The year following the defeat of Corypheus proved to be a busy one. As Josephine promised, there were galas to attend, nobility clambering for her attention, the rise of Leliana as Divine Victoria and the forces required to keep peace when the mages were freed to walk their own paths. This, and so much more.

For a time, all her traveling companions remained save Solas to aid in closing stray rifts and wrap up unfinished business. Then, one by one, they all left to continue walking their own paths.

Blackwall left to join the wardens and to help them rebuild. He was also sent to let them know they were welcome back to Orlais now that Corypheus was defeated and would not be corrupted.

Vivienne started her own school for magic in Orlais, one more in line with her own ideals. She was not alone in her beliefs, and she took in her own branch of uncorrupted templars to join in the ranks.

Cassandra sought to rebuild the Seekers, and established her own fortress in doing so. She worked closely with the Inquisition, recruiting hopefuls from its ranks and occasionally employing Cole's help to determine whether said hopefuls were qualified. She did not want darkened hearts to sully the ranks again.

Varric returned to Kirkwall to write, though he did return to visit occasionally.

Dorian took his time returning to Tevinter. The changes he wished to make were...unwelcome to many, and thus took careful preparation. He built careful alliances and bided his time. He still lived in Skyhold, but his trips to Tevinter were growing more frequent.

Sera never left, and had stuck around to make sure the Inquisition "didn't get their swelling heads stuck up their expanding arses."

The Iron Bull ran his merc company out of The Herald's Rest, becoming a semi-permanent addition to Skyhold's forces. If the Inquisition required his talents, he took their jobs. If there were no jobs for him there, he took others so long as they were not for any enemies of the Inquisition.

Cole stayed, only leaving where it would help the most. He helped Cassandra to make sure only those with good hearts and intentions joined the Seekers. He also spent a great deal of time aiding in the recovery of the Templars who sought after Cullen's example and stopped taking lyrium. After how easily their ranks became corrupted, a distaste grew for non-mages taking the stuff.

Cullen and Josephine remained at their posts, the Left and Right hands of the Inquisition.

On one of Varric's visits, he had spent a long time speaking with Cole, who could not help but wonder what sort of person he was becoming, and if he was truly free of the threat of becoming a demon. Just how human had he become?

"When I was clean before, when I could forget, I never wondered about the future. The future is a distant thing, and it isn't now, it doesn't need thoughts because it will happen. Helping is here and now so I didn't think beyond it. I still want to help, but I wonder about the future me and if I will still help. I'm more real now, so I don't know what it could mean," he tried to explain to Varric over drinks. Rather, he explained while Varric drank.

"The future. That's a big one to pick up, yeah. I suppose you just keep learning and growing. Sometimes that means that over time, you change," the dwarf gestured. "But that doesn't mean you'll turn into a demon. You'll just be a...different you."

Cole frowned, clearly confused. "How do I become a different me? Is it like when I became Cole?"

Varric shook his head. "No, no...I mean. Maybe?" He shrugged. "I guess you could be around for a long time. I mean, do you even age?"

"I could try. Would that give me a beard, like Blackwall?"

Varric laughed. "Sure! If you...I mean, can you though? That would make you pretty damn human."

Cole thought for a moment. "I will, then. Is that what you mean by a different me? Aging?"

Varric sighed, "I'm going to need another drink for this."

...

The change happened over the next few months. Every time Cole came back to Skyhold he looked a little older. When stubble started forming on his face, he very enthusiastically sought out the Inquisitor, who he found passing through the gardens.

"I have stubble now. It will be a beard," he proclaimed proudly, suddenly at her side.

She was startled at first. "Creators, Cole!" With a sigh of relief, she examined what he was so happy about, like a parent humoring a child. "That's certainly coming along. You…" she studied him more closely for a moment. "You seem older."

"Yes. I am a different me all the time, but the same me inside. I can be different and help," he explained.

The Inquisitor lifted her eyebrows. "I...see."

"Different, foreign, faces appearing and disappearing in smoke, lost in the fog. I can still hear the voices and see them, but when it's real it's wrong. Where is my family?" Cole murmured. "Don't worry, they won't forget you. I don't, and I'm glad. You don't have to feel alone because they're not gone, and you can see them. They will always be there for you."

The elf maiden set a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, Cole. I miss everyone, but we all have our own paths to walk. The world needs help, and we all do different things to help it."

Cole smiled fondly at her. "I like that you help."

"I know. And I like that you help."