The midday sun burned in the cloudless sky, the wind below sweeping through the barren plains, all signs of life carried away with it. Anticipation hung on Ana and her companions like a curtain, the journey to the Exalted Plains silent.
Determination danced in Ana's eyes, her hands pulling her up a large boulder, allowing her to overlook the hills and valleys below. With a deep inhale, she closed her eyes, her palms opening to face the sky.
"It's as I thought, these lands are scarred," she turned to face the others. "The valley below is where the Veil is most thin; I will easily be able to draw magic from the Fade from there."
"I recognize this place," Virana spun, her hand holding her bangs from her face. "This is where you fought the pride demon," she glanced at Solas, her eyes lost in a distant memory.
Solas placed a hand on Virana's shoulder, a knowing smile given before climbing the rock face to join Ana. "Are you sure of this? Andruil was one of your mother's strongest generals in the war, summoning her is a path of no return."
"She took my daughter, Solas. I won't rest until I have her head."
"Wait, nobody said anything about decapitation," Virana chuckled nervously. "That's just a figure of speech, right? She's not really going to take Andruil's head?"
Ana raised an eyebrow, glancing at Solas before facing the former Inquisitor. "I can assure you, it is a statement meant to be taken as truth. By the end of the day, Andruil's head will be removed from her shoulders."
Another nervous chuckle escaped Virana, her hand combing through her hair attempting to hide the terror gripping her. "We are going to kill a god. No big deal, just killing someone I've worshipped my entire life. Someone who has the power to subdue a vampire and turn her into a dragon."
"The stories you know are wrong, Virana. Andruil was no benevolent deity; antagonistic and manipulative unless she stood to reap a reward she would not bother" Ana climbed down, standing face to face with Virana. "Besides, I am forbidding you from entering this battle," her golden stare glanced at those standing around her. "That goes for all of you. She took my daughter, this is between her and I."
"In case you've forgotten, Isena is my daughter as well," Fenris stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest. "I want to help."
A kind grin broke Ana's fierce expression for a moment, her eyes softening as she thought to the last fight she requested his help. The fight that nearly destroyed them. "I can't risk losing you again, Fenris. Andruil is powerful, and I need you to stay here in case things go wrong."
"What do you mean 'in case things go wrong'?" Fenris gripped her wrist, an untrusting wariness in his expression.
"If she fights how I expect, I can't afford to hold back. I barely stood against Solas," she glanced to the Dread Wolf, an amused snort pushing from her nose, "Andruil is far more powerful. The magic I will be using-" she hesitated, no longer able to meet his gaze, "it's dark."
"You mean to draw from the demon's essence," Solas stated. "Ana, that's a dangerous path."
"I'm sorry, did you say 'demon'?" Dorian arched his brow. "Ana is possessed?"
"No," Ana turned to the Tevinter mage, shaking her head. "When I was trapped in the Fade, awoken by the Breach, I was too weak to escape on my own. I killed a hunger demon and absorbed its essence to boost my power, but I did not understand it would have a- lasting effect on me. Besides, I'm well aware of the potential consequences," she faced Fenris, forcing a smile, as she pulled his brow against her own. "If you see that I am lost, I need you to kill me. I won't recognize friend from foe and I'll destroy you all. You can't let that happen."
Fenris wrapped his fingers in her hair, his palms resting against her cheeks. "You won't get that far, you're strong, Ana. Stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"Promise me," she whispered.
Fenris hesitated, tears forming in the corners of his eyes at the thought, the weight of what she asked.
"Fenris, promise me, please. One of us needs to save our daughter. Please," her grip on his hair tightened, fighting to keep her emotions contained, her voice even.
"I promise, Ana. But you better come back. I can't- can't lose you again. I can't bear the thought of spending eternity without you."
"Ana, it is time. We must begin the ritual," Solas interrupted.
With a single nod, Ana's expression darkened, her mind focusing, preparing for what was to come. She pushed her lips against Fenris's, a last goodbye should the worst come to pass.
Refusing to look back, Ana walked to the level plain below. The air thickened, a frigid sense of despair falling across the land as she pulled a dagger from her belt and drove it into the ground. Meticulously, she carved the earth, symbols and runes representing different sects of power forming in the trails left behind. Ana used the dagger to connect each symbol to the one beside it, nine in total.
Ana looked to the others, her eyes meeting the Dread Wolf's. "Let us begin."
There was no hesitation as Ana quickly sliced her flesh. Her blood took on a life of its own as it collided with the broken earth, flowing, clawing its way forward as it filled the voids before it. Ana's lips danced, her voice chanting flawless Ancient Elvhen. Her blood responded to each word, racing forward, searching for each symbol, flowing through and filling every crevice created by the dagger's blade. The first completed symbol bore the face of a wolf, its eyes glowing red as her life force filled it.
"Fen'Harel," Ana whispered, walking along the outside of the ring, her blood continuing to flow down her hand and into the earthen channels.
Solas grunted, falling to his knee, his hand clutching his chest.
"Solas! Are you all right? What happened?" Virana dropping to catch him, her eyes wide.
"I'm fine. This ritual summons the power of those represented in the runes. She has linked my power and my life force to her own."
"That's why she isn't showing symptoms of blood loss, then?" Dorian spoke up, helping Virana lift Solas to his feet.
"Precisely. It is similar to the ritual she used when she returned Fenris to his natural form, and how I knew she was here. As long as we are linked, we share everything, every strength and weakness. If linked with someone powerful enough, our location might also be easily deciphered."
"Wait, so does that mean if she loses-" Virana's fearful tone trailed off, her eyes darting between Ana and Solas as she swallowed hard.
"No," he shook his head, forcing a reassuring smile, "the link is broken as soon as the summoning is complete."
Ana's golden eyes watched her blood fill a barren tree, empty branches clawing for the heavens. "Mythal."
Lightning flashed over the tumultuous ocean, the walls of Mythal's fortress trembling as she steadied herself against the table. "Ana?" Mythal grinned weakly, a soft chuckle pushing from her tight lips. "So, you realize your true potential, at last. A mother willing to do anything for her child."
The power of the summoning shook the core of the fortress, the iron bars of the prison cells below threatening to collapse.
"What was that?" Dayora whispered.
"Hush! He's coming," Zevran hissed.
The door slid open, a muscular elf with long, pale hair entering the damp prison cell. He eyed the two bodies slumped against the wall.
"Did you finally die?" he snorted, his armored boot pushing the woman's body.
"Not quite," Zevran's voice slithered from the shadows, his body pouncing, his fangs sinking into the warm flesh of his prey.
"Dir'tha'min," Ana whispered, her blood continuing to flood the ground.
She continued this, the remaining six symbols glowing red as they glowed with life. With one swipe, Ana ran her finger across her wrist, the wound finally closing, a blood mark down the length of her nose and beneath her eyes. Ana turned, one last look to her companions as her gaze melted to darkness. "With the power of the gods, I summon you, Andruil, goddess of the hunt!"
Thunder roared overhead, as though the heavens answered her commamd, the ritual site erupting in a column of fire. Smoke crawled along the ground, the pillar of fire vanishing as fast as it appeared. In the center stood an elf, her red hair falling to her lower back, her black robes revealing her torso and thighs. What little sunlight broke through the thunderheads glinted off her armored shoulders, metal plate extending the length of her arms while silver claws wrapped around her fingers.
"Well now, I am surprised you had the gall to summon me, Anaris." she turned, one hand on her hip, her sunset eyes falling on Ana. "I don't know why your mother wastes so much time trying to protect a brat like you."
"Where is my daughter, Andruil?" Thunder clapped in the distance, echoing Ana's demand.
"Being kept as Mythal's new guard dog, a position you should have gladly taken."
Ana hissed, trying to contain her rage. She knew Andruil was goading her. A display of anger was exactly what she wanted. "I won't ask you again. Where is my daughter, you wretched bitch?"
Andruil tossed her head back, her hand on her chest as a defiant laughter shook her shoulders. "You should know. This summoning here? I'm guessing you had to link with your mother to gain enough power for it. Are you really so stupid you didn't sense her location? I'm sure she sensed yours."
A snarl twisted Ana's face, her slender fingers arching, claws extending from her fingertips. "Final warning. Tell me before I kill you."
Andruil smirked, "From what I know of you, you plan to kill me, regardless. That doesn't leave me much incentive to help you, now does it?" she held her arms out to her side, "I know you want a fight, daughter of the dragon, so come. Defeat me and maybe I'll tell you. Show me what all the fuss is about why Mythal so desperately fights for your safety and why so many want you dead. We should hurry though. The longer Isena is kept in her dragon form, the less likely it is for her to remain, well, more intelligent than a mere beast." Andruil glanced toward Fenris, "That's not saying much though, considering her breeding."
"Enough!" red light flashed from Ana's body, her fangs bared. "Mark my words, I will end you!"
Ana sounded darker, her voice deep overlapping as though another spoke with her. Her red vallaslin dimmed, beginning at the marks on her brow. The crimson shine was overtaken by black, flowing down, filling the vallaslin like rapids in a river. Her obsidian locks rose, floating, dancing around her face. Darkness in solid form erupted from the ground beneath her feet, tendrils writhing, wrapping around her body before exploding to all sides.
"Get behind me!" Solas cried, crouching low before rising, his arms extending above his head. An energy barrier rose from the ground, the shadow crashing against it, climbing it like an ocean wave.
"Ana, what are you doing?" Fenris whispered, his voice fearful, his gaze locked on the woman he loved being consumed by darkness.
"Fenris!" Solas turned to him, his teeth clenched as he held the barrier. "If you have any memory of her you cherish, something to remind you of who she is beyond this, latch onto it and do not let go. That- is no longer Anaris."
"So, demon magic, is it?" Andruil pushed her hair behind her shoulders. "Very well, if it's a fight you want, come and get me."
A brilliant flash illuminated the plain, a black and red dragon standing in Andruil's place. Smoke floated from her nostrils, her orange eyes locked on Ana. A roar, a challenge, split the air, as Andruil took to the air.
Ana smiled, the shadow fully enveloping her. A pause hung in the air before a cyclone of black fire exploded from the earth, swirling around the dark silhouette that was once Ana. Flashes of light illuminated the inside of the vortex, Ana's movements precise and determined.
Her arms stretched to the side, claws aimed at the ground. With a flick of her wrists the ground cracked and shattered, darkness rising from beneath the earth. The shadows curved and danced, responding to her commands, a marionette obeying the puppeteer. Another twist of her hands and the shadows solidified, massive black arms, talons extended, rose from the ground. The earth behind her fractured, a thick spined tail rising, whipping through the air as the haunches attached to it pulled their way above ground.
The swirling cyclone of black fire thinned, spreading to envelope the shadowed skeleton birthed from beneath the land. Ana's figure stretched, merging with the fire as a slender neck grew from the flames, elevating the jagged snout growing from it. The shadowed claws pushed against the ground, lifting the beast, the last of the black cyclone arcing from her shoulders to create two large wings.
Glowing red eyes snapped open, a blood curdling screech ringing through the air. The shadow-fire dragon's image flickered, her head moving to locate her opponent.
A low rumble emanated from her throat, her murderous gaze set on Andruil's dragon form above. With one push, Ana launched into the heavens.
Andruil huffed, smoke puffing from her nostrils, her red neck glowing. Opening her jaws, a stream of fire raced forward, Ana making no attempt to evade.
Growling, Ana tucked her head, her wings wrapping around the front of her body as the flame crashed into her, engulfing her.
Is that the best she can do? Pathetic
Ana barely noticed the pain, the heat of the fire around nothing more than an inconvenience. A chuckle rumbled from somewhere within. The demon? No, not a demon, the demon died ages ago, but the darkness seemed to have a consciousness of its own, and Andruil's attack amused it.
My turn. Throwing her head forward, Ana spread her wings, the surrounding flames dissipating. Parting her own jaws, a purple orb of fire sprang forth, hitting Andruil before she could react.
Andruil shrieked in pain, flapping her wings to steady herself. She shook her head, her eyes opening in time to see Ana's claws reaching for her neck, her mouth wide open.
Another cry, more rage than pain, tore from Andruil's jaws as the black dragon clamped down on her neck, claws digging, anchoring the dragons together.
Andruil refused to give in, thrashing, kicking, forcing Ana to fight desperately to hold onto her enemy. Andruil's spined tail lashed her repeatedly, her jaws snapping, attempting to taste anything within reach.
A searing pain shot from Ana's shoulder, something wet flowing down her arm. Blood? The sensation forced Ana to let go. She flapped her wings, the pain throbbing with each beat. She got my wing, that bitch.
Andruil shook her head, blood running down her neck, her arm hanging limp. A growl voiced her displeasure. She glanced, her eyes growing wide with fury at the sight of her own blood. Roaring, she raced forward, forcing Ana onto the defensive.
Yes. Come and get me. Ana turned, climbing higher into the sky until the clouds obscured her from view. She stopped, waiting, listening for her pursuer. There! What? It can't be!
The heat reached her before the attack. A roar ripped through the clouds, the red fire smashing into the side of Ana's head, sending her rolling, plummeting toward the distant ground.
Consciousness was difficult to maintain, the world around nothing more than a blurry spiral. Her face burned, her mind struggled to remain in control.
Kill her. A deep, gravelly voice slithered through her thoughts. You are nothing if you let her win.
Red eyes snapped open, wings spreading, slowing her to a halt a few feet before the ground. With a vicious snarl, Ana pushed her hind claws against the earth, vaulting her skyward. She could smell Andruil's blood, and it made her stomach roll with hunger.
Yes, I see you. Lightning flashed, Andruil's figure outlined in the clouds. With another powerful thrust from her wings, Ana broke through the clouds, her jaws open, ready.
Sinking her teeth into Andruil once more, blood coated Ana's lips and tongue, warm, tingly as though sparks of electricity flowed within the blood. The howl of pain barely registered with Ana, her fangs sinking deeper into Andruil's shoulder.
A forceful shove from Andruil's hind legs forced Ana to release her grip, but not before dragging her teeth, lancing Andruil's flesh. Tucking her chin, her chest grew, smoke pouring from Ana's nostrils and jaws. A purple stream of flame raced for the injured Andruil, her fury displayed in her eyes as she released a stream of red fire in return.
The heavens trembled at the elemental collision, the energy clearing the clouds surrounding them.
"They're evenly matched," Dorian observed, his voice filled with awe and terror. "This is by far the most terrifyingly exciting battle I have ever witnessed!"
"Ana will win, she has to," Fenris whispered, his knuckles white, his eyes remaining on the dragons above.
Solas's voice was stoic, "Even if she defeats Andruil, the longer she remains in that form, the harder it will be for her-"
"Look, Andruil's flame is winning!" Dorian interrupted, his finger aimed at the battle. "Ana can't take much more of this, can she?"
"She can! She has to," Fenris exclaimed, his eyes betraying his disbelief.
Andruil's flame crept closer to Ana with each second, a red glow overpowering the violet fire. With a whip of her head and thrust of her wings, Ana broke from the duel, climbing further into the sky. The stream of fire rushed past, dissolving as Andruil ceased the attack, her narrowed gaze following her fleeing opponent.
Wasting no time, Andruil pursued, Ana glancing back, gauging the distance between them. As she approached the top of the thunderheads, she stopped, tucking her wings, turning her body to face her opponent once more.
You're mine.
Jaws open, talons extended, Ana latched onto Andruil. Roars shook the air as Ana wrapped her wings around her opponent, forcing them both into a spiraling freefall. Andruil struggled, thrashing her head attempting to free any part of her, but Ana's grip was solid. Every movement forced her claws and fangs deeper.
The ground rocked, dust flooding the air as the two beasts crashed. Silence followed, no sign of movement or life.
"Are they… did she win?" Fenris asked, his eyes straining to see through the thick cloud of dirt and smoke as he wandered toward them.
"Be careful!" Solas cautioned, placing a hand on his shoulder. "The battle may not be over."
"Look!" Virana's voice broke through, calling attention to a silhouette rising from the ground.
An eerie chuckle echoed through the air, the dim light catching a flash of red hair. "You tried your best, but you were no match for me."
"No," Fenris whispered, his heart pounding against his chest, his eyes searching frantically for any sign of Ana.
"Are you so sure?" Ana's voice echoed across from Andruil, her body rising from the dirt. "We may have been in dragon form, but my bite still carried venom. Don't you feel it? Your blood on fire? Your skin burning as your injuries bleed? Your time is up, bitch."
Andruil's lip curled into a snarl, her eyes filled with rage. "You think you can win so easily? You ungrateful coward. All your mother did to protect you, and this is how you repay her? If only you would die, the world would be better off."
Stepping toward Andruil, Ana lashed out, her claw landing across the elf's face, knocking her to her knees. "You think you know?" her voice wavered, her vallaslin flickering between black and red.
"Fight it, Ana!" Fenris called, no longer able to contain himself. "Please! Don't give in the darkness!"
"Your friends are still here?" Andruil grinned, her gaze turning toward Fenris, her hand sliding to her belt. "Well, if I will die, I'm taking one of your mongrels with me," With one fluid motion, she pulled a dagger from her waist and launched it forward.
Fear and horror twisted Ana's face, her eyes returning to gold, her vallaslin returning to a faded crimson. "No!" Her cry hung in the air, her gaze watching helplessly as the blade raced toward her companions.
"Lookout!" a voice rang above the others
Solas felt a hand grab his arm, forcing him aside, his body falling to the ground, Fenris stumbling beside him.
The sounds of flesh tearing and blood splashing to the ground rang through Ana's ears, her mouth opening to scream. She watched Virana fall to the ground, her scream more earth shattering than anything she had heard before.
"Dorian!" the name was drawn out, a screech of horror and heartbreak.
Virana threw her arms around his collapsing body, pulling him into her lap as tears fell freely from her eyes.
"Well, this not ideal," Dorian choked, his hand feeling for the hilt protruding from his chest, "blood is so hard to get out of highever cotton."
"Damn, I missed." Andruil panted, her lips twisted into a proud smirk.
Ana's fists clenched, her eyes flickering between black and gold. Fury erupted within, her vision nothing but red. She screamed, her body spinning, her boot slamming into Andruil's head, removing it from her shoulders. Blood spattered the ground as the headless corpse collapsed. Andruil would never be a threat again.
"Ana, Fenris, heal him! Someone help him!" Virana screamed, her hands clutching Dorian.
"No," Ana walked to stand beside them, her voice solemn but firm.
"What? Why? You have the ability-" Amelas interjected, his voice shaking.
Dorian shushed the group, his hand wrapped around Virana's. His lips quivered, his breathing short and raspy. "It's all right. I'm beyond healing, Virana," blood trickled from his mouth, his chest heaving as he coughed. "I've been ill for quite some time. What I have, there is no cure. I would have died soon, anyway. Better to do so saving a friend than in a bed wasting away."
"No, her blood can heal a Grey Warden, she can heal you! Please Dorian, I can't lose you-" Virana begged, her face twisting in anguish.
"I'm ready," his eyes dimmed, the blood flowing faster from the corner of his trembling mouth. "I have someone waiting for me on the other side. I've been waiting four years to be reunited."
"What? You mean-"
Dorian closed his eyes, a hint of a smile was all he could manage. "Bull risked his life for me and was caught by the Ben-Hassrath. They…. executed him... on the spot... because he would not betray my location. I'm... ready.. to thank him." forcing his eyes open one last time, her turned his gaze to Solas. "Take care of her, will you? I would rather not-" blood spilled from his lips, his lungs coughing more blood up, "have to come back and haunt you all."
With his final breath, he turned his head to his dearest friend, "I love you… My friend," Dorian's eyes slipped shut, his hand falling limp beside him.
"No, Dorian? Dorian!" Virana screamed, her hands grabbing his tunic, shaking him, "Don't leave! Don't you dare leave me!"
The air rang with Virana's lamentations. Ana stood silently, her stoic gaze masking the furious storm raging within. "Virana, I swear to you, my mother will pay."
"Your mother?" Virana whispered, her head tilting to peer at Ana from the corner of her eye. "Your mother has only responded to your actions, Anaris," she hissed, standing. "You're the one followed by death. Everything you touch withers and dies. Even your lover nearly died because of you," her words dripped with venom, her eyes pure hatred.
"Watch your tongue, Dalish," Ana hissed, her eyes flashing black. "We may be allied, but I am still a god, and I can end you-"
"Ana," Solas interrupted, "perhaps some space is best," glancing to Fenris, he continued. "Why don't you take her somewhere to wind down, I'll remain here and help Virana tend to Dorian's remains. We can rendezvous at Skyhold when we all have clear heads."
With a nod, Fenris wrapped a hand around Ana's arm, the two of them vanishing into the setting sun.
Virana struggled to control her voice, her eyes unable to leave Dorian's still form. "He was dying? Why wouldn't he tell me he was dying?"
"Because he knew you enough to know you wouldn't accept it. He had come to terms with his fate," Solas whispered, pulling her into his chest. "We won't leave him like this. Amelas and I can build a pyre, we will pay our respects here, on the field of battle. His sacrifice will be honored and not be forgotten."
The moon was nearly full as it overlooked the broken valley. The stars normally twinkled and danced in the night sky, but tonight they stood silent. Even the moon held a somber glow, the world a little less bright than it was before.
"I'm so sorry, my friend," Virana placed a hand on Dorian's body, now wrapped in white cloth.
Solas and Amelas lifted his body, gently placing it atop the small pyre built of wood. They stood silent a moment, the weight of the day sinking in.
"I never quite saw eye to eye with you," Solas stood beside Virana, his eyes resting on Dorian's body, "truthfully I could never understand why you were so well liked throughout the Inquisition, but now I understand. Loyalty is difficult to find, and you were more loyal than I ever was." he paused, clearing his throat. "Thank you, Dorian. Thank you for taking care of those I love when I did not. You saved my life today, and I can never repay you."
Amelas stepped forward, standing beside his mother. "I heard so many stories of your time with my mother, and although I only knew you a short while, I considered you family. You made my mother laugh and smile when all she wanted to do was cry. You kept her hope of finding my father alive when she felt like there was nothing left. You didn't let where you were from or what you were told to be control how you lived your life. I wish I would have thanked you that night when I left with Isena."
Virana was silent after listening to Amelas and Solas. She did not try to stop the tears from streaming down her face, her eyes searching, praying for movement, something that would bring her best friend back. She breathed in, her breath shaking as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Dorian, I don't know how to go on without you. You… you were always there for me, even when we weren't together physically," a sharp inhale, her body losing the battle to contain her sobs. "You kept reminding me of reasons to fight when I couldn't see any. You never let me stay down, and you fought," tears fell from her eyes, her face twisting with grief and anguish, "you fought so hard for everyone around you. You never put yourself first, and dammit I hate you for that. I hate you for leaving me! I need you! I need you, Dorian! Please come back!" Cries and sobs rocked her chest, her hands cupped over her mouth, "Dammit, Dorian, not like this, you weren't supposed to leave me like this!"
Solas turned, pulling Viran's weeping form into his chest, his arms holding her close.
"I swear, we will end this. Your death won't be in vain, I won't let it!" she sobbed into Solas's tunic.
Amelas met his father's gaze for a moment before waving a hand over the pyre, flames igniting beneath the wood.
Closing his eyes, Solas sighed, burying his face in Virana's hair. "Goodbye, old friend."