The adventurers step outside the altar, leaving behind them the corpses of the defilers who dwelt in here. They find themselves at the top of the world, and it is cold and dark. Wynne mutters some words and warmth comes from her staff, "Stay close and you'll be protected from the cold winds," she says.
Leliana whispers, "No lights and keep quiet."
Hiking is not an easy task, specially in the darkness, "Don't be afraid, Elissa," she says grabbing her hand.
Elissa offers her hand to the whoever is behind her, "I'm not blind. No one will be lost, even Alistair." It's Morrigan, she should have expected that.
"I can see in here, too," Oghren says.
"Now I do feel safe, Morrigan," he says before Leliana hushes them.
They walk for some time blindly, suddenly Zevran whispers, "I… I think your dragon is nearby." Elissa squeezes Leliana's hand, she feels like a child.
"We've arrived," Leliana whispers. Morrigan says some arcane words and her staff emits the eerie blue light. They are in front of another building, a simple structure containing more religious symbols.
Leliana is the first to enter, closely followed by the others. Morrigan is held back as if an invisible wall holds her back, she bares her teeth in anger and raises her hand towards it, electric arcs jump among her fingers, Wynne touches her hand, lowering it as she slowly shakes her head. Morrigan gives room to Wynne that like Morrigan has her entry barred. She looks at Morrigan and says, "Forget about us, move on, child."
"But it's a dangerous place. And I mean in spite of Morrigan," Alistair says.
"I've never been a religious person, go on New Boss and Old Boss. Do take care of the birdies mister templar," he says smirking, "if they're not too much for you to handle," he whispers as she leaves the temple.
"I follow the Paragons, anyway. I will protect the mages," Oghren says, passing by the entrance.
"In respect for your beliefs, I'd rather protect the saarebas," Sten says leaving the temple.
Alistair, Elissa and Leliana are in a simple room, decorated with symbols of Andraste's demise and illuminated by torches. A humble entrance leads to the next chamber. They look at each other and nod before moving on.
The following chamber is much like the first, except for stairs that lead to the next room, as they approach the steps an eerie smoke comes from the next room, it starts to solidify and take shape, a human shape. Soon it starts to display color, clothes and armor and helmet wielded by a middle aged man, his eyes don't depict any emotion, he speaks in a foreign language, some words seem somehow familiar, "It seems the language spoken in the Tevinter Imperium," Elissa says. Elissa says in Tevene, the language of Tevinter, "Quia non satis intelligo."
"What did you—" Alistair says as Elissa raises him her hand.
His words start to become intelligible, "Hail, viator. Quod peregrinum seek? What brings you to Andraste's resting place?"
"The Urn of Sacred Ashes," Elissa says, as she looks at her friends.
"You must be deemed worthy of it," he says.
"Who are you? And what must I do to be considered worthy?"
"I am the Guardian, bound to this place until the end of the Tevinter Imperium. To be considered worthy you must pass the gauntlet."
"I accept but before we proceed who were those people out there?"
"Descendents of the first protectors of Andraste's remains. They have lost their way as you may have seen."
"Lost their way? Could you clarify, please?"
"They tried to replace Andraste with something else, a Dragon."
"Blasphemy! Are they deaf to her teachings?"
"Not deaf, misguided. People have different ways to cope with loss," the spirit seems to look at Elissa's very soul.
"Before we proceed know that the Imperium's golden days have long passed," Elissa shifts her weight.
The guardian nods and asks, "So… this may as well be the end of times… yes. Could you indulge me a question?"
"Yes," Elissa says.
"Your path has been long, too much loss and suffering… back in Highever, at the crux of Fate, knowing that the enemy is merciless, do you feel you have failed your parents?" his eyes pierce through Elissa as her very soul was under scrutiny.
Elissa breaths deeply then looks right at the spirit, "No. I did as they wanted. Their claim for justice shall not be unanswered."
"Very well, fair one. Proceed," the guardian says, his form becomes diaphanous then he disappears.
Elissa looks at her companions and once again they nod at each other, he goes up the stairs into the next room. The room has two sets of stairs one on each door, there is a pyre on each side and the temperature isn't as cold as she would expect.
She gasps as she sees her parents standing on the other side of the room, they hold each other's hand. Their overall figure is odd, watery, a bit translucent, they seem as surprised at who they see as Elissa.
Elissa takes her first steps towards them, full of confidence, she knows too well it's a trickery like her bad dreams. Nonetheless she'll indulge this phantom just for the test's sake.
Their expressions change as if they are frightened, they raise their hands, "Hold, Elissa. Don't come any closer," Eleanor says.
Elissa stops, she's curious to see what's their game. Their parents look at each other, "What happened, Pup, why are you so silent?"
"You are not my parents, you are just entities assuming their identities. If this is the test, I am truly sorry but I must confess my disappointment," she says, smirking.
Once again they look at each other, a bit puzzled by Elissa's words. "She doesn't recognize us, my love," Bryce says.
"Elissa, my child, do you really think that evil magics have hold over you here? Before Andraste's mortal remains," Eleanor says.
"Your mind is sharp, it has always been. But what does your heart tell you about us?" Bryce asks.
Elissa exhales and closes her eyes, her mother's words about the sanctity of this place hit her certainty as a stone throws at the water. She frowns as she tries to calm her thoughts, she breathes slowly as any intent or long game stratagem leaves her mind. Soon there is nothing. Nothing but her parents. She nods as she feels her cheeks burn as hot tears sears them, she raises her hands to her mouth, "It's you!"
She rehearses another step towards them, "No child, don't come any closer," Bryce says.
"This is a one way trip, my child," Eleanor says.
Bryce nods and smiles at Elissa, "You shall walk this path but for not, your journey is not over."
"And a journey whose road is paved by loss, death, sacrifice and sorrow," Eleanor says, her mouth is just a thin line.
Bryce smiles and looks briefly at Eleanor and Elissa, "But also sheltered by life, duty and joy."
"You have broken our chains over you, my child. You are strong," Eleanor nods at Elissa.
"Your enemy assails you physically and spiritually," Bryce says.
"And once your mind and heart converge, none shall stand before you," Eleanor says.
"That is why he fears you, Pup. And meet you shall, the earth shall tremble and heaven shall cry fire."
"I thank you for the good omens, my dear parents," Elissa says as she kneels. "I will not fail you."
"No, child. The future is yours to make, ours is only the realm of the past, memory," Bryce says.
"I shall honor your memory, I swear. I wished these parting words, my duty as daughter is fulfilled," Elissa says, smiling at them.
Her parents look at each other, then Bryce says, "But Pup, the true reason of your presence here…"
"Father, I have never considered myself worthy to come closer to the Urn. This is someone else's honor, a true believer. I am… content with these developments," she uses her hands to wipe her tears away.
They once again look at each other and chuckle, "A cunning girl we have raised, my love," Bryce says, looking at Eleanor, who nods.
They turn to her slowly and each of them raise a hand, "We have no more time, farewell, my love," Eleanor says.
"Farewell, my dear child," Bryce says, soon their images start to fade and blur, there is a pressure on her arms, she is being shaken. Elissa blinks a few times and see a red-eyed Leliana, beaming a huge smile right in front of her.
"Leliana, are you…" Elissa is cut mid sentence by a small pouch that is held by Leliana's hand right in front of her eyes. "Is that?"
Leliana nods, she stows it in her belt and hugs Elissa, "Thank you," her voice is not as usual, confident and cheerful, it is shaken. Elissa blinks a few times, her hands slowly reach her back, embracing the bard, Elissa opens her mouth but the bard continues, "for believing in me when no one…"
"That is what friends are for by my account," Elissa whispers.
"I had a vision, Elissa."
"Me too, Leliana. Mine was a well deserved farewell."
Leliana stays silent a moment, "It was about true friendship," she says staring at Elissa.
Elissa smirks, "And you needed a transcendental experience to be assured of that?"
Both women giggle, "Who'd say that a broken girl, in body and mind, who stumbled into Lothering would turn out to be cheeky." Leliana steps back breaking their embrace.
They are still in front of the guardian, Alistair shakes his head as he wakes up. Elissa quickly goes to him and touches his arm, "Alistair, are you alright?"
"Yes, it was just a bad dream about Duncan. It was so real, though."
Elissa gulps,"It is over. Don't worry, Alistair. We all had visions."
"Oh? Did we fail, Elissa?"
"We did, but not Leliana," Elissa says, beaming him a smile that he answers in kind.
From the thin air, the Guardian appears before them."Farewell travelers, May Andraste live on your hearts till the end of your days and beyond. A warning to the faithful, the heathen still pose a threat to you," the Guardian says, his face bears a serenity of one who's beyond time, faithfully bound to his cause.
"Their prayers shall be answered, Guardian," he looks at Leliana. Elissa can discern a bit of sadness. The bard looks at the Grey Wardens, "Our friends must be freezing out there."
Both nod and follow her to the exit. Their friends are there guarding the entrance while being protected by Wynne's magic. They silently follow Leliana towards the Ruined Temple, in complete darkness, only protected by Wynne's magic.
"Company ahead," Zevran says.
"Run as much as you can when I give the order," Leliana says. "Oh those whose zealot whose hearts burn hot! Behold as you deepest wish is made true!" Suddenly a deafening sound of something being blown can be heard. It is soon answered by a savage roar very similar to the Archdemon's. Elissa pales as she understands what her friend had done, "Run!" Leliana says.
Elissa does as asked, she feels the cold winds as Wynne has probably cancelled her spell, she hears a something huge moving them sounds of leather being waved against the winds, it's coming in their direction. She feels a hand hold her shoulder, the air becomes as hot as Orzammar's the resistance that someone is applying on her body makes her misstep. "Maker, no!"