It was all happening too fast. Dorian could not keep up. He could not even fathom the possibility that Aden was actually dying from the mark on his hand. It just couldn't be. Aden had forced them all to let him go to the Daarvarad. Insisting that if he was going to die he wanted to die out here where he was still doing some good for the world. His hero complex was threatening to drive Dorian mad.
The atmosphere around him, Aden and the others was dire and tense. There was a sense of urgency in the dull, twilight air as they rushed over the ramparts, all of them trying, yet failing not to look at the Inquisitors crackling hand. Everyone was welling in their own grief, and at the same time utter disbelief that this mark would be what took Aden. Out of all the mad situations he had come out of… everyone couldn't help but cling to that small spec of hope that maybe he had one more miracle from Andraste left.
That was all Dorian could think of anyway. If he allowed himself to believe that Aden was about to die… he would dissolve into a panicked, grieving mess. So he followed his amatus, his eyes determined and he held back his fear.
However, then Aden's hand exploded in a crackling of green light again and he fell against the stone wall, crying out. Dorian's heart jumped to his throat, his head pounding and he rushed to his side, the others close behind him.
"Fasta vas!" he hissed in fear, "Amatus," he grabbed Aden by the arms, helping him back up and stared at him desperately, noticing that all colour had drained from the man's face and he had never seen him looking so weak.
"That looked bad…" muttered Varric, his own fear very evident in his voice. "Aden, are you sure you want to keep-"
"I'm sure…" Aden said, his breathing very ragged and he clutched his hand, swallowing down the nausea, holding back the pain. "We need… to keep moving…"
The bubbling panic Dorian had been battling threatened to overwhelm him as he could not bear to see Aden in such agony.
"Inquis- Aden…" Cassandra spoke this time, for once using his name instead of his title. "We need to find you something," her voice solemn, "something to at least alleviate the pain…"
"Please…" Aden breathed, his tone almost begging as he moved forward, Dorian remaining beside him. "I just want… to stop the Viddasala… no pain tonic is going to help me now…"
Dorian tried to control his breathing as he remained silent, keeping in step with Aden as they rushed onward, the urgency of the situation building.
Aden looked at Dorian from the corner of his eye, seeing very clearly the fear, panic and grief that Dorian was trying to hold back in his eyes. His heart wrenched in his chest and he reached out to take Dorian's hand with his good one.
"I'm… sorry Dorian…" he whispered raggedly, his voice almost too rough to produce an audible whisper.
Dorian couldn't meet his gaze, grief washing over him and he looked down, his brow pinched in despair. "You're not dying," he whispered back vehemently, his voice very tight.
Aden squeezed his hand, his heart pounding with grief. "I want you to know…" he continued, his voice still very shaky and rough. "That I don't regret anything… these last few years were the best of my life. I love you, Dorian."
Dorian squeezed his eyes shut painfully, his grip on Aden's hand so tight he wouldn't have been able to let go if he tried. "I knew you'd break my heart…" Dorian whispered finally, his voice so filled with grieved emotion that Aden's heart wrenched again, "you bloody bastard…" Dorian finally turned to look at Aden, "there's going to be something, Aden," he continued desperately through his clenched throat. "You'll…amaze everyone again, just like Haven. All part of you plan again, remember?" he insisted, attempting to smile, but even the thought of smiling was impossible as his heart was tearing itself apart in his chest.
Aden did not answer, sadness overwhelming him, and they had reached the guard tower. He noticed there was a group of Qunari guards at the large main doors. His hand was beginning to build up pressure again and Aden had found that he could use that pressure to do immense damage with the anchor.
"Stay here…" he murmured quietly to everyone, his eyes on the guards. "I have an idea."
"Are you mad?" Dorian hissed immediately, "How many death wishes do you have? There are five of them."
Aden looked at Dorian, squeezing his hand, before pulling it from his grasp. "Trust me," he said seriously, "and stay here."
With that he ducked off, keeping to the shadows before he jumped out into the middle of the guards circle, Dorian and the others watching in fear from afar. But then, Aden had his anchored hand held up in the air, magic crackling about it and his right arm clutched his left as it vibrated with power. Then, in a huge explosion of light, all of the Qunari were thrown backward, Aden also thrust to the ground with the impact and his companions rushed over.
The Qunari had been killed instantly, a couple of them had limbs gruesomely ripped off them. The others stared at the mess, shocked that Aden's mark could now do that and Dorian hurried to help the Inquisitor to his feet.
Aden was breathing very heavily, his whole body beginning to ache. "Let's… get this door open…and keep moving…" he gave a weak and very half-hearted laugh, "at least this thing's helpful to speed this all up," he said, gesturing at the dead Quanri.
Dorian clenched his jaw as the others stiffened.
"You have a grim sense of humour, Boss," Bull grunted, his face more serious than anyone had ever seen it.
"Door's open," added Varric, his tone hard as he pulled the huge door back after Sera had finished fiddling with the huge mechanics in the lock room behind them.
They moved on, the fighting becoming more frequent, but the battles ending swiftly with Aden's new power. However, Dorian could see that Aden's strength was waning, the man who was usually so fit and so strong was stumbling, and barely keeping it together as he pushed himself onward.
Then, they finally discovered the true, and very literal, meaning of Dragon's Breath.
The Qunari had captured a huge beast, the dragon's mass taking up the entire space in the massive chamber they had just entered. Varric gave a side glance to Dorian, attempting to smile, but he too was struggling with the muscles.
"I feel like I should say I told you so…" he muttered.
The Viddasala was shouting in Qunlat, her voice carrying over the chamber, louder even than the dragon's roars. And they all reaslised she had been speaking to the Iron Bull.
Bull scoffed, "Not a chance," he cried and Aden stared at him in confusion, wondering wildly if the Viddasla had just tried to sway Bull to their side.
The Qunari swarmed in on them, attacking from all sides. The dragon was terrified and angry, lashing out at both Qunari and them. Aden had an idea to free the beast and he cried out his plan to Cole who took heed immediately, Sera hurrying to help him.
Aden's mark flared again and he used it thrust back more Qunari while the rogues worked on freeing the dragon of its bindings.
Soon, the huge chamber gate was opening, the Dragon was freed of its ties and without a moment's hesitation the beast took off, scrambling out of its prison and killing a few more Qunari on its way to freedom.
The others ran out after it, running along the bridge after the retreating Viddasla. Aden's breathing was coming out fast and heavy and he could not stand upright, his left arm clutched to his stomach as they reached the female Qunari leader.
He crippled over in pain again as agony swept through his arm, his vision blurred and he could hardly feel the comforting hands on his back. Dorian was looking at him, no care for the Qunari behind him, his only thought for Aden as he desperately sought his gaze.
"Andraste's ass…" he heard Varric hiss from behind him and finally Aden looked up.
"Dear Inquisitor, you have such little time left," the Viddasala sneered almost boastfully and Dorian felt his blood boil as he turned round to look at her, tearing his eyes from Aden's gaunt face, his mouth forming a scowl. "You must finally see the truth. Elven magic already tore the sky apart. If the agents of Fen'Harel are not stopped, you will shatter the world as well."
Aden straightened with difficulty, his face contorted into a snarl. "The Inquisition has nothing to do with these agents…" he hissed furiously.
"Come, Inquisitor," sneered the Viddasala, "I am the eyes and ears of the Qunari people. Do you think you can deceive me?" she continued, all of her guards slowly vanishing behind her through the eluvian as she spoke. "You would have died from the mark on your hand, but for the help of one of their chief agents."
Aden couldn't believe what he was hearing as she continued to rattle off the things that… Solas had done. No… no he couldn't…
"Solas," the Qunari finished viciously, "Agent of Fen'Harel."
"What?" breathed Cassandra, the shock in her voice equal to the shock rocketing through Aden's body.
He…betrayed them? No… no it wasn't like that. He had helped them…but…Fen'Harel… all this… what? Why?
"I am not Solas's puppet," Aden said finally, still struggling to get the words out through his pain. "Whatever he was doing… whatever he was involved in, the Inquisition had nothing to do with it."
"Solas tricked us all," The Viddasala said, throwing that aside as though it were nothing. "He pushed a dying Qunari into the Winter Palace, to lure you into opposing us. Without him we could have brought the South peace and wisdom along the gentle path. Now we must take the way of blades."
Aden crippled over again, falling away from Dorian and to the ground as yet another surge of pain tore through his arm and his body. His shout of agony was also filled with fury as he knew his time was nearing, the thought filling him with maddened fear.
"Aden…Aden…" he could just hear Dorian's voice filled with barely restrained panic. He looked up, his agony filled eyes meeting with Dorian's distraught ones. Dorian had never seen Aden's eyes look so drained over their usual bright, green shine.
"Panahedan, Inquisitor," the Viddasala was saying as she turned to the eluvian behind her. "If it is any consolation. Solas will no outlive you."
And with that, she was gone and Aden's companions were upon him.
He let Dorian help him to his feet, trying vainly to save his pride and stand on his own two feet, but he fell against the mage, Dorian's arms wrapping round him tightly to hold him up.
"Solas… whoever he may be," Cassandra said, her tone desperate as she looked at the frail form that was currently Aden. "He may still be able to help you, fix your hand-"
"Yes!" said Dorian immediately, his face lighting up with the vague hope of that idea. "Can you walk? Amatus?"
"We need to get to him before that Viddasala," grunted Bull, "want me to carry you, Boss?"
Aden's head was spinning, everyone's voices seeming to be quite far away. "I can… walk…" he muttered finally, trying to come across as firm, but his breathing was too ragged. "Let's… move… save… Solas…" he continued, stumbling forward only to have Dorian and Bull yank him up from both sides. Dorian pulled his arm gently over his shoulder, and they began to move quickly toward the eluvian.
"Save Solas and you," Dorian insisted, his voice determined. Aden was trying to pull himself together, pushing past the cruel pain of the anchor that felt as though it was tearing his body apart as they followed the Viddasala's steps through the eluvian.
"The Viddasala cannot have gotten far!" Cassandra said seriously when they all had made it through the mirror. Aden separated himself from Dorian, nausea beginning to build in him and he was worried he would be sick on the mage. He had pulled his head together as much as he could and walked on ahead of them, his brow furrowed as he could feel that pressure building again; rapidly.
He began to move faster, panic building as he had no control over his hands sudden crackling. Dorian tried to hurry after him, but he glanced back at him, his face white with fear. "No!" he cried, "Stay back! It's going to… I can't-"
Suddenly Aden found himself being thrown through the air from the impact of his own anchor as green energy exploded from his hand, sending a wave of power from every angle off his palm. The wind was knocked out of him as his back hit the ground and he clutched his hand vainly, the pain so severe he was on the verge of blacking out.
Suddenly, his friends were surrounding him again, their faces blurry. "Dorian?" he breathed, but there was no strength behind his voice. "Are you…ok?"
"Kafass…" he vaguely heard Dorian swear. The mage had only been knocked off his feet, thankfully not too close the blast to be hurt. "I am fine, you bloody…" he broke off, desperately trying to get Aden up with Varric's help this time. "I can't believe I'm saying this, Bull," Dorian continued, that same hard determination to his voice. "But, maybe you should carry him."
"Noo…" moaned Aden, pulling himself into a sitting position, his head clearing, "I'm ok…"
he continued, his voice a little stronger as he got more oxygen back into his lungs. "I have a moment of relief after it does that…"
He stood up, a grim faced Varric and Dorian helping him.
"Amatus, we need to get you to Solas," Dorian urged, "It would be faster if you just let-"
"No," Aden hissed stubbornly. "I won't be carried to my possibly inevitable death."
He moved off, walking determinedly despite how weak his legs felt.
"You'd be carried to your survival!" Dorian hissed, running after him with the others. "You're walking to your death!"
Aden began to break into a run, Dorian's eyes still intently upon him. "I still have my pride," Aden said, his voice weak and yet determined.
Dorian felt a wave of disbelieving fury wash over him. "Your pride?" he hissed, "If you die for your pride. I will kill you!"
Aden actually gave a small, ragged laugh. "I know," he breathed. "So I won't die."
"Venhedis…" Dorian muttered under his breath, shaking his head, but saying no more. He could not stop the hope that was desperately building with in him. The hope that also clashed with surreal fear of the outcome if Solas would not help… or if they didn't make it to him in time. He could not think of that, he could only think of the possible chance that Aden could make it through.
Unfortunately, the Viddasala was doing everything to slow them down and soon they found themselves in another huge fight against an incredibly powerful Saarebas. Adrenalin was all that kept Aden going and he made the others stay away from him in the battle so that he didn't accidentally injure any of them in the fight.
His sword had never felt heavier, nor the shield strapped to his left arm. But his fury and adrenaline fueled blood had him rushing right into the midst of the Qunari and allowing his anchor to wreak havoc.
When finally, they had taken the Saarebas down, Aden stumbled toward the eluvian where the Viddasala, now entirely alone, had fled in chase of Solas. His whole body was now shuddering, the green, fade magic now crackling along his entire body in gruesome convolutions.
The others went to follow him closely again, but his thrust his right hand out, his left arm pulled into his chest. "Stay back," he hissed through his teeth as that horribly overwhelming feeling washed over him, reminding him that he had no control over this fate. The power ripped his arm up into the air, green light emanating off is and blue crackles of lightening shooting from his palm before it exploded once more, throwing him through the air.
He scrambled to his feet, adrenaline still pounding through him, and he had been expecting what was to come that time. He looked at all of his friends, making sure no one had gotten in the cross fire, but they were fine. Dorian rushed to his side, his heart beating frantically.
"Let's move," he insisted immediately, helping Aden get moving. He could not take seeing Aden like this, with nothing he could do for him. He wished there was some way to take away the pain, take it upon himself instead. But there wasn't. And every time he looked at his drained, ragged face his heart wrenched in his chest. The anchor was tearing him apart. He could not die like this, in agony, till the end. It was the most horrendous thing Dorian could imagine.
Aden pulled out of his grasp just before the eluvian, glancing back at everyone. He took a breath, hoping against hope that Solas would be through this one. He gave one last, very forced half smile, knowing that if they did not find Solas now… he would not make it to the next eluvian.
"Here we go…" he muttered, before turning back and leading the way through the mirror. Dorian's brown was furrowed with the torment of watching his lover in such pain, and he went to follow him immediately, but walked straight into the eluvian as though it were glass. As though it were just a mirror.
His eyes went wide with horror. "No…" he whispered desperately, pushing against the swirling glass, but it was blocked… locked. They couldn't get through! "No!" he repeated angrily, horrified disbelief coating his voice. Varric and Cassandra ran up to him, both of them pushing their hands against the mirror to no avail.
"Why is it closed?!" demanded Cassandra, "He just went through!"
"Maker's breath…" hissed Varric.
"Can we assume that it may hopefully have something to do with our dear, elven apostate?" queried Vivienne lightly.
There was suddenly an explosion of fire that very nearly singed everyone near.
Bull quickly grabbed Dorian, pulling the fury driven mage back from the mirror. "Dorian, calm down!" he growled.
"Vishante kaffas! Put me down Bull or I will-" Dorian shouted furiously, trying vainly to get out of Bull's vice grip, his eyes mad with grief and fear.
"You'll what?" snarled Bull, "Set me on fire as well as the damn mirror?"
"Aden hardly has any time left as it is!" Dorian hissed, his voice stricken with anguish. "And we are wasting time stuck in front of a fucking mirror!"
"Dorian," said Varric seriously, "we will figure something out. But, we can't do that while you are freaking the shit out."
Dorian stared at him, shocked in to silence by the use of his actual name, possibly for the first time ever.
Bull slowly released his hands, though the mage was still breathing heavily.
"So, could that have been Solas?" asked Rainier hesitantly after a moment. "Locking the mirror?"
"Well it certainly can't have been the Viddasala, my dear," Vivienne said a little snootily. "If that is the case then we can assume Solas wanted to speak with the Inquisitor alone."
"Friggen elves!" hissed Sera, kicking the side of the eluvian. "I toldja he was too elfy!"
Dorian was pinching the bridge of his nose, his heart positively pounding out of his chest as he was struggling not to scream in fury at everyone as these useless comments went round and round. This wasn't helping them get to Aden!
"So, what can we do?" asked Varric in a calm voice, eyeing Dorian carefully as he could sense the mage was about to explode.
"We may merely have to wait," Vivienne said simply. "Until whomever has the key allows us to enter."
Dorian growled in furious frustration. "And what if that never happens?"
"Uuk," snarled Cassandra, "We need Morrigan… perhaps she could figure it out."
"We don't have time!" hissed Dorian. "We need-"
However his words died in his throat when Sera, who had been leaning against the eluvian, suddenly fell through. Without a second thought, his heart now in his throat, Dorian rushed through eluvian, the others hurrying after him.
Dorian fell through the other side, his eyes falling on the numerous Qunari soldiers who had been turned to stone all over the garden. Sera was still scrambling to her feet, thoroughly disoriented and cursing about magic.
Dorian's eyes searched further, scanning the grounds for the Inquisitor. And then, he finally spotted him. He ran through the eerie stone army, his eyes on Aden who had for a moment been kneeling, until now as he collapsed onto the grassy ground. Dorian's heart was beating out of his chest, his head whirling with panic as he skidded to Aden's side, falling to the ground beside him, his hands grasping his chest, but he realised quickly that he was alive. Unconscious, but alive.
Something was not right, something definitely was not right. He looked down to where Aden's left arm should be… but it was there no longer. It had not been cut off, the stump that was now Aden's arm, ending at his elbow was perfectly healed over with skin… it had to be magic that took away his arm.
Dorian breathed out raggedly, trying to calm his heart and he moved round and pulled Aden's head gently into his lap. He leant over him, closing his eyes. He's ok… he had to remind himself, the mark was gone. His arm was gone. But he was alive. Yet after the intense few days of horrendous emotional turmoil it was not that easy to just relax. Especially with him out cold, unable to reassure Dorian himself.
The others had made it over to them and Dorian heard a few gasps of shock as he was sure they were noticing Aden's arm.
"He's alive…" Dorian breathed, not looking up from Aden's face.
Vivienne knelt down beside him. "We should get him back to the Winter Palace," she said sternly. "His body has gone through an exceptional ordeal, he will need rest."
Dorian nodded, still feeling weak and dizzy himself, the whole situation feeling very surreal. He tried to pull Aden up, but was struggling. The man was quite heavy. Bull went to lift him, but Dorian stopped him, scowling.
"Let me," he snapped, his temper still on a thin tether.
Bull sighed, "Dorian, just let me. It's sweet and all, but I'm twice your size."
Dorian sighed, finally allowing Bull to pick Aden up, the man looking like a ragdoll in the Qunari's arms.
"The Boss is going to flip his shit when he realises his arm is gone," Bull grunted, being the first one to finally crack a smile.
"Is… is this it then?" Cassandra said slowly. "It's all over? He's OK?"
"The Inquisitor will be fine, my dear," Vivienne said gracefully, though a keen ear could hear the relief in her tone.
"And the Qunari bitch is over here!" Sera said brightly. "Stone like the rest of 'em. Reckon that was ol' elfy shite?"
"Geez…" sighed Varric, though utter relief was coating his voice. "This shit's gonna take some explaining. Can't believe he pulled another miracle out of his arse!"
"Thank the Maker…" muttered Cassandra.
"Well let's get Aden back the Palace where he can let us all in on what happened," Rainier said gruffly. "Once he's been able to rest up… poor bastard has been through enough today."
Dorian was standing right next to Bull, his eyes still locked on Aden. An odd queasy feeling settled in his stomach, flaring when his eyes slipped to the decapitated arm. He had so nearly lost him. The pain he had been going through… the agony that mark must have caused him. It was no wonder his body had finally passed out. Dorian put a hand up to brush Aden's hair from his eyes, the man's face was still very pale causing Dorian's stomach to flip uneasily.
"He's fine, Dorian," Bull said quietly, "You can do all the doting over him you like when we get back."
"Just be gentle with him, would you?" snapped Dorian, his eyes flashing.
"Calm down, you bloody Vint," Bull sighed gruffly. "I get it. You've been through a crazy ordeal. So have the rest of us. And yes," he continued when Dorian looked like he was about to snarl something else. "It was worse for you. But now it's over. He's alive."
Dorian sighed roughly, turning away from Bull only to pick up Aden's sword and shield. "I'm sorry," he said, though his voice was still stiff. "Let's get back."
A/N I am SO SORRY! This took waaay too long. I have already started the next chapter so that should be out much sooner. Seriously, so sorry for how long this took. Anyway, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS! So so so so so happy, I'm so glad you all like the story and thank you so much for reviewing so that I know you liked it! Really really makes my day. I think there will still be a few chapters to go in this story, maybe 5 or so depending on how each chapter goes.
Anyway, thanks so much for all the support and I'll get the next chapter out ASAP!
Oh and also the bit at the start where Aden says he doesn't regret anything blabla I love you Dorian blabla and Dorian says I knew you'd break my heart you bloody bastard is real dialogue from the game before you go to the daarvarad. It is SO SWEET, but a lot of people get a glitch with that dialogue option coming up so some people don't get to hear it. Which is sad, causing Dorian's voice is heartbreaking...
Anyway! Thank you again! I'm going to go back to writing the next chapter :)