The wooden doors of the Main Hall slammed open, dust and debris sprinkling from the ceiling. "Virana! Fen'Harel!" Ana's voice echoed through the air. "Where are they!"
"What on earth is all the racket?" Dorian called from the balcony above.
"Where is my daughter, mage?" Fenris growled, his black eyes focused on the Tevinter.
"What is going on?" Virana's voice joined in, she and Solas entering from the doorway to her chambers. "Is everything all right?"
"Isena is missing," Ana growled, her fangs peeking from behind her red lips. "Along with your boy. With three of you here, someone knows where they are."
Closing his book, Dorian leaned against the railing. "I assure you, they're fine. From what I understood, Isena felt compelled to engage in a grandiose adventure, as young people seem to do these days. Specifically, she was seeing a vision she wanted to investigate, and Amelas didn't want her to go alone. I gave them my crystal; should they get into trouble, they can reach us."
Fenris placed a hand on the hilt of his ice blade, rage filling the darkness in his gaze. "If anything happens to her-"
"Amelas is a capable mage and Isena is a warrior, trained by your own hand," Virana placed herself before Fenris and Ana, "I'm sure they're fine. I have the other half of the crystal, if we contact them, will you calm down?"
Eyes returning to their usual emerald sheen, Fenris glanced at Ana. "You better pray they answer."
Virana waved Ana and Fenris toward her, sitting cross-legged on the cold floor. Removing a small purple crystal from her tunic, she held it before them in her palm. "Dorian and I stayed in contact all these years through these crystals. So long as it remains intact, we should be able to not only hear them, but see a fraction of their surroundings."
"Can we track their location?" Ana sat across from her, her features composed, but her eyes revealing the fury still raging within.
Shaking her head, Virana waved her other hand over the crystal. "No, not exactly. But I'm summoning them now, it will be easier to show you."
The crystal shone a deep purple before standing erect in Virana's palm. Muffled voices echoed from it, flashes of sunlight and forest reflecting inside the gem.
We should be there by tomorrow
"Isena," a relieved sigh came from Ana. "That's her voice, she's all right."
Flashing a small grin at Ana, Virana leaned into the gem. "Amelas? Amelas, can you hear me?"
The voices stopped, and a rustling sound filled the room before his voice came through. "Mother? Is that you?"
"Yes, I'm here with everyone. Ana and Fenris wanted to know if Isena is safe," her eyes darted between them, searching for reassurance.
Golden eyes flashed inside the crystal momentarily before Isena's voice came through. "I'm fine. We're fine. I'm sorry I left, but this is something I had to do. We will be back soon, I promise."
Before Ana could respond, the crystal faded and collapsed into Virana's palm.
"She's hiding something," Fenris observed, a scowl firmly set on his brow. "I'm going after them."
"No," Ana placed her hand on his arm, "I'll find her tonight, in her dreams. We don't know where they went or which path they chose. Racing after them would be pointless."
"She said something about the Emerald Graves," Dorian chimed in from above, "but that's all I heard before they rapidly departed into the night."
With a growl, Ana stood, storming outside to the courtyard. Dorian not only knew they left, but he allowed it. She should have known better than to trust a human. Now her daughter was in the wilderness, vulnerable, too far to protect. If Mythal found out…
Ana screamed, her fist crashing into the stone wall beside the old armory.
"Anaris, if we might speak?"
Stiffening, Ana turned to face the voice, "Solas. What do you want?" she hissed.
"As I said, I only wish to speak," he held his hands in front of him, "No tricks, I assure you."
"I'm listening."
Solas gestured, walking toward the battlements, Ana following, her arms folded across her chest. They walked along the battlements in silence until they reached a section that had collapsed.
"This fortress used to be so magnificent," Solas sighed, his hands held behind his back. "Seems our ritual destroyed more than it helped."
"What is this about, Solas?" Ana's golden eyes remained fixed on the elf, her clear distrust of him displayed in her stance.
Turning to face her, Solas met her gaze. "I owe you an apology."
Ana's brow furrowed, confusion on her face as her arms fell to her side, "I'm sorry, what?"
"I have been nothing short of foolish and selfish. I was so concerned with shaping the world and controlling what happened within it, I gave no thought to the sacrifices required. I chose duty over love and betrayed you in the most unimaginable way."
"I'm dreaming," Ana leaned against the wall, a smug grin riddled with disbelief on her face, "The Dread Wolf apologizing? To me? This is the Fade."
Solas chuckled, a small grin on his lips, "I am sincere in my words. I think about what I did to you, about the path I forced upon you," he shook his head, his tone saddened. "My actions did not reflect my feelings. I truly loved you, Anaris, beyond words. I thought about plunging the dagger into my own chest after I saw your blood on my hands, felt its warmth. I thought I could justify it by creating your ideal dream, the world you desired, but I ended up hating myself more. Each day I found another piece of myself darkened, locked away."
"So you entered the eternal sleep," Ana finished his thought, her body relaxing, her tone almost sympathetic.
"It took being loved again for me to understand what it means to have courage. Had I loved you the way Virana loves me, had I trusted you-"
"Then we may not have the lives we have now. You may have never met Virana and I may have never met Fenris. Who knows, my mother may have gotten us killed after all," Ana chuckled, "Solas, our love was beautiful while it lasted. But can you honestly say you ever loved me the way you love your Inquisitor? Do you regret where our choices led us? Because I don't."
A reminiscent smile crossed Solas's face, his hand reaching for Ana's, "We could have built a beautiful world together. But you are correct. While I regret the pain I caused you, I do not regret where it led us. I still care for you, Anaris, and I am glad you have found love and healing," he leaned forward, placing a small kiss on the back of her hand, "I hope that you can forgive me one day."
"Solas," Ana chuckled under her breath, "As impossible as it sounds, I think I already have."
"Now I understand why they are called the Emerald Graves," Amelas stood in awe of the brilliant shades of green surrounding him.
Isena remained quiet, leaning against a large tree, her eyes on the forest floor, lost in thought.
"Are you all right?" Amelas asked, turning to her, "You have been exceedingly quiet ever since that thing attacked us."
A heavy sigh pushed through her nose, her chest raising and falling with it, "No matter how far I go, how hard I fight, I can't escape. Kade's death haunts me at every turn. It's been six years and I can't move on. Even my dreams can't provide relief."
"Does he still call to you?" Amelas leaned beside her, fighting the urge to reach for her.
Nodding, Isena pushed off the trunk, walking among the trees, her slender fingers brushing against the low hanging leaves. "It's getting stronger. It's becoming less of a calling and more of a- presence. As though his spirit is here, physically."
"Do you know where to go from here?"
Isena looked to him, her eyes filled with torment. She pushed away a large branch, revealing smooth stone ending in a cliff. Moss had grown over the edges and along the surface. Below the cliff was a sea of green, dozens of different shades reflecting the sunlight, birds flying overhead, singing their sweet melodies.
Amelas stepped forward, mouth agape. "This is… this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"This is where he first told me he loved me," Isena's voice was low, her gaze refusing to turn toward Amelas. Lifting her finger, she pointed west, "over there is where his clan lived."
"And that bare section?" Amelas pointed to what looked like a hole in the forest canopy.
Isena's features darkened. "That's where the village he was murdered in once stood," she paused, the screams of the villagers echoing in her ears, her skin remembering the heat of the flames as the buildings burned. Her fists clenched as she remembered seeing his body strung up like a wild stag, a trophy those shemlen were so proud to have.
The breeze picked up, Isena's hair rising and falling, framing her delicate face. She closed her eyes, a tear falling down her cheek. The wind almost felt physical, as though fingers caressed her, wiping the tear away.
Isena the wind lifted the whisper to her ear, the call pulling her toward the old Dalish camp.
Climbing down with the grace of a mountain ram, Isena waited for Amelas at the base of the cliff. The breeze continued to dance around her, her heart aching as each look, each smell, provided a bittersweet memory.
No sooner had Amelas reached the bottom, Isena darted toward the old camp. She had all but forgotten he was following her as she ran through the trees, the feeling growing stronger with each step. After several moments, she reached a clearing, a sharp gasp falling from her lips.
"It's a graveyard," she choked, her eyes surveying the rounded stones scattered throughout the area.
Walking silently, Isena aimed for a small headstone at the far end, an ironbark rose resting atop it. Her fingers gingerly reached for it, her eyes watering. "I thought I lost this."
"You did." a voice came from behind her, a voice she expected to never hear again.
Whipping around, Isena cupped her hands over her mouth, tears flowing. "Kade? Is it really you?"
Sitting cross-legged on a large headstone behind her was a young elf, long blonde hair hanging in his sapphire eyes. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."
"I don't understand, how is this possible?" her voice trembled, the words barely escaping between sobs.
"When you found me- or my body, and you unleashed your magic, you bound me here, specifically to the flower you now hold." Kade nodded to the rose in her hands.
"How did you...were you the one calling to me?"
"Yes. I have been trying for years, but being a spirit is much harder than it looks," he reached for her, his hand trying to brush her face, but falling through it, "Vhenan, what I wouldn't give to hold you again."
Falling into her hands, Isena wept, "Kade, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't find you in time."
"You did nothing wrong, my love," his brow wrinkled, his lips pulled into a compassionate smile. "I was dead well before you knew I was gone. There was nothing you could have done."
Lifting her head, Isena shoved her hands against her cheeks. "This has to be a dream. This can't be real, you can't be here, Kade."
Kade's sympathetic longing disappeared, his head snapping up, staring into the woods behind them. "You need to go, now. She's coming."
"Oh I'm afraid it is far too late for her to flee, spirit," a red-haired elf stepped into the clearing, the black armor covering only the upper portion of her body and legs reflecting the sunlight, her gauntlet resting on her bare hip.
"Who are you?" Isena asked, standing to regain herself.
The elf grinned, twirling her finger in her hair. "My name is Andruil, and I have a gift from your grandmother, Isena."
"Isena, you need to run," Kade whispered, frantically.
"Begone, spirit!" Andruil thrust her hand out, Kade's image dissipating.
"My grandmother?" Isena tilted her head, her eyes glaring at Andruil. "Mythal sent you? What does she want with me? And what did you do to Kade?" gnashing her teeth, Isena struggled to remain calm.
"Kade? You mean that spirit? I sent him back to the Fade where he belongs. Now, come-"
Crying out, Isena lunged for the unknown elf, her claws digging into the side of Andruil's face.
Placing her hand on Isena's chest, Andruil released a small blast of energy, throwing Isena back. Andruil frowned, touching her wound, disgust crossing her face as her eyes found the blood on her fingertips.
"You want to act like a beast? Fine, a beast you shall be."
Andruil flicked her wrist, the small metal dragon on her belt glowing as it came to life. Its shining red eyes turned to Isena before launching in her direction.
With no time to react, the dragon latched onto Isena, its metal fangs plunging into her neck. Isena screamed, her hand covering the bleeding wound as she threw the small creature to the ground.
"What did you do?" Isena's voice was harsh, fearful.
Andruil nodded at the small dragon, the creature chirping in response before leaping at Isena once more. This time, it swung its tail around her neck, its body wrapped completely around. Its metal wings extended, shooting toward her wrists, circling them like shackles.
Isena felt her heart thud in her chest, a deathly chill surging through her. Her vision blurred, her bones shifting, growing.
"Isena!" Amelas's voice reached Isena's ears, barely audible over the crunching bones.
"You want to pretend like everything is under control, that the beast within is contained? You think you can be accepted by others?" Andruil smiled, licking the corner of her lips. "You are nothing shy of a monster. Mothers will use you to scare their children before bed. You think you're better than the darkness, but let's see how well you do when the cage is no longer locked."
"Amelas!" Isena grunted through clenched teeth, her eyes wide as they glanced to the spot where she heard his voice. "Run!"
Screaming in agony, Isena's spine erupted from her flesh, the sound of cracking bones echoing through the forest. Her arms stretched, her clothing falling from her body, shredded. Her flesh tore like parchment, revealing the changing bones beneath. Isena's sweet face became distorted, her nose and mouth pulling into a snout, razor-like teeth lining the inside. Her pointed ears grew long, the flesh becoming solid bone, the tips splitting, curling above her head and toward the sky.
"Yes, this will do nicely," Andruil purred, unfazed by the horrendous beast forming before her.
Isena's screams evolved into a deep roar, wings of bone and tattered webbing exploding from her shoulders. Her fingers widened, sharpened, massive claws raising her body into the air.
Amelas fell back, retreating behind the closest tree, his eyes refusing to believe what they saw. Where Isena had stood just moments ago, now lay a massive dracolich, a dragon made of bone and tattered flesh. The silver dragon had grown with her, a red aura shining from the shackles around her neck and wrists. A blood-curdling roar shook the ground, the dracolich raising her shredded wings.
"Down," Andruil commanded, standing before the beast.
The shackles glowed once more, and Isena complied, bowing her head, allowing Andruil to climb her.
"Mythal will be quite pleased," she smiled, kicking Isena behind her horns. "Now go, I'm ready to go home."
The dracolich shook her head, launching into the sky as commanded.
"This does not bode well," Amelas whispered to himself, his face pale and sweaty.
Amelas surveyed the empty graveyard, his eyes landing on a silver rose shining in the sunlight.
"What is this?" he wondered aloud, stooping to pick it from the ground.
"Well, he's not as dumb as he looks," Kade's voice came from behind, his tone blatantly condescending.
"You!" Amelas turned, startled, "You're Kade, aren't you?"
"The one and only."
Amelas snarled, "This is your fault! If you hadn't called her here-"
"I called her here because I hoped to get her away from you," Kade sneered, "When she bound me to the flower, she bound me to her emotions. I stayed quiet because I hoped to see her heal on her own. Then you came in and tried to woo her… I had to intervene. I loved her in life and I love her still, and you don't deserve her."
"And what does a spirit know of who or what either of us deserve?" Amelas wrinkled his brow, agitated.
Kade shook his head, "You don't know a damn thing about her. You think you love her? You think you can tame that beast within her?" he threw his hand out, finger aimed at the empty sky.
Amelas sneered in return, "At least I have the physical capability to try."
"Until her parents find out," Kade smirked before his figure vanished, leaving Amelas alone in the woods.
His stomach clenched as the realization sank in. Mythal now had Anaris's daughter, and Amelas was the one to break the news. Sighing, he reluctantly pulled the purple crystal from his tunic, his voice shaking when Virana's voice echoed from within.
"Mother," he swallowed hard, "something's happened."
The air was colder than usual when Skyhold came into view. Amelas pulled his fur pauldrons tighter around his shoulders, his fingers brushing the ironbark rose in his tunic. Kade hadn't appeared again since their last argument, but Amelas kept the rose, although he couldn't say why.
No sooner had he stepped through the gates, Amelas heard his mother's voice.
"Amelas! Thank the gods you're safe!" she nearly bowled him over, wrapping her arms around his neck, "I don't know what I would do if something happened to you-"
Before she was finished speaking, Amelas felt a cold grasp on his collar, a powerful force yanking him from his mother's arms, hurling him across the courtyard.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Ana screamed as she stood before Virana, her eyes black, her fangs bared.
Amelas grunted, colliding with the stone wall before hitting the ground. "There was nothing I could do-"
Ana's claws wrapped around his throat, lifting his feet off the ground, "You made her vulnerable! You stupid boy!" she yelled, throwing him across the courtyard once more. "Not only is she a prisoner, but she has been cursed into the form of a beast!"
"Ana please, you'll kill him!" Virana cried, her eyes desperately searching for a way to intervene.
"That's the idea," Ana snarled, her black eyes turning toward Amelas.
Blood dripped from his brow, his legs shaking as Amelas tried to get to his feet. "Please," his breath trembled, the back of his hand wiping blood from his mouth, "I swear to you, I will do everything I can to save her! I lo-"
"Don't you dare say it," Ana hissed, disappearing as she raced for him.
Amelas watched with wide eyes, Ana's claws inches away from his face when another figure appeared behind her. A hand grabbed her collar, pulling her back, thrusting her over their shoulder.
"Enough, Ana. Spilling his blood will not bring our daughter back."
Rolling in the dirt, Ana rose to her hands and knees, a ferocious snarl on her face. Her vallaslin shone brilliantly, her teeth bared like a wild animal. A vicious hiss slid through her fangs as she set eyes on the one defending her prey. "Fenris? You dare?"
"Don't do this, Ana!" Fenris spread his feet, his hand on the hilt of his blade. "Control yourself!"
Ana bolted from her position, her sights set on Fenris. She pounced, her claws clashing against the flat of his blade, the force shoving him back.
Pushing off his block, Ana landed momentarily before lunging forward again, her claw aimed for Fenris's face. Blood spattered the blade as he raised to block a moment too late, his wound healing as fast as it was given.
"Get out of my way, Fenris," Ana snarled.
"No!" he called, spinning, slamming his blade into the earth where Ana stood moments earlier. Eyes melting black, Fenris followed the sound of her movements. His hand gripping the pommel, he used the leverage to turn, swinging his leg forward.
The walls shook from the sound of the impact, clouds of dust followed Ana's rolling figure across the courtyard. Empty black eyes stared through the curtain of dirt, a menacing growl echoing through the air. "He put our daughter in danger, all but delivered her into the hands of my mother, and you protect him?"
Lifting his blade from the dirt, Fenris bared his fangs, his stance prepared for another attack, "I'm stopping you from being a damn fool, again! When will you learn to control your emotions?"
Ana burst forth, her claws poised to strike. Her gaze darted to the slight movement of the blade. She grunted, throwing her head back, her body following in a backflip as the weapon barreled down on her position. Extending her hand, Ana felt the soft earth on her palm, her wrist flexing to redirect her momentum. Her claws thrust upward, but found their target absent.
Ana's eyes shut as she felt Fenris's fist land against her cheek, her own claws grasping once more for anything nearby, finally connecting with his shoulder.
"Control my emotions? That's funny, considering you're the one who stormed off after I saved your life, burying your pain inside that pirate bitch to make yourself feel better," she licked the blood from her lips, a bitter scowl on her brow.
Fenris's scars shone red as he rushed toward her, leaving his blade behind. His fists were clenched, his first swing narrowly missing Ana. "You're bringing that up now? Are we to discuss every error made in our relationship?" he swung again, his claws raking across her neck, "If memory serves, you're not perfect either."
Screaming as his nails dug into her flesh, Ana turned her momentum forward, swinging her leg at Fenris's feet. "Praytell, what have I done that has scarred you so?"
Fenris expected her counter, lifting his feet as her leg swept beneath him, his knee landing against her chin, sending Ana tumbling backward. "What have you done? You made me into this!"
Ana whipped around to face him, her disposition calmed, her eyes golden once more. "So, you still hate me for that," her voice was low, all her fury gone.
Realizing the words that escaped him, Fenris straightened, his gaze softening as he saw the depth of the wound his words caused. "Ana, I didn't mean-"
Ana waved him off, her stare unwavering. "I don't want your apology, Fenris. I took that choice from you and that's something we both must live with," turning to walk away, she paused, "but Fenris," she glared at him once more, "if you ever get in my way like that again, I will kill you."
Her tone was frigid, something Fenris had never heard in her voice. He watched her walk away, back toward the Main Hall, but his gut clenched. He knew she was serious, she meant every word.
"Fenris, thank you." Virana spoke from behind him, hugging Amelas close, "She would have killed Amelas had you not stepped in."
Fenris turned, a placating smile to hide the storm of emotions raging within. "He did what he could. We will get Isena back."
"I will, I swear it," Amelas groaned, holding his arm.
"Here," biting his wrist, Fenris offered his blood to the young elf. "this will help."
Virana kept a hand on her son's shoulder, concern on her face. "What do we do now?"
Wiping the blood from his already healed wrist, Fenris met her gaze, "I repair the wound I just caused the woman I love, and you prepare for war."
