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 Twenty-Two: The Wanderer VII.

The air was getting warmer and denser as he ventured deeper into the dense forest- leaving behind him ten bodies lying at the foot of the trees on which they'd previously hung, the rusty, almost overwhelming smell of blood, and a heart which grew heavier with each step.

Until now, Kolyat had completely forgotten how humid this particular area of Vassla became during the morning- and it would only get worse as the day drew on.

The air of the Vassla Islands was known to get stifling- almost to the point where the air was practically toxic- and a literal death sentence if one wasn't careful, and this went especially for Drell.

Now, Kolyat realized that Cerberus killing him (or worse) wasn't the only reason why he had to get the Control Chip and get the hell off the Island as fast as possible.

Kepral's Syndrome was caused by long-term exposure to a humid climate, and was the leading cause of death on Kahje- and there was a reason for that.

Vassla Island's atmosphere alone ultimately killed more Drell than anything else.

It was unavoidable.

Drell like Kolyat- and before him, his father- who have a hard time sitting still watching the Galaxy move around them, become adventures (or assassins, as it turned out). They refused to stay within the Dome- or in any one "safe" place- for too long, and that made them more likely to develop Kepral's Syndrome than any other Drell.

So, Kolyat thought, mildly, I'm not only going after cold-blooded murderers here, but I'm also risking a disease that can kill me if Cerberus doesn't do it first.

Good to know.

N._.S._.S

It was mid-afternoon when Kolyat heard it.

The rustling of leaves.

He stopped. Literally. Like time had frozen him in place.

The rustling continued even as he stayed frozen.

Careful to make as little noise as possible as he moved, Kolyat slowly backed up against the nearest tree, which was thankfully only two or three small steps away, dark eyes darting frantically back and forth as the rustling turned into audible footsteps.

But the footsteps sounded... off. Like whatever it was wasn't walking properly.

A wounded Sec, maybe?

Hopefully.

The footsteps halted suddenly, and Kolyat slowly peeked out from behind the tree...

Just what thehellisthat?

The... thing Kolyat was currently staring at had pale, grayish-blue skin with heavy, black veins bulging out of it like it had too much blood- or something- in it.

It was slumping over something, probably a bush.

Tripped over it, maybe?

Kolyat moved forward, slowly reaching behind him for the Widow, to get a closer look at it. This was probably one of those Reaper abominations- a Husk, he thought it was called- but what the hell was it doing a mile or two away from the crash site?

Did Cerberus have control over it?

How many of them were out here if so?

I have to be close, Kolyat realized with some panic as the Husk gave another ineffective kick to the bush. Closer than I thought. There's just no way that this monster could have wandered off by itself randomly.

Kolyat slowly left the still-struggling Husk where it was, deciding that killing it wasn't exactly necessary.

Obviously the monster already had its hands full with its mortal enemy already...

Kolyat allowed himself to chuckle a little as he looked back at the thing's predicament.

Who says all bad guys were evil geniuses?

N._.S._.S