A/N: This is the second version of this story's prologue, that is completely different from the original. The original prologue with Samira's backstory will be uploaded as a separate piece for the time being.

Across Thedas the world trembled as an incredible explosion racked the sky, lighting up an eery green that shook everything. Demon spirits screeched as they spread out from the tear in the sky, a shockwave knocking the innocent bystanders of Haven to the ground by the force of the explosion.

Not a moment later after exiting The Singing Maiden after a night of drinking, a rogue story teller braces against the harsh winds. He laments to himself, readying his unique crossbow for a fight. Varric Tethras is no stranger to witnessing huge explosions in the sky, but he knows this bodes far more ominous than his past experiences with magic.

"Aww, not again…"

At the Winter Palace, a court enchanter is plagued by an unapproving noble nipping at her heels as she takes her stride down the halls. When the explosion hits, even though Halamshiral is out of reach from Haven, the windows still shatter; the regal Madame Vivienne de Fer easily conjures a barrier and confidently smirks as she see's opportunity.

"Alas, it appears more urgent matters demand my attention. Now, run along, dear."

A scarred battlefield even feels the effects as distant as the Venatori reach. A hulk of a Qunari leads his men in battle as the earth burns before them, intent on getting paid for a job thoroughly done. Spotting a giant headed right his way, he throws the Venatori squirming between his one-handed grasp to the side with little effort, his men cheering him on before he charges it. His axe meets with great strength, and as the giant falls to the ground defeated, the Iron Bull has barely disengaged when the dust is kicked off the ground briefly enveloping him like a mist.

"Ughhh...it had to be demons! Chargers! Clean up and clear out! There's money on the horizon!"

And at the center of it all lies a female mage of noble origin, Samira Trevelyan of Ostwick.

The Divine!

This is the last thought Samira remembers having before she blacked out.

"Shit…" Samira rose from a charcoal colored ground, the atmosphere encircling her filled with smoke and ashes rising up to a distorted sky.

Turning around, she makes her way down a hill, careful of her footing as she sees a figure in the distance. Samira was unsure where she was, it didn't look like the temple where the conclave was held.

What the hell is going on? Last thing I remember I was walking down a hall trying to find my way to the negotiations, and now…

Samira's thoughts were muddled, she found it hard to focus as she reached the hill. Panic set in as she heard scurrying not far from behind her, and when she turned her head, spiders were intent on chasing her. Samira tried to hurry, desperately grabbing onto the rocky terrain to reach the figure that she could not make out. It appeared to be a woman, she was full of light so details were impossible to discern.

The mage fought the urge to throw her jacket off as her body started sweating almost profusely. The air around her was sticky and humid, making her breath more strained as she struggled to reach the woman's outstretched hand. Her pixie black hair clung to her forehead, sweat beaded her eyebrow but she refused to let her uncomfortable state hinder her.

I'm not losing this damn jacket in this hell hole of all places! It's my favorite one.

Samira thought to herself, trying to distract from the fact spiders were going to overwhelm her if she didn't reach safety. Just a few more inches and she would be on top of the hill with the woman, that was all that mattered. But then her left hand started tingling before she could reach the slender fingers.

Okay, something's really not right with me now!

Her hand acted of its own volition in the second that followed; it lit up with a green energy and Samira could feel her strength within slip. She fought to stay conscious, trying with all her might to gather mana, alas she failed. Samira's stomach threatened to lurch up its contents while she struggled to pull herself together, but if she let that happen, she knew she was dead.

Pounding pulse beat in her ears and by then Samira was downright terrified as she lost control.

One last look behind her shoulder sent a terrifying jolt of fear down her spine as the multiple giant spiders were so close to her foot, ready to drag her away. Their mouths oozed with venom dripping down, ravenous and ready for prey.

Her vision went white, and as quickly as she had came to, she was already slipping out of consciousness when her body connected with solid ground, seemingly out of thin air.

The last thing she saw was temple ruins all around her and three soldiers wearily approaching her exhausted and shaky form.

Maker preserve me...

A/N: The opening introduction comes from the Varric/Vivienne/Iron Bull official trailers to lead into Samira being in the middle of the Breach. As of now, this is my final version. Some tweaks will be made in following chapters accordingly as I go comb back through the first thirteen chapters that I will make note of. Thanks for reading and the patience with a work in progress! -Erulastiel