"Vff," Hawke sucked in a breathy inhale as the Qunari battle axe sliced a deep gash into her forearm. Adrenaline ate away the pain before she had a moment to dwell, but Hawke was aware of the blood spilling freely. One more wound to add to the many she'd received in this battle against the Arishok.
Still, Hawke had not expected the fight to be easy. As the Arishok heaved, cleaving his blades together to slice together in a powerful arch down her front. Hawke scuttled back with barely a second to spare, the sharp tip edges of the Arishok's blades scraping against her chestplate, sending sparks. Bethany gasped, but Hawke was oblivious to the small escape of air through terrified lips as she ducked and weaved her way around the giant, coming up behind him in a quick flurry with enough time to slash out against his back. The Arishok roared as as the cut lacerated a thin red line across his back. He turned on her in fury.
Bethany trembled as the Arishok turned on Marian and charged at her. Not quick enough this time, Marian grunted as she was slammed back into a pillar. The Arishok lashed out at her, axe cleaving the air to embed in the stone where Marian had just stood. Marian slashed a deep, controlled arch across his abdomen, making the beast howl again in rage. He ripped his weapon free and swung. Marian cried out as the two-pronged blade ripped into her thigh. Bethany's body started to hum.
Wounded and hurt as she was, Marian never faltered or gave way. The measly potion she was able to down before the Arishok came at her again did little more than momentarily boost her energy. The Arishok was stronger, fighting with pure brute strength, but Marian had more battle skills and speed on her side. Even as she stabbed her blade straight through the Arishok's arm, the beast merely shuddered, endurance so high. Marian barely managed to pull her blade free in time to evade a scissor strike that would have cleaved her head off.
Bethany shuddered, fear caught in her throat. She could feel the hot trickle of magic through her veins like fire burning through her, which it probably was, by the feel of it. Bethany gritted her teeth against the force, but was utterly unable to turn her eyes away from the cause. In an event that seldom effected her so bad, Bethany's emotional toll was ticking on her magic, summoning her talent in reaction to her fear. A well-trained mage, Bethany rarely suffered the effects of her nature's less-controllable attributes, but Marian's life was on the line with this beast chopping away at her, small bits and pieces at a time. It was mortifying and Bethany could barely contain the power that rose within her, aching as she was to simply summon a whirlwind of fire and burn this creature down to the dust of hells from which it came.
Isabela watched in horror, unable to distinguish her emotions, even if she wanted to. She could barely believe the beating Hawke was giving, inch by inch cutting down the fierce beast with no regard for the numerous wounds that'd sprung upon her own self in the while. Isabela's throat felt thick. She swallowed back, but it didn't help. Isabela's hands were shaking.
"Nnngh!"
Isabela's eyes broke from her lover momentarily to land on Bethany, who had an arm braced out on the pillar beside her, supporting herself from what seemed like a fit of tremors that'd overtaken her. Isabela wasn't the only who'd noticed, either, as a Qunari around the middle pillars nudged his fellow and pointed.
Isabela crossed to Bethany quickly, only a few steps away. "Hey, Bethany are you- "
Bethany turned upon being touched, jaw steeled, but twitching with fire burning through her eyes. Her magic boiled within her, raging hisses furious to be released with the turmoil of her emotions. It bubbled inside of her, stronger than ever before. Isabela's appearance and words to console did nothing to help, as she was the one responsible for putting Marian in this position in the first place. "Don't touch me." she hissed. Desperate to calm her nerves, there was no easy flush. Marian was still fighting the Arishok, still taking hits for this whore. Bethany liked Isabela, she did, but this was one of the stupidest, most dangerous battles Marian had ever taken on for a woman who wasn't capable of loving her right. She closed her eyes, struggling to suppress her fear. "Just- get away from me, 'Bela."
"Beth, don't." Isabela urged, not understanding this was well-reaching outside of her control. "It'll just make it worse."
Bethany's anger flared. When she opened her eyes, literal fire burned in her eyes, hands glowing with her Maker-cursed power fueling her heat. Isabela took an unsure step back. Bethany fought to contain herself.
An overly large Qunari hand gripped her other shoulder tightly. Bethany spun on the beast, his appearance alone enough to remind her of Marian bleeding on the field. Magic rushed from her in a wave, emotions too taut for Bethany to control it. The Qunari who'd touched her burned, fire wholly consuming him as the deadly force of Bethany's abilities devoured him whole.
Bethany gasped, stepping back- right into the arms of another who wrapped his bulk around her small frame, holding her steadfast.
On the field, Marian choked, gurgling as the Arishok impaled her with his sword. Marian's eyes were on her. "No!" Bethany screamed, realizing instantly that Marian had broke combat to look her way. Then, in ridged horror, Bethany watched as the beast curled up his blade into the air- with Marian still on it. Marian let out a short scream as the blade ripped through her stomach, muscle, and tissue as she slid entirely, hilt-deep on the blade. The long sword ripped completely through her back, two-pronged edge sticking high in the air as the Arishok lifted his blade in triumph, jouncing her sister against the steel.
Marian grimaced, adrenaline not even beginning to eat up that pain, but as she gazed at the crowd, her screaming sister in the arms of a Qunari was quite clear, right next to her girlfriend, who gazed upon the battle in horror. Renewed strength flooded her veins.
The Arishok lifted his axe to cleave her in two, but flooded with the vision of her sister struggling in the arms of that predator and Isabela frozen in shock nearby, with the sure knowledge that both would be taken if she could not win, Marian bucked, kicking far out. She gaped as the blade cut through her further, but her feet landed on their intended target, kicking the Arishok's head with enough force that he dropped his sword. Liquid fire burning her every nerve, Marian braced to her knee, then her legs, jelly body flushed with agonized determination as she leapt for the Arishok in that last moment of his recovery, swinging her blade full-force in a arch, sweeping blow down across his chest.
The Arishok staggered, deep wound splitting diagonal from breast to stomach, but Marian wasn't done. Whirling with her momentum, she spun and slammed her sword deep into the stumbling giant's heart. Her blade squelched as it struck truly, passing through his fleshy body cleanly. She pushed the blade through to her hilt.
The Arishok gaped, stunned, eyes falling to his wound as blood filled his mouth. Lifting his eyes once more to Hawke, he gazed upon the last worthy warrior he would ever see in his life. "One day..." the Arishok breathed, voice ragged with gasps for breath. "We shall return."
Marian released the hilt of the blade. With no support, the Arishok tumbled back with his last breath. Unfortunately, her hold on the hilt has also been the only thing sporting Marian up. Without it, Marian collapsed to her knees.
"No!" Bethany screamed, struggling in the beasts arms. "Let go of me!" When he did not immediately acquiesce, molten lava shot through her veins, stronger and hotter than any touch of magic Bethany had ever felt. Simultaneously, every Qunari in the building exploded into flames. The one holding Bethany released her at the touch of fire as he and his fellows struggled in vain to put themselves out.
Bethany didn't care, rushing to her sister's side, her hands already had begun to glow with an effervescent green radiance. "Marian!" Anders scrambled to her other side, similar glow working up as he touched her bleeding arms.
Marian's eyes were half-dazed as she spotted Bethany above her. "Bethany..." she smiled, almost seeming delirious. Who could smile at a time like this? "Is she watching? I tried... to be romantic."
Bethany could have slapped her. "Shut up, Marian! Don't fucking joke!" Bethany touched her head, healing an open cut that almost cleaved her skull. "You're gonna be fine! Hear me? Just keep your eyes open!" Her fingers roamed in Marian's hair over the bleeding bumps on her head where the Arishok had rammed her. She started to heal those too, but she knew she had to remove the sword first.
Marian chuckled softly, creating a disgusting, horrifying gurgle in her throat. She tasted blood on her tongue. Marian swallowed it down to speak. "Mom's gonna be pissed... leaving her favorite daughter like this."
"Marian, shut up!" Bethany screamed, beyond frantic. "You're not gonna die! Get a grip!" Half-standing, Bethany laced both hands over the hilt of the Arishok's blade. She had to remove the stupid thing before she could heal her. She tugged, but Marian choked, spitting blood from her lips and the blade barely moved for all her effort.
"Bethany..." Anders warned.
"I know!" Bethany didn't need his reminders to feel her sister failing. She was linked right with her, could feel Marian's lifeforce as if it were her own. Her sister's life trickled in her hands with every ooze of blood that escaped.
Aveline appeared suddenly and Bethany did not protest as she gently pushed the girl from the sword. Instead, Bethany dropped to Marian's side and clutched her hand with one, the other hovering over all injuries she could fix. Marian gasped, fingers tightening in Bethany's as Aveline wrenched the sword out in one fell pull. "Aveliiinee," Marian groaned, blood dripping from out the side of her mouth. "Save the smackdown for later. C'mere."
Bethany scrambled to remove Marian's armor, cursing the many latches that'd blocked her way. Marian wouldn't let go of her hand either, slowing the process a fraction as Anders loosed the other side. She scanned Marian's body and found several broken ribs. Bethany froze the water molecules inside her body as a temporary patch to hold the bone in place before she could move the armor and heal the wound. She could feel Marian bleeding out by the very second.
Aveline knelt by Hawke's head. Hawke reached up and grabbed her neck, flustering Bethany as she strained the little energy her body had left. "Don't move!" Bethany yelped, horrified by the thin trickle of life. She'd never before helped someone this close to death.
"Take care of her." Hawke told her, voice fading her with the gurgle of blood. She forced herself to speak. "Of both of them. Tell her..." Her eyes slid left for a long second where Hawke just stared, eyes meeting Isabela's frozen gaze. "I love her." Hawke's eyes drifted lazily back to Aveline, showing weakness. "Get Beth out. The Circle..."
"I will." Aveline vowed. "I promise, Hawke."
"Marian, please!" Bethany begged, choked as she finally managed to rip the chestplate off. Her hand snaked over the wide open wound. "I'm healing you! I'm healing you!" Anders superior healing powers joined her desperate, clumsy ones. Marian squeezed her hand weakly.
"I love you, Beth." Marian coughed, choking weakly. When the coughing fit subsided, she strained. Aveline helped her sit up, where Marian folded her fingers on Bethany's shoulder. Without enough strength to drag her near, Bethany leaned closer. Marian kissed her sister's forehead.
"Marian," Bethany whimpered, tears soaking the scruff of her shirt. "Please."
"Be strong." Hawke whispered, voice barely audible. "We're watching younow."
That spark in Marian, that golden, irreplaceable glow went out. Bethany's curative magic floated, suddenly aimless without a warm body to support.
Aveline bowed her head.
"No." Bethany whimpered, closing her eyes. Her fist tightened in Marian's fingers, cherishing that last fair glow of warmth in her too-still hand. "No!"
Quicker than anyone could process, Bethany had left her sister's side and flew at Isabela, fists pounding into the other woman as soon as she'd crossed. "It's your fault!" Bethany raged, punching the object of her pain. Isabela's cheek split. "You made her love you!" Bethany punched her hard with a wicked right hook, making Isabela stumble back against the wall. Still, the older rogue did nothing to staunch the tirade as Bethany struck her. "Of course she would fight for you! This stupid battle screams Marian's idiocy!" Bethany punched again and missed, hitting the wall beside Isabela's head. Her knuckles started to bleed, but she paid them no heed. "That idiot. She loved you, the total idiot!" Bethany crumbled, her next hit even weak. "Why?" Bethany whimpered. "Why did you have to come back?"
She collapsed, weeping, and Isabela caught her. Numb to her core, she fell to her knees with Bethany in her arms, pounding her back for all she was worth, torn in her desire to kill her by her utter weakness in that moment. "No." She sobbed, ripped to to shreds. "Please, Maker. No!"
Isabela could only kneel there, mute shock numbing her wholly as she gazed over Bethany's shoulder to Marian's empty corpse.
Orsino stepped up behind Bethany quietly from having entered the double doors behind with Meredith. He barely touched the weeping girl's head. Bethany fell limp in an instant. Before Orsino could pull her away, Aveline was at his side and gently, but firmly pushed him away. "I'll take her." Aveline collected the now-unconscious Bethany up in her arms. She turned, seeing Meredith, who'd been quite silent. Those who were not staring at Marian's body now looked to the Knight-Commander.
"This brave woman..."
"Marian." Varric filled in, speaking now to give Hawke her name. "Marian Hawke."
Meredith looked to him, but it was in thanks, not malice. When she finally spoke again, her voice boomed through the halls. "Hawke is a Champion, savior of all of Kirkwall. She deserves respect for the most noble of sacrifices! Templars! Show her honor!" The few templars Meredith had managed to gather went to Marian's side, where Anders and Varric already stood.
"Please." Anders asked, no malice in his voice. "Let us take her."
The templars looked to Meredith, then politely stepped back to allow her companions to lift and carry her.
"It is a grievous day for all of Kirkwall, mixed with our relief." Even Meredith seemed to struggle, unable to grasp the right words. "This day shall be remembered, when a lone citizen of the city stood against the might of the oppressive Qunari- and won."
"Hail to the Champion!" Someone shouted out, starting up a chorus. Meredith looked extremely relieved, perhaps having not known what else she could have said.
Aveline approached Meredith with Bethany strewn across her arms. "Knight-Commander." Meredith turned to the voice, recognizing the girl as one of their own charges, and the woman as the Guards-Captain. Varric and Anders had already picked up Marian, carrying her out after the templars. "I'm taking her." Aveline reported firmly. "It is Hawke's last wish."
There was really no arguing, and Meredith didn't see it fit to. For all the Champion had sacrificed here today, the many lives she'd affected and the good she'd known she'd done, Hawke was a bloody Champion, and even Meredith saw her fit. She stepped aside, nodding to Aveline once. "I will send her phylactery tomorrow."
Aveline merely nodded once before starting out the door. "Isabela!" Aveline called, a rare use of her real name. Isabela could barely breathe. "Follow me."
XXX
The trek back to Hawke's estate was made in silence. When they entered the estate, Bohdan and Sandle were no where to be found. Chap appeared at the door in seconds. He barked once, then whined upon discovering the half-Hawke scent was not Marian. Chap pawed at Aveline's leg, wanting a better look at Bethany, who'd never ventured here before.
"Down, boy." Aveline ordered, passing the whining puppy. She carried Bethany up to the master bedroom of the house on the top of the landing. "Aveline," Isabela spoke up, her first words since the fight. Aveline paused. "Don't put her there."
Aveline turned around without further explanation and went to the far door to the right of Hawke's room, behind which stood an unused guest room with only a lone bed.
Aveline maneuvered Bethany inside without assistance. Isabela tailed in after her, watching Aveline gently lay Bethany on the empty bed.
"So this is what it's like to be an orphan."
Isabela steeled her thoughts against the memory, that night not long ago when she'd gone to her, that awful night Hawke had lost her mother.
"I want you to stay here tonight." Aveline ordered her. "Don't leave the house. I will stay with Bethany 'till she wakes." Isabela waited. "Try to get some sleep." Aveline advised. "And splash some cold water on your chin."
"Aveline..."
"Marian died for you." Aveline's jaw twitched, betraying her first hint of concealed emotion. Isabela flinched at the name, such an unusual usage. "You'd better be here, come morning."
Isabela lowered her head. When it was clear Aveline had nothing more to say, she left, footsteps as quiet as the night.
XXX
Isabela retreated down the stairs to the far left rooms of Hawke's estate. She climbed the second set and holed up in the small space that could have been a guest bedroom, but was instead simply furnished with a fine bookshelf and an old statue. It was a room Isabela had never been to with Hawke and thankfully one which would hold no such memories.
In her mind's eye, she could only see the Arishok, how he'd stabbed Marian through the gut, then hoisted her upon his blade. Even in that horrifying moment, Marian had paused to meet her gaze.
Isabela let her head thunk back against the wall. There was too much there to think about. Everything that'd gone down, after all that had happened, it was just so much, Isabela's mind couldn't wrap around it. Marian's dead. That simple fact remained. Isabela could hardly distinguish what she should feel, beneath that mind-numbing truth.
So she didn't. Not for this night, anyway. Isabela felt numb, and emotions were a confusing, crippling thing. Pain would come later, she was sure, and Isabela was in no mood to rush the process or set her mind to analyzing the events that'd taken place.
Closing her eyes, Isabela bathed in the bliss of unfeeling, she'd once known so well.
XXX
A/N: For the small femslash fanbase in the DA fandom, I will be having occasional flashbacks of IsabelaxMarian couple. Otherwise, this is totally a Bethany-centric story on how I see events changing if big sis actually died in the conflict. Breaks my heart too, I miss Marian, but if you're not too broken over that to continue, you're welcome to stay in.
Anyway, if you're a fan of my work, you may have noticed how I skip around a lot. If not, now you do. I can't promise any undivided attention on any of my works, in fact, I'm 100% sure I could never actually do that, especially in this fandom. If anything, DA fandom has -finally- brought me an appreciation of writing for the story's sake, not just to people-please and hop between which story seems most popular. So if you're one of those people who can't read angst and sit in waiting for a long time, my story's probably not for you lol. I won't promise speed anymore, but I'm more than happy to have you who can still enjoy the story for what it is.
Appreciate you who do. Thanks.