Mythal's shadow demon crouched on the mountain peak, its snarl vicious, burning tail swinging furiously behind it.
"Kill it? How the hell do we do that?" Virana asked, trying to hide the intimidation petrifying her.
A smug grin pulled at Ana's lips, "Look," she pointed to the glowering monster, red liquid dripping from its shoulder, running down its arm, "It's bleeding. And if it bleeds-"
"We can kill it." Fenris finished for her, smiling, his own lyrium markings glowing red.
The behemoth screamed in response, leaping from its perch on the peak, landing on the wall separating the garden from the mountain valley below. The stone crumbled beneath the creature's weight, its flaming mask of a face looming above them.
"Go! Now!" Virana called, thrusting her hands forward, thick bolts of electricity arcing for the beast.
Amelas growled, ice erupting from his hands. "Do not hold back!"
The Banal'ras reeled, lightning and ice crashing against its face. The behemoth swung its head around, its jaws clamping shut, narrowly missing Dorian and Amelas. Blood spattered the ground, Fenris's ice blade slicing deep in the flaming jaw, the monster screeching in pain as it threw its head up.
"Not so tough are you?" Fenris taunted, running toward its legs in an attempt to flank it.
Arching its neck, the behemoth's eyes found him, its claw raising to strike, a deep growl rumbling from its black throat.
"Oh no you don't!" Ana yelled, shoving her hands down before curving them back up, a sea of ice spires erupting beside the monster, striking it in the neck and chest.
Screeching in pain, it turned its gaze on Ana, smoke pouring from its nostrils. It swiped its three-fingered claw along the ground, shards of earth screaming for her and Isena.
"Isena, move!" Amelas yelled from across the garden. He struggled to keep his footing, his body racing for her faster than his feet could take him. He knew she had no magic to fight, he had felt the strain that ritual placed on them. If it nearly drained his own mana stores, hers were surely depleted as well.
Fenris stopped in his tracks, spinning to see the rocky shards racing toward his family. "Ana!" he screamed, "Do something!"
Isena saw the attack closing the distance, but she couldn't move. This was a nightmare come to life and terror gripped her, forcing her to remain frozen. She screamed within her head, commanding her body to move, but it wouldn't listen. How could everyone else face it so fearlessly? Why wasn't her body listening to her? If she didn't move, she would die.
A green light burst from Ana's position, those around her covering their eyes. The impact of the Banal'ras's attack echoed like cannon fire, the air thick with smoke and dust from the impact. The creature almost seemed to laugh, no doubt the spires connected with their target.
"Isena?" Amelas whispered, his voice cracking before rising, "Isena!"
"What the hell is that?" Dorian muttered, his eyes wide.
Time felt as though it were standing still. The dust settled, Isena standing unharmed with her arms around her face. She gasped, an ethereal vision of a dragon's wing standing before her, strong as an iron wall. A green tail wrapped around Isena, her gaze following it to the crouching body prepared to defend her, a body neither dragon nor human, but both. Within the torso of the dragon she saw Ana, her eyes glowing green, her vallaslin shining brilliantly. As she stood, so did the spirit, a beast the same size as the Banal'ras. The dragon's head turned to the monster, an earth shattering roar exploding from its jaws.
"No one goes after my daughter," Ana snarled. "For that, I will rip you apart!"
The dragon bared its teeth, the vortex of wind created by her leap to the heavens pushing Isena back.
Amelas raced to her side, his chest heaving, "Are you hurt?" he asked, his hands wrapped around her arms.
"I don't think so," she shook her head, his grip sending a chill down her spine, "What was that thing?"
"Her spirit form," Virana answered, ice swirling around her palms, "she and Solas battled each other in those forms before they were- lost."
The dragon bellowed, the behemoth echoing in response. Ana hung in the air, her spirit form shining, arms extended, welcoming the challenge. The Banal'ras pushed off the ground, its grotesque form colliding with the spirit. Virana and Dorian unleashed volleys of lightning and ice, striking the creature on its back, the dragon's claws raking it on the chest and torso while its jaws clamped on the gnarled horns.
Screeching in pain, blood dripping down its body, the Banal'ras pulled against Ana, shifting positions, placing her beneath it as they fell. Smoke poured from its nostrils and the corners of its eyes, its entire body bursting into flame.
The earth shook violently, various avalanches falling down the mountains. The two massive figures crashed into the snow-covered peak beyond the garden. A roar of agony split the air, a small figure screaming past, crashing into the stone wall at the back of Skyhold. The behemoth screeched, the flames on its body melting the surrounding ice, the remnants of a green aura flashing and fading beneath its claws.
"Ana!" Fenris stared at the debris, his heart racing as he disappeared toward the settling dust.
"Oh shit," Dorian uttered, his attention flickering between the creature and the pile of rubble.
The stone bricks shifted, Ana pulling herself up, blood dripping down her face as Fenris helped pull her out. "That bastard is strong," she swallowed hard, blood trickling from her lips. "He ripped me from my spirit form without even trying."
Virana's face was pale as she looked around her. The longer this battle lasted, the more hopeless it seemed. "That can happen? If an elven god's most powerful form can't match it, how can we?"
"By not thinking like that!" Amelas called, rushing toward the destroyed wall, a stream of ice erupting from his staff and hitting the Banal'ras in the face.
Mustering all the courage within herself, Isena rushed to Amelas's aid, a small blast of ice echoing his attack, a pained groan falling from her lips.
Amelas and Isena's attack elicited a terrifying screech, two of the Banal'ras's four eyes closed, blood pouring from them. The creature snarled, launching itself toward the garden once again.
"Look out!" Isena screamed, shoving Amelas to the side, the Banal'ras falling on their position.
Rolling to the ground, Amelas whipped his head around, terror gripping him as he watched the creature snatch Isena in its fiery claws. "No!" He cried, shoving his body up, scrambling to get on his feet.
The Banal'ras growled, squeezing her tighter, blood spewing as she coughed.
Without hesitation, Amelas charged the creature, a white aura streaming from his glowing eyes. A white light emanated from his chest, his feet pushing him off the ground in a daring leap.
The Banal'ras roared, swiping its free claw toward the airborne Amelas. Confusion twisted its inferno of a face when its three-fingered claw collided with a white aura the shape of a grizzly paw. The spirit form stood as tall as the Banal'ras, a furry snarling snout latched onto the behemoth's arm.
"Amelas?" Isena whispered, her eyes focusing on the massive white bear defending her.
In the center of the ethereal bear was Amelas, his own features furrowed in a vicious snarl, the bear mimicking his movements. His eyes darted to Isena, the bear's jaws clenching down, blood falling from its teeth. "Hold on, Isena!"
The bear slashed at the monster's face, its claws blinding the Banal'ras completely. A high pitched screech echoed, its grip on Isena releasing as it fell back. Amelas dove forward, Isena landing safely on his spirit form's back.
"Are you hurt?" his gaze darted to her before returning to his opponent.
She shook her head, "I'll heal, but don't worry about me, you need to finish that thing while you have the chance!"
Amelas nodded, a glower crossing his face, the bear gnashing his teeth. "Hold on, Lethallan."
Isena barely registered his words before the bear lunged forward, the blinded Banal'ras crashing to the mountain pass below. Blood flowed as Amelas's spirit sank its teeth into the creature's throat, the flames dying throughout its body, a gurgle coming from its open mouth. With one final movement, the bear ripped the Banal'ras's throat from its body, the monster's limbs twitching as the life flooded out of it. Isena and Amelas watched as the beast crumbled, becoming dust blowing away with the winter breeze.
A loud crash echoed through the dark halls of Mythal's keep, swearing followed by the sound of pacing. The red-haired woman cautiously entered the large study, her sunset eyes falling on Mythal throwing whatever she could get her hands on.
"Is something wrong, Majesty?"
Mythal's golden eyes turned to her, rage burning within them. "They killed it. They killed the Banal'ras. Fen'Harel's brat has a spirit form stronger than even his father's," she growled, continuing to destroy the room.
"I can take care of them," the woman shrugged, leaning against the doorway, her hand brushing against her bare midriff, the silver dragon on her belt glimmering in the torchlight.
Mythal shook her head, "No, there are still things in Tevinter that need your attention."
Rolling her eyes, the woman scoffed, "If they can kill your shadow demon, they'll kill your dragons too. It would be better to let us end it now."
Mythal glared in response.
"All right," she threw her hands up, "I'll return to decimating magisters then."
"Andruil!" Mythal snapped, her hands gripping the stone table before her as the woman turned to walk away. "We need my granddaughter alone. When the time comes, I expect you to be ready."
Andruil grinned, her eyes flashing. "As you command."
"Amelas! Isena!" Virana's panicked voice reached their ears.
Dorian and the others stood back, the giant bear climbing its way back to the garden before the aura dissipated, Isena falling into Amelas's arms.
"All healed?" he teased, his face inches from hers.
Isena looked away, scrambling out of his arms and to her feet as she felt her cheeks burn red. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you."
"That was-" Dorian shook his head, "by far the most intense battle I have ever fought. I have never seen magic like that. What were they called? 'Spirit forms'?"
Ana sat beside Fenris, her wounds almost healed. "Amelas is the son of the Dread Wolf. I had imagined no one other than we ancients capable of such power, but I suppose it makes sense."
Pulling the amulet from around her neck, Virana sighed, the color finally returning to her face. "I never imagined-"
"Having a child with an elven god would produce a child with such power?" Ana chuckled, glancing at Fenris, then Isena. "It seems they are both capable of things far greater than we realized."
"Maker, why do I keep getting involved in things like this? I'm getting too old for this, Virana," Dorian smiled, his hand rubbing the back of his head. "One would think I would have enough sense by now, but no! 'Why, Dorian, you've already defeated one god in your lifetime, why not show up at Skyhold and do it all over again!'"
Laughing, Virana waved him off, "Oh Dorian, you were getting bored in the Magisterium and you know it. Besides, wasn't there something about two dragons attacking and you needing my help?"
Dorian's smile vanished, his tone solemn. "Ah, yes, I had almost forgotten how the entire Magisterium was obliterated before my eyes. Let's not forget I barely escaped with my life- again."
"I didn't mean-"
"Oh no, it's fine, Virana. We have more important things to do than comfort the only human in the group. Now, isn't there one more party member needed?"
Virana's gaze shot hesitantly to Ana, her fingers caressing the amulet. "Right, Ana, there's something-"
"Oh fuck no!" Ana stood, wagging her finger at Virana. "There is no way I'm releasing him, not after everything I went through to put him there!"
"Ana, love," Fenris stood, reaching for her arm, "if it weren't for Solas, we never would have found the tome that helped us release you. Virana, Dorian, even Amelas-"
"Seriously? I spent centuries locked away, and he gets barely two decades? How is that fair?"
Stepping forward, Isena tucked her hair behind her ears. "Mother, he helped me. He wanted you released. It's not right that Father and I get you, but they-" her eyes glanced to Amelas then Virana, "they don't deserve to live without him. Virana loves him as you love father and Amelas deserves to know his father. Please, Mother. You're the only one who can."
"Ana, she's right-"
"I know she's right, Fenris!" Ana hissed, sighing in frustration. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."
Trudging to Virana, Ana held out her hand, her golden irises meeting Virana's rose colored stare. Gently placing the necklace in Ana's palm, Virana smiled, a silent but hopeful glance passing between them.
"I can't." Ana said curtly after a moment.
"Anaris-" Fenris snapped.
Whipping around, Ana pointed her finger at him, "Don't you dare use my true name, Fenris. After the fight with that beast, I don't have the magic. I need to feed."
"Use me!" Virana thrust her arm toward Ana, "Feed on me if you need to."
"It would kill you," Ana replied, her tone irritated. "I can't feed on someone without them dying from the venom in my bite."
Clearing his throat, Fenris interjected, "Actually, if she were to cut herself, you could drink from her without killing her. A small amount of your own blood in return heals her wound and both parties are satisfied."
An awkward silence fell on the group, glances exchanged and breathy chuckles exhaled. After a moment, Virana pulled a knife from her boot and cut her palm. She watched Ana's eyes flash black, her vallaslin glowing as the blood pooled in her palm.
Virana sucked her breath through her teeth when Ana's lips pressed against her skin. Feeling her blood being sucked from her body was strange. It was not terrifying or even disgusting, but rather euphoric. Virana felt her heartbeat slow, the thought of her life draining away washed away with the desire to sleep. Her eyes grew heavy, her head nodding with the weight of fatigue. The air around her seemed colder, the voices of her companions fading. A small voice within told her to remove her hand, but the strange sense of peace overruled it. She felt her lips pull to a small grin, she couldn't remember the last time she felt this calm.
Without warning, her pleasured trans was interrupted, a metallic smell wafting through her nostrils while a muffled voice echoed in her ears.
"Virana, drink!" Ana's voice startled her back to reality, her wrist open, the blood falling to the grass beneath them. "Drink, before you pass out from blood loss!"
Shaking her head, Virana's eyes focused on the open wound before her. She pressed her lips against Ana's flesh, a small moan escaping her as the warm liquid fell across her tongue and down her throat. It tasted sweeter than anything she had before. A warm sensation rushed through her, her mind more alert than before.
"That should be enough," Ana pulled away, Virana's lips smacking at the motion. "Now let's get started before I change my mind."
"Wait, that's it?" Virana blinked in confusion. "Was that enough?"
Ana smirked, "Virana, you lost close to half your blood volume. If I fed any longer, you would have died."
"But it felt like seconds," she whispered, her thumb rubbing her palm where the wound had been.
Fenris snickered, "Such is the power of an apex predator. Now you know why nothing escapes us."
Kneeling in a clear space, Ana held the amulet by the chain, the red gem dangling before her face. Her other hand was below the jewel, her fingers pointed straight toward the amulet. A blue light swirled from her fingertips, the gem swinging side to side. The light curved and danced around the pendant, ancient Elvhen flowing from Ana's lips.
Virana bit her thumbnail, her body frozen with anticipation. This was it. This was the moment she waited twenty years to experience. A lump swelled in her throat as she fought back tears, Dorian placing a hand on her shoulder the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
"It is done." Ana's voice rang through her ears, the amulet suspended on its own, a blue light emanating from it.
With a flash, the amulet burst, the shattered pieces hanging, glistening in the sunlight. The rays of light bounced between shards, the glow growing brighter until it took shape. Ana stepped back, her arms folded against her chest, Fenris behind her.
"You did the right thing," he whispered to her, his lips placing a gentle kiss against her hair while his arms wrapped around her.
"Don't remind me," she scoffed, her tone agitated to hide the hint of relief only Fenris could find.
The glowing light faded, the amulet gone. Virana's hands cupped over her mouth, her eyes on the glistening armor donned by that bald elf she would recognize anywhere. He turned, his hazel eyes finally meeting hers, the corner of his mouth pulled into a grin.
"Virana, I have missed you, Ma Vhenan."
