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Marian got a message from Arianni telling him that her son was in danger and that she was begging for his help. They headed straight down to the alienage with Wanda, Isabela and Anders, meeting Arianni in front of her house. She smiled with relief when she saw them.
"I was hoping you would come. You did so much for my Feynriel already, but…" Her smile fell. "I visited him among the People, but he turned me away. I know the demons still plague him." She shook her head frantically, sobbing. "And now they've taken him! Two days ago, Feynriel went into a nightmare and hasn't returned."
"He won't wake up?" Wanda questioned as Arianni nodded.
"The Keeper said he is near death. His lips still fog a mirror, but that is all." Arianni said.
"Surely there are mages who can pursue him in the Fade." Marian suggested. She was unsure whether anyone of her mage friends would qualify, much less Wanda, who had no experience with such things.
"I have contacted Keeper Marethari. The Dalish have an ancient ritual that might help. But it requires someone Feynriel trusts to enter the Fade to free him." Arianni said.
"We'll see what we can do." Wanda said.
Arianni smiled. "You have been so kind to us. Feynriel thinks of you as a true friend. Marethari is coming to perform the ritual that will bring Feynriel back. His childhood things here will help anchor him."
"Frolic through dreams?" Isabela blinked. "Sounds like an experience. I'm game."
The look of hero worship on Arianni's face made Marian uncomfortable. "I've already called for the Keeper. We need to begin the ritual as quickly as possible. Would you like to stay here or return when she arrives?"
"This is too urgent to delay." Marian said as Arianni's eyes got wet.
"You have been far kinder than I had any right to expect." Arianni said.
The elves in the alienage treated the Keeper much like the people of Lowtown would have treated a visit from the Divine. She greeted them before heading to where they were waiting, and entered Arianni's home.
"I came quickly, Arianni. I did not wish to tell you by letter how grave your son's situation is." Marethari gestured. "The magic he possesses makes him what the Tevinters called 'somniari', a dreamer. Dreamers have the power to control the Beyond, what humans call 'the Fade.' Feynriel is the first in two ages to survive."
"Why are they so rare?" Wanda wondered.
"Dreamers have great power in the Fade. They attract demons." Marethari said. "Luckily, most prove too frail of mind to survive a demon's possession. A dreamer-abomination would be near unstoppable." She had grim look in her eyes.
"Is there a difference between the Beyond and the Fade?" Marian asked.
"They are the same. By either name, the Fade is the realm of spirits, Thedas's heart, while the mortal realm is its strong arm." Marethari said. "The demons who live there covet the bodies of mortals and seek to possess them. Only mages ever touch the Fade in a waking state. Others see it in dreams."
Marian nodded. "What exactly are we going to do here?"
"The elves of the Dales were experts in the somniari arts. They could even help those with no power enter the Fade. I have done my best to recreate the ritual. We will use Feynriel's childhood home as a focus to draw him back through the Veil." Marethari explained.
"What exactly do the dreamers do?" Wanda asked.
"Dreamers are unique for their ability to enter the Fade at will, without the aid of lyrium." Marethari said. "In the Fade, they can shape dreams and even affect the world beyond the Veil. Tevinter somniari used to enter the minds of sleepers and slay them in their dreams."
In other words, if Feynriel knew how, he could change reality how he would see fit. It started to remind Wanda of her own powers and of the Infinity Stones, making her worried.
"Just send me into the Fade." Marian said.
"I told you she was amazing!" Arianni said, hopeful.
Wanda was hesitant to enter the realm of dreams, not wanting to risk being possessed by a demon or worse.
Keeper Marethari nodded to Arianni. "Now, Arianni, please excuse us. We must prepare."
"Oh, of course." Arianni gave Marian one more worshipful look, then went to go busy herself sweeping the spotless porch.
The Keeper took Marian's arm and pulled her away into another room to talk in private as Wanda was lipreading.
"There is more I must tell you that is not for her ears." Marethari said.
"Is Feynriel in danger?" Marian asked.
"Indeed." Marethari nodded. "And the danger may not come from what you think." She gestured. "Feynriel cannot become an abomination. The destruction he would cause is unimaginable." She met Marian's eyes, and gave her a look that made her realize just what the title of Keeper really meant. "If you cannot save him from the demons, you must kill him yourself. A death in the Fade will make him what your Circle calls 'Tranquil'. He will be no threat after."
Wanda stiffened. Tranquil. Lobotomizing a mage. Cutting them off their connection to the Fade, effectively stripping them of their powers but as a side effect, they would be stripped of all their emotions, making them undesirable to be possessed by a demon in the first place. She was terrified by the idea of this happening to her but she wasn't a mage in the first place for this to happen to her, although she could imagine Ross more than willing to make Wanda a Tranquil, should the chance and opportunity present itself.
"I will not let him become a danger." Marian said. She wanted to protect Feynriel, by any means necessary.
"I wish you luck." Marethari glanced at the others. "Gather your friends, and we will begin. Be careful, for all will face temptation."
Isabela grinned. "I never give into temptation."
"I worry what a journey to the Fade might bring out in me." Anders said. None of them blamed him but as a mage, he was the most qualified to enter the Fade.
"I'll try." Wanda said.
The Keeper directed them all to lie down, and began a chant. Within moments, their eyes were heavy, and they slipped across.
Wanda was fascinated by being in the Fade. The realm of dreams. This was a realm, from which, according to the Chantry, the Maker created the physical world and all life. And in the distance, they saw the Black City, once known as the Golden City of the Maker. According to the Chant of Light, the ancient Tevinter magisters dared to challenge the Maker and opened a portal into the Fade, so that they could enter the Golden City physically. However, this tainted the Golden City and turned it into the Black City, tainting it forever and by that, they became the first darkspawn ever, once they had returned. Since then, the Black City was a home of darkness and nightmares, towers stained forever and their gates shut. No spirit or demon would ever enter it, lest they become tainted. And the Fade was, where every Circle mage would pass the test of Harrowing, in order to be able to resist being possessed by a demon.
Wanda made a note to herself to be extra careful in the Fade.
They found themselves in what appeared to be the templar hall. Items moved of their own accord, and here and there books and candles floated, which fascinated Wanda.
The voice behind them was deep, resonant. And the last time they had heard it, it had been ranting.
"I had not thought to return in such a way."
They turned around to see Anders glow blue. It was the Spirit of Justice.
"It is good to feel the breath of the Fade again, not the empty air of your world."
"You're the spirit, right?" Wanda asked.
"I am Justice. Anders has told you of me." The spirit said as it walked forward. "Come. I sense Feynriel's mind straining. We will not have much time."
Marian glanced at her companions. Wanda was clearly on edge, but Isabela just looked fascinated. They shrugged, and followed the spirit. If anyone did know the way, it was a spirit, who had come from the Fade but they had not gone far when a demon approached them.
"Well…" Its voice was soft. "It's rare to see two forgotten magics in one day. It's usually a slow place, the Fade, not many surprises. I wasn't sure I'd like this one… but it has potential."
"What the hell is that?" Wanda demanded. She had an odd feeling about this.
"A demon of sloth. It exists to make men forget their purpose and their pride—do not relax around it!" Justice said.
"Call me Torpor. I have a proposition that might interest you."
They knew better than to trust a demon, especially, considering how many had they put down in the past.
"I will not give in to temptation, fiend!" Marian sneered.
"Have it your way." The demon attacked but Marian cut its head off before it regrew but then Wanda fired a hex blast as it vanished.
Justice led them to a door.
"Desire." The spirit said.
Marian entered and then she found herself in the form of Arianni. That seemed… odd. Probably best not to tell Feynriel's mother that she had taken her form, while talking to Feynriel.
A man she recognized as Vincento was standing over a younger version of Feynriel. "That's it, Feynriel. Hard on the downstroke, then lift. Good." The man smiled, a proud father. "I'll have you scribing all my letters soon. If I'd known you were such a bright lad, I'd have brought you into the business years ago."
The boy's eyes were wide, eager and hopeful. "Does that mean I can come with you to Antiva, Father? Mother said maybe this summer… Right, Mother?"
Feynriel turned to Marian as she realized that he was talking to her. Pull the strings, and let the illusion come apart. "Your father never wanted anything to do with you. Don't trust him."
Feynriel blinked, and then turned to Vincento. "Why are you lying to me?"
"Don't listen, Son. She's always been ashamed of you. She wanted you gone so she could go back to the Dalish. I'm the one who loves you."
"But…" Feynriel found the string, and pulled. "Why can't I remember you?"
Another string. "This is a trick, Feynriel. He wants something from you."
"Why…?" The boy took it, and pulled again, fraying the edges, starting to see through the illusion. "That's right! I spent my whole childhood waiting for you."
"Your mother never allowed-" The demon tried to put the pieces back together.
"My mother loves me. She showed me the letters she wrote you. You never wrote back." Feynriel said, glaring. "And it was Mother who taught me to write, not you! I've never met you before! Who are you?"
"Don't… question…" The illusion fell apart, and the desire demon was forced back to her normal form. "…me!" Feynriel cried out and fled. She glared at them. "You! You turned him against me."
"And now you're going to die." Marian said.
The demon smiled. "Take away my pets, and I'll take away yours. How loyal are these friends you drag into the Fade?" She turned her eyes to Isabela. "Would your pirate queen stay if the open water beckoned? What do you say, sweetheart? A two-mast brigantine, square-main topsail…" The smile became lascivious. "A hundred well-built lads to answer your every whim. I know you've been looking for a stiff masthead."
That was not good. If anyone was most likely to succumb to temptation of the desire demon, it was Isabela. Marian and Wanda cursed themselves for bringing her with them.
"This is a demon, Isabela. Don't let attempt you." Marian said.
"Well, if it wasn't a demon. I wouldn't think it would grant wishes!" Isabela smirked.
"The "Siren's Call Two" awaits in Kirkwall Harbor. I'll be under the furs in the captain's quarters."
"I like big boats. I cannot lie." Isabela said, pulling out her daggers.
Justice attacked the desire demon, while Marian and Wanda dealt with Isabela. Marian blocked Isabela's attacks before Wanda blasted her down as Isabela vanished in smoke.
"She will awaken." Justice told them as he finished off the desire demon.
"I hope you are right." Marian said.
They had to fight their way through an army of rage demons, who had fiery aura, but Justice used ice spells to weaken them as Wanda and Marian finished them off.
They approached another door. "Pride." Justice said as Marian entered, not sure whose form was she wearing but judging by the robes, she noticed she was an elven mage from the Circle of Magi.
Keeper Marethari was giving a speech. "My people, I present to you…" She gestured at Feynriel. "Our hope. He came to use to learn his heritage, to release the power from a lineage as ancient as our race."
"I…" Feynriel's face was wondrous. "I don't know what to say…"
Find the strings. "This is a trick." Marian said.
"First Enchanter? What are you doing here?" Feynriel shook his head. "Mother told me the Dalish are honorable. Why would the Keeper lie?"
So, now Marian was the First Enchanter of the Circle of Magi. They had never met before but at least Marian now knew how he looked like as she remembered the elven mage she had seen in the Gallows, while visiting her sister.
"Why would she entrust her people to a human?" Feynriel felt cold for saying it, even if he knew it to be true.
The demon that was pretending to be Marethari turned to Feynriel. "You are one of us, Feynriel. Your magic will restore our greatness."
"But…" And once again, Feynriel caught the string and pulled. "You told me this magic was outlawed for a reason. Even the Dalish don't practice it anymore."
"Could the elves trust you with the power to shape reality?"
"I—" Feynriel hesitated.
"Could you trust yourself?"
"Don't listen to him." The demon tried to draw Feynriel back. "The First Enchanter is trying to keep you from realizing your greatness."
Once again, Feynriel saw through the illusion. "Trying to keep me from temptation, just like you were. You're not the Keeper." The boy raised a fist. "Begone, fiend."
When the walls came down, Feynriel vanished, leaving them alone with a giant demon with horns, that looked like a mutated ogre. A pride demon. The demon turned to them. "With my power joined to his, Feynriel would have changed the world."
"The boy only wants his freedom, not your power." Marian said.
The demon attacked them but they dodged. Wanda immobilized it with her powers before Justice knocked it down.
"Do you want revenge on Thanos?" The demon said as Wanda stopped. "I can give you power. More power than all Infinity Stones possess. With them, you can destroy Thanos. Get Pietro and your parents back. Have anything you want."
Wanda stiffened. The offer was tempting…
"Don't listen to it! It's trying to trick you!" Marian said as Wanda hesitated.
"I can bring you all back into your world. Destroy Thanos with power even greater than the Stones have."
Wanda considered. She had fallen for such tricks before with Strucker and Ultron. No way she would make that mistake again.
"Not this time." Wanda said before she fired a blast of energy and the demon screamed before it exploded and faded into nothingness as Marian and Justice smiled at her with pride.
They returned to the central chamber, where was Feynriel.
"I'm not sure if this is real. If so, it is the second time I owe you my life." The young man smiled. "The Fade feels different now. I see the stitches, the seams holding it together. I feel I could wake at any moment."
"Dreamers control the Fade and the dreams of people in it." Marian said.
Feynriel nodded. "I see why the Chantry fears us. I've heard tales of magisters who stalked their enemies and used their own dreams to destroy them. You're right. I must master it, find someone to study under. The Dalish do not have what I need." He paced back and forth a few steps as he considered. "Perhaps Tevinter. If these powers can be trained, it would be there." He hesitated. "My mother would not look kindly on such a journey. Can you give her my farewell?"
"May the Maker guide your path, Feynriel."
"Perhaps…" Feynriel gestured, as the Fade started to shift, which disturbed them "There is a way out of this." He took a breath. "I can do this."
They got up, returning back to the house as Anders seemed to be no longer glowing. That was a good sign.
Marian approached Marethari and Arianni to fill them in.
"Feynriel has mastered his powers." Marian said.
"Then he lives?" Arianni sagged with relief. "You saved him? I cannot thank you enough." She turned to the Keeper. "Keeper Marethari, may I return with you to the Sunderlands? I would like to ask my son's forgiveness."
"Of course." Marethari nodded graciously. "It was you who chose to stay away."
"He must go elsewhere to train." Marian said. "There is no one in Kirkwall to help him. He asked me to say goodbye."
"My son. No. I must find him before he goes." Arianni's face nearly turned to panic.
"It is wise for him to seek guidance." Marethari held up a reassuring hand. "Kirkwall cannot provide what he needs." She turned to them. "I truly did not think what you did was possible. You are rare human, indeed."
"Does this mean I'm not getting my ship?" Isabela's voice was joking, but her face was apologetic. "Bugger it all."
"I find there's nothing like being possessed to keep you on the straight-and-narrow." Anders cracked.
"Your friend awakened here some time ago. We all have weaknesses the demons find. You accomplished a miracle with Feynriel." She offered Marian a tome. "This book belonged to the last dreamer of our tribe. It has a rare magic beyond price. Please accept it with my gratitude."
Anders and Marian turned to Wanda.
"I'm proud of you." Marian said.
"Why?" Wanda asked.
"Not many people are able to resist a demon's temptation in the Fade. Some mages, blood mages especially, are susceptible and are likely to be possessed." Anders explained. "If it had taken you, we wouldn't be able to stop you. If I ever doubted whether you are not as strong-willed as Marian or I… I don't doubt you anymore."
Wanda smiled, flattered. "Thank you. That… means a lot."
Isabela and Merrill were sharing a drink at the Hanged Man. "I never have affairs with my crew. Once they see you naked with your ass in the air, they think they don't have to take orders."
Merrill giggled.
"Men." Isabela grunted. "You have to be twice as tough to earn half as much respect."
"So did the crew mutiny?" Merrill asked. "I mean, after… you know…"
Isabela chuckled. "Oh, no. I had the offending members removed. That got rid of the attitude." She then noticed Marian leaning against the wall, smiling. "I—oh, look. It's Hawke." Isabela looked a bit nervous when she caught sight of her.
"We need to talk." Marian said as she sat at the table.
Isabela took a drink, and groaned. "Bugger, I knew this was coming." She sighed. "I'm sorry I abandoned you in the Fade. That was foolish of me." She stuck out her lower lip. "I mean, I didn't even get the ship in the end."
Isabela would remain Isabela. Oddly comforting, in its way. "I don't blame you. I understand what it's like to be under the influence of a demon." Marian said. She herself had not been exactly influenced by a demon but a blood mage trying to make her slit her own throat did count.
"You…" Isabela blinked. "What? That's it? No angry rant?" She grinned, and gave Marian a coy look. "Are you trying to get me to jump into bed with you? Because it's working."
Marian chuckled. Same old Isabela. Always trying to flirt with whoever she could. "Oh, fine." She sighed before taking a breath. "You've been a bad, bad girl. Go to your room." Marian said sarcastically with a smile on her face.
"That's better." Isabela chuckled.
Present
Cassandra found Leliana staring contemplatively out the window. "Thoughts?"
"I was trapped in the Fade once. I don't know if I ever told you."
"I've read Theron's book. At the Circle, yes?"
Leliana nodded. "I know enough to know that the Champion took a massive risk. Keeper Marethari was right when she expressed disbelief at his success." She sighed. "There was a dozen of us trapped at the Circle. One saw through to the path. I expected that story to end in the boy being made Tranquil."
"A somniari. And one that owes the Champion a considerable debt." Cassandra nodded. "Yet another thing we must look into. Let us see what else the dwarf can tell us." She started to walk back.
So, what do you guys think about it?
Please review and let me know if you are enjoying this so far and want for me to continue.