A/N: I know it's short but it is mostly about Hawke's freedom from the demons that plague her dreams. I hope you enjoy.
The fade could be both a wonderful and terrible place. Fulfilled with memories, hopes, dreams, fears and regrets. Sometimes all at the same time. More often than not she experienced them all at the same time.
She was in a house, she wasn't sure where but outside the large fretted window she could see a spanse of endless trees. A huge deep forest. It looked like Ferelden. Could I be home? Yes this feels right.
Her fingers drummed on her swollen belly. She could feel the life inside her. She had always wanted children. She smiled and gazed down. It would be soon now and their family would be complete. It was perfect.
She smiled at him when he entered. He smiled broadly upon seeing her. Setting down his burden he knelt beside her to give both her and her belly a kiss. He smelled like the forest and wood smoke. She was contented.
"I love you." He whispered to her "soon our family will be complete." He hooked a finger around her chin and gazed into her eyes.
Something wasn't right. She searched his face, it was wrong. It was all too perfect. She pulled away from him, rising from the chair.
"What's wrong my love?" he asked "is it the baby?" It sounded like him but it wasn't. He walked towards her only to have her back away.
"Love why do you look at me like that?" he asked "everything is as it should be, we are safe and free. Its the baby. Come lie down and I'll make you some tea." He reached out for her.
"Don't touch me!" she cried recoiling from him as if he'd burned her, eyes wide with fear and anger "Torment me no longer Demon!"
"What are you talking about? I am no demon, I am your husband." He replied again coming towards her.
"No! This isn't real!" she cried.
When he reached to grab her she hurled a fist of rock at him, it should have connected straight with his chest but passes harmlessly through. It tore the precious illusion the demon had erected.
"You should have taken my hand, mortal." It's voice filling her head "It would have been easier."
A terrible pain wracked her body. The spasm forced her to knees. Her belly pitched and bulged as the phantom child was expelled from her body. The demon watched in amusement as the mortal kneeling before it cried in agony.
She heard a thud behind her. She felt the warm blood flow over her legs. It was horrifying but she knew it wasn't real. She let her anger give her strength. "You have desecrated my haven for the last time, Desire!"
"Oh?" it asked "You cannot even stand."
Much to the demons surprise she was indeed standing. Her blood sodden dress replaced by her robes that Fenris gave her. Her face was a careful mask of tightly controlled rage, sorrow and determination. There was something else. This shadows skin glittered with the song of the Maker, unshakable faith surrounded it , making the demon quite uneasy. Looking to the floor she did see the mage weeping on the floor behind her. The demon's eyes went wide with fear. It recoiled from the shadow self , its aura burning to the touch.
You are not welcome here! Its voice boomed throughout the small room. The volume of it forced the demon to cover its ears.
You! You are a shadow! You cannot hurt me! The demon screeched.
The Maker does not abandon his children! The shadow spoke In the name of the Maker, On the blood of Andraste, Bride of the Maker.
Its words still held power. How can you have so much power? The demon cringed holding his ears against the offensive sound.
I am Faith. I am Love. I fill the hollow places you leave behind until there is no room left for your kind. There is no more room here for you. The shadow looked down on the cowering demon. You think you are the greatest of the Maker's children. So much more powerful than the mortal you seek to control.
You are like me, Shadow. You possess this mortal just as we do! The demon countered, grasping at anything it could to talk its way out of this.
You are wrong. I possess nothing. She is the one that possesses me. A life I gave freely and with the Maker's blessing. I seek not to control, to bind, to deceive. I am powered by her love, her faith in the Maker. The Shadow reached down and grasped the cowered demon by the throat. Ignoring her screams from its touch burning its flesh. You are forsaken. Unworthy of mercy. You claim I have no power? Then how is it you are powerless.
Suddenly they were in Minrathis. In the city square where Andraste was burned. Only the pillar of flames was devoid of any prophet or people. It was just her and the demon. It marched the demon to the flames.
What are you doing? It screeched, clawing at her arms frantically to escape.
Return to the Maker! It cried throwing the thrashing demon into the flames.
Turning around the Shadow Self was standing face to face with her again, nothing surrounding them but endless space.
You are free. The Shadow Self said.
She reached out and touched her Shadow Self. The Shadow shattered at her touch, disappearing into the void.