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. At all. So don't make me say it again."
Author's Note: "Just so you all know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble,' and the name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Personally, I just thought the two names fit the story and what the characters were meant for."
N._.S._.S
Chapter Thirty-Five: The Wanderer X.
Kolyat wasn't all that surprised when the alarms sounded.
Actually, it was about damn time.
At least he'd made it into the forest before it started.
He can already hear them behind him. He doesn't know if they know what he had taken, and doesn't particularly care. There is only one overwhelming, powerful thought sticking in his mind right now:
Get away.
He has to get away.
Father, Kolyat thought, as he sprinted as fast as he could manage, keeping a tight grasp on the book in his jacket pocket that sheathed the Control Chip, I promise you, I won't die here!
Above him, birds shrieked and flew away in terror as shots began to sound.
N._.S._.S
The sword came flying out of nowhere, as if called straight from hell by some nameless God.
Or maybe by something else entirely.
He was slammed into the ground, completely caught off guard and balance. The blade buried itself into his left shoulder cleanly, thankfully catching more of his arm than shoulder, or it would probably have killed him near-instantly by piercing his lungs or heart.
Dazed, Kolyat lie there for about ten seconds before attempting to sit up, only to find that he could not- the blade had pierced not only his shoulder, but the metal "armor," and also the ground beneath him, clean through.
With the footsteps growing ever louder and closer, Kolyat knew he only had once choice.
His body screamed in pain and utter protest as metal ripped metal and severed bones. He was lucky- extremely lucky. Had the blade caught him maybe an inch or two to the right, or a centimeter or two higher, it would have severed not only his lungs, but another vital artery that would have killed him in minutes.
The blood had already soaked his shoulder by this time and utterly refused to stop. Acting quickly, Kolyat ripped off his jacket's left arm, and quickly made a tourniquet to wrap around his blood-soaked shoulder, cursing his own stupidity for not only failing to watch his own back, but for not thinking to bring Medigel.
His first thought that the blade had done more damage when he thought was when he tried to tie the crude bandage around his wounded shoulder. His left hand was numb and would barely respond.
He'd be lucky not to lose his arm by the end of this.
The young Drell stood back up, using a nearby branch as support, and, just as more warning shots echoed, began to run again; despite the sore protests from his body.
He wasn't going to die.
Not yet, at least.
N._.S._.S
Vassla Falls.
He knew this place.
And he wasn't even surprised that it's all about to end.
Not anymore, at least.
It was always meant to end here, Kolyat realized, looking up into the mockingly misty skies as he slowly made his way toward the cliff-side that would surely seal his fate.
Random prayers flew through his mind as he slowly continued on his way.
The one he remembered most was the prayer that he and Commander Shepard had recited together just as his father passed away.
The one that had changed everything.
Wait.
Kolyat brushed the fleeting thought away carelessly.
Kolyat.
This time, at the sound of that voice, Kolyat stopped and turned.
Thane stood behind him, hands behind his back and abyss-like eyes staring at him.
You are injured.
"Which you already knew," Kolyat countered, cynically.
Cerberus is hindered. Listen to me. This time, Thane seems impatient. His form, which had been surprisingly corporeal the last time Kolyat had seen him, was shifty and blurry, as if he were fading. Do not go down to that cliff-side. If you do, you will... his father pauses.
"Die?" Kolyat finishes for him, furiously. "What else can I do? If they catch me, I'm dead anyway."'
Kolyat, the Commander has just awoken.
This catches Kolyat's attention instantly.
"What do you want me to do, father?" Kolyat responds, cautiously. "How do I get to the Citadel from here?"
You must jump.
"What?"
His father folds his arms. His body is still fading, and it's getting harder to see him- he's become translucent now- Kolyat can see the forest behind him clearly now- something within it was shifting, which could only mean that Cerberus is coming.
Do you trust me?
A warning shot echoes through the air.
Kolyat glares at him and presses the book more closely to his chest.
"Of course I do."
Then do as I say.
Kolyat swears as he spies Cerberus officers and a single man, wielding the same blade that had almost killed him, clearing the forest.
Kolyat, you must-
"Let me think!" Kolyat snapped as his father's image suddenly disappears.
The sword-wielding man halts his officers and begins walking toward Kolyat alone, as Kolyat recoils, stepping back, mind racing as he tries to come to a decision.
The blade is thrown at him again.
Something in the back of Kolyat's head explodes and he instinctively raises his injured left arm- what that's going to do other than kill him faster Kolyat doesn't-
Something incredibly fast, and bright azure flashes into a circular shield in front of the Drell, and when the swordsman's blade struck it, it snapped cleanly in half- the hilt landing at Kolyat's feet and the blade sticking into the ground just beside him, tilted a bit.
The man screams something inaudible as Kolyat, his decision made, turns his back and sprints for the edge.
Did you know the Vassla Islands are all connected? His uncle once asks in passing.
How are they connected, Uncle?
There are tunnels encircling all the Islands, no matter how small or, perhaps, insignificant as they might be. The longest and most dangerous tunnel is said to be beneath the Vassla Falls. Those are said to go through the heart of the underwater volcano before reaching the Vassla Emergency Comm.
Through the heart of a volcano? But that's impossible.
Perhaps it is, but it's still there.
How?
I don't know, Kolyat. Perhaps the Goddess designed them Herself to protect something long ago. But legend has it, only one will be able to make the dangerous journey through the volcano's heart.
Who is it?
You'll have to ask the priests.
The memory is sudden and powerful, and it nearly knocks Kolyat off balance as he reaches the edge.
Wait a minute.
The longest and most dangerous tunnel is said to be beneath the Vassla Falls.
Is that what his father thinks is going to save him?
Perhaps the Goddess designed them Herself to protect something long ago.
No, there's no way-
But legend has it, only one will be able to make the dangerous journey through the volcano's heart.
Something rips into Kolyat's back and actually knocks him into the ground. Stunned, and as a sudden pain stabs through his already weakened body from the middle of his back, he belatedly realizes that they've shot him- the Widow must have fallen off somewhere in the forest-
Another warning shot, and Kolyat begins to crawl, unable to stand.
You must get to your feet! You must jump! Thane's voice tells him.
"I know!" Kolyat shouted back at nothing.
He reaches the edge and slowly gets to his feet, ignoring the stabbing pains in his back, shoulder- and now, chest- even if he were to survive this jump, there was no guarantee he would make it.
Even still, Kolyat didn't care.
He had decided.
He trusted his father.
He had to.
The swordsman's blade just barely misses him, glancing his right cheek close enough to make a small scratch and draw blood.
Unconsciously, Kolyat ignores the swordsman's final scream of fury, and closes his eyes.
"Kalahira, this one's heart is pure,
But beset by wickedness and contention.
Guide this one to where the traveler never tires,
The lover never leaves,
The hungry never starve.
Guide this one, Kalahira, and he will be a companion to you
As he was to me."
And so fell to his fate.
N._.S._.S
Author's Note:
Man, was that dramatic or what?
And I hope you guys are excited that Shep's finally waking up!
But what does that mean for Kolyat?
Anyway, thanks for all the awesome Reviews, Favorites, and Follows, as always.
Especially to:
Kasena, Eros, and Rokubi.
Tell me what you guys think!
3/17/13