they fought. Even got to watch some footage of the fight after the fact.
It was haunting to see them fight but the real kicker was seeing it end. We got to see them duel right at the end and it was insane. Like something out of a Samurai film only that their movements couldn't be followed. One moment they were in one spot and the next they were where the other had just been. The speed alone was astounding.
Then the ending. Taking off at each and then there was just a blink in front of where Dashi must've been and Aedon was above her stabbing down with his knife. His knife that had been thrown at them by my girlfriend. Then he drained Dashi and screamed to the sky, so powerful was the scream that any shuttles that got near it were thrown aside no matter the distance.
A moment afterwards he nodded to Jack and just collapsed. The next moment we heard her calling for a medivac over the radio. I jumped on the call and made it a Spectre priority and that he was to be taken to the Normandy. What was the point of having the privileges if I didn't use them? Regardless Dr. Chakwas' Med Bay had been revamped, she was sovereign over her own mini hospital.
Anyways, by the time their fight ended Cerberus was in the wind and we needed to focus on the Citadel. Which brings me to now, an hour or so later; my team had been sent in many different directions by myself to help wherever they could. Which left me alone from the group though I wasn't completely alone. Tela Vasir was standing next to me as we looked at where Dashi and Aedon had first fought after getting off the bridge.
"Jesus Fucking Christ," Tela breathed out as we looked at what had been lower Zakera Ward.
To say it was demolished was an understatement. Most of the damage to the Citadel overall was superficial and would be repaired by the Keepers and construction companies within the month. If this was any indication as to the other places Dashi and Aedon had fought those places might be closed for a few months, at minimum. Not a single speck of the entire area was devoid of cracks. Not to mention that all the windows were shattered and most shops had outright collapsed.
"At least I know who to call if I ever want to remodel," I joked and Tela snorted before laughing and shaking her head.
"You know my mom always talked about wanting to see two Essence users fight… She didn't get to see it but I did and I hope it never happens again."
"I've only seen some footage and the end but I agree with you. This level of destruction… Can you imagine the collateral if the civilians hadn't already been evacuated?"
"I'd rather not Shepard. 'Ifs' won't do us any good here."
"You're right, onto the next spot?" She nodded and we got back into the shuttle we had arrived in and went to the next spot they had been. It was worse, so much worse.
POV: Aedon Wynne
I cracked my eyes open groaning at the soreness my body expressed but pushed it away and attempted to push myself up on the bed. As I tried though a hand pushed me back down. Looking at who it belonged to I saw Frank there shaking his head. Then the bed rose on from a button below me that he had control over. Eventually putting me into a somewhat reclined position.
As soon as it stopped I got to see most of the room. I immediately recognized it as the Med Bay on the Normandy and the people around were easy to recognize as well. Frank, Ceelo, Jack, Javik and surprisingly Sirius, the man who helped escort the Primarch to safety, were all here. Looking at them I let a small smile show.
"I got her dad. I got her," instantly I saw the tears pinprick on the outside of Frank's eyes before he smiled and gingerly hugged me.
"I'm glad you did. Juni can rest easy now… Thank you son," I smiled into the hug and returned it with fervor despite the protest of my aching body. He eventually pulled away and was replaced by Ceelo who gingerly removed his mask. It was my first time ever seeing his face.
He was obviously old but his eyes held the experience I knew they would. He had been hardened by the life he lived but also I could see the relief in his eyes as he looked at me. That relief lasted all of a second before a jolt of electricity ran through my arm. Scowling at him the old bastard simply smiled.
"Never let your guard down… Thank you boy, Juni was one of my best friends and you have given me some peace," I nodded to him as he put his mask on and stepped away. When he did I looked to Jack.
"Never thought my lessons would actually help me win the fight," I joked to her and she laughed.
"Found it on the ground as I ran to the level to see what I could do. Pocketed it for a bit and happened to be near enough to actually do something for you, the man who helped save me," she actually smiled at me. It was beaming and pure, whatever she had gone through she had accepted it and moved on. Thank you Lord.
"How long have I been out?" I asked deciding to change the topic.
"50 hours," Javik stated before anyone else could.
"Not too bad. Anything I need to know?"
"I've been assigned by the Primarch to stay with you guys until the war is over or I die. I'm being paid pretty well for it too," Sirius stated looking to me. I gave him a nod at that; then Frank spoke.
"Ceelo and I are with you to the end kid. Ain't letting you go it without us again," I gave him a smile and then Shepard walked in.
"We'll be heading to Rannoch soon. The Quarians have requested us for the final push on Rannoch, we'll be heading there in the next couple hours," Shepard stated before walking back out of the room. Finally, fucking finally I would be able to see Tali again; it's been too damn long. I should trim my beard, she likes it better when its neat.
And there we go folks. I hope you enjoyed the fight and that it lived up to expectations.
