Note: Some disturbing themes here, including major character death and torture, so be warned. If you dislike such content, you can skip this chapter and assume the future was just plain awful.
Also there will be POV switches between Elissa and Lahara from now- just lets me tell the story better!
The shock of icy water tore into Elissa, and she choked, bubbles escaping her mouth. Fortunately whatever pool she had landed in was shallow, and she clawed for the surface. She broke the water, coughing. It took a moment to get her bearings, and she shook her head, her pulse thrumming in her ears. Gasping, she paddled to the pool's edge. Cold stone met her fingers, and she hauled herself out, her Shard still prickling.
She sat on the puddled floor, catching her breath. The main chamber of Redcliffe castle had disappeared. Instead she was in a flooded room. Rotted furniture was stacked against the walls, and the sickening scent of mould and old blood was thick. There was something else in the air, too, and it caught Elissa's throat, leaving a foul taste.
"Lara?" She called for the Herald, but there was no sign of her. Tightness rose in Elissa's chest. Lahara had been caught in the amber light like she had; so where was she?
Maker, she couldn't have…
Wincing, Elissa dragged herself to her feet. She pressed her fingers against the rune on her chest, and it glowed. Very, very distantly, another similar presence echoed, and Elissa sighed in relief. She couldn't use her Shard as precisely as Lahara, but the Herald was here, just not nearby. She would have to look around.
Elissa groped the wall, the bricks rough beneath her palm. She clenched her jaw. Everything was too real and solid, so she was certaintly not in the Fade. Yet the foreboding in her chest told her that would have been preferable. Whatever Alexius had triggered, it could not have been good.
After a quick check of her blades, Elissa stumbled towards the broken doorway. It led to a chipped staircase, and she ascended, recognising the layout. It still looked like Castle Redcliffe, but something was drastically different. Further, her head was starting to hurt, and it wasn't as easy to breathe anymore. In fact, the pressing atmosphere reminded her of the caverns near Haven, where they had come across that concentration of…
Her breath caught.
Maker, it can't be!
Eyes wide, Elissa broke into a run. She burst through the upper exit, into a ruined hallway. The rear wall had collapsed, exposing her to the open air. Elissa sprinted to it, staring into the broken heavens. Her stomach knotted.
"No way…"
The sickly glow of the Breach covered the entire horizon, stretching in all directions. Clouds broiled around the tear, churning in an endless storm as lightning ripped across their bellies. But that was not what made Elissa want to throw up. It was the dark mist that continuously spilled from the hole in the sky, sweeping the land like a fog of death.
Corruption.
Elissa shook her head. This could not be. How was Corruption coming from the Fade, and in such quantity? It had always been confined underground, and there had been no pockets near Redcliffe, as far as she knew. Yet there it was, spreading like wildfire and with nothing to contain it. All that kept it from consuming the castle was a weak ward, but even Elissa could see that was on the brink of failing, too.
Maker above, what had Alexius done?!
Tearing her gaze from the sky, Elissa hurried through the roofless hall. She had to find Lahara. Whatever magic the magister had used, there had to be a way to reverse it. Maybe they could use their Shards, or…
A horrific shriek broke the quiet, and Elissa jumped. Her weapons came to hand, and she glanced around. The east wall collapsed, and a muscular black creature sprang. It looked exactly like the dust monster she'd faced with Hawke, horns and all. It turned, its eyeless stare unnerving, before racing straight for her.
Elissa crossed her blades, meeting its charge. Her boots skidded on the slick floor, and she growled. She swept her arms outwards, severing the beast's left horn. The monster bawled, but Elissa didn't wait. Yelling, she tore another chunk from its shoulder, its flank, its thigh, and it jerked its head upward. Her sword found the opening, and cleaved through its neck.
The beast crumpled to the ground, and Elissa wiped her brow, breathless. She made to sheathe her blades, but then the creature's leg twitched. Elissa's eyes widened. Swearing, she backed away, as the monster started to reform. Its head regrew, the holes in its body refilled, and then it let out a roar.
It lunged for Elissa again, and she rolled aside. It clipped her hip-guard, and she hissed, the metal scratching her thigh. Regaining her footing, she whirled round, facing the creature. A claw swung at her, but she leapt over it, and her sword sank into its chest. Her dagger followed, and she cut into every piece of exposed flesh she could reach. The beast shrieked, thrashing wildly. Something glistened in its belly, and Elissa's Shard pulsed.
Eyes narrowed, Elissa dropped her blades. There was only one way to kill this thing for good.
The creature snarled, snapping its fangs. Elissa grabbed its jaw, wrenching it aside as she slammed her other hand into its stomach. Her fingers brushed something solid, and she gritted her teeth, the energy of her Shard pouring into her palm. The creature writhed, but it was too late. Fierce white light flared from Elissa's hand, and the unseen object shattered.
The beast collapsed into mist, and Elissa held her hand to her chest, puffing. Fragments of red crystal dusted her palm, and she shook them off. It seemed Lahara wasn't the only one whose Shard had bestowed new powers. At least she had a better way to destroy the dust creatures, should more appear.
Reclaiming her weapons, Elissa stepped to the broken wall. If these monsters were lurking around, she had to move quickly. She crawled through the gap, ending up at another staircase. The upper dungeons lay above, completely unguarded. Her steps turned to a jog, and she glanced through the cells, calling Lahara's name. Andraste's grace, where the hell was she?
As Elissa climbed the final set of stairs, however, a voice caught her attention. She blinked, wondering if she was hallucinating. Apart from the monster, she hadn't come across a single soul. Wary, she clasped her dagger, honing her hearing. It appeared to be coming from the last room on the left. As she approached, she could identify the voice as male, although she didn't recognise it.
"…time for another sip," the man growled. His words were met with silence. "Why do you always stare like that?" The harsh crack of a whip echoed, but there was no following scream of pain. "Heh, it doesn't even hurt, does it? You can't feel anything, not anymore!"
That was enough for Elissa. Teeth clenched, she rammed her shoulder into the door, tearing it off its hinges. The torture room was cramped, and the guard and his charge were pressed into the corner, concealed by the shadows. He was holding a cup to her mouth, forcing her to drink a coppery-smelling liquid.
"What? Who are you?" The guard dropped the cup, brandishing a knife, but Elissa was quicker. Her fist crashed into his face, sending blood and spit flying, and her dagger ripped through his windpipe. With a gargle the man dropped to the ground, and Elissa stomped his neck for good measure. Assured he would not rise again, she hurried to the prisoner. Masked in the darkness, it was hard to make out her features.
"Hey, are you…" The rest of her words dried on her lips, as a pair of grey-blue eyes looked up at her. But there was no relief, or warmth, or even anger in Leliana's gaze.
There was nothing there at all.
"Elissa." Leliana's tone was flat, reciting a statement of fact. "You are alive."
"Maker above, what happened to you?!" Elissa cut away Leliana's chains, taking the bard into her arms. Leliana's face was covered with blackened scars, and the rips in her clothing revealed that they adorned her whole body. Cuts riddled her arms and torso, some badly healed, others still fresh, and she'd all but wasted away. Her lip was swollen, her right cheek bruised, but there was no acknowledgement of pain in her gaze. Blood plastered her hair to her temples, and Elissa brushed her red locks aside.
That was when she saw the sunburst mark anointing Leliana's forehead. Elissa's breath caught, her chest impossibly tight. This wasn't…it couldn't…
"How…" Her hands trembled, and she almost lost her hold on the bard. "Tranquil…you were made Tranquil?!" She grasped Leliana's cheek, her eyes wide. "But you're not a mage, how is that even…"
"It matters not." Leliana relieved herself of Elissa's grip, standing up as if nothing had occurred. Elissa remained on her knees, staring at the broken chains. Nausea burned in her throat, and she clenched her fists. Who could have done such a thing, and to Leliana, of all people…
"Thedas is on the verge of annihilation," Leliana went on, oblivious to Elissa's disquiet. "And it is the fault of Gereon Alexius."
Elissa bit her lip, wishing she could cover her ears. Such an empty, passionless tone should not have come from the bard. It was twisted, disturbing, wrong, so fundamentally against everything she was!
And I left her to this fate?
"Tell me…tell me exactly what happened," Elissa said, finding her voice again. If she was to have any hope of fixing this, she had to keep her feelings out of it. Guilt, regret or otherwise.
"You, Lahara Trevelyan and a Tevinter mage named Dorian were caught in a temporal rift when you attempted to ambush him," Leliana answered. "I would estimate around six months have passed. During this time, the Breach merged with the smaller rifts around Ferelden and Orlais. As it did so, something happened within the Fade, and Corruption started to consume the world."
Elissa held a hand to her mouth. Her thoughts flew to Bethany.
"What…What about Beth, the others?"
"Imprisoned, tainted or dead," Leliana replied. "We became playthings for the Elder One, experiments for his research. But even he has not the power to stop Corruption, and his reign will be short-lived if Alexius cannot undo his mistake."
Elissa swallowed. She raked a hand through her hair, taking a shaking breath. It was so hard to believe their absence had truly caused such catastrophe. But she could not deny what had unfolded before her.
"You said Lara and Dorian disappeared into the rift, too," Elissa said, forcing herself to focus. "That means they still have to be in the castle, as well."
"Perhaps," Leliana said.
"Help me find them," Elissa said. "Then we can seek out Alexius and stop this from happening."
"As you command."
Leliana walked to the slain guard, arming herself with his knives. Elissa turned away, barely able to watch. To think she had been so uncomfortable around the bard in Haven, unable to face the maelstrom of hope and hurt in her grey-blue eyes. But to see Leliana reduced to this, where not even a hint of feeling passed her features…
Elissa clenched her jaw. If she made it back—no, when she made back to the present, she would face Leliana and confess what was on her heart. She couldn't keep hiding from the truth, no matter how much it would hurt them both. The rest she would have to leave in the Maker's hands.
They strode out of the room, back into the upper hallway. Leliana was silent, awaiting order. Trying not to focus on the bard, Elissa studied the exits, deliberating which way to start searching. She touched the rune on her chest, wondering if she could track the Herald with it, when movement caught her eye.
She turned to the staircase, and her mouth hung open. Leliana drew her knives, but Elissa held her arm in front of her. A figure was approaching, but even with the hood, there was no mistaking the wisps of silver-blonde hair.
He halted at the landing, flashing a smile.
"Ah, that Shard looks good on you, my friend," Zevran said, his Antivan accent shining through. "But you really should not be here." He chuckled to himself. "In fact, 'here' should really not be here, either. So how about I give you a hand, hmm?"
"Ow…" Lahara rubbed her forehead, nursing the cut from where she'd scraped the floor. The smell of stale straw assaulted her nostrils, and she grimaced. She pulled herself to a sitting position, blinking back the stars that danced across her vision. She must have hit her head harder than she thought.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that," Dorian commented, rising to his feet. He offered his hand, and Lahara took it. The rune on her hand tingled, and she wiggled her fingers.
"What just happened?" The Herald studied their surroundings, willing away the dizziness. They were in a cell, but the door was ajar, and torches lined the adjoining passage. "Hey, weren't we in the main chamber?"
"We were," Dorian said. "It would seem we've been displaced."
"So Alexius's trump card was to teleport us to the dungeon?" Lahara scoffed, dusting her sleeves. "I'm starting to wonder why we were all so afraid of him." Then another realisation hit, and her eyes widened. "Hang on, where's Elissa?"
"I'm not sure," Dorian said. He stepped out of the cell, tracing a finger over the walls. That was when his jaw dropped, and he spun round. "Maker, he's not only displaced us in space. He's also displaced us in time!"
Lahara's breath stuck in her throat.
"Mother of Andraste, he did what?!" She stormed through the bars, grabbing Dorian by the collar. "Where's he sent us, forward or back? And how far? Can we even get back? Did Elissa fall through with us?"
"All very excellent questions," Dorian said, gently prizing Lahara's fingers off. "Alas, they are also ones I have no answer to at present. No pun intended, of course."
Lahara sighed, holding a hand to her temple. This was bad, very bad.
"Well, we'd better start finding out," she said, heading for the stairs. "There's a book I still want to finish back in Haven, and I'll be torn if I don't know how it ends."
"Good to know you have your priorities sorted," Dorian chimed.
"That, and I'd like to see Elissa in one piece, too," Lahara added. "I didn't spend all that effort to break her out of the Fade to lose her in a time rift."
"There certainly seems something between you and her," Dorian said.
"We're not dating, if that's what you're getting at."
"No, I mean there's a connection you share," Dorian said. "I sensed an unusual mana back in the Redcliffe Chantry, and it was coming from the two of you."
"Oh, you mean this?" Lahara held up her right hand, and her Shard sparked. Dorian gasped. "That was quite observant of you. Elissa has the same rune, too."
"And here I thought having one miracle mark was showing off," Dorian said. His eyes filled with curiosity. "What in the Maker's name is that?"
"It's called a Shard of Andraste, and I'll be more than happy to give the low down later," Lahara said. "But you know, you've just given me an idea. Wait here a second."
They stopped in the middle of the stairs, and Lahara concentrated on her right hand. The rune burned, and Lahara hissed. She reached out with the magic, seeking the similar song as she had done in the Fade. Ever so faintly, she caught a distant hum, but there was too much other noise to pinpoint it. Her brow creased, and she eventually dropped her hand.
"She's definitely here," she said, "but I can't trace her."
"Guess we'll have to do it the old-fashioned way," Dorian said. "Also, if we can find Alexius, assuming he's still around, I might be able to reverse this spell, as well."
"Great, looks like you might be useful, after all," Lahara replied, flicking his shoulder. "Come on."
They made for the stairs, climbing to the next floor. It opened into a narrow passage, and a tickle settled in Lahara's throat. The air became heavier, and the Herald coughed. She frowned. This sensation, as if an invisible weight was smothering her…
"What is this strange feeling?" Dorian asked, rubbing his neck. "It's like the entire sky is trying to force itself on top of me."
Lahara's jaw tightened.
"I have a few ideas," she murmured, "but you'd better pray to the Maker I'm wrong."
They hurried to the end of the passage, and entered the courtyard. The gates were mangled, the bridge leading to the town destroyed, and the ground was cracked. Everything was tainted jade, and the Herald's gaze turned skywards. Dorian also stared, wide-eyed.
"Is…Is that the Breach?" Lahara's voice quivered.
"It would seem so," Dorian answered, holding his chin. "And it looks like something is pouring through it from the Fade."
Lahara swore, and the Tevinter mage raised a brow. "I take it your hunch was right, then?"
"This is worse than you could ever even imagine," Lahara said. "We have to find Elissa, now!"
She turned back to the castle, about to approach the main doors, when a screech tore across the courtyard. On instinct Lahara ducked, and a shadowed mass passed overhead, the movement ruffling her hair. Next a burst of flame erupted, and Lahara rolled away. A Rage demon emerged from the ground, while the black creature guarded the entrance, gnashing its teeth.
"Not this again," Lahara muttered. Dorian brandished his staff, but she shook her head. "That's not going to work."
"What? Why?" Dorian made to cast an ice spell, yet no mana appeared. His face paled. "But how can this be? I've barely used any magic..."
"Hope you're handy with a knife," Lahara said, tossing the Tevinter mage her emergency dagger. "I'll deal with the dust monster."
"Lahara, are you insane?" Dorian blurted. "I can't fight like this!"
"Then use those good looks of yours to keep the Rage demon off my back!"
Lahara broke into a sprint, clenching her hand into a fist. The Shard's power flared, and she tore her way towards the dust creature. It howled, making to strike, but Lahara caught its claw. Her Shard blazed, and the creature screamed, its limb dissolving. Lahara grinned, throwing it against the wall.
She ripped into its chest, and her fingers brushed something smooth and hard. Wrenching her arm free, a red crystal came into her palm. The dust monster shrieked, trying to claw Lahara's throat, but she crushed the crystal between her fingers. The beast fell still, and its body turned to ashes.
"Nice trick!" Dorian called; he'd found a rusted sword and was keeping the Rage demon at bay. "Think you can do the same for the other two?"
Lahara blinked, scanning the courtyard again. Sure enough, another pair of dust creatures had burst from the wall. Their heads swivelled towards her, and they shrieked.
"Come and get me, then!" Lahara jeered.
She bolted down the steps, meeting the first monster. It snapped its jaws, tearing her jacket, but Lahara countered with a punch. Her palm sank into its neck, and she sifted through the darkness until she found the crystal. Tearing it from its body, she threw it to the ground, shattering it with her foot. The next creature bawled, lunging with surprising speed. Lahara yelped, knocked off balance. She hit the edge of the bottom stair, cutting her lip, and groaned.
Before the beast could press its advantage, however, Dorian was there. He swung his staff, kicking the creature aside. Lahara swiftly recovered, plunging her hand into its belly. Soon the crystal was destroyed, and the two mages were left in eerie silence.
"Well, isn't this place just full of surprises," Dorian remarked, returning the knife. "It looks like you can't use your normal magic, either. Just what is happening here?"
"It's because of Corruption." Lahara sheathed her dagger, then pressed her sleeve to her lip, acutely aware they had no means to heal themselves. "That black mist blocks magic, and until recently we had no means to combat it." She clenched the fingers of her right hand. "My Shard can help, but I can't use it too much, either."
"Well, we're certainly in way over our heads." Dorian shook his head, folding his arms. "But if this 'Corruption' blocks magic, reversing Alexius's spell might prove…tricky."
"We'll figure something out," Lahara said. "We have to."
They trudged up the staircase, pushing open the front doors. A shiver ran down Lahara's spine, a horrible taste souring her lips. She had to pause, swallowing the saliva pooling in her mouth. Why did she suddenly feel so ill?
Brushing back her sweat-soaked hair, she led the way into the passage. The path was strewn with rubble, blocking off the entrance to the master chamber. Clusters of red crystals were also scattered around, identical to the ones from the dust creatures. That was when it finally clicked, and she gasped.
"Red lyrium," she muttered, recalling Varric's stories when they had gone to stabilise the Breach. "But what's it doing here?"
And why was it inside the dust monsters…
Before Dorian could answer, a pained moan echoed from their right. It was followed by a heavy thud, and the hairs on the back of Lahara's neck stood on end. With a nod to the Tevinter mage, Lahara dashed to the fractured doorway. Kicking the splintered wood aside, she scrambled down the stairs, into a cellar. It was almost pitch-black, but the red lyrium provided light, enough to reveal the horror in the shadows.
A woman with dark hair stood before them, her back facing them. Veins of red lyrium ran up her arms and neck, pulsing with energy. At her feet lay a pair of twisted bodies, charred and torn apart by the red crystals.
Alistair and Cassandra.
"No…" Lahara's voice was barely a whisper. She had to be dreaming. If those two had perished here, then that meant…
The woman turned around, alerted to their presence. Crimson scars adorned her face, her pupils blood-red, and she hissed. But even with the blemishes tarring her ivory skin, there was no mistaking her caramel irises.
Lahara couldn't move, her tears frozen on her face.
Please, Maker, anyone but…
"Herald!" Dorian snatched her arm, shoving her into the wall as Bethany screamed. The tainted mage charged, her left hand turning to crystal. It tore Lahara's shirt, and she gasped, the red lyrium burning her side. It was enough to snap her daze, and she clutched the wound.
"Bethany!"
The mage hesitated, the rage dimming in her eyes. But it didn't last, and she ran at the Herald. Lahara braced herself, catching Bethany's arms and struggling to keep her balance.
"Beth, snap out of it!" Lahara shouted. She willed power into her Shard, but Bethany shied. The mage disengaged, targeting Dorian instead. She flung out her arm, and shards of red lyrium burst from her fingers. Dorian jumped back, but he caught his foot on Cassandra's body and fell. Bethany shrieked, lunging for his throat.
"No!" Lahara threw herself at the mage, wrapping her arms around from behind. "Beth, you have to fight it! This isn't you!"
Bethany groaned, struggling to break free. Lahara yelped, the mage's elbow digging into her wound, and eventually had to let go. She stumbled back, and Bethany's hands flew to her neck. Lahara choked, fighting for breath. Bethany's eyes narrowed, filled with blood lust.
Maker…I have to…do something!
Searching for strength, Lahara's right hand shot up. She grabbed Bethany's wrists, and her Shard burst into brilliance. Bethany cried out, and the pressure around Lahara's throat vanished. The Herald shifted her grip, pressing her fingers into the mage's shoulders, and they both fell to their knees. Bethany went still, the redness in her eyes dimming.
"Wake up, Beth!" Lahara shook Bethany, but the mage barely responded. "Maker, I know you're still in there! You can beat this!"
"Lahara." Dorian's voice was soft. "I…don't think there's anything left of her. Maybe it would be better if…"
"You shut up!" Lahara barked. "You don't know her!" She gave the mage a slap. "Beth, listen to me! You have to…"
Bethany moaned, broken from her stupor. Her gaze hardened, and she weakly swung at Lahara. Her fist grazed the Herald's shoulder, and she fell into Lahara's embrace once more. The red lyrium burned against Lahara's skin, and she winced.
"Damn it, why won't you wake up?!" Lahara clenched her teeth, shaking her head. "If Elissa or Amber were here, they'd know exactly what to say to snap you out of this." Her eyes prickled again, and saltiness soured her lip. "But I'm not them…and I can't be what they are…"
She took Bethany's shoulders, forcing the mage to look at her. Those caramel eyes she so loved were empty, holding no recognition at all. The mage growled, trying to strike her again. Lahara bit her lip, trapping her in her arms, her tears falling uncontrollably.
"But I don't love you any less than they do." She took Bethany's hand, lacing their fingers together and pulling her against her chest. "Please, Bethany, I'm begging you, come back to me!"
The rune on Lahara's hand flickered. The light spread, trickling up the veins of red on Bethany's arm. The mage cried out, the cleansing aura burning the tainted magic that had consumed her body. At last she sank into Lahara's lap, her breathing ragged. But the crimson scars were gone, and when Bethany looked up again, her caramel eyes had returned to normal.
"L-Lara…" She squeezed the Herald's right hand tighter. "No…no more…please…"
"Oh Beth!" Lahara cradled the mage to her shoulder, wracked with sobs. "It's alright, I'm…"
"Elissa…I couldn't…" Bethany whispered, her gaze growing distant. "Take me…no more, no more!"
Suddenly she yanked Lahara's hand onto her chest, and the Shard erupted with white fire. Lahara screamed, but not just for her own pain. The rune's power was too much, it would…
"Beth, no, stop!" She tried to snatch her hand back, but Bethany's grip was like iron. "BETHANY!"
And then it was over. The mage fell limp, and Lahara bawled. Her tears redoubled, and she buried her face into Bethany's chest. She was still warm, but there was no reassuring heartbeat, nor gentle breath against her cheek.
She was gone.
"Maker, why, why?!" Lahara's shoulders trembled.
Wasn't my love enough to keep you with me?!
"I'm sorry," Dorian murmured. He knelt beside Lahara, his head bowed. "Whatever it takes, I will reverse this hell, Herald. Alexius will…"
"Alexius." Lahara's eyes narrowed. Her tears blazing, she gently laid Bethany's body on the ground. "This…he…" She clenched her fists, baring her teeth. "He's going to be begging for death by the time I'm through with him!"
She rose to her feet, her jaw hardened. She didn't care if it drained every ounce of power in her Shard, she'd see that he met an end so horrible, so anguished…
"You'll have to let him live long enough for me to get the amulet," Dorian reminded her.
Lahara's mismatched eyes darkened.
"We'll see."