The midnight sky shimmered high as Elissa staggered onto dry rock. Blinking, she studied her surroundings, surprised that the Black City was not there to greet her. Instead a series of floating islands hovered, each bearing more black gates. Far below churned an ocean of inky darkness, and fine silver mist drifted on the air. The latter spiralled and danced, attracted to the gates, and Elissa shivered. She remembered this place well enough. It was where half of her soul had been trapped for years, unaware that it had even been fractured at all. And if not for Lahara's efforts, that could have been the case for the rest of eternity.
Still, past reflections aside, there was no sign of Merrill or Solas. Elissa sighed, starting a slow walk across the island. There seemed no trace of them; no footprints or disturbed stones, no trails or scuffed patches. A search of the island proved fruitless, and she was left staring at the maw of the first misted gate. Lahara's memory flickered within her Shard, and Elissa closed her eyes. The former Inquisitor had entered each gate to progress, experiencing one of Elissa's own memories with every one. The final gateway had eventually taken her to the Unseen Realm, which meant there was no other way around it. Elissa would have to follow the same path.
Hesitant, Elissa approached closer, surveying the gate. The obsidian pillars loomed, joined by a low arch covered in white runes. The nearer Elissa ventured, the brighter the symbols glowed. Elissa took a breath, not sure what to expect. But it had to be done. Jaw clenched, she picked up her feet and strode though.
There is birdsong on the air, and sunlit warmth dances through the forest. I love days like these, where the soothing voice of nature comes out to play. It feels like the world in harmony, singing along to its own hidden rhythms.
A halla bleets, interrupting the peace. It has wandered from its family and cannot find its way back. Maren is soon by its side, and he clicks his tongue, encouraging. His apprentice watches in awe as he guides the halla back to the herd without even a single touch, and I smile. Maren is very gifted, and some days I wish I could speak to the halla as freely as he does. Nearby Tamlen is also looking on, half-crafted arrows sitting in his lap. He is due to go hunting soon, and part of me wants to accompany him. It is such a fine day, after all.
"Merrill, are you listening to me?"
I blink, Keeper Marethari's voice breaking my daydream.
"No, Keeper," I answer, my cheeks flush. "Sorry Keeper."
"Dear child, I know the day is beautiful, but we have yet to complete our studies for today," Marethari says. "There is much we have to cover."
"I know." I sit straighter, but it unbalances me and I almost fall off the tree stump I am sitting on. Marethari laughs, helping me back upright.
"I suppose I cannot fault your distraction," she admits, as the stray halla brays with delight as it returns to the herd. "It is rather cruel to keep you with me when the weather is so fair." She takes her staff. "Perhaps if we recite one last tale, we can save the rest for a later time."
"Thank you, Keeper," I beam. I may get to join Tamlen after all. "What tale do you wish me to tell?"
Marethari scratches her chin, thoughtful. "Recite to me the tale of Fen'Harel, child."
The name sends a shiver down my spine, making me cold even in the summer air. I have know that name since I was an infant, and the power it commands. We never speak light of the Dread Wolf. But all of our history is important, no matter what fear it strikes, and so I will recite.
"Fen'Harel was the only one who walked between our gods and the Forgotten Ones," I begin, reaching out to the sounds of the forest to calm me. "Filled with cunning, he had no fear of either, and both saw him as one of their own. Thus this was how he tricked them, pretending to arrange a truce between the clans. That our gods should keep the heavens, and the Forgotten Ones return to the abyss, and that he would see the demise of the other in return. And so they took their places in the highest sky and deepest earth, away from the mortal plane, and Fen'Harel betrayed them. He sealed them all away, never to walk our world again, and so ever must we be watchful, lest the Dread Wolf come trick us as well."
Marethari smiled. "Excellent, child." She pats my shoulder. "Go and enjoy the rest of the day, we will continue again tomorrow."
The images rippled, and Elissa grunted, thrown out onto the next island. She gripped her forehead, steadying her thoughts, the world returning to dreary stone and not the light of a midsummer's morning.
That was Merrill's memory?
Once the rush of sensations disappeared, Elissa stood tall again. She had never known Merrill very well, but Bethany had mentioned she was an apprentice Keeper, as Lanaya had been to Zathrian when they had encountered the Dalish during the Blight. And it was clear that even from a young age, Merrill had drunk up the knowledge she was fed. She was more learned than Elissa had realised.
Sighing, Elissa looked to the next gate. It stood at the edge of this island, just before a sheer drop to the ocean. The silver mist swirled around it like a glistening snake, setting off the runes. Elissa frowned. Another memory lay beyond, and already she was not fond of experiencing another's recollection as if it were her own.
However, it was also the only way she could reach the Black City, which was where Merrill and Solas had probably escaped to. And if she didn't find them quickly, the raw Corruption would get them first.
Clenching her fists, Elissa squared her shoulders and marched through, soon consumed by the mist.
"I have done as you asked." The chill snow gnaws at the back of my neck as I face my would-be ally. The Frostbacks stand behind us, the unforgiving ice and rock mirroring the frozen fury burning inside me. Those who would call themselves gods had murdered her in cold blood, blinded by selfish pride and ambition, when she had merely been the voice of reason. She could see where we needed to look, not dredged in petty squabbles, nor consumed by the lust and greed and jealousy that had bloomed in our hearts. But none would listen, and now she had been silenced.
But not forever. He had promised me so, had given me the power to fight those self-aggrandizing, power-hungry fools. In exchange for their banishment, for severing the ties of magic from the mortal world and forging a new chain to the power of my people, he would bring her back. That was all that mattered. For without her, our future would mean nothing.
"Well done, Fen'Harel." My ally smiles beneath his hood, his face concealed as it always has been. "It is good to see those who have wronged you meet the punishment they deserve."
"It is still not harsh enough," I answer, bitter. "But I have performed what you asked of me. The Evanuris are banished, the Veil raised. So what of my bargain?"
My ally nods.
"Of course." He gestures with his hand, his palm cupped. "I will need the relic I requested in order to honour our deal."
I reach into my cloak, producing the statue of the woman with the winged helmet. It was closely guarded, and took much to retrieve, even with the additional strength my ally had given me. But I could sense its power the moment I touched it. Its magic was deep and ancient, foreign and incomprehensible. A force that would be capable of great destruction, should it have fallen into the hands of men. But if anything in this world would have a chance of bringing her back, I did not doubt this was it.
My ally takes the statue, examining it, confirming it is real.
"Yes, this is truly what we need." He holds the statuette in both hands, and it gleams. "You have done the world a great service, Fen'Harel. You have saved it from a terrible fate." He pauses, and I can feel a grin emanate from his lips, even though I cannot see it. "And for your efforts, you deserve to see that new future with your own eyes."
He raises his hand, and in moments a thunderclap roars. Gasping, I fall, crushed by an unseen weight. Magic ebbs from my form, draining away. The power he gave me; he is reclaiming it!
"What?!" I struggle to push myself up, the rocks cutting into my palms, the remnants of my own power trapped in my fingertips. "You would betray me!"
"As you have betrayed those you once called friend, Dread Wolf?" My former ally comments. "You came to me begging, Fen'Harel, determined to see justice served and your great Mythal restored. So I gave you the power you wanted, and you have seen your enemies annihilated. But the power of a god does not come without a price. I needed something far more important in return, and with your task completed, I have no more use for you."
"You liar!" I want to shout, to focus all my anger and hatred into one pure spell, but I am denied. His power is too great. The power I hungered for to seek revenge, now used against me. "I care not if you wish to kill me, but you vowed to bring Mythal back! You cannot go back on your word for this!"
"Were it within my power, Dread Wolf, I would do as you asked," my former ally responds. "But I hold no command over the soul." He brings forth the statuette once more. "The spirit of Etro, however, can. Once I have restored the goddess, she will purge the darkness from this world and bring its souls salvation. Even that of your Mythal." He comes closer, kneeling, and I can at last see eyes of pure magic beyond the shadows. "Sleep, cunning Fen'Harel. Sleep until the world is healed, and then embrace its new glory."
Lightning ripped apart the scene, and Elissa cried out, falling through the other side of the gate and onto solid ground. She pushed herself onto her hands, trembling, the mix of shock and rage and fear that was not her own still coursing through her. The terrible hurt of betrayal, the deepest pain that was embedded into Elissa's soul, feeding into a frenzy of anger and vengeance. She bit her lip, hard enough to draw blood, a blur of tears creeping from her eye. She knew how Solas felt, knew on a level deeper than her own consciousness the horrible sense of powerlessness as another took destiny away. She had been there herself.
But despite the foul taste in her mouth, despite the flames inside begging to be given release, it all paled compared to the realisation that memory had given her.
It can't be…
Solas...Solas is Fen'Harel, the elven god of betrayal.
And he knew about the Shards and Etro's soul!
Elissa clawed her fingers into the ground, breathing away the rage boiling within her. A host of unanswered questions started to form, but she pushed them aside. What was important was knowing Solas had every reason to prevent her from accomplishing her goal as Etro, and she couldn't rely on his prior behaviour to gauge his current one. She needed to find Merrill and listen to her side of the story.
Pushing herself upright, Elissa began to walk. Now she recognised the abandoned buildings of the Black City, its central spire looming right ahead. Unlike before, however, there was much more Corruption drifting through. The tiny black fragments struck her skin like volcano ash, very much outnumbering the snow streaks of lyrium that fell in between. Elissa ignored them, making a beeline for the spire. The Black Throne was her best bet, as she could use it to pinpoint the location of any soul.
After picking her way through the dark alleys, Elissa finally arrived. But it seemed she would not need to activate the crystal throne, as at its base lay Merrill. Her skin had become greyed and ashen, and her breaths were wheezy rasps. Still she kept the Clavis in her arms, clutching it like a precious child.
"Merrill!" Elissa ran towards her, resting a hand on the elf mage's shoulder. She concentrated, trying to filter out the Corruption that had tainted her. Merrill croaked, her skin colour improving slightly.
"Elissa..." Merrill grasped her hand, holding it tight.
"I'm here," Elissa said. "We have to get out of here."
"No." Merril cradled the Clavis closer. "He mustn't...find this again."
"Merrill, if you stay here..."
"Then I will die and take the Clavis with me," Merrill whispered. "I won't leave."
"...okay." Elissa sighed. "Then will you at least tell me what's going on? What's Solas really planning to use the Clavis for?"
"I...I will try to explain," Merrill said. She took a few breaths, still struggling. Even without the Corruption assaulting from all sides, she was already wounded. She would not last too long at all. "It happened...when I was repairing the Eluvian." She closed her eyes, remembering. "Solas asked to help, and I let him. I think he expected that I wouldn't return...for a few days. But I came back after just one, because I sensed terrible power from it. That was...when I found he'd used it to create a portal into the Fade." She paused, wincing. "He'd sealed it off, so I couldn't follow, so I meditated into the Fade instead. I found his memory path...and..." She coughed, biting her lip. The poor girl was in so much pain. "I saw him, Elissa. Saw him...as he truly is. He was there when...Falon'Din first used the Clavis to destroy his betrayers." She shook her head. "The Evanuris...so much darkness in their hearts. It overwhelmed them, to the point of...murder."
"Mythal's murder," Elissa murmured, her experience with the memory gate still fresh. "And in his anger Solas sealed them away."
"Yes." Merrill had to stop, and she slumped forward. Elissa caught her, keeping the elf mage's head against her shoulder. "He...took the name, Elissa. He is Fen'Harel. He stole their tools. Stole the Clavis...changed it. But it...still destroys souls...don't...trust..."
Her eyes fell closed, and her body went limp. Elissa gasped, made to take her full weight.
"Merrill, Merrill!" She shook her, but Merrill didn't waken. She continued to breathe, but they were becoming more and more shallow.
Elissa made to pick Merrill up, but the moment her hand slipped around her waist, something kicked her in the back. Crying out, Elissa flinched, and in her lapse Merrill fell to the ground, the Clavis snatched away.
Snapping out of the pain, Elissa jumped to her feet, staring at her assailant. Solas had emerged from hiding, his skin also taken on the ash-grey hues. He clasped the Clavis close, his lip curled.
"She has thrown her life away for naught," he spat. "You may as well leave her, Elissa."
"I shouldn't do any less for you," Elissa retorted. "I can only imagine whose soul you wish to destroy, after you were betrayed yourself!"
Solas scoffed. "It is nothing like that." His eyes darkened. "Those who were sworn to protect my people turned away, revelling in stolen power and made gluttonous with it. Innocents were branded as slaves, magic was bartered for in blood, and only Mythal thought to end the cycle of violence. Yet in her attempt she was made victim, and they needed to atone for such a mistake."
"So you sealed the Evanuris away," Elissa supplied. "You got your revenge."
"Not against the one who deserves it most," Solas argued. "He gave me the power I needed, and I achieved his aims. Then in return, he withdrew his word." His hands shook, reviled at the memory. "He is your Maker, Elissa. He betrayed me as He betrayed you, as He has done so to all who no longer fit his whims!"
"So you want to destroy his soul?" Elissa offered. "Or mine?"
"Has He not cheated you once more?" Solas answered, avoiding the question. "He holds Leliana hostage, knowing the Soulsong will crush her and every person you have lost over the years. You will lose your family, your friends, even your lover, and all because he wishes to keep you perpetually alone! He has planned this from the very beginning!" He shook his head. "The Clavis may have destroyed souls once, but no longer. I have made it so. Would this not be the ultimate revenge? To take away the Maker's unfair advantage once and for all, to remove the power He has held over you for all these centuries?"
"Then why withhold this until the final hours of Thedas?" Elissa challenged. "You accuse me of blindly following the Maker's plan when you yourself also wish to command such loyalty!"
Solas snarled. "I will not bargain any longer, Elissa. Leliana will sing with the Clavis!"
He made to bolt towards the gate, but something held his steps for the briefest of a second. It was enough for Merrill to slam into him. Solas cried out, dropping the Clavis, which Elissa promptly scooped up.
"NO!" Solas roared, blood-lust in his eyes. "I'll kill you!"
He charged at Merrill, a spell at his fingertips, but Merrill countered. Chains of white light snared them both, locking them together.
"Elissa, run!" Merrill howled. Magic was starting to seep across her skin; she was casting a spell directly into herself. "Destroy the Clalvis and don't look back!"
Solas bawled, trying to escape, but he was stuck. The spell would end them both. With a final glance, Elissa turned and sprinted through the black gate. Angry tears burned in her eye. Merrill was sacrificing herself, and it was Elissa's hesitation had led to such an outcome. Another loss that was firmly on her shoulders.
The Clavis burned in her hands as she jumped back into the Fade. Its runes were active, and Elissa watched the stones twinkle in response. The obsidian pillars behind her calmed, closing the portal to the Unseen Realm, and Elissa caught her breath, snapping her eyes shut.
I have to get back to the others.
