Hawke felt himself transported from the realm of the living to the place he now resided. As he took a second to catch his bearings, he noticed Katiana move to his side.

"It's up to you now," she said.

Hawke nodded as he looked around. It was always so hard to focus in the Fade. It was like being in a dream, the world itself was foggy, almost like being underwater, and all of the color was drained from everything. It was the most depressing place he'd ever been and he didn't like having to be there once more. Breathing deeply, he turned his thoughts to the task at hand.

The place they stood was shadowed by a giant mountain. Snow covered the peak as dark clouds served as their ceiling. There was something familiar about this place, but he couldn't quite make the connection. Katiana obviously recognized it as well because she immediately walked to the edge of the mountainous path they were on and stared out over the ledge.

Below them lay Llomerryn, but there was more to it than that. In the distance he saw Kirkwall and Lothering as well, but they weren't as they should have been. It was as if someone had stripped away the land and sea separating every major city in all of Thedas and pushed each civilization together until it was one. The buildings went as far as their eyes could see.

"What is this?" Hawke asked to both Katiana and himself.

The Seer, having no answers, only shook her head in amazement. Neither of them had ever seen anything like it.

As they stood staring, a tiny light began to dance in the distance. Hawke wasn't sure, but he thought the illumination came from his former home of Lothering. As they watched, the light began to navigate the map, slowly at first, but picking up speed rapidly. As it finally reached the opposite side of Lothering, the entire city was set on fire. Hawke and Katiana gasped in surprise, both nearly forgetting where they were.

The light continued to burn a trail through the land until everything before them was set ablaze. Even from their altitude and distance they could hear the screams as millions of people were burned to ash.

Hawke clenched his hands so tightly that his nails cut into his palms and drew blood. Even as it dripped onto the dirt at his feet, he felt nothing. He was far too horrified by the sight before him. The only thing that broke his gaze was a hint of color from the corner of his eye. He turned his head sharply just in time to see an ocean blue bandana float in the wind before him and toward the fire at his feet. It was the only thing with such vibrant color that he'd ever seen in this place. His body moved quickly away from the edge as his head swiveled around, searching for the person who owned that familiar article of clothing. Despite his efforts, he saw nothing. He called out to Isabela, though he wasn't sure why when he knew she was safely waiting for him in the land of the living.

Katiana came to his side and, upon seeing how distraught he was, lightly touched his shoulder in reassurance.

"None of this is real," she said. "Your friend… Isabela, is it?" She smiled kindly, seeming almost amused to find that they'd used fake names. Or maybe she was amused that they'd thought she'd believed them in the first place. Hawke felt foolish, but Katiana was nothing but comforting. "She is safe."

Hawke half-smiled and nodded. Just as he was about to ask Katiana a question, a chuckle from their right caught his attention. He looked over in time to see a pair of boots disappear behind the mountain. Forsaking any rational thought, Hawke broke into a run and followed the same trail that he'd just seen the boots use. He turned the corner just in time to see a bundle of windswept hair disappear around the next bend.

"Isabela!" he called out fruitlessly. He knew it wasn't the real Isabela, but he couldn't help himself. There was a greater force pulling him toward her like a moth to a flame. He was helpless to resist its lure.

As he turned the next curve, he was surprised to see an apparition of his love waiting for him, an alluring smile covering her face. Hawke slowed his pace to a walk and approached her like he would a frightened animal. This doppelganger felt so illusive to his grasp that he was afraid she would disappear the moment he finally caught her. He was only feet from her when a flash of lightning nearby blinded him for a second. He closed his eyes sharply, but when he opened them again, Isabela was gone. Just as Katiana caught up to him, a familiar voice echoed from nearby.

"Oh, come on. You can do better than that, kitten."

Out of breath, Katiana struggled to reason with Hawke, but he was frantic to find this ghost and face it. He ran ahead a little and found a cave hidden in the side of the mountain. Hawke snapped his hand open, a fireball appearing in the palm of his hand. He waited for Katiana to join him before venturing into the darkness. Apparently realizing the futility of her efforts, the Seer no longer protested Hawke's actions, instead walking silently beside him.

It took a little more than a minute or two for them to reach a large, circular opening in the center of the cave, though traveling in the pitch black made the task feel as if it dragged on for decades. Torches were placed evenly around the walls of the clearing, illuminating the area perfectly and revealing a figure drenched in black standing in the center. Hawke quenched the flame in his hand and looked at Katiana.

"Wait here," he said.

She grabbed his arm firmly as he turned to leave, startling him.

"Do not give this stranger the same trust you would the woman you love simply because it wears her face," she cautioned.

"I know," he said hoarsely.

Katiana released her hold on him and watched as he walked toward the answers he seeked.

The closer Hawke approached the mysterious figure, the more she was revealed. She indeed wore Isabela's face like Katiana had said. He stopped a few feet from her, afraid she would disappear again if he moved any closer.

"Who are you?" Hawke asked, his tone firm.

"I am the essence and spirit of Eleni Zinovia," she said. The voice she used was no longer Isabela's and it was jarring to hear another's words come from his lover's mouth.

"Am I supposed to know that name?"

"No," she said casually. "There are many things you are not supposed to know… yet."

Hawke scrunched his face in frustration. "Why these games and riddles? Can't you speak plainly?"

"I cannot," Eleni said. "You have a great destiny, Champion of Kirkwall. There are things you must do and things you must discover for yourself. I cannot tell you what is to come… I can only prepare you."

Hawke's frustration was quickly transforming into anger. He was tired of being maneuvered like a pawn for the benefit of others.

"And Isabela? What does she have to do with any of this? Why do you wear her face?" he asked angrily.

The imitation of Isabela smiled slightly. "Is there anyone you trust more? Who better to appear to you as than the only person you've ever surrendered yourself to completely?"

"That doesn't explain the visions. I assume you're the one behind them. Why force me to see such things?"

"Because you need to. Because you'll see much worse in the end," she answered cryptically.

Hawke didn't know if that was a threat or not, but it only fed his anger. Wildly he stepped forward and grabbed her throat. Before he could even threaten her however, he released his hold on her. He knew she wasn't Isabela, but she looked exactly like her, even smelled like her. He couldn't do anything to harm this body. He doubted he could harm Eleni even if did. Defeated, he met her eyes. She was a replica of the woman he loved, but her eyes lacked the fire that Isabela's had.

"I know 'tis not what you desire," Eleni said almost apologetically. "But some of us have a destiny beyond our control."

"And yours?" Hawke asked, referring to her own fate.

"Prophecy is both my doom and destiny," she said. "I see what the Maker shows me and it has cost more than you can imagine."

Curiosity filled Hawke's face. "You're a prophet?"

She nodded. "I once served Archon Valerius of the Tevinter Imperium. Loyal as I was, to stone I was cursed when I prophesied the fall of his house. That way I remained for many, many years."

"Stone?" Hawke asked. "But you aren't anymore?"

"There is much you cannot know… cannot understand," she said.

"Obviously," Hawke muttered under his breath. "At least tell me why you've forced these visions upon me," he demanded.

"As I said, I can only prepare you," she answered, returning to her enigmatic language.

"For what? For something to happen to Isabela?"

"Partly," she admitted. "The Maker will return to light their fires before the shadow can consume all. You will be but a light in its heart."

Hawke sighed in aggravation. "I know this dwarf named Sandal that you would get on with splendidly," he said sarcastically. "He doesn't make a bit of sense either."

"A storm is coming for you," she continued, ignoring him. "You will sacrifice a piece of yourself to save her, but she will fill your heart and make you whole once more. Do not let what you must do weigh heavy upon yourself. Your actions will be a catalyst of change in you that will be necessary in the years to come."

This captured Hawke's full attention. "Her? You mean Isabela? Save her from what?" A million questions ran through his head, but he only voiced the ones most likely to be answered in some form.

"You will discover that soon enough," Eleni said. "I have said all I can. 'Tis time for you to return. Remember what you have heard… and seen. "

Hawke suddenly remembered the burning cities below the mountain.

"Wait, what do those cities out there mean? What does any of this mean?"

"Heed my words and all will turn out as it should, Champion," she said. "Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone in this. The Warden shares a fate similar to your own."

Hawke was about to speak, but he was cut off by Eleni's hands as they clapped together, rumbling the world around them like an earthquake. He tried to focus, but he felt himself fading.

"Wait," he whispered before he fell to his knees, his body suddenly drained of all energy. His hand disappeared before him as he extended his arm toward her. The world became enveloped in darkness, as was he. Just before he lost consciousness, he heard Isabela's voice through the darkness, calling his name.


A/N: Some of you might remember Eleni Zinovia from the mage origin story in Dragon Age: Origins or the Witch Hunt DLC. She was the talking statue that the Warden encounters. I found some interesting comments from Mike Laidlaw and David Gaider on the BSN forums saying that there were more to her prophecies than people thought so I couldn't resist using her. Just a little fun fact. Hope you enjoyed it! =)