Fen'Harel sat on the edge of the bed, his legs pulled under him as he watched Soora sleep. He had his paints still out from the night before, wetting them when he woke up to work more on the painting. He was able to teach her how to maintain the magic and keep the portal open long enough for her to step through. Soon she would be going home. He'd been wondering the past couple months is his older self felt obligated to love her; knowing very well that she would show up on the past at some point but as he got to know Soora more, he understood why he would love her. He wondered if they had philosophical conversations in the future like they do now. He wondered if his future self ever went looking for her since he doesn't know what time she comes from. He wondered and asked himself a lot of questions, knowing sooner or later he will know the answer to them as well. He slowly smiles as he saw Soora start to wake up.
"Good morning, vhenan."
Soora smiled and blew her hair out of her face, failing. She giggled and whispered a good morning back.
"Today is the day," Fen'Harel pushed some hair behind her ear and smiled sadly. Soora bit her lip and hummed in confirmation.
"Is something wrong?" Fen'Harel asked.
Soora looked down at the sheets, chewing on the inside of her cheek, "I-I just can't believe I'm leaving already. It feels like I just got here."
Fen'Harel kissed her head, "It has been a year, love. That is a long time."
"Not long enough," Soora murmured, pouting. Fen'Harel smiled and stroked her hair.
"...I need to get dressed now, don't I?" Soora frowned. Fen'Harel nodded, "That would be best, yes."
Soora looked at Fen'Harel, slowly leaning in, "I-"
"Don't, Soora," Fen'Harel pulled away before Soora could kiss him, "This is already hard enough. I...I will meet you at the Eluvian."
Soora looked down and nodded as Fen'Harel left. She pushed the covers off her and gathered her clothes. She got dressed and headed to the stairs. She placed her hand on the railing, looking at the room for the last time. She noticed his paints sitting around on the corner and bit her thumb.
I shouldn't, she thought. She turned to leave but was unable. She had to write it. She quickly ran over to the paints, kneeling down she picked up a brush and a small bowl of blue paint. She dipped the brush in the paint, swirling it around before turning toward the wall. She hesitated, staring at her hand. She looked at the table next to the bed, where the foci stood on its stand. She looked down before turning back to the wall.
Thank you. For everything. Past, Present, and Future. I love you, my wolf.
Soora walked toward Fen'Harel, her hands shoved into her coat as she shivered.
"I can't wait to get back to the heat," Soora said, her teeth chattering. Fen'Harel chuckled and pressed his palm against the Eluvian, opening it. Soora eyed him cautiously before stepping through, Fen'Harel rolling his eyes and following after her. He closed the Eluvian and held her hand as he lead her to the next Eluvian. Fen'Harel held his hand out at the other Eluvian, hesitating for a moment. He closed his palm and looked at Soora, "I wanted to give you something. Now is the best time, we won't be alone again."
Soora smirked, "What happened to making this simple?"
Fen'Harel chuckled, "Nothing with us will ever be simple, vhenan."
Soora shrugged, "Maybe one day..?"
"You are dating Fen'Harel. I don't even know how you are able to hide that in the future." Fen'Harel let go of her hand and put his hand in his satchel.
Soora looked down, "Very easy, apparently."
"But here," Fen'Harel pulled out a necklace, at the end of it was half a wolves jaw bone tied to it.
Fen'Harel places it in Soora's hands, "I made this for you. A small reminder of what you are fighting for." Soora shook her head, "I can't take this. Not yet, at least. Give it to me when I return."
Soora hung the necklace around Fen'Harel's neck and kissed him, "For now, let this be a reminder of what you fight for. And what your...reward will be when we meet again."
Fen'Harel flushed and chuckled. "Very well, vhenan. Are you ready to return to your time?"
Soora nodded as Fen'Harel opened the Eluvian.
"Yeah," Soora sighed. Mythal and Abelas were walking into the clearing as Fen'Harel and Soora walked out of the Eluvian. Fen'Harel closed the Eluvian behind them, Soora walking toward Mythal and Abelas.
"Good morning, child." Mythal smiled at Soora. Soora smiled back and bowed as Mythal stopped in front of her, "Good morning, Mythal."
"You never great me like that," Fen'Harel mumbled as he walked over to them.
"You never leave my side," Soora smirked and nudged him with her elbow. Abelas pulled something out of his coat and handed it to Mythal. She smiled and nodded to him, "Thank you."
She turned towards Soora and handed her a small notebook, "A gift, da'len. From me to you. Do not show this to anyone but yourself and Fen'Harel."
"Why only us?" Soora wondered, tracing her hand over the cover. Markings were burned onto it, hearing Fen'Harel ask the same thing she looked up.
"You will know why-"
"Can I see it now?" Fen'Harel asked, looking over Soora's shoulder.
"No." Mythal flicked his forehead causing him to growl and turn away.
"I'll show him when I get back," Soora giggled and took Fen'Harel's empty satchel off and placed the notebook in it.
"I might have needed that," Fen'Harel raised an eyebrow.
"I don't have pockets," Soora shrugged and pulled the satchel over her head, "Now...let's open the portal."
Fen'Harel pulled the amulet out of his coat and handed it to Soora, "You remember what I taught you, yes?"
"Then you will be fine, vhenan." Fen'Harel smiled and took a step back. Soora looked down at the amulet. She turned to Mythal and Abelas, "I...thank you both." She bowed one last time to them.
Mythal chuckled and motioned Soora to stand, "We were happy to help." Mythal stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Soora in a hug. Soora smiled and hugged her back.
"Now," Mythal stepped back and straightened her clothes out, "Go win your war." Soora nodded and moved back toward Fen'Harel.
"You ready?" Fen'Harel asked. Soora nodded and started pushing her magic into the amulet, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Fen'Harel nodded and moved next to Soora, giving her enough space for her spell. She glared at the amulet, focusing her magic into it as she heard a loud crack in front of her – the amulet started levitating in front of her. Another loud crack and a small patch of lightning scorched the earth as the portal completely opened.
It worked.
Soora stared at the portal in front of her.
"Holy fucking crap it worked," Soora breathed out. Fen'Harel stood next to her, making sure Soora didn't surge too much magic into the amulet. The lightning flashed around the portal, loud rumbling and screeches came from the portal.
"It did," Fen'Harel nodded, "You must go now, vhenan."
Soora looked at him, "But I-"
"We don't need to say goodbye, you will see me very soon, Soora." Fen'Harel turned his body to look at her. "Go."
She could feel tears prick her eyes as she looked back at the portal.
"You need to know!" Soora yelled over the lightning.
"No! I can not know-"
"You don't need to be alone!" Soora cut him off, "Don't push people away, Fen'Harel. No matter what happens before I met your future self – do not distrust all people. Not everyone is evil."
The sound of the portal covered their silence as they stared at each other. Fen'Harel looked into Soora's eyes and nodded, "I promise..."
"Remember everything we've taught you! Win your war and stay alive, da'len!" Mythal called from behind her, her arm over her face – shielding herself from the portal.
Soora quickly pecked Fen'Harel on the lips and whispered, un-audible to him.
I promise.
They smiled sadly at each other as she turned to the portal, "I'll see you soon!" Fen'Harel backed away as Soora disappeared into the portal.
"Goodbye, my love..."
Mythal walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Come. We have work to do."
She was thrown out of the portal, grunting as her back made impact with the ground. Soora opened her eyes to see she was in a storage room. She sat up quickly, grabbing the amulet and looked around. Grey Warden, Templar and Venatori uniforms laid around her – weapons, swords, shields, daggers and staffs stood on stands and were sheathed away, hanging from the wall.
She had a sadistic and ironic smile on her face as she stood up, placed the amulet around her neck, "This is too good to be true."
Quickly dressing in an Elf Mage Grey Warden uniform, she pulled her long hair over her shoulder, falling down her front, she quickly braided the lower part of her hair, tearing off a piece of another Grey Warden uniform to tie her hair at the bottom. She than placed the hood over her head, the satchel going over her shoulder, as she looked over at the weapons. She jumped in excitement as she looked through the staffs. She heard some yelling from outside before the door bursted open.
"Wh-What are you doing in here?" The Templar Lieutenant walked in, glaring at her. She stared at him, unable to speak. Carroll...she never got to Lion's Pavillion. She inwardly cursed at herself.
He sighed, frustrated, "Stupid ass needs to fix his binding spell again." Carroll pointed to the staff, "New staff? Yes?"
Soora looked at the staff and slowly nodded, "Yes...Staff."
"Pick one and let's go. We're making the final push to The Temple in an hour." Carroll walked away, leaving the door open. Soora nodded to herself, Binding ritual makes the mages bland and boring. I can do that.
Soora let her hands trail over the staffs and found one that called out to her. It was made from red steel, the blade took up a little more than a blade on a staff usually does. The top of the staff had been badly scorched – the vines that held it's power source burned and dead.
Staff of Parthalan. The Well informed her. The gem has been torn off; It is but nearly useless.
"This dragon you speak of," Mythal turned her back to Soora, motioning her to follow, "I can teach you to mirror it's strengths and weaknesses. I will show you how to defeat it. From what you told me of it – it has a power source within itself. It uses magic to sustain this...'Elder Ones' life...you must take something from the Dragon to kill this 'Elder One.' Fight fire with fire."
Soora picked it up and clipped it to her back, "I have plans for this." She looked over at the daggers and picked up a small one, hiding it in her uniform and picked up two larger Daggers, a Dalish Dagger and Spider's Heart sitting on a create. She clipped them onto her back and turned to walk out of the room, making sure the amulet was safely hidden under her uniform.
Following the people that scurried around her, she got outside of the building. She held in her gasp as she looked around, Haven. She looked behind her to see the building she came out of was the Chantry, now corrupted with Red Lyrium and dead bodies.
How long have they been here? When did they dig Haven up? Is everyone okay in Skyhold? All these questions swirled in her mind before looked up at the sky. The Breach was bigger than she remembered, thankfully it wasn't everywhere. I'm not too late.
"How long have I been gone?" She whispered lowly to herself.
"Knife-ear!" Soora held her breath and stood still.
"Hey! I'm talking to you, Elf." A Venatori agent walked over to her.
Shit.
She glanced over at the man, remaining silent and showing no emotion, "Yes?"
"All Mages were asked to be at the gates by now. Why haven't you left?"
"I needed a new staff...Someone broke mine." Soora turned her head to the side to look at the staff.
"This staff doesn't even have a-"
The Red Lyrium dragon roared as it dove down toward Haven, landing where the trebuchets once stood in front of Haven. She assumed Corypheus was with it by the way everyone suddenly started scrambling. Soora stuck off once the Venatori agent ran the other way. Soora climbed the rocks, carful not to make any loud noises, jumping on top of the hut next to the chantry she hid behind the roof. She stuck out her head a little to see Corypheus walk into sight. She looked down at her hand when she felt the anchor start to burn. She balled her hand into a fist and dispelled green magic around it, silencing it. She smirked a little, Fen'Harel knows what he's talking about.
She looked back over at Corypheus, seeing him speaking to Carroll and another Grey Warden Mage. She shook her head, I should of thought of a plan before jumping into the portal. Soora quietly slid further down the roof before jumping off it and onto the rocks behind it. She quickly ran down the rocks and out of Haven. She didn't realize that The Red Lyrium dragon had noticed her, watching her carefully as she ran out. She jumped off the rocks once out of sight and leaned against them. She looked to her right and saw the gate that lead out of Haven, but away from the temple. She thought, I could make it to Skyhold.
She shook her head, quickly denying that action, "There wouldn't be enough time to get back...unless..?" Soora pulled the amulet out of her uniform and looked down at it.
"No...Time would mess up around me...I can't-"
Soora could hear the Dragon's roar as it lifted off. She looked up to see it flying above her.
"Fuck," She hissed, biting her lip, "I hope it didn't notice me." She quickly looked around and decided to make a run for Skyhold. Pushing the amulet back in her uniform, she ran towards the gate, pushing it open.
"Hey-" Two Red Templars stood on the other side as she ran past them, ignoring their yells and protests.
"Did...did she look familiar?" One Templar asked the other.
"Was that the Herald?"
"Think we should tell the boss?"
"Do you?"
The two templars looked at each other and nodded, "We saw nothing."
Soora made it halfway up the mountain to Skyhold when the Dragon landed in front of her. It screamed as Red Lyrium shoot out its mouth at her. She quickly jumped out of the way, landing behind a tree.
"I knew this was too good to be true," Soora mumbled to herself, she reached for her daggers before hesitating. She shut her eyes, remembering how much strength she lost after mastering becoming a dragon. She cursed at herself as she realized she didn't look for any lyrium before leaving Haven – not that it wouldn't be corrupted. Soora nodded to herself and pulled her daggers off.
"You wanna dance, fucker?" Soora yelled, running out from behind the tree. It shot Red Lyrium fire out from it mouth at her, following her trail as she ran sideways, slowly moving closer to the dragon. The dragon stopped and jumped over to her, causing her to fall backwards, snow falling over her. The dragon lost sight of her in the snow, he stalked around the area, watching carefully.
I have to change, Soora decided, I can't kill it. It's too strong. Soora quickly collected her mana, feeling her body change she shot out from below the snow and flew down onto the dragon.
Solas stood with Cullen, Varric, Morrigan, Josephine, Cassandra and Leliana in the war room. They were fighting about the plan to attack Haven today.
"The Mages are scouting ahead towards the Temple-"
"If they are at the temple by now, Corypheus is going to be there. He's looking to open the breach, completely, to consume the world." Solas cut off the fighting, pinching the bridge between his nose. "We need to head to the Temple. Maybe we can stop Corypheus..."
"Maybe isn't good enough! We need to end this now!" Cassandra slammed her hand on the table, making the pieces on the map tip over. "It doesn't matter anymore, where we attack doesn't matter. We just need to attack Corypheus. Cut down anyone who get's in your way, but we need to kill him."
"We can't just kill him! We saw what happens when he dies," Morrigan crossed her arms and stared out the window, "We can't kill him."
"...Then we take away his orb." Solas said, "If we take that from him – he will no long have enough power to take us down-"
"Yes, he would. Hawke and I fought the guy, without the orb. We almost died." Varric cut in, "I don't see any way for us to win."
"...What about the dragon? Has anyone seen it since the Korcari Wilds?" Solas asked.
"No...it seems to just have vanished." Leliana sighed, "We don't even know if Corypheus is still using it as a form of transportation."
Silence filled the room. Varric was right, there really was no way to win. Solas sighed, "...We need to attack. Maybe Soora will arrive in time."
"And if she doesn't?" Cullen asked.
"...We fight."
Soora fell onto the snow, holding onto her side hissing as the Red Lyrium Dragon fell lifeless in front of her. She whimpered, looking down at her abdomen. The dragon's claw cut through her armor and cut through her skin, the red lyrium burning it. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at the amount of blood that was on her. She looked up at the dragon, it's throat oozing blood, staining the snow. She looked down at her side, lifting her hand up to look at the blood again. She growling as her mana was completely depleted, unable to heal herself. She let the tears stream down her face as she failed at focusing – the pain was too much.
"Solas...I'm sorry...I'm..." Soora whimpered. She could feel herself start to cool, becoming cold. She held her other hand up, trying for form some healing magic, failing again.
"Fuck," She hissed, "I couldn't win this war...I failed."