True to his word the next morning Daylen had vanished, but Maxwell and the guard had more pressing issues. They were ready to make the final offensive against Corypheus.

"It's time to plan our next attack," said Maxwell as he looked at his advisers "What's the state of the Inquisition?"

"Our alliance with Orlais holds. For the present. They'll send aid on request."

Cullen smiled. "And your actions at Adamant denied Corypheus his army of pet demons. With Orlais' support, our numbers match his. Corypheus's followers must be panicking."

"My agents agree." Leliana clasped her hands behind her back. "Our victories have shaken his disciples."

"We've beaten their 'god' twice over," Erdic smirked.

"Corypheus must be livid," said Adaar. "Where is he now?"

"After you dealt with the duchess, Corypheus uprooted the two strongholds we knew. We don't know where he is at the moment," said Cullen. "His army clearly wasn't prepared to flee. Our victories have them on the defensive."

"They've terrorised Thedas long enough. We need to end them," said Maxwell firmly. "Corypheus is looking for something."

"The question is what," said Theron looking down at the war table.

"His people have been ransacking elven ruins since Haven. We believe he seeks more." Josephine tapped her pen against her writing board.

"What he hopes to find, however…" Leliana sighed. "Continues to elude us."

"Which should surprise no one," said the voice of Morrigan. "Fortunately, I can assist."

"You have my attention, Lady Morrigan," said Maxwell stepping aside and gestured for Morrigan to join them at the table.

"What Corypheus seeks in those forgotten ruins is as ancient as it is dangerous."

"Which is?" Adaar asked raising an eyebrow.

"'Tis best…" Morrigan gestured at Maxwell and Ellana to accompany her. "If I show you."

Morrigan led the two of them into band and roomed and found a large mirror standing there. However, the glass looked different more liquid than solid.

"This is an eluvian," said Morrigan. "An elven artifact, from a time long before their empire was lost to human greed. I restored this one at great cost, but another lies within the Arboe Wilds. This is what Corypheus seeks."

"It's…" Ellana stared. The mirror stood almost twelve feet high, and was wide enough for two horses to pass. The carvings along the sides were intricate, and trying to follow their lines almost made her dizzy. "Beautiful, in its way."

"I found legends of an elven temple somewhere within the Arboe Wilds, untouched. It proved too dangerous to approach, and thus I returned elsewhere to find my prize. If Corypheus has turned southward, he could succeed where I failed. The eluvian would be his."

"What does it do?" Maxwell asked

Morrigan gestured, and Ellana felt a rush of power from the woman. The eluvian began to glow, faintly, and ripples crossed its surface as though it were a vertical pool of water. "A more appropriate question would be 'where does it lead?"" Morrigan stepped through the mirror.

Maxwell stood firm and entered into the mirror and was soon followed by Ellana. She found herself in another realm, one curiously grey. There was a light mist that greyed it further, and she could make out more eluvians, most broken. Trees which seemed to be forged from metal decorated the strange landscape. Morrigan's voice echoed strangely in the stillness of the air. "If this place once had a name, it has long been lost. I call it the Crossroads, a place where all eluvians join…" She gestured at the other mirrors. "Wherever they might be."

"This place is extraordinary. How could this even exist?" said Maxwell.

"Who can say? Formed from the fabric of time and space, perhaps." Morrigan stepped further in, and spread her hands. "The ancient elves left no roads, only ruins hidden in far-flung corners. This is how they travelled between them. As you can see, most of the mirrors are dark: broken, corrupted, or unusable. As for the rest…" She shrugged. "A few can be opened from this side. But only a few."

Ellana had only heard whispers of eluvians and only knew of one person that encountered one, Theron. Of course that one had been corrupted by the Blight and infected him and his brother. She noted that Maxwell was looking at the place with great interest and you can quite tell what he was thinking.

Her eyes then fell onto Morrigan and she soon realised that the woman standing in front of her may know more than a demon had about these strange mirrors. "How did you find out about this place?"

"My travels have led me to many strange destinations, Inquisitor. Once they led me here. It offered sanctuary."

"Sanctuary?"

"Not all the mirrors lead back to our world. The ancients were nothing if not…" Morrigan shrugged again. "Resourceful."

Maxwell noticed strange ruins in the distance. Almost like a crumbling castle. Had people lived here once? The place had the feel of a graveyard. "If they don't lead back to our world, then…?"

"Places between, like this one. I can describe it no better." Morrigan touched one of the broken mirrors. "For a time, I had arrested with the man I loved. But only for a time. One cannot remain in between forever."

"What do you mean, 'a few can be opened from this side'?" Maxwell enquired.

"Some of the eluvians having left unlocked, like doors accidentally left ajar," Morrigan explained. "All others are closed. They can be opened only from beyond."

"Open how?" Ellana asked curiously.

"With the key."

"I assume you have such a key," Maxwell guessed.

"The key can be many things," Morrigan explained. "Each eluvian is different. I have knowledge as well as power. Often that is enough."

"Corypheus wants to come…" Maxwell turned a slow circle, looking around her. "Here?"

"This…" Morrigan gestured. "Is not the Fade, but it is very close. Someone with enough power could tear down the ancient barriers…"

"And enter the Fade in the flesh. Like Corypheus wanted to do with the Anchor," Ellana finished.

"He has learned eluvians such as mine exist. He marshals the last of his forces to find one." Morrigan began walking back to the glowing eluvian. "You have made Corypheus desperate, Inquisitor. We must work together to stop him, and soon."

They quickly returned back to the war room and they began to explain everything that Morrigan had said.

"With an eluvian, Corypheus could cross into the Fade in the flesh?" said Leliana.

"Indeed." Morrigan gestured. "The Inquisitor and Lady Ellana can attest that these artefacts still work if one knows how to use them."

"What happens when Corypheus enters the Fade?" Cullen leaned on the war table.

"Why, he will gain his heart's desire, and take the power of a god." Morrigan shrugged. "Or—and this is more likely—the lunatic will unleash forces that tear the world apart."

"In Redcliffe, me and Ellana saw the future Corypheus built," said Maxwell. "We can't let that happen."

"'Twas always so, was it not? The madman would bury us all."

"Pardon me, but…" Josephine's face was pale. "Does this mean everything's lost unless we get to the eluvian before him?"

There was silence within the group, until Cullen spoke. "Corypheus has a head start, no matter how quickly our army moves."

"We should gather our allies before we march." Josephine stabbed the air with her pen.

"Can we wait for them? We should send our spies ahead to the Arbor Wilds." Leliana gestured.

Cullen shook his head. "Without support from the soldiers? You'd lose half of them!"

"Then what should we do?" Josephine asked.

"For starters, we don't let Corypheus warriors to death," said Erdic. He then chuckled slightly. "Imagine how embarrassing that would be."

Maxwell nodded and looked at his advisers. "Josephine, have our allies send scouts to meet us in the Wilds. Leliana, your fastest agents will join them. Together, we'll have enough spies to slow down Corypheus's army until Cullen's soldiers arrive."

"Such confidence." Morrigan nodded. "But the Arbor Wilds are not so kind to visitors. Old elven magic lingers in those woods."

"We'd be remiss not to take advantage of your knowledge, Lady Morrigan." Josephine smiled. "Please, lend us your expertise."

"'Tis why I came here, although it is good to see its value recognised."

"Any further instructions, Inquisitor?" Cullen asked.

Maxwell looked at everyone with admiration. "The Inquisition began as a handful of soldiers. Thanks to you, we're now a force that will topple a self-proclaimed god. I could ask for no finer council, no better guidance."

"I speak for all of us when I answer: we could ask for no finer cause." Cullen smiled at him.

"We'll hound Corypheus in the Wilds before he can find the temple or this 'eluvian'." Leliana's eyes narrowed.

"I'll have the Grey Wardens positioned to cut of the retreat if you're victorious," said Theron.

"Then to battle," said Adaar.

It took half a day, but everyone was in position. Josephine has sent messages all across Thedas for aid and they came to them in droves, Leliana's spies managed to slow Corypheus' forces with hit-and-run attacks. This gave Cullen time to assemble the army and to penetrate into the Wilds which is where the fighting began.

An Inquisition soldier met him in the guard at the camp.

"Inquisitor! Guardians!" she said bowing.

"How goes the battle, Captain?" Adaar asked.

"The red templars fall beneath our blades, my lady. Commander Cullen says they're nearly finished." Maxwell nodded as the soldier fell into step beside her. "Our scouts saw Corypheus traveling toward an elven ruin to the north. We can clear you a path through his armies."

Maxwell laid a hand on the soldier's shoulder. "Do only what you must. We need enough people for a celebration when we get back to Skyhold."

The woman closed a fist over her heart and bowed. "We will not fail you, my Lord. No matter what comes. Andraste guide you, Inquisitor and your guard."

"I wonder." Morrigan walked up beside them. "Is it Andraste your soldiers invoke during battle, or does a more immediate name come to their lips?"

That was a rather terrifying thought. "They show me respect, Morrigan. No one mistakes me for the Maker," said Maxwell.

"True. You are far more likely to come to their aid than a Chantry fable…" Morrigan shrugged. "But I digress. If your scouts report accurately, I believe these ruins to be the Temple of Mythal."

Maxwell noted Ellana's eyes widening and he had heard the name before from her and Theron. He knew that she was the elven goddess of love and justice and hope that it was a good sign. "Which is?"

"A place of worship out of elven legend. If Corypheus seeks it, then the eluvian he covets lies within." There was an explosion behind them. Morrigan shook her head in disapproval. "Let us hope we reach this temple before the entire forest is reduced to ash."

Maxwell directed his companions. He sent Blackwall to help the troops on the front line along with Cole and Sera to back him up. Vivienne was assisting his sister with leading the mages.

That left Cassandra, Solas, Varric, Dorian and Iron Bull with them. Hopefully they had enough to penetrate through the front line and to entered the temple.

Maxwell bowed to Empress Celene when he found the woman talking to Josephine. Briala stood nearby, clearly on guard. "We are gladdened to see you and your guard, Herald." She gestured. "This day will be recalled for ages. We are privileged to witness the fulfillment of the Inquisition's purpose."

Maxwell wished he were convinced this battle would be the end of the matter. But there were still reports coming in of rifts. "The sight of our Orlesian allies risking their lives here humbles me."

"Your worthy cause would have friends, even if we did not will it." Celene gave him a respectful nod. "Men and women of faith serve you and your guard. Their favour is no less than our own, their service no less dear. With Orlais at your side, we will see you victorious against Corypheus. May you and your guard walk in the Light."

"Andraste keep you safe," Josephine echoed.

"Move everyone immediately if the fighting comes closer," said Maxwell. He had placed Michel as her bodyguard and knew that he would keep a safe. He also noticed that he and the Empress had refused to acknowledge one another, probably for the best.

"You may count on it."

"Listen to how close the fighting's gotten. It will be worse ahead." Cassandra kept her hand on her sword.

"If the soldier's aren't careful with their fires, they'll do Corypheus's work for him." Solas shielded his eyes with one hand as he looked into the distance.

"Do you sense the magic crackling?" Morrigan's voice drifted into her ears. "Something more powerful than the red templars stirs."

Cassandra tried not to glare at the woman. But as long as the witch was on the field, she wasn't going to leave her lover's side. She saw Maxwell stop near where a soldier was praying. He then joined his own voice to the last few lines of the prayer. "Maker let me be a worthy servant, that you might take me to your side."

"My thanks, Your Worship. Andraste must hear you. I was a pilgrim at Haven. I saw the wreckage, and how you emerged to lead us. If the Maker bids me serve you, it will be done."

The Inquisitor smiled at the man, and closed his fist over his heart in salute. The soldier answered, and then went to join the others. Cassandra smiled as they started moving again. Into the jungle or back into the Fade, she would follow this man, the man she loved.

They fought their way through the first group of enemy soldiers. Maxwell felt sorrow as he cut down a man in Grey Warden armour.

"If they are forced to obey him, death will be a blessing," Cassandra's voice assured him.

Maxwell couldn't help but agree, he then signalled for Ellana, Solas and Dorian to strengthen the barriers around them. They cast simultaneously, mingling their spells to reinforce each other. The resulting lightning cleared a swath through the attacking red templars, eliciting a cheer and renewed effort from the Inquisition soldiers.

Strange elves fought, attacking both the Inquisition soldiers and the red templars. Ellana attempted to call to them, but they merely continued to attack. They were left with no choice but to cut their way through them and Adaar did an excellent job by swinging her great sword at them.

"Perhaps these creatures are the reason few return from the Arbor Wilds." Morrigan's staff glowed as black tendrils grew out of the ground, yanking red templars down and rendering them easy prey for the soldiers.

One of the soldiers saluted. "Your scouts say more red templars are on their way. We'll guard against them."

Maxwell answered the salute. "Maker be with you."

Cullen was at the river, leading a group of Inquisition forced while Leliana and her archers fought from vantage points. Upon seeing them Cullen nodded, and then told him to get moving.

Maxwell blocked the attack of a red templars and then stabbed him in the chest. Part of him wanted to keep Adaar with Cullen, but if they were going to face against Corypheus they would need all the help they can get.

"There. That must be the Temple of Mythal," said Ellana pointing at the light ahead of them.

"Be ready," said Solas. "Corpheus will be there."

"I hear fighting ahead," Morrigan said.

Erdic took point and gestured for them to be stealthy. That was quite a challenge for Adaar and Iron Bull, but they did their best.

As they began to entertain what could be described as a courtyard they found bodies of dead red templars all over the place. They looked over the edge and found Corypheus and Samson leading their forces and blocking their path with the same strange elves that attacked them earlier.

"Na melana sur, banallen!" said one of the elves.

Samson's voice held arrogance. "They still think to fight us, Master."

Corypheus's deep voice filled the air as he strode forward, towering over the others. "These are but remnants. They will not keep us from the Well of Sorrows."

"Well of Sorrows?" Maxwell glanced at Morrigan, and she gave him a bewildered look. That was less than comforting.

"Be honoured. Witness death at the hands of a new god!" Corypheus gestured as he continued moving towards the bridge.

Some sort of barrier met him. However, that didn't stop him and he grabbed one of the elves and he began to disintegrate. Suddenly there was a huge explosion and not both elf and red templars off their feet. Maxwell looked over the edge and saw nothing that resembled Corypheus remains. The surviving elves ran as the red templars began to cross the bridge.

Maxwell gestured at his comrades to follow. Maxwell had a strange feeling that they hadn't seen the end of Corypheus, but his main focus was locating what they were after and prevent them from giving their hands on it. Over the bridge he could see Samson leading the red templars into the temple and he sneered at them as they entered.

That's when all hell broke loose. It was then that he noticed that it wasn't just red templars that littered the place, but Grey Wardens as well. He was badly injured began to twitch and jerk violently. Black blood seemed to pour out of the man's mouth as he rose and began to change, growing and twisting into a sickeningly familiar form.

Maxwell looked at the guard who had horror over their faces and then to Morrigan, whose face was pure terror.

"It cannot be," she shouted.

"It is," said Erdic.

"Across the bridge," Maxwell shouted. "Now!"

Then the archdemon appeared, soaring over their heads.

Once they reach the temple began to close the doors desperately, they were huge and heavy, but they were able to close them before the archdemon descended upon them in time. Then some sort of magical barrier appeared around it, no doubt some sort of protection spell.

"At last. Mythal's sanctum," Morrgian breathed has the into deeper into the temple. "Let us proceed before Corypheus interferes."

"You said Corypheus wanted an eluvian, but he mentioned a 'Well of Sorrows.' Which is right?" Cassandra asked.

"I…" Morrigan rubbed her head and looked frustrated. "Am uncertain of what he referred to."

"Could they be the same? Could 'eluvian translate into 'Well of Sorrows?'" Maxwell asked, though he would been pretty sure that Ellana, Theron or Solas would have said something if it had.

"No. It seems an eluvian is not the prize Corypheus seeks." She met Maxwell's glare, and sighed. "Yes. I was wrong! Does that please you? Whatever the Well of Sorrows might be, Corypheus seeks it, and thus you must keep it from his grasp."

"Let's find this Well before Corypheus's people do," said Adaar.

"I want to know how Corypheus returned to life. We saw him die," said Ellana glancing at Morrgian as she walked.

Morrigan sounded incredibly disturbed. "And his life force passes on to any blighted creature, darkspawn or Grey Warden."

"So, that's how the bastard survived Hawke," said Varric.

"And at the temple," Maxwell added.

"Then Corypheus cannot die. Destroy his body, and he will assume another," said Solas bleakly.

"We'll find a way to stop him once we're done here," said Maxwell firmly.

"'Tis strange. Archdemons possess the same ability, and still the Grey Wardens are able to slay them." Morrigan's knuckles were white on her staff. "Yet Corypheus they locked away. Perhaps they knew he could do this…" She shook her head. "But not how."

Maxwell asked Morrigan more questions as they walked. Solas's occasional interjections made it clear that Morrigan wasn't quite as much of an expert as she claimed and Ellana gave her views on Dalish culture. If there's one thing that Maxwell had learned over this year was that there was often truth and fact, but they often got distorted in the passage of time.

They found an altar. The path beneath glowed as Maxwell stepped forward. The mark on his hand felt… odd. Morrigan walked up behind him. "It appears the temple's magicks are still strong."

He gestured at the carved pillars. "Is this elven? Does it say anything about this 'Well of Sorrows'?"

Solas answered him. "'Atish'all Vir Abelasan'. It means 'enter the path of the Well of Sorrows.'"

Morrigan touched the carving. "There is something about knowledge. Respectful or pure. Shiven, shivennen…" She brushed aside some of the growth obscuring the text. "'Tis all I can translate. That it mentions the Well is a good omen."

"At least we know the Well of Sorrows was important," said Ellana.

"Supplicants to Mythal would first have paid obeisance here. Following their path may aid entry."

Maxwell gestured for the others to step back. Cassandra was clearly unhappy. "Perform a ritual to appease elven gods? Long-dead or no, I don't like it."

Morrigan shrugged at the seeker. "If need be. Unless you wish to turn back?"

"I'll do it," said Ellana grasping her hand around Maxwell's arm. "If anyone should do it, it should be me."

Maxwell nodded and watched as she stepped carefully. Clearly she was making sure that she did not repeat any of her steps. The tiles glowed beneath her feet, and she continued until all were glowing. There was a surge of energy.

It seemed the red templars had opted for a more direct approach, and had simply used explosives to open a path to the undercroft of the temple. Samson directed some of his minions to hold them off before heading down and in.

Maxwell uses stealth to get behind them and take them out from behind. Erdic fought side by side with Cassandra as they block the templars blades. Ellana poured strength into barriers before summoning the spirit blade in her hand and you did the push the templars back. Solas and Dorian use their magic to disrupt the lines of the archers, while Morrigan threw fire and Varric fired bolts. While Adaar and Iron Bull began cutting through the red templars with relatively ease.

"Come on. We might catch them," said Adaar making her way to the tunnel Samson had just entered.

Morrigan blocked her path. "Hold! A moment." She gestured. "While they rush ahead, this leads to our true destination. We should walk the petitioner's path, as before."

Iron Bull glared at her. "You forget that army fighting for us out there? Longer we play around the more Inquisition soldiers die. There's a hole, jump in."

"In this case, I must agree with the witch." Solas clasped his hands behind his back. "This is ancient ground, deserving of our respect."

Morrigan actually seemed surprised when Solas agreed with her, but was quick to take advantage. "You see the urgency. We cannot find the Well of Sorrows unprepared."

They were treading deep into the unknown here. "We don't know what's behind those doors. They might have a reason for going another way," Maxwell pointed out.

"Had they the option, they would have proceeded." Morrigan's gestures were insistent. "That must lead to their goal."

Theron and Leliana had both been adamant that the woman before her had her own agenda. "Their goal? Or yours?"

"There is…" Morrigan walked towards the warded door. "A danger to the natural order. Legends walked Thedas once, things of might and wonder. Their passing has left us all the lesser. Corypheus would squander the ancient power of the Well. I would have it restored."

Erdic just stared at the witch "I wasn't expecting your answer to be so… Romantic."

"Trust me. Your surprise is matched only by my own." Morrigan gestured. "Mankind blunders through the world, crushing what it does not understand: elves, dragons, magic…" She shook her head. "The list is endless. We must stem the tide or be left with nothing more than the mundane. This I know to be true. I read more in the first chamber than I revealed. It said a great boon is given to those who use the Well of Sorrows…" She spread her hands. "But at a terrible price."

"What exactly did that altar say about the Well of Sorrows?" Ellana asked.

There was some irritation on Morrigan's face. "Like most elven writing, it was insufferably vague. The term I deciphered was 'halam'shivanas'—'the sweet sacrifice of duty.' It implies the loss of something personal for duty's sake. Yet for those who served at this temple, a worthwhile trade."

"What sort of curse should we brace ourselves for if we use the Well?" Ellana asked.

"'Twould be easier by far to advise you of a curse. This price is not so well defined. My priority is your cause, but if the opportunity arises to save this Well, I am willing to pay the cost."

"And gain what?"

"That is what we must discover. The rituals may point the way."

Maxwell looked to Ellana. "Inquisitor, I would agree with Morrigan and Solas," she said. "Don't forget that Corypheus isn't the only one here and these elves may not look kindly if we do not show the proper respect."

Maxwell glanced back at the tunnel. He took a deep breath and headed for the ritual chamber.

Ellana, like before, walked the last of the paths, and felt the surge of energy again. Solas and Morrigan both answered her questions as they moved through the temple, though their answers often differed.

The door took them into a chamber. "'Tis not what I expected. What was this chamber used for…" Morrigan wondered.

The doors closed behind them and Maxwell felt a presence behind them. "We're being watched."

Behind them were several elves all them aiming bows and arrows at them. Then they saw a man overlooking them on the balcony above them. His face was hard to make out due to his cowl, but his build looked elven.

"Venavis. You…" He waved a hand. "Are unlike the other invaders. You stumble down our paths at the side of one of our own and another who bears the features of those who call themselves Elvhen. You bear the mark of magic which is…" He tilted his head to one side. "Familiar. How has this come to pass? What is your connection to those who first disturbed our slumber?"

Maxwell stepped forward. "They are my enemies, as well as yours."

"I am called Abelas. We are Sentinels, tasked with standing against those who trespass on sacred ground." He gestured at the archers standing behind them. "We wake only to fight, to preserve this place. Our numbers diminish with each invasion. I know what you seek. Like all who have come before, you wish to drink from the vir'abelasan."

"'The Place to the Way of Sorrows.' He speaks of the well." Morrigan kept her voice low.

"It is not for you. It is not for any of you."

Maxwell glanced over his shoulder. "Solas, perhaps he'll listen to you."

"What shall I say, Inquisitor?" Solas shook his head. "Shall I sway him from a millennia of service by virtue of our shared blood? He clings to all that remains of his world, because he lacks the power to restore it."

He very much doubted that Ellana would be able to dissuade him either. However, it was very probably best for her to do the talking for a bit.

Ellana nodded and stepped forwards. "So… you're elves from ancient times? Before the Tevinter Imperium destroyed Arlathan?"

"The shemlen did not destroy Arlathan. We elvhen warred upon ourselves. By the time the doors to this sanctuary closed, our time was over."

Dorian's eyes widened. "Wait… that's not right. What are you saying?"

"You would not know truth," said Abelas. "Shemlen history is as short as the pool of your years."

"What did the Imperium do, then? Are you saying it wasn't a war?"

"The 'war' of carrion feasting upon a corpse, yes. We awaken only when called, and each time find the world more foreign than before. It is meaningless. We endure. The vir'abelasan must be preserved."

Maxwell needed something. A compromise. An idea. Anything that meant not having to kill these men just to stop Corypheus. "What is this vir'abelasan, exactly?"

"It is a path, one walked only by those who toiled in Mythal's favour."

"He speaks of priest, perhaps?" Morrigan shrugged.

"More than that you need not know."

Maxwell spread his hands. "We did not come here to fight you, nor to steal from your temple."

He stared back at him for what seemed a lifetime and could have been no more than a few seconds. "I believe you. Trespassers you are, but you have followed the rites of petition. You have shown respect to Mythal. If these others are enemies of yours, we will aid you in destroying them. When this is done, you shall be permitted to depart…" He folded his arms. "And never return."

"This is our goal, is it not?" Solas's voice was quiet and urgent. "There is no reason to fight these Sentinels."

And naturally, Morrigan seemed to disagree. "Consider carefully. You must stop Corypheus, yes, but you may also need to the Well for your own."

They needed to stop Corypheus first. They could find some way to defend the Well later. "I accept your offer."

"You will be guided to those you seek." He gestured to a robed figure holding a staff. "As for the vir'abelasan…" He drew himself up. "It shall not be despoiled, even if I must destroy it myself." He turned, and started to walk away.

"No!" Morrigan yelled.

"Morrigan!" Maxwell yelled trying to stop.

But he was too late, her form twisted and shrunk, and a moment later a raven was flying after Abelas.

They followed the guide. In the distance, he could make out sounds of combat. The Sentinels were fighting. Maxwell wanted to go, to aid them. They might stand a better chance together. But this was not his temple, and the choice was not his.

"Mythal'enaste." Their guide opened a secret passage.

"That's helpful, since Morrigan chased off on her own," Adaar grumbled.

"She seeks to protect the Well of Sorrows," said Solas.

"He said the elves destroyed themselves, before my countrymen came along," said Dorian in bewilderment. "Could that be true? I can hardly believe it."

Cassandra didn't approve of the temple. Solas, a lot more gently than Ellana had expected, pointed out she was being rather impolite.

"Penshra. Ghilas vellathan."

"I believe she would prefer that we remain close," Solas translated.

Maxwell nodded and let them deep into the chamber. As they walked Ellana just stared at the temple, so much history there had not been distorted by the Chantry or the Imperium. She could hardly wait to show the Dalish.

"The Sentinels are holding off the red Templars," Adaar noted.

"Count your blessings that we're still not fighting both at the same time," said Dorian.

"Vir sumeil."

That last bit didn't need translation. They'd arrived. Red templars were in the chamber. Maxwell pointed his daggers at the templars and they charged. However, that seemed unnecessary as Ellana formed her spirit blade and knock them aside with relatively ease. Clearly she found their presence insulting.

"The Well of Sorrows," said Maxwell as the they stepped out into what appeared to be balcony above a garden.

"So Mythal endures." Solas almost sounded awed. And pleased.

"How has such magic lasted?" said Dorian amazed.

"Andraste guide us." Cassandra brought up the rear.

The Sentinels did their best to face the remaining red templars, but they fell one by one. Samson and approached them with a satisfied smile on his face.

"You tough bastards—a day's march, hours of fighting, and still fierce as dragons. The Chantry never knew what it was throwing away."

"Samson!"One of the red templars caught sight of them. "Sir—watch out!"

Samson turned. "Inquisitor. You, your guard and those elf-things don't know when to stop." He laid a hand on his sword. "You've hunted us half across Thedas. I should've guessed you'd follow us into this hole."

Maxwell walked forward. "I spoke with your Tranquil, Maddox. He sacrificed himself for your cause."

"I told him not to…" Samson almost looked regretful. "He died as one of us, then. One of the faithful." He spread his hands. "Corypheus chose me twice. First as his general, now as the Vessel for the Well of Sorrows." He pointed up the waterfall behind them. "You know what's inside the Well? Wisdom. The kind of wisdom that can scour a world. I give it to Corypheus, and he can walk into the Fade without your precious Anchor."

Maxwell shook his head. "Corypheus already caused one disaster. Help him now, and he'll rip the world apart!"

Samson glared at him. "I'm helping him reshape it! He's had centuries to make ready. You're no match for Corpyheus. Even if you drink from the Well, you'll never master its wisdom as he could." His armour then flared up. "This is the strength the Chantry tried to bind. But it's a new world now. With a new god." He drew his blade. "So, Inquisitor. How will this go?"

From his pocket, he took the rune Dagna had given him. "Power is all well and good. Until it's taken away." He held up the rune.

He screamed as the lyrium on his armour began to shatter, reverberating with the lyrium in the rune. "What did you do? What did you do?" He fell to his knees. "My armour. It's gone. The lyrium— I need it!" He got back to his feet and lifted his sword. "Kill them all!"

Even without the armour he was still a force to be reckoned with and somehow it managed to make and grow. It took everything they had just to bring him down and even then, he tried to rise once more. "Not the Well, you wretch. You can't take it from Corypheus. You mustn't…" He collapsed, but continued breathing.

"He's still breathing." Cassandra panted.

"We can take him back to Skyhold for judgment," said Maxwell panting. It was done, for now. He heard a raven call, and looked to see Abelas running up the waterfall. "Abelas!"

They reached the top to see Morrigan blocking Abelas from reaching the well. "You heard his parting words, Inquisitor. The elf seeks to destroy the Well of Sorrows!"

Abelas stepped back, positioning himself so he could watch them and Morrigan at the same time. "So the sanctum is despoiled at last."

"You would have destroyed the Well yourself, given the chance." Morrigan was all but spitting at the man.

"To keep it from your grasping fingers! Better it be lost than bestowed upon the undeserving!" Abelas gestured at her.

"Fool! You'd let your people's legacy rot in the shadows!"

Maxwell held up his hands, trying to calm them both. "Corypheus needed Samson to use the Well. Without him, there's no 'Vessel' to claim it."

"And his army is in pieces now," Adaar added.

Morrigan shook her head. "The moment we leave, he will send more forces to secure this place." She took a deep breath. "The Well clearly offers power, Inquisitor. If that power can be turned against Corypheus, can you and the guard afford not to use it?"

"Do you even know what you ask?" Abelas glared at Morrigan. "As each servant of Mythal reached the end of their years, they would pass their knowledge on…" He waved his hand at the well. "Through this. All that we were. All that we knew. It would be lost forever."

"This can't be easy, holding on to what's lost," said Maxwell.

Corypheus was still out there, but surely they could find some way to defend the well. The barriers had held against the archdemon. If the Inquisition's mages reinforced them, and they left some soldiers…

"You cannot imagine. Each time we awaken, it slips further from our grasp." Abelas shook his head.

"There are other places, friend. Other duties. Your people yet linger." Solas stepped to Ellana's side.

"Elvhen such as you?" Abelas turned towards him.

"Yes." Solas gave a small nod. "Such as I."

"We may not bear the resemblance of you and your people, but we could really use your help," said Ellana.

Abelas turned to look at Maxwell. "You have shown respect to Mythal, and there is a righteousness in you I cannot deny. Is that your desire? To partake of the vir'abelasan as best you can, to fight your enemy?"

"Not without your permission," said Maxwell.

"One does not obtain permission. One obtains the right. The vir'abelasan may be too much for a mortal to comprehend." He was still for a moment, then he almost seemed to grow smaller. "Brave it if you must, but know you this: you shall be bound forever to the will of Mythal."

"Bound? To a goddess who no longer exists, if she ever did?" said Morrigan sceptically.

"Bound, as we are bound." Abelas looked at Morrigan before turning back to Maxwell. "The choice is yours."

"Is it possible this Mythal might still exist?" Ellana asked.

"Anything is possible."

Morrigan was shaking her head. "Elven legend states that Mythal was tricked by Fen'Harel and banished to the Beyond."

"'Elven' legend is wrong." Abelas' voice was blunt. "The Dread Wolf had nothing to do with her murder."

"Murder? I said nothing of—" Morrigan looked startled.

"She was slain, if a god truly can be. Betrayed by those who destroyed this temple. Yet the vir'abelasan remains. As do we. That is something." He started to walk away.

"Are you leaving the temple?" Maxwell asked.

"Our duty ends. Why remain?" He gestured at the garden below.

"There is a place for you, lethallin…" Solas's voice was soft. "If you seek it."

"Perhaps there are placed the shemlen have not touched."

"The Imperium went to great lengths to expunge elven history," said Dorian. "You might be the last to know the truth."

Abelas raised an eyebrow. "Would the 'elves' of your land listen to the truth?"

"My people have been searched tirelessly for any hint of our ancient history," said Ellana. "With your help we might finally understand it."

"Would it hurt to try?" Dorian asked.

"It very well may, shemlen. Yes," said Abelas. "It may be that only uthenera awaits us. The blissful sleep of eternity, never to awaken. If fate is kind."

"You can walk away from the temple? Just like that?" said Adaar.

"After you drink, nothing remains to hold us," said Abelas.

"Malas amelin ne halam, Abelas," said Solas. Abelas nodded at him and then walked away. "His name. Abelas means sorrow. I said… I hoped he finds a new name."

"You'll note the intact eluvian. I was correct on that count, at least." Morrigan gestured at the mirror on the other side of the pool.

That was still a potential problem as well. At least it was one they could move. "Is it still a threat? Can Corypheus use it to travel the Fade?"

"You recall when I took you through my eluvian, I said each required a key?" Morrigan waved a hand at the water. "The Well is the key. Take its power, and Mythal's last eluvian will be no more use to Corpyhus than glass." She sounded vaguely disturbed. "I did not expect the Well to feel so…" She wrapped her arms around herself. "Hungry."

"Let's not be reckless. I don't want anyone hurt," said Maxwell.

Morrigan turned towards him. "I am willing to pay the price the Well demands. I am also the best suited to use its knowledge in your service."

Solas immediately stepped forward to protest. "Or more likely, to your own ends."

"What would you know of my 'ends,' elf?" Morrigan glared at him.

"You are a glutton drooling at the sight of a feast. You cannot be trusted." Solas gestured at Morrigan.

Morrigan sneered at him, and then turned back to Maxwell. "Of those present, I alone have the training to make use of this. Let me drink, Inquisitor."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want this, Morrigan? We don't know what will happen."

"We do not, and yet it must be done. I am ready."

Maker, let this be the right choice. "It's yours."

Morrigan then began to take her steps into the Well and everyone watched with great interest. The moment she set foot into it, it began to glow and you didn't need to be a mage to feel the magic in the air.

She then lowered her head down into the well into a completely submerged her and suddenly there was a great talent and the water splashed into them. When they open their eyes and found the water completely vanished and Morrigan was laying down on the bottom of the Well.

"Morrigan?" he said running to her side. She ran to the woman's side. "Are you all right?"

"Ellasin selah! Vissan…" said Morrigan looking around in confusion. "Vissanalla…" She sat up. "I…" Slowly, she rose. "I am intact. There is so much to sift through…" Morrigan turned to look at him. "But now we can—"

Strange smoke then began to cover them as if it was warning them of something. Morrigan then pointed into the valley below them.

Maxwell turned as the other members of the guard and there they saw Corypheus entering into the chamber. He then spotted them and his face became that of rage and he flew towards them.

"I think it's time to go," said Eridc.

"The Eluvian!" Morrigan gestured as the mirror began to glow.

"Through the mirror!" Maxwell ordered. One by one they entered into the mirror and to only Maxwell remained.

He looked back… and saw a figure rise from the pool. A woman resembling Morrigan are merged surrounded by water. Maxwell quickly entered into the mirror.

Corypheus had just landed the moment he had entered and the woman blocked his path. He tried to grab her, but she simply backed away and entered into the mirror. Corypheus flew at her and then slammed into the eluvian smashing it to pieces.

Meanwhile, Maxwell and the others had just emerged from the mirror. Iron Bull had an unconscious Samson under his arms. Once Maxwell entered into the room Morrigan used her magic to seal the mirror.

"It is done," she said.