"Ok, we are officially going around in circles, I swear I saw that rock an hour ago."

Selene wasn't paying much attention to the dwarf's words, the farther they progressed the more ill at ease she felt. Long glowing veins made of a substance much like the lyrium idol sprouted from the walls around them, it was giving her a headache and making her nauseous. Another thing that worried her was they had not seen any enemies for hours; no Darkspawn, no shades…nothing.

The others counted it as a blessing, she wasn't so sure.

"I think we should take a break,"

She plopped down heavily onto some stones, immediately regretting it as their jagged edges dug into her.

"Ouch!"

She stood and rubbed her buttocks, nearly toppling over as the cavern began to rumble. The stones she had landed on formed into a humanoid shape, a bright blaze glowing at its core as it stared at her with its eerie dead skull. It's roar echoed around them as it charged her, she had no time to react as it slammed her into the rocky wall. She heard her ribs cracking as Varric called out to her, spraying the creature with arrows. The rogue had caught its attention and was attempting to lure it away.

Selene gasped in pain, trying to take tiny breaths as her lungs punctured from the broken ribs. Anders ran to her side concern clear on his face.

"Where does it hurt?"

She could not really as she gasped, black and red spots clouding her vision as her lungs deflated. As her body went numb she felt him take her into his arms, rubbing her back gently. She felt the cold as the healing spell worked through her, repairing bone and muscle. She sighed in relief and sagged against him holding tight as she felt the strength return to her body.

"Thank you Anders."

He did not get to reply as Fenris' growl caught both their attention. His hand glowed as he reached into the chest of the monster, extinguishing its brightness with his fist. The thing toppled to the ground, nothing more than a pile of rocks once again.

"Bloody flames! What was that thing?"

Varric's voice was filled with awe.

"I have no idea, but I don't think his friends are very pleased with us."

The girl looked up as Anders spoke, seeing the glow of more rock creatures approach them,

"Get ready!"

Now that they were prepared they used magic and potions to blast their way through, but there seemed to be no end to them.

Enough!

The voice echoed throughout the cavern, stopping them in their tracks.

You have proven your mettle, I would not have these creatures harmed without need.

Another of the things formed, but this one was much bigger and its aura shone with intelligence. Selene looked at it incredulously,

"I'd say being attacked on sight gives us plenty of need."

The group did not let down their guard.

They will no longer attack you, the Profane have lingered here for centuries, they hunger…but not for you.

She could tell it from a mile away even without Anders pointing it out to her.

"You're a Demon, you feed off their hunger."

I know your desire, you wish to leave this place…but to do so you need my help…

Anders shook furiously, "Don't do it Selene…"

She wanted to scowl at him but refrained, she would never bargain with a monster, but he was too angry to notice.

"Sorry, but I'm not in the habit of consorting with Demons."

That…is very unwise.

It screeched and launched at her but she was ready, she sent a fireball straight at its chest, blasting a huge hole. It seemed to stop in confusion before the light in its eyes disappeared and its body crumbled to dust.

The ground glowed as the Demon took its true form, its ugliness made her recoil.

"Watch it Hawke!"

Anders pulled her to safety just as the floor beneath her gave way, she landed on top of him, elbowing him in the face. As he held his nose in pain their robes got tangled and she could not stand as the Demon approached her. It roared in triumph before its face contorted in mild surprise. Fenris had driven the blade of his longsword through its chest.

With one more scream of rage it finally disappeared and the elf helped her stand. She was kind of jealous that he could look so good after being underground and fighting for days without rest, maybe it had something to do with his markings? With a start she realised she was staring and he had noticed, she turned away blushing to see Anders gingerly touching his nose.\

"Here, my turn."

She put her hand on his cheek and let the spell spread along his face, she did not know much about healing magic but what he had taught her so far would suffice for this small injury. He was smiling at her and something in his gaze gave her butterflies, she turned away confused.

Maybe it was just lack of sleep but she was certain she felt a connection there, something that she also thought she felt with Fenris…

She sighed and rubbed her eyes just as she heard the dwarf whoop with glee.

"Well, will you look at that?"

Apparently the Demon had been hoarding treasure, Selene had never seen so much gold in her life!

Varric rifled through the chests, "Aha! A key, The kind that opens doors I hope," his eyes gleamed, "Let's collect the best of what we can carry and go."

The girl could not agree more, she would be happy never to have to set foot in the place again.

"How long do you think it will take us to get out?" she asked Varric.

"If we're unlucky, maybe a week," he sounded unconcerned.

"And if we're lucky?"

A smirk crossed his features and his face clouded.

"If we're lucky…we stumble on Bertrand's corpse on the way."

She couldn't help but shake her head as he led the way.

OOooOOooOOooOOooOO

Selene stared at her brother in horror.

"Carver, what are you wearing?"

The look he gave her broke her heart, all the hatred she thought they had put behind them was right there, on the surface.

"I've joined the Templar order. There's no point trying to talk me out of it; it's done."

"Mother, did you drop him on his head when he was a baby?"

He scoffed and glared at her, "Don't worry, I'll keep your secret. I know the value of family."

She wanted to scream at him, tell him if he did he wouldn't break their mother's heart like this, betray their family like this…

But she just let him storm out and went to comfort the weeping Leandra. The mage was so angry she couldn't see straight, if he wasn't her brother she might have set him on fire for upsetting the woman.

Leandra looked at her, smiling sadly through her tears.

"Do not think to unkindly on him, he is still just a boy."

Selene resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead gave her mother a long hug.

"Come with me, I have something to show you."