New chapter guys! We meet my favorite character in all of dragon age. I also like to thank you for all the reviews and hope you like this one. also the voice for Cadash is the deeper one of the two, just letting you know. Remember to leave a review!
Chapter 4: New Friends and Enemies
After acquiring a new blade, our small party went back to the way toward the trouble. We ran into some more resistance which we took care of with little to no injuries. After climbing a staircase, that happened to be on the side of a hill, we reached the camp and what we saw wasn't inspiring in the least. Two green lights were floating in midair and spewing out some small green wisps that struck the ground and from the spot a demon would come sprawling out. They were overpowering the camp and only a few soldiers were left by the time we came to help. I count 12 demons scattered about the camp with only six soldiers left.
"Come on, we've got to help" I yell to my companions who nod and we sprint into the fray. I go straight while Cassie goes left and Caddy Shack goes right. I see a couple of demons slithering towards a soldier that seems to be quivering in his boots and his sword barely in grasp hiding behind his shield. I push myself and unsheathe my sword. One of the demons notices me and raises his claws. I duck under its swipe and thrust the blade into its chest area. I pull out and it puts its hands in the gaping hole as it falls down and forms a black puddle. I look over to see the other demon is lifting the soldier by his neck. I rush over and slice the hand that is holding the soldier off and I slice its neck. I look over to the soldier and give him my hand. He takes it and gets up while thanking me profusely.
"Your welcome, just try to find some place to hide or something" I say then see more demons slithering towards me. I also see a new one, I can only describe as a walking tree with extra-long limbs and long, probably razor sharp, nails. It was faster than the previous ones and reached me in no time and tried to swipe my torso. I block with my blade and immediately regret it as I'm thrown to the side. I groan as I get up but roll to the side as it plunged its nails into the space I was just laying down. I don't have time to gather my bearings before it raises it's other hand, but before it could deliver the final blow an arrow suddenly protruded it's head and it fell on top of me as it was dissolving into black goo. I groan as it gets all over my clothes and it adds to the growing cold I feel. Some got into my eyes too, man. I wipe my eyes and as soon as I open them I see a gloved hand outstretched to me. I look, thinking the hand belonged to Caddy Shack or Cassie, but this person was new. He was a man of short stature, a dwarf if recent events mean anything, who was wearing a leather duster coat that left his chest exposed, though that doesn't really matter when you have chest hair like that. I look to his face and see that his blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and a five o'clock shadow. He was a good looking guy if I was to judge. In his other hand he was holding what looked like a crossbow, but much more advanced.
"You going to lay there all day mystery boy or are you take this old dwarf's hand? Either way I'm sure the seeker will find some way to blame you for being lazy." He says in a smooth voice. I snap out of my stupor and take his hand. He pulls me up with little effort and pats me on the back, well lower back.
"Thanks for the hand" I say as I nod in appreciation.
"No problem. Bianca was getting feisty and we saw you about to be skewered and Bianca just couldn't help herself." he says as he stroked his crossbow. Ok…that's kinda creepy. Just as I was about to ask who Bianca was, I heard the last screech of a dying demon before all was quiet. Well, almost…the two rifts were still there. I look around to see if Caddy or Cassie were around before my arm was grabbed from behind and I was guided (dragged) to one of the rifts and I look my left and see Cadash in a similar state. I looked behind me and I see a…elf? He had a lanky stature and was shorter than me, though not by much, and the most obvious clue was his pointed ears that protruded well past his head. He had no hair however and he was carrying one of those sticks I saw in the pile of weapons before and was dressed in what looked like old baggy clothes. I was about to ask him what he was doing before he grabbed my right hand and put it directly in front of the green hole.
"Hey what the big id-"I start but quickly shut up as something happens to the hole. It starts acting drastically different and loud noises start to erupt from it. Also something in my mind just clicked and I just imagine the portal closing, like a door. And sure enough the portal gave off a few sparks and closed. We were all stunned as to what just happened. Buddy the elf here didn't waste any time and forced Caddy's left hand on the other rift. The same thing happened, a loud screech, a few sparks and BOOM. Rift closed.
"It seems my theory is correct" Curly says.
"Umm…What just happened" I ask. He turns to me.
"The mark on your hands, they are connected the breach and these rifts. I had a theory that the marks would be able to close the rifts and it worked, let's just be grateful for that." He explains.
"We did that" Cadash asks to no one in particular.
"More or less it seems" Sir Dwarf stated.
"If what you say is true, then they can also close the breach" Cassie says now interested.
"Possibly" Curly says.
I look at my right hand and see the green lightning start to fade. So I have a power to close these rifts and save the world. I chuckle a bit…groovy.
"Well that's good to know, I thought we'd be ass deep in demons forever" Mr. Chest hair says. Then he looks to me and Caddy, "Varric Tethras, rouge, storyteller, and occasional unwanted tagalong" he says and winked at Cassie as she glared right back.
"Cadash," said woman replied shortly before nodding in greeting, "Nice crossbow" she added.
He chuckles before he unslings his crossbow "Where are my manners, I forgot to introduce Bianca. Sure she doesn't look like much, but she packs quite the punch, wouldn't you say kid." He says and winked at me, referring to the unwanted bath I took moments ago.
"It's not kid, it's Sezar. Prisoner extraordinaire." I say and give a mock bow. I then look to the elf "And you are"
"I am Solas. I am happy to see you up and walking" he says and bowed.
"What he means is that he didn't want all that time making sure that mark didn't kill you to go to waste" Varric added.
"Really? Thanks man" I say and give a proper bow.
"Think nothing of it. Speaking of which", Solas says as he turned to Cassie, "Cassandra, your prisoners are a dwarf, one who can never be a mage, and a mundane man, yet they hold more magical power than any mage I've ever encountered. If you still intend to see their heads roll you will be making a grave mistake" he explained. Thanks Spock.
"Do not worry Solas. I have seen that they truly are victims of circumstance" she says, "however we still need them to close the breach, especially since we know that it is possible"
"Well then what are we waiting for" Varric says.
"You are not coming, Varric, and neither are you Solas. Though I appreciate the offer it is much too dangerous for you" Cassie says hotly.
Varric scoffed at this, "Have you been in the valley recently Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore. You're going to need all the help you can get" that's a fair point.
"And if I did indeed fear danger I would not have come here to help" Solas says. So is that one.
"Come on Cassie, I personally like the added security" I say. She glared at me.
"First, do not call me 'Cassie'. Second, you haven't met Varric" she says
"The vote is four to one, majority rules" Caddy says. Cool she's on my side. Cassie flusters for a second trying to find a good reason for them to stay behind. After a second or two she finally relents and nods her head and said a mumble agreement.
I clap my hands "Come on, we've got a world to save right, no time for lollygagging" I say as I lead the way.
"Sezar" I hear Cassie say.
"Yeah" I say and look back at her to see she has a very unamused look on her face.
"The breach is this way" she says as she pointed to her right. I look and see a clear path to walk on. I blush a little.
"Right, I knew that" I say as I go the direction she pointed out. The others following me with Caddy shack right next to me.
"Lollygag" she asks me incredulously. I blush deeper.
"Shut up" I mumble.
After about 10 minutes of walking along the path fighting the occasional demon squad, we reach the halfway point, at least according to Cassie.
While we were walking Varric walked up beside me.
"So you really don't remember what happened in that hole you both fell out of" he asks.
"Nope I really don't. Why the sudden question" I ask him back
"I'm just looking out for you, checking your alibi. Less likely to get your head chopped off that way" he says in mock sincerity.
"Gee, with friends like you…" I leave off.
"It's what I'm here for" I was about to reply when a green ball flew past my face. It hit the snow next to me and instantly melted it. That would have sucked to get hit by. I look to see where it came from and I spot what looks like a green ghost that has no legs and is just floating. He thrusts out his palms again and I dive to the right to avoid getting hit by it. Soon enough more demons showed up including one that looks like the one eyed one but has spikes protruding out of its back.
"Ambush" Cassie shouts and unsheathes her weapons. I unsheathe my own and charge into battle alongside Cassie and Cadash. Some blue balls of energy fly past me and strike the spiked demon. Soon after we left the camp I found out that Solas was a mage and those sticks are staves that they channel their magic into to release some pretty kickass attacks. I duck a swipe from one of the tree demons and slice at its leg. I hit the back of its knee and it falls forward as I stab it in the chest. I feel white hot pain on my back and I feel a lot more tired than I did before. I turn and see the green ghost fire another ball of energy at me.
"Oh you did not just shoot that green shit at me" I yell. I duck in order to avoid getting hit again and a sudden arrow came and hit it in the neck. I strain myself and run towards the ghost and swing my sword and do a downward slice. I leave a huge gash in its sternum and it melts into the black goo. I look back and see one of the one eyed ones come straight for me. I side-step his swipe and thrust into its neck, then pull it out and decapitate it. After that one dies I look around and see no more opposition.
"There's no end to these things is there" Caddy asks semi-sarcastically.
"As long as the breach remains open these monsters will continue their assault until nothing is left" Cassie explains.
"All the more reason we should get to where we're going" I say. Wait. "Where are we going" I ask.
I see Varric look at me dumbfounded "You mean we've walked all this way and you didn't see the need to ask anyone our destination. You sure that mark doesn't affect your brain" he quips.
"I was just following Cassie" I say.
"Don't call me Cassie" she growls. "And we are heading to the forward camp. We are most prominent there. Leliana should also be there. I hope" she says and added the last part quietly.
"Don't underestimate the Sister Seeker. She's crafty. I'm sure she made it without a scratch." Varric says soothingly. I need a nickname for him. Varry? No. Very? No. Sir Chest hair? Maybe. I'll come up with one later
"Yes, but we should be back on the trail. Time is of the essence" Solas…Sully, That's a good one, says as he started walking back on the trail. Cassie says it is just above this hill.
"We keep saying that, but we always find something that slows us-" I start to say until we reach a gate that has a rift in front with demons pouring out, "-down"
The demons see us and start charging towards us. The tree one runs at me and I prepare to face it but suddenly Caddy shack is in front of me and uses her shield to bash the demon's legs, making it fall. I use this as I quickly chop off its unprotected head. I race to another tree demon and an ice ball flies past me and hits it in the sternum freezing it. I lower my shoulder and shoulder rush into it. It shatters and the pieces all fall apart and turn into black goo. Soon all the demons are defeated and I see Caddy walk up to the rift and seals it with her hand. To those that haven't seen it before they were slack-jawed as they couldn't believe that the rifts could be destroyed, especially not by the one they think caused it all. Cassie snaps them out of it and tells them to open the gate. They salute and go about opening the gate. I see that the forward camp is based on a bridge that has seen better days. There are army tents set up and soldiers running about trying to their part in containing the breach. Cassie leads us to where I see a familiar hood and purple armor. So Red made it here ok after all. Beside her I see a man in advanced years wearing a while and red robe and a black hat with a golden symbol on its forehead. I saunter up with the group following me. Red then turns to us and smiles at Cassie, obviously relieved to see her alive and well, then she spots me and her smile wavers. The man glares at us for some reason
I nod to Red, "Hey, have I got a story for you" I say and was about to tell her about mine and Caddy's new power but was interrupted by the man.
"Chain them," he says as he points to me and Cadash, "I want them bound and sent to Val Royeaux immediately"
Wait…What?!