Chapter 51 The end of Envy

"The Lord Seeker!" Ser Barris gasps.

"No, an imposter," I reply rubbing my bruised neck.

"That monster ensured we weren't prepared. I still don't know what we are up against," Ser Barris says dejectedly.

"I can answer that," I offer, "It's an Envy demon and I need to know how to kill it."

"Envy, then the Lord Seeker…" Cassandra blurts out.

"Is captured or dead. Maker," sighs Ser Barris then his face goes thoughtful.

"It used the red lyrium to corrupt the order, didn't it?" rants Ser Barris, "I knew that miserable stuff was risky!"

I nod.

"They often give us new types of lyrium," he explains, "Our commanders…some took the red stuff first, to prove it was harmless."

I can see the man's mind turning so I let him continue.

"The knights would have been next. That demon turned our leaders so we couldn't question when all of this started!" He states angrily.

I walk to stand in from of him and look him in the eyes. "Will you keep blaming yourself, or help me end this?"

Ser Barris pulls himself together. Standing tall, he commands, "Templar! What is Envy?"

Another templar steps forward, "A coward, brother!"

He takes another step forward and says "It studies, makes less mistakes, but most of all it hides."

Ser Barris turns to me, "We need our veterans. Our Commanders have turned but the Lieutenants may still be fighting."

"We'll hold the hall," he directs, "You find the Lieutenants and the uncorrupted lyrium stores. Bring them here and I will give you Envy."

I nod in agreement.

"Give those things no mercy" he says angrily.

We leave the hall, and find the first Lieutenant, after helping him fight off his brothers we tell him to get to the main hall. After which we find the Lord Seeker/demon's office. I walk in to the room and it is horrific, gruesome, and appalling all in one. The walls are painted with eyes and seeker symbol with what looks to be blood. There are huge areas of pooled blood on the floor and in the midst of all this a bust of Empress Celene with a dagger thrust into the heart of it and a note attached. I'm forced to keep my nausea in check as I look at the note.

I see Cole appear behind the desk.

"The elder one wants her dead," he says simply, "Empress Celene. He hates her, haunts her, wants her dead, but hides why? He hid other things too."

"So, a plot against the Empress, these guys don't think small do they?" Varric comments dryly.

"I wonder why this Elder One wants her dead." I say curiously.

Searching the room we find the Lord Seeker's key and some loot which Varric puts into one of his many pockets. We leave there quickly.

"Maybe we should ask grotesque and creepy before we kill him," Varric suggests.

"I doubt we'd get any answers from Ser Head-Up-His-Ass. He just wants to be me," I jest, feeling the need to laugh about something.

Varric chuckles. "good one." I notice Solas snickering lightly and even Cassandra cracks a smile.

We find the room where the lyrium is kept they did bring a good amount of red lyrium here I note. I feel Varric getting really tense.

"This must be the red lyrium the Lord Seeker gave the templars," I note.

"The same kind we saw by the breach," Solas says curiously, "Where did it come from I wonder?"

We continue searching the room until we find the chest of untainted lyrium.

"I hear fighting, we should return to the main hall," says Cassandra concerned.

We return to the main hall to find the normal templars under attack by red templars. We join in the fray helping the templars defeat the red templars.

"My thanks, Herald," Ser Barris says gratefully.

"How many?" I ask.

"A few but I fear there are more to come," he says concerned.

I nod in understanding, "I will be no longer than I have to."

We rest for a minute and head out the doors on the other side of the grand hall.

We quickly find the other two lieutenants and return to the main hall.

Once again they have been besieged by red templars adding our firepower to theirs we defeat the red templars and whatever else the red lyrium has turned them into.

Ser Barris walks over as soon as the last one drops.

"We are ready whenever you are, Herald on your order," He says thankfully.

I think to tell him to call me Ellana, but I hold my tongue. Better not make the templars feel too comfortable yet.

I look at his men they are tired and I am as well.

"Rest for a half of an hour then we will do this," I say kindly.

Cassandra purses her mouth in disagreement.

"They are in shock and worn out Cassandra, and to be honest so am I after my unexpected trip into the fade and my head," I tell her tiredly.

She looks at me for a moment and nods.

I climb the ladder to the upper level and find a bench. Lying on the bench I close my eyes for a few minutes.

I hear Solas' light footstep coming close so I open my eyes.

"What can I do for you Hahren?" I ask.

"I am doing just fine," he answers, "I came to see if you were well." He sits next to me pulling my head into his lap rubbing my temples.

"It seemed as if you were only in the fade for a few moments to us, but I know it was hours for you," he says gently, "you must be exhausted, you can't fight Envy like this."

"You need to recharge and quickly," he continues, "you need to take some of my energy."

I make a disgusted face at the thought but I know he right. I sit up and nod at him.

I turn to sit cross-legged facing him and he does the same.

I send out a searching tendril to him to tug at his energy. Once again I get that heady euphoric rush as my energy and mana return. I pull a bit stronger and take a bit more. Then an idea hits me, I take some of the energy pushing it back to him. He gasps at the sensation. Then I cut the connection.

He sits quietly astonished for several minutes.

"You pushed some of the energy back to me," he hoarsely says when he can find his voice, "the sensation was… interesting."

I grin at him a bit wickedly, "it's a rush and you tingle all over right?"

He nods in agreement.

"It seems it can work both ways…that could be useful" He says thoughtfully.

"Herald?" Cassandra calls from the ladder, "the templars are ready if you are."

"I'll be right down" I reply.

"Are you ready?" Solas ask concerned.

I nod standing up, "Let's end Envy."

I head down the ladder to find the templars are doing some sort of ritual before consuming the lyrium.

The area for the templars is barricaded with furniture to prevent demons from entering. We are bound to face demons once the green barricade comes down. Our job for the moment is to keep the demons off the templars while they use their abilities to dispel the barrier separating us from Envy.

I watch fascinated. The templars start banging their swords against their shields, in almost a drum roll. They each take turn drinking from a chalice that assume has the untainted lyrium. Ser Barris drinks last, and then reverently kisses the chalice before setting it down.

Suddenly a signal is given and they all drop to one knee, bringing their swords to rest with the point on the floor. I feel their magic suppressing power, it is immense, and briefly wonder if it will affect Solas and I. The right seal bursts and red templars and demons pour out of the open barrier.

I breathe a sigh of relief as my first spell goes off without a hitch and steal a look at Solas to make sure he can cast. It seems as it's not directed at us the magic nullifying effects don't affect us. He looks magnificent as he casts his spell. Varric yells to get my attention and I blush guiltily, turn and face the red templars that are heading my way. We dispatch the 2 waves that come at us and the air crackles again as we feel rather than see the second barrier come down.

We end up fighting more red templars and demons this time. I get the feeling Envy is getting anxious, throwing everything at us he can. We slay everything that comes at us. Finally the last barrier comes down.

"The barrier is gone, the beast end it!" Ser Barris shouts before dropping to the floor in exhaustion. The templars crumble to the ground, breathless. We all take a minute to catch our breath.

Once we feel we are able, we walk up the steps into the upper part of the room. Crossing the room we step outside into an upper courtyard and see Envy waiting for us.

"I touched so much of you," the demon whines, "but you are selfish with your glory, now I am no one."

"Dark and desperate, death to make yourself alive," Cole says appearing suddenly, "I used to be like you. I'm not anymore. You shouldn't be either," He adds grabbing his daggers.

The demon attacks and we throw everything we have at it. It starts moving around, it hard to see where it goes.

"It's trying to hide" Cole shouts.

"Silence!" Envy command angrily.

A few red templars join the fight I see Cole running toward them and give him support the best I can.

"The Elder One promised you to me!" Envy screams in anger, "now no one will have you."

The demon takes my form.

"Don't worry it can't be you if it's dead!" Cole tries to console.

"Meddler, I will kill you last!" Envy screams in my voice.

I look over at Solas he is ignoring the demons ranting and giving Cassandra support as I am Cole. I rain spells on the demon one after another, giving myself no time in between. Varric has a constant flow of arrows raining down. I briefly wonder how he is so fast.

"What could you gain from being me?" Envy taunts.

"Everything!" it screams in rage.

We fight on.

"I still know you, Lavellan. I know all of you," Envy says cockily.

Finally after what seems like forever the demon drops and crumbles into ash. My mana is almost non-existent. I lean on my staff gasping for air and see Cassandra doing the same with her sword. Varric walks to check on Cassandra, and she waves him off. He heads over to the demon and loots through the ashes. I look over at Solas and see he's looking at me with a concerned look on his face. I stumble forward. He comes over and wraps his arm around my waist supporting me. I put my arm around his shoulders and let him support me. "You should have taken more, Da'asha," He chides gently.

We walk back to the other side of the courtyard and up the step. It seems Ser Barris and the templars have recovered. He looks at us with surprise.

"The demon is dead. Andraste be praised: she shielded you from its touch," he says reverently.

Personally, I didn't see Andraste protecting me I think wryly.

He looks at the templars and back at me sadly. "We've numbers across Thedas, but we let this happen. Our officers either failed to see it or were complicit. The templars are ready to hear what the inquisition needs of us" he stands up straight and proud.

I sigh inwardly and turn to look at the breach. As I formulate a plan, allying with the templars doesn't seem like the best idea at the moment. They are without leadership and will need to rebuild to be any good to us. However they are not useless and should have a place.

I stand up straight, leaving Solas's arm behind and walk toward Ser Barris. No weakness can be shown now.

"There was corruption here," I start firmly, "but I also see valor, and honor in those who stood fast."

Ser Barris and many of the templars nod in agreement.

"Rise tall again. Help the Inquisition seal the breach before it swallows us all." I finish my request.

Ser Barris walks over to me. "You speak truths we should have never ignored," He admits sheepishly.

"But the order is leaderless, gutted by betrayal," he says sadly, "We must rebuild it."

I think quickly choosing my words carefully before I speak.

"There is no time. If the old order is too broken to stand," I say gently to soften the blow, "then become knights under the Inquisition."

"Serve us," I continue making my voice more firm, "Stop the breach and begin again without stain on your honor. That is our offer."

Ser Barris moves to stand beside me. I silently hope it's enough.

"If it is the only way, templars, will we serve the inquisition to atone for our failure?" He asks his fellow templars.

One by one the all the remaining templars drop to a knee.

"So be it," Ser Barris says a bit sadly, "the order will…disband and, take up the Inquisitions banner."

Ser Barris turns to me. "We'll need weapons, training grounds, and place to rest…the Inquisition must prepare for our arrival."

I see Cole turn and quietly leave.

Knowing what is already in place at Haven, I look at Ser Barris and smile sweetly. "Oh don't worry; I think we're expecting company."

With that the templars take their leave with Cassandra and Varric following. Solas rushes forward to support me.

"You did well Emma'asha," he says smiling.