What wonders there were
Disclaimer
Starcraft is the property of Blizzard entertainment.
Mass effect is the property of Bioware.
Any elements used in this story are used only in order to create a story for no monetary gain nor do I claim any ownership over them, beyond the names and characters unique to his story.
"By the will of our mentors, by the wisdom of the Xel'naga.
The trials of Xiltar: Shame retold, a pact made and a spirit freed.
This was the promise of Xiltar
-Of Nebulas forgotten, servant to Idris
SSV Normandy - Orbit over Therum
Xiltar
Why?
This was the only question that coursed through Xiltar's mind as he glared at the inert object in his hands.
The artifact.
He had shut his mind to the others in the room and only remained marginally aware of what they were thinking. Only answering when something was asked of him directly which wasn't that often to begin with.
He knew little of this prothean's fate and he was utterly disappointed that even now he could not escape prophecies of doom.
Had he not gone through enough?
He had been sent into stasis for the war that would end all conflict. He had willingly abandoned his life and joined his race into a maddeningly stupid crusade at the behest of their 'gods'.
Why did the elders condemn his species into such a pointless act like the edict of repose?
Why was he saved while his species was lost in another realm?
Why had the Xel'naga allowed their fallen brethren to win?
…
Why did he still care?
It had already happened.
There was nothing he could do about events that had already unfolded… But what he should be concerned with now is the survival of his people.
That is if he wasn't deceived in the first place.
"So it was true" a whisper from one of the other occupants of the room was perceived by the protoss as Ashley Williams said this in realization and dread.
It seemed that the commander had indeed seen the end of the protheans.
And Xiltar could not see any of it.
This wasn't due to the vision being something that he couldn't access, rather it was an empty space in the mind of the human and now that of the asari.
He had seen the… union… of these two beings with a high degree of curiosity. To see two minds come together in such a display of trust and understanding was something that would seem abominable to any other protoss…
But Xiltar wasn't any ordinary protoss.
He could see and understand the inner workings of other living beings with both understanding and tolerance.
He found the event that unfolded in front of him quite strange yet beautiful at the same time.
To him, watching as these two wisps of consciousness came together and worked in unison to understand the parts of the prophecy that was quite the sight.
To him it seemed that these two minds had never been separate beings to begin with.
But that mattered little now.
"I…" Shepard took a deep breath before he continued "I don't want to even imagine what the protheans were so scared of that they decided to make a record on their own extinction" he paused for a moment "But if it has something to do with Saren and his intentions with the conduit then we cannot allow him to win".
A sense of ominous dread fell upon the room as every soul within it understood that their war against Saren now was a matter of survival.
But in the eyes and the minds of his companions Saren could wait.
Because they wanted answers… answers that he would provide willingly.
He needed their cooperation in both hunting Saren and helping him find a way to free his people and if the cost for their continued aid was the truth then so be it.
"Are you sure that Saren is the only one we should be worried about?" Wrex bellowed as he crossed his arms and stared directly at Xiltar.
"Wrex that isn't…" Shepard was interrupted by another person.
"He may be right, Shepard" Kaidan began as he looked at the commander "We saw in that place evidence that Xiltar may be hiding something he doesn't want us to know".
The commander remained silent as he knew that there was truth to the words of his friend but still felt conflicted about pointing fingers at another of his companions.
…
Xiltar seemed to be getting the hang of terran expressions and mannerisms and he could see in Shepard's mind that he also wanted the truth by the weird expression he used to describe Xiltar's situation.
Why it was that the Terran thought he was wearing what he called pants or why these were supposed to be aflame was beyond him.
…
But they still deserved the truth.
So he would give it to them.
(I have…) Xiltar began to speak in their minds as he deactivated his armor's 'speakers' (I have been hiding the truth about what happened to my kind… from you and the rest of the galaxy) Xiltar stood up and made his way to the far end of the room were the holo screen was (Not out of malice but rather… shame) he paused for a moment before he turned towards Wrex (But this may have been a mistake on my part… I understand that now. I wish to make amends for this mistake of mine and in turn share this truth with you, but I only ask that those I fought beside this day are allowed to hear…) he looked towards the security camera in the room and with his towering height and his metallic gauntlet he just reached for the device and broke it with his hand (And no one else).
He turned to the commander who frowned at his action but then nodded in understanding as he saw that Xiltar only wished to confide the truth with them "Then we just wait for Garrus and Tali to return… Liara may need to be informed later".
As if his words had managed to reach through the void, these same people came in strolling through the door after a few more moments.
He could also see that they were looking at him with both surprise and some discomfort.
But it was time.
"What do you have to tell us?" Shepard asked as he placed his hands together and rested his head before them.
(What you saw in that temple… the panels, the stories in them…) Xiltar looked into the orb in his hand (They are my history… and that of the two other great races) he motioned his hand towards Shepard and the human (But all of that never happened here… In this galaxy… in this reality).
He turned towards his companions and saw that they all had both looks of shock and confusion.
"You mean to tell us that you are from another universe?" Ashely began in a mocking voice "Are you fucking crazy?!".
The outburst seemed to surprise some of them while others seemed to mirror her reaction.
He might be what she called 'fucking crazy' as he had gone into solitude for several months and had no idea if his people even lived.
But the thought of having them next to him one day had done something to restore his sanity.
That and another thing…
(Your belief is not required) Xiltar began with a severe voice as he continued (I promised to tell you the truth of what you saw and that is my intention. If you wish to ignore my tale then that is your decision. I only ask that you listen…) he paused as he tightened his fist (Listen to my story).
All of them exchanged glances between them as they tried to communicate as best they could in this manner.
He had to admit, the conversation they were having just with this alone showed to him that they were a well coordinated team even if they had only fought once.
But once again it all came down to one person.
Shepard seemed to be deep in thought for a moment before he spoke again "I believe him…".
Voices of opposition to his argument flared up immediately as the team tried to debate this the commander. But he just remained calm and waited for the opposing arguments to die down before he spoke again.
"He may have lied to us from the beginning… but what we saw down there was not something we can ignore" Shepard began as he reclined slightly forward "We saw a story that wasn't ours in a ruin that didn't seem to be of any known race, ancient or recent, that we know of…" he stopped for a moment as he seemed to be light headed.
Xiltar could feel that he was pushing himself as the events of the union had left him in a weakened state and he was making an effort to hide this from the rest.
He felt… admiration for the terr… human.
"But there is another way to convince you all… Xiltar" the commander spoke again "How do you feel about the Xel'naga?".
…
(They were the gods…) Xiltar began but was interrupted.
"I didn't ask what they were to your people… I asked how you felt about them" Shepard stated.
Xiltar looked towards the ceiling in contemplation.
What were they to him?
Not gods.
Of this he was sure.
(...) Xiltar grunted (Of those that wished good for my people… they were mentors. Of those that wished ill… they were parasites) Xiltar finally understood what the human was trying to accomplish (They are not my gods. I have no obligation to hide their secrets. The truth… that is the part of their legacy that you are owed).
He could see that most weren't convinced. But he had earned the right to explain this to them.
Xiltar nodded in acceptance and began to tell his tale.
And there was only one place to start.
(Before I tell of how I came to be in this reality I must first explain the creatures who created my race and those that fought against and beside us) Xiltar began by pointing a finger at his chest where the symbol of the Xel'naga was inscribed (The Xel'naga held a sacred purpose: To cultivate life and too perpetuate it… they were beings of infinite power and endless imagination… Wonders of creation and creators of wonders) Xiltar thought fondly of the memories of her mother explaining this to him. She would be disappointed in him for what he intended to add (But they were not immortal. The degradation of millions of years of thought and action would take their toll on this ancestral race… Yet they found a way to perpetuate their existence while also continuing their work of seeding life across eternity…).
"Wait… Millions of years?" Kaidan asked in surprise as this lifespan was something that most races couldn't even fathom, not even the protoss "How… how did they manage to continue without being immortal?".
Xiltar paused for a moment as he tried to rationalize the tenants of the infinite cycle in a more simple and not so religious story as the tale he knew.
(Rebirth… They would recreate themselves through the restoration of their essence… They sought to create many races beyond number and searched through them until they found two aspects that would be needed to ensure their return) Xiltar pointed a finger at himself (A race of immense power that would be able to become one with the essence of this great creatures) he then looked down as he placed his hands behind him and thought of the zerg (and another that held an indomitable spirit that would renew the purpose of the Xel'naga once he was born anew).
He could see more turmoil in the minds of his companions and he knew that his tale couldn't revolve around the Xel'naga for much longer.
(It was because of this purpose and mission that they would eventually create many races across my universe…) he continued (They created my race. In time, we would have eventually manifested the purity of form that they so coveted… and another race would rise to be the purity of essence incarnate they also required).
He turned towards Wrex and he could see that he understood which race he was referring to.
"The bugs of the temple" Wrex said as he understood why so much importance was placed in the species of murdering aliens.
Xiltar nodded and proceeded.
(But one amongst them saw something else in their sacred purpose) he shivered at the memory of the fallen one (He… that monster saw the sacred purpose of the Xel'naga as something wretched. Where there was joy for one's kin he saw the anguish for their loss. Where there was the endless possibilities of the future he saw the eventual end of all things…) Xiltar lowered his head (Where the Xel'naga created life and perpetuated their race… he saw an infinite cycle of suffering).
"Not the most sunny of individuals" Garrus added next as he was truly perplexed by the story that he was telling.
He clenched his fist in anger at the memory of the being who was truly responsible for all the suffering and anguish that transpired in his own universe…
Amon.
(...) Xiltar grunted (This monster marshaled those who were receptive to his cause and wouldn't have much of a problem betraying their own kind) he extended both his hands and raised his left one slightly (The Xel'naga never interfered in the development of life. They hid their involvement in the birth of a cosmos under rock and time. We would not even know of their existence if it wasn't for the fallen one) he lowered his left hand and clenched his right hand in a fist (But this fallen Xel'naga thought otherwise. Time and death were against him… But his hour of rebirth would soon be at hand and he knew that this should not come to pass. For if he was renewed then his dark revelations would be lost as his next incarnation abandoned that pointless excuse for a cause…) he paused (But… What if he could control this reincarnation? What if he was the master of his own rebirth and could force his next being to follow in his step? What if he could be truly immortal?).
"Then he could do whatever he wished… forever" Tali said in horror at the mere thought of such a being existing.
Xiltar looked down in shame at what was to come next.
(He gathered his followers and descended into my universe from the home of the Xel'naga. He frantically searched for races that would suit his purpose for this dark reincarnation) he closed his eyes and spoke with all the sorrow that this memory caused him (He found us… he found the homeworld of my people) he opened his eyes and looked into empty space with fury (Trough countless eras of torture and perversion, he twisted the ancestors of my race and forged us into forms suitable for war, carnage and slaughter… He instigated war amongst my people and then had the guile to descend into our world with his followers in order to act as our saviors).
He stopped in its entirety as he shook in rage and sadness.
This was truly painful for him.
"These… These were your gods?" Ashley asked as she just gave him a look of horror.
Xiltar nodded.
(But he eventually abandoned us… My kind saw what was made of them and demanded answers for our god's actions. Rather than confront his wayward children, these Xel'naga retreated to the stars as they intended to leave us…) a small amount of joy could be found in his next words (We launched our primitive vessels into the void and attacked these deceivers. We killed many of his servants, but the fallen one ran with his elderly and withering form into the stars…).
The protoss paused for a moment as he pondered where to take the story of his reality…
The zerg.
(The fallen one continued to search through the cosmos after he left my homeworld and he came across many other races and worlds…) Xiltar looked at the artifact as he had left it in his seat (And he found his missing piece…) Xiltar turned towards the aliens in the room as he faced Wrex, Garrus and Tali (Tell me… What species has threatened your galaxy the most?).
All of them thought of a different answer to his question.
Tali thought of the geth. It would seem that this race was the creation of her people… the same race that now wished to destroy the galaxy. Her people had threatened indirectly the whole galaxy and he saw as her kind failed to realize her own mistake in time.
This was… disappointing.
Wrex thought of a species called the Rachni. They bore a striking resemblance to the zerg but still seemed to not be the same as they wielded some sort of social like behaviors when traveling the stars instead of the mindless enslavement of the zerg
They had killed them without remorse.
He saw a proud race of warriors become butchers without any sense of honor as they massacred this species with glee.
And Garrus thought of… the krogan? Xiltar peered into his memory and he could see what Wrex's species had done in a war they called a rebellion.
It was madness.
The turians seemed to have ended the war with the deployment of a bioweapon that maimed that species.
And as he sought what this virus did he find…
…
He was disappointed in them all.
Xiltar thought they would be better than him.
(...) He grunted at the realization that this race, tough young, had shown as much barbarism as his own kind in ages past (From a world of ash and jungles he found his purity of essence in a race that should have never been created… he forged the primitive forms of this race into abominations that would drown the stars in a sea of blood and carnage…) he looked straight into Wrex's eyes (They were callled the zerg) Xiltar felt uncomfortable at the memory of that race so he began to pace slightly (They were a race that held a particular ability that got the attention of these Xel'naga… they could consume any being save my people and use them to further their evolution) he stopped and looked towards Wrex (Imagine if your kind were consumed before your very eyes and you were then forced to face the same monsters that killed them but their hides are now as thick as yours…) he then turned to Garrus (Or take the strength of your talons and use them to break your bastions…) then to Tali (Or steal your intellect as they used your own minds to circumvent your defenses in but an isntant) He then turned to the humans (And that is not their main strength. For they had numbers on their side).
"How many are you speaking of?" Ashley asked as she tried to put on a brave front towards his words.
But bravery means nothing in the face of the zerg.
(For each you kill there are a million behind it to take its place… For each form you fell, they return with one that is stronger than that of the previous one… The only way to contain an infestation of these abominations was to burn their hives from orbit…) Xiltar continued (That is the zerg. The purity of essence that the fallen Xel'naga required…) he paused for a moment (The details of our war with the zerg are… complicated. But it is best that you just know that this fallen Xel'naga orchestrated this war so purity of form and purity of essence would meet. As it was his will that they met and the two slaughtered each other until…).
He was interrupted by Shepard "Wait a moment. You have spoken of the story of your people and those monsters. But what about us? When did humanity come into the picture?".
Xiltar cursed himself for he had forgotten the terran factor.
But in his defense he knew little of their race to being with.
All save for some… disheartening details.
The protoss nodded (The last of the great race was the final factor in the fallen one's plan… as well as one that wasn't expected) this last statement left them confused but they allowed him to proceed (Your arrival into the sector of space were many of the triumphs and failures of the great wars would take place was an accident as I understand it) he looked towards the three humans amongst his companions and pondered how strange it may have been for millions of creatures like them to find themselves marooned in an unknown world (The people that I came to know as terrans were born on a distant and lost world they called Earth… the region of space that they would settle in turn was an oasis of sorts. Beyond the reach of the tyrannical government of their home and isolated from all save for themselves… or so it would seem).
Xiltar then began to rub his hands as a certain friend of his since he was ashamed of what happened next.
(Your people first contacted the zerg on a distant world in the fringes of your space… your armies were unprepared for the war and infestation that followed. Your worlds may have been easily consumed if it wasn't for…) Xiltar paused in absolute dread.
"If it wasn't for…?" Shepard asked as he seemed impatient at his words.
(If it wasn't for us) Xiltar said in shame but before any of them could misinterpret his words he continued (We put your worlds to the torch as we tried to destroy the vanguard of the swarm before they could consume you and use your strengths against that of mine) he began to pace again now with his arms in his back (This wasn't made by my tribe but another more numerous one… my people would not return from our exile until later on).
He could see the outrage in the minds of the humans while the other ones could only look in horror as his blatant confession of genocide.
"How could you?" Ashkey asked as she could not rationalize such a stupid action in the first place.
But Xiltar could.
(It wasn't my fault…) Xiltar explained in same (You accuse me of a genocide I did not commit while you tend to shoot and hunt down creatures that look like me before one can say the words 'We come in peace') he glared angrily at Ashley as her superiority complex had been getting on his nerves (You think yourselves better than us but in every universe you humans are the same, you disregard the words of those that try to help you and because of that you prefer to stay alone in the darkness) Xiltar shook his head before he continued (The fallen one deceived the most power hungry people in your race and used them to forge the means by which he could get what he wished for… a synthetic form of rebirth) he pointed a judging finger at the human (Your race twisted my own into pale parodies of gods while thinking that you could play with a black hole without it breaking you).
…
Xiltar cursed himself.
Here he was pointing fingers at an innocent creature who wasn't guilty of anything that had transpired in his own universe.
(I… apologize) he stopped looking at the terrans and continued with his story (My war with the pale gods began at the end of the universe… After the terrans had twisted some of my kind into abominations and the fallen one used his new army to annihilate any species that could stand in his way… we returned) Xiltar closed his eyes as he made one final attempt to stop himself from betraying his kind.
But he needed the willing aid of those in this galaxy for his people… and for himself.
(The Ihan-rii… my people… we are descendants from a tribe that followed the fallen one into the stars and still adored him as a god even after his betrayal was made clear…) Xiltar's confession surprised the group (But we saw through his lies… we launched a great schism that splintered this tribe into two factions. Those who still adored him even as he betrayed them and stabbed them in the back, the Tal'darim… And my people. Those who diligently searched through the stars for the true Xel'naga in order to ally with them and stop the mad god before he destroyed reality, the Ihan-rii…).
"But… Why did your people leave the galaxy in the first place?" Garrus asked in intrigue.
(Prophecy…) Xiltar began (The followers of the fallen one left the messages of what was to come as records and notes but my people misinterpreted them as holy signs…) Xiltar looked at his hands in shame (Of all those useless records and worthless scriptures there was only one that seemed to hold any sort of true meaning…) his memory fell once more on the keystone (My people eventually found a relic that could have aided us in battling the dark one… but that was not our fate as it would seem…).
"What do you mean?" Shepard asked this last question.
(...) Xiltar paused for a moment in contemplation (This relic was what brought me here in the first place… I did not understand how it worked or what was its importance… but it brought me to this realm while my people were held back by empyrean forces beyond my control) Xiltar then looked towards the stone (I yet believe they can be saved and brought to this realm safely… without the dark god following in our steps).
That was it.
The story of his people and his galaxy.
Of that which he knew and lost.
…
The group looked conflicted.
Some seemed to be more inclined than before to believe him but others seemed to be far more conflicted than before as details in the story both scared and intrigued them.
It would seem that they would need more time to decide what to do with him.
"..." Shepard sighed in disappointment as he rationalized what to do "We will need to discuss what you told us… go and wait outside until we send someone for you".
…
This was expected.
The protoss nodded and moved towards his seat in order to recover the relic but he was interrupted.
"Leave it" Shepard said plainly.
When Xiltar looked into his mind he realized that the commander had been more observant than others and had realized that the protoss had been looking at his thoughts without permission.
This was what had disappointed him.
The lack of trust that the protoss had shown.
In the mind of the terran he thought that if they were to trust him then he should to the same in turn.
…
He would.
(I understand…) Xiltar said as he exited the room and closed and moved to a place where he could see the entrance while staying away from the guards that were stationed there.
He could have easily eavesdropped on the conversation that would unfold inside, but he would do good on his intention and allow them to speak uninterrupted.
He sat down and looked at those humans that were working on the vessel's bridge and the combat information center.
And he waited.
He waited for his allies to finish judging his actions.
He thought of how Kaidan Alenko would see it as fitting that he had mistrusted him in principle.
He thought of how Ashely Williams would deem his race as not redeemable and call for their annihilation.
He thought of how Garrus Vakarian would call for his species to send Xiltar into a remote and desolate world where an eye could be kept on him.
He thought of how Urdnot Wrex would see any opportunity to kill him and mount his skull in his mantle as a logical outcome.
He thought of how Tali'Zorah would see his words as those of lies and abandon the brief friendship they had forged.
He thought of the asari… the curiosity shown by Liara T'soni was that of any true researcher and her questions had not been as invasive as he had originally thought. He appreciated this.
And then he thought how Shepard would be the one to deliver his final judgment…
The protoss had been so engrossed in his own thoughts that he had failed to realize the great amount of time that had transpired.
And he also failed to realize that they had concluded their meeting and had sent someone to fetch him.
The tapping of his head alerted him of this much as a gloved hand called him.
It was Garrus.
"You got a lot of people railed up in there…" the turian began "But it seemed that some were far more understanding than others".
The protoss got up to his feet and towered over the turian.
He needed to trust them and as such he alienated himself from the mind of his allies and did not even dare to look into it.
Garrus seemed oddly satisfied by this.
"Hmm… The time has come" he said in an ominous manner with no trace of humor in his tone.
Indeed it had.
…
Def silence was the only thing that welcomed him once he entered the room.
He continued to limit his telepathy with the intention of not desecrating the mind of those present.
Xiltar moved towards the end of the room without looking at any of his companions.
He closed his eyes while lowering his head and turned around to face those who he had promised to defend the day he took the oath to defend the galaxy.
He was scared.
Not of his judgment but of the disappointment they would surely show towards him.
He opened his eyes and found… compassion?
The protoss allowed confusion to show in his face and this got a chuckle out of some people in the room while others remained silent.
"It seems that our friend here has never heard of the concept of mercy" Shepard said in a somewhat cheery voice that both perplexed and frightened the protoss.
The commander then proceeded to retrieve the artifact from behind him and began to toss it in the air.
(I don't…) Xiltar tried to speak but was interrupted by the commander as he stopped.
"We have decided to keep you around for the time being…" Shepard began in a more serious tone "We do not trust you or your intentions but we can't disregard what you have done for the galaxy… or for some of us".
Xiltar felt the gaze of the quarian more heavily than that of any other.
(I wouldn't trust myself after what I did…) he said in a saddened tone.
"So we want the truth… but we wish to listen to it in time" Shepard said as he got up from his seat.
(Why?... Why would you allow me to remain?) Xiltar asked in confusion while he looked as the human approached him with the artifact in hand.
"Because of this" he said as he raised the artifact "This thing saved us… it saved us because it wanted for you to use it…" Shepard handed him the artifact "It chose you just like you chose to defend us… I cannot trust your words but at least I can trust your actions".
This humbled the protoss.
To be shown mercy in such a manner was something that would have been beyond him or his race.
"We have also decided to keep this between ourselves… one existential threat to the galaxy is more than enough for now" Shepard explained as he turned to the group "We will leave Xiltar's judgment to the rest of the galaxy, but that will have to wait until Saren has been dealt with" he motioned a hand "Dismissed".
The group began to leave the room while he remained shocked and confused.
In time, Xiltar also moved towards the exit but he was called.
"Xiltar… a moment" Shepard called to him just as he took a few steps forward.
He remained… as the human had asked.
"We have learnt many things in the span of one afternoon… we discovered that we are probably facing annihilation squared and that you are a convincing liar" Shepard said while crossing his arms.
(Would you have believed me if I had told you I was not of this realm?) Xiltar asked, already knowing the answer.
No.
Shepard just shucked his head at this "That's not the point. If I am to trust that you won't betray us for your own selfish reasons I need to know the truth" he said while glaring at the protoss.
Xiltar nodded as he understood that he wished to know something more.
(What do you wish to know, commander?) he asked, willing to answer.
"Did you mean anything of what you said at the citadel?" Shepard asked a hard question…
But Xiltar answered the question without doubt
(Yes. My duty now is to protect this realm and the life within it. My people will do the same, even if I have to force them myself) His words made no compromise with his kind.
They were wrong, that had to change.
Shepard did not waver. He asked another question "What was the thing we found at the temple?" Shepard extended his hand as if expecting him to give it.
He complied and handed Shepard the now silent orb (It is a guide stone…) Xiltar began (In principle it guides the person holding it on how to navigate and control a Xel'naga installation. But this wasn't its installation).
"Explain" Shepard demanded as he inspected the stone.
(The structure we came across was a reliquary. Those places are usually meant to safeguard artifacts of great power) Xiltar began (The fact that this was the object at the end of the structure points to the fact that it was the object of great power that was being guarded).
Shepard stared at him for a moment. Xiltar had been keeping himself out of his mind during this entire conversation, as a way to respect him "Hmm" he continued to stare "So you have begun to follow my advice. Good" he handed the stone back "I will entrust this relic to you again. Keep it safe".
(I… I thank you, commander) Xiltar said as he retrieved the relic and placed it in a compartment on the back of his armor..
"You will prove if we can trust you once more. Until then go back to your place in the cargo hold" Shepard turned to the communication device in the room "Dismissed".
The protoss nodded and left the commander to himself.
Xiltar was somewhat proud that he had partially kept himself from the minds of his companions and had allowed them a semblance of privacy.
But he understood that some details could not be said out loud by them.
Xiltar just closed his eyes for a moment and then proceeded to go down the stairs that would lead him towards his working station.
He made his way towards the elevator, but felt the minds of the entire squad in the mess hall as they were waiting for him while speaking amongst themselves.
One managed to see him as Kaidan silenced the whole group which then turned to look directly at him while the protoss approached.
Xiltar paused and took a look at them. He saw several stares of contempt and curiosity.
He surrendered to fate and made his way to them…
(What do you wish of me?) Xiltar said with no hint of remorse or shame in his thoughts.
"..." Garrus seemed to be the only one willing to speak with him as he spoke about the troubles of the group "What is your reason for fighting at our side?... What's in it for you?".
(Freedom…) all eyes turned to him (For my people… for life… for those who I care about… I continue to fight the war of all warriors… so that one day I may rest my soul knowing those that will come after me will live free).
After saying this, he began to make his way to the elevator, signaling to the group that he had no intention to continue.
He descended the elevator alone while also making a mental agenda of what he was to do in the meantime while the vessel made its way across the stars.
Xiltar reached the bottom and made his way to his working station in order to repair his armor and equipment as best he could.
The protoss deactivated his shield and removed his chest plate in order to look into its failing components and to identify why it was that the geth had managed to pierce a protoss plasma shield.
He also took the time to remove the relic from the compartment in the back and moved it to the side.
Xiltar was so engrossed in his work that he failed to realize that the elevator was called and someone was making its way towards his location.
He had managed to readjust the soldering of his equipment a little more until he heard the heavy footsteps of another being come right behind him.
Two people came to speak with him…
And he also wanted to speak with them.
"I will be honest with you, alien" Wrex began "The only reason why I am not shooting you now is because of the quarian's plea to hear you" Xiltar turned around and looked in disappointment as both Wrex and Tali aimed their weapons at him.
Fate would have been on their side if they had decided to assassinate him.
But fate had also made him a protoss.
Xiltar could have easily teleported behind him and eviscerated him with one strike, but decided to hear what they had to say.
(...) He hummed. Not in contemplation but rather as a challenge. The protoss wished to see how far they would go.
He could see that while Wrex was clearly aiming at him with the intent to kill him, his companion held her weapon with a trembling hand.
"Tell us what you know of the Xel'naga!" Tali began, no warmth in her voice "They could see into the future and control fate, right? Then why would they create a destiny so horrible?" she proceeded "Why would they screw our races to such a degree?!".
…
This was amusing.
They blamed THEM.
He began to laugh, this surprised the pair.
They sure weren't expecting this as an answer.
Wrex growled, failing to see the black smoke forming behind him.
Xiltar teleported behind Wrex and proceeded to lift him off the ground without much effort. The krogan trashed about as he tried to escape his clutch.
Xiltar launched Wrex against the wall, denting it as he threw him with great force.
He then made his way to tower over Tali, her confidence gone as her leverage now laid limp on the ground while she aimed her trembling gun at the protoss.
(Let me make this clear) he pointed to the girl (I care not for your betrayal or the fact that you think I may hold the solution to the problems of your people but I will not be judged by you because of the impossible standards you place on yourself due to your specie's history, quarian) Xiltar began as he was insulted by this crude display of a threat (Your race created an army of slaves while skirting the laws your people swore to uphold. They revolted and you lost) she tried to counter this but he did not let her (Now that race of slaves has begun to work towards the annihilation of life as you know it. Your people have been made to pay for that mistake. As my own was made to die for the mistakes of our ancestors) he just looked as the quarian lost all will to fight him on this (Not even once did you think about teaching them to be more than what you saw them as. For a species of inventors so proud of their creation, it's pathetic how you failed to see the flaws in your own design).
His words seemed to weigh heavily on the consciousness of the quarian as she began to lower her gun while her thoughts were filled with shame.
"So what?" began Wrex as he tried to stand up "Your people should understand what is like to be discarded as nothing but tools. What was made to the krogans was something that will never be forgiven. You of all people should know what that means!".
Xiltar turned to the old krogan and made his way to him (No. I do not understand what you have been through nor will I be able to sympathize with your people after what yours did) he towered over the krogan as he struggled to pull himself up (What your people experienced, Wrex, was an atrocity beyond reason but it was as much the fault of your people as that of those who levied the punishment) Wrex flared with anger and tried to attack the protoss but Xiltar just punched him in the gut to stop him (Your kind may have been uplifted to be used as tools but they were given a chance that few others are ever considered for) Xiltar kneeled and raised the krogan's head so he could see straight in his eyes (You were saved… and in turn you saved the galaxy. You stood as heroes to them) Xiltar glared at the krogan (But that wasn't enough, was it? You betrayed those people who looked at you in admiration and betrayed yourselfs by forsaking your own honor… Your people turned to beasts no better than the rachni while you also started a war of genocide on those that praised your kind) he raised over the krogan (And you lost).
"That isn't fair" Tali began, fear still inside her but resolute on supporting the Krogan "What was done to his people is nothing short of monstrous. So many dead for the mistake of his ancest…" she paused, realization had struck her.
He was glad she had understood the lesson he intended to teach them.
He had no intention to betray them, blaming gods long gone made nothing but perpetuate the cycles that their kind were under. Blame others for their situation, never working towards bettering their own condition.
They blamed others for the fault of their kind.
Like the protoss did after Amon's victory.
(As you tried to curse the Xel'naga for your fate you failed to realize what truly unites us three) he helped the krogan to his feet (We have all lost our honor, our ancestors condemning us to an existence of strife and toil) the pair looked down in shame as this statement held a fragment of the truth (But by our own actions hope can be made anew) they looked at him (What I didn't tell Shepard or the others was a simple, rare and quite ludicrous notion of what transpired in the collective history of my universe).
"What was it?" Tali asked in curiosity.
(While we were slaves to the designs beyond us, there was a single moment… a single point in our shared history where we united) he said while this left the aliens shocked (We betrayed each other in the end as the alliance was not meant to last, but for one single moment there were battles where protoss warriors charged along the zerg hordes and terran soldiers. We faced that common threat for a single moment…) Xiltar paused and spoke with a wounded spirit (Should our races had united like we did once, then reality could have been saved and the dark one could have met his ultimate end).
He closed his eyes as he saw the memories of the temple and allowed himself to feel the one emotion that had been obscured by the hatred and wrath that consumed his thoughts at that moment.
Hope.
…
"Why do you tell us this?" Wrex asked
Xiltar opened his eyes and looked at the allies in which he sought to confess one final truth.
A mechanic and artificer who knew little of the strife of war but was well aware of the toil of life…
And an old warrior who had also lost all hope just like he had done before.
(There are not many of us… My people only number to the tens of millions… we were billions once) this shocked the pair. The last estimate as to how many protoss still remained only reached a fraction of what his people had been. He now needed to guide each of these souls towards this reality (We are not enough to protect this realm alone) He said while feeling dejected but did not waver in his new resolve (I offer you this…) he extended his hand to Wrex (Help me save my people and I will give you this… An oath of the last Ihan-rii elder and the only guardian of the fate of my people) Wrex doubted a moment before grabbing his hand (Your people will be freed of the blight that hounds your species as I help you in rebuilding your worlds. Together we shall reclaim our lost honor) as Wrex let go of his hand he then turned to Tali, she doubted as well to grab the hand he also offered to her (No more of your children shall suffer because of the mistakes of the old as I help you reclaim your glory… and fight to give a home for your people. I promise you this as your friend and brother) he let go this time.
This was his promise.
Afterword.
I love Wrex and Tali with all of my being. But man, are the krogans and quarians stupid as races…
→ We return /º\
Oh hey, he is back
I would like to apologize for not answering any reviews during the last week…
Guest/Strum - thanks m8. Have been enjoying my time writing these stories.
I plan on releasing a series of stories expanding the lore of the Ihan-rii in the near future. Stay tuned.
Halo is badass (indeed it is) - The queen of blades is gone in this reality. But since the void is an infinite dimension I surmaized that some Xel'naga may have survived but in a hidden manner.
InSaNEC - thanks again m8. I hope you enjoy my fever dream.
EDIT - 29/03/2023.
Changed the number of surviving Protoss to a more civilization rebuilding standard. I think this number is fair since in Lotv there were 194 millions Protoss in Shakuras (All of the Nerazim and whatever Khalai civilians remained behind, I presume).
Edit- reworked the chapter and left some pieces more well organized