Chapter 21: A Time for Dying
The group continued to make its way through Castle Redcliffe. Occasionally, they would confront Venatori soldiers or mages, but for the most part the castle was clear…except for the demons of course, and the corpses.
An uncomfortable silence had fallen over the group, even Ana, who usually babbled when she was nervous held her tongue.
Seeing this place, the world the Elder One had made, what words fit to describe it? How could you downplay the destruction?
The answer was simple, you could not?
Dorian found himself walking next to Leliana, the Inquisition's spymaster pulled her hood up farther, not wishing to reveal her ruined features any more than they already were.
It was a bit of vanity perhaps, but it was all she had left. Leliana was no fool; she likely realized that she did not have much time left.
It was not something that most people wanted to think about.
"So," Dorian said jovially, "What has happened this last year?"
The spymaster's eyes narrowed.
"Don't," she growled.
"I'm just trying to gather information," he said with a dismissive shrug.
"No, you are talking to fill silence. You do not want to know what has happened here, no one would want to."
Ana winced at the coldness in the woman's voice, the dark simmering anger, she did not blame Leliana.
She was fighting the same emotions herself.
Dorian might have been trying to distract them, maybe even cheer them up, alas what cheer was left in this world?
The herald sighed.
If they could not get back, they had best find a way to get comfortable in their new present; Dorian had said those words…
Now they knew the truth.
This world was doomed, there was nothing left here to get comfortable with…
…they either made it back to 9:40, or they died.
There was no other option left to them.
"One final question, Milady," Dorian said to Leliana.
The bard gave a shuddering sigh, but nodded.
"What became of Felix?"
Leliana pursed her lips.
"You will see," she said coldly.
Dorian glared at her.
"You won't tell me?"
"It is better you see for yourself."
They finally stepped out into the castle courtyard. Leliana had not prepared Ana or Dorian for the sight that awaited them.
Both of their mouths fell open.
"GREAT MAKER!" Dorian exclaimed.
"ANDRASTE'S ASS," Ana gasped.
"Yessss," Leliana murmured, "Now you understand."
Ana blinked in disbelief.
The breach…it was everywhere!
No blue remained in the sky, only the sickening yellow-green light of the fade. Islands drifted overhead, with demonic shapes moving across their surfaces. Ruined parts of Castle Redcliffe floated among them, lights and torches still burning in some of the windows. The hazy quality of the air left the herald a little lightheaded, the shine burned her eyes.
Behind her Sera whimpered.
"Don't look up. Don't look up. Don't look up!" the elf murmured.
Finally, she sobbed.
"Ohhh shit," she groaned, "I looked up."
"The veil is no more," Solas said shaking his head; "The Fade and Thedas are now one."
"The Elder One and his Venatori are responsible of this," Cassandra growled dangerously.
Ana could only shake her head.
This…this is what the Venatori had planned for Thedas!? It made no sense. It was horrible! It was insane, madness!
What kind of being was this Elder One?
What kind of monster would want to do this to the world?!
The air split with yellow green light.
Fade rifts opened before them.
Ana growled and drew her sword.
This…this was at least something she could do something about.
The mark on her hand flared as she led the others into battle. They struck down demons without mercy, pushing towards the great hall of the castle.
They had found a note in the lower levels, saying that Magister Alexius had sealed himself within, seeing no one but his advisors, and even then only when they were all together, or to be brought his meals.
It seemed that Alexius was not happy with the results of work here. Perhaps the Elder One did not reward him the way he thought he would?
Not that it mattered, not the others, and not to Ana and Dorian.
All that mattered now was getting back to the past…or the present…or whatever!
All that mattered was getting out of here, making sure that this world never came to pass.
It was the thought that drove Ana forward, that and her anger at Alexius, the Venatori, and this Elder One.
Was trying to become a god worth all this, this…destruction?!
She would have her answers…
…One way…or the other.
IOI
They reached the entrance to the great hall, but once again hit a snag.
A great barrier door had been placed in the entryway, a door that could only be opened by keys fashioned from lyrium shards.
The realization sent the group hunting Venatori through the rest of the royal wing. The chapel, the library, as well as the guards sleeping quarters, here was the largest concentration of the cultists. Here the remaining Venatori clung to what remained of their lives.
Dorian shook his head in disdain.
"It seems that this…Elder One is not interested in saving his followers."
Ana rolled her eyes.
That was an understatement.
What kind of...man even considered trying to become a god? What thoughts came to him in his dreams, and once those dreams had been achieved…what would the affairs of his lessers matter to him?
These were thoughts that were beyond a girl named Ana Trevelyan.
The only example of such arrogance was described in the Chant of Light, the Magisters that breached the golden city, the betrayers…
…The first darkspawn.
It was their sin that first made the Maker turn away from man. Did they feel remorse for what they had done? Had they died realizing that the price of their prize was far too high?
Alas, there was no answer to that question.
Those men were long dead.
Slowly, they managed to find the shards they needed to open the door to the great hall, it was a nasty fight. The Venatori threw themselves at the herald and her allies like wild dogs. Ana's armor had been breached in several places, an arrow whizzed by her face, grazing her left cheek, blood ran like water from the deep wound.
Dorian and Solas did what they could to stop the bleeding, magic worked wonders, but even it was not perfect.
"It will leave a scar, Ana," Solas warned.
She laughed fatalistically.
"If we fail, we probably won't live long enough for it to matter Solas."
The elf sighed sadly.
He no doubt saw the truth in her words.
The group returned to the main hall, they stood before the barrier door, the last obstacle between them and their prey.
Ana placed the shards where Dorian showed her, magic flared from the runes built into it.
The door creaked open.
Ana raised her sword and shield, expecting another wave of bodyguards, or perhaps demons, surely Alexius had to know they were here.
Surely, he would be prepared.
They stepped into the darkened chamber; few braziers still burned here, only the great hearth behind the throne room showed any sign of life. Alexius stood with his back to them, his hands behind his back.
He did not even bother to turn and face them.
"So you are here," he chuckled mirthlessly, "I knew you would be here eventually, not now perhaps, but…eventually."
He sighed heavily.
"My last failure."
Ana glared at him, the man that had tortured her friends, and helped turn the world into a fel pit worse than the void.
"No guards, Alexius," she spat, "No trap, I think I feel a bit insulted."
He chuckled mirthlessly.
"There is no more point, herald," he said, "The Elder One is coming, for me, you, and everyone else."
The magister shook his head.
"There is nothing left to do, all we can do now…is wait for the end."
Dorian glared at his former master.
"Was it worth it," he demanded, "All this, was it worth what you have done?!"
Alexius lowered his head.
"The Elder One wanted the Bitch of Ostwick erased, but…but I could not do it! I could not go back before the breach. I tried, Dorian, I tried so many times, so many possible timelines, but…nothing. The breach makes the magic work you see. I cannot go back beyond what was done to create it!"
Ana glared at him, his self-pity made her ill, he played the victim after doing all of this.
"This Bitch of Ostwick," she growled, "Has grown tired of ranting, you bastard!"
Alexius shook his head.
"He said you were a mistake, yet it is one that I cannot undo, now all I can hope for is to die for my failure, perhaps my death will appease the Elder One and spare my son's life."
It was with those words that a shadow near the base of Alexius's throne moved, it moved to the Magister's side, a misshapen thing dressed in golden garb.
Alexius touched his face pushing back the hood.
Even Cassandra was taken aback.
It was another ghoul, but different, no black sores covered the pale skin, the hair was long gone, sharpened teeth cut into black bloody lips, white milky eyes stared at Alexius like a loyal dog might regard his master.
Alexius shook his head.
"My son," he purred, "my Felix."
Ana's eyes widened.
That was Felix!
"FELIX!" Dorian snarled, "DAMN YOU ALEXIUS! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
"He would have died Dorian," the Magister snapped back, "I saved him!"
Ana felt her temper starting to rise; a red haze ringed her vision!
The Bastard!
He needed to pay!
Alexius gasped.
He had been so occupied with Dorian and Ana that he had not seen Leliana sneak up behind him, she pulled the ghoul that had once been Felix Alexius to his feet.
She pressed a dagger to his throat. The ghoul blinked, clearly not even capable of understanding what was happening to it.
The same could not be said for the Magister.
"FELIX! NO!" Alexius gasped, "LET HIM GO! PLEASE!"
Leliana grinned savagely, she pressed the blade tighter.
The Magister whimpered.
"Please don't hurt my son!"
"The amulet Alexius," Dorian demanded, "Give it to us! We can stop all this from happening!"
"Yes," the magister gasped, "Anything, I will give you anything you desire!"
He fell to his knees, his eyes pleading with Leliana.
"Please don't hurt him; I will give you anything you want!"
She glared coldly at him.
"I want the world back," she hissed.
She ran the blade across the ghoul's throat. Tainted blood sprayed in Alexius' face, as Felix fell to the ground before him.
The Magister wailed.
"FELIX!"
He rose roaring with grief and fury!
Fade rifts tore open all around the chamber, demons began to pour in.
Ana lunged at the magister, a staff appeared in his hands.
"FELIX!" he wailed, "FELIX!"
Alexius was beyond reason now, and so was Ana.
"BASTARD," she shouted.
She fought hard, pushing him back into the hearth; a kick sent him back into the flames his robes caught fire.
He blasted her back with a spell. Cassandra was upon him then, her Seeker training protecting her from the worst of his magic, draining away his mana.
Alexius did not seem to care; he had nothing left in this world now.
He lashed out at those he blamed for his loss.
Ana rolled to her feet, she was about to attack Alexius again, but Dorian stopped her, pointing at the rifts and the sea of demons starting to flow into the chamber.
The herald knew her duty, and what would help save them.
She went after the rifts.
Sera, Solas, and Dorian aided her while Cassandra attempted to bring down the maddened magister. Occasionally Alexius would throw fire or ice at Ana, but his attacks were losing their punch the longer the fight raged.
Leliana peppered his shields with arrows, keeping the magister off balance.
A demon surged toward Alexius; maybe it sought to possess him, to offer him strength to fight on.
Ana threw her dagger into its back; it collapsed, as it was pulled back into the rift.
She raised her hand, the mark flaring as it sealed the opening, preventing any more of the foul things from crossing over.
Her eyes once again fell on Alexius, burned and battered, the Magister fought with insane determination, trying to avenge the death of his son.
He gestured at Leliana, likely to catch her in some new poisonous spell.
He never got the chance to cast it.
Ana shoved her blade through his failing shield, and deep into the Magister's back.
He gasped, staring up into the herald's cold blue eyes. Tears ran down his cheeks.
"Felix," he sighed, "I…I'm sorr…"
Ana kicked him off her blade, and into Cassandra's.
The Seeker took Alexius' head; his body skidded across the floor.
Silence returned to the chamber.
Dorian stood before the bodies of his mentor and friend.
The Tevinter mage shook his head.
"I…I think he wanted to die," he murmured, "All the lies he told himself, all the excuses, and sacrifices."
Dorian shook his head.
"He lost Felix long ago; he was just too blind to see it."
Ana was panting, part of her felt sorry for Dorian, but the cold angry part of her felt only disdain.
Alexius had gotten what he deserved.
"Does he have the amulet?" she demanded.
Dorian searched the body, finding what he was looking for quickly in the late Magister's belt.
Despite the death around them, he actually managed to smile.
"Yes," he said, "this is it, I…I should be able to return us to our own time, I…I can feel the magic, the intricacies of the spell."
He grinned at the herald.
"Give me an hour, and I can get us home."
Leliana rounded on him.
"An hour? AN HOUR!? You do not have that kind of time! You must go now! You must…"
The very castle shook around them; a distant roar filled their ears, and made them shudder to their very souls.
Leliana whimpered.
"The Elder One," she murmured, "He is coming."
Ana spun on Dorian.
Get to work, quickly, we don't have much time."
He chuckled nervously.
"Funny considering that this is time magic," he said, "We should have all the time in the world."
The silent glares of his companions silenced him.
He kneeled before the amulet, summoning the necessary energy.
Leliana looked at Solas, Sera, and Cassandra, their faces sweaty with sickness, their eyes ringed with red light as the red lyrium continued to eat away at their bodies, but…they all nodded.
They knew what needed to be done.
They headed for the door.
"We will try to buy you as much time as you need, mage," Cassandra said.
"Yeah," Sera added, "So don't waste it you gits!"
"No," Ana cried, "I won't let you die for me!"
Leliana gave her a sad smile.
"Look at us; herald," she said gesturing, "We are already dead. The only way to save us is to make sure this day never comes. Make sure the Elder One never rises."
The herald whimpered.
"Cassandra, Solas…I…I'm sorry."
The Seeker said nothing; she joined Sera outside the room. Solas gave her that tiny contented smile she knew so well from their talks.
"Do not be sorry Ana," he said, "Be brave and make what we do here matter."
The herald nodded.
She…she could do that.
Leliana removed the shards from the locks and closed the door, sealing them inside.
Ana took one last look at her friends, hating herself for this sacrifice, and the fact that she had not prevented their suffering.
They had to make it back, they just had to!
She would not let them die in vain!
Leliana remained behind; she took up position near the door, gathering up her arrows.
She gave Ana a brave look.
"You shall have as long as I have arrows," she promised.
Ana nodded.
She hoped that it would be long enough.
IOI
Dorian worked his spells while Ana stood impatiently beside him, Leliana said nothing her focus entirely on the door before them. Even through the heavy stone they could hear the fighting outside, the room shook as the Elder One roared in the distance.
Ana began to pace, but she did nothing to interrupt Dorian. The mage's eyes were closed as he chanted over the amulet, magic swirled around the glyph in which he stood.
She was trying to remain calm but it was not easy, it…
The door to the hall shuddered and cracked. Something struck it hard, once, twice, three times.
Leliana raised her bow.
"Though I am surrounded by darkness," the spymaster whispered, "I am shielded by flame!"
The door shattered inward, Cassandra's broken body was flung against one of the stone pillars. A greater terror dragged Solas like a rag doll, his arms and legs bent at impossible angles.
Something rolled passed Ana's feet, something with short blond hair.
She tried not to think about what it was.
Venatori soldiers and demons filled the entry way, Leliana fired into them, each shot a kill.
"Andraste guide me," Leliana called out.
She fired again, killing the demon that had taken Solas.
"Maker," she called out defiantly, "Take me to your side."
She fired again and again.
An arrow struck her in the shoulder; the spymaster staggered but did not fall.
A soldier reached her; she stabbed him in the eye with one of her arrows. She flipped over his fallen body and snapped the neck of a Venatori archer.
She drew a short sword and met then blade upon blade.
Ana tried to rush to her side, to save her friend, she just couldn't leave….
Dorian stopped her.
"YOU MOVE," he shouted, "WE ALL DIE!"
The herald froze in place.
Another arrow struck Leliana; she staggered and fell to her knees. A Venatori warrior grabbed her and spun her around.
She shoved her head back, breaking his nose, but it was clear that her strength was fading.
It would not be long now.
She cried out defiantly, trying to keep all attention on herself.
Demons and Venatori swarmed her.
Dorian gestured, and the air before himself and Ana began to swirl in a familiar pattern, slowly the portal that brought them here began to take shape.
Ana stared impotently as a terror ripped into Leliana with its claws, still the bard fought and clawed, she was dead, but she would not be alone in death.
The sight broke Ana's heart.
She…she could do nothing…nothing.
She had failed them.
She had failed everyone.
Dorian grabbed her arm.
"GO!" he shouted.
Ana leapt into the portal as the first of the demons tried to reach her, its surface flashed, blinding her.
The world spun, hot and cold buffeted her again.
Her stomach turned, but there was nothing she could.
She could only hope they would reach their own time safely.
…And when she saw Alexius again…well.
For putting me through this you bastard, she thought, I'm going to throw up all over you.
It would be a petty revenge perhaps, but it was something.
It gave her hope.
A/N: My darkest chapter for this story so far, I want to say hi to all those new followers out there, you guys are great! Next time back to the present, and Ana meets a childhood crush, be there.
DG