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. Don't make me say it again."

Author's Note: "Just so you know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble.' I thought it fit perfectly. The name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Again, I just thought the name fit."

N._.S._.S

Chapter Eighteen: The Wanderer VI.

There was something obviously going on.

Kolyat had never felt as much a disturbance on Vassla Island as he did now. Wandering this Island as a child had never induced so many chills and this feeling of instinctive unease- even on the small chance that he really was insane and those dreams, and the meeting with his father had all been a joke, he couldn't deny that something was happening here- Cerberus or not.

He gave a small wave to the driver of the shuttle as it lifted off, and after it disappeared back into the mist covering the sky, he shouldered the Widow and checked that his prayer book was still safely stowed within his jacket pocket before taking a really good look at what he was facing.

Vassla Island was the biggest Island on Kahje's surface. It supposedly connected with every other island on the planet through ancient, underground tunnels filled with seawater. The currents of said tunnels were supposed to be at breakneck speed.

According to the rumors that Kolyat had heard over the past few months, the Reaper had crashed near the edge of Vassla Island, maybe a day's walk from the Vassla Falls.

The Falls.

Vassla Falls was a gargantuan waterfall that fell near a quarter-mile down into the oceans of Kahje, supposedly near the massive underwater volcano. Though even Kolyat had never ventured that far, he'd heard that this was one of the most beautiful sights of the Galaxy to see.

Kolyat started walking. It was already near morning- the start of his two days. Tomorrow, Shepard would wake.

The day after... if he failed...

The consequences of that were far too grisly for him to think about.

He neededto do this.

N._.S._.S

The scent of blood was heavy as he continued on his way.The Secs hadn't even made it this far before being set upon by Cerberus? Kolyat wondered in half-concern as the smell grew stronger.

To be able to beat a whole wave of the automated Security drones and the Drell who worked Sec was a big deal; not something that could be done without skill. The drones, he conceded, were perhaps a bit easier to beat, but the Drell? Even Kolyat was a little skeptic about that one.

Drell who worked Sec were about as skilled as Kolyat assumed that his father had been in his prime. They worked fast and specialized in spying and infiltrating- and all of them were skilled in Biotics. To be able to get one-up on a single "Kahje Sec" was one thing- but an entire squad of ten?

That was practically unheard of.

Even Cerberus had to have had some trouble.

Or, at least... hopefully.

If they're really out here, and they can take out an entire squad of Secs without missing a beat, then I'd better not waste time,Kolyat thought, concernedly, I need to find that chip and get out as fast as possible.

Kolyat stepped when he stepped in something rather warm, wet and thick. Carefully and slowly stepping back, Kolyat looked down- and was promptly greeted with the sight of a small puddle of dark crimson blood, sitting almost innocently and glistening garishly at him.

Where thehellare those Secs?

These puddles of blood were traced sort of sporadically through this small clearing of trees.

Ambush, maybe? But where could they have-?

Something hot and thick dripped onto the top of his head.

Then again.

Slowly, Kolyat looked up, already knowing what was just above him.

Ten still-warm bodies, hanging all in a neat row, swinging gently right above his head.

N._.S._.S

Something was truly wrong with the Galaxy.

And Kolyat was now positive that that "something" was Cerberus.

They're sick. All of them. Kolyat thought, slowly backing away, still staring up at the bodies with wide eyes. He gripped the prayer book hidden deeply inside his jacket.

Now he knew why his father had abhorred Cerberus. Why people grimaced when their unholy name was spoken. 'There was one thing in defeating an opponent and walking away,' his father had once told him, 'it is merely another victory, and another loss. But it is something else entirely when the one that has won begins to torment his other foes with what he has done.'

Now he understood why everyone had begun cursing Cerberus silently for years- even Humanity; which Cerberus had always claimed to be upraising.

It's was a lie.

Cerberus was in it for Cerberus.

Kolyat slowly began walking again, looking back several times as he left them, knowing that there was absolutely nothing he could do- or could have done- for the Drell hanging silently in the trees- probably strung up by Cerberus just hours ago.

I can't just...

He took a deep, shuddering breath, and stopped walking.

I can't just leave them there.

N._.S._.S