So...if anyone has any criticism or suggestions...you know what to do. If not, I'm happy you're reading :) (Side note, Mala Sulendin Nadas means now you must endure. I get all my 'Dalish' from the internets. The Dragon Age Wiki site has a bit that I've used.

Standing before the breach she felt very small, insignificant. It had been such a massive undertaking, seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against her. But here, at the end of all things, she stood in direct opposition of everything it stood for. Behind her she could hear Solas calling out to the mages, telling them to reach out with their magic, and to reach beyond her. Cassandra warily stood back with Cullen and the bulk of the soldiers. 'Nera…watch over me.' She closed her eyes and focused all her will on the mark.

At first she felt a small tingle starting in her palm, soon spreading up to her shoulder and eventually her whole body. There was a sudden silence followed by a deafening boom, the force of which knocked everyone to the ground. She heard Cassandra shouting her name but could scarcely move, hardly able to stay conscious. She had taken a knee, trying to catch her breath, as the warrior flung herself to the ground beside her.

"You did it…" She whispered breathlessly. Rialla cast a glance skyward and smiled. 'At last'.

Haven was alive with the sound of cheering, singing, and joyous shouts. They were celebrating their first victory, though something felt off. The villain hadn't shown himself, if you won the day you should have vanquished the one responsible. He, or whatever it thought itself to be, had not been there.

"It's too soon, Cassandra." Rialla spoke softly, trying to keep her worries to herself. Perhaps she was wrong, maybe they really were safe here. Haven wasn't the easiest place to reach, they should be able to see him coming if it came to that.

"Issall good, your heraldiness!" Sera clapped her on the shoulder with a lopsided grin. "You won, Ri, enjoy it!" She offered her a drink. Rialla accepted with a smile, sipping the drink.

"Sera is right, Rialla." Cassandra grinned as the young elf bounded after Krem and Bull. "Let them have their victory."

"You're right, I'm sure. I just…it's this feeling in my gut, something is horribly wrong." She grimaced, downing the contents of the mug. "Or it's this. Is this Dwarven ale? It's awful!" Cassandra laughed as Rialla tossed the mug to the side.

"Go and enjoy yourself, for once." She shoved her away with a smirk before walking back to Leliana.

Rialla made her way down toward the noise, a large bonfire at the front gate surrounded by all her friends didn't sound half bad. But she couldn't help it, something was tugging at the back of her mind, telling her to arm up and prepare for an attack. Apparently, Cullen felt the same way. His massive shield strapped to his back, sword at his hip, and the lion helm still in one hand.

"So I'm not the only one feeling on edge, huh Commander?" His eyes snapped to hers, for a moment he was just that. The Commander, a dangerous man and the head of her army. Not the man she'd come to see as a true friend. His eyes softened as he took her in, not quite relaxing but letting his guard down enough to appreciate her presence.

"No, I suppose not. Though, truth be told, I'm always ready these days." He turned his gaze out to the hillside.

"Thank you. For the other night. I'm sure it wasn't very comfortable, but it felt…it was very kind of you." She blushed, thankful for the darkness.

Cullen smiled, still watching the beyond for signs of their enemy. "As I said before," He turned to her, his eyes full of a weariness only a man who has seen too much could possess. "I'm no stranger to the terrors of the night."

In her head, she thought she was being comforting. She approached him slowly, standing on her toes to reach his cheek, and placed a feather soft kiss. "I'm not afraid when I'm with you." She spoke so softly he wasn't even sure she had said anything at all.

Rialla had started to make her way toward Bull, Varric, and the others when a horn blast rang through the night air. Immediately, silence followed. Then another, followed by a man running through the gates.

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" Sera grabbed her bow and tossed her ale into the fire, Varric was never far from Bianca, and Blackwall and Bull were immediately heading to the gate.

"Report!" Cullen roared, grabbing the man. "How many?!"

"There, ser, they're coming from the pass! Thousands of them!" He managed to wrangle himself free and ran to Leliana.

From where Rialla stood she could see the tiny lights of torches along the road to Haven, some littered smaller deer trails, while others seemingly came out of the mountain itself. They looked like fireflies dancing in the distance, harmless and far away. She knew better, they were very dangerous and all too close. Cullen barked orders to his men, the twenty or so Templar he had strategically placing themselves among the platoons of soldiers, the mages following the Templar's lead and putting themselves between the men and danger.

"Mages to the back!" Cullen shouted.

Fiona appeared beside him. "Commander, you know well what a mage can do, we are useless behind the Templar." He knew she was right but the thought of the men and women running into battle with sticks and robes frightened him. "We are far from weak, Commander. Have but a little faith in us."

The mages turned to Fiona, looking for guidance. She gave a small nod and they turned back to the soldiers. A half dozen called upon the fade to create a barrier, and not a moment too soon as a hail of arrows hit the shield and bounced harmlessly away. Then came the elemental mages, calling fire, ice, and lightning down from the heavens. The first wave of attacking soldiers was decimated. The Templar began to move forward, sensing rebel mages in the opposing ranks, and called down massive pillars of light which illuminated the battlefield and effectively rendered the attacking forces magic useless. Several mages continued to hurl fire and electicitiy while others kept the barrier around the men active.

"We need to get in there, boss!" Bull grunted, every muscle tense and ready for battle. Rialla nodded, watching as the Chargers rushed out to meet the oncoming horde.

She felt more than heard someone calling to her, whirling around to face the challenger she was shocked to see a young boy. "I can help, but only if you let me." Rialla was confused.

"What are you talking about?! Who are you? Why are you just sitting there?! You should be running!" She screamed at him, not sure what she was actually seeing. His oversized hat hid most of his features, but she could still make out sickly pale skin and flat blond hair. At his back were two daggers, still dripping in what she assumed was blood.

"I can help!" He looked up to her from his seat, his eerie pale blue eyes frighteningly calm. "Please, let me help." He stated in a softer tone.

Rialla blinked at him a few times. "O-ok. Please, go and help." She blinked again and he was gone. She ran over to Leliana, looking for the boy in the mayhem and not finding him.

Dorian stood beside Cassandra, the crackle of magic was everywhere. He kept a barrier up around them while he managed to take down foes further away as she focused on those within range of her sword arm. Bull tore a path through the ranks, Krem and the other Chargers flanking him. Blackwall fought with a smaller unit, calling out defensive orders, Sera and Varric laid down cover fire, doing their level best to keep the opposing archers from picking off any of the Inquisition soldiers.

Rialla stood in total shock, how had they missed this. A massive force, easily three times the size of the Inquisition, marching on Haven.

"Look!" The boy startled her and she screamed. "Look, it's him." She looked to where he pointed. She felt panic threatening to take her over, taking several deep breaths. "He came from the fade, he is full of evil…we should be running." She looked to the boy beside her.

"We can't run!" Fear gave way to rage, she couldn't run. Who would save these people? "We fight or we die."

"You will die." He was started to irritate her.

"Herald, get to that trebuchet, they can't fire with those soldiers swarming around them! I'll cover you." Cullen shouted from somewhere behind you. She looked for the target he spoke of and ran to it without thinking. Dorian, Cassandra, and Iron Bull were already there trying to protect the soldiers loading the trebuchet.

Rialla focused on a single target, taking careful aim. The arrow pierced his eye and he fell. She ran forward, stabbing the next in the neck with an arrow before she pulled back and shot another. The enemy was advancing quickly, soon too close for her bow and she whirled around on the next with her daggers.

"Almost ready to fire, Herald!" A woman called above her. "Just keep them off us for a few more seconds!" Rialla answered her by slicing through the gut of another soldier.

Bull came charging past her, taking down three men with one swing, Cassandra slammed her shield into the forth who got through Bull, blood spraying her shield as Dorian incinerated him.

She heard the wooden gears suddenly spring into motion as the Trebuchet fired, launching a bolder deep into the enemy lines and successfully bringing down some of the mountain with it. It blocked forces from further advancing, and it trapped her and her army with the still sizable force inside. "The other one isn't firing! They need help, milady!" The soldier shouted down as Cullen pulled her away, shouting for them to fall back. Rialla exchanged a quick look with the Commander, nodding in acceptance of what needed to be done and made for the second trebuchet.

"Makes breath, their everywhere!" Cassandra gasped, breathing hard with all the exertion of the battle, blood trickled down the side of her head from a minor injury. Dorian looked worse for wear. His skin pale, nose bleeding. She knew using magic had its price, but to see it happen was something different. Bull stood in front of him, giving the mage slight reprieve as an archer lobbed an arrow at them.

Rialla gaped at the soldiers, massive chunks of flesh torn, what looked like the Red Lyrium Varric had warned her about was actually growing in them. They no longer looked anything like the human or elf they'd been before, but more like ghouls racing across the snow packed ground, frothing at the mouth and eyes black as night.

'Creators, show pity on your creatures.' She made her silent plea to the Gods, or anyone who was listening. There was a sudden flash of green, ethereal light followed by a deafening roar as the fade itself seemed to crush the nearest of the horrific monsters. Dorian let out a strangled groan and collapsed behind her.

"DORIAN!" She rushed to his side. He'd used the last of his strength to give them an edge.

"Go, Herald, I'll protect him." Solas! Where had he been all this time? She'd ask him if they survived, and with a curt nod ran for the trebuchet.

She, Bull, and Cassandra made quick work of the remaining soldiers, each noting how they seemed to be 'infected'. The Trebuchet fired and took down a sizable chunk of the remaining force. Rialla let out a whoop of excitement as she saw the remaining soldiers start their retreat. The massive creature, however, seemed to be undaunted. He stood steadfast at the top of a hill, watching her. Suddenly she realized why the men had retreated, as a roar reverberated around them. Massive and furious, a dragon unlike any she'd ever seen flew over them, burning all in its path. She ran toward Dorian, Bull scooping the mage up in one arm like a sack of flour, and running for the gates.

"RUN!" Cullen's voice was hoarse from shouting, his armor covered in blood and dirt, and his helm had a sizable rend where it had deflected what could have been a fatal blow. Once inside the gate she spun on Iron Bull. He carefully handed Dorian over to a pair of healers who took him up to the Chantry. Roderick stood, that bizarre boy helping him stay standing, at the doors and calling to everyone to come inside 'The Chantry will be your protection'.

"That's a fucking archdemon, isn't it!?" Sera growled out between heavy breaths. Varric looked sick to his stomach and Blackwall eyed the sky for the beast.

"We stand no chance, now it's simply a matter of making them work for it." Cullen's eyes were full of rage, bitterness at his own inevitable defeat…and likely at not being able to push back enough to save anyone.

Once inside, he put out his plan to have them bury Haven. "We're not going to win, we can at least choose how we die." Rialla frowned at him, angry that it had all been for nothing.

"Now I see…Andraste must have known this would happen…" Roderick groaned as he spoke.

"He is going to die, soon. He tried to stop the Red Templar from killing the servants." The boy stuck close to his side, almost as if he was trying to ease his mind. Roderick chuckled, his voice thick as his body started to give way.

"There is a path, you wouldn't know it unless you'd done the pilgrimage as I had in my youth. It leads…leads into the mountains….where…the others can be…safe." He held on to the boy, gasping in pain.

"Cullen? Can you get them out of here?" Rialla needed that small pebble of hope, there was a chance that they would live.

He turned to his men, giving instruction to follow the Chancellors direction and get everyone out through the back of the Chantry.

"But what of you, Herald?" Josephine's accent was heavier when she was frightened, Rialla smiled at her.

"If we're to have a chance…if you are to stand a chance, make him hear you." Cullen squeezed her shoulder and with a nod she turned and made her way back to the Trebuchet. She insisted she go alone, it was her this creature wanted after all.

She managed to sneak past several larger enemies and make her way silently to the trebuchet itself, only to have a massive behemoth of a thing break through the wooden wall to the right of the weapon. Its first blow sent her crashing into a pile of crates. She cried out in pain, struggling to right herself before it could finish her. It hovered over her, screaming in fury, it's horrible mutated cudgel of an arm poised to crush her. It froze, ice moving rapidly up its body and freezing it in place. The sound of steel slamming into it ringing in her ears. She scrambled to her feet to see Cassandra driving it back as Varric let loose a hail of exploding arrows. Solas focused intently on keeping the massive beast as immobile as possible.

She took the opportunity to aim the trebuchet, working fast as her friends struggled against the creature. "READY!" She shouted, Solas nodded and with a magic she'd never seen, tore the creature apart.

A torrent of red fire streaked between her and the others. "Run! GO!" She shouted as the dragon circled back again. Varric drug Cassandra back as she screamed in protest. "I'll be fine…" Rialla whispered, more to herself than them. She dove out of the way as the dragon came back, effectively blocking any chance of escape.

From the fire came the creature she'd seen on the hilltop below. His very presence filling her with dread and rage. She turned to run only to be stopped by the dragon landing behind her, loping forward and screaming. It stopped only a few feet from her, roaring so loudly she thought her ears would burst.

"ENOUGH!" The Elder One shouted, raising his arms and sending a shock of energy through the air. The dragon backed off, Rialla stumbled, unable to move much at all. "Pretender…" His voice grated on her very skin, her stomach churning with fear. "You toy with forces beyond your cairn no more." He took a few steps, closing the distance between them.

"I'm not afraid of you, creature!" She hissed back, still struggling to stand.

"Ah, words hurled in fear at the darkness. Once they were mine, but they are always a lie. Know me, know what you have pretended to be." He leered at her, his eyes boring into her as if they could see into the deepest reaches of her mind. "Exalt the Elder One, the will that is…Corypheus."

She glared, hoping to mask her growing terror.

"You will kneel." He pointed to the ground, and she was sure that had he wanted he could have used his significant power to force her. He was testing her, attempting to break her spirit before he broke her body.

"NEVER! Whatever you've come for, whatever your will is, to the void with it!" She took a bold step forward. If she could just get to the other side of him she could fire the trebuchet…even if it meant killing the others.

He laughed, a horrifying sound. "Of course, your kind believe themselves powerful. I have come to take back the anchor, which you have stolen." He held up an orb of stone. "The process of removing it…begins now!" He threw his hand out as the orb began to glow with red energy. The anchor lit up, she could feel her arm being torn apart as he pulled on the magic sealed within her. She screamed in agony, dropping to her knees. The dragon hissed and growled at her, clawing the ground in barely contained fury.

"This is your fault, herald." He spat the word out as if it burned. "You interrupted a ritual, years in the making and instead of dying, you stole its purpose." She gasped in pain as his attack seemed to intensify. "I care not how you survived, but what 'marks' you as special I created to assault the very heavens." He sneered, the magic felt as if was tearing her apart. Her blood burned in her arm, she ground her teeth to withstand the pain…sure that at any moment she'd black out.

"You flail the mark at rifts, undo the work I have started." He glared hard at her, the dragon sensing his agitation, snapped at her. "The gall!" He took three steps and stood over her, one claw like arm wrapped around hers as if he was holding a mere twig. For a moment she was in awe of his size, easily nine feet of monstrosity holding her like a rag doll. What flesh he did have seemed to be clinging to jagged shards of metal and stone. He smelled of rot and sulfur, something that had clawed its way from the depths of hell itself to threaten a world it didn't remember. He roared at her, screaming about the fade and the 'Golden City'. She could only concentrate on her breathing, half listening to him bellowing that the mark was permanent. Her mind reeled, 'an ancient magister, the first darkspawn' and all she could do was blink and gasp. "YOU HAVE SPOILED IT WITH YOUR STUMBLING!" He howled at her, his fury now a tangible force surrounding her. He flung her behind him, almost carelessly. She slammed into the side of the trebuchet. She gasped in anticipation for the pain sure to follow. It never came, in its place was clarity and a sense of calm, she knew what to do. "I will start again, find another way to give this nation, this world the GOD it deserves."

As she glanced beyond the furious darkspawn and his dragon, she saw the light of an arrow on fire…the signal that they'd made it safely away. "You are blinded by your own arrogance, good to know." She smirked at him, feeling satisfied with his look of surprise. With a swift kick she launched the boulder. "It's not over, Corypheus. Not by a long shot!" She bolted in the opposite direction, the mountain itself chasing her. The shockwave from the avalanche pitched her forward, flying through a few broken beams. Blackness swallowed her then.

OoOoOoO

"We should leave a signal fire burning, she might see it." Josephine wrung her hands, staring back toward Haven. "She has to see it." She whispered.

"That kid is tough, Ambassador. She'll find a way." Varric sounded sure of himself and Josephine took some solace in that, nodding and going to join Leliana and Cassandra as they began planning their next move.

"Do you really believe she made it?" Cullen stood behind Varric, hand on the pommel of his sword. His eyes were unreadable but the apprehention in his voice told Varric the Commander had doubts. "She brought the entire mountain down on herself."

"I have to believe in her, she's our only hope." The dwarf answered, pulling Bianca off his shoulder and turning back toward the group. "If you'll excuse me, I have to…" He motioned with the bow toward the fire. Cullen nodded in reply, standing watch. He had initially wanted to send a search party back for her, but the possibility of compromising their safety made it all but impossible. If Rialla had made it out of Haven, she'd have to find them on her own. Cullen said a silent prayer to any and all who would hear him.

OoOoOoO

'Rialla!' She jerked awake, looking around wildly. Her body convulsed in pain at the sudden movement. She gasped, crying out in agony. The snow and ice had chilled her to the bone. Her hands and feet were so cold they burned, her head spinning like a top.

'RIALLA!' She started, looking around for the voice. "Hello?" Her own voice cracked. She swallowed hard, realizing no one was actually out there. She felt something warm touching her forehead, moving slowly down the left side of her face. Tentatively, she brought her hand up to touch the area. Blood. She had a nasty gash just above her eye brow, likely a concussion to boot.

Slowly, she managed to pull herself to her feet. The tunnel caved in behind her left her only one direction to go. Her legs were stiff, difficult to control at first. "Come on, one foot in front of the other. Just keep moving." Slowly she made her way through the tunnel. She came to an opening, a light flickering in the distance had her heart racing. "Is someone there?" She tried to move faster.

'Lethallan…' It was a warning, Rialla stopped just as she entered the room and saw what caused the shimmering light. A trio of despair demons, dancing around the room in what could only be described as excitement. She felt their darkness pulling on her immediately, her heart becoming a lead weight in her chest. 'Mala sulendin nadas, ma vhenan' She felt a hand touch her cheek, her eyes too heavy to open. "Nera…" She reached for her, her hand outstretched as she desperately tried to hold onto the presence. Her eyes shot open as the mark surged to life, pulling the fade open just above her…and effectively swallowing the demons as it closed. All around her the snow had melted, a warmth filling her from within. "I will endure…" She forced herself to her feet and once again started walking.

It had been hours, days, or maybe just minutes. She couldn't tell in the dark. The icy wind tore at her skin, tried to force her to the ground. She pushed on, feeling she was on the right track after finding a cold campfire. It hadn't been there long, the snow would have buried it. As she made her way up the side of the mountain she could feel the wind dying down but the air was colder, it was hard to breathe so high up. She stumbled a few times, refusing to let herself fall. As she left the cover of the trees she saw another campfire, this one was warm. They'd left hours ago, but she was gaining ground…and she was near the top of this infernal mountain.

She stood, her mouth hung open in a mix between sheer delight and an almost irrepressible urge to cry. She heard someone shouting, the sounds were getting further away but she didn't care. She could finally sleep, now that she'd found them.

OoOoOoO

She had been warm, heavy blankets wrapped around her and her clothing dry. She idly wondered who had taken her armor off, too exhausted to be concerned over modesty. As the world seemed to come rushing back she could hear shouting, arguing over who would lead the group and where they should go. No one could agree. She groaned, her headache coming back with a vengeance.

"You were hurt, we found you. You won't hurt for long." That creepy boy was hovering over her like a pale eyed vulture. Startled, she jumped up, spilling a pitcher of water beside her.

"Cole!" An accented voice that could only belong to Solas reprimanded the boy. "You must give others space, we spoke of this. It is unkind to be intrusive." He intoned gently, ushering the boy to another corner. "You were injured, and if not for Cole and his unnerving ability to get into the minds of others, we might not have known to look for you when you came back. Your return itself being something of a miracle." He gave her a small smirk.

"How long have they been shouting at each other?" Rialla rubbed her temple, hissing as she touched the injury above her eye.

"Hours, though they have that luxury thanks to you." Mother Giselle stood at the foot of the cot, smiling down at her.

"Maybe I should help."

"Another voice shouting at the chaos will not unmake the chaos." Solas tried to dissuade her, more for her physical health than anything.

"We have to pull ourselves together, get far away from that monster as soon as we can." Rialla pulled herself to her feet. "Creators, how are we supposed to stop an ancient darkspawn…magister?"

"Andraste has blessed you, child." Solas narrowed his eyes at Mother Giselle, but said nothing as she continued. "You have stopped him at every turn, bested him in combat and stolen victory from him twice. You are a symbol of hope, and divine inspiration."

"There was nothing divine about Haven, or Redcliffe. I'm not sure if it was luck or a curse. Not even the Gods I do believe in answer my prayers, now I'm the herald to a woman I couldn't have less in common with! This isn't divinity this is HELL!" Rialla growled, slamming her fist into one of the poles holding the tent up. "There is no Maker…there is no hope…" She blinked away tears as she sucked in a breath to go and face the advisors.

'Shadows fall and hope has fled
Steel your heart
The Dawn will come..

Rialla stopped walking, turning back to look at Mother Giselle. Not sure what she hoped to accomplish, Rialla was compelled to listen.

The night is long and the path is dark
Look to the sky, for one day soon
The Dawn will come…

It took her a moment to realize that everyone in the camp had fallen silent as the Revered Mother began singing. Josephine let her head rest on Leliana's shoulder as the bard started the next verse.

The Shepard's lost and his Home is far,
Keep to the stars,
The Dawn will come

Rialla watched in a sort of paralyzed fascination as soldiers, refugees, even the damn blacksmith started singing and walking toward her. She caught Cullen's eye, noting the subtle curl of a smile at the corner of his lips, surprising her even more when he joined in the song.

The Night is long and the Path is dark

Look to the sky, For one day soon
The Dawn will come

Rialla felt the tears falling down her cheeks, the gnawing fear in her gut seemingly placated for the time being. She'd never felt the elven God's presence, but she felt this. Whether a byproduct of the outpouring of emotion or some genuine connection to a superior force…she felt it.

Bare your Blade and raise it high
Stand your ground
The Dawn will Come

The Night is long and the Path is dark
Look to the sky, for one day soon
The Dawn will Come

Rialla struggled to breath, taken aback by the show of faith. Everyone knelt before her, raising her up to be their prophet, their savior.

"You may struggle with your faith, Rialla…but look at what you've inspired in them." Giselle gently lifted her chin to look her in the eye. "Do not lose your way in the shadows of doubt, child. You must endure if we are to succeed." Rialla's eyes snapped to hers. It felt like a memory, a dream from long ago, and yet so close she could swear Nerathiel was speaking to her.

Mala sulendi nadas.

Solas appeared at her side a moment later. "A word, if I may?" He sounded worried, if she'd gauged this right. She followed him to a small brazier, glowing with blue flame. "The artifact Corypheus has, it's elven."

Rialla nodded, mulling it over in her head. "How is that even possible? Most elven artifacts are in pieces, this orb is perfect…well, it's chipped, but other than that perfect." She shrugged.

"Chipped?" Solas shook his head.

"Yeah…how do you know it's elven? Are you sure it isn't some old Tevinter ball?" Rialla shrugged back.

"I've seen them, they're called Foci and are used to harness immense power. He should not have been able to open it, much less continue to wield it." He glared hard at the flame.

Rialla suddenly realized what he meant, though to her credit she had just woken up from a month long hike, up a mountain in a blizzard, with a concussion. Foggy should be acceptable for anyone at this point. "Oh…well, shit." She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "So what do you think we should do? How do we keep this from putting more elves at risk?" Solas turned thoughtful.

"I hadn't thought your first concern would be our kind." He gave her the barest of smiles.

"They are my kind too, in every way that ever mattered to me." She bit back, frowning at the unintentional harshness of her tone. "Sorry, I meant no disrespect."

Solas waved her off. "I forget you were raised Dalish, you do not bear the markings…or the ears." He cocked his head to one side.

"You know why." She gave him a scowl.

"Apologies, I can see that would be a difficult subject." He turned back to the blue fire. "I can help get these people to safety." He said after a long pause. "Lead them North, there is a place that sits and waits for one to hold it. It is Skyhold, though it's true name has been lost to the ages. A very old and very strong fortress…perfect for an Inquisition." He smiled then, casting his hopeful radiance her way. Rialla felt her breath catch in her throat, he looked so youthful then, happy. If the wisest among them had faith, and the most resistant to the belief of Andraste found her captivating…perhaps she could be the symbol they needed.