A/N: This is one of my favorite chapters to write. Here we get more of an introduction of Ardeth the Arcana playing a roll in the Fade. Also some funny one-liners from the actual game. Again I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 11: You're Not in Ferelden Anymore
The world will go on without you…
Alriana awoke to find herself in a strange place. AtA first she thought that she was at Ostagar since these ruins looked so much like that place. Yet there was something off. She had never been here before and she wondered why she was here. Looking around, she found that there was no place to go but forward down the corridor. She slowly started walking down it, looking around and taking in everything. Her senses said that there was nothing to fear but she could not but help the feeling of unease that crept along her spine. She walked up a set of steps to be greeting by one person that sent her base instincts on alert even if her hunting senses were being complacent for the moment.
Duncan stood at the top looking just as she remembered the day she meet him. Yet there was something different about him. Looking closely, she could see that he was… smiling? Try as she might, Alriana could not remember a time she had seen the man smile. If anything she had Duncan greeted her, "Ah, there you are. I'm not disturbing you, am I?"
Alriana knew that Duncan was not real. "You're supposed to be dead," she said in her blunt way.
"Dead? Me?" Duncan then chuckled. Another thing that Alriana knew the Duncan she had known had never done. If anything this Duncan would be someone Alistair was familiar with. Her mind then began to break through the mists that had clouded her mind and senses. The Duncan before did not seem to notice and continued, "I have been close many times, but I never quite made it all the way."
"Ostagar you did."
"What are you talking about? I wanted to make sure you were happy her in Weisshaupt. These grand halls were built by the first Grey Wardens. Isn't it breathtaking?"
Alriana looked around her when 'Duncan' indicated that she should. Perhaps it was breathtaking but this was off. She had only heard of this place when she had asked Alistair where the nearest Grey Wardens were but he had never described it and for some reason, she was not impressed. It was then she heard something, not out loud but in her mind.
Fight it da'len.
Alriana was startled for a moment. Great first I talk to an archdemon in my head and now someone else is talking to me. She looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. All she saw was Duncan looking at her. He repeated, "Isn't it breathtaking? Don't you like it?"
This is not real. Trust me.
Alriana wanted to ignore the voice but it sounded familiar, like she had heard it before. She thought she was going crazy.
You're not going crazy. You were the only one I could reach.
To hide her confusion, Alriana spoke out loud, "Something doesn't seem right."
"Everything is as it should be. We have eradicated the darkspawn and the world is at peace."
That threw Alriana off. "That's not right. The world is never utterly at peace."
That's because this is the sloth demon's doing. Will yourself to resist.
"But now it is. For the first time in history and you played a part in the making of that history. Do you not remember?" Duncan sounded as if he were trying to convince the elf that this was the way things should be.
Bah! Evil is never eradicated otherwise I would have put on a dress and danced the Remigold a long time ago.
Alriana was not sure if she should laugh or cry. First I am in a strange place and now I am seeing people that should be dead and hearing a voice that has the personality of Alistair. Am I insane?
I dislike being compared by someone who has not had the pleasure of knowing me but since it is Alistair then I don't mind. Then what sounded like a chuckle came through into Alriana's mind. "This is insane! The darkspawn will always be a threat."
"It was a triumph for us all, bringing down the archdemon and setting the underground lairs ablaze."
Last I checked we were still in the middle of a Blight.
I'll agree to that, Alriana replied after realizing that the stranger could read her thoughts. To Duncan she said, "You are hiding something from me. The Duncan I know would at least have reassured me in some way."
"Foolish child. I have given you so much and you cast it back in my face. Can you not be content with the peace that I offer you?"
Alriana crossed her arms in defiance, "What peace? True peace is an ideal. Besides, the Grey Wardens must always be vigilant. That is what we do."
Good da'len.
Alriana inwardly smiled at being called da'len. It brought the familiarity of her clan back to her. She kept a stern look at Duncan who was livid with her. Her fingers were on the pommel of her sword since she sensed that things were not going to go well.
"It seems only war and death will satisfy you. So be it! Have your war and your darkspawn! May they be your doom!"
It was like reliving a memory as Alriana watched Duncan withdraw his sword. She remembered her Joining and what happened to Jory. But Duncan then had an expression of regret this Duncan had a look of pure hatred and yet it was the face of one she was grateful to. She almost seemed stuck and unable to move.
He is not real. Pick up your sword. PICK UP YOUR SWORD!
It was that command from her companion voice that spurred her to move. Her reflexes kicked in and she ducked the swing in a movement that allowed her to withdraw her own blade. She had to move fast since there were two other 'Wardens' there, one a made and the other and archer. It was painful to strike down the man who had saved her life and the emotion surprised her. Yet she had to press forward and took out the other forms that plagued this nightmare. Once they lay dead, she sank to her knees feeling vulnerable and alone.
Press forward da'len. If you want to find your companions, you must press forward.
Alriana sighed. It was as if this voice could read everything about her. Still she could not help but think it was right. Wondering if it worked both ways, she tried a thought, How do I get out of this place?
There was a brief pause and then, Activate the pedestal you see. Select the space that is closest to the rune that is glowing.
Knowing that she was low on options, Alriana decided to follow the advice and went to the pedestal. She did as she was told and she felt an odd sensation. She felt as if she had become nothing and then all of a sudden she materialized again. This time she was in a place that looked like a cross between a wasteland and a mine. There were craggy arches that held glowing purple fields. Great. Where am I now?
"You da'len are in the Fade."
Alriana turned to hear the owner of the voice. Upon seeing him, she was stunned speechless for several seconds, her eyes widening slightly as she stared at the one who addressed her. When she finally found her voice she said in a near shriek, "You! You were the one talking to me in my head!"
Ardeth gave a sheepish grin but it was totally unrepentant. He replied, "Yes of course. I needed to get one of you out of your 'nightmare' and you were the easiest to reach. Either that or the dream sloth put you in was not strong enough to compel you to stay."
"How come you couldn't just swoop down and drag me out?" Alriana crossed her arms. Behind her 'voice' she saw another person just standing there looking forlorn.
"Well you know… swooping is bad. Besides I only have so much influence when it comes to putting down the realms of demons within the Fade," Ardeth explained. "I know you know that I am an Arcana and part of what I do in that capacity is basic travel the Fade and rescue poor souls from the clutches of demons."
"So you entered this place willingly?"
"I trained as a mage and a warrior and I have a particularly strong connection to the Fade." Ardeth shrugged his shoulders as if it were nothing new. "I sensed the Circle was in trouble so I entered the Fade to try to stop the more powerful demons from breaching the Veil."
Alriana had bare rudiments of magic and all things related to it but after traveling with her companions, she discovered that it was Alistair that had a slight fascination for these things even if he had trained to become a Templar. Thinking about it made her realize that she actually wished for his company. She asked, "Are my companions trapped in this place too?"
"More likely yes," the man behind Ardeth said. "Demons like sloth have their own hierarchies and realms within the Fade in which they use to play games with the lives of mortals."
"Who are you?" Alriana had recognized the face of the man since she had demanded of the demon to explain what it had done.
"I am Niall, one of the Circle of Magi. I was hoping to use the Litany of Adralla to save the Circle but I guess I am trapped as well as you."
"No one is trapped Niall. There are places where one can get to but you need to find the key. That's how the demons create their realms," Ardeth cut in. He knew that this place could drain hope and make mortals slip into despondency. That was sloth's domain. "The lesser demons on the five islands need to be defeated in order to find the key. Other dreamers have knowledge others don't. They just have to be found."
Alriana listened. The one called Niall sounded defeated and she guessed that he had been in this place for quite some time. Ardeth on the other hand was determined to slay the demon. He seemed to be the most productive but she found it strange that he had not done anything before. It would be something to ask. Right now she had to make a decision. She said, "Then we should find these other dreamers and learn more about this place. Are you coming?"
The question was directed at both but it was Ardeth who replied, "I will go."
Niall did not say anything so Alriana took off in a direction. She stopped when she realized she had no idea where to go. She turned to Ardeth, "Which way?"
Ardeth looked at the Dalish elf. He was rather amused that she was willing to fight and would charge straight ahead even though she had no idea about what she was getting into. He had been right in his earlier assessment. Still she had much to learn and he had no doubt his other charge would teach it to her. He replied, "When you approach a portal and start to feel a tug, then you know you are heading in the right direction."
Alriana nodded and started again with the Arcana following her. She approached a portal and felt the familiar tugging sensation. She looked back at Ardeth who nodded and continued the approach. She was instantly pulled to another place and when she appeared she saw one of those demon creatures and it was torturing… a mouse?
The mouse was talking though screaming for help. Alriana felt something brush her sleeve and saw Ardeth step forward. He pulled a sword from his back and Alriana could make out the faintest hints of frost coming off it along with a crackle of electricity. The thing was she did not see anything that resembled an enchantment on it. Still she was spurred to action and she grabbed her blades and ran forward to charge. She gave a killing blow to the demon and it disappeared. Checking to see if any more would come out, she slowly sheathed her blades while Ardeth returned his weapon to his back which was nestled with a strange looking staff.
The mouse turned to speak to Alriana, "Thank you! But… too late for me…"
"Can you help us little friend?" Alriana asked even though she felt ridiculous talking to a mouse.
"Yes. Kill Yevena, the demoness that rules here. She protects her master… Sloth… There is a door! A door only demons can see… the key must be in another realm…"
"That usually is the way with the demons my friend," Ardeth replied. "We just need to know how to get there."
The mouse sighed, "The Arcana has returned! Thank the Maker! It's been a long time since you journeyed through the Fade."
"Indeed it has," Ardeth replied.
"And you," the mouse turned towards Alriana, "Maker be praised! I can leave knowing that Sloth will be taken care of. Take my power… Save any others trapped in nightmares. Make my…"
Alriana felt a wave of power rush over her and through her mind. Suddenly she knew things that she had never known before. She looked at her companion who was staring sadly at the dead dreamer, watching it fade away. She said, "He knew you. Didn't he?"
"We've met before," Ardeth answered, "I'm pretty much a popular fellow here, especially with the demons."
When he turned to look at Alriana, she was struck by his gaze. She had never seen eyes like his among her people or shems. Right now they looked like a watery silver as they looked up from where the mouse disappeared. She asked, "How many times have you come here?"
"Too many to count, and I can count quite high but such is the price to pay when you have as strong a connection as I," Ardeth replied with a shrug. "Anyway, we should look for another door if we are going to find the key."
"I have to ask why you haven't done anything before I came?"
"If you want the truth, I was in my own nightmare," Ardeth replied as he searched the area. "Whenever I enter the part of the Fade the demons have a hold on, I am subjected to their whims just as easily as those taken by force. However because I know some of the games they play, it makes it difficult for them to enthrall me."
"I can now see why you say you've been here many times."
"Yes. The nightmare Sloth had for me was one that, had I been younger, would have kept me there. There are still a few things that can trigger a response from me but I try to keep those… protected."
"How is it that you were able to talk to me in my head?" Alriana switched the line of questioning hoping to draw the Arcana off guard enough to see if he held deception in any form.
Ardeth was not expecting the question but practice with demons in the Fade taught him not to react. He replied, "It is true people are born mages but you must understand that magic exists everywhere and in everyone. For some it is evident and you have the mages, others learn to use it for other purposes like the templars and of course there are others for whom it is barely a measurable whisper. What I do is rare but it comes from a connection that is made. In this case the connection is magic."
"I think I understand," Alriana replied. She was not quite satisfied with the answer and she got the feeling that there was something he was not telling her yet she could not come to any conclusion to what it was. It was then she spotted a small mound in the ground. Kneeling to look at it, she realized that it was a mouse hole. She motioned for Ardeth to come closer. She looked up at him and asked, "Think the mouse form will fit?"
"Looks like it."
Alriana peered at the hole again before her mind began to summon the knowledge of shape shifting. She muttered words she had never heard before and she felt her body contort into the desired shape. When she was finished she found the world to be much bigger. Looking around, she spotted a second mouse and recognized him as her companion. It struck her that he looked just as saucy as a mouse as he did as a shemlen. He beckoned with his head and obeying the suggestion, went down the mouse hole.
The end of the tunnel led the pair to another part of the island. Alriana spotted another demon much like the one that attacked the mouse. Instinctively Alriana changed back into her original form and drew her sword. Her companion followed suit and together they slaughtered the demon. Ardeth said, "Seems like Sloth knows you are not alone. That rage demon had a slightly more charge to it. I think we can expect more where they come from."
Alriana nodded. Right now she was concerned with finding her companions and getting out of this place. "Can't he sense you here?"
Ardeth looked at the elf for a moment to consider his response. He had been careful to reveal only that what he thought necessary. He had the suspicion that she would not take kindly to the fact that he had been following them since Ostagar and had not revealed himself. Nor would he consider telling her that he entered the Fade the moment he sensed Sloth going to work on them. Deciding it was a safe question to answer, he replied, "Since there are many dreamers here, he probably thinks I am just another being tormented. However it is possible that he may discover who I am which is why we should move quickly to find the key and defeat the lesser demons." He then took off down a path.
Alriana had no choice but to follow. Much of what the Arcana said sounded like it made sense but she still got the feeling that he was not telling her something. Knowing that he had the ability to turn on her if he wished, she let it go for the moment. If they got out of the Fade and ever met somewhere in the future, she would ask.
They continued down the path to be halted by a creature surrounded in shadows. Ardeth said, "It's a Shade."
"Can it bleed?"
"In a manner of speaking."
That was enough for Alriana as she launched into an attack with her sword drawn. After taking the shade and two rage demons down, she and Ardeth were at another Fade portal. She felt the familiar tug and went through it only to find herself in the same place she had left. She recognized the mage Niall who appeared excited over something. He said, "Something's different about you. What happened?"
"I became a mouse," Alriana replied dryly. She became annoyed at the gentle chuckling of her companion behind her.
"So you found other ways?"
"We did."
Niall then smiled, "Then perhaps there are other forms you can learn to find your way through."
Alriana would have pointed that out as obvious but she took pity on the man which was unusual for her. After all he had been in the Fade longer than she but the stark contrast between Niall and Ardeth made her suspicious. Looking around, she saw a pedestal much like the one that was in her 'nightmare.' She walked up to it and peered at the runes. She had no idea what they meant and called over, "Arcana! What do these symbols mean?"
Ardeth smirked as he walked over. Being familiar with the symbols he knew what they were but made a show of studying them. He replied, "Looks like they represent the various islands the lesser demons hold control over. They form the ward that protects Sloth. See how this one where you came from glows differently? If the others match the intensity, that could mean that the ward is broken and the way to Sloth clear. The ones here on the outside must be nightmares. One for each of your companions."
"Then let us go."
"I suggest we minimize our search for other forms. If my suspicions are correct three or four forms are necessary to successfully navigate all the islands to the demons. Then get your friends out." Ardeth looked at the elf wondering if she understood what he was hinting at.
Alriana thought for a moment. As much as she wanted to get to her companions, she realized that the Arcana was right. In fact she sensed that there was a door for them to walk through but she could not see it. Maybe the mouse dreamer was right. Other dreamers and other powers may help them get to those places. Well she had come this far and she was not going to give up. She had to find her friends especially Alistair. It surprised her how strongly she felt about finding him compared to finding her Mabari and Wynne and she was not willing to explore that at the moment. She saw that the Arcana was waiting for her response and nodded, "Where should we head to next?"
It was a strange sensation being able to transform into a mouse just to get to the next place they needed to go. The darkspawn did not notice her or her companion as they scurried to the next hole to the next room. Alriana thought it was like a maze. She could see where there were some barriers that they would need other forms to get through.
As they traversed through the mouse hole, Alriana felt the strange sensation of her Warden senses trickling but it felt different. When she and her companion emerged on the other end, the room was misty. They scampered along the ground to see a knight… a templar. He was muttering about hiding and almost as if he could see them, he said for them to be quiet so they would not be found. It was too late.
They were darkspawn but they did not seem like darkspawn. Alriana was confused since the shaped looked cloudy. They converged on the templar and began to fight, trying to kill him. She transformed back into her normal self and assessed the situation. She tentatively pulled out her sword and looked at the shadowy darkspawn. She was frozen stiff when a harsh voice shouted at her. She moved in time to block the swing of the darkspawn.
It felt real enough when she felt the force of the blade on hers and the heard the clang of the swords. She moved in the familiar dance of the blade cutting down darkspawn after darkspawn. She felt the sting of a weapon grazing her upper arm and wheeled about. She saw the Arcana fighting with his sword only this time instead of the ice and electricity, his sword was emitting some strange essence. She was puzzled now but she had no time since there were still darkspawn that needed to be dealt with.
When the last of the darkspawn were dealt with, Alriana put away her sword and walked up to the templar who was smiling. He looked at her and said in relief, "They're gone!" He then saw Alriana and smiled, "You…you did it. You killed them!"
"I had help though ser templar," Alriana replied.
"But it was you. You paved the way. Know this friend, not all their leaders are behind the unbreakable door."
"Um I kind of know that. The demons are on the various islands," Alriana replied thinking that she was dealing with another shem that was one archdemon short of a Blight, as Alistair would put it.
"Yes but there are doors that only the demons can see and more behind other doors. I give you my wisdom. It will let you see." The templar spirit held out his hand towards Alriana and a strange glow emitted from his fingers.
It felt strange but it was similar when the mouse passed on his power. Alriana did not flinch but held still and let the feeling wash over and through her as the knowledge flowed through her mind. When it was over, she let out the breath that she had been holding and looked at the templar. He smiled, satisfied that someone would end this nightmare. He then said, "And now I wake…"
His form glowed until he disappeared. Alriana stood looking at the place where the templar disappeared getting a feel for the knowledge that was running through her mind. She sighed knowing the truth in her heart. She hated this place. She looked at her companion who was observing her much like he did at Ostagar. He then said, "I hate being here too."
Alriana looked around for a way out and saw the pedestal again. Time to move on and look for another form. Out of frustration she asked, "Can you tell me what this place is again?"
"I can tell you one thing. You're not in Ferelden anymore da'len," Ardeth replied. "You're not in Ferelden anymore."
