Chapter 5

Night was looming on Eden Prime so slow and majestic, as was the pure darkness, only lightened by the flames of what had been a peaceful colony. Now it was just the place where people would not look back.

Kaidan and Ashley were sitting looking at the sky next to an already lucid Nirali, but lying down, waiting for the Normandy since they had been warned that the extraction point was where they were.

On the other hand, Harriet was already dead asleep, almost falling from one side to the other while holding her daughter in her arms.

It was an interminable wait for what was supposed to have been an extraction mission and that was it.

So silent was the night, only the echo of the ashes exploding in the air. Until those awake heard something coming towards them 3 footsteps at a time, so fast that they didn't even have time to ready their weapons when they saw a giant humanoid wolf drop Nihlus and the Commander to the ground.

Without a weapon in hand, Kaidan launched a biotic ball of Alteration towards me. I could only paw at it to avoid it, and even then I was damaged, seeing my skin and fur deteriorate.

Before the fight continued, Nihlus with the commander on his back, started talking to Kaidan, trying to explain the situation.

"Someone, he escaped" I stepped forward to also defend myself, but my vision became blurry, clouded by something red welling up like tears. I also felt it from in my mouth and ears, I was bleeding heavily.

~"What happened? Why..."~

Everything I went through was just taking its toll now, just as my brain was dissolving in new information trying to be assimilated, and my wounds were healing in my WereWolf form, it was one of the reasons why I had not yet un-transformed.

Even my thoughts seemed to be flooded with red as they went along with my lucidity, staggering me for a few seconds. I knew I was going to fall, so I tried to do it face down so as not to die suffocated by my own blood.

And so it was, a WereWolf of almost 3 meters, now lay on the ground, with no sign of life other than the blood that kept coming out of his eyes, mouth and ear.

In the distance, a ship could be heard descending, ready for extraction.

~Half a day later~.

As sudden as waking up from a good dream, my ear picked up the sound of technology and breaths so close that I could touch that person just by stretching out.

I could feel it in me, a suppression that prevented me from moving, only when I opened my eyes did I realize I was in the Normandy's Medical Bay, but I was still uncomfortable, moving from side to side. Straps were what held me down.

As if I was the danger, as soon as I put the strength to free myself, the barrel of a gun appeared on my forehead.

~"This is getting to be a bad joke"~

In this position I could try to use a Shout of Power, but before I even uttered anything I would have my brains in the ground. My spells I need to cast first, in which time they could kill me. WereWolf's Transformation, it takes time.

In short, checkmate, Dragonborn.

"I guess this isn't my day, is it Ashley?"

With a serious look on her face, unperturbed as if she believed the only way to solve this would be to kill me, she pressed the gun to my head.

"Who- No... What are you? I need answers."

She never liked me very much in the trilogy, starting with her being racist, seeming to want to kill Liara just for existing and openly insulting the other species. But now there were differences... Shepard is female, so the fight will be Liara vs Kaidan, and save Nihlus, who quite possibly joins the commander in his quest for Saren.

~"Why did Shepard have to be a woman?! Granted, there is no official canon on her gender but..." ~

I lamented to myself, I wanted to restart everything as if it were a Mass Effect game, but this was reality.

I resigned myself to this after a few grimaces of disgust.

~"Goodbye to being adopted by John Shepard"~

I sighed with all my might, closing my eyes to go back to sleep, totally ignoring Ashley.

"Answer me or else I'm going to-"

Abruptly interrupted by the sound of a female but firm voice rising at the other end of the room "Enough, Ashley!"

She hesitated a bit before putting her weapon away, annoyed in part "I'm sorry, commander, but this boy is not human."

"And that racism?" I whispered, trying not to laugh as I saw her face of surrender.

Instantly, the sound of the door opening brought with it Captain Anderson and Chakwas, who seemed to be arguing about the commander's condition.

"Commander, you gave us quite a scare down there," said Chakwas, beginning to examine her up and down "How are you feeling?"

Jane tried to stand up, holding onto the edge of the bed, to no avail "My head is still throbbing, but nothing else How long was I asleep?"

"About 15 hours. According to Nihlus' report, something happened with the beacon."

I don't know why at that moment I expected the universe to glitch and break into several pieces. Luckily it didn't happen.

"It was my fault. I got too close, I seemed to activate something on that" Jane said, disappointed that the mission hadn't gone well at all.

"Not just you, Commander" Anderson joined the conversation "Chakwas has informed me of a disturbance in the beta waves, yours and the boy's."

"That's me" I said, raising my hand as much as I could, straining to free myself. "Could you... please?"

Anderson didn't know me, so he was very hesitant about what to do with me, much worse after reading Nihlus' report on the existence of "Magic" and "WereWolves."

To my good fortune, the commander convinced Anderson to release me from my bonds. And once free, I approached Shepard cautiously.

"Whatever happened with the Beacon, the purser, it impacted me and you, Commander."

"You saw it too?"

I nodded repeatedly "I was delayed in passing out, and since there was no way back, I carried Nihlus and you at the same time."

"Thank you very much, I owe you one."

Continuing the conversation, Chakwas picked up where Anderson had left off, asking us if we had had vivid dreams.

"I did, right when the beacon hit me. Strange is an understatement, it was... death and technology?"

"A weapon of mass destruction perhaps, young man...?" asked Anderson, moving a little closer to where we were.

"Mijael, at least for now."

Almost as if he had forgotten and remembered something, Anderson asked the commander to speak privately. And so Ashley, Chakwas, and I left... or so I hoped.

Suddenly Anderson asked me to stay, claiming that he wanted to talk about what was written in Nihlus' report, and Nihlus entered the medical room as well.

Anderson was really worried, receiving the report of an assassination attempt, destruction of the beacon and the possible news of a rogué Specter was the last thing anyone would expect that day. But first and foremost, he was worried about the commander.

"Down there things got complicated, how are you feeling?"

Shepard looked angry, being that the Geth thing wasn't supposed to happen. Nihlus interjected.

"No one would have foreseen it, they had been in the veil for 2 centuries, hidden from us."

"And that's why Jenkins died, we could have continued to investigate Eden Prime. You can never be too cautious."

I only knew what Nihlus said from Shepard's response, DragonBorn's intuition.

I raised my hand "She has a point. From what I saw, that beacon was important...a little more vigilance wouldn't hurt."

With a sigh, Anderson continued "The beacon is broken. I won't lie to them." Handing what was a Datapad to Shepard "The Council will want answers about everything. Upon them is the most serious accusation, Saren is a traitor."

Scrolling down, Shepard came to a paragraph that made it clear to him who this Saren was. "The shot we heard, he wanted to kill you?" now addressing Nihlus.

Nihlus nodded, explaining his close relationship with Saren, and how things happened when he found him on Eden Prime.

~"For the love of god, I don't understand anything. Someone get a translator on my ass!"~

I just whispered to the side of the commander "Excuse me, I don't understand what you're saying Could I be excused?"

She signaled standby, telling Anderson that I didn't know the Turian language (Obviously) and lacked Omni-Tool, translator, and any other implants to help.

He looked at me quizzically due to the fact that those devices were already essential on a day-to-day basis if you were in space, but Nihlus understood the situation so he kept quiet, giving Anderson the floor.

"The Geth attack and Saren's appearance hints that they are allying. Surely it has to do with the beacon Did they see anything else that would help us?"

Jane leaned back leaning on the gurney, almost as if she had a blank stare "The beacons contain information from the Protheans, and I saw only destruction. A confrontation between Geths and flesh, maybe it's a warning?"

"The Council will understand, we must inform them" Anderson suggested. "That along with Saren's attack, is a declaration of war against humanity."

"Not if I stop it, I'll do it myself."

"As long as he continues with his Specter status he can do whatever he wants and go wherever he wants, he's untouchable. We need the Council on our side."

Shepard agreed somewhat reluctantly, reminding Anderson that he had the word of another Specter, the word of Nihlus.

The captain explained that Nihlus' evidence paved the way, but they don't quite trust, and without proof other than a report, we were halfway there.

~Yes, he is the spoiled one.

I thought saving Nihlus would give us assured victory.

"Joker should be getting us closer to the Citadel by now, but there's another matter he wanted to talk about," Anderson said, obviously referring to me.

Before he spoke, Nihlus exchanged words with Anderson, to which the captain activated his Omni-Tool, saying it was a translator so I could understand what Nihlus was saying.

It was as if time stood still for me, I didn't know what to say. All at once the ideas were gone, the excuses dissolved. Was I left to lie completely? Or embellish the truth

~Wait, both options are to tell lies.

The truth would be 'From one universe I jumped to another, which is possibly a video game in this universe, and from there I jumped to this one, which is a game in the universe where I was born.'

I thought about it a lot at the time, so much so that it seemed like I was just waiting for something to interrupt us, maybe Joker's call, an enemy attack, a fucking burp, whatever. But nothing happened.

It was as if I was reverting to my former self, someone quiet and crestfallen, who preferred to watch from behind and help only when asked.

~Do you want to go back to being that person?

And remembering what happened, he began the narration, first telling where I came from, but without revealing what Skyrim was, and how I got here.

"I also did some research, I am aware of how advanced technology is in this year. And... I am what is known as an Archmage, so far I am able to use 3 elements of what is known as School of Destruction..."

I slowly explained the surface of my abilities, from telekinesis to spells that functioned as armor on my skin and meele weapons. I also explained the power of shouts, their variations and what they cause.

They were just quiet, speaking only for the occasional question. It was as if they understood that even for me, the limits of magic were unknown... and they were not wrong. My training in Skyrim was done on the fly, my real mission was to take down Alduin, the fucking devourer of worlds who gets stronger as more souls reach the Sovngarde. No..., I didn't know the limits of myself, and the DragonBorn's potential was still an unknown to me.

"And the WereWolf's appearance? I thought it was just a creature of literature" asked Nihlus, seeming anxious for me to answer.

I chuckled a little, surprised that a race other than humans would know what they are "I guess the classics don't die, they just expand."

"Is it something you can control? Are there more like you?" On the other hand, Anderson was worried that I was getting out of control.

Jane Shepard affirmed this, at least the first question "There was a little confrontation, but when he saw that it was Nihlus and me, he stopped and started talking. At that point he looked me in the eye, apologizing for the shot of Carnage he threw at me.

I shrugged, showing nonchalance "No problem. Though I want to know... when did I return to my human form?"

"In the Mako Zone, when they were trying to pick you up for the third time" Nihlus replied, asking me the second he asked if there were more like me.

"I am unique, but many at the same time. I am not solely a WereWolf Can I-"

Before I could continue, Joker's voice was heard from above.

"I don't want to break up the party, but we're already arriving at the Citadel. I'm expecting a shipment of silver bullets in case things get... hairy."

"Yes, my weakness in my transformation is silver" I sighed, returning to the stretcher where I was previously lying "I guess that's the cue to leave me alone."

As Jane and Nihlus left the medical room, Anderson stood at the foot of the gurney saying that the Council also wanted to see me because they believed I was involved in the attack on the colony. "You are somewhat unknown to them. And the rumor of your abilities has spread unchecked, rumors that come with theories to whomever it suits."

I was surprised that the Council is more idiotic than usual "And they decided to believe in rumors instead of connecting two neurons?"

"They are afraid, every second I get messages asking about you. And the fact that you seemed to have come from the Terminus System doesn't help."

A pang of guilt hit my chest, wondering inwardly if it would have been better to just act aloof, like before.

"I... I'm really sorry, I wanted to help, not inconvenience anyone." Once again the negative phrases came back, something that kept telling me 'You can't do this.'

"Son, none of this is your fault, you saved Nihlus and Shepard. I don't know your intentions, but something tells me you wish no evil" he said, resting his hand on my shoulder, as if giving me strength.

"That's true... What I want is to save them all."

Anderson nodded with a small smile on his face "We should go, we should be at the dock by now."

The back and forth in Eden Prime had rattled my brain so much that I had forgotten I was in Mass Effect, feeling goosebumps as I remembered this.

~"Oh my god, I'm in the Normandy!"~

Almost bolting out of the medical room, my steps were slow, appreciating even the smallest detail of the dining room. Sitting down at the table, throwing myself into the chairs, running to the capsules where some of the crew members slept, I simply ignored everything that wasn't the ship, until I wanted to go up the stairs, I was going to collide with Jane who was coming down, but...

"Feim!" I used Become Ethereal's shout, colliding without any damage. She was surprised as she didn't feel anything and my appearance was half transparent.

She seemed a bit stunned by the roar "That was... what you mentioned before? The shouts?"

"Uh yeah, it allows me to be invulnerable, but I can't hurt either. Each shouts consists of 3 words, each one adds something new and-" I almost got carried away explaining to Jane Shepard, but stopped myself as I thought I was wasting her time "Sorry, I'm excited to talk about it."

She waved her hand, as if nothing had happened "Don't worry, it's okay to help me understand" she said, pretending by a brain reflex as if her chest hurt from the blow.

"I... I thought we were already at the Citadel, did something happen? I asked, looking around for Anderson "The captain, he's still not out of the medical room".

"I was actually looking for you. The lady you rescued on Eden Prime; Harriet, asked me to deliver this to you."

Holding out his open hand, in the palm was a small bracelet.

"It's an Omni-Tool, she is very grateful that you saved her."

Again the pain in my chest, the urge to cry was evident as I was very sensitive to goodbyes or thank yous.

How silly is that? I only know of her that she lives in London, has no husband and went to Eden Prime for a peaceful life, that's too little to feel affection for anyone.

I'm such a hypocrite...

"S-she where is she?" I said, reaching out my hand to grab that bracelet, but hesitating at the last moment.

"She stayed on Eden Prime, she had to testify before the Alliance, and she also wanted to stay and help. She left you a video" Jane took my hand, helping me with the Omni-Tool as much as she could.

It was only then that I realized the height difference she was carrying me, me being 5'6" and her being 5'8", maybe even taller.

~"She's cute. Garrus is lucky to be her mate... In the future"~ ~

Now that I thought about it better, the possibilities varied... She could end up falling in love with Thane, Jack, Tali, or Jacob!

~"Not on my watch, I'll save her from that future!"~

I didn't dislike Jacob, but knowing that 6 months go by and he's with someone else could break the commander's heart.

"...And then you put Videos and it'll be done. You come up when you're done."

He said a quick goodbye, walking up the stairs and leaving me behind.

I took a few steps towards the dining room chairs, with an orange screen in front of me pointing to the only video saved on my Omni-Tool, it was a short video.

"Hello? Hello! If you're watching this I'm most likely already on my way to earth, being interrogated. What I wanted to say is... thank you so much for saving me and my daughter, I want to give you this Omni-Tool so don't deny it.

Most likely we won't see each other in person anymore because I'm going to London, a little break there will do me good."

Harriet lifted her daughter in her arms, showing her off to the camera. So smiling, waving her arms in farewell.

"But this Omni-Tool is synchronized with another one I own, and if you wish, we will be in contact. Your adventures will most likely continue, so I wish you the best of luck, wizard boy. Be the hero the galaxy needs."

"-"

Before I could react, or that it was an automated message arrived on my Omni-Tool. I struggled hard to select it.

"P.S.: Have you thought about enlisting in the Alliance?

Instantly the idea of being a soldier came to my brain, but without papers showing my birth (since I was not born in this universe) it was impossible.

With nothing else to do, I deactivated the Omni-Tool to go to the Command Deck, where the others would be waiting ready to leave the Normandy. But first of all, I encountered the first problem... I couldn't open the door leading to the galaxy map.

I was very afraid of pressing something to spoil it, so I was a few long seconds watching the flashing green light, until I came up with the idea of knocking on the door, it took very little time until someone opened from the other side, it was Commander Shepard, this time with a more serious expression than before.

This time I almost fell down for the second time, but no "I-I'm sorry, I have no idea how these things work."

~"Hell, if it's Femshep renegade she's going to crack my skull!"~

With a sigh, she tilted her head to the side, giving me the signal to be on my way. I quickly heeded, looking back as she descended the stairs and closed the door behind her.

And as if nothing was happening, I just circled the galaxy map and crossed the bridge to the command deck. I already knew where to go at that point, but I was delayed by the fear of being told "That's not done." But I found some sort of relief when, as I turned to leave the Normandy, I found Nihlus ready to close the hatch and begin depressurization.

"Stop!" With a jump, I passed just before it closed completely "That was close"~

"Equalizing interior pressure with exterior atmosphere."

Calm before everything, Nihlus just formally greeted me, asking me how I was doing. It was as if everything that happened on Eden Prime hadn't happened.

Maybe it was a logical assumption so because he's not dead.

"I'm... normal, so to speak. My clothes are a little tattered but it's okay."

He didn't speak, just stepped out immediately the hatch opened.

I wasted no time in following him, thinking of a sentence to make conversation, but I couldn't think of anything. Much less when I saw Ashley and Kaidan waiting near the elevator.

I quickly raised my hand a little, waving to the two of them even though their backs were turned. The only one who noticed our presence was Kaidan.

"Sorry for what happened down there" he said, extending his hand towards me "I attacked you when you showed up."

"You're talking about... when I was a WereWolf?"

He nodded "I didn't know you were helping the Commander. In fact, I didn't know it was you."

I shrugged, chuckling to myself "If I had told you they would have believed me?" he said quietly, as if it was routine but I didn't want to sound self-centered about my abilities.

He didn't smile, but found this funny "I guess not. I don't believe in magic per se, mythological creatures much less."

"Do I do it again?" With a big smile, getting excited but being afraid for his answer.

At that, I felt Ashley's piercing gaze on me as I shook my head.

Not wanting me to speak anymore, I just stepped back, moving my lips in a "I'm sorry."

We waited for a few more seconds until Commander Shepard and Anderson arrived, only then did we all enter the elevator.

Honestly I was really scared, I was afraid that the news about my magic was already circulating on the Extranet. Knowing the threats like the Shadow Broker and Omega gangs, the Cerberus Association, and even the Reapers, my paranoia increased to the point that any look at me meant something.

~"Or maybe I shouldn't worry so much"~

Without much thought, I stuck close to Commander Shepard, following her closely from the time we exited the elevator until we were by the embassies.

Such a large group armed to the teeth with an N7 Marine and a Specter in it draws a lot of attention, so we were greeted with so many stares.

But all this gave me another perspective of the place, being that I was used to everything being stiffer than yesterday's bread, the fact that the Citadel felt alive was comforting.

No more static people, or C-Sec agents in one place, the tour was very interesting, making me wonder myself what happened to that person who went to the elevator, or the one who got on a Shuttle with his happy family. They were all people with a life of their own out of my sight, and it was that beautiful... and ephemeral.

My paranoia wasn't just that, it was a warning. They followed me from the moment I stepped onto the Citadel, almost proudly showing what they stood for.

I slowed my steps, calling softly to the commander, who, concerned about my condition, heeded me.

"Are you right? What happened?"

I didn't know how to explain that as urgent as it was, so I just asked her "You know the Cerberus group?"