Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the game.
Author's Note: My apologies on the delay but I've been pretty busy. Nonetheless, let's move on with the story. A couple of things to say first. One, if you're looking for some great stories that feature Fen'harel go check out interesting2125's stuff if you haven't already. You will not be disappointed. (Yes, the dread wolf appears in this chapter. I kind of gave that away, didn't I?). The other thing is a minor violence warning. Also, please tell me when I overstep the T-rated boundary, if I do. Anyway, this has gone on long enough. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
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Chapter 10 – Power
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It has been said that temptation lies in the forbidden. That is also where power is often found. Power is an interesting thing that is worth looking at. It is ironic that those who desire it most are the least worthy to wield it. They say power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. But they likely weren't referencing god level powers. That usually ends up giving you two outcomes. There are those who play the devil and those who play the angel. Both are dull and flat. It is the potential of a third result which sparks interest. There are always those who become motivated by a single purpose, playing angel, devil and everything in between to achieve it. To perform the Maker's service is one such service.
This is likely what Father Roysten hoped to get and likely what the old gods may have wished to get. What they really got, however, is a matter of opinion.
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The raven flitted along the tree branch, shaking its wings in an agitated manner. It quirked its head at the awkward group of travellers walking through the shade of its tree. It followed their progress with some interest, hopping from branch to branch. It snapped violently at any denizens of the canopy that unintentionally inhibited its progress. Eventually tiring of the annoyances it took to the air. It flew lazily, with a watchful eye on the travellers who were nearing a clearing after having spent the entire day striding through narrow forest roads.
It had been an uneventful day for them, which was rare. They had encountered no darkspawn which meant they were making remarkably good distance. They chose to settle themselves in the clearing for a time as lunch was on their minds. The raven noticed the isolated woman who sat away from the camp. It snapped pointlessly at the air as though annoyed before settling itself on another tree. It gave a dismissive look to another bird. Some pecking and scratching later, it found itself the lone resident of the branch. It relaxed and settled into its lonely vigil.
They went about business as usual for the most part. Catching small animals to cook, eating and discussing the general state of affairs and expressing shock and surprise at Loghain's death. The only worthy of note was how the woman with golden eyes was being treated as a social pariah. The raven was amused by how fitting that was, all things considered. It was only disturbed a fair bit later when it sensed a worryingly large amount of power. It unconsciously fluttered its wings as the source drew closer. The bird couldn't see anything but it could sense the woman. It realized what was happening and calmed itself. The coming show would, at the very least, be amusing.
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Alisa ate the rabbit meat mechanically. She was too busy thinking about how things had become so unusual. The leaves in the trees always rustled softly in the wind, the light always cast cool shadows as it leaked through the treetops. She just hadn't had much time to consider it. Always too worried about darkspawn everywhere. Rushing every rest stop so as not to be ambushed, always being excessively careful. It had become increasingly difficult to even find animals to kill; they had all been scared away by the darkspawn that lurked in the woods. And now they seemed to be gone. The monstrosities that had been plaguing that land but days ago seemed to have vanished. There had been no reports and no sightings. This worried the warden immensely. She was afraid of some massive attack somewhere.
Her train of thought screeched to a halt as she notice something unusual in the air. It looked like something was folding onto itself. Alisa abandoned her food and got to her feet slowly. She stared curiously as she noticed several disturbances around her companions. She noticed the patterns a few seconds too late to react properly. By then, there were unusual voids in the space around them and chains snaked through the portals. The black bonds wrapped themselves around her legs and arms as she squeezed her eyes shut in pain. When the warden's vision cleared, she noticed her friends in a very similar state to her own. The chains grated against her skin, causing a burning sensation that made her sight fogged again. The memories hurt too, all the little losses she had suffered and all the big ones. She knew it was magic and she fought valiantly but the power echoing from the restraints seemed to simply smash her resistance apart with no effort. At least she could see clearly again.
Alisa watched with growing horror as a woman in black armour walked into the clearing. The first problem was that it looked as though she had come from nowhere. The bigger problem was that she looked a lot like Leliana. Maybe the warden had guessed by then that it was in fact the bard. Perhaps, she simply didn't want to believe it. The long red hair blew in the light wind like liquid fire. She had a small satisfied smile on her face. Alisa saw their assailant saunter up to her casually. She locked eyes and the blue colour hit her like a mace. She knew those were Leliana's eyes, except they used to be warmer. The warden could not make head or tail of the situation at this point.
"Hello Alisa." The bard said in her usual accent. "Miss me?"
"Leliana... what..." The warden managed to groan.
"You don't look so good." The bard said in a concerned voice as a dagger dug into Alisa's thigh.
The warden cried out more in shock than in pain. It took a moment to sink in. Leliana had stabbed her. And since when had she looked so different. Where had she gotten the powers she was using? By this time Alisa had assumed that the binding chains were the bard's doing. There were too many questions and not an answer in sight. A ball of flame appeared in Leliana's hand. Another surprise. It wasn't the red fire most people are used to seeing. It was closer to an unusual blue that was almost colourless. Very much akin to the colour at the core of a candle flame and not at the tip. The warden flinched as the bard moved to slam the flame into her face. It stopped a hair's breadth away from causing serious damage. Despite the pain, she was acutely aware of the searing heat. Sweat poured down her face as she could see some of stray hairs singing. Leliana snuffed out the flame a moment later and violently stuck a dagger into the warden's gut. Alisa might have cried but she forced herself not too. Besides, the situation was unusual enough that she couldn't think straight at all.
"You deserved that." The bard muttered as she tugged the blade out and walked towards Morrigan.
By now, the warden's mind had gone into panic mode. She noticed that by some miracle the witch had managed to conjure a fireball. She gasped in surprise as it struck Leliana. The bard however simply walked on with an amused laugh, seemingly unharmed. Morrigan would have hesitated to admit it but she had liked that laugh at one point. Now however, it was in a very different light. The dagger found Morrigan's stomach, inciting a scream.
"This is the kind of power you always wanted, isn't it Morrigan?" Leliana whispered. "Jealous?"
Leliana turned away again, leaving the witch with a gaping wound. The bard looked straight at Alisa.
"If you're wondering where I got this power from, you should turn to the tevinter gods." She said with a blank face. "The blight being ended was part of the deal, you see. Basically, I did your job for you and now I have other matters to attend to."
Alisa was having trouble even considering the possibility that Leliana would consort with the old gods, let alone receive powers from them. But if she was to be believed, then the blight was over. The bard gave Zevran a sharp look as one of the chains holding his right arm snapped back wildly. The warden could hear the bone crack. The bard gave a dismissive wave as the chains strained in unusual directions, spraining various body parts and tearing ligaments before the bonds finally dissipated. The warden gave into unconsciousness.
The bard walked away from the clearing as Razikale's voice spoke to her.
"You loved Alisa Surana, didn't you?"
A long pause. "Yes."
"Do you still love her?"
"I owe you no answers."
"Your reaction has already given me your answer."
"What if I said yes?"
"Tread carefully, Leliana. After all, you are our champion."
"I am not!"
"Believe what you will."
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The raven was now both worried and annoyed. It surveyed the scene of what could best be described as close to a slaughter. They would live, more or less. They were extremely close to the circle tower anyway. But all of them were unconscious. Disposed of in a very easy way. They hadn't been able to mount any real resistance. Then again, the raven doubted they even knew what was going on. It recognized the chains with certainty. And the flame, they were both unique. There was really only one source from where they could have come. It felt betrayed, after all the effort made it was simply being thrown aside.
Flemeth the shapeshifter flew into the sky. There was work to be done.
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"She didn't kill them." Zazikel says.
"We did not expect her to." Razikale says indignantly.
"Your emotional amplification is working to our favour so far but as you know it is a double edged sword." Dumat asserts.
"Indeed, if Alisa were to have an opportunity to truly reach out then we all know what Leliana would do." Urthemiel's harmonious voice echoes. "After all, she just admitted to us that she still loves the warden."
"Our problems would be solved if Alisa simply fell in love with someone else." Razikale replies.
"Who? The witch? That seems impossible you know." Toth laughs.
"No. But we shall wait and see." Razikale replies shortly.
"We have a guest." Andoral's grating voice speaks.
"I have sensed him." Dumat says calmly. "Let us ensure that his fears are realized."
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In the area that houses the old gods' cracking prison, a vast shadowy figure appears. It reforms itself to a more convenient shape. The large, shaggy, black wolf looks around with sharp eyes. Fen'harel eyes the prison gate with some concern. The jagged, glowing cracks are a serious matter. He walks forward elegantly, till he stands before the gate.
"Fen'harel. Such a pleasant surprise." A clear voice speaks from beyond the barrier.
The dread wolf recognizes the voice of Razikale. He knows that the cracks are growing. He is aware that the gate cannot be allowed to open. The only thing the trickster would like less than letting the elven gods free would be to let the tevinter gods free. He paws a crack lightly, expecting the worst. He is not disappointed as chains emerge from nowhere and wrap around his body, restraining and constricting. He begins to strain against them; they should be broken within the hour.
"You should know better." Toth laughs cruelly as the wolf's body begins to burn with an almost colourless flame. "With the gate cracking, we are far from powerless in our dimension. I hope this hurts."
It does cause some pain but Fen'harel does not care. His fears are realized.
"Run along." Dumat says imperiously. Even the dread wolf dislikes the sound. "What will you do? Free the gods you imprisoned? You must understand, that once I ascend everything shall end."
The trickster knows this well enough. He concentrates on freeing the annoying chains. He must decide a course of action.
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Author's Note: I hope you liked the chapter. Feedback and criticism welcomed. And now that I've finished with 'All That is Gold', my updates can be focused here. So expect the next one reasonably soon.
To my reviewers:
Nightwish11606: Glad you like the picture I tried to present of Leliana! We shall explore her views on all of this soon. Thanks for the review!
interesting2125: Thanks for the review! You shall see what role the dread wolf plays, by and by.
To my reviewers (For the last chapter of All that is Gold):
Nightwish11606: Thanks a lot! I couldn't have killed Leli, I like her too much :P I hope you like this story and anything else I might have coming up.
interesting2125: Thank you so much for all the feedback! I'm glad you liked my finale. As for the reunion, even I wasn't completely satisfied to tell you the truth. But after rewriting that part like ten times I sort of left it at what I got. Thanks a lot for pointing it out though, I'm considering rewriting that bit later when I feel inspired. The Andraste story will come around eventually. Till then, I hope you like this one!