New Age

Chapter One: Same Old Bad Things

The smell of death stains the air, lingering in the nostrils and the mouth as Hawke tries to breathe. He stands at the entrance of a cave, looking in at the horrific scene within. Headless bodies of soldier's were impaled on wooden stakes and stood like a sick honor guard lining the entrance. Behind him a wrenching sound from one of the Inquisition men being sick into the bushes. It's taken many years for Hawke's stomach to harden against the smell of death.

Hawke glanced over the soldier's; nine Templars stood in shiny silver armor each of them as disgusted as himself but also grim faced and prepared for battle. Behind them was a squad of the Inquisition soldier's, each face a mixture of terror, horror and dismay. Despite Cullen's assurance that all of them were trained warriors, Hawke had his doubts that they were seasoned warriors. The Inquisitor had insisted that they accompany him but now he wished that he had refused. Hawke knew how unreliable such inexperienced men can be in battle. In this uncertain situation Hawke needed men to be able to stand at his back through whatever may come at them. He turned to address one of the scout placed under his command.

"Elroy, Vernus" he called to elven rouge and the blonde mage. "What do you think?"

"Other than this is disturbing? I see no signs of physical traps." Elroy replied as he covered his face with his scarf.

"Potentially a spell lingers, but . . . " Vernus trailed off studying the entrance.

"Vernus, are there any spells?" he pushed for answer knowing the mage was stunned by the scene. But despite his innocence Vernus had a large wealth of knowledge of magic and how to counter it.

Slowly he said, "Not a trap spell, but a lingering presence of magic on the bodies. I do believe that these were used in a blood magic ritual." All around Hawke growling and curses echoed from the Templar's at the mention of blood magic. Hawke turned to address the warriors placed under his command.

"Sergeant Fareman, you will take your men and head left around the cliff. You are to search for any exits that may lead into this cave. Sergeant Severn you will take your men and head to the right doing the same. Captain Ducret, you and the rest of your Templars will follow me into the caverns. I don't want anyone escaping this cave." Even as Hawke spoke, he saw the soldier's relax, and gather themselves.

Captain Arnaud Ducret spoke up, "Wouldn't it be better if all the Inquisition forces and I accompany you. We don't know how many of them there are in that cave."

"No, we don't. But I doubt many would willingly live in such a hell hole. We don't know much about these caves, and I'm not willing to let even one bastard escape. This bloody murder will end today!" Hawke voice was hard and it hit the captain hard. He bowed his head in acknowledgment crossing his chest with his fists. Hawke turned to stare back down the cavern. For once he was thankful for the darkness of a cave as it shadowed his view of the gruesome details.

"Vernus and Elroy, we will go first and search for traps, and spells. Samara and Skyler, you will bring up the rear. Follow in pairs the rest of you, and watch each other backs. Ready your weapon's Inquisition."

The decent into the cave were worse than Hawke had anticipated. Headless bodies of humans and elves alike greeted them at each turn. Each of them was string up like puppets forced to hold positions. There were elves dressed as servants and were made to hold brooms and trays. In one room there were a couple of children holding toys. The cave was furnished with miss matching furniture that was clearly stolen. It gave the caves an unworldly sense to them, and stood the hair on the back of his neck up

Hawke had been called in to aid the Inquisition when many people of surrounding farms went missing. They had hoped to find them alive but that hope died as they went deeper into the caves. Hawke had heard about the murderer that they were chasing. His name was Jehanel Esnault, and he was once a wealthy Altus. But with the fall of Corypheus and the destruction of the Venatori he was arrested, awaiting his trial. But Esnault had escaped and now it seemed that he was trying to rebuild what he lost in an twisted way.

The tunnels suddenly opened into a large cavern that was lit by a large chandelier hanging from the roof. A long wooden table stood in the center of the room set up with a full feast on it. In each of the chairs a headless body sat. Hawke began scanning the room for danger when he noticed the heads. Samara gasped when she saw them, drawing the rest of the Templar's attention to the end of the cavern. Spread across the wall was a giant magic circle drawn with dark blood. Placed in key points of the runes mounted like trophies were the heads of all the bodies they had seen. Every one of their sightless eyes stared at them in silent terror. The sight overwhelmed them and stunned the group into silence

"That's not possible..." Vernus gasped breaking the silence. "Do you see the spiral sections, Hawke? Do you know what this means!" Hawke clenched his staff realizing what Vernus was indicating. A chill ran through Hawke's blood, causing his body to shiver slightly.

"How about you tell the rest of us. We aren't mages and aren't schooled in the arcane arts," Captain Ducret asked harshly.

"This blood rune is trying to open a way into the Fade." Vernus explained

"Great another rift."

"No, it's different than a simple tear in the veil! It's trying manipulate the Fade...or reality. I'm not sure." Vernus shook his head.

"I thought you were a expert in identifying magic. That's why we brought you."

"Well excuse me for not being well versed in blood rituals. It's not like they are forbidden and never written down." Vernus snapped.

"Enough," Hawke said firmly. "We need to focus. This ritual is almost complete, we need to stop it."

"Then let's break it," Ducret stepped forward raising his sword over his head. Hawke acted quickly smashing the crystal end of his staff into the captain's face knocking him down.

Fury coursed through his veins and he glared dagger's at the Templar, as he snarled, "Fool! Are you trying to kill us all? You don't simply break a rune of this power. It would destroy the cave and us along as well." Ducret stared up at him in astonishment, hand covering the blooming bruise forming on his cheek.

"Yes, as it is we have unravel the rune magic," Vernus explain, "That's going to take time since someone decided to bring only two mages on his venture."

"It was not his decision, Vernus. I didn't realize how bad this situation was going to be. We were only facing a single blood mage" Hawke waved at the wall. "As it is we still haven't found Esnault. But we can't ignore this ritual. Its destruction must be our first priority."

"I am afraid I can't allow you to do that," a voice echoed in the cavern. The sight of the runes had distracted them, so nobody noticed the appearance of Jehanel Esnault in an alcove above them.

"It seems we have uninvited guests in our halls. May I ask who you are?" Jehanel voice echoed across the cavern and the Templars jumped into action forming a defensive square. The two archers' Samara and Skyler targeted their arrows at Jehanel, and the Vernus began to chant preparing their spells. Hawke raised his stone armor around himself and stood separate from the Templars.

"We are the Inquisition, Jehanel. Stop this madness and surrender yourself." Captain Ducret called. Jehanel was on the wrong side of forty, hair greying at ends. He was once beautiful but imprisonment and stress created dark circles under his eyes and deep lines across his face. He wore rich robes of yellow and purple that were stain with blood. Old blood crusted across his face and over his hands. He had mad look in his eyes.

"Ah, the Inquisition. They say the Inquisitor saved us from the Corypheus. But did he? Corypheus would have brought change to this broken world. He would have led us to the Golden City and brought us salvation, free us from death."

"There is no Golden City and death come for us all," Hawke said darkly, reading his magic.

"You would know all about that wouldn't you, Champion," Jehanel sneered at him looking down his crooked nose.

"Yes I know who you are. The traitor mage, who led the Templars against his own kind. You don't save anyone. You kill and kill. I kill as well." Jehanel began rambling. "I killed the Tevinter men who came after me. I killed those who called me a monster. I killed those who refused to be ruled by me. I will rule now in replacement of Corypheus."

"He's mad," Vernus said, disgust dripping in his voice.

"You just figured that out now. I knew that from all the headless bodies everywhere," replied Elroy trying to joke. I hushed them, this was not the time for banter.

"That right I am an Altus, and this is my kingdom. You will follow me or die. Maybe you should die and follow me anyway," Jehanel declared. His hands began glowing yellow, and the corpses that sat at the table stood up knocking over their chairs and turn toward them.

Hawke didn't need to waste his breath to order the attack, as the archers shot their arrows at the nearest corpses, but the arrows didn't slow them. So the next shot was a white-tipped arrow of faith which burned the undead and damaged. The Templars raised their swords that began to burn with holy flames that causes lingering damage to the corpses.

"Vernus, step back. You're spells are going to be affected by the Templars abilities. Focus your attacks on Jehanel." Hawke commanded. Jehanel who had erected a magical shield over the alcove protecting himself from the archers shots. He was too high for the Templars to affect him. But Vernus wasn't a battle mage and his spells were too weak dissipating when connecting to the barrier.

Hawke gathered his energies, raising a stone from the ground and directed it at the cave wall above the alcove Jehanel causing the ceiling to cave in. Jehanel quickly jumped out of the alcove and was floating into the air still surrounded by his magical shield.

"How does he have so much power?" Hawke wondered aloud.

"He's wearing a lyrium crystal pendant! Those are extremely rare and powerful." Vernus called out as he got a closer look at Jehanel.

Jehanel floated down directly in front of the blood rune, a large pool of magic in his hands. But his focus was directed on his corpses, and to defend himself. This means that he couldn't attack them since his attention was so divided. But he didn't need to as the Templar were already being overwhelmed by the corpses poring into the cavern. Hawke knew they needed a way to get to Jehanel, then he saw his chance.

Hawke signaled Elroy with a gesture of his hand and the elf nodded, one of the few who can read hand signals. He dropped out of sight into the shadow, circling the room toward the rope holding up the chandelier. None of the corpses noticed him as Hawke cast a misdirection spell to confuse the enemies. Except Jehanel. Jehanel attention had been caught by the glint of Elroy's knife glinting off the candle light as he went to cut the rope. He quickly threw a ball of fire at Elroy which exploded upon impact leaving Elroy limp against the wall.

Hawke felt his own fury rising and consume him like fire. One of his charges had been severely injured or was dead; his blood burned and his vision closed in around himself. Hawke turned his battle rage toward Jehanel and charged through the undead knocking them aside with a mind blast. A roar of anger left his lips and it echoed across the cavern. Jehanel turned his attention to Hawke, his mouth beginning to form a spell. Then Hawke threw cast a dispel at Jehanel shattering his magical shield. Hawke directed a large stone at the mage, hitting him in the gut and knocked him to the ground.

Jehanel gasped in pain, and struggled to stand. He gathered his headless corpses around him, but Ducret met their attack with his shield. Hawke punched another with his stone spiked fist as Ducret stabbed the down corpse. Recovered Jehanel cast a wall of fire forcing Ducret to step back.

Hawke strengthen his stone armor and shut his eyes, as he walked through the flames. Jehanel saw Hawke trailing flames as he came closer and his eyes widen in fear. Then he began to laugh like a drunken madman.

"The monster . . . the demon . . . he comes to kill me," Jehanel cried. Hawke was almost on top of him now and he tried desperately to raise his shield again. But Hawke was too close, and he slapped the mage across the face with his armor hand breaking the spell.

Hawke grabbed him by the throat, slamming him into the rune covered wall. Hawke's sharp finger points dag into his flesh and snarled, "Enough."

Jehanel was delusional with terror and madness, and he began ranting, "Kill, and kills. The Champion just kills. Kill . . . "

Then Hawke snapped his neck, the crack was audible across the cavern, and said "You will kill no more." The apostate head fell lopsidedly against his neck, his eye stared at Hawke sightless and full of terror, just like the heads that lined the wall. Hawke felt sick to his stomach, and dropped the mage to the floor. The fire in his veins no longer burned and Hawke took a few short breaths to calm himself. He had lost control of his rage, again. He has lost too many people and he could no longer hid the darkness inside anymore. He needed to meditate to find his center again.

Captain Ducret step up beside Hawke and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Are you alright."

Instead of answering Hawke asked, "What about Elroy?"

"Concussed and a bit bruised, but he should be fine." Vernus answered from behind them. "I had managed to form a shield to protect him, but the force of the blasted knocked the shield into Elroy and then he hit the wall which knocked him out."

"Anyone else dead?" Hawke asked scanning the Templars. They grunted in the negative as they drank their health potions from their packs. They moved away from the corpses not wanting to touch them.

Hawke turned his attention back to the blood runes trying to ignore the corpse of Jehanel. The markings were glowing faintly like burning embers. Hawke wondered if they had been doing that before. This felt wrong to him.

"Well lets get to dismantling this beast," Vernus lifted his hand glowing. Before Hawke could stop him, Vernus directed his magic towards the rune. The blood rune burst alive, the lines glowed increased and the severed heads began to burn.

Hawke raised his shield and cried, "Stop, Vernus!" He turned to see that Vernus eyes had rolled back into his head, magic being drawn out of him.

"What's happening!" Ducret cried, trying to grab Vernus but was forced away by the magic.

"The rune has been activated!" Hawke replied and he began to cast a dispel but it broke. The stone wall began to look like it was melting, twisting in on it self. Blood red sparks shot out and Hawke protected them with the shield.

"Do something!" Ducret demanded placing himself behind Hawke.

"I am!" Hawke shouted back. He felt his magic begin dragged out of him zapping his strength. He forced his control along the connection but the rune was distorted and wildly out of control. The cavern began shaking, green glow forming in cracks along the wall. Vernus fell to his kneels arms up, magic still drawing from him. Hawke knew he needed more power before he collapse. Then he remembered Jehanel lyrium crystal pendant.

Hawke grabbed it from around Jehanel neck and holding it in his hand and activated it. He felt the smooth follow of magic fill him and he directed it towards the rune. He let his magic flow in to the rune and he began controlling the wild magic forcing it into smooth lines. The shaking began to stop the runes glow turn from red to a light blue. He stood straighter allowing the magic to circle around him and Vernus who gasped as his breath returned. The magic began swirling coloring the wall in beautiful lights that amazing Hawke.

A snap of power ended Hawke's control, and blinding white light filled to room. A white rift had formed in front of Hawke, cutting the wall open. It was beautiful and Hawke reached out towards it. Suddenly Hawke felt himself caught by the pull of the rift and he was drawn into that white light. The cavern disappeared behind him Hawke was swallowed by the rift. Hawke's vision was full of white light and he felt like he was drowning in that white light. Magic white light filled every inch of his body and Hawke began to feel himself change. It was painful like he was beginning forced in on himself. He felt molded like a piece of clay into something new. The light became darkness and Hawke could feel anything any more.

Then Hawke was released and he gasped with relief. He felt like he was free from a shell. He could feel again; hard stone pressed against his back, the warm of the sun on his skin. He could smell the sea and taste the salt on the air. Above him he saw a cloudless blue sky. When Hawke's brain began to process his senses he shot up. He discovered he was on a sand color roof top. He could see the sea at the roof edge, and rocky cliffs raised up from it. Bronze statues of despairing slaves were mounted on them. Recognizing them he spun around and stared in shock at what he saw. The city of Kirkwall lay before him.