Remember when I said this was a dream? Remember when I was happy about being in Thedas? I take everything back. Were the mountains so deep!? And were falls supposed to hurt as much? And WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT! …. As you could probably see, I'm freaking out when realizations and revelations of what life is like in Thedas is actually like hits me hard in the face. Like a bitch slap you get when your girlfriend finds out you were cheating… DUDE! IT'S A DEMON! AN ACTUAL MOFO DEMON!
"Demons, stay behind me"
No fucking shit Cassy. Your observations are so on point that I couldn't see. Seriously Cassy, I have eyes, in case you were wondering…. Everything I said about Thedas being awesome…. I take it back… I wanna go home!? I'm a medic, not a freaking fighter… good sweet lord, wake me up now, Andraste, Sylaise, Mythal, Maker… whoever is enjoying my sweet pain, can you not?
As we fell, I took a moment to look around… with fallen debris from the bridge and dead bodies everywhere, this nightmare just isn't ending… being so preoccupied with looking about, I realized that there are two demons… and a staff? Usually you get different weapons in DAI depending on which class you choose. A staff for mage class, a sword for Warrior and a dagger or bow if you picked rogue, and I got a staff. A freaking staff! Oh Maker, I take back what I said before, you are awesome.
Oh heck yes! I'm a mage! Whoop whoop! Yeah… I'm a mage! Goodbye chores, magic is mine to abuse! Mwahah… oh I don't have my Tevinter badge… As Cassandra finishes off one demon, I realize by now that I should probably help. Okay! Expecto Patronum? Avada Kedava? Does any of thi… as I'm shouting various spells from the HP franchise I realize one thing. Magic relies heavily on intent, if reading various fanfictions and books on magic helped me understand that one crucial piece, I close my eyes… holding out my hand aiming it at the demon, instead of utilizing the staff, words that aren't mine surface into my mind. Not realizing as I'm saying this, wind and golden light surround me.
" Elements, heed my call, listen to the words of your king, heed my voice and let my enemies' fall, by the power of three so mote it be"
Surprisingly, what I said… caused the demon to screech. Opening my eyes at the sound, I see the demon burn in what seems like water and fire as both elements surround it… a clash of opposing elements… each battling the other for dominance, before killing the demon
"It's over"
Despite not using the staff, I still had a tight grip on it. Holding it close, ready to defend myself if need be. Though that being said, I should also study up on potions and healing magic as I'm a mage. "Drop your weapon… NOW!" Being so preoccupied with my thoughts, Cassandra's command, spits out with fierce venom. Until I remembered one thing about ol Cassy, she hates mages… and I'm a mage…
SONOVA-
Honestly, I'm sure the Maker is enjoying my misery, I take back what I said before. As I drop the staff with pure fright, her eyes lighten up with… is that AMUSEMENT! OH MY GOD! CASSANDRA HAS FEELINGS!
"Wait" she stops me from running in freight, as I turn to look at her she smirks. That cocky amused smirk, the same one that my older sister had… crap I think I'm going to cry…
"I can't protect you, and I don't expect you to be defenceless" As she said this, my feelings broke through. My chest felt heavy as the adrenaline I felt during the fight faded, making me realize how much I missed my parents. How much I missed my siblings, and my friends. Hugging her fiercely, my feelings overtake me, showing my age for the first time. Seeing death was never easy for me. Despite being in the military, I always mourned when I couldn't save a life. I don't know what may have caused it. Anxiety perhaps? Instead of yelling at me, Cassandra just held me. Calming me down with reassuring words. "Its fine, you're alright. Breathe for me okay. Calm down and breathe child". Honestly speaking this was something I'd expect from Cole, not Cassandra. Yet despite being presumed guilty, Cassandra treated me like a normal person. A child more like, but still… she didn't throw me off like I was expecting her to. As I slowly calmed down, my eyes turn dull yet alert, as I realize now how many lives are at stake. My mind calms and suddenly it feels as if nothing will phase me.
If Cassandra noticed, she didn't say. Something I'm grateful for. As it is not easy to explain. We ventured on slaying demons, before we finally reached Solas and Varric. Y'know, I was kinda expecting Elves to be beautiful and all, but meeting Solas kind of felt like a let-down. Tall, dressed like some unwashed hobo with an egg head shape. I'd have to be careful around him. With a green light, surrounding the area, as well as several demons, we quickly rush up, destroying each and every one of them.
"QUICKLY, before more come through" Grabbing my hand, Solas shoves it towards the rift. With the rift closing, I ripped my hand from his, as well as breaking his jaw in an instant. I would have gone further had I not have been held back by several soldiers and Cassandra who's busy calming me down, as well as Varric going over to Solas to check if he's fine. You can probably tell, I dislike the touch of men. Being younger, I had a bad history with a male relative, and choose to close my heart off to romance in general. Being held like that, made me remember.
"What did you do!?"
I spat out with venom, as Cassandra and Varric stand by my side, whether to protect Solas from me, or to prevent me from losing my cool, I didn't know. But as of now, memories overlay memories, as I am having a hard time controlling my breathing. "I did nothing, the credit is yours" Solas says as he points to my hand while healing his broken jaw. "trădător" my mind whispers. As I glance towards him, a question pops into my mind. "First of all, I apologize for breaking your jaw, second of all… what in Andraste's name was that, also what exactly did you just do?" As words spill out of my mouth I realized Varric and Bianca are also here. Well, the bow version of her I guess. Hey, I don't judge. You like who you like. Not my place to say otherwise right?
"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand. I theorized the mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake" pausing for a moment, he glances at me with curiosity and amusement in his eyes while still massaging his jaw.
Good. I can't outwardly say that you're responsible but I'll keep my eyes on you, you sneaky fuck. "and it seems I was correct." Somehow he seems so pleased that his theory is correct, then again… we are talking about the moron who gave his orb to Corypheus. The same moron that will betray you in trespasser. I don't know why I feel such hatred aimed at Solas, but if anything, I'll have to put a lid on it. Maker! I can't wait till Sera joins. Heck, Solas yo ass is the first victim I'm pranking.
As I'm internally musing to myself, I don't notice the looks passed by Cassy and Varric, in what seems like worry. Okay, I know I'm short and all, but don't treat me like a kid man… Though that being said, ol Cassy looks up towards Solas at hearing his words, with what seems like… hope in her eyes "Meaning it could also close the Breach itself."
"Possibly." Sneaky sonovabitch, I'll give him that. I'd have to be careful around him, especially since he is as observant as I am. Sigh, Andraste. Why'd you pick me? Heck you could have even chosen Flemeth. HAH! Now that would've been hilarious. Flemeth as your herald. Good lord, I would pay a million dollars just to see that happen. Being slightly distracted from that train of thought, I realize I should probably stop.
Coming out of my thoughts, I realize now that everyone's eyes are on me. From the few soldiers that had followed along to Varric, Cassandra and Solas. With Varric and Cassy's, it's more of a parental concern for some reason. Man, I know I'm short for my age and have a baby face and all but don't pick on me. Solas on the other hand looks at me like I'm some science specimen. Sweet Andraste. I need a drink. Solas, after what seems like an eternity of staring speaks up with his eyes staring deeply into me. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation." No shit Sherlock. I have the only thing that connects to the green breach, and that's all you have to say. REALLY.
"Good to know! Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever." Varric interrupts my chain of thought with voicing out his opinions before turning towards me. "Varric Tethras. Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong." winking at Cassandra, who throws back a disgusted look and scowls. Honestly, is it bad that I want to laugh at the scene?
After dealing with shit tons of demons, we finally reach the damn bridge. Damn. I need to work out more. I regret not keeping up with PT back in the military, cause now it looks like I should have stayed in the habit of going to PT instead of running away from it. Hearing two voices arguing, I look at Cassandra who immediately recognizes one.
Well, then again, it's kind of hard not to. Considering as we reached Leliana, we found her with Ser Dipshit a.k.a Chancellor Roderick. The dude that gets redeemed later in the game. Merde, I'm the herald, which means his ire will be aimed at me. Fml.
"We must prepare the soldiers"
"We'll do no such thing!"
"The prisoner must get to the temple of sacred ashes, it is our only chance"
"You have already caused enough trouble without resorting to this exercise in futility."
"I have caused trouble?"
"You, Cassandra, the Most Holy – haven't you all done enough already?"
"You're not in command here!"
Ah, Leliana's voice. Arguing with Sir Dickwad. I turn to Varric and whisper into his ear "out of Cassy and Ser Dickwad, who do you think has the bigger balls". Causing him to roar out in laughter, Solas has a smirk before he nods towards Cassandra causing both Varric and me to rib each other and laugh hysteriously. "Looks like they're finishing up" Varric says while still chuckling, whereas Cassandra, Leliana and Ser Dickwad look at us with confusion in their eyes. Confusion and judgement.
Before Cassandra looks at me. "What do you think? Should we proceed by charging with the soldiers or going through the mountains?" Fighting to get the smirk off my face, I think deeply.
If we go through the mountains, we save Leliana's scouts, but the cost of it are the soldiers in the valley. If we go with the soldiers, Leliana's scouts die. A grim decision. There are more soldiers in the valley then near the mountain path. Fuck. What do I choose… Questions plague my mind, before I realize now… it doesn't matter which one I choose. People will still die.
Clenching my fists, I turn to Cassandra. "Charge and March on. We'll charge with the soldiers." Turning towards Leliana I talk in French "Je suis désolé Leliana, je ne peux pas aller sauver vos scouts disparus". Almost immediately after speaking, Leliana bears a look of shock, before it is covered up almost instantly. Rushing towards the Temple with many soldiers makes me feel nostalgic. The battlefield growing on me, my eyes turn back to dull grey as I deal with Thedas crap over and over again.
"Shit, kid are you okay" I hear a voice from my side, turning my eyes towards Varric who's given me a new nickname, looking at me with concern. "I'll be fine, lets deal with this crap before we have to venture deeper" I cut him off. As I look down, red streaks green. Blood. Clenching my fist to apply pressure as well as try to stop the bleeding doesn't work, until Solas, who probably took pity on me, heals my hand. "Da'len, I know it's hard, but we must keep moving"
Did he just…
Did he just call me a….
Oh, son of a bitch….
He did…
Biting the side of my cheek, I hold in my comment. Honestly, I'm 22. I know I'm short but seriously, did I look like a child that much? So unfair. Killing someone was tough. Watching someone die right in front of you and knowing that you can't save them is even harder. I signed as a doctor in the military to save lives. Not take them. Though I'd like to think I do my job well, sometimes you can't save everyone. Whenever a soldier dies on the table, I feel pain. I had to take several days off, due to military command growing worried about my behaviour.
Finally we arrive at the temple, we also dealt with the second rift as well as saved a few lives. I also met up with Cullen as well. I don't know whether if it was because I'm a smartass and all, but I couldn't help but comment out loud on how girly I thought his hair looked. Something that got me a glare in return, before he turned towards Cassandra to speak to her.
"Lady Cassandra, you closed the rift."
"Do not thank me Commander, it was the prisoners doing" Cassy tilts her head towards me, while Varric slightly positions his body in front of me as if to protect me. Then again, this is inquisition. So I doubt I'm in that much trouble. Cullen finally turns back towards me, while still holding a look of venom in his eyes. Whether it was due to me being a mage or due to me calling him girly, I would never know.
"Are you are who they say you are? we've lost a lot of people getting you here" and just like that, my happy mood dampens when I'm stuck at how many lives were lost to accompany me to the temple. "Whether I am or not, we'll most likely see soon enough won't we commander" I spit out with venom. Before walking forward towards the temple, uncaring of anyone else. Honestly, I'm unsure if its due to my mood swings and all, but I can't stand his bullshit at the moment.
"Yell at me later, prefrebly in three days, right now, we have a breech to deal with"
Bring on the Breech.
TBC?
Translations:
trădător - traitor
Je suis désolé Leliana, je ne peux pas aller sauver vos scouts disparus - I'm sorry Leliana, I can't go to save your missing scouts
AN: There will be some time skips, and some feels. In which Axel finally learns about the reality of being in Thedas. Also most of the words are mainly from google translate. Axel can speak most European languages, with English, Russian, Romanian, Gaelic and French being her main strength in languages.
