Alex Kerber: Lvl 6
HP: 243/373, MP: 230/373 AURA: 102/263 SHIELDS: 350/350
Alex decides to use up one dose of [Medigel], not wanting to take any unnecessary risks.
You have recovered 50 HP
You have recovered 50 HP
You have recovered 50 HP
You have recovered 50 HP
Refreshed, Alex rushes back up the platform, eyes locked on Benezia, who still hides behind her shimmering barrier.
Her gaze is full of hate as she launches another Warp at him. This time, Alex reacts quickly—jumping off the platform and dashing behind the giant cage. The biotic projectile slams harmlessly against the protected cage, not able to damage it.
From his cover, he glances around—and freezes.
Ashley and Kaidan are lying behind a crate, not moving.
No!
His feet move before his mind can fully process, sprinting toward them as a lone Asari Commando walks toward their position, clearly intent on finishing the job.
She sees him coming and hurls a Warp his way. Alex desperately blocks with his sword, but the ability still deals devastating damage to his shields, breaking almost half of them.
You have received 166 damage (blocked by shields)
[Executioner's Blade R2]
Durability: 88/120 (Can't be destroyed)
The sword's damaged. Fine. I'll repair it with your blood!
The Commando opens fire in desperation—two bullets land—but Alex surges forward, activating Nen for support and launching himself into the air.
You have received 55 damage (blocked by shields)
You have received 44 damage (blocked by shields)
Mid-flight, he prepares a Flying Thundara Sword, aiming to end her before she can react.
At the last second, she erects a biotic Barrier, her teeth clenched as she braces for impact.
You have dealt 144 + 126 = 270 damage to Asari Commando
The impact shatters her shields and barrier—but she's still standing, seemingly not that hurt.
Still airborne, Alex twists and slashes down again.
She tries to repel him with a Push, but he powers through it, bringing his blade down—slicing through her left arm, before landing.
You have dealt 89 damage to Asari Commando
You have crippled Asari Commando (left hand)
You have caused bleeding
She screams, blood spraying, and fires her rifle wildly with her one remaining hand. The shots go wide and miss their target.
Alex wastes no time. He finishes her with a clean, horizontal slash.
You have dealt 81 damage to Asari Commando
You have killed Asari Commando
Panting, exhausted, Alex stares at the aftermath.
Kaidan and Ashley are conscious now, each using [Medigel], but they're in bad shape—Ashley clutches her stomach, while Kaidan's pale face is visible even through his helmet.
"Lie down and take cover! I got it!" Alex shouts.
Ashley lowers her head silently. Kaidan gives him a weak nod, acknowledging his words.
Alex turns and scans the battlefield. Shepard, Wrex, Liara, Tali, and Garrus are finishing off the last of the Geth and Commandos—though several of them look almost as battered as Kaidan and Ashley.
He rushes back toward the main platform.
Benezia's expression looks visibly strained as she collapses onto the ground for a second, her barrier now gone. Her knee drops to the floor as she's surrounded by the entire crew, except Kaidan, Ashley, and Garrus, who's tending to both his own wounds and theirs.
Kneeling down, with her barrier gone, she's now exposed, drained, unprotected, and helplessly outnumbered.
Her voice trembles, but her words remain sharp. "This is not over. Saren is unstoppable. My mind is filled with his light. Everything… is clear."
"I expected better from Asari Commandos," Shepard says, raising her gun with a wry, mischievous smile.
Benezia's expression turns and he leans on top of the control board for the Rachni Queen. "I will not betray him. You will— You…"
Suddenly, her hate-filled demeanor changes into one of desperation. "You must listen. Saren still whispers in my mind. I can fight his compulsions. Briefly. But the indoctrination is strong!"
"Mother?!" Liara asks her eyes filled with hope, but Shepard stretches out her free hand to hold her back, her gun still aimed at her.
"Why are you able to break free of his control now?" Shepard questions her.
Benezia speaks in a calm voice, "I sealed a part of my mind away from the indoctrination. Saving it for a moment when I could help destroy him. It will not last long."
Shepard doesn't seem sympathetic as she says, "You chose to join with Saren. You just got more than you bargained for."
"Right, Shepard, these foolish regrets are laughable," Wrex steps forward, his face bloody. "Killing you will be enough to calm me down until we can get rid of Saren. Do you want to do the honor, Human?" He then looks at the clueless Alex, who says nothing and just shrugs.
Not really time for that Wrex… he looks angry, looks like even he came close to dying.
"Shut up! Not without my command! What do you have to say, Benezia?" Shepard says in a commanding tone.
"It is a terror to be trapped in your mind. To beat upon the glass as your hands torture and murder. I was powerless—nothing but a tool for Saren. He sent me here to find the location of the Mu Relay. Its position was lost thousands of years ago."
"Explain, how does something that big go missing?" Shepard asks, her gun still aimed at her.
"Four thousand years ago, a star nearby went supernova. The shockwave propelled the relay out of its system, but did not damage it. Its precise vector and speed are impossible to determine. As millennia passed, the nebula created by the nova enveloped the relay. It is difficult to find any cold object in interstellar space. Particularly something swathed in hot dust and radiation." Benezia explains.
"She is not wrong," Liara confirms, nodding at Shepard.
"Tell me where the Mu gate is before I lose my temper. You can atone for your actions by giving it to me!" Shepard asks.
"Of course, Commander," Benezia says, slowly walking towards Shepard with no fear in her eyes. Her figure, even graceful.
"I transcribed the data to an OSD. Take it. Please." She says, handing it to Shepard, who takes it and puts it away.
Liara, with a pain-filled expression, says, "Knowing the relay's coordinates is not enough. Do you know where he planned to go from there?"
Benezia shakes her head, "Saren wouldn't tell me his destination. But you must find out quickly. I transmitted the coordinates to him before you arrived. You have to stop— me. I can't. His teeth are at my ear. Fingers on my spine. You should—Uh, you should—"
"Fight him! Don't leave! Mother!" Liara cries out, her eyes now full of tears.
"You've always made me proud, Liara!" She says, before turning around.
Alex, unwilling to take more risks with three crew members already unable to fight, unleashes a Flying Thundara Slash with his blade. Shepard opens fire at the same time—only for Benezia to conjure another biotic Barrier, blocking both attacks without collapsing.
You have dealt 111 + 101 = 212 damage to Benezia
"DIE!" she screams, drawing her gun and firing, while hurling another Warp in the same breath.
The Warp slams into Tali, sending her flying. She crashes hard against the floor, unable to stay on her feet.
She's out!
Enraged, Alex goes all out—rushing forward with another Thundara Slash.
This time, his blade tears through the barrier and cuts into her shoulder. In a desperate move, Benezia lashes out with biotics, flinging Alex across the platform. He spins midair and slams into the guard railing, his body erupting in pain.
You have dealt 139 + 111 = 250 damage to Benezia
You have received 31 damage.
Now exposed, with no barrier and no armor, Benezia takes heavy fire from Shepard and Wrex. The shots rip through her—forcing her to the ground. Her pistol slips from her hand as she collapses.
Shepard raises a hand to stop Wrex and approaches slowly.
Alex, groaning, gets back on his feet and joins her, blade still in hand.
"I… cannot go on. You'll have to stop him, Shepard," Benezia says faintly, her voice now calm—herself again.
Shepard glares at her, her eyes cold. "First, you turn on the Council, now on Saren. You're not loyal to anything, are you?"
"No!" Liara yells, rushing to her mother's side. "We can save her! She's back to her senses!"
Benezia slumps. "Hm… I suppose that's how history will remember me. Sorry…"
"Mother…" Liara whispers, kneeling beside her and pulling off her own helmet.
"Good night, Little Wing… I will see you again with the dawn," Benezia says softly, her voice on the edge of death.
Liara activates her omni-tool and injects Medigel, but Shepard steps in, cautioning her.
"She can't be trusted. She's still with Saren."
"She's dying anyway," Wrex mutters. "Too late."
"NO!" Liara cries, eyes wide as she turns to Alex. "Save her!"
"How?!" Alex says, clearly surprised.
Why me?! Why are you looking at me!?
"Your tech! I know you have secrets—I'll pay you back! I—please!!" Liara begs, grabbing him by the arms.
Alex, not quite sure what to do, suddenly remembers his [Forceful Recruitment Token].
[Forceful Recruitment Token]
World: Fantasy Realm
Quality: Purple
Effect: Allows the user to try to forcefully recruit a Character, allowing him to become a permanent Follower and join the player in the Realm as a Supporter. The base chance of success is 10% for Purple Quality followers, 40% for Blue Quality followers, and 80% for Green Quality Followers. Success is guaranteed on Light-Green characters or below. It does not work on Light-Gold Quality Characters or above. Each attempt uses up a Medium Soul Crystal, and this item can only be used once on every character.
Note: You don't need to rely on Destiny to recruit your comrades! Non-tradable.It can be used endlessly as long as the effect is not successful. After a successful activation, this item will be used up.
Why would I even…? She's powerful, sure, but—
"PLEASE!!" Liara begs again, shaking him, her eyes full of tears.
Alex freezes. Something stirs inside him—her desperation hits him hard.
"Stand down, Liara! I'm ordering you to stop!" Shepard yells, voice rising.
"Alex!!" Liara screams in desperation.
"I…" Alex stammers.
Fine! I haven't thought about it but… worth a try! System use [Forceful Recruitment Token]on Benezia now!
You have lost 1 Soul Crystal (Medium)
[Player has activated [Forceful Recruitment Token] on Benezia]
[Checking Benezia's status:
NPC Quality: Deep Purple — Chance of Recruitment 5%
NPC Status: Close to dying — Unable to suppress [Forceful Recruitment Token]]
[Checking Result…]
[Benezia has been recruited as a Follower. Due to the Follower's Status, she will be immediately returned to the Realm.]
Benezia, close to death, asks, "No light? They always said there would be a—ah… there it is!" Her momentary desperation turns into salvation as she smiles and closes her eyes.
Suddenly, a light erupts from her and shoots into the space, disappearing in less than a second.
To Alex's surprise, her dead body is left behind… but more importantly, Alex sees a Golden Chest appear on her!
Jackpot!