The Archdemon threw aside the knight it had been chewing on as it locked eyes with the Grey Warden. It opened its mouth wide and let out a bloodcurdling roar, it sounded like it was laughing at them; laughing at their efforts. The bodies laying around on the roof top of Fort Draken was enough evidence to understand the confidence of the Archdemon, but desperation changed the odds. Warden Kellian was desperate. She had to kill this Archdemon here and now to save the people. Even if it was the last thing she ever did.
Alistair stepped up next to her and touched her arm lightly. She looked at his face, taking in every detail. The shape of his eyes and the way his smile, even now, made everything feel alright. Something she couldn't bear to live without. Better to not live at all then to never see it again. She wanted to say something to him, a goodbye, a good luck, an "I love you", but none of them would change anything. When this was all over he would be king and she would be just another Warden, and an elf. He could never marry her, and she could never give him what he needed. Better to die here, she thought to herself again.
The Archdemon roared again, slamming a massive claw down and shaking her out of her dark thoughts. Kellian pulled her mother's blade from its sheath on her back and the long saw sword she pulled off a dead slaver. Both blades reflected the fire in her eyes as she glared at the beast.
"Maker preserve us…." Leliana whispered as she slid a bolt into the crossbow she carried. Kellian nodded and rushed the Dragon and everything slowed. The Dwarves distracted the Archdemon, while she rushed up from behind. She didn't have the skills of a rouge for sneaking but in this case it didn't matter. Her mother's blade bit deep into the soft under flesh of the demon's leg. She pulled herself up and sunk her sword deep into the hind quarters, pulling herself up even more. She hoped she could stay on better then Riordan had and she continues to climb her way up.
***
Alistair tried not to watch as Kellian, he had guessed at her plan the second she had stabbed the dragon's leg but it was hard to watch. He glared over his shoulder at Morrigan as he put his shield up over his head. Marker let the ritual work, please let it work. He thought to himself as he continued to stab and slash whenever he could get an opening. So far everything was working out according to plan. He felt his confidence start to rise as Kellian made her way to the lower back. That's when everything went wrong.
The dwarves had been providing an excellent distraction, the demon either hadn't noticed Kellian or had been expecting that she would fall off with the thrashing, but she hadn't. As her long blade sunk in again the dragon turned its long head to face her. She was focused on her task, not paying attention to what was going on around her. Alistair watched at she lifted her face in time to see the open jaws coming for her, but not in time to let go on the blades and fall out of the way. The teeth found their mark, closing tightly around her midsection and pulling her off its back.
Her scream rang loud in Alistair's ears as he watched in horror. The dragon's head moved away from the back. Stretching out as if in boasting in its victory, it was going to kill her, make her an example to all the others. That's when he saw the flash of metal dig deep into the neck of the dragon and watched her hold on tight as it dragged along the underside, spilling dark blood all over the ground and the people below. The Archdemon screamed and dropped her from its jaws. Its legs gave and the heavy body slammed into the ground. The Dwarves sprung into action, axes and swords tearing into the flesh. When the head hit the ground Alistair heard her screaming his name.
"Alistair! Alistair! Kill it! Kill it now!" She screamed. He moved as quick as the heavy plate mail would allow, closing the distance on the Archdemon's head felt like years. Every step was freeing and nerve wracking all at the same time. He silently prayed to the Maker for the ritual to have been real as he shoved the long sword he carried into the Archdemon's head between its eyes. The wound began to glow, the bright light pushing against his senses. He had to close his eyes against the light and gripped the blade tighter, resisting the pull to let the blade free of his hands.
***
Kellian had managed to stand up as Alistair's blade hit its mark. She watched as the bright light engulfed him, shielding her eyes she tried to see him through the light but she couldn't make anything out. It was too bright, and it was spreading. Then the light exploded outward, picking her up off her feet and sending her crashing onto the hard roof. Her whole body exploded in pain, her armor suddenly felt too heavy, it was crushing all the air out of her lungs. In the back of her mind a thought passed through her, pushing the pain away. It was over, The Archdemon was dead. Alistair would be king and now she was free to leave. Her vision started to swim and darken. Everything would be over soon. She wondered if she would see her mother in the Fade, and Duncan. Then she could tell her about how Alistair had become the king and had killed the Archdemon. She would get to see everyone again. Sadness passed through her when she realized she wouldn't be saying goodbye to Alistair, but maybe it would be easier this way. The bright lights faded away into quiet darkness. Peace at last.