The march to the Temple of Ashes was the fastest one yet. No seige equipment or secondary army to slow them down, the Inquisition's forces marched with a purpose. Elenora wore her best armor, her staff, Isana's Song, strapped to her back, ebony blades clenched in her hands. Dorian and Cassandra marched beside her, Solas and Vivienne just behind. The rest of her inner circle was mixed in with the rest of the forces, Cullen's rallying cries echoing in her ears.

Two years had passed with the Inquistion. Two years of fighting, loving, and building a family. Two years of breaking limits and setting the world right. Now, that world dangled dangerously at a precipice. There weren't enough prayers to cover all that Elenora feared to lose.

The first time her swords clashed with what was left of Corypheus's men, she felt rather out of body. How many times had she done this? How many battles had she fought to get here? Once, the thought of killing made her sick. Even as a huntress, she wept the first time she shot down a bird. Now she lead an army as an assassin. Killing was in her very soul, if only it meant righting wrongs and protecting the innocent. Blood covered her hands and armor, and when one of her daggers was whipped away, she rose her staff, bringing down Fade lightning on her assailants. Corypheus's false Archdemon entered the battle. She couldn't comprehend that it would be the ninth dragon she'd felled since joining the Inquisition. She'd heard of this phenomenon before— "battle haze" Bull had once called it. When the stakes were too high to fail, muscle memory took over. It was less fighting and more a dance, cool detachment seeping into her mind as she cut down the swarm of enemies and battled the dragon. When it was near death, it took to the skies, clashing with Morrigan in her dragon form. She pushed toward the steps of the floating temple, stopping only to see Cullen bash a soldier with his shield, one of Sera's arrows finishing the job. All sound faded as she ran toward him, crushing her lips against his, gasping as she pulled away. This was it. Corypheus was all that was left.

"Be safe, my love," Elenora whispered. "And if the worst should come to pass...you shall not be left to wander the drifting roads of the Beyond. I love you, Cullen."

"Elle...I...I love you."

Elenora pulled herself away, The Elder One's remaining troops still harrowing the Inquisition's.

"Go," she whispered. "Go!"

She turned to run up the stairs, away from Cullen, off to take down the Magister and set the world right. He didn't take his eyes off of her until she disappeared from sight, praying for her safe return. He joined his men, fire in his heart renewed, leaving none of the enemy behind. When the army was crushed, all fell silent. He waited and prayed, eyes pinned to where he last saw the Inquisitor. At once, the earth rocked and the breach slammed closed again. He waited.

Dorian came down first. Then Cassandra, leaning heavily against Blackwall. Vivienne limped down the stairs next, for once absent of her usual haughty air.

Cullen waited, breath held. She had to be okay. Maker, she had to be.

Finally, slowly, clutching her side, Elenora descended the stairs, a weary, lopsided grin slowly streching across her face. He ran to her, sweeping her up and spinning her in a circle, ignoring the ache in his bones and his screaming muscles. She was okay. She'd done it. Corypheus was no more.

"Victorious, I see," Morrigan rasped, finally returning from her battle with the dragon. "What a novel result."

/

Cheers and laughter rang throughout the main hall as everyone celebrated. Elenora was on what had to be her sixth glass of wine, winding through nobles and friends alike, thanking everyone for all their hard work.

"Inquisitor," Leliana said, siding up to her. "A message was delivered to Clan Lavellan, as you ordered. They'll be the first outside of Skyhold to know of Corypheus's fate."

"Thank you, Leliana."

Dorian approached her next, Vivienne and Fairbanks close behind.

"Well, it's been quite the adventure, hasn't it amatus? What will we do with ourselves next?"

"I'm sure there will be more work for us, yet. Although you had mentioned possibly returning to Tevinter. Are you still..."

"Not yet. I will return eventually, of course, but there's still, as you say, more for the Inquisition to do. If I'm to journey anywhere outside of Skyhold soon, it will be to Fairbanks' Orlesian estate, or by your side. My staff is yours, amatus."

"Thank you, Dori, it means the world."

She mingled a while longer, laughing at Varric's promises to write a book on the matter, reassuring Sera that she had a home in Skyhold. Thanking Cole for all he'd done to help. The only one missing was Solas— vanished after the orb shattered. She knew he may leave after the trouble had passed, but it hurt that he didn't even wait until morning. She'd have Leliana attempt to track him down as soon as possible.

Once she was certain everyone else was too preoccupied, she slipped away, back outside, heading for the battlements. A hand grasped hers, stopping her, and she swung about to see Cullen, smiling warmly at her.

"Running off so soon?"

"There was one last matter I needed to take care of. Will you join me?"

"Of course."

They walked along the stone walls, stopping before the sconces lined up on the parapets. Elenora lit a torch with magefire, ensuring that the flames wouldn't burn out before morning.

"For those we've lost," she whispered, lighting the torch Cullen procured as well.

"For Divine Justinia," Cullen murmured, lighting the first sconce.

"For the Templars who fell," Elenora continued.

"For the Seeker Order," Cullen said next.

"For Felix," Elenora sighed.

"For Maddox."

"For the elves lost in time."

"For the mages we've lost along the way."

"For Stroud and the Wardens," Elenora choked out, lighting another flame.

"...For Sulevin Lavellan." Cullen finished, lighting the last sconce.

For a moment, the were silent, arms about each others backs, a tear slipping down Elenora's cheek.

"For the future we build from here," she whispered, pulling Cullen closer.

"And what now?" He asked. "The road from here is shrouded. I never considered what comes after."

"Now," Elenora began, pulling back to look up at Cullen. "We follow that road wherever it takes us. To the end of the Inquisition and beyond."

They stayed like that for some time, wrapped in each other's arms, musing about the future, only the gentle crackling of the flames and the sounds of the late night to accompany them.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read, faved, followed, and reviewed this piece, it means the world. There is a sequel to this, What Comes After, planned out that covers from the fall of Corypheus through the end of Tresspasser, along with multiple companion pieces I detailed out in my author bio. I'm taking a break from this series for now to focus on a personal project as well as to finish an HP fic I started ages ago. Thank you again for reading, and I hope you'll all be back for the sequel.