A/N: Whelp the final chapter has finally come...man, this one took me longer than I expected, but it still feels somewhat short, due to the damn heat wave I wrote during... Time skips ahoy if this gets confusing...last chapter and all. This needed to be done and well, screw you summer. 30 seconds to Mars Kings and Queens for the muse...pretty much my triumph music.
Bioware owns blah blah blah!
Arrows pierced though the air, piercing into the Hurlock's chest as the ringing set of blades took down another. An emissary was charging, its fireball aimed at their only spirit healer, but before it could finish Duke began mauling it like a sandpaper doll. Thankful said spirit healer was working on paralysis spells to keep the Darkspawn in place and the blood from spraying them. Sadly, a sword swing taking out a Genlock let out an arc of blood, in an impossible range, smearing onto the hem of their robes.
"Sweet merciful Maker's scrotum! I just washed these!" Finn shouted shrilly. He let loose lightening and ice on every Darkspawn in the area.
"Do you not know how much magic goes into keeping these clothes cleaned and primed? No, you don't because you're all," He shot an Emissary through the chest with a chain lightening killing it instantly. "Not" The lightening bounced around other Darkspawn around Finn followed by an Arctic blast that took care of the others. "Careful!"
An Alpha Hurlock snuck behind Finn about to take off his head, just as he was finished his ranting, only to have an arrow fly straight into its skull. Fin looked toward his savior with a sheepish grin; the mage slowly flexed his fingers together in worry before getting back to work on their current mission for the Lights of Arlathan.
"Honestly Finn you can get a little melodramatic over your clothes. I thought all mages had a spare set they just conjured up out of thin air." A smug elven woman stated, wiping her blades on a random Darkspawn corpse.
"And I thought all Dalish get together for a springtime orgy to be one with their past, but that doesn't make it true." Finn complained at Ariane, who sheathed her swords.
"Enough you two or else I'll stick you in a tent and throw a Spanish fly bomb in there." Their leader growled, testing her bowstring. Nearby, Duke sniffed for traps.
With mock disgust and humor, they quickly went about their business searching for the Lights of Arlathan. Kali looked over at her companions as she walked over to Ser Duke who happened to be pawing at a locked chest.
"Warden Commander Kali."
Kali sighed as she turned around looking up from her good eye at the other elf wondering if Arianne had more asinine questions for the 'flat ear.' "You realize I prefer to go by Tabris. Family names and all."
"I still have enough manners to respect the elf that stopped the Blight and lived to tell the tale. I am just wondering...why are you helping us chase after this Morrigan. As much as I told you about the book that was stolen from my clan I still don't know why you would-"
Kali held up her hand as she stood up with a jovial smirk on her face. "Ariane as much as I have no love for the Dalish, I'm helping you out of respect for your skills as a warrior and our mission, despite the dirty looks you give behind my back. Also my business is actually Warden Business, so I can't tell you more than that."
Ariane took her response with a grain of salt knowing there were some things best left unsaid. Quick shouting from Finn's direction alerted them to the next light.
"Guys, I found the last one! Could you please shield me from the guardians this time? I don't think they like me."
The wind was gentle as it passed the trees. The sun set for the day giving off shades of orange and red marking the end to a beautiful day. Nevertheless, the fires raging in the districts and smell of blood mingling in the air presented an entirely different scene in front of them when they marched to Denerim. Dalish Elves, the might of the Circle mages, Dwarven Berserkers itching for a fight along with their Golems and the soldiers of Redcliffe ran towards the city gates meeting the Darkspawn as they took over city gates. It was a well-fought battle with few causalities but it gained them only a short breather as they debated their next plans.
"And I'm telling you, Ser, the best way is to go towards the docks where our Navel regiment is located and escort the few survivors including the Arls."
"And I'M telling you, boy, we need to go through the markets and Alienage to reach the Palace, since the Archdemon is heading that way."
"Look, just because you get the tingles from the beasties doesn't mean you outrank me anyway, King Killer. We do things my way until your superiors say otherwise."
Tabris shook her head as she watched the Corporal argue with Loghain over logistics seeing, as both knew the city like no other. "Frankly as his superior commander, given by the Queen herself, I have to agree with Loghain with going through the districts taking out the Darkspawn. And saving whatever citizens are inside."
"Be as it may, commander, it is merciful of you to try to save those who are trapped, but without the leaders to survive this ordeal we could be..." He stopped himself as Tabris raised her hand with cold indifference.
"Corporal, I can sense the Darkspawn straining in certain areas due to stalled movements. It means someone is fighting back without giving up. Especially located in the Alienage and poorer districts. I will head out with a small party while I leave someone in charge to defend the gates."
The Corporal looked at her aghast with rage at her presumptions for giving him orders. "I assure you ma'am..." He stopped again, as she and Loghain stood up and grabbed their weapons.
"Please as much as you hate this choice of plans it seems we don't have much choice. Excuse us please."
Taking their leave, they assigned their respective fellows to each area. Oghren would stay to guard the gates with the Dwarves with help from Morrigan, Duke, Zevran and Leliana. This left Sten and Wynne to accompany them. Going over the plans the final time, out of pessimism, Tabris was double-checking her bowstring when a tug on her broken ear broke her concentration.
Looking up with mock annoyance, she stared at Zevran who was looking down at her with a mock scowl plastered on his face.
They did not say anything to one another since they said all they could in Redcliffe and it would be a waste to say them again. Standing near each other, they enjoyed the silence between them. If this was how they were to perish in battle, they both wanted this serene moment as the last thing they remembered.
A horn blasted in the distance, signaling that the Darkspawn horde was attacking again. Tabris rushed towards the Alienage, and Loghain followed suit. Wynne was not far behind, keeping up well regardless of her health, and Sten made up the rear guard. They ignored the soldiers' battle cries and cheering as they honed in on that silent cry.
The howl the distance that sounded like a great choir singing hymns of delight and joy. Dark joy that was soaring in the sky burning down houses with glee and hate towards those who could not hear it.
The fight towards the Alienage was a tough battle not only due to the poor positioning of the civilians inside, but also because few could actually fight back. Only ten elves, at best, were using make shift bows to take out what Dark spawn they could while keeping the gates barricaded. Shianni was leading them as in well as she could and was ever so glad to see Tabris.
"Cousin, you have no idea how glad I am to see you here!" Shianni embraced Kali with a bear hug.
"I would be the biggest asshole if I left my home to burn without lifting a finger. How many are able to fight?" Kali pried Shianni off while accessing the area.
"We currently have ten here who know how to use the bow, but we're short on weapons for those who want to help."
"What happened to all the weaponry left by the slavers?" Shianni shook her with a grimace as Kali rubbed at her temples. "Right. Sold by scavengers. Guess it is time to see how much our allies are willing to help their 'cousins'."
This left Shianni curious about her cousin remark questioning her meaning, until a male Dalish warrior walked up to her.
"We set up our archers at various points in the compound for aided assistance and one of our scouts has reported on enemy movements."
"Good work. Gather your comrades and share whatever arrows we have in surplus." The man nodded before joining the others that were preparing. Kali looked back at Shianni, while sporting a bloodthirsty smile at the coming carnage.
The next attack from the Darkspawn was a relentless battle for the Alienage folk. They were not used to a life of constant battle every day, which pushed them on edge or bodies that could handle the strain of warfare. However, what they lacked in experience they made up for their tenacity. These were people who were used to working horrible jobs, drinking their worries away or whoring themselves to feed their families.
The Dalish warriors, on the other hand, were used to something like this. Tabris was just grateful they put away the smug superiority of being 'true elves' to help their people in need. Adding in the help of two Grey Wardens, a skilled Circle mage and Qunari warrior...the Darkspawn never had a chance.
Leaving the Alienage behind to chase after a greater threat left Tabris with a bitter mood hidden in her grin. She chose to leave the Dalish to help protect them and the surrounding area. It was just a good thing she had not stopped to see her father again or else she would not be able to leave without making sure he was safe.
Such thoughts were cast aside as the Royal Palace came into view, as a shuddering sensation vibrated in her brain. She looked in the direction of Fort Drakon as the shadowy shape of the Archdemon fell. Something twinged in her mind, marking the death of a Grey Warden.
'Riordan.'
Loghain felt it too, judging by his expression, as he looked at her with stony determination.
They could only hope that Morrigan's solution would help them now.
"Don't you just wish you could just lift your leg and go any way you want?"
"No. Do you Finn?"
Finn held in a dignified huff, knowing he almost set himself up for a joke. Of course looking at one of the lesser freedoms a dog could do outside the Circle did make him rethink his priorities on the sense freedom.
Then again, leaving the Circle meant he had to deal with changing his pants every hour due to dust, and mud underneath his boots. Why go through the extra stress when he could live inside a tower that kept him clean, entertained with thousands of books and Templars watching his every move with a Maker ingrained fear of him turning into a demon.
He would choose the Circle.
Ignoring Ser Duke shaking his hindquarters, they continued through the ruins, noting the decayed corpses littered throughout. The scholar in Finn was rather curious about how old all the dragon bones were, since this was a dragon's graveyard.
"You think that there was some valiant battle that took place hundreds of years ago? I mean look at all the corpses, those are definitely Darkspawn, and they do not rot like normal corpses unless you burn the things. Or throw them in lava to stop a pandemic...which has me worried about us getting an infection."
Tabris chuckled at Finn's curiosity seeping out along with his know it all knowledge. "Actually, my dear mage, these corpses are only a few years old and I personally put an end to them."
"What? I mean look at these things. These are not normal Darkspawn that have been recorded, making them a new type. They have to be really old or..." Finn stopped himself as they reached the last flight of stairs staring at an Emissary that was completely different.
"Or like you said…" Tabris walked over to the corpse turning it over with the toe of her boot. "These were a new type of Darkspawn and I personally selected group to help me put them out like a pack of rats."
Ariane looked on with skepticism at the elven woman feeling a slight bit paranoid at how much blood lust emanated in Kali's attitude. She could only wondered if such a woman was not already broken mentally from fighting Darkspawn day in and day out. Granted all Grey Wardens lived dangerously with their jobs. It just shocked her to realize that a flat ear could have done something like this, fighting something even worse than a Varteral. She kept her unease under wraps as they entered a cavern that filled with the same fleshy tendrils branching off everywhere. However, ahead lay a path with another Eluvian mirror being stared into by the very witch at the center of this manhunt. A burst of satisfaction rolled through her knowing she was finally getting justice in this terrible theft.
Tabris on the other hand must have thought differently, as she fired an arrow into the Eluvian's side panel, and another between the witch's feet, as Duke ran into forward.
He was only stopped by a paralyze glyph, a scant few inches of tearing into the woman's left leg.
"I had hoped you weren't going to greet me with such flair. I would have expected it from the Bard or Zevran, but I never thought you would?" Morrigan huffed as she turned around looking irate.
"Hello, Morrigan...I did say I would find you again."
"That you did, Warden. I had hoped we would meet again, but in different circumstances."
Another Arrow hit the panel as Tabris notched another in place.
"You used up your warning shots. The next one goes through your lying whore mouth, if you don't answer my questions truthfully." She eyed the witch with such cold hate. "Understood?"
"Of course. I suppose I should tell you right now that the child is in good health and being raised not knowing what is needed of him."
"Why wouldn't that surprise me? Just like the time you lied about your ritual actually working when Loghain killed the Archdemon."
"Because if I did not, then all that I had worked for would crumble. The ritual did work, just not the way I planned it. You may have lied about Flemeth's death, so it was only fitting that I take the child."
"He has a name damn it!" Tabris roared. Her chest was heaving in anger. "He deserves to have his name and be given back to me. Whatever is between you and Flemeth doesn't involve him."
Morrigan slowly let her sneer dissolve as she looked at her former comrade. A well of pity formed in her eyes. "I thought I knew what my mother was and her intentions, but I was wrong. So completely wrong about her true nature. For that, the child is being prepared for what lies ahead. Change is coming whether we like it or not."
Morrigan cast her eyes down looking remorseful for a moment before several shrieks were heard behind them. Tabris looked back in surprise as a dozen Shades clawed from the ground. They separated her from Ariane, who was protecting Finn, as Morrigan turned her back facing the mirror.
"You have your options before you as I have mine. Choose wisely. Your allies or a child who won't remember your face."
Tabris could not hold the rage that was circulating in her veins just knowing it would be so easy to let the arrow sink into Morrigan's skull. How easy it would be to kill her, for crimes unpunished, sating the beast in her.
Yet for all the temptation for blood to be, spilled Tabris knew she would lose her only key in finding her lost treasure. Turning around she let loose arrows into a shade attacking Finn as Duke charged into the fray to help.
"You made a wise decision Tabris...Kali." Morrigan touched the mirror as it came to life, ignoring the carnage behind her. Tabris grunted at the remark, picking off the stragglers in the back.
"You lost that right to call my given name. Run while I'm still distracted."
Morrigan said nothing, knowing this farewell between them had grown from a ditch to a vast chasm. She felt a sad stirring in her soul losing a potential friend that could have helped her. She hesitated in her steps before her crossing the threshold.
"You're wrong by the way."
Morrigan stopped.
Tabris notched another arrow, taking down a Shade. "He'll remember me, us, by our voices that never stopped talking to him."
They said no more, as one moved towards those who called for her help and the other moved into an unknown future. Both bound by Fate to seek each other out but walking in opposite directions.
For now, Tabris would help the Dalish claim back their relic and guide Ariane back home. Finn could use the company since he felt out of his element, but had a small taste of what the outside can give.
For now, Tabris figured it was time to seek out for other clues and sources to hunt down Morrigan again.
One source said they were located in a mountain range heading toward Kirkwall.
The bells rang as nobles gathered in the room watching Queen Anora bestow Shianni her new title. Some bickered over the rashness and unholy idea of letting an Elf in their ranks, while others were thinking of the political benefits that could be gained.
Tabris did not see any of that pompous crap at all. All that mattered to her was her cousin, who was being given a gift that, until recently, the elves would never have dreamed of. She was made a Bann, a Hahren recognized in the courts and in charge of an Alienage, which was its own District.
The boon Anora had promised was not wasted or twisted in any way. Tabris could not have been more thankful to have a Queen in her favor to create this moment.
Looking around to take note of the crowd, she looked on at her comrades. Wynne was drinking with her father, and a teary Soris was watching Shianni. Oghren was as drunk as skunk before the ceremony, so he was in the back cheering and crying over something about Branka and the anvil.
Morrigan had kept her word leaving after the battle and giving birth to the child who had helped keep them alive. Sten had left some days ago back to Seheron to give his report back to the Arishok.
Leiliana was nowhere to be seen, since reports of her leaving the battle after the Archdemon's death circulated. The bard never gave a proper goodbye.
Loghain was standing next to his daughter taking in the moment, with an expression that seemed friendly but still business like. He ignored Alistair's death glares
This left a certain someone in the crowd, supposed to be blending in as her designated shadow. Instead, he was out in the open pressed behind her with an arm wrapped her waist.
It felt oddly right with him rubbing her stomach, knowing there were not any ulterior motives behind this flirtation. She could not say why exactly, but it comforted her anyway.
However, Zevran would be a challenge to have a relationship with since he would not change overnight. Oghren was still a drunk who had his own problems with sorting out with Orzamar and possibly, whatever mess Branka made. Wynne would bombard her with questions on helping the mages' plight since some mages were also elves, but it would not stop there. Loghain would give her respect as an accomplished warrior, but as someone not Human he would most likely slip back into his old ways soon enough. The same with Anora, since her and Kali, were both willing to pull favors from another...at least the woman was brutally honest with her and was willing to help the Alienage. Eamon and Teagan were different, since they followed tradition and would be a thorn in both women's sides and keeping them from getting any real work done. Moreover, Alistair...he would gladly help them to help HIS people since Tabris forced his hand into being King. However, judging by his hard stare, he was not taking well with Zevran all over her.
The only thing that would make this day tolerable was by some sheer miracle, both Adaia and Durga, were in the crowd cheering on like maniacs to make her forget all the headaches that came with the position.
She really wished her sister could see her now.
The encampment was bustling with activity as mercenaries milled about from their tents at the rise of the early morning rays. They went about gathering their equipment and supplies to make sure everything was in order.
A woman dropped her bag of supplies as she stood up from the task. For a moment, she felt a sharp tingle across her spine as she looked over the valley. A sudden memory that felt familiar and distant made her spill tears. Rubbing her eyes to stop the forming tears, the woman picked up her bag and checked that everything is in order. Her 'Mabari' rubbed against her leg, sensing the sadness.
"Marian! Move that fat ass of yer's or we won't reach Kirkwall around supper-time." A man shouted playfully, ignoring the other men clearing up camp for their March home.
Durga did not flinch at the name shouted towards her. She had gotten used to it in the past year, and knew she could put up with his antics for one last time. Her 'contract' training under the raucous man's to fit in with the other mercenaries was at an end. What little she managed to learn was enough to help her with the hardest part of her unwritten future. Wiping away her tears, she picked up her pack and rubbed the Mabari's head, before checking on the others.
She would return to the city that was to be her second home and the root of all her problems.
A/N: Whelp...it finally happened. I FINISHED IT. It might not what I had hoped for, but I am glad I contributed to the DA fan base with my little parody of tying the game together with my favorite Origins.
Again, to any who read this, congrats for sticking with it, despite my flakey updating system. Oh, I do plan a sequel to fallow what is happening with Hawke; however, with the changes I brought in this story...except a lot of AU while I try to stick close to the game plot. Yet, I am having trouble finding a beta to go over it...which might screw ya'll over.
Still, it was a fun ride.