Before she opened her eyes, Mia felt the familiar prick of a thorn pressing into the bottom of her foot. She rose slowly, hesitantly, and found herself back in her mother's garden. The rose bushes had blossomed nicely, bright reds and yellows, and she stood towering amongst them. As she bent down to pick one, a familiar voice rang in her ear.
"My little one, what are you doing out here dressed like that? You're going to get sick!"
Her pale ivory gown was a stark contrast to the vibrant colors of the garden. There was something very wrong here.
"Come now dear, dinner is ready."
Her mother was a sight indeed. Standing behind the gate, she was mostly covered by her chocolate colored apron, which was now stained with flour. She held a glass vase in her hands; no doubt she was about to put fresh flowers on the table as she often did. She looked...happy, which was strange. The more Mia tried to think about it, the harder it became to focus.
"Ahh, there are my two favorite ladies. Come now, let's eat! Mother made your favorite and I'm starving!" came the next voice with a hearty laugh.
Towering over her, Mia's father took his place behind her mother, his arm around her waist.
"Mother, Father...what am I doing back here?"
Wherever here is.The garden looked like her mother's, the small cottage she'd called home for such a short time looked just like it had. But how could it be just the same after all this time?
"Oh Mia, don't be silly. You're in my garden more than I am," her mother answered with a light hearted chuckle.
"I...don't remember getting here. Where is everyone?"
"What are you talking about? You're acting strangely Mia" her mother said, voice quickly darkening.
"Why can't I focus? How did I get home?"
"Get home? Why dear, you never left." Walking over to her, Mia's mother touched her daughter's forehead with the back of her hand.
"Come inside dear; that fever must be making you confused."
Slowly she started to remember, but only bits and pieces of things; fragments of memories slowly began forming back together: the Templars, the tower, and her friends in the Circle.
"That's a lie! I haven't been here since you sent me away!" she roared accusingly, slapping her mother's hand away.
"That's enough Mia," her mother sternly replied. "You need to go inside."
More memories flooded in, of Duncan, Ostagar and Lothering, of the treaties and finally, of returning to the tower.
"No...this is the work of a demon. I'm not home...you…you are not my parents!" Mia yelled as tears began to roll down her face.
"Mia, why not stay with us? It's much nicer here. Don't you miss us?" her father cooed, walking toward her with a concerned look on his face. He stopped directly in front of her, a head taller than her, and embraced her.
"You are where you belong, my darling child," he whispered softly.
He even smelled the same, like cinnamon and saltwater.
She hugged him back timidly, stiff against the warmth of his body. Finally she spoke, her resolve faltering as she did.
"I want to. I really do. I…miss you, more than you know."
Ending the hug, she pulled herself free from her father and stared at both of her parents longingly. Perfect replicas, uncomplicated and convenient. She could stay. It would be so much easier to stay. After all, they were her parents.
But they're not my parents, and they aren't real.
"But this...this isn't real. And I can't be a slave to my dreams."
She took a few more steps backward, bracing herself for the inevitable attack. Suddenly, the once lush rose garden wilted completely. The roses and leaves fell away black and withered, leaving only gnarled and barren branches behind. Her parents too, disappeared like wisps, replaced by Templar ghouls, charging with swords drawn.
When the fight was over, she looked around her. She had fought off the demon's enchantment; her mind was hers again. As she stood alone amongst the debris and dead bodies, she began to cry again. She remembered the day she was taken away from her home, and became outraged that the demon dare take her most painful memory and use it against her. Tears stung her eyes as she fell to her knees amongst the dead leaves and blackened petals of the fallen roses, sobs wracking her body as the scene played out just as it did all those years ago. She was alone now, in the endless void that was the Fade, but she would not remain alone for long. Only when she had finished crying into her sleeves did the soft vibrations of another pedestal bring her back to the task at hand.
