Branches scrape against his face as he scrambles past. Fighting is useless against the creature! Cullen was only able to make out the trees a few feet in front of him in the dim forest. The trees continued to crash behind him, growing closer. It was closing the distance. There! In sight was a break in the trees. As he ran through the last of the brush, Cullen skidded to a stop, loosing grip on the ground-kicking up a small cloud of dust as he waved his arms wildly. At his feet was a rocky ledge of a cliff, the turbulent ocean waters below were a black abyss. A guttural roar bellowed from the forest, causing the trees to quiver and the earth to shake. The blonde man turned to face the threat- gleaming sapphire eyes surfaced from the treeline. A wave of terror washed over Cullen. A lumbering beast, with long fur that was wisping smoke in the salty ocean breeze, crept towards him. "Leave me!" he cried, but the creature roared in defiance a rumbling bellow, drowning Cullen out. It's stare bore into his brain, and the thing's mouth opened reveling a set of pearly teeth. Cullen let out one final cry as the undefinable creature's open maul sunk it's teeth into the tender flesh of his neck.
...No escaping...
The commander shot up, gripping the sheets with balled fists. He glanced about, peering wildly around the bedroom. Cullen breathed a sigh, running a hand over his face and through his disheveled hair. To his touch, Cullen's skin felt icy even with the warm morning sun peeking through the window and coming to rest on his pale body. A dull ache behind his right eye signaled the onset of a lyrium-withdrawal headache.
"Commander, Ser? You're presence is requested in the War Room. The meeting is about to begin," a male scout called up to him.
"Thank you. I will be down in a moment," he mumbled back, barely audible for the scout to hear.
A low groan from the door signified his departure. With a thump, Cullen fell back in the bed- savoring the last moments on the soft cotton pillow and linen sheets.
'.'.'
With some effort the heavy wooden doors budged open, greeting the general with a whine from the hinges.
"Perfect timing, Commander," Josiphine stated, the Antivan's wavy black hair formed a neat bun at the base of her skull.
"We were about to start without you," chided Leliana, her short red hair a contrast against the violet cowl and leather armor.
"I'm here now..." grumbled Cullen, massaging his temples. The lyrium headache is back. The Inquisitor, studying the map, glanced up from the table.
"What is this, here?" she pointed to a small silver pin stuck in the map, only a few inches from Skyhold.
"Oh, that," Leliana answered, "My scouts report a small pocket of mages. I have not risked contact as of yet, and there is no clue as to why they have set up camp so close."
"Mages of any sort are not to be taken lightly. I can make contact, if you wish," Cullen offered.
"Are you sure that's wise? We should not provoke the mages either," Josiphine questioned, not turning her attention away from scribbling on the parchment.
Crossing his arms, the commander retorted, "I never said provoke. If we send anyone unprepared, they could be killed- or worse! We have no clue what these mages are doing, or what they are capable of."
"I agree," the Elven Inquisitor agreed, turning toward the commander and continued, " I trust you will take the necessary precautions. I shall leave it up to you."
"Thank you, Inquisitor. I shall leave at once."
'.'.'
As Cullen approached the outcropping of rock, a gently breeze rolled past, bringing a pleasant cool touch to his face. With the commander were four ex-templars, each falling in line behind him. The afternoon light bathed the surrounding fields in gold. Five figures, features concealed by the shadows of the cave entrance, hovered over smoldering ashes of a campfire.
A rumbling growl pierced the silence. "Hold, men. Something feels wrong here," the commander barked. One by one, the figures arose to their feet and turned. A deafening, shrill shriek resounded from the cave. One of the humanoid figures lunged forward, towards the small battalion, swiftly followed by the other four. The once concealed figure had the appearance something that used to be human, but contorted and disfigured beyond recognition. Pulsating growths covered all of it's form, including where the mouth would be located. One eye and a small tuft of hair was all that was recognizably human. Grotesque claws slashed the air ferociously as it charged.
"Abominations!" Cullen shouted, drawing his sword. His unit barely had time to draw their swords before the demons were upon them. One lunged at the commander as it angrily shrieked. Dodging to the side, the ex-templar avoided the attack with ease. THUD! A blow from the side sent him skidding into the ground, knocking the wind out of him. One of his men had been thrown into him by one of the abominations. The demon he was fighting approached, letting out a satisfied growl as his dagger-like hands lashed out, gripping Cullen by the throat. The abomination hoisted him to eye level, Cullen's legs dangling off the ground. The abomination's claws scraped the back of his neck painfully as the monster increased its grip, cutting off Cullen's breath. It was in that moment time slowed- A paralyzing fear washed over him as the memories of the damned Ferelden Circle came flooding back.
'.'.'
Echoes of screams rang throughout the halls as he sprinted up to a fallen templar.
"What's happened?" Cullen cried out, kneeling beside the dying man, dark blood smeared onto his silver armor.
"...the circle is lost... run..." the blood-soaked templar shuddered his last breath, partially closing his eyes. Cullen rose to his feet, growling in indignation at the loss of his comrade. A male mage scrambled past, stumbling in front of the blonde templar. Cullen dragged the mage to his feet by collar of his robes.
"What is happening?!" the templar urgently asked, having to raise his voice over an echoing fireball explosion.
"It's Uldred! And blood mages! Taking everyone... killing everyone!" the mage exclaimed, wriggling out of Cullen's grip and sprinting down a corridor.
"Blood magic...?!" he muttered under his breath, turning to the hall. Three abominations appeared one by one from a nearby room. Charging forward, he cut down the monsters. Rage demons, abominations, whatever blocked his path. His sword flashed with every swing in the dim light. Several bodies of mages and abominations scattered the tower floor as he continued. One, thought, caught his attention. Helena...no! Cullen's stomach tightened, feeling immediately ill, and his body grew numb. He scrambled up to her body, dropping to his knees. Picking her up off the cobblestone floor, the templar pulled the female mage into his lap. Helen's blue eyes were vacant, her skin pale and cold. Cullen felt for a pulse. Nothing. He put his hand to her face to feel for any faint breaths. Nothing. No, Maker! Please! Helena's lips, once the color of a blooming rose, was now white. Anyone but her! Helena's laugh, her smile, her enthralling stories- were all things Cullen found captivating about her, even though she was a mage. Because of this, Cullen could never tell her- or anyone- of his infatuation.
"Filthy templar dog!" screeched a female voice as he was struck with lightning spell, causing him to drop Helena. The templar slid across the floor, hitting the wall with a heavy clunk. "Uldred is going to have fun with you," the voice cooed as Cullen's mind fell into unconsciousness.
'.'.'
Off in the distance, Cullen thought he saw the beast from his dream. The black beast, with its fur of smoke, staring with those burning sapphire eyes. It wants me to die! The sounds of shouting and swishing of swords grew dimmer, as if the world was growing distant. Vision was failing.
As his consciousness was fading, Cullen felt an immense weight in his hand- the sword! Using every ounce of remaining strength, Cullen raised his blade, sinking it into the belly of the abomination. Writhing in agony, the monster released him. Cullen stumbled forward, falling on his hands as he regained blood flow. A soldier swung at the injured abomination. The monster's head flew off its shoulders with the clean motion, landing on the ground with a dull thud.
"Commander, are you alright?" the man asked, approaching Cullen. The last of the abominations had fallen.
"Fine!" the ex-templar huffed, standing up and breathing deep before continuing, "Good work, men. Let us report back."
Cullen's unit was full of 'congratulations' and 'well done'. Only the commander remained silent, boots scuffing the soft dirt as he walked. The ever present pain was growing behind his eyes, but that was not his concern. I was helpless against it. These memories haunt me still! With Lyrium, I could have taken down that thing! I could have- Interrupted by a pain that stabbed him in the chest stronger than any blade, he doubled over- making a pained cry.
"Commander?" a soldier called, looking back at Cullen. Gritting his teeth through the pain, the general forced himself upright.
"I am alright. I-," he muttered, breathing in sharply.
I need to find Cassandra...