ME: Lost

Light

"I won't make that choice! I can't force humanity to become half human, it's barbaric!"

"Then you have only one logical choice. Destroying us will destroy many others as well, the Crucible does not discriminate."

The rotten stench had returned, filling her nose and stabbing at her brain. Images of EDI and Legion filled her mind and Shepard felt herself slipping, her will pulling towards what the phantom was saying.

"Take control of us and you can end the war. We will follow you into peace, no lives need to be lost."

"I...I don't accept that! It's too much power for one person, it's too dangerous." Shepard shook her head, pressing at both temples, "how do I even know you're telling the truth?"

"Only YOU are strong enough to control us, to make everything the way you know it should be," as the voice rose in excitement, the childish tones faded. The underlying voice rang out clear and suddenly Shepard understood.

It was her own voice. Masked by innocence, but still recognizable.

"No!" she shouted as loud as she could. Painful darkness closed around her, trying to suffocate her as she pushed through and shook her mind free.

The ghostly image blinked out, and the room came into focus as though she'd never seen it before. Fresh air filled her lungs and no scent, cloying or rotten, tugged at her brain. She stood on a long, thin platform. The walls and ceiling were high and open, giving her an unfettered view of the battle raging outside. At the far end of the walkway stood a single cylindrical construct, with a powerful beam of red energy buzzing around it.

Shepard took a step forward, lifting her pistol carefully.

The platform lurched sideways, throwing her sharply to the ground. She maintained a shaky grasp on the weapon, but scrabbled desperately for a handhold as the floor tilted dangerously.

A thousand voices filled the room, echoing in unison, "you won't defeat us, we are too many."

The harsh tones grated in her ears and she struggled to make herself heard. "If you're so powerful, why did you try to control me? Why did you need to trick me?"

Locking the pistol back onto her leg, she steadied herself with both hands and slid sideways, inching towards the glowing energy.

"I stood up to you, I defeated you time and again - that's why you brought me here, isn't it? You didn't want to kill me, you could've let the Illusive Man do that. You wanted to force me into murdering my own people. For what? Revenge? A punishment for all the chaos and destruction I've caused you?"

The voices cried out in anger, suddenly disjointed and cacophonous.

"You made one mistake, though," she continued, desperate to keep them distracted, "I'm in here and you're out there. You can control the citadel, mess with my mind, and throw platforms around, but you can't physically touch me. You failed!"

Sparks fizzled from somewhere beneath her and the harsh sound of twisting metal rang in her ears. They'd finally recognized what she was doing, but they were too late. Her pistol slid smoothly from its groove, swinging upwards.

Time froze as Shepard steadied her hand, slowed her heartbeat, and squeezed the trigger.

The floor gave way, twisting underneath her, and the gun tumbled from her hand. She spiraled downwards, falling into endless space as the world exploded white.