Blessed are the Peacekeepers

by Aisake

The explosion at the Conclave tore holes in the very fabric of the vale itself, allowing the denizens of the fade to cross into the world of the living. But what if the breach had an impact on other worlds, our world? Torn from his own home, with no idea how to return, our hero must adapt. But why does his role have to change in this world? Afterall, blessed are the peacekeepers.

1. Prologue

Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls.
From these emerald waters doth life begin anew.
Come to me, child, and I shall embrace you.
In my arms lies Eternity.

Andraste 14:11

Bitterly cold wind howled outside the doors of the vehicle, the sound drowned out only by the rumble of the convoy's half dozen engines. Glancing out of the window one could see, through the light flurry of snow, the seemingly endless stretch of the IDP camp. Refugees milled about between the tents, carrying out their tasks or at least trying their best to keep warm. If this weather kept up much longer there would be more deaths, that much was certain.

A voice crackled out of the driver's radio, bringing attention back inside of the vehicle. "ETA, five minutes, sir." The driver relayed to his passengers.

Nodding in response the window gazer adjusted his blue flak vest, focusing on the upcoming talks. Militia had controlled the nearest town to the IDP camp for weeks and tensions were reaching boiling point. If talks failed, there would be no guarantee that the UN could keep the refugees safe. Well, as safe as anyone could be here.

"Captain, when we arrive, I want you to hold back with most of your men. If I approach with a whole platoon at my back these talks won't even start, let alone succeed."

The captain grimaced in response. "Fine. But first sign of trouble and we leave. I don't trust these men. They want no peace, only blood."

"I'm not going to ask them for peace, only that they allow us continued access to do our jobs. It will be months before we can get all the parties to come to the table, for now we just need to limit the damage."

"We should just clear them out, we have the manpower!" Piped up a Private from the passenger seat.

"You know the charter. That is not an option, nor would it do us any good in the long run. We take a side and the whole mission falls apart."

"We're approaching the meeting point, sir."

The Captain grabbed his own radio and started delivering short, clipped orders. Turning his attention away from the officer and back out of the window he saw fields turn into buildings as they entered the town at a crawl. A glint of something caught his eye, acid green strands pulsing in the air near the convoy. "Captain…"

The explosion seemed to rip apart he very air itself. The sky was green, chunks of earth were floating past them, the vehicle itself was twisted and rent asunder. The green wave engulfed him and all went black.

xxx

Opening his eyes, he was greeted with the chaos. The sky was a sickly green, as was the mist that surrounded him. The earth was jagged and black, with pulsing veins of acid green. Electricity seemed to spark at random between clouds of mist, the crack breaking the silence. No, not silence. There was something, a scuttling, chittering sound. And it seemed to be getting… louder.

Run.

There was no voice, no visible speaker, yet the command rung loud and clear. What was that?

You must run, they are coming!

The scuttling was louder now, much too loud. Dread pooled in his chest as he saw shadows in the mist, getting closer. Turning on his heel he ran, scrambling over jagged rocks through the opaque mist. The earth became steeper and the loose ash caused him to stumble but that same feeling urged him onward.

Faster! You must hurry!

The scuttling was all around him, figures too horrible to imagine hovering in the corner of his vision. Fear. Fear like he had never felt before peeled the warmth from his skin as panic closed its grip around his chest.

Take my hand!

The figure was bright. A woman, with some sort of robe and headdress, her arm outstretched. He reached for her as the nightmares lunged for his back. Their hands connected and with a flash of blinding light he was cast onto the ground. Not of jagged rock but soft, faintly warm ash. The horrendous feeling of impending doom was gone, as was the green mist, the creatures, the silence…

He could hear the crackling of flames and faintly, as if carried on the wind from afar, screams that could only come from the terribly wounded. Shouting approached him along with heavy footfalls. Just as the world started to fade from his eyes, he caught a glimpse of men approaching him with, swords?