Dissonance (Arc II)

Chapter 1: Wake Up

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Dragon Age or their characters or their stories. Bioware is to thank for bestowing us such amazing work. I only claim my own original character and any other made up character that I have created.

The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.

- Marcel Pagnol

Life isn't something that can be contorted to fit the inclinations of our own heart and mind. Life is a strict progression that starts at one point and ends at the other. But there comes a time when someone must unearth what they had buried, even if they have forgotten where they last buried what they had left behind.

The shock of falling in his dream had caused Sin to awaken. His twitch had made him sit up in a straight position. His body felt as if he was sore, like he hadn't moved in months. Was that how long he had been asleep? His mind began to wonder to his "dream". It had to be a dream, otherwise he wouldn't be here right now. At this moment it was hard for him to grasp the concept of the Fade. Sin's knowledge of the Fade runs dry as a river. It's almost embarrassing. If he was going to learn more about it, he would have to consult someone who is proficient in the field.

Sin ran his hands over his face. The contact of his skin was a strange sensation, almost like he had not touched a thing for days. It was odd. Sin swung his legs over the bed. He decided to take it easy as he stood on his feet. He was glad making the decision being that he collapsed onto the ground in an instant. He quickly got back on his feet with the support of the bed to get him there.

The door opened, and his eyes met the figure of a man, a short one at that. Sin inferred he was a warrior of some sort, judging by his attire. But his face was too familiar. His face was blank as he gazed into his dry eyes. He cautiously approached Sin as if he was a bear awakening from hibernation, "You are finally awake."

Sin was still trying to adjust his stance and collect his mind. Was this a dream still? It was difficult to make out in his current jumbled mind. Taurin stopped at a decent distance between the two, "I cannot believe you awoke. All this time we kept you in here. I wanted to go back to get Andraste's ashes-"

Sin raised his hand to stop him there,"How long was I asleep?"

Taurin then gave Sin an odd look. One that says, "Shouldn't you know". Sin waited for a few seconds until the most audible noise coming from him was a gulp before he had spoke, "You were asleep for seven years."

Sin's eyes grew wide. How could he be asleep for seven whole years? He then heard an echo in his mind, "Much like in dreams, time has no place in the Fade. The window to the world of the living is the spectrum of infinite times. A spirit can enter past, present or future. A mortal entering the Fade is entering into a land where time stands still. When they enter their world again, time will have slipped by."

Then his dream was real then, Vadar was real and what he said was the truth. This was difficult to understand. As Vadar had explained, he never entered his part of the Fade before because he was never truly asleep. What was he to do now?

Taurin must have noticed Sin's confusion. He added, "Alastair and I checked on you everyday at first before we were called to our duties. Marea stayed by your side the entire time. I cannot believe the time you were asleep, your appearance never changed. Not a single hair grew."

Sin's ears perked at the sound of Marea's name, "Where is she?"he interrupted.

Taurin was taken back but spoke, "I think she was in the library the last time I saw her."

Sin didn't bother to hear the rest of Taurin's stories. He took his mask, sword and walked out of the room. For a few minutes Sin was lost in the labyrinth of the Denerim castle. He was later founded by Taurin who looked at him disappointed before escorting him to the library.

Sin observed the bowing heads to Taurin by passing by servants and erect statures from the guards. He was a respected hero for her deeds even years after her conquering endeavor. But he wondered what had Taurin done the last seven years since the Blight had ended.

Before they entered the library, Sin cared to inquire Taurin about it, "What have you been doing these past few years?"

"I previously said Alastair and I had duties to attend to. I was promoted Warden-Commander and was called to duty in Amaranthine to stop more darkspawn."

Sin shook his head, "Anything else of note?"

Sin noticed Taurin's lips curl, "I found Morrigan."

That was interesting, "And?"

"All of us are happy."

Taurin did not seem to tary on with the subject any further. Sin wanted to press on with questions, especially Taurin's use of "all of us". He turned his head from the Hero of Fereldan and to the library door where he let Sin in.

The door had beat Taurin to it before he could lay her hand on the handle. Marea stopped in her tracks as she stared with her eyes wide to Sin. She then proceeded to smile and giggle. She was happy.

"Sin, you're awake."

Seeing Marea filled his stomach with the tingling feeling of snow touching hot skin. He didn't expect her to still be around what with the people hunting after her. Maybe she hasn't left the castle since the Archdemon. The thought of the creature seemed so recent yet so distant.

"Well now that you are awake Sin, this is cause for celebration." Taurin suggested.

Sin's lips tightened. Now that he knew Vadar was real, then what he had told Sin truly meant something. He had to find out who he really was. He can't do that if he spends his time in the castle. He turned to the elf, "I am afraid we will have to pass on that. I have other matters I must take care of."

Taurin seemed confused, "Whatever it is, I am willing to help you. You are my friend, and you helped me through the good times and bad. It is the least I can do for you."

Sin shook his head, "I am sorry Taurin, this is a journey that I must go on without more help."

"I understand. What is it that you need to do?"

"Never have I recalled a memory of my childhood. Not once."

"You cannot? What happened?"

"I don't know. I was only seven years old when I had awoken in a pile of dried leaves without the faintest recollection of anything. I never knew how I got there or why I was there. That is why I must go on this journey, to find out who I am. You may know the story of Sin, but you don't know the story of Isaac Cervantes Rosincruetz."

Sin noticed by Taurin's dark eyes, that he supported his decision. He stepped out of his path and smiled, "I will not stop you. But you are welcome anytime."

This was his first step to his journey.