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Chapter Nine
The Circle of Magi
A heavy mist fell over the lake, bringing with it a chilling breeze and light drizzle. Alessia felt cold droplets splashing across her bare shoulders and face. She shivered and hugged herself for warmth, snuggling closer to her Mabari hoping to share body heat. The teen closed her eyes, the fog too dense to see much anyways, and hoped the Circle would be warmer.
The wind shifted and the boat rocked, jarring her out of her thoughts. Opening her eyes, she glanced around. Still the haze that clung to the water's surface was too thick to see through. Were it not for the shadowy silhouettes of her companions she would've sworn she was alone.
Alone…
That thought plagued her for a moment, and as she tried to huddle closer to Mal she realized why. Peering down, there was no hound beside her now. Another shiver crept along her spine, a mixture of both cold and unease. The hairs on the back of her neck began prickling and she swallowed hard. Reaching out to one of her companions she wanted to see if they too felt just as apprehensive. Before she could, their arm shot out and viciously gripped her wrist, dragging her closer to them. When the heavy mist was clear enough for the teen to finally see, she screamed out in horror.
Her eyes fell upon the mangled face of her brother.
His eyes dead, glazed over and cracking. His skin was rotted and bits of flesh upon his face were tattered and hanging, exposing his skull. He tried to address her, his putrid breath wafting over and assaulting her nose. But his voice was raspy, dry, and far too distorted to make out anything he was attempting to say. And admittedly she wasn't listening. She was too busy trying to free her wrist from him. He tightened his vise on it, she could feel the skin of his fingers tearing open as the bones began to dig into her flesh. She cried out in agony, and terror, for anyone to help. Over Carver's shoulder another face came into view. Another shriek left her lips.
It was Marian's.
Her skin a deathly pale white. Dark crimson stained the corners of her mouth and dripped down her chin, onto a throat ripped out. One of the rogue's eyes was missing, instead it was only a hollowed bleeding void. She placed a skeletal hand upon Carver's shoulder, the bone bloody. The teen screamed again trying to flee. She kicked at them, attempted to use magic, yet nothing would spare her from them. Tears flooded down her cheeks.
This was her fault.
She had left them at Ostagar, and now they were here to torment her. As though responding to her thoughts, Marian's hand left the warrior's shoulder and lashed out clutching the teenager's throat, strangling her. She couldn't screech anymore and grabbed at the skeletal hand with her free one. Struggling as they continued to swarm her, hands burst from the water and latched onto the three of them. They were pulled beneath the insipid waves of the lake.
Her sister's grasp tightened and the teen opened her mouth to holler in pain, but instead it was drowned with the foul tasting water. She began to choke as the icy liquid quickly filled her lungs. The hands, that seemed to stretch out from the darkness of the lakebed, continued to drag the three down deeper into the watery abyss. Her body could feel the pressure of the deep and it began to ache; throbbing pain coursed through her veins with each second of descent. It grew ever more frigid making it difficult for her agonizingly numb fingers to keep grasped on the rogue's hand.
Lack of air, stabbing pains too great for her body to handle, and her will to fight against them dwindling…she shut her eyes, her hand grew limp releasing Marian's, and she gave in-
He stopped seeing Cassandra's eyes grow worried. It was the first time he had seen such an expression on the perpetually angry woman. Part of him wanted to smirk, wanted to call her out on it, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Varric remembered well his first reaction to hearing this part of Hawke's tale, how much it pained him to watch her recall it all. Instead he continued quickly so as not to break the Seeker's immersion.
Violently, her body shivered from the sudden warmth that bathed her. She stirred and gave a strangled gasp, air flooding her lungs. Coughing now, she could feel hands on her shoulders causing her to scream out of reflex. The teen refused to open her eyes for fear of what terrors she would witness now. Instead, with a will to fight renewed, she sat up and tried to push away whatever was holding onto her. A hand move from her shoulder to grasp her own and place it upon cold skin, a familiar sensation swept over her…like chilling ice crystals. Opening her eyes, she winced from the sudden brightness but fought through it to glance up at the man whose hand was holding hers to his cheek, while the other arm had wrapped around her waist.
"D-duncan?" Little by little she took in her surroundings. The Fade… No watery grave, no undead siblings. Just familiar green skies and undefined rocky landmasses. "Y-you…brought me out of my nightmare…" she took a moment to register this before she hugged him tightly. "Thank you."
The apparition attempted to smile but could not as he had seen the horrors that haunted her sleep. "Alessia…"
Embarrassed by his tone, she shook her head and pulled away from him sighing and rubbing her temples. "I…haven't been sleeping well…"
"I know." He said softly. Standing up with her, setting her on her feet.
Now that the teen was aware that she had been dreaming, and that she was most likely sleeping on the boat, any pains and aches she had felt seemed distant. Crossing her arms, she stood there, her eyes drifting to the Black City in the distance. After several moments of silence she spoke, trying to grin with no avail. "Stalking my dreams, are you?"
Duncan stepped beside her, his hands behind his back. "Yours and Alistair's. It's a wonder the power of spirits…"
"I bet…" she barely muttered not removing her eyes. "So why get involved with that nightmare? It's certainly not the first I've had since…since Ostagar…"
A sigh escaped his lips. "No, but it is the first of them that thinned the veil for you…"
She stared at him confused. "What-"
"I would prefer to meet you of your own volition, Alessia. Not because of accompanying circumstances." He looked at her, his eyes intense.
"Accompanying circumstances?" Her brow furrowed. "What are you talking abou-"
"You should wake up, before they worry more." He turned and gently grabbed her shoulders. "Hopefully the next time we meet, will be under better circumstances." With a light push, the teen tumbled over the edge of the floating island they were upon.
Her eyes were wide as she fell, shocked by his actions, before glancing over her shoulder seeing the doorway out beneath her. Understanding, Alessia closed her eyes and fell through the gateway.
Like a splash of molten ice the teen began to tremble and cough, expelling water from her lungs.
"Thank the Maker!" Alistair's voice rang out.
A warm hand graced her cheek and her eyes fluttered open. Breathing deeply the teen attempted to sit up but a hand kept her down. "Rest." Morrigan's voice was stern as she continued to stroke Alessia's cheek, using magic to warm her up.
"W-what…what happened?" The teen choked out. Realizing her head was on someone's lap, she glanced up she could see it was Leliana's. Alessia shivered, noticing that her robes were soaked.
"You fell asleep, and must have had a horrible nightmare because you screamed and lurched then fell into the water." Alistair responded from the other side of her, opposite Morrigan.
Her mind returned to Duncan's words. '…it is the first of them that thinned the veil for you…' Eyes widening the teen understood. The first time she had encountered Duncan was after Ostagar when she should've surely died. And now she nearly drowned.
It was while she stood upon death's doorstep that she was able to see Duncan again.
"I-I see…" her body ached, but she was glad to be alive. Mal nuzzled against her hand and she lifted it patting his muzzle. Looking at the three, she realized none of them were soaking wet. Peering beyond her feet she saw Sten sitting, gazing off. Some of the vitaar he adorned was running and his tightly woven white braids were waterlogged. He glanced over at her, his expression as stoic as ever. She mouthed a thank you, to which he gave a single bow of his head and returned his gaze to the water.
"Alright girls, you just remain there. Us men will handle the oars." Alistair said as he stood carefully.
"'Tis good you are so subservient," the witch stated smirking at him briefly before peering back down at the teen.
Alistair was going to respond but Sten shoved an oar in his hands, wanting to get underway. The blonde Warden sighed, sat, and began rowing. Leliana giggled as one of her hands rested on the teen's forehead, the other on her shoulder.
Laying there, Alessia stared up at the sky as it darkened. The mist and light rain had lifted sometime during her restless nightmare, and she could see stars beginning to awaken and twinkle.
Soon darkness would be upon them…as well as the Circle.
"Are there many nightmares such as that one?" Cassandra questioned staring at Varric intently.
Ticking down the interruption, he nodded slowly. "Yes, and many worse ones I can assure you." He looked down at his book. "But most of us are not without such dreams…"
The Seeker nodded, knowing this to be true as she herself had a few. She leaned back in her seat motioning for him to continue.
Two hours had passed, the teen was sitting up and staring forward. Watching the Circle Tower grow ever closer. From the shore, the group heard hollering. They stopped rowing to glance over at a Templar who was waving at them vehemently.
"You there! You cannot pass! The tower's off limits!" The Templar stood at the edge of the dock yelling at them.
Alessia blinked then laughed before standing and cupping her hands around her mouth. "Sorry, what are you saying I can't quite hear you!"
"I said that you cannot pass! The tower's off limits!" He hollered back his hands also cupped around his mouth.
"Ah…and uh, how are you going to stop us?!" The teen yelled with a grin.
"I have a boat, I can-" his shout interrupted by hers.
"You can what!? Attempt to engage in naval combat?! With two mages and an archer!? Or how about with the Qunari?! You've surely heard of their dreadnaughts!" Her grin grew. "Go on, good sir! If you honestly think you can take on the six of us!" Alistair snickered and had to look away. Morrigan tried not to smirk, rather entertained. Sten sat listening, continuing to row with the blonde Warden. Leliana smiled, she too was amused.
The Templar blinked and watched them. His mouth agape, mortified and completely dumbfounded as to what he was supposed to do in such a situation. Content the teen sat back down with a small chuckle, and murmured quietly. "That's what I thought."
As they docked Alistair laughed. "Did you see his face, he had no idea what just happened."
"He'll probably still be dwelling on it by the time we're through here." The teen mused getting out of the boat and looking around, anxiety beginning to grow.
This was the closest she had ever been to the Circle.
"I do not know what he intended to do about our supposed trespassings. He looked about to throw himself into the lake after us, if you had not intimidated him so." The witch commented looking around the Circle's dock, unimpressed.
"That would've been a sight, though he probably would've drowned with all that armor. It's flashy but definitely not buoyant." Alistair stated as he finished tying up the boat. Seeing Alessia's anxiety growing, he began entertaining her with tales of his Templar past and his rescue from the order as they made their way inside.
Templars ran passed, ignoring them until one looked over. His eyes narrowing, he raised his voice agitated at their presence.
"Who are you? I explicitly told Carroll not to bring anyone across the lake." He glanced between the two apostates' staffs.
"Was that the name of the Templar on the pier?" Alessia wondered aloud for moment before leaning against her staff. Very aware of his gaze, her heart beating rapidly, she wondered what he might do. "He didn't have much choice in the matter."
The man looked fearfully at her before Leliana interrupted. "We had taken a boat from Redcliffe, so his assistance was not needed."
"I see…" he looked off before shaking his head. "We're dealing with a very delicate situation. You must leave…for your own safety."
Morrigan's eyes narrowed, displeased with this. "Our own safety? For several of us, treading here is a detriment to our own safety in and of itself. 'Twere this not important we would not be here."
"And what would be so important for you to endanger yourselves?" The Templar Knight-Commander questioned.
"The Blight…" the teen said softly her eyes determined, her pulse beginning to calm. "Amongst other things."
It was then he took in the whole group. An obvious apostate, a sweet-faced rogue, an intimidating Qunari, a Mabari war hound, and two who bore the Grey Warden coat of arms. He realized that there was little else besides an event that could destroy all of Thedas that would place such a ragtag fellowship upon his doorstep. "I grow weary of the Grey Wardens ceaseless need for men to fight the darkspawn-"
"Oh, should we leave then? Let Ferelden fall to darkspawn? Don't worry I'm sure the Archdemon is a breeze to dispose of." Alessia's tone was one of dark sarcasm as she turned to leave.
"I…suppose it is your right to ask for them, but you will find no allies here." The Templar stated looking at her, as it was evident that she was the group's leader. She had turned back, her eyes narrowing. "The Templars can spare no men, and the mages are…indisposed." He watched as they stared at him intently, wanting more information. He heaved a heavy sigh. "I shall speak plainly. The tower is no longer under our control."
Morrigan rubbed her brow, shaking her head. "How many petty issues must we deal with along the course of this journey?"
"You find abominations and demons to be petty things?" The Templar Commander questioned with a sneer.
"That's not what-" Leliana tried to add but was cut off by the Knight-Commander.
"It matters not what she meant!" He tried to recollect himself and glanced at the teen with a despairing gaze. "The Circle is lost…the tower has fallen…"
She massaged her temples. I knew this whole saving Ferelden thing wouldn't be easy but come on…"Is there anything we can do to help?" Alessia asked in a sigh.
He shook his head. "Were it up to me I would destroy the tower. Raze it to the ground, but I will not risk more of my men. So for now we wait for word from Denerim on allowing us to perform the Right of Annulment."
Blinking, the teen looked from Alistair to the head Templar. "What is the Right of Annulment?"
"The Right of Annulment gives Templars the authority to neutralize a mage Circle. Completely." Alistair said delicately glancing down as he did so.
"When you say neutralized…" the teen's voice drifted off.
"Destroyed…everything…so the tower can be made safe again." The Templar said watching her.
Instantly she regretted asking; shaking her head, the teen held up her hand to make him stop talking. "Just…let us in." She sounded weary. "We'll deal with your abominations and look for any survivors…no need for this Annulment…"
The Knight-Commander grimaced slightly. "I assure you, an abomination is a force to be reckoned with, and you will face more than one."
"Been there, done that…albeit maybe not so many at once, but we're quite a capable group and we will not be denied in our seeking aid for the Blight." Alessia stated blandly. Alistair stared at her briefly, noting that she almost sounded like Duncan in that moment.
The Templar Commander stared at her then to her companions, they did indeed seem capable. Not only that, but the tone in the teen's voice told him she would not give up until he complied. Sighing he ran a hand through his ashen locks. "Fine, so be it." His gaze grew severe as he peered at her. "A word of caution…once you cross that threshold, there is no turning back. The great doors must remain barred. I will open them for no one until I have proof that it is safe." He motioned for his Templars to be ready then returned his attention to the group. "I will only believe it is over if the first enchanter stands before me and tells me it is so. If Irving has fallen…then the Circle is lost, and must be destroyed." He bowed his head. "May Andraste lend you her courage."
Bowing hers in return, the teen then faced her companions. "I'm going in and only bringing three of you with me-"
"What but…why?" Alistair's brow furrowed as he gazed at her intently.
"That Right of Annulment thing could be on its way, and if it makes it here with us inside we're just as damned as anyone who may yet live within. So I want two of you to keep the messengers from entering until we're done." She looked between them as though questioning who to bring with her.
Morrigan stepped forward. "As much as I loathe the idea of entering such a prison any further, I do not wish to remain here under the suspicious gazes of these…creatures."
"Justified suspicion…" Alistair murmured under his breath before looking towards Alessia again. "I don't really like the thought of facing more abominations but the idea of letting you go off in there doesn't sit well with me."
With his arms crossed Sten's stare bored into the teen. "I care not for the fate of Bas Saarebas; however, I have no desire to stand here idly."
"I'm going with you, it is the least I can do for Bethany and Leandra…keeping you safe. And I can't stand here doing nothing while survivors may need help."
Mal barked in an agreeing manner and sat awaiting her orders.
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose trying to think logically on the situation. "Okay…Morrigan, Sten, and Leliana you three are coming with me." The Mabari hound whimpered and the teen kneeled down patting his head. "I need you here, boy. To help Alistair ensure that ritual thingy doesn't get enacted while we're inside." Mal barked and wagged his tail.
"Why are those two going?" Alistair pointed to Morrigan and Sten then peered at her with a worried expression.
Straightening, Alessia looked at him. "Why? What do you think a bunch of Templars carrying this Annulment Right thing would do if they saw either a Qunari or an apostate waiting to greet them upon their arrival?"
The blonde Warden thought on this and saw her point sighing. "They'd enact the Right right then and there, and if they didn't kill the two of them then surely the Templars would be slaughtered adding probably another 100,000 gold on our heads."
"Exactly. Besides you know Templar jargon, I'm sure you can wittingly charm and stall them while we clear out the tower of abominations." She playfully punched his arm before petting Mal's head once more and heading to the great doors.
Alistair watched the witch, the oxman, and the roguish Sister follow after his fellow Warden and silently wished them luck.
~.~.~
The four made their way through the first hall, treading over Templar and mage corpses alike only to run into a large chamber. There they were greeted with the sight of an older woman freezing a Rage demon and disposing of it. Turning quickly the older mage pointed her staff towards them in a threatening manner.
Morrigan returned in kind and Sten snarled raising his sword. Alessia gripped the end of the witch's staff and pushed down. Her own staff out, barring Sten from moving. "Stand down!" Alessia demanded, peering over to the elder woman. "...Wynne…" immediately the two companions disengaged and stood silent.
Slowly, the elder mage withdrew her staff; her eyes cautiously watching the teen. "You…what are you doing here?"
Alessia grinned awkwardly. "You know, just decided to take the scenic route through the tower; heard it's lovely this time of year…" the grin quickly crumbled, sighing she ran a hand through her fire-kissed bangs. "Came here for help from the Circle only to find out you all have problems of your own…"
"The Templars have barred the doors. They would have only opened them if they intended to attack. Is that what is happening?" The elder mage suggested hesitantly not removing her eyes from the group.
Shaking her head, the teen slowly approached. "No…they ordered that Right of Annulment but I told the head Templar that it wasn't needed. We're here to take care of the abominations and search for survivors."
Wynne's eyes narrowed looking her over. "You mean Greagoir? He allowed you to enter?"
"Was that the Knight-Commander's name?" She shrugged and nodded to the woman. "Yeah, he let us through, and I have two others that will stall the Right for as long as they can."
Wynne nodded and looked off distantly. "So then they believe none of us have survived…"
"But you have. Can we take our leave now?" Morrigan asked coldly, disinterested in the whole thing.
The elder mage looked to her then back to the teen. "There could be more survivors further in. And if not there is no possible way that Irving could have succumbed to death or worse."
"Is that the First Enchanter?" Alessia questioned, receiving a nod from Wynne. "Then no, Morrigan, we can't leave…we need the first enchanter if we hope to end this and be on our way."
"Then you will join me to save this Circle, for I will not dispel my barrier until you agree to do so…"
"I can easily break her barrier." Morrigan stated.
"I know you could, but you won't. We're here to gain their favor not force them into a fight." Alessia said over her shoulder to the witch.
Morrigan scoffed. "I need not their favor…"
"No, but I do." The teen said resolutely, her gaze unyielding. The witch could see she would lose this battle and so looked off. Shaking her head, she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Can we go please?"
The elder mage bowed her head as a yes and peered to the other mages. "Petra, Kinnon...look after the others. I will be back soon."
Petra spoke up, worry quite evident on her features. "Wynne…" she hesitated a moment but then continued. "Are you alright? You were so badly hurt earlier. Maybe I should come along."
Wynne turned to her. "The others need your protection more. I will be alright. Stay here with them…keep them safe and calm."
"Leliana…" the teen looked to her rogue companion. "I want you to stay here, help keep them safe…sing to them, tell them stories. Make sure no one does anything stupid while we're away…"
"But-"
Alessia shook her head and held up her hand to stop her. "A smaller group would travel faster. And there's no way I can leave Morrigan or Sten here on their own."
"We are not children." Sten stated his eyes boring into the teen.
"I know that, but until I can trust you both to do exactly as I order without fighting me on it you're sticking by my side." That commanding demeanor returned for a brief moment only to be replaced by a smirk. "Besides, you're both frightening the children." Sten bowed his head, standing down; he was pleased with this response…the joking aside.
Leliana sighed and agreed with the teen.
Alessia watched the Chantry Sister settle down with the children before motioning her head to the barrier, her eyes falling on Wynne. Understanding the older woman removed the magical blockade, in awe that she managed to keep it erect for so long.
After this the four slowly made their way through the tower fighting off abominations and demons. They had come across a Tranquil, which didn't sit well with either Morrigan or Alessia, the latter of which had never encountered one before and found the idea of becoming one utterly frightening. From the Tranquil Owain they learned of the mage Niall, who had taken something called the Litany of Adralla. Wynne informed the group that this particular artifact protects from mind domination. Immediately everyone's thoughts fell on the possibility of blood magic being involved, and if that were the case that means they now needed the Litany themselves.
With even more weighing on their plate the group continued on. Battling through, they encountered Blood mages, more demons, and much to the irritation of Alessia, Morrigan, and Sten…corpses. They fought through and saved a mage hiding in a closet who preferred, amusingly so, to stay in it.
Continuing on, they arrived at the Circle Chantry and took a small break there. Wynne hugged herself lost in her own thoughts. Sten watched the entrance cautiously, keeping his eyes peeled for danger. Morrigan sat in a pew watching Alessia, as she had nothing better to do. The teen, on the other hand, was looking around the area; checking the bodies to see if they had anything interesting or helpful they could use. As she finished searching a charred corpse she stood and stepped back, tripping over the toppled statue of Andraste. Landing on her bum, the teen winced and caught something sparkling from a hollowed area within the base of the stone carving. Peering closer, Alessia saw that it was a small glass phylactery. As she reached closer the sudden drop in temperature around the object caused her to stop, and she watched as dark shapes swirled around a slip of paper within the vial. The teen had a foreboding sensation creep over her and she shivered slowly. Whatever it was, it was evil…but she couldn't just leave it there to do Maker knows what after all this was over. So exhaling softly she reached out to grab the small glass bottle, in hopes of destroying it; however, with barely a touch from her fingertip, the thing fractured. A puff a smoke, like a shock wave, covered the room and Alessia crawled back from it and peered up in shocked horror at the creature standing imposingly over her.
"A Revenant!" Wynne hollered and began casting spells, the other two immediately joined in the fighting as the teen held out her hand and conjured an ice spell.
Managing to briefly freeze the creature, Alessia scrambled to her feet and distanced herself as far from it before continuing to cast all the spells known to her. After some time the four eventually slayed the mighty foe, collapsing to her knees the teen panted and shook her head as the witch began to examine the remains.
"Teaches me to touch things without knowing what they are…" she muttered in a sigh as Morrigan stood before her handing her the items she had scavenged from the corpse then helping her to her feet. "Let's just go before I end up summoning a whole horde of baddies…"
They trudged on as Wynne pointed out the first enchanter's office just down the hall from the Chantry. The teen walked cautiously inside and was relieved to find no enemies. The elder mage had hoped that perhaps Irving was within, but inwardly chided herself for thinking as such. The witch stood by the door having no desire to search through some fool mage's belongings, as the Qunari stood outside the office keeping watch. Alessia looked through the desk taking the small painted box within before searching through one of the chests. Inside she found a heavy grimoire, she could feel a familiar magic seeping through the black leather and shuddered. It was definitely something she should give Morrigan to examine. Slipping it in her pack she then headed over to the other chest and cursed under her breath discovering it was locked. Marian may have been trying to teach her the rogue craft of lock-picking but she always broke the picks and couldn't quite grasp the art unlike her sister.
"And I left my only rogue to play with kids…" resigning herself to the fact she wouldn't be able to open it she turned to head out when Wynne placed a hand gently on her shoulder.
"Let me show you…" the older mage kneeled before the chest and held out her hand a soft yellow glow emitted from her palm, and like that the lock fell open.
The teen blinked and grinned, eyes bright with awe. "How did you do that?"
"A long time ago, when I was just starting out as an apprentice I discovered a tome that described spells that evoked the memory of objects, a form of sympathetic magic you could say." Alessia listened intently, eyes bright. The elder mage chuckled at her eagerness to learn. "It can be used for such things as fire or say a key."
Taking the teen's hand, Wynne grabbed up the padlock and placed it in Alessia's palm. The elder mage then helped the teen focus her energy on visualizing a key and Alessia's hand glowed; a ghostly key appearing in the keyhole. The key turned and locked it before disappearing. Excited the teen stared at the padlock.
"I can't wait to show Bethany and Carve-" she caught herself, her grin failing. The boat nightmare returned to mind and she had to shake her head vigorously to drive the memory away. "Let's get a move on…" she put the lock in her pack and turned walking out.
Wynne watched her, taking note of the sorrow she had seen on the teen's face. She followed after her, silently promising to ask about it later. The group pressed onwards heading up the stairs and coming face to face with more corpses and demons; and now they had to contend with possessed Templars too. Once they battled their way through the third floor they quickly made their way to the next. Finding an awkward scene with a Templar and a Desire demon there was little they could do but dispose of them both before heading quickly into the closest room.
Alessia skidded to a stop when she saw a Sloth demon standing in the middle of the room over the body of a mage. The demon shifted his head to stare at her and the two briefly exchanged looks before he turned to face them fully.
"Visitors. I'd entertain you but…too much effort involved." The creature drawled.
"Good because we've had enough entertainment for the night. We're just going to kill you and be on our merry way." The teen stated slowly, not taking her eyes off the monster.
"But why bother? Aren't you tired of all the violence? I know I am." He questioned lazily. "Wouldn't you like to just lay down and…forget about all this?" Magic began to gather around his feet before it crept along the floor like a fog. Slowly it wrapped around their legs creeping upwards until it painlessly penetrated their ears leaving weary whispers in its wake. "Leave it all behind…"
Morrigan yawned and shook her head trying to keep her eyes open. "This is ridiculous. You cannot expect me to rest on a floor sticky with blood…"
Sten was teetering and tried to remain vigilant. "We must stand…and fight…"
Wynne called to the others. Her eyelids like lead, she fought hard not to give in and close them. "Resist. You must resist, else all is lost…"
Alessia staggered slightly. A feeling of exhaustion taking hold of her body, she struggled to fight it off remaining standing. "N-no…"
"Why do you fight? You deserve more…you deserve a rest. The world will go on without you…" his words drifted off as the teen's world grew black.