Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognize from the game.

Author's Note: Well, I'd hoped to get this up yesterday but a splitting headache dictated otherwise. Still, a one day delay isn't too bad. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

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Chapter 12 – Ace in the Hole

The most common misconception I fear is that people believe wars are won with swords and arrows and magic. Ah, but it is so much easier to win through manipulation and words. There is no need to fight if you break the souls of your foes. They would all do well to remember what I did to the Tevinter Imperium.

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Eternia stared in awe as the light faded. Beyond the gate was the single most beautiful city she had ever seen in her life. Vast mansions covered the massive streets, their exteriors painted beautifully and many encrusted in valuable gemstones. There were trees lining the city, looking as young and as fresh as they had those many years ago. It was then that Eternia noticed that the city was no longer buried. It loomed over the landscape now, arisen from its ancient grave.

"I see you are surprised that Arlathan is in such a fine condition, just as it was when the Tevinter Imperium left it buried." Deimos said, turning around. "You see, this city is magical to its very core. Its magic is so powerful that even the Tevinter Imperium's greatest magisters could not bring it to the ground. As you must have guessed, Arlathan has a blood bond with the elves."

"A blood bond?" Alistair questioned.

Deimos smiled. "More blood magic I'm afraid. As long as any elf still has faith in the ancient city it shall never crumble. And now that it has arisen once more, all those who keep it in their hearts shall be irresistibly drawn to it."

"You mean every elf in the land will come here?" Leliana asked slowly.

"Not every single one. But most, all those who believe in the city anyway. And then they shall do what I have intended. They shall launch their own conquest of Ferelden and Thedas. Once your pathetic empires fall Arlathan will govern the world in peace. And my purpose shall finally be fulfilled. Arlathan's blood power comes from the great golden statue at its heart. Be proud warden, you have seen what most dream of seeing. But now begone. I have much work to do and your interference is not desired."

Eternia had finally had enough. She pulled her staff up and pointed it directly at Deimos. The others followed suit, drawing their weapons and training them on the green robed figure. Deimos merely raised an eyebrow in an amused fashion.

"It ends here Deimos. I can't let you destroy so much. Give up and leave or I'll have to kill you." Eternia stated firmly.

Deimos' eyes narrowed before he responded. "I made you dream, I made you fight each other and I made your entire nation collapse into what is almost civil war. All that, simply because fighting with pointy sticks is so very crude. Yet my subtle assaults seem to have got me nowhere. I believe you are under some foolish assumption that I am an incapable combatant since I choose to use words as my shield. If you must battle me, then so be it. I brought you and your group together. Now I will end you."

He drew two wicked serrated blades from his belt and held them up. Morrigan could wait no longer, it was time for revenge. She lashed out with a blast of lightning as the others assumed battle positions. Under the cover of the magic and arrows Alistair drew near, his shield at the ready. Deimos leapt nimbly out of the way of the magic blasts, keeping Alistair away with calculated slashes. Leliana abandoned her bow and entered the fray with her daggers. Deimos dodged an arcane bolt and barely slipped past Alistair's sword. He tutted in annoyance and dove through Arlathan's gates, disappearing silently around a corner.

The warden and her companions walked slowly through the city gates, watchful for any movement. Leliana alerted them with a shout as Deimos crashed down from one of the rooftops heading straight for Wynne. Alistair and Leliana began to rush back as fast as they could. The old mage dove to the ground but Deimos' bled slid up her arm, gashing it badly. His swords hilt quickly found Morrigan's head as his other blade tore into the Warden' thigh. The warden lashed back with a fireball forcing him back. Leliana's dagger found his gut as he dodged Alistair's shield.

He growled in pain as he forced Leliana back and ran deeper into the city, Eternia and her friends in close pursuit. They stopped as they found Deimos standing before a vast golden statue of two elves, one male and one female. They both held staves characteristic of magi, their hands linked. There seemed to be some sort of invisible barrier around the statue. The warden could not see it but she could feel it in the air. Deimos turned to them smiling; his wound seemed to not bleed.

"Welcome to the heart of the golden city. This statue possesses the blood magic that is the life of this city. Destroying the statue would cause an otherwise unsinkable city to collapse into dust. The only question is, can you get close enough to do it?"

Morrigan stepped forward and attempted to pass the barrier. She felt as though an enormous wind was buffeting her away. Each step was a monumental effort, she was gaining distance but she didn't know if she had the energy to reach the statue. The warden and Alistair began to force through the barrier as well while Leliana and Wynne kept a close eye on Deimos. The green robed figure watched their progress with an expressionless face.

"Run! Get away please!"

Leliana's voice tore through the silence. With great effort the warden turned her head to see a young elf standing blankly nearby. He showed no reaction to Leliana's words.

"Come here young one. I am Arlathan now. I will help you." Deimos whispered gently. The elf began to slowly march towards Deimos and Leliana or Wynne's cries had no effect. The warden walked toward the statue with renewed vigor. She had to make it, for the sake of the world.

Deimos hugged the young elf then while holding him at an arm's length, slit his throat. Leliana covered her mouth.

"Your sacrifice is for the greater good. Be proud." He said to the dying elf. "And now warden, I suspect it is time to tell you a few last things. I am surprised you have not asked whether I can see the future. That being, since I have manipulated events in Ferelden for so very long. To answer, I do not. I simply have an acute tendency to guess how current actions impact the future."

He paused and turned to Morrigan before continuing. He showed no recognition that the warden's staff was raised and that she had nearly reached the statue.

"Morrigan dear, you remember that I taught your mother the ritual that you used. You see, while I hoped for it to never actually take place it is my nature to assume the worst. So I formulated a most elegant backup plan. You used my ritual witch and now you must pay back that debt. So here is a little piece of blood magic you cannot fight."

Power surged from the elf's body to Deimos. The forcefield around the statue dissipated causing Morrigan, Alistair and the warden to collapse on the ground. Deimos' hand began to glow as Morrigan's body rose up in the air and a thin red strand connected her to the statue. He face contorted in pain as she floated. The warden got up and raised her staff to shatter the statue as Deimos' voice rung out.

"That may not be the best idea O mighty warden. You see, my ritual has connected Morrigan's life with the power of the statue. Destroy it if you will but the then the witch will die."

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Author's Note: Well, here's a cliffhanger of sorts. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and a hearty thanks to all my reviewers for their encouragement. Next update will hopefully be tomorrow.

To my reviewers:

Bettynuggs: Thank you very much. I hope you continue to enjoy what I have to planned for the story.

StarKrazy: Well, that's about the biggest compliment I can receive. I'm very flattered and thank you very much. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.