A/N: So do you guys like the longer chapters? I know at least one of you does :D But, I'm not sure if I can do that without skipping a bit of time like I've been doing. So… that's what I'll be doing most of the time if I do a 'long' chapter. And by that, I mean 4,000+ words rather than 2,500-ish words. I start up school in a week, so I'll try to keep the updates regularly. I'm sorry if they're a bit odd. Also, Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate it! :D I got really impatient, so I decided to do another chapter. Hooray!

For the third time that day, Mina had a panic attack. She had just rounded up the Templars at Therinfal Redoubt, and expelled an Envy demon from her head. It hadn't left her feeling all that great.

Her lungs were on fire, she couldn't stop crying, her head was cloudy, and her thoughts came a billion per second.

You'll fail!

You can't save them!

You're no hero.

This is all in your mind.

You're crazy.

No one cares about you.

Hawke will never come back.

But, then, right as Mina though she was going to scream, and couldn't hold back the urge to make herself focus with the use of pain, a gentle voice called to her.

"Drowning. Not in water, but in fear. Running. Always running. Hiding from something that must be the truth. Don't give in. Breathe. Let out the poison, and focus on the light."

It was the boy that had helped her expel the Envy demon. It was Cole. He was strange, but he was, in a weird way, adorable. His oversized hat and big blue eyes combined with his too pale skin made him seem like a child. His voice seemed to calm Mina's breathing and make the tears subside. The thoughts receded a little slower, but after several moments, those were gone too. She still felt hollow and dried out, but it was much better.

"Thank you, Cole," she said. He nodded and knelt down beside her, where she was huddled in her room. He waited to see if she would break down again. He'd trailed her ever since the first one happened on the road back. She'd ran her horse ahead of everyone and broke down amongst the rocks and trees, hoping no one had followed her.

Of course, Cole had and fixed her, albeit temporarily. They were trailed by a confused Cassandra, worried Varric, curious Solas, and befuddled Blackwall. Despite her red eyes and tear-stained cheeks, she assured them that she was just fine. Luckily, the Qunari spy acting as a merc she'd picked up, The Iron Bull, and his company were distracting the funny, yet annoying, Elf named Sera she'd found in Orlais. Among her new companions was a high-class lady and mage named Vivienne. Mina didn't care for her much, since she had a bad habit of coming off as a bitch to everyone. However bad Vivienne seemed to others, Mina had a soft small soft spot for the mage. Especially when Vivienne tried to mother Mina.

Being back in Haven made Mina feel more of the responsibilities that were placed upon her. They had gone to Val Royeaux to petition the chantry to help them after all, and had been denounced by them publicly. On top of that, the Lord Seeker, Lucius had called them heretical and declared they were not an authority. Of course, Mina had just killed him at Therinfal… But, she won what was left of the Templars. A hollow victory, really. At least they had some allies in the fight now.

But, what was weird was that after the Templars denounced the Inquisition, and her personally, the Mages took an interest in her. She wanted to meet with them and talk them out of an all-out war once again, but the leaders of the Inquisition fought amongst themselves, two saying it was a trap, and two saying that the sudden invitation from the Templars was the trap. Turned out the Templars were a trap indeed. It failed… mostly.

Finally, Mina stood up and took a deep breath. "I think I'll be alright for now Cole. Really. Thank you. I-I know they're waiting for me. It's time to close the Breach. We've been back for a few days and the Templars have had time to rest."

Cole stared at her with those big eyes, "Don't make your mind hurt more. We need you."

Then, he disappeared the way he always did.

They were all once again in the crater of the Temple of Sacred Ashes. The grotesque statues of ash were still there. They'd almost solidified.

Mina couldn't peel her eyes away from the giant, looming tear in the sky. This task seemed impossible. Her breathing quickened. She couldn't do it. She'd fail. Everyone would end up dead because of her.

Bull put his huge hand on her shoulder, jolting her out of her internal panic that had started to spiral.

"Hey, there boss. You're looking a little weak-kneed. Remember, you've got the best company of Mercenaries behind you! Plus, a whole bunch off weird ass people who think you're holy," he rumbled.

His small sentiment made Mina smile and turn her gaze to him. "Thanks, Bull. I'm happy to have all of my 'weird ass' people. Those are the best kind!"

Bull chuckled and hefted his sword, ready to fight any demons that might pop out. Mina had come to enjoy talking to him in the Tavern in Haven. He was more insightful than he let on, plus she'd learned a bit about the Qunari as a people. He'd guessed almost immediately that she wasn't actually Dalish and commented on how close her and Varric were, but promised not to tell anyone if she didn't want them to know. She was grateful. In the short time they'd known each other, he'd become her go-to guy for any heavy-duty jobs. He was quickly becoming her body guard of a sort.

Cassandra shouted something to the Templars that Mina didn't hear. She was too busy summoning all the power she had to close the blighted Breach. Her team fanned out around her, readying themselves to aid Mina if she needed it. With a steadying breath, she held her hand up and willed the Breach to close. She'd closed so many other Rifts. She'd tried to help so many people. The Inquisition had withstood much hatred and many problems already. If they didn't close the Breach now, no one would support them. Their own men would begin to doubt their power. The thread connecting her to the Fade thickened and tried to push her away, and consume her. Instead of letting it run through her, she pushed back, walking closer to the center of the Temple. The power grew larger, almost too much to contain. But, at the same time, it energized her. She let out a scream of victory, thrusting her hand into the air, palm wide open. There was a bright light that flashed accompanied by an almost deafening crackling noise, and a shockwave that sent everyone flying backwards a few feet. This time, however, Mina didn't pass out. She stood up and looked around her at the people that had helped her. She smiled at each of them and raised her Marked hand in the air. "YEAH!" she yelled triumphantly. Cassandra ran over to Mina and clapped her hand on Mina's shoulder. "You did it!" The Temple erupted with cheers from the soldiers and Templars.

The whole way back to haven, they all sang. Mina even joined in a few of them, adding her own magical flair. It was a joyous time!

People danced around the fire, ate and drank, and made songs about the Mighty Inquisition that closed the Breach. Mina, however, watched them from the steps of the Chantry. She liked to watch them celebrate and be happy. She was too tired to do much partying. Cassandra had informed her earlier that the sky was indeed still healing, but the Breach was sealed permanently. It was a heavy weight lifted from Mina's heart. They all had a new focus now: Finding who had caused the mess to begin with.

"Enjoying yourself, Herald?" asked Cullen who had walked up to join her.

"Of course. It's a happy night. I'm glad they're having fun after all that's happened," she answered.

He laughed, showing her a smile that was extremely contagious. She felt a hope spread within her chest that she hadn't felt in a while. Things were going to be just fine. These people were fighters.

Cullen cleared his throat to say something when the warning bells started going off, and the sound of troop footfalls came over the walls of Haven. What in Andraste's sacred fucking name was going on? The Seeker ran up to them, almost out of breath.

"Forces approaching! We need to defend Haven!" she gasped.

The Commander was in action at once "Forces to arms!" he shouted.

Mina scrambled to follow the Commander and Cassandra to the front gates. Everyone seemed to be in a panic; the exact opposite from a few short minutes earlier. Nothing lasted forever it would seem. Bull jogged over to them and waited for an explanation as did Solas. Varric ran over and eyed Mina unhappily.

"Sera is trying to herd people into the Chantry along with Vivienne. Blackwall is helping organize the soldiers," he reported, short of breath. How he'd known that in such a short amount of time, Mina had no idea. He was used to gathering information quickly. Leliana and Josephine joined them shortly.

"One watchman reported in. There's a massive force, the bulk over the mountain," Cullen informed everyone.

"Under what banner?" asked Josephine.

"None," answered Cullen.

"None?!" the ambassador gasped.

An explosion rocked the wooden gates of Haven, followed by someone crying for help. Mina was hesitant to open the gates, sure that all of their people had made it through. But, if one single life was taken because of her…

"If someone could open this, I'd appreciate it!" the voice called again.

Mina looked at Cullen and nodded. They pushed the doors open together to reveal an unfamiliar face. He was a tall, somewhat thin man with an impressive mustache. He was wearing all white robes and wielded a staff. A mage then. He wasn't one that Mina recognized from Haven. He was leaning on his staff heavily, and was out of breath and battered.

"Ah! I'm here to warn you. Fashionably late, I'm afraid." He stumbled around, clutching his side that Mina noticed was a bit bloodied. He'd been injured by whomever was attacking them, so he was definitely an ally. Cullen steadied the man and brought him inside the gates, signaling the guards to shut them tight once more.

"A might exhausted. Don't mind me," the mage said, standing up straight and pulling away from Cullen, "My name is Dorian Pavus, and I bring grave news from Redcliffe: An army of rebel mages right behind me. They are under the command of the Venatori, in service to something called the Elder One."

Dorian pointed to a high ridge not far from Haven. Atop the snowy mound stood a woman with a vicious smile on her face, and beside her was a disfigured creature that looked part man and part Darkspawn. His face was pulled into a permanent scowl. Embedded in one side of his face were large shards of red lyrium. The image clicked in Mina's head. That was the thing from the vision in the Temple!

"The woman is Calpernia," continued Dorian, "She commands the Venatori. And, that, is the Elder One. They were already marching on Haven. I risked my life to get here first."

Mina glared at the creature before turning to the Commander, "Cullen! Give me a plan. Anything will do at this point."

"Haven is no fortress. If we are to withstand this monster, we must control the battle. Get out there and hit that force. Use everything you can. We have trebuchets that might come in handy," he said drawing his sword. His men needed him. Mina nodded, and took off, her small team following behind her. She called over her shoulder, "Dorian, get to the Chantry! People will need help!"

They fought through waves of Mages, and several red lyrium tainted Templars. It seemed they would never end! The first trebuchet was fired. It did a good amount of damage, and seemed to slow them down. Off to the next one! Her team was wearing down fast. Loads more enemies surrounded them.

"Drink a health potion," she ordered. The soldiers around her kept fighting off the mages. They had to get the machine firing soon! Mina blocked off a pathway using her ice wall, trying to cut off some of them. It only seemed to piss them off more. A rock slammed into Mina's leg right as the second trebuchet fired into the mountain, covering part of the enemy's army.

"Aagh!" Mina groaned and put more weight on the other leg. She'd have time to feel the pain later. For now, she needed to keep moving and keep her people alive.

Out of nowhere a blast of fire destroyed the siege equipment she was standing by. What could do such a thing? Mina looked up as a bloodcurdling screech echoed through the night. It was a dragon. Her heart almost stopped. They'd found one on the Storm Coast, but they'd actively avoided it. They were the most savage, dangerous predators to roam Thedas.

"That cannot be possible!" cried Solas.

Mina gritted her teeth and looked at her team, "Everyone to the gates. NOW!"

The state of the village was a terrible sight. There were a few villagers that still needed to be accounted for. They'd grabbed the Blacksmith on the way to the gate. The fool was trying to save his hammer. Mina crawled her way into a burning house to save the merchant, Seggritt, scraping up her hands and stomach on the way. Lysette, a Templar that had been there before the rest, was fighting a group of rebel Mages and Red Templars alongside their quartermaster, Threnn. Mina's group helped them wrap it up before sending them to the Chantry as well. Three people remained. Mina had Solas take Flissa, the owner of the Tavern to the Chantry while she, Bull, and Cassandra searched for Adan and Minaeve. They were in different houses. Adan was pinned underneath a crate, and Minaeve was unconscious on the floor of her home. "Bull, grab Adan. Cassandra, help me with Minaeve," Mina said, wincing as she ran. Her leg was starting to hurt more as her adrenaline ran out.

Right as they made it behind the Apothecary's house, some pots exploded, sending more fire every which way. If they'd been a couple of steps slower, they would've been toast.

Mina limped into the Chantry with the little Elf woman over her shoulder. Surprisingly, Chancellor Roderick was ushering people in. "Move! Keep going. That's it. The Chantry is your shelter!" he called encouragingly. He looked about to pass out. Right as the thought crossed Mina's mind, the old man just about collapsed. He would've hit the floor if it weren't for Cole. The boy was the only thing holding the Chancellor upright.

Mina watched them as she let Cassandra take Minaeve rom her. Cole sensed her watching and answered her question.

"He tried to stop a Templar. The blade went deep; he's going to die."

"What a charming boy," Roderick said with a humorless smile.

Cullen made a b-line for Mina when he saw her, looking more frustrated than ever.

"Herald! Our position is not good, as I'm sure you're aware. That dragon stole back any time you might have gained us."

Cole had sat the Chancellor in a chair nearby. "I've seen an arch demon. I was in the Fade, but it looked like that."

Cullen growled angrily, "I don't care what it looks like! It's cut a path for that army. They'll kill everyone in Haven!"

Mina shot the Commander a look. The troops would despair if they heard him talk like that. It was a tough situation for sure, but they'd find a way out of it. They had to. After all that had happened, the Inquisition would not fall.

"The Elder One doesn't care about the village. He only wants the Herald," said Cole.

Mina rubbed her eyes, trying to think of what to do next. The Breach was sealed, so what did it matter if she became the bait? She'd be saving so many lives! And, the Inquisition would go on and stop this 'Elder One'.

"I'll give him what he wants then. I'll fight him tooth and nail if it will save people," she avowed.

Cullen shook his head, exasperated. "Herald, there are no tactics to make this survivable. The only thing that slowed them was the avalanche. We could turn the remaining trebuchets; cause one last slide."

Mina furrowed her brows, "We're overrun. To hit the enemy would mean that we'd burry Haven."

"We'd die. We're going to anyway, but we can decide how," the Commander clarified.

Mina was disappointed in him. That was no way to do things. Suicide was not something Mina tolerated! …Unless it was herself, and only because she was saving people. She'd known a few people back in Texas that had resorted to that because they were miserable. A couple had succeeded. However, she'd tried to talk as many as she could out of it and be there. It was tiring, and almost dragged her down, but they needed her to be there. She hadn't understood, because she hadn't gone through that, but they weren't alone. And, now, in Haven, they weren't alone. There was a way to fix the situation. They just needed a little time it figure it out.

Cole spoke up before Mina could scold Cullen, "Yes, that! Chancellor Roderick can help. He wants to say it before he dies."

"There is a path. You wouldn't know it unless you'd made the summer pilgrimage as I have…" Roderick's voice was raspy now, "The people can escape. She must've shown me… Andraste must've shown me so I could tell you!"

"It's our best shot. Cullen, do you think it will work?" Mina asked. For once, she was grateful for the stubborn man's presence.

"Possibly… If he shows us the path," he paused and looked Mina over, "What of your escape?"

Mina averted her eyes and tried her best to control her breathing. She didn't intend to make it out; only to put up enough of a fight to give this monster a headache.

Cullen tried to lift her spirits, "Perhaps you will surprise it. Find a way? You must come back to us, Herald…"

His attempt didn't have much effect on Mina's mood. She knew what would happen. It was inevitable. She'd cheated death a few times now, and it was finally catching up with her. Varric overheard them.

"No. You can't do this, Mina. It's suicide! Y-You—"

For the first time, she heard Varric's voice break. It wasn't like when he'd told her what had happened in Kirkwall. This was a much more broken sound. "Varric, I'm sorry, brother. I have to do this. Watch out for everyone for me, alright?"

He sighed and nodded in defeat. He knew she meant more than the folks of the Inquisition. She meant their friends from Kirkwall. Her family. And, Ceras whom she'd never gotten to see again. Her sister probably thought she was dead, then found out about the Herald of Andraste thing. Ceras had probably been mad at first that Mina hadn't called out to her with their magic, but got a laugh out of Mina's new title. Neither of them believed in Andraste or the Maker. So, it was incredibly ironic.

She scanned the Chantry one last time, stopping on the Inquisition banner. "I'll make you a promise," she said to no one in that room, "I'll make this night one to remember… And, you… Don't forget about me." Her eyes weren't seeing anyone, but her heart was talking to a black haired man with deep blue eyes, and a smile that outshone the brightest star. She was talking to the man who had picked her limp body up off of some random street in Kirkwall and decided to keep her around.

She was praying to the Trickster God of the Elvhenan people named Fen'Harel, hoping that he would see her now and be proud of what she was doing. She prayed he would not be lonely after she left… Her Hawke with strong wings to fly on, and her Wolf that she ran into the night with.

Legs of lead, weighing her down, she picked up a staff that had been discarded and shoved the doors to the Chantry open. She fought off a few of the Red Templars, trying to clear a path back outside of Haven's gates. It wasn't really working, so she made an ice barrier, moving it so that she could see what was ahead of her. It minimalized the amount of foes that could get to her at once.

The walk to the trebuchet was mostly a blur to her. Her body moved as if it had a mind of its own, or it had become numb. Tears streamed down her face as she neared the wood and metal contraption. IT was the key to her people's survival. She'd turned it to aim at the mountain above Haven, and prayed to anyone listening that it would work.

The dragon's roar sounded above her and she had to dive away from a fireball. Luckily, she'd managed to get out of the way in time. And, as planned, she'd drawn the attention of this Elder thing. He'd ridden the dragon down and stood before Mina, seething with rage. The dragon circled around, cutting off Mina's only other exit. She would definitely not be escaping, even if she could manage to outrun an avalanche.

"Enough!" yelled the Elder One, "Pretender. You toy with forces beyond your ken no more."

Mina was bewildered. She had no idea what he was talking about. "What are you? Why are you doing this? There's nothing to gain from hurting so many people!" she yelled back. Flames had gathered around him, but did not dare scorch him. Haven lay in ruins.

The creature's face remained unchained. "There is much to gain. Mortals beg for truth they cannot have. It is beyond what you are; what I was. Know me! Know what you have pretended to be! Exalt the Elder one. The will that is Corypheus. You will kneel."

Mina made a face and crossed her arms. "I will, will I? You don't understand a thing about humans. If you threaten us, we will fight back. You're forcing this fight for no reason!"

"You will resist. You will always resist. It matters not," the creature mused. He held up a strange orb with markings all over it. Somehow, it rang a bell in Mina's mind, but she couldn't figure out exactly what it was, or where she knew it from.

Mina gripped her staff tightly, ready to try and fight. It started glowing with an ominous red light as he began to speak again.

"I am here for the anchor. The process of removing it begins now." He thrusted his other hand out, causing the Mark on Mina's right hand to burn like it had when she'd first gotten it.

"Gaaah!" Mina groaned, clutching her wrist.

"It is your fault, Herald. You interrupted a ritual years in the planning. And, instead of dying like the vermin you are, you stole its purpose. I do not know how you survived, but what marks you as 'touched', what you flail at Rifts, I crafted to assault the very heavens!"

He clenched his fist, pulling tighter on the Mark, causing Mina to fall to her knees. It was like he was tugging on a part of her that just wouldn't come loose. It wouldn't budge. The dragon sniffed her hungrily, daring her to defy its master.

"And you use the anchor to undo my work? The gall!" the Elder one added.

Mina was pissed. All of this for what? Power?! Magical prowess, and some cryptic thing about assaulting the heavens? That didn't even make sense!

"I never wanted this fucking thing to begin with! I never asked for a connection to the Fade so powerful it'd tear me apart! Take this blighted thing if you want it so badly. But, know this: The very void itself with swallow you whole. There is a force beyond what you know that will tear you to pieces. Even if I'm gone, it will mean nothing!" Mina snarled. She was partially bluffing, but she had confidence in the fledgling Inquisition.

This angered the monster. He stomped over to her and picked her up by her wrist, snapping something. She clenched her jaw, trying not to give him the satisfaction of making her scream in pain.

"I once breached the Fade in the name of another. To serve the Old Gods of the Empire in person. I found only chaos and corruption; dead whispers. For a thousand years I was confused. No more. I have gathered the will to return under the name of none but my own. To champion withered Tevinter and correct this blighted world. Beg that I succeed! For I have seen the throne of the gods, and it was empty."

He flung Mina like she was a ragdoll, and she hit the side of the trebuchet then the ground with a heavy thud. She was sure that she had several cracked ribs, and a few broken ones. Not the most painless way to die, but she'd take it. Her head was throbbing, and her leg ached. She was desperate for Cullen to get them out of range soon. She didn't know how much she had left.

"The anchor is permanent. You have spoilt it with your stumbling," snapped the Elder One.

Mina grabbed the staff that had landed next to her and used it to prop herself up. This was her last hurrah. The monster and his dragon were closing in.

"So be it. I will begin again; find another way to give this world the nation and god it requires."

Just then, over the Elder One's shoulder, Mina saw a flare that a mage sent up. They'd done it. They'd gotten everyone to safety! She could stop letting this thing batter her around.

The proud creature didn't even notice and kept talking, "And you! I will not suffer even an unknowing rival. You must die."

Mina stood her ground and acted like she was going to fight him. He was too focused on her to even guess what she was going to do. "Your arrogance blinds you! Good to know," she sassed at him before whacking the lever with all her might. They watched as the rock flew and hit the top of the mountain, causing all the fresh snow to come crashing down the mountain. While he was distracted, Mina scanned the area in one last desperate hope. She saw an old well hole a few feet away that was boarded up, but was just big enough for her to squeeze through. Without hesitation, she ran as fast as her injuries would allow, and jumped in, happily taking her fate.