Chapter 9: Our Time is nothing but a Joke
"Are you sure about that statement?" A dark chuckling voice replied.
"No... It can't be..." Dar'Thedar leaned up from the ground, looking at the one who spoke. Fear crept into his mind at the sight, he could not believe who he was looking at.
"Could that be?" Varric muttered quietly to himself, looking at the figure standing before Dar'Thedar. He could not believe his eyes, even pinching himself at this moment would not change a thing.
Cassandra and the rest of the group were busy fighting when they glanced over, some saw a monster and others just stood speechless. Cullen glared in disgust at the stranger as he prepared his weapon, The spy master frowned to see who led the Red Templars.
Dar'Thedar was grabbed by the Red Templars and forced to kneel, his back forced forward in a bowing position. His arms held back and high enough to hard him painfully, the khajiit hissed to the pain but refused to look up. The figure scoffed before approaching the captive with a smirk, reaching out with one hand and forced the khajiit's up to look at him.
"Do not be rude to your FATHER!"
Everyone who knew the older Khajiit stood in shock, while the others continued to fight off the enemy. Varric wanted to run over to greet his old friend though, it seemed someone chose the wrong group. Lilliana stayed by the Dwarf's side and protected him, keeping the enemy at bay with her arrows.
"Dovahkiin, you shou-"
"Do not give me that greybeard crap!" The older Khajiit yanked Dar'Thedar's head "I know you abandoned that life the moment you could fight, thief." He hissed in anger, forcing the younger Khajiit to stand up "Now let me teach you what happens to thieves who steal!"
Before anyone could do or say anything, Dar'Thedar was thrown across the snow with great force. At this moment Cullen closed the gates of Heaven, trying to keep everyone who made it in safe. IronBull led his charge to the west wing, Solas and the group led the refugees to the chantry for safety.
"What about Thedar? We can't just leave the guy out there, getting his ass beaten by that maniac!" Dorian tried reasoning with Cullen, being held back by Cassandra and BlackWall with all their might.
"That 'maniac' is Sabriz, Dar'Thedar's father and the one who almost destroyed Kirkwall!" Cullen said with anger, not mad at his furry friend but at the creature who dared to show his face again.
"Not to mention the BASTARD CAN SPEAK TO DRAGONS!"
Everyone went silent to look over at the Dwarf who spoke, Varric was usually calm at things that happened but he knew. The writer knew Sabriz well enough to know the khajiit could do unspeakable things, dragons was one of them and almost having the power of a god.
"I know... a path to get out of here..."
The people looked to the priest before feeling the ground below them rubble, Cullen knew that and immediately asked the priest. They didn't have time to question him nor wanted to ask, Varric hoped and prayed to whoever that they could protect Dar'Thedar.
"So, you dare enter the world that I-!" Sabriz growled "have been longing to return to!" he kicked the younger Khajiit in the side, making him roll slowly towards the catapolt. "Look at you now, a thief AND a hero to a world soon to fall." The older Khajiit reached down and forced his son to stand, watching him stagger a bit before releasing a shout. Dar'Thedar let out a yelp of pain as he flew back by the Thu'um, knocking the wind out of him when he hit the catapolt back first.
"PATHETIC RUNT! You are nothing but a pathetic excuse of a son!" Sabriz casually walked up to Dar'Thedar with a chuckle, "But I must not be so cruel to the thief, for my master... wants what you stole." he stood aside for the approaching tall figure, the older Khajiit smirked at the other with great glee.
Dar'Thedar sat slouched against the wood behind him, holding his wounded side and panting heavily from the abuse he recieved from his father. Even though he hated the man for ignoring him all those years, he used to look up to him in great awe but now that changed.
"Creature, you toy with forces beyond your ken. No more."
"Who are you, what spell have you used on my father!" Dar'Thedar demanded, earning a laugh from Sabriz.
"You speak as though you do not unstand but know me, know me. Know you have pretended to be." The creature slowly approached Dar'Thedar "Exalt The Elder One! The will That is Corypheus!"
Sabriz chuckled softly and approach the two, watching as Corypheus pointed at the young Khajiit. The older Khajiit smirked at the sight of the runt struggling, enjoying the enterainmment of how this will play out.
"YOU WILL KNEEL."
"I WILL NOT KNEEL TO YOU OR ANYONE!" Dar'Thedar growled but his temper calm, he glanced at the mountain side. spotting a arrow with fire at the end, he smirked before standing up straight.
"I am not asking, I am commanding. Because power is not yours to give, but that will not stop me." Corypheus held up a strange looking orb that glowed red, "I am here for the Anchor. The process of removing it begins NOW." He thrust out his right hand, using his power to activate the power.
Dar'Thedar's cursed hand twitched and started to rise on it's own, he immediately gripped his arm. He could feel it tingling and pinch in slight pain, he hissed and bared his teeth.
"It is your fault, "Herald." You interrupted a ritual years in the planning, And instead of dying, You stole its purpose." Corypheus put more force into his power, slowly raising his hand and glaring at the creature. "I do not know how you survived, But what marks you as "Touched," What you flail at rifts, I crafted to assault the very Heavens." putting pressure on the Anchor, he watched as the young Khajiit fell to his knees. Sabriz carefully circled his son with a wicked smirk, not showing a care in the world.
"And you used the Anchor to undo my work? The Gall!"
Dar'Thedar chuckled at the words "You think I am an angel sent from Sovngarde?" He looked at the two with hatred though he smirked, "May Alduin show you no mercy!" The young Khajiit roared and reached for his pocket, pulling out a flask of red liquid.
Sabriz froze at the sight and his eyes widen in shock, "NO!" he shouted when he tackles Corypheus out of the way. He raised his head "GOL HAH DOV!" was released into the night sky, bending the will of the unknown dragon as it obeyed. Sabriz had to act fast to get them out of there, knowing what liquid Dar'Thedar held in his hand.
"Release me, you fool!" Corypheus demanded.
"No!" Sabriz replied with a hiss, forcing his master onto the dragon and hopping on aswell. He was not willing to fight the runt just yet, he kicked the dragon's side and off into the air they went. Hearing the wicked laugh of the 'Herald' as they flew, bats from all corners of the forest made their way towards the call. Some blocking the view of the enemies escape.
Just as Sabriz thought it was safe to slow the dragon's speed, a red energy ball nicked his side and sucked nearly half the life out of him. He hissed and lowered his body to shield Corypheus, he sight caught where the energy was heading.
"UP!" He demanded and yanked on the dragon's horn down, they went higher into the air. The sounds of rumbling snow shook the ground below them, feeling the vibrations while disappearing into the sky.
Dar'Thedar forced himself across the snow, holding his side as he struggled to escape the avalanche. He did not bother to look down when a board broke and the snow caved in. Dragging the Khajiit out and out of death's door, He hit the ground hard and rolled to his side.
Laying there for a moment to get some air back into his lungs, the young Khajiit thought about his father. The bastard literally tried to kill him and for what, he did not know but that could be answered later.
Dar'Thedar sighed heavily and forced himself to stand up, holding his side as he looked around the cave. There was no going back so he moved forward, he had to get back to the others and warn them. A small bit of blood dripped from his side as he limped, using his free hand to heal his wounded leg first.
"By the nine divines..."
He looked down at his leg to see it healed perfectly, he smiled in approval and started to jog deeper into the tunnel. His ears twitched at the strange sounds, so without taking a chance at being polite. Dar'Thedar prepared himself and used a conjuring up a sword, muffling his steps to sneak up on the enemy.
When he came around the corner of the tunnel, he saw three to four creatures roaming aimlessly. "They are blocking my path..." Dar'Thedar whispered to himself, he jumped out to attack the creatures. Before he could take the first strike, his blood covered hand mindlessly thrust it self out and shot a makeshift rift. The Khajiit was dumbfounded at what just happened, watching those monsters get sucked into the rift before disappearing.
"By the... What in the name of Akatosh?" He looked down at his bloody hand, wondering what could of made him do such a thing.
He shrugged and just kept going, if it helped him get by faster then he would accept it. He continued his way through till he felt a cold breeze and heard snow, a sound he is thankful to hear as he moved along.
It felt like he was back at High Hrothgar, the smell of incense and hearing the usual arguments that the greybeards would have. Just before Dar'Thedar could even think of sleeping in, the young Khajiit's eyes shot open and quickly sat up "Arngeir!"
Everyone fell silent at the shouting and looked towards the tent, Thedar had his arm reached out to no one and was panting heavily.
"Who is Arm-gear?" A woman asked, no doubt it was mother Giselle.
Dar'Thedar gulped and slowly lowered his arm, "It's Arngeir and... He was my old mentor." calming himself down, the Khajiit looked around carefully.
"By the way you thrashed in your sleep, it seems he was in trouble?" Mother Giselle spoke softly, watching the people go back to business.
"I... do not know exactly... I could not hear him over the sounds of those fools yelling." He pointed at Cullen and the others arguing.
"They have that luxury, thanks to you." The Chantry mother looked over, "The enemy could not follow, And with time to doubt, we turn to blame." she turned her head to watch the camp fight. "Infighting may threaten as much as this Corypheus."
"I agree yet, do we even know where Corypheus and his forces are?" Dar'Thedar questioned, moving the covers so he could place his feet on the ground.
"We are no sure where we are. Which may be why, despite the numbers he still commands, there is no sign of him." Mother Giselle replied, speaking in a low tone so not to worry anyone.
"That, Or you are believed dead. Or without Haven, we are thought helpless. Or he girds for another attack."
You like saying "Or" a lot, don't you? Dar'Thedar thought, not daring to say that one out loud.
"I cannot claim to know the mind of that creature, only his effect on us."
"Yes but right now, Cullen and the rest need me." The young Khajiit moved, only to have his arm calmly held by the woman.
"Another heated voice won't help, even yours. Perhaps especially yours." She gently guided the Khajiit back to his seat, "Our leaders struggle because of what we survivors witnessed. We saw our defender stand... And fall." reaching out, she gently stroked Dar'Thedar's furry head "And now, we have seen him Return."
The young Khajiit started to softly purr at the touch, "The more the enemy is beyond us, the more miraculous your actions appear. And the more our trails seem ordained." Giselle spoke, trying to make the man understand. "That is hard to accept, no? What "we" have been called to endure? what "we." perhaps, must come to believe?"
"I barely escaped the avalanche, i did not die." Dar'Thedar looked to the woman, not sure how to explain what really happened.
Mother Giselle cupped the Khajiit's head softly with both hands, "Of couurse, And the dead cannot return from across the Veil. But the people know what they saw." She released him and sat back on her chair, "Or perhaps, what they needed to see. The Maker works both in the moment, and in how it is remembered. Can we truly know the heavens are Not with us?"
"Nord woman, I just do not see how my believes matter. Lies or Truths, Corypheus is real and mere words cannot stop him." Dar'Thedar stood up from his bed, walking to the entrance of the tent. He sighed heavily and looked among the people, unsure of how he could protect them against Corypheus and Dovahkiin.
Shadows fall
And hope has fled.
Steel your heart
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.
The shepard's lost
And his home is far
Keep to the stars
The dawn will come
Bare your blade
And raise it high
Stand your ground
The dawn will come.
Dar'Thedar looked over at Mother Giselle after witnessing the people bow to him, She walked to his side and gave a small smile to the people.
"An army needs more than an enemy. It needs a cause." She said before walking away, letting the Khajiit think it over carefully.
Dar'Thedar did not even get a moment to himself before Solas walked over, the two shot glares at each other. The elf Mage walked by with his staff in hand, before lightly hitting the Khajiit's shoulder.
"A word?" was all that he said, making his way over to an open area away from camp.
You dare to hit me, I'll make this trip embarrassing for you! "Solas! That is not how my people court each other!" He yelled from across the camp, walking over while hearing people muffle their laughter.
Solas glared but grinned to himself "Oh but I do not fancy myself with animals!"
Dar'Thedar was prepared to smack that grin off his face, though he was inturrpted by Varric who walked in. Turning to the people who took that as an insult to their leader, the Dwarf held up his hands and quickly grabbed Dorian's wrist.
"Easy people, it's just a joke between 'Chuckles' and 'Furball'! No harm in it!" Varric announced, glancing Dorian and spoke low enough for only him to hear "Easy Sparkles, I doubt Solas is making a move on your little crush."
THANK YOU FOR READING! No seriously, even though i had one review on Chapter 8. I still find myself excited to write this chapter, so i hope to see you all on chapter 10!
If you have any suggestions or like what you just read, please a reveiw
Thanks again :3