CHAPTER 24: Din'anshiral

The city was burning.

Smoke and ash filled her nostrils and obscured her vision as she swung the weapon. The handle jarred her when the blade smashed through shields. Splinters of wood flew everywhere, nicking her under the eye. There was another explosion from flaming projectiles, flinging her to the ground. Kallian's vision spun as she lay on the blood soaked earth, which shuddered and groaned like birthing pains. She looked up at the crimson sky, disoriented and winded. A flash of metal sped toward her and she rolled over- she didn't need to. Someone heaved her to her feet. She turned to her left and saw Alistair shouting something, but she couldn't hear him. The battle had begun hours ago, and her ears were numb from the constant clashing and explosions. All she could do was read his lips.

Focus!

The elf twisted away just in time to avoid being skewered by a long spear. A Genlock leered at her and lunged again. Kallian cut down on the shaft and charged it. The sword penetrated armour and diseased flesh. Again and again, she stabbed and thrust, parried and disarmed. Hack and slash, hack and slash. It was a never ending cycle of killing.

For the millionth time, Kallian ducked to avoid a blade. The skull head bared its rotting teeth at her- and then it was gone. It sailed over the sea of monsters, never to be seen again.

"Forward!" bellowed Alistair, fighting to be heard above the clamour. He rent the helmet of a Hurlock in two and advanced quickly.

Kallian followed the surge in the army as they moved to obey their king. The silver sword was filthy now, covered completely in blood, gore and ashes. She wrenched it free and thumped it against the next Darkspawn. It went down with a ghastly screech and she beheaded the next.

Bodies went flying as Sten delivered brutal blows. Flames erupted and the smell of electricity hung in the air as Morrigan worked her magic.

There was a triumphant roar as hooves thundered behind them. Templars bore down on the creatures, clearing paths for the rest of them to claim.

It was a gruelling fight, but eventually the monsters dropped in numbers as waves of reinforcement arrived.

She ripped her blade out from the last one, pulling out chunks of rotting flesh with it.

Her breathing was deafening in her sensitive ears, as if she were in a cramped space. Kallian stood there panting and leaning on her sword.

"Are you alright?" asked Alistair hoarsely, coming over to join her.

"Yeah," she said, wiping the sweat off her forehead. "You look awful."

The new king didn't chuckle as he usually did. His eyes were grim with a hint of resentment. "Not much worse than you."

"The others?"

Alistair scanned around them. "They'll be here soon," he reassured her. "I saw Leliana fighting in the east."

"And the big one will be alive, mark my words," added Oghren, coming to stand with them. "Makes your flesh crawl, these Darkspawn."

"Well, brace yourself for more- it's not over yet."

"Aye, and I swear my beard will be trimmed to my chin before it is."

"Have you seen Wynne?"

"I am here," came the mage's calm voice.

The grey haired woman stood up from tending to a man's wound. Kallian's shoulders relaxed. Wynne walked to the three and sighed.

"So many lives lost," said the old woman, shaking her head. "And we have not even breached the gates."

They waited awhile for the others to find them, spending the time being examined and healed by Wynne. Morrigan arrived first, followed by Leliana, then Sten, Zevran and Riordan.

The older Warden nodded at them in approval.

"Good. You've managed to reach the gates. We're doing better than I had hoped."

"That will change quickly," said Sten grimly.

Oghren growled in frustration. "Bloody nug runners! We're outnumbered three to one!"

Wynne looked to Riordan. "What are we to do now Riordan? You have a plan, I assume?"

Riordan's brows seemed to sag. "I'm afraid the army will not last long, so we need to move quickly to reach the Archdemon." He gave Kallian a meaningful look. "I suggest taking Alistair and no more than two others with you into the city."

A strong punch from an ogre would have hurt less than those words. She'd never been anywhere without the whole team- they were her friends, her comrades. Kallian pushed down the fear.

"And… and how do I get to the Archdemon?"

"We're going to need to reach a high point in the city. I'm thinking the top of Fort Drakon."

Alistair balked. "The top of-? You want to draw the dragon's attention?"

"We have no choice. But I warn you as soon as we engage the beast it will call all its generals to help it."

Kallian groaned inwardly. "We're going to be overwhelmed," she said, thinking. "We could kill them before they're summoned."

Riordan nodded. "You may wish to do that… however, you may also waste resources trying to find them. The decision is up to you."

"The generals, then," answered Kallian, drawing her sword. "I don't want our focus to be divided fighting the dragon up there. It's too risky."

The Orlesian nodded. "Then I wish you the best of luck. Now, you must choose who to take with you into the city. And quickly."

Everyone's eyes were on her now, full of a range of different emotions. Her gaze roamed them all: Alistair, Wynne, Morrigan, Sten, Oghren, Zevran, Talon and… Leliana.

"Morrigan and Zevran."

"No," said a voice, firm and determined.

"Leliana-" started Kallian, but the bard wouldn't have any of it.

She pushed past Morrigan and Oghren to face the elf. Her blue eyes were piercing and flared up like burning sapphires. "I am coming with you, whether you approve or not."

Kallian met the fierce gaze, hoping her hesitation wouldn't show.

"I need you to stay here." To be safe. To not be there when… if…

"The dragon will be moving a lot. You need someone skilled with the bow. And he," She gestured at the assassin. "Does not know your fighting style like I do, no? I will be of more use to you."

Kallian crossed her arms, frowning.

"I'm afraid to say she does have a point," said Zevran, earning a glare from Kallian. He shrugged.

The two lovers stared at one another- each willing the other to surrender.

Kallian felt the last of her willpower crumble as she looked into Leliana's eyes. It was futile. She averted her gaze, sighing.

"Fine." She turned to the Qunari instead. "Sten, you're in charge of the group down here."

"Very well."

Riordan watched them gravely. "Good. That will be sufficient." He regarded the two Wardens with sympathy. "Nothing has prepared you for what you are about to face, but I wish you all the best. Maker watch over you."

The elf lifted her gaze to the high stone walls and spiked tips of the gates. She saw the plumes of dark smoke twisting up to the sky and fire flickering on the ramparts. A long shadow roamed the sky in the distance, like a restless vulture circling its prey.

"And you, Riordan. Maker watch over us all."

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"Hold the door, ya coddled pups!" hollered the dwarf, waving at the loitering men. "Move it!"

The soldiers rushed to the gate and leaned their weights against it. Guttural, inhuman sounds were starting to hiss through the gaps. Oghren glimpsed a decaying hand poking through, but then it disappeared behind the door as the soldiers laboured.

"Come on, put your back into it!" he yelled, hurrying to join them. The dwarf crashed his weight into it and the remaining gap closed.

"This won't work for long," came a calm, emotionless voice.

Oghren looked up at the giant. "Ever the optimist, eh?"

"I am simply stating a fact."

"Well if yer gonna do that, you might as well help at the same time."

Sten gave him that unreadable stare. "It is pointless. We should stand ready," he said, taking up his monster of a sword.

"I think we should listen to our stoic friend," said the slippery assassin. "That door is starting to crack."

Sure enough, a jagged line was snaking its way down the thick wood.

"By the stone!" he growled. "How many of them are there?"

"Too many, my friend," said Zevran, drawing his daggers. "Prepare yourself!"

One of the men choked as a blade broke through a gap, piercing his throat. Startled shouts filled the air as the doors were flung open. Men and women fell back onto the dirt, barely having the time to grab their swords. And the Darkspawn were upon them like a black, filthy flood.

"Yarrgh!"

Oghren joined the fray and swung his axe, sending heads flying. Blood splattered everywhere, resoaking his clothes and the ground. He saw the Qunari moving swiftly for a person his size, cutting down Darkspawn like slicing through cheese. Zevran didn't disappoint either, wielding his daggers fluidly. But despite their best efforts, the nug runners were spilling in endlessly.

The dwarf kept swinging his axe, kept chopping his way through the sea to the knife-ear.

"Got any of those firebombs with you?"

Zevran took down a Hurlock emissary with some flowery move.

The assassin tossed him a strange looking flask so hot to touch that the dwarf nearly dropped it. He lobbed it at the Darkspawn streaming in, watching it explode and erupt into flames. The fire spread through the crowd rapidly, filling the air with ugly screams of the dying undead. It wasn't enough to kill them all, but it was damn good at hindering the influx of monsters.

Everyone took the opportunity and hacked them down, showering the grass with more blood. Oghren charged, yelling at the top of his lungs. With renewed strength, the small team killed the rest of the Darkspawn.

"That was a good plan," said Sten in his mechanical voice, coming to his side.

"Aye. Mother always told me it's dangerous to play with fire," replied Oghren. "I never listened."

"That was my fire you were playing with," said the Antivan, smirking.

"Your fire, my fire. Same thing."

"I let you have the glory, my smelly friend."

"Bloody Antivans."

Some of the men cried out, pointing and exclaiming in fear.

"Ah, what is it now?" grumbled the dwarf, following their gazes. "By the stones!" he cursed, watching in horror.

The beast's roar dominated the air, overriding all other sounds. It screamed and thrashed about in pain as Riordan barely hung onto it. The old Warden put up a good fight, but the dragon was too strong and too thick. It was far from dead.

As for Riordan…

All of them watched as the figure hurtled to the ground while the dragon spun out of control, alighting on Fort Drakon. Oghren couldn't see it now, but its screams were enough to make any seasoned warrior wet his pants.

"And so it begins," commented the elf sadly.

"By the bones of my ancestors," muttered Oghren. "We have to fight that thing?"

"Count yourself fortunate," said Sten darkly. "We may not arrive in time to fight it at all."

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The air was stifling, almost scorching the exposed skin of her neck. Blood trickled along the gaps between the flagstones from bodies strewn across the whole length of the top: Darkspawn, humans, dwarves and elves. Stones were crumbling from the structures, crashing on the steps and platform.

Kallian's heart thumped in her ears so loudly it drowned the sound out. But before long she heard it: the beating of massive, leathery wings. She paused, staring in both horror and fascination.

Powerful muscles rippled along the length of the reptilian form, ebony scales flashing in the firelight. Ruby eyes honed in on the small group menacingly. And Kallian saw her fate in the depths of its pupils.

The silver of her blade turned blood red as it reflected the expanse above.

With a raw throated warcry, she and Alistair led the final charge against the Darkspawn.

Together, the heroes, the dwarves and the Templars fought wave after wave, no longer really seeing the enemies- it was all instinct or die thinking. She was vaguely aware of screams around them as the dragon took flight. The heat was nothing like the stories, nothing like she had imagined.

It didn't touch her, and yet her flesh was almost melting near the fire.

Once they carved a path through the crowd, Kallian looked up to see the Archdemon alighting on the upper level. She sprinted to it, slipping on blood and entrails more than once.

Footsteps sounded behind her as her companions followed.

"Flank it!" she bellowed, diving and rolling to the dragon's side.

Leliana stayed afar and loosed her arrows, seeking out the vulnerable points. The Archdemon hissed and slammed its claws on the stones. Kallian regained balance and buried her blade in its underbelly. Red, hot blood gushed out onto her armour. It roared as Alistair made a similar cut.

"Back!" he yelled and the elf obeyed. Serrated claws narrowly missed her face.

There was a smattering of cracks as ice crept up the dragon's muscled legs. It roared again as it stood rooted to the ground, immobilized.

A deep rumbling came from the beast's belly as it lit up like a furnace.

"Run!"

Kallian did, jumping off the edge just in time. She hit the ground painfully, landing on her injured arm. When she got up, Morrigan was unharmed, protected by her ward as the dragon bathed her with fire. After a while the flames died away and she saw Alistair behind the dragon. He slashed at its back, painting the stones red.

Kallian rushed upstairs to join him, drawing long gashes in its underbelly. The Archdemon thrashed about, stomping around in a circle to snap at them. She and Alistair worked hard to avoid its jaws, delivering blow after blow. By this time, so many of Leliana's arrows sticking out of its hide and Morrigan's magic had dealt some damage. But it was still not dead.

That was her job. Kallian's job.

As if reading her mind, the dragon buffeted them with its wings, beating them back. It jumped into the air, albeit shakily. Kallian ran downstairs as it flew across the roof.

Then she saw where it was heading- below to safety.

Oh no you don't.

"Leliana!" she hollered desperately.

Swift arrows shot past her and buried themselves in the dragon's face. Finally, one lodged in the eye.

The Archdemon screeched horribly and paused in the sky, tossing its head.

"Morrigan!"

A glowing, crackling chain appeared out of nowhere and wrapped itself around a leg. The witch heaved the dragon towards her, reeling it in like a fishing line.

The dragon resisted but it was inevitably being pulled to its enemies. It roared and flailed and bit the chains. When it did, it screamed again in agony. The dragon was weakening.

Then Kallian felt pain explode in her left chest and spun away, gasping. Her vision swam and she dropped to one knee, sweating like crazy. Leliana screamed her name in the distance while Kallian tried to breathe evenly. She gripped the shaft of the arrow and snapped it, knowing it was all she could do. Was it in her heart? Had the Darkspawn missed? She didn't know.

But she knew one thing: time was running out.

Kallian forced her eyes open and saw the dragon swiping at Alistair. With only one eye, the dragon was clumsy. Morrigan was doing her best to immobilize it but it would only be temporary. And sure enough, the dragon broke free.

It roared and smacked Alistair away with the tail.

"Alistair!" she cried weakly.

Kallian staggered up and shook her head as the world tilted.

I'm losing blood, she thought hazily.

The scene in front of her was a mess of dark smudges surrounding the form of a dragon. Kallian tried to clear her head. It was only when someone cut her under the arms that her vision sharpened. The pain made her cry out, and she swung her sword about her.

There was a confirming screech as the Darkspawn died. Kallian felt her stomach plummet to the ground: the dragon was surrounded by its minions. And her friends were overwhelmed.

Leliana cried out as the dragon clawed at her.

"No!" she growled through gritted teeth.

With another warcry, Kallian limped towards the dragon.

"Leave her, you bastard! It's you and me!"

The sound caught its attention and it turned away from Leliana.

Kallian cursed inwardly as the dizziness set in again and she took shallow breaths. In and out. In and out.

She grimaced and tried like heck not to scream as she lifted the sword. The Warden hacked her way to the dragon, felling the Darkspawn like trees. She took several more hits but didn't care. Her friends were in danger.

The air crackled again as Morrigan helped her carve another path to the Archdemon. It roared and stomped toward her. Kallian dropped and slid between its massive legs, poking up at its belly.

It all happened so fast she didn't see it coming. The elf was flung backwards by the spiked tail, crashing against the rubble. Kallian gasped, her wounds searing intensely.

She rolled over to get up and saw Alistair lying unconscious not far away.

That was enough for her to take action. With a final roar of her own, Kallian staggered toward the dragon. It lunged.

The Warden slid her sword up into the neck as the dragon sunk its claws into her breastplate. She screamed and a violent shudder racked the beast's body. It fell… time seemed to slow as it did.

Blinding white light exploded from the contact, radiating out in rippling waves. Suddenly…the energy in her body seemed to drain completely in response. A nimbus of light surrounded the dragon, gathering into a focused ray of energy that poured into Kallian at a frightening speed.

And then…

Kallian knew no more.

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The light slowly faded, leaving nothing but spots of darkness in her vision and the bitter taste of ash in her mouth. Leliana stopped shielding her eyes with a hand, letting it hang limp at her side. The bow slipped from her grasp to the hard ground.

There was a shocked silence before a joyous cry went up from the surviving allies. Darkspawn shrieked and fled, some of them struck down as they passed Templars.

All of them were cheering around her but the bard didn't notice. She didn't respond when Alistair put a hand on her shoulder. She kept walking slowly, legs trembling with each step.

So this was it. The moment she had been dreading had finally come… and Leliana felt nothing. Nothing but a dead numbness in her entire body.

Beside the corpse of the dragon, a still, armoured body lay on the ground waiting for her. As she drew near, the sounds around her died down to a hushed silence. But she didn't even notice this. All she could see… all she could see was the elf with dark staring eyes.

Leliana returned the stare, gazing down at the lifeless form. The atmosphere was so hot it should have been suffocating. But her body incorrectly registered this as a blast of icy wind. She shivered.

That last involuntary movement finally allowed the reality to sink into her mind. Leliana collapsed to her knees, hands shaking uncontrollably. The bard reached out a hand to touch her lover's face. She let her hands move of their own accord, running the fingers over the lips, the nose and then the eyes. Her hands trembled at the claw marks on the breastplate. And… at last, Leliana felt a rush of feeling return to her chest. It was too much.

A gasp tore from her lips and tears burned down her cheeks, stinging as it reached the cuts on her face. Leliana shut her eyes and pulled the dead body close to her, cradling it. She brought her forehead down to the elf's, shaking. And finally, she sobbed violently and endlessly, weeping bitterly over the only true love she had, and would ever know.

Kallian… my Kallian…