Chapter 10: Locks

"Damn it…where's a Grey Warden when you need one, "snarled Jane as she stabbed into the neck of a Darkspawn and dodged the jagged edge of another's sword. Cassandra's the tip of Cassandra's sword came through the Darkspawn's chest and slid out as the creature fell to the ground. Breathing heavily, Jane notice the lack of growls and said, "Dorian, can you put up a light or something. I think there's no point of being of sneaking around in the dark any longer."

"These Darkspawn are different, "said Cassandra tipping one over with the toe of her boot. Bright blue markings could be seen streaked across the body, "Don't know about you, but I've never seen a Darkspawn with those markings before."

A small, flame colored orb appeared in Dorian's palm and floated upward to hover just to the right and behind the mage's head. "Does it really matter, "said the mage, "Their dead, we're not and no one got infected…I hope."

"Let's get going, "said Jane wiping her daggers with a piece of cloth ripped from one of the human dead, "This…"

A gold tinted energy blasted Jane back against the cave wall and then she was shimmering gold, unable to move. "GO!, "she ordered, "Get Cole and Solas!"

The two team mates hesitated, but a glowing form entering the chamber from a side entrance made Jane hiss, "GO! "

Cassandra and Dorian took the exit they were heading for earlier as the glowing figured stepped forward and said, "Shepard, "the double-voice growled, "It's been centuries and it seems that you have changed, but I would recognize you anywhere. Tell me, how is it that you still live?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about demon, "hissed Jane and then she grunted in pain as the light around her lit up and started to squeeze.

"You take me for a fool! How dare you mistake me for one of those weak, pathetic…, "Harbinger halted his rant and then tilted his head, "Of course…the Catalyst must have locked away your memories to better enable you to recover from the sins you have committed for the sake of the pitiful, pathetic worthless mortals."

While he was talking, Harbinger walked over and stood right in front of the imprisoned Jane. Staring her straight in the eyes as he placed a hand on her head he said, "I want you to know of your crimes before you, your new allies and your new world pays for them."

(Holding chamber)

"She's here, she's trapped, she hurts, "said Cole getting louder and louder as he struggled against the bonds, his wrists now bloody as he fought to break free. A beaten Solas laid on the grown, unconscious, and struggling to breath.

"By the Maker, "Cassandra cried out and then said as she moved to untie Cole, "See what you can do for Solas, Dorian."

Dorian, serious for once, just nodded an knelt down next to the Elf mage. He knew his healing abilities were nowhere near as good as Solas' but he knew enough to stabilize the Elf, he hoped.

"Stop struggling, "ordered Cassandra,"It just makes it more difficult to…"

The second his arms were released, Cole grabbed the knife Cassandra kept sheathed on her back and made short work of the ropes tied around his legs. "Cole, slow down, "said Cassandra, "You're hurt."

"No, "said Cole as he stood, knife held tight in his hand, "He will not hurt her!" The spirit stumbled and then ran out of the chamber as Cassandra called out, "Wait!"

(Back with Shepard)

Harbinger waited patiently as each of the memory locks in Shepard's mind broke open, each one bring forth pain and guilt to the woman in front of him. Soon, she will truely know why she must suffer and die. Suddenly, a stabbing pain broke the connection between the two just when the last lock was removed. With a roar, Harbinger tried to reach for and removed the knife in the middle of his back.

"You shall not hurt her, "said Cole, pushing the controlled man away from the woman. The rogue reached down and picked up Jane's fallen daggers as Harbinger struggled in this last remaining form available in the area. The Reaper said, "You think to save her from me, foolish creature. Kill this form now, and I will just return. A different form, different place."

"Maybe, "said Cole as he forced both daggers into Harbinger's chest and added as the body disintegrated, "But we will be ready."

Jane fell to the floor the moment the man that Harbinger was controlling died. Cole hurriedly walked over to her and sat down. Placing her head in his lap, he tried to sense what was going on. She was bruised, but nothing physically serious but her mind, her soul, her heart. Pain, upon pain. Confusion. Too many memories at once. If he wasn't now more human, it would have been overpowering him. "No, no no no no, "he cried, "Please come back. Please remember me."

The former spirit of compassion was crying when the other's entered the room carrying Solas.

(Skyhold, a week later)

"You know Cole is having enough trouble with becoming human without you avoiding him, "said the Inquisitor walking up behind Jane, or was it Shepard. The former Spectre was standing on top of the tallest tower in Skyhold looking up at the stars. "It's not fair to him, "Maxwell continued and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "or to you. At least stop blocking him out, however you're doing it. "

Shepard stood silent; arms crossed and just continued to look up at the stars. Just when the Inquisitor was about to give up and leave, she said, "Don't you get tired of no-one calling you by your given name. I know I sure as hell did. Commander this, Shepard that. Even when I asked one of my oldest friends to just call me Jane, at least in private, she refused. Saying doing so would be disrespectful."

The woman sighed and then uncrossed her arms to hold herself up from the parapet. "For the last two years, I wanted nothing more to know who I am or was. Now that I do…I wish I could just forget."

"I wish I could say I understand, "said Maxell leaning against the parapet, "But from what little you described, there is no way anyone here, well except for Cole perhaps, who could truly understand that all you went through."

"How did I get to Thedas? Why and how am I ten years younger than I was when I…died? Ugh! I should have ripped the Catalyst's power core out when I had the chance, "said the woman as she pushed off the parapets.

Maxwell shrugged and said, "Does it really matter? Consider those questions along the lines as why is there a Fade? Or why are all High Dragons female? It just is. Now are you going to go talk with Cole or am I going to have to order you to. I'm still your boss after all."

Jane shook her head and chuckled. "At least this time, it's not me having to make the big decisions or deal with making a team work together, "Jane said with a sad smile, "I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"Oh don't be too sure about that, "said the Inquisitor with a smirk, "Since I know you have experience, I might have you create a second team to concentrate on this Harbinger, while I continue to work on Corypheus."

(Herald's Rest, the next morning)

Outside of the small room given to Cole, Jane reached up to knock on the door but stopped. "Damn it, "she muttered and then steeled her nerves to knock. Just as her knuckles were going to hit the wood, the door flew open to reveal a tired looking Cole.

"Jane, you finally came, "said the former spirit with a small smile.

"Hey, Cole, "Jane said wrapping her arms around herself and shrugged, "Can I come in?"

"Yes, please, "said Cole stepping to the side to give her room to walk in and closed the door afterwards, "Sit, are you hungry. You need to eat. I have some…"

Jane placed a hand on Cole's arm and said, "I'm alright. I…" She removed the mental shields that Liara taught her so long ago down to allow Cole once again to feel what she did. "Just a little tired is all. I'm sorry if…"

Cole turned and hugged her tightly. He now knew he was not forgotten, not left behind. The others tried to be friends, but they weren't the same as Jane. At first the human froze at the sudden contact, but then loosened up and returned the hug feeling as if a great weight had been removed from her shoulders. At least with Cole, she was just Jane. Not Commander, not Shepard, not the Demon…just Jane.

The End.

This is the end of 'Demon from the Stars.' I hope you enjoy this little story and are not too upset with me for leaving so many loose ends but the main part of the story was Shepard in Thedas and not Harbinger in Thedas. Besides, I like the possibility of a sequel.