Haven
Once it was a peaceful village. Tucked away in the Frostback Mountains. The villagers kept to their own. Until one day all hell broke loose, the village is now abandoned, fallen into disrepair.
The year 9:35 Dragon age. Haven was restored and used as a shelter for the pilgrims at the request of the Divine Justinia V. Following the events of the Conclave Haven was made as the initial base for the re-established Inquisition.
She groaned softly as she opened her eyes and sat up. Looking around she noticed she was on a bed soft as a cotton. Fire crackling, making the place warm. The clothes she wore gone and replaced by a skin-tight olive colored blouse adorned with golden buttons and a matching pants. Confused and alone, she closed her eyes to try and remember what had happened. The Keeper had sent her to the Conclave to spy on the Shems. The next thing she knew an explosion happened and she woke up in a dungeon. Interrogated by two women. Cassandra and Leliana.
'Explain this.' Hissed Cassandra, holding her left hand.
She looked at her hand in confusion. What? How did she get this? When did this happen? Did the explosion do this to her hand? She looked at Cassandra.
'I…Can't.' She replied.
'What do you mean, you can't?' Cassandra asked, looking at her intently.
'I don't know what this is or how it got there.' She replied, her voice trembling.
Cassandra grabbed her shirt.
'You're lying!' she growled.
Leliana stepped in and pulled Cassandra away from her.
'We need her Cassandra.' She said, making sure Cassandra had calmed a bit before turning towards her.
'Do you remember anything? How all this began?' Leliana asked crossing her arms.
She looked at her then back to the floor and tried her best to recall what had happened.
'I…remember running…? And then…a Woman…?
'A woman?' Leliana looked at her with curiosity. Cassandra, impatience lingering, walked towards Leliana.
'Go to the forward camp, Leliana.' She said. 'I will take her to the rift.'
Leliana nodded, looking at Cassandra then to her and walked out the dungeon. Cassandra watched as Leliana disappeared. She turned around and knelt beside her as she started unchaining her, wrapping both hands together in a tight rope then helped her up. Confused and curious, she looked at Cassandra and asked.
'What did happen?'
Cassandra looked at her, examining her for a moment before she answered.
'It…would be easier to show you.'
Cassandra dragged her up some stairs and into a hallway, walking towards a heavy double door. The door slowly opened, and as they stepped out, she blocked the bright light from her face. After a few moments she looked up at the sky. It was not what she thought it would be. Black and green color swirled around the sky. It looked like the sky was torn open and the hole it made was a portal. She looked in awe and disbelief until Cassandra's voice made her stop staring.
'We call it 'The Breach.' It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour. It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the Conclave.'
'An explosion can do that?' She asked.
'This one did. Unless we act, The Breach may grow until it swallows the world.'
As if on cue, the Breach pulsed. It caused her to kneel and scream in agony as the mark cracked with it. She hissed and pulled her bounded hands on her stomach, trying to calm it. Cassandra kneeled beside her.
'Each time The Breach expands, your mark spreads…and it is killing you. It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time.'
She looked at Cassandra and thought of her answer. There wasn't really much of a choice: To die and let the whole world die with her, or to help and hope that all this will end and she can go back to her clan.
'I understand.' She responded.
'Then…?' Cassandra said, surprised by her answer.
'I'll do what I can.'
Cassandra helped her up and walked her through crowds of people. As they walked Cassandra explained to her about what the Conclave was, and what the Divine was going to do. The people looked at her with disgust. Some spitting at her, others cursing her and calling her "knife-ear". Before stepping out in the open, they stopped near the gates. Cassandra pulled out a knife and cut off the ropes. She nodded to Cassandra as thanks. The soldiers opened the gates and they both ran out, with Cassandra leading the way. She asked Cassandra what happened, and Cassandra answered the best she could. The Breach pulsed again and it made her fall to the ground. Holding her marked hand. Cassandra kneeled beside her.
'The pulses are coming faster now...' She said.
The prisoner looked at her, pain clearly on her face. Cassandra helped her up, and continued running. As they got on the bridge a huge ball-like green meteor crashed into the bridge, collapsing it making everyone fall off. Both she and Cassandra rolled down many broken stones and landed on an ice cold ground. As they got back on their feet, a demon formed in front of them. Cassandra went on ahead, telling her to "stay down" but then another green meteor fell right in front of her and she knew she had to act or she will die. Looking around, she picked up a staff that was close to her and began casting spells. Fire. Lightning. Fire. Lightning. Finally they finished. Cassandra saw her with the staff and went into defensive mode.
'DROP YOUR WEAPON! NOW!' She demanded.
She looked at her and thought…
'You must be joking! There was another demon you shem-ass! Or did you not pay attention to your surroundings?!'
She sighed and slowly put her weapon down when Cassandra stopped her.
'Wait. I cannot protect you, and I cannot expect you to be defenseless. I should remember you agreed to come willingly.'
They started running towards their destination. Wherever that is. On their way more demons fell from the breach. They continued on their journey as more demons poured out from the sky. Finally they heard people shouting, metals clanging.
'We're getting close to the Rift. You can hear the fighting.'
'Who's fighting?' She asked.
'You'll see soon. We must help them.' Cassandra replied.
As they got closer she saw people fighting, and without thinking, she jumped and hit the demons with her lighting spell. Cassandra went on and taunted a demon. Finally when all the demons were dead…
'Quickly! Before more come through!'
Someone yelled and grabbed her left hand and held it up to the rift. She felt a warm sensation and the mark seemed calm when it got in touch with the Rift. CRACK! The rift was closed. She looked wide eyed and confused. She tugged her hand away and backed up a little.
'What did you do?' She asked, looking at the elf.
'I did nothing…the credit is yours.' He responded.
'You mean this?' She looked at the mark and then to him.
'Whatever magic opened The Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand. I theorized the mark may be able to close the rifts that have opened in The Breach's wake—and it seems I was correct.'
'Meaning it could also close The Breach itself.' Cassandra said while walking towards them.
'Possibly. It seems you hold the key to our salvation.' The elf replied.
'Good to know! Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever.' Someone said behind them.
She turned around and saw the dwarf fixing his gloves and walking towards them.
'Varric Tethras: Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong.'He winked to Cassandra as he said that. Cassandra on the other hand rolled her eyes and made a disgusted noise towards him.
'It's good to meet you Varric.' She replied with a small smile on her face.
'You may reconsider that stance in time.' The elf said.
'Aww…I'm sure we'll become great friends in the valley,Chuckles.' Varric replied.
Cassandra walked towards Varric and complained that they don't need his help. Varric responded that they do need him whether she likes it or not. Cassandra just made another disgusted noise and walked away from Varric. The elf introduced himself.
'My name is Solas if there is to be an introduction. I am pleased to see you still live.'
'He means 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept'.' Varric commented.
She looked at him and stared at him for a moment. He was not like most elves she'd seen before. He was taller, broader and more muscular compared to other elves. His eyes were icy-blue. His face was outlined so perfectly. His jaw, cheekbones and nose all complemented each other making him look…like a God.
'Oh creators…where did he come from? He's too…handsome! I'm surprised I am still standing. Or maybe I already fell and didn't realize? Wait…is this even real right now?'
Her thoughts were disrupted when the mark sent a little pain to her system.
'Yep, totally real…this is actually happening and this handsome elf exists in real life.'
Solas turned to Cassandra and explained to her that the mark may be able to close the rift, but to be cautious, since they don't know the power it holds. Cassandra agreed and they all started running towards the meeting point. As always demons getting in their way. She was surprised that they all worked together in sync. Cassandra taunting the demons to her way. Varric shooting arrows at the demons and blowing them up. Solas putting a barrier around her and himself. They both took turns in throwing their magic at the demons. Fire. Ice. Fire. Ice. At last, finally they reached their destination, but not before closing another rift. This time she did it by herself. CRACK! The rift closed. Cassandra ordered the soldiers to open the gate. As they walked towards where Leliana is, she heard Leliana and a man yelling at each other. As they moved closer, Leliana looked at their direction.
'Thank the maker you made it. Chancellor Rodrick this is-'
Leliana was cut off by the Chancellor, who turned and hissed at her, ordering Cassandra to take her to Val Royeaux for execution.
'Oh lovely…I already hate this guy.'
Cassandra did not like that idea as she stepped in and spat at him for ordering her, when he doesn't have the power to do anything. He retaliated back by calling her a "thug". Leliana cut in by reminding him who they serve. He argued back at them saying that they need to elect a replacement for the Divine.
'Oh for- Shems…always arguing about the most trivial things. Heeeey! We have a fucking HOLE IN THE SKY THAT IS SHITTING DEMONS AT OUR FACES!'
She cleared her throat and spoke.
'Isn't closing The Breach the more pressing issue?'
'YOU brought this on in the first place!' spat the Chancellor.
Cassandra walked closer towards the Chancellor and told him they have a way of stopping this. The Chancellor in disbelief told Cassandra that they won't survive long enough to reach The Breach. Cassandra's idea is to go straight forward for it is the quickest way. Leliana intervened saying it's not the safest, and suggested they take the mountain path. Cassandra reminded Leliana that they haven't even heard of the contacts for sometime now. The Chancellor pleaded with both of them that they just stop trying before more lives are lost. Then suddenly The Breach pulsed again. The mark acted up and she had to hold her hand to steady it. Everyone turned to look at her glowing mark and Cassandra asked her what they should do.
'What? Is she seriously asking me…what to do?'
She looked at her mark then to Cassandra then to The Breach.
'I say we charge, I won't survive long enough for your "trial". Whatever happens…happens now.'
Cassandra agreed and went to Leliana to have her bring everyone left in the valley. The Chancellor just shook his head and warned Cassandra if anything bad happens it will be on her head.
They ran towards the place called "The Temple of Sacred Ashes." On their way they encountered demons and men fighting each other and a rift that kept dropping demons. She felt a hum and knew it was Solas putting his barrier on everyone. They all charged with Cassandra taunting the enemies, Varric with his arrows and Solas with his magic.
'How many rifts are there!?'
She heard Varric yell out as he blew up another demon. She tried to disrupt the rift but a demon slashedat her back with its claws. Luckily, Solas's barrier protected her from any major injury. Cassandra taunted the demon that was on her and it turned away from her. She successfully disrupted the rift causing the demons to be stunned for a while. After what felt like an eternity, finally the rift was weak enough to be closed and with a CRACK she closed another rift.
'Sealed as before, you are becoming quite proficient at this.' Solas commented.
'Let's hope it works on the big one.' Varric said while walking besides Solas.
'Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift? Well done.' A man said.
She looked over to where Cassandra is and saw a man with dirty blond hair. Wearing what looks like a lion pelt. He was tall and muscular. His amber eyes complimenting his fair skin.
'Lovely…another handsome man…a SHEM. A Handsome elf and now a handsome Shem…I must be walking towards my death to be seeing this now.'
Her thoughts were broken when she heard Cassandra telling the man to not congratulate her.
'It is the prisoner's doing.'
The man looked from Cassandra to her. She felt her face burn when he looked at her.
'Is it? I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here.'
'I can't promise anything but I'll do my best.' She answered.
The commander told Cassandra that the temple should be clear now and Leliana will meet them there. Cassandra agreed and told the party to move quickly. With those parting words he walked back to their camp helping a soldier to his feet. As they walked towards the temple she looked back at the man, and for a moment admired how he cares for his soldiers.
Finally they arrived at the temple. All they saw was burn marks everywhere. Skeletons of people that were part of the Conclave all 'cemented' on the ground. Some with their hands up in the air pleading for help. Others looked like they tried to run but were too late. Cassandra explained that this is the place where the soldiers saw her. How they saw a woman who was standing behind her and no one could explain who she was. They walked another mile until they arrived at the huge rift. She looked up and almost let out a gasp of terror.
'THIS?! THIS is what they want me to fucking close?! Fenedhis! That rift is bigger than anything I've encountered! Then again…this is my first time doing this sort of thing…but STILL!'
'You're here! Oh thank the maker'
She turned around and saw Leliana with her men behind her. Cassandra turned around and told Leliana to have her men ready. Leliana nodded and ordered her men to their positions. She just stared in awe at the rift. Cassandra walked up to her, breaking her concentration.
'This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?' Cassandra asked.
'I'll try, but I don't know if I can reach that, much less close it.' She replied looking at the massive rift.
'No. This rift was the first and it is the key. Seal it and perhaps we seal The Breach.' Solas replied.
Cassandra agreed and suggested they find a way down. As they walked down they heard a voice.
'Now is the hour of our victory. Bring forth the sacrifice.' It said
'What are we hearing?!' Cassandra asked.
'At a guess. The person who created the breach.' Solas responded.
They kept walking and as they passed a stone that was red,she was about to touch it when Varric caught her hand.
'This stuff is red lyrium. DO NOT touch it.' He said gravely.
She nodded in response and just kept walking. Varric asked Cassandra if she knew about the red lyrium. Cassandra just scoffed and told Varric that she sees and knows it. Varric was wondering what it is doing there. Solas responded that it was probably drawn to the magic here.
'Keep the sacrifice still' the same voice said.
'Someone help me!' a woman's voice called out.
Cassandra recognized the voice, it was Divine Justinia's. They finally found a way down towards the rift. As they got closer, the mark sparked and then the Divine's voice echoed again.
'Someone help me!'
'What's going on here?!' another voice came in.
She looked up and was shocked to hear her own voice. She heard Cassandra talking behind her.
'That was your voice. Most Holy called out to you. But-'
Cassandra was cut off when the Rift acted and a bright light flashed and images came into view. A black figure stood in front of the Divine, while she was tied up. She came in the picture asking what's going on. The Divine told her to run and warn the others. The figure ordered his men to kill the intruder. As the vision ended Cassandra came up to her and started interrogating her again. She doesn't remember any of this happening at all. Solas explained that it echoed whatever happened here. The rift is closed, but only temporarily. Solas's faced her and told her to open it, but opening would mean demons will pour it. Cassandra understood and told everyone to be ready. Solas nodded to her to open the rift and within minutes, the rift opened, and a demon came out. It was not what she expected. This one was more massive and more powerful.
'Of course,it would be a big ass demon…coming out from a big ass rift.'
Cassandra ordered everyone to attack the demon. They all attacked together. Arrows flying hitting the demon but barely did any damage on him. The demon lashed out with an electric shot. She jumped out of the way just in time, and then felt a hum around her and knew Solas had given her a barrier. Cassandra told her to disrupt the rift in order to weaken this beast. She nodded in understanding and disrupted the rift, but more demons came out.
'Shit! Shit! Of course, there would be more!'
The battle went on, Cassandra taunting the demons away from her as she disrupted the rift. The rift kept pouring out more demons;everyone felt like it was going on forever. Finally the massive demon was defeated,as were the other demons. She heard Cassandra yelling for her to close the rift. With her last ounce of mana, she raised her left hand towards the rift and pushed it closed as hard as she could. She screamed as she pushed more and then….
She opened her eyes when she heard the door open. A young elf girl came in with what seemed to be a tiny crate. She was looking around and then saw her sitting on the bed. She gasped in surprise and dropped the crate.
"Oh! I didn't know you were awake I swear!" She said.
"It's alright. I only-"
The girl dropped to her knees and begged for forgiveness.
"I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant. You're back in Haven, my lady."
She looked around to see if there was anyone else in the room and realized this elf just called her "lady". Not knowing what to say, she remained silent as the young elf continued.
"They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing. Just like the mark on your hand." The elf continued.
Curious, she looked at her hand and by Mythal's blessing it was true. Her mark is now tiny. It looked almost like just a straight scar, glowing, but not the same glow it had when she first got it. The mark looked calmer, if she is being honest. Her thoughts were interrupted when the elf talked again.
"It's all anyone has talked about for the last three days."
'Three days!? I have been asleep for that long!?'
"I suppose a trial happens now." She asked.
"I don't know anything about that…but I'm sure Lady Cassandra would want to know you're awake. She said "at once."
"Where is she?" She asked standing up.
"In the Chantry, with the Lord Chancellor. "At once. She said."
With those words the girl ran outside leaving her to her own thoughts. She looked around and saw the staff she picked up and some clothes. She couldn't find the clothing she wore before and settled for the clothes that were laid out. Once she was done changing, she stared at the door knob, took a deep breath and sighed heavily before turning it. The bright light outside made her wince softly, put her hand up, shielding her eyes. Once her eyes settled she saw people gathering around. She stood frozen at the door and gulped.
'Well…at least they aren't armed…or have torches ready to burn you…'
She inhaled deeply, closed her eyes and let out a slow but heavy exhale. Once she composed herself, she slowly made her way towards the Chantry.
