Chapter Text
Shepard was mentally and emotionally exhausted; she had just left the bedside of her dead lover. Thane had in the months they had been together, minus the six months that the Alliance had kept them apart, in more ways than one, become everything to her. Friend, mentor, spiritual advisor, and lover. Now he was gone. The pain in her chest from her shattered heart almost brought her to her knees. But with everyone depending on her, the entire god damn galaxy, in fact, she couldn't give in to the overwhelming grief. Not yet, anyway. When this war came to an end, then it would be a different story.
The months went by, her closest friends noticed the difference in her. Her pale skin growing paler, her eyes once vibrant with life and filled with love for the drell, were now cold and lifeless. They did what they could to try and reach her, but it was no use.
Kolyat had told them all that she had entered a battle sleep; it would take nothing short of a God's intervention at this point to bring her back. Thane had died only a short time ago, but she had fallen into a battle sleep much deeper than he had been in when she appeared before him, waking him, bringing him to life again. The tears fell from Kolyat's eyes as he told them this, a chance at having a link to his father disappearing right in front of him and he could do nothing to stop it.
Choose. The paths are open.
Shepard looked at the three devices in front of her.
Destruction, destroy all synthetic life. If the apparition were truthful ... that would include her. And it would only be a temporary solution.
Control, become the head of the Reapers. Her will would guide them. Become a Reaper ... the very thing she was fighting? How was that a choice?
Synthesize, merge every lifeform, both synthetic and organic into one new lifeform. Without trillions of being's consent, change them forever. Play God. Bring about lasting peace. Mordin's voice whispered to her, "culturally stagnant. Glands replaced by tech... the digestive system replaced by tech... soul replaced by tech... tools for the Reapers."
Shepard looked at the apparition. "You're full of shit. There is only one true choice. The one you are trying to entice me away from." She limped toward the glowing red device, firing round after round into it. She didn't see the frowning face of the reaper child behind her, the image breaking up as she fired more rounds into the device.
"I am coming, Thane. I will be with you on Kalahira's shores soon, my love."
She fired one final shot, and her world exploded in a wave of pain, heat, and destruction.