Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the game.

Author's Note: Well here's chapter nine. This chapter basically sets up a lot of stuff to be explored through the rest of the story. I hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter 9 – The Demon's Heart

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Pale streams of moonlight filtered through the trees, lighting the ground in a mystical bluish light. Deimos' expression completely blank, his gaze locked with the bard's. Neither of them moved for a long time till the ghost finally responded.

"So I did." He said simply. "It was the most logical course of action."

"Working with me was more useful than working with an old god?" Leliana questioned in disbelief.

"No." Deimos whispered; the bard barely heard it.

"Then why?" Leliana asked again. This time she wasn't letting him go until she got some damn answers.

The ghost raised his head, he was now smiling. The bard could have sworn there was a hint of genuine sadness in that smile.

"Because you remind me of someone." He said simply.

Leliana's curiosity piqued, she was also a bit excited. She was actually getting answers out of him. Maybe she'd finally find out why he wanted her for this damn job.

"Who?" She demanded.

Deimos' smile only widened before he responded.

"Andraste."

The atmosphere froze around them. The bard's mouth opened and closed again. Deimos was comparing her to Andraste? Comparing her to the prophet of old? She had been devoted to the chantry for so long, it was almost like being compared to the god you worship.

"It was just like the last time." The ghost continued, whispering softly. "To betray or to save. Where betrayal is the rational choice. Ah, but the guilt… I couldn't have done it a second time."

"You actually feel guilty about betraying Andraste?" The bard asked, dumbfounded.

"Of course."

"How come… you just don't seem like a person who would…"

"Isn't it obvious?" Deimos said softly. "Think over what you know, it really isn't that hard."

Silence engulfed the clearing once more. Only broken by the occasional noise of an animal or the breathing of the bard or the unconscious Christine. Leliana thought, she thought through everything she knew. Of course, there was only one answer she kept coming up with. She would have dismissed it as impossible hours ago. But this time, she was willing to ask.

"You loved her, didn't you?" She questioned pointedly.

"Yes, that is what you humans call it." The ghost responded simply.

Leliana froze again. Deimos loved her? It was hard to accept that Deimos could love at all.

"Did she… love you too?" The bard ventured.

"Yes." Came the monosyllabic reply.

"Yet, you betrayed her?"

"Of course." Deimos replied with no hesitation. "We had decided to not be involved with each other in that sense anyway. It would have made the war too complicated. It was better that way. Otherwise, it would have been harder to pick the rational option. Her death was the best way to solve things."

"Why are you even telling me this?"

"You deserve to know some of the story at least. Though, I doubt you'll ever get the full thing. Regardless, our guest is stirring."

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"And thus are you offered a place among the Cardinal Mages. Thus are you called upon to devote your life to the protection of Orlais' ruler. Do you accept, Isaac?"

Issac's heart was beating rapidly with excitement. He couldn't believe his mage studies would have ever led him to the Cardinal Mages. To be offered a position among the ruler's most elite guards was a rare honor. He looked up nervously at Rash'tan. The old man with the long white robe was standing proof that the Cardinal Mages accepted all. He was a Tevinter blood mage once and now he led the group.

"I accept the position and all responsibilities that come with it." He replied, his throat very dry. "I swear to devote my life to empress Celene I and then to all succeeding rulers. My life before their own. My body for their every need. I submit myself for the glory of Orlais."

"Welcome to the Cardinal Mages." Rash'tan said, holding his arms wide.

Isaac rose, relieved that the formalities were over. He took the pure white robe with reverence as he glanced around the room. A simple circular room with a floor composed entirely of black stone. Simple white pillars rose to meet the golden ceiling.

There were five of them now. This was the first surprise; he had always assumed there were only two. But now, with a war brewing he supposed security was a growing concern. He grinned as he thought over what got him here. A small village boy with magical talent. He had turned out to be a prodigy, to be accepted at the age of twenty one into this group was unheard of. Rash'tan had always been around as far as he knew and Diana had been working with him. She was a sweet middle aged woman who had been responsible for bringing him here in the first place.

Then you had Eugene, a forty-something year old who had been recruited recently. And last there was Emily. He glanced shyly at the young woman with shoulder length blond hair and a pale complexion. She had completed her initiation barely an hour before he had. Isaac had made it a point to get to know her as well as he could.

"Now that you're among us, you should probably know that we are not simply the empress' guards, she has enough people for that." Rash'tan said. "Our true purpose is to guard from demons and spirits and to fight under desperate circumstances."

Isaac nodded, he had expected that. Otherwise why would they only recruit mages? Something had been nagging him though. He mustered up some courage as he tried to get to his point.

"I thought there were only two Cardinal Mages at a time…" He began.

"Indeed, that is usually the case." Diana responded quickly. "However, we are expanding our numbers due to the war…"

"I- do you really think the war is a good idea?" Isaac blurted out.

"I agree." Emilt said firmly. "I don't see the point."

Eugene gave a curt nod from his corner. Diana's eyes turned to Rash'tan, who sighed.

"Our personal feelings do not matter in the slightest." He said softly. "While I do not see the point of the war, I am not fit to judge. We are to protect the empress, no more and no less. We will adjourn for the moment. Try to stay within the palace premises as much as possible. You may be called upon at a moment's notice."

They all nodded and filed out of the door. Isaac held back to talk to Emily. She turned to look at him. He calmed his nerves before speaking.

"I- I was going to get dinner. Would… would you like to join me?" He stuttered.

"Of course." Emily said smiling.

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Leliana gradually helped Christine lean against a tree. She was very much alive but weak, and her leg wound had given her a limp.

"Wh- what happened?" She said in a shaky voice.

The bard opened her mouth but was cut away by Deimos.

"Urthemiel has left you." He said calmly. "However, the real question is who you are? How did this all come about?"

Leliana looked reproachfully at Deimos who ignored her completely. Surely it wasn't a good idea to pressure Christine so soon after she had regained consciousness.

"I- I come from a small town some distance from Val Royeaux." She said and swallowed before continuing. "I had just gotten involved in politics after my education. I was considering coming to the capital to see if I could find a better job here. And one day… that… thing- it just took over."

She looked down and paused a few moments before speaking again.

"I… had free will most of the time. But it took over whenever it wanted to. It got me close to the empress, got me influence and then… it used that to generate a war." She was almost in tears now. "I helped Cameron get where he is now. He's a madman, crazy after a war with Ferelden. I never wanted this, any of this."

"Shh, it's ok." Leliana said, hugging Christine softly. She calmed down after a few moments.

"Much as I expected." Deimos said. "Now, to finish this."

"I want to help." Christine said firmly.

"Thank you, that would help us a great deal." Deimos said. At the same moment Leliana spoke.

"No, you should just stay safe."

They turned and glared at each other for a moment.

"Christine, leave us for a moment." Deimos ordered as Christine hesitantly walked a distance away.

"You can't get her involved in this, she's innocent!" The bard yelled.

"She's involved either way. Urthemiel's death hasn't dissolved her position." Deimos shot back. "She can help you get close to Cameron and the empress. It's the easiest way. What's more, she offers a permanent solution to our problem."

"What do you mean?" Leliana asked suspiciously.

"Isn't it obvious? After Cameron and the empress die, it wouldn't be very difficult to maneuver her to the empress' seat."

"You want her to be the new empress?" The bard asked incredulously.

"She is very intelligent, perhaps dangerously so. Also, she owes us a great deal and she does not seem the kind who would start pointless wars. It is the perfect arrangement, admit it." Deimos countered. "Besides, you almost killed her. Take advantage of the fact that she's still alive."

Leliana accepted grudgingly and told Christine they would appreciate her assistance. For the moment, she also stuck with Deimos' incessant demand to not reveal the whole plan for now.

"I can get you into the palace but we need a good excuse." Christine mused, seemingly recovered from the trauma. Perhaps Deimos was right about her being strong willed and smart.

"Why not pretend to be lovers?" The ghost suggested, with an amused smile on his face.

Leliana would have gladly driven him through if she could have. Regardless of what she thought of him now, he was a sadist either way.

"I think that'll be perfect." Christine said, smiling seductively. "But do we have to pretend?"

"I'm sorry." Leliana said softly. "But…"

"You have someone else?" Christine said plainly, slightly disappointed. "It's alright. I understand. We'll leave tomorrow so they don't send out a search party for me. I think I need some rest now."

Leliana smiled before bidding her goodnight and heading towards a nearby stream. Christine turned to stare at the ghost who was following the bard with his eyes. He had a calculating look on his face.

"What's the real story here?" She asked.

"Clever." He said chuckling. "As I expected. There's no need for you to give up just yet, but be gentle."

"I wasn't intending to give up."

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Leliana looked blankly at the running stream, millions of thoughts and emotions rushing through her mind.

"Why did you reject her?" Deimos' voice asked from behind.

"Do I need to answer?"

"Guilt, of course."

"I love Eternia and Morrigan, I'm not turning my back on them."

"It's doubtful you'll leave here alive. Why not enjoy your last days?"

"No."

"You were perfectly happy a few days ago. What changed?"

"I don't even know why I was happy." She said bitterly. She spun around in realization and shot a dark look at the ghost. "What. Did. You. Do?"

He smiled nonchalantly. "I made you happy; I made Eternia and Morrigan happy. I've been influencing your subconscious minds. The less the pain the better you'll concentrate and the sooner they'll recover from your untimely demise."

Leliana was seething as she struggled to put words together. "Stop it." Was all she managed.

"I made the pain go away, isn't that a good thing?"

"Pain, memories and regrets are what makes us human, not that you would know anything about that."

"What an unusual thing to say." Deimos said in an amused manner. "I shall stop, if it pleases you. I still don't see why you won't sleep with Christine though."

"I will not have sex with someone else behind my lovers' backs!" She spat.

"But they're doing the exact same thing. Only with each other." He replied softly, the bard barely picking it up.

"It's different. We all love each other, I don't mind."

"Ah, but should they be having playful and enjoyable sex behind your back?"

"That would be your fault."

"But I did the same thing to you and you're resisting the urge."

"Go away!" Leliana screamed in fury. "I can't believe I actually thought you had a heart."

"Of course, but do remember what I said. Not that you could forget it even if you wanted to. And just because I have a heart, doesn't mean I have to care."

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Author's Note: Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Feedback and criticism is welcomed. Next update may be slightly delayed due to a lot of college work.

To my reviewers:

StarKrazy: Thank! Also, ask and you shall receive :p

grover11606: Thank you! Here's some of the stuff I had up my sleeve, with more to come.