Author's notes: Well, this short story has been planned for almost two years! It will only be about 3-4 chapters long. This Hawke is heavily inspired by the song "Eva" by Nightwish. Enjoy.
"I'm not proving a point. I'm changing a world. You've never been part of the circle. I have! The people fear what we can do, but to use that fear to bludgeon us into submission is wrong! And they do it with our blessing! And if I pay for that with my life...then I pay. Perhaps then Justice would at least be free."
"Just go." Eva Hawke uttered under her breath, unable to look at the man she had given three years of her life to. A silence permeated the air for several brief moments that seemed to drag out for eternity. Anders stood finally, turning his gaze to Hawke. Amber eyes met her jade ones, eyes she had sought solace in for so long.
"Thank you for my life. I'll try not to make such a mess of it this time."
And with that, he was gone, following her orders as he had so many times before.
After the destruction of the Kirkwall Chantry, Hawke found herself on the run. She was a fugitive, being blamed for the events that started the mage rebellion. As a mage herself, she couldn't watch as the Templars slaughtered her own kind, for reasons beyond their control. No, she took a stand, and fought for what she believed in her heart was right. Hawke had thought that the Templar's and their vengeance would always be close behind her, nipping at her heels, but soon after, circle after circle rose up and fought for their freedom. There were problems more dire than finding the Champion. Hawke became a name seldom heard, as town by town, country by country fell to the war brewing between mages and Templars.
She stayed with Isabela for a time, her friend taking Hawke wherever she asked of her, but eventually, Hawke could see the way Isabela's once genuine smile had become forced. The pirate longed to do things on her own, to seek out adventure and excitement, not chase a ghost that would never be found. Eva couldn't stand to drag her friend down more than she already had. She knew Isabela would have followed her into death had she asked. Hawke didn't want that. She'd caused enough pain. One evening when they docked to stock up on supplies, Hawke disappeared into the dead of night, not wanting to be found. She'd left a note by Isabela's bed for the pirate to find. Neither were good at saying goodbye. Isabela would understand in time, Hawke was certain.
Thus began Hawke's search for a man hundreds were desperate to find. I won't rest until he's found, she promised herself. Eva was about to discover that it's near impossible to find a ghost, unless they want to be found.
'How can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace? When I stand here taking every breath with you. You're the only one who really knew me at all ' - Against all odds, by Phil Collins.