Author's Note: I rushed this chapter a little at the end because I wanted to get it out. I meant to update a while ago, but my mom had surgery and I have been taking care of her and the house. Also I have decided to participate in NaNoWriMo this year, so that has to come before this story. So if I don't update by November 24, consider me on hiatus until sometime in December, which is when my mother should be healed and NaNoWriMo will be over.

Just know that I have zero intentions of abandoning this. The only way that would happen is if I physically could not. Like if I were hospitalized or dead. My Warden's story is important to me and it will be finished.

Chapter Rating: T

Pairing: Zevran/(M)Tabris

Chapter 14

In the Face of Corruption

'The taint allows us to sense the darkspawn. The longer we survive with the taint in our blood, the more potent it becomes. Unfortunately, this corruption will eventually overwhelm the Warden; over time, it devours both mind and body, leaving nothing. But what if the spread of the corruption could be stopped, or contained in some way? What if the Warden could become more powerful, without having that power kill him? How great would that power be? Would it be enough to stop the demons?

The Joining ritual is crude. We take into ourself the blood of the darkspawn in the most obvious way. Most die from the corruption immediately; it is, after all, poison. There must be some way to refine the Joining. Isolate the true power that is found in darkspawn blood, and leave behind the evil that kills us.

I can feel the corruption starting to take its toll on my body. I must not succumb. There is too much work to be done. Through my magic I've been able to slow its inevitable spread, but not stop it completely. I am starting to hear things, even while awake: A voice-more beautiful than any other-that calls to me from the depths. In my dreams, I see the Black City, and I am drawn towards it. There is something there, an answer to what this taint is, this taint that we share with the darkspawn...'

"I don't think you should drink it," Alistair warned.

Niko set Avernus's scribbled notes back down on the desk, next to the unlabeled potion that tempted him.

"The man performed dreadful experiments to make that... whatever it is," Alistair reminded him. He picked up the old journal and read from it aloud. "'Day 32. The subject is not responding to the stimuli. Testing the pain threshold has uncovered nothing. Only three subjects are left.'"

"Alistair-"

"'Day 97. Energy and blood,'" Alistair interrupted, reading pointedly. "'Repeated applications have duplicated the results.' Bla bla bla. 'But there are no more subjects left.'" He closed the book and looked to Niko, who sighed. "He killed them all."

"You're right. Why let it go to waste then?" Niko challenged. "Who knows what it could do for Grey Wardens like us?"

"Exactly, we have no idea what it would do. It's dangerous."

"I wouldn't touch it, Warden," Levi spoke up from where he stood at a distance.

"See?" Alistair said.

"I say drink it," Morrigan offered. "There is great potential here… if it doesn't kill you. Perhaps let Alistair try it first?"

"Nobody asked for your opinion," Alistair told her.

"Zevran?" Niko prompted.

"Hm… well… It is up to you, my friend," he answered carefully. He didn't know what the stuff was and he was a bit wary too, though the power it might hold couldn't be ignored.

"I'm not drinking it," Alistair said.

After a moment of deliberation, Niko turned away from the potion. "Let's finish checking the tower."

"Are you really going to let that demon go free?" Levi asked then, referring to the creature that possessed his long dead great-great-grandmother.

"No," Niko answered. "I only told it I would so it would seal the tear in the Veil."

"Making deals with demons or lying to demons," Zevran mused. "I am not sure which is more devious, but I am impressed."

The next and final room was enormous… and it smelled like rotting corpses.

There were four deep pits; two on either side of the party as they entered. Looking closer to one, Niko could see skeletal remains at the bottom, trapped and submerged under water. The walls were lined with cages, boney fingers still clasping the bars in desperation. But the worst part was the bloody spikes sticking out of the wall. A corpse still hung there, limbs and chest impaled. Sharp metal tipped with gore pierced through bone and sinew, sticking with bits of frayed fabric and skin.

The anonymous man's eyes were clouded over with death, his mouth hanging open in a scream that went unheard.

As a shudder passed through Niko's spine, someone called out to them.

"Ah, I was expecting someone. Or something." An old man stood from the raised platform at the end of the room and descended the stairs. He was human, bald, and his pale skin was marked with such age he looked ancient. "Please, come in," he said.

The courteousness caught them all off-guard, Niko and Levi exchanging confused glances as they stood at the front of the group.

"It has been so long since I could focus, you see," the man went on as he came to stop in front of them. "But the rip in the veil has been mended."

"The old Warden mage?" Niko presumed. They'd had visions of this man throughout their time searching the haunted fortress. His hand-penned research notes and elixir were sitting in the previous room. Who else could it be? This was Avernus. "You're still alive?"

"Only just. I have only a short time left," he answered. "Why are you here? What is your intent?"

Niko glanced once more to the corpse hanging from the wall, to remind him this old man was more ruthless than he appeared "I'm debating whether I should let you live."

"And here I thought you would rescue me," Avernus said, mirth in his eyes and his tone before he turned serious. "Since the fall of Soldier's Keep, my every breath was dedicated to keeping the veil from being torn completely open. And this is the gratitude I get?"

Niko's eyebrows rose in surprise. He almost felt like he did back when Valendrian used to chastise him. This from a man who was standing here, defending the use of torture? Glaring at the mage, his tone turned low and dangerous. "I've seen your experiments."

"They were necessary," Avernus replied, unfazed. "Any tool, any iota of information that could defeat the fell demons was justified." He looked at Niko pointedly. "As a Warden, you should know that."

"Necessary?" Alistair spoke up, sounding more indignant than Niko'd ever heard him, even counting all of his conversations with Morrigan. "Having to relieve yourself after an eight-hour ride is necessary. But there is nooo excuse for summoning demons."

Avernus looked distinctly unimpressed.

"Charming."

Shaking his head, Niko changed the subject. "Sophia's great-grandson brought me here. Levi," he said, looking to the other man, and Avernus followed his gaze. "Go ahead."

"Master mage, uh, ser," Levi said awkwardly, daring to step forward only a little. "My family name has been worth less than dirt for over a century. Do you have any proof that Sophia was a hero?"

"The boy who braved the mists. So you heeded my call." Avernus gave a genuinely appreciative laugh. "And you are a Dryden? The cosmos has a sense of humor."

Niko frowned. "Your call?"

"He was but a boy when he entered the tunnels below the Peak," Avernus explained. "His heart pure. His character certain. In dreams, I gave him the keys he would need. He would be my deliverance."

"Just answer Levi's question," Niko told him, rubbing his temple. They still had a demon to deal with after this. All this old magic was giving him a headache.

"Your great-great-grandmother was the best of us," the mage answered with sorrow that turned to reverence. "Brave, charismatic, fiery. Utterly devoted to the fight. But still we lost. We fought against a tyrant, you know? So full of vigor, then. So blind to consequence. But proof? There's none to be had."

"I'm sorry, Levi," Niko said, looking again to the man who'd brought them here.

"I… I had hoped," Levi spoke quietly, all the faith he'd been holding now slowly draining out of him. "But thank you, Warden."

"What was the purpose of your experiments?" Niko asked the mage.

"To stop the demonic tide. To correct the miscalculations of the past," Avernus said, fervent in his convictions. "Blood magic comes from demons. They could counter every bit of lore I knew. But the darkspawn taint," he almost grinned as he said it. "That is alien to them. And it has power."

"What power?" Niko asked, thinking back to the potion in the other room.

"The Wardens use it to merely sense darkspawn. A triviality." He spoke with the air of a man who was convinced he was the only one who truly understood. "My research has discovered so much more hinted at even greater heights. The knowledge could not only save Soldier's Peak – with it, the Wardens could grow even more powerful!"

"This is wrong," Niko implored. "Torturing people? You're no better than the demons."

"I have done what I must," Avernus spoke gravely. "But… You shall be my judge."

Niko stared in surprise, and Avernus went on.

"When you have what you need of me, I'll… accept your judgment."

Just like that. Without a fight.

Niko wasn't even sure he could do it. He gave a weighted sigh. "Can you tell me about what happened here?"

"What use would story-telling serve?" Avernus asked. "The tyrant Arland is long dead. As is all our noble co-conspirators and the grand rebellion. Sophia's corpse may walk and talk. But she, too, is no more."

"How was Arland a tyrant?" Niko asked out of curiosity, though it seemed to rile up the old mage.

"He ruled with fear and poison. His treachery pit noble against noble in terrible battle. We thought him a monster. We gathered allies to rebel. But the toll of years has erased our failure, hasn't it?" he asked aloud though it wasn't really a question. "It seemed so pressing then, but the kingdom lives on."

"…How have you survived all these years?" Niko asked, staring at him. It's not that he hadn't seen it before. Zathrian had used blood magic to extend his life, too, but he'd also had the werewolf curse binding him to this world. Also… Avernus was a Grey Warden. The taint should have overcome him long ago. Even with magic… Two centuries is a very long time. He must have done something remarkable.

"The Chantry foolishly forbids blood magic," Avernus replied. "But there are so many secrets to uncover. As my body decayed, I found ways to extend it. But that can only go so far."

It seemed that was all the answer he was going to get right now.

"….Alright," Niko decided. "I'm done asking questions."

"With the Veil mended, I would seek to continue my experiments in peace,"Avernus said. "Perhaps I could advance the Wardens' knowledge one last time before age claims me."

"No more dark research," Niko ordered. "Find humane ways to help the Wardens." He didn't look to his companions for their opinions on this. Maybe they wanted this man to die, and maybe Niko thought he deserved it, too. But he was not an executioner and he wasn't going to kill this guy if he didn't have to. Besides… Avernus did terrible things, but his knowledge was important. Maybe he could make use of it.

"Without test subjects? Without… other materials?" Avernus asked, affronted. "You would cripple my efforts."

Niko glared. Perhaps Avernus hadn't believed him earlier when he said he was actually considering killing him.

"But I will do what I can in this endeavor," the mage agreed. "I have little hope of discovering anything useful. But if I do, you will hear of it."

As the others turned to leave, Niko lingered and looked to the Warden mage. "Avernus? That potion in the other room… Does it work?"

Avernus gave a thin-lipped smile. "Oh it works. Drink it and see for yourself. That potion is the height of all my research thus far. It would grant you power and comprehension beyond what you hold now."

With a nod, Niko turned to leave and paused in the doorway. "If I survive this Blight, I'll be checking in again someday," he promised.

On the way out, he snatched up the elixir and brought it to his lips…

It wasn't as bad as in the Joining ritual, but Niko doubled over as pain coursed through his entire body. Like electricity and sharp blades shooting through his bloodstream.

"Niko!" Alistair and Zevran rushed to his side.

But the elven Warden waved them off as the pain dulled, and through it he felt a small surge of strength. His skin tingling and eardrums thudding, Niko stood up straight, offering a reassuring nod to his companions. The pain was gone and soon his mind felt so clear, like something had connected, something he hadn't known was severed in the first place.

"I'm fine," he assured. "I feel good. Let's go take care of that demon."

-o-o-o-

It was a cool night in their camp outside Denerim. Staying within the glow and warmth of the bonfire was more alluring to Niko than huddling up in the tent at the moment. Though with his head resting in Zevran's lap, fingers threading into his hair, the temptation to drag the assassin into his tent for some private time was present. He wasn't sure he was willing to endure the few freezing seconds it would take to leave the nice warm fire and cuddle up in his bedroll though. Besides, he was quite content to just let Zevran continue playing with his hair, which, admittedly, was in need of a cut.

Zevran glanced down at the Warden, amused that the simple comfort practically had Niko purring in his lap. He would liken him to a cat getting a scratch behind the ears, except that this was much sexier.

A rather vague line was drawn when it came to the affection they showed each other among the group. Niko wanted to keep some semblance of leadership, even if they were all his friends for the most part. Thankfully, they had a bit of privacy at the moment. Across the fire, Alistair was slumbering in his bedroll like a snoring log. Everyone else slept in their tents. All except Shale anyway. Zevran had to wonder at that. Because Maker knows what he would do if he were a sleepless statue…

He felt Niko turn in his lap, nose pressing to Zevran's stomach. He could tell the Warden was asleep now; his breaths soft and even, body relaxed. His fingers remained in Niko's hair, unconsciously threading through the soft strands that had grown over months of travel. He couldn't help but study the younger elf's face; his thick, black lashes, the straight line of his nose, and the rise of cheekbones under warm, dark skin.

He was a striking man, in more ways than Zevran had noticed at first. Making this assassin's heart flutter… it was wrong. And he was almost ashamed at how far he had allowed it to go. Those feelings started out subtle, just grazing him, something he brushed off. But the more time Zevran spent with the other man, the more he coveted him.

At that thought, he maneuvered the sleeping Warden out of his lap and stood to walk to his own tent. Frustration set in as he laid down, trying to sleep. These feelings went against his very instincts as a Crow, he knew. Being so attached to another. Yet… he was not a Crow anymore was he?

-o-o-o-

Under a poisoned sky, the archdemon soared unto a cliff side. It already saw him, he knew. There was no running away. It saw him and it was ready for him. With a savage roar that shook the earth and drove nails into his mind, its jagged, salivating teeth reached right for him. I see you.

Niko bolted up, reaching blindly for the daggers lying beside him. His skin was stippled in cold sweat, screaming out with a need for the cool air and fire warmth at the same time. An incessant noise tormented his mind, slowly fading to the back as his blurred vision cleared. The first thing he noticed was Morrigan standing in the dark, the campfire flames flickering across her pale features. As she warmed herself by the fire, she gave his startled awakening a look of disquiet.

"You're awake!"

Niko's attention snapped toward Alistair, staring at him across the fire. He looked just as distressed as Niko felt.

"Did you… did you feel it, too?" Alistair asked. The frightened look in his eyes drew Niko in, and the clamor that had settled into the back of his mind steadily crept forth again. "It was like the archdemon saw us. Saw us! What does that mean?"

Ugh that sound! Like screeching…

"I think—wait!" Alistair stood. "Did you hear that?"

As Alistair took up his sword, Niko realized the screeching noise in his mind coincided with the darkspawn-senses thrumming under his skin, getting stronger and stronger.

Grabbing his daggers and getting to his feet, he turned around just in time to see the shadows in the trees move. Several Shrieks appeared, their awful sounds giving credit to their nickname.

It was an assault from the enemy.

A small horde of them appeared right out of the blackness of the woods, as if they were formed from shadows and filth.

Two of them were on Niko, the blades attached to their arm bracers slashing in a frenzy. He blocked with both his weapons, barely keeping them at bay. One of them leaped upon him, and Niko's eyes widened when face-to-face with the creature.

These were what darkspawn born of broodmothers who were once elven looked like. This was corrupted elven blood and tissue he was looking at.

Would the taint make him look like this someday?

His blades were crossed in front of him, keeping the darkspawn assailant from unleashing a frenzy of blows. Niko's deliverance came in the form of Alistair shield-bashing the monster off of him.

As he stood, Niko's eyes immediately scanned the battlefield. Morrigan was shooting bursts of flames at the shrieks, covering for Leliana, who shot arrows from a short distance. Wynne was freezing targets into ice while Sten smashed them with his great sword. Gideon trounced the spawn as best he could without biting into flesh.

…Where was Zevran?

Niko's heart nearly stopped when he saw Zevran's tent was torn and toppled. Though Morrigan's was in a similar state, Niko knew where she was. Where was he?

As he turned to slice off one Shriek's head, Niko heard familiar laughter that set him at ease. A few yards away, Zevran dropped down atop one of the unsuspecting darkspawn and drove two daggers into its hunched spine.

Niko thrust his dagger into the chest of another and lopped off that one's head too while swiping his dagger out of the side.

Duncan's dagger.

He smirked at the reminder and killed two more, his adrenaline spiking. When the darkspawn were felled, littering their campsite with dirty corpses, they all paused and held for another swarm. But there were no more.

Niko's eyes scanned the camp as his body calmed and the thrumming in his veins dissipated. He glanced up when he noticed Alistair coming up to him.

"I guess it's like Duncan once said; we can sense them, and they can sense us." He glanced around camp, everyone picking up spilled belongings and loosed arrows. "We'd best be more careful from now on. This camp isn't safe any longer."

"Right before this, I…" Niko shook his head. It was so unsettling. The timing. It couldn't be a coincidence. "I had another dream about the archdemon."

"Yes, me too," Alistair confirmed. "I got a feeling at the end there that it saw us. Was aware of us. Whatever you want to call it. It could have just been my imagination, I suppose. What do you think?"

"I think you're right," Niko told him.

"You know how some people want to be right all the time?" Alistair frowned. "Me not so much. I guess one thing's for certain, at least, isn't it? It's official. This is a Blight."

As Sten passed, talking about fortifications, and Morrigan went to fix her tent, Niko and Alistair parted.

Niko paused, meeting Zevran's gaze across the fire and the sea of tainted corpses.

"Are you okay?" Niko asked as he walked up to him.

Zevran smirked at him and wiped some darkspawn blood from his brow. "What? No trap? No ambush? Some assassins." He snorted.

"Glad you're not so easily rattled," Niko said after rolling his eyes.

"My tent, however, appears to have folded under the pressure," Zevran said, glancing to the pitiful lump of fabric.

"Guess you'll have to stay with me in mine," Niko suggested playfully. Though his smile fell when Zevran didn't respond with an expected quip or sexual innuendo.

"After we dispose of the bodies," the Antivan said. "No one wishes to fall asleep to the putrid stench of rotting corpses."

Niko nodded and went to help do just that, but Zevran caught his wrist and turned him to face him.

Zevran looked at his face a moment, and Niko wondered what he was thinking and what he was about to say. Then the assassin reached out and gently caressed his cheek, where Niko felt a bit of a sting. There was a bit of a gash there, running the length of his temple to his chin.

"You should have Wynne heal that first."

"It's just a scratch," Niko said.

"Better to not let it become an infected scratch, yes?"

Niko smirked and was pulled into a quick kiss before they parted ways.