A Numbing Effect: A Mass Effect Fanfiction

Hay all, this is the first chapter in a short Mass Effect based story, I hope you enjoy and leave lots of critic comments. Haters, the door is to your left.

I stare into the eyes of the holographic child the Catalyst had chosen to speak through, the same child that I had seen on Earth the day the Reapers overran us. The child that had haunted my dreams every night since we had fled Earth in search of help. The child that both proved my inability to save everyone, and my determination to try.

"The paths are open, but you have to choose." Said the Catalyst, its small voice echoing within the cavernous space of the Citadel.

I didn't say anything else to the Catalyst, my beaten and broken body screaming in agony as I force my legs to move. As I limp slowly down the walkway, two panels realigned themselves, forming ramps on either side of my path. When I reach the crossroads I pause, knowing that what I do next would change the universe forever. To my right, I can see the red, pulsating glow of the Reapers life support, and with a single shot I know that I could destroy the greatest enemy the universe has ever known, but at a cost to synthetic life beyond compare. To my left, I saw the control station where I could become the harbinger of the Reapers, dominating them to my will and forcing them to retreat to the distant corners of the galaxy. Both of these paths would allow me to walk away, to go back to my ship, my life, my lover... they were the easy paths, the ones that wouldn't make me sacrifice anything else. And I couldn't take them, not if I wanted to make certain that our children and our children's children will be safe. Not if I want to end the cycle for good.

Instead I look ahead, to where the raw, unimaginable energy of the Catalyst was burning, brighter than any sun. I smile slightly as the searing light pricked tears into my eyes, it felt good to be alive, and I was going to miss it. Then I start running, tossing aside my pistol and ripping off my Omni-Tool as it started blaring that I am losing critical amounts of blood, the droplets falling like crimson tears onto the metal walkway in my wake. The only tears I'll cry today.

I didn't look back as I reached the precipice, knowing that the Catalyst child would be there, impassive and calculating as it watched me make my decision.

As I fall from the edge, down into the light, I can feel the Catalyst leeching away my energy, searing through skin, flesh, and bone as it consumes me. But I didn't want to think about that, instead I concentrate on everyone I care for, everyone I have lost in the war with the Reapers.

I see Kaden, the first member of my crew to die because of the Reapers. I see Garrus, grinning through a face laced with scars from old battles we've fought. I see Ashley, strict as a drill sergeant and one of the closest friends I have ever had. I see Jack and Miranda, bickering happily. And I see Mordin and Thane, sacrificing themselves to bring about a peace between the Citadel races.

Last of all I see Liara, the most beautiful woman I have ever met, embracing me aboard the Normandy before the final assault on Earth. As it turns out, embracing me for the last time...

"I love you Liara," I say as the pain inside my head intensifies and I begin to black out, "Through all of eternity..."

"Shepard!" Liara screamed, reaching out as if trying to catch hold of her lover, but there was nothing there, she was alone in the bed she used to share with Alicia Shepard, and the clock on the nightstand told her it was only two hours into the Normandy's night cycle.

By the goddess." Cursed the asari. She had been reliving Alicia's death for days now, the unity they had shared imparting Shepard's last memory to her when she died. Like a cruel gift of her lover that she couldn't live without.

As she fell back against her pillow, drawing I the scent of her lover that still lingered on the sheets, she heard Alicia's last words echo in her mind, 'I love you Liara, through all of eternity...'

"I love you too Shepard..." whispered Liara as tears began to run from her eyes.