Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Present
"I have a report you might find interesting." Cassandra folded her arms, facing Varric. "It tells of a chasm in the Vinmark Mountains, and a secret that was said to be buried within. Yet when the Chantry went to investigate, they were turned away by the Grey Wardens."
"And why would I find that interesting?" Varric raised an eyebrow.
Cassandra glared. "Because the Champion and the Scarlet Witch were there." She gestured. "I can't help but notice you've failed to mention this… adventure."
"Oh, that." Varric spread his hands. "I didn't think you'd be interested. Just some business with Hawke's family, a few Carta dwarves who went too far…" He sighed. "You're not going to believe me."
"I'll take my chances."
"All right. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Six years ago
"Did you hear that?" Wanda asked as she went out from her room in the estate.
"It came from the cellar." Marian said before they heard screams. "Orana!"
They rushed down to see a dwarf shove the elven servant girl over the railing but Wanda caught her with her powers. Another dwarf attacked Bodhan
Hawke heard a commotion as he entered through the cellar. He stepped into the house just in time to see a dwarf shove Orana over the railing. The elf girl put out an arm to break her fall, and there was a snapping noise. Another dwarf drew a knife and advanced on Bodahn.
Maran threw a knife but missed as the dwarves turned to her.
"The Hawke must not be killed." The dwarf said, lustfully eying Marian.
"What do they want with you?" Wanda wondered.
The dwarfs lunged at Marian but Marian used her sword to defend herself. They had no intention of surrendering or going down without a fight before Marian was forced to kill them, while Wanda knocked some of them back. When they had finished off the last one of them, they looked around.
"Is everyone alright?" Marian asked.
Bodahn was relieved to see his son alright as he went outside to call the guards.
"Are you injured, Leandra?" Wanda asked her as the elder woman breathed out in shock.
"I'll be fine. But what about Orana?" Leandra said as they went outside to check in on Orana. She was mostly in shock but she had broken her arm during the fall.
"The healers will take care of it." Marian said.
"Lady Marian. I saw someone sneaking into the basement." Orana said.
"Get somewhere safe." Marian ordered as she readied her sword and opened the window to the basement as she entered with Wanda.
Upon sensing someone sneaking behind them, Wanda whirled around and was about to blast the intruder but he raised his hands.
"Whoa! Easy! Easy! Wanda, it's me!"
Wanda lowered her hands as she and Marian stared at the familiar face, now wearing a Warden armor. It had been three years but he did not seem to age a day but still seemed… older and wiser.
"Carver?" Marian said, surprised.
"I see I'm not the only one they tried to attack." Carver said, smiling.
Once Carver was free of Leandra, who seemed to be suffocating him. He began to explain what happened in Ansburg. He explained to them that for simply for being a Hawke, a group of dwarves tried to kidnap him.
"… and since she was interested in me for being a 'Hawke', the Warden-Commander thought there was a reasonable chance you might also be in danger. And there might also be a chance that you'd know something about what they wanted." Carver finished.
"He sent you because this Janeka was asking questions?" Anders asked.
Carver shook his head. "No, he just told her to bugger off. Somehow, Carta found their way into the keep in Ansburg a couple nights later. They tried to capture me. It was pure chance I woke up in time. Naturally the commander wanted me to find out the reason of these attacks."
"And they snuck into the Gallows and tried to take me too." Bethany paused as she entered, accompanied by Knight-Captain Cullen.
"Some dwarves attempted to kidnap Miss Bethany. Needless to say, they didn't go down without a fight." Cullen said.
"Thank you." Leandra said gratefully as Cullen nodded.
"Someone wants to capture us?" Marian asked.
"Indeed, normally they just trying kill you." Aveline nodded.
"From what I've found, this group of Carta has been up to something in the Vinmark Mountains." Varric said.
Carta. An ancient dwarven crime syndicate. What would they want with the Hawkes?
"Then that's my next destination." Carver said.
"We're coming too." Marian said.
"I don't need your help." Carver said firmly.
"They want all three of you. This isn't only about you, Carver." Wanda said, eying all three Hawke siblings.
"No, I can't lose all of you again." Leandra protested.
"Mother, they tried to kidnap us, not kill us." Bethany said. "Besides, who's to say they won't try it again?"
"I think we can handle some dwarven thugs." Wanda said.
Aveline sighed. "I'm afraid my duties prevent me from joining you."
"I'll come." Merrill volunteered.
"I've got nothing better to do." Varric said. Sebastian was unable to come along for he had important matters within the Chantry. Anders and Isabela, however, both volunteered, as did Fenris.
They travelled deep into the Vinmark Mountains as they ended up eying the wasteland after two days of travel.
"There it is." Varric said, sighing in relief.
Carver narrowed his eyes, examining the landscape. "It doesn't look all that dwarven."
Varric shrugged. "These are Carta dwarves, so they're more criminals and smugglers than anything else." He looked around. "They're not usually stupid, though. I don't know why they'd attack you."
"They gave it their best shot." Carver smiled. "I can't believe they snuck into the Wardens keep in Ansburg."
"They snuck into the Gallows. If there hadn't been templars to stop them…" Bethany paused.
"But they failed, thankfully, and they haven't been able to kill me yet either." Marian said.
"You have a plan, then? I found their hideout, but my sources couldn't tell me anything else. It's all very…" Varric sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Strange."
"Why so? Asides for some dwarf criminals interested in the Hawke family?" Wanda said.
"As far as my contacts in the Carta know, they shouldn't be here. There shouldn't even be a here." Varric said as they looked around the ruins. Varric hated mysteries. "This place is invisible. A big blind spot on the map. Bianca's never been this suspicious, and she's twitchy to start with."
"Does it matter? We just need to stop them trying to kill us." Bethany said as Carver nodded in agreement.
"A fine point. So what's the plan?" Varric turned to look at Marian.
"There must be a reason they attacked us. I intend to find out." Marian said.
"Right. Only one way to do that." Varric nodded.
"So we just slaughter every dwarf inside?" Carver asked.
"Not every dwarf." Varric said, pointing at himself as they chuckled.
"Good thing the Circle and the Wardens let us come. An attack like this, you need our help." Carver said, turning to his sisters.
"Whatever happens, they won't get the chance to attack again." Fenris said as they walked down the ruins, but Bethany decided to stay behind as a lookout. They wandered down to the fortress and destroyed merchant caravans. Varric pointed out how strange it was for the Carta to attack Guild members.
A dwarf met them in a stone passageway. "You! The brother and sister both! You're here together! You've come!"
"Is… he referring to you and me?" Carver glanced at Marian.
The dwarf turned away and gestured. "Everyone! It's the children of Malcolm Hawke! They've come to us!"
More dwarves appeared at the passageway as they narrowed their eyes.
"What does my father have to do with this?" Marian demanded, all of them wondering the same thing.
"It began with him and ends with you! Blood for blood, that's what we were told!" The dwarf said.
Carver raised a questioning eyebrow. "Did… Father cross the Carta, somehow?"
"You've come to us now, and that's the only thing that matters!" The dwarf shouted.
Their father had died three years before the Blight from a sickness. They had never been entirely satisfied with that answer.
"I came here to find out why the Carta has attacked me." Marian said.
The dwarf gestured urgently. "For the blood! We must have it!"
Marian blinked. "I hope you don't mean my blood."
"We will take it! Corypheus will walk in the sun once more!" The dwarf drew a pair of long knives and rushed to attack as they defended themselves. It didn't take long for them to take out the dwarves as they then tended to their wounds,
"Why would they be after our blood?" Carver asked.
"No idea." Marian said as Anders and Wanda helped Fenris and Varric with their wounds.
"Clearly, these dwarves are insane." Fenris said. "Perhaps even more so than Varric."
"I heard that!" Varric snapped.
"I've never heard of a dwarf doing blood magic. Do you suppose this Corypheus taught them? But why would they want you in particular?" Merrill frowned as she looked from Marian to Carver.
"The Carta doesn't normally act like this. They're businessmen." Varric said.
"I'd like to know who this Corypheus is. With a name like that, he's bound to go 'mwa-ha-ha' at some point. I just know it." Marian cracked. "And really? More blood? Why can't it ever be spit… or a lock of hair?"
"A spit mage, really?" Wanda noted, chuckling.
"For variety, sure." Marian shrugged.
Isabela laughed. "So now you're the target of batty dwarven assassins? You do attract the strangest types."
"It does seem that way, doesn't it?" Marian said.
"I wonder what it is. Perhaps you should bathe more frequently." Isabela joked.
"Someday I'll visit a place with no ancient evils, horrors, devouring plagues, or insanity. Maybe a beach."
"I can recommend a few, if you'd like."
"Please do."
"The day you go to the beach is the day an armada of angry demon pirates show up." Varric said as the temperature suddenly dropped.
"I've got a bad feeling all of a sudden." Marian muttered.
Isabela eyed Carver with an interesting look. "You certainly… filled out, Carver." She then looked down towards his trousers. "Shame, really, I hear Grey Wardens separates the men from their 'boys'."
"We rarely have children, true." Carver nodded. "But don't worry, that just means I try ever much harder."
Isabela practically licked her lips. "Ooh, I like you all grown up."
Varric shook his head. "Junior took down the Rivaini? Who's telling the story?"
Marian chuckled as Wanda sighed. Same old Isabela and same old Carver.
They caught up with Carver a few moments later. Carver gestured at the view that spread out before them. "A fortress." He shook his head. "Here, in the middle of nowhere?"
Anders walked forward a few more paces, then knelt next to a corpse. "Legion of the Dead armor. It's a dwarven tradition. Anyone accused of a crime can clear their name if they die fighting darkspawn. Surprisingly, they bump into Grey Wardens a lot." He stood. "I had a friend, who was a member of the Legion of the Dead. Most of her group had been slaughtered by the darkspawn and she joined us, when we were in Amaranthine with Faren investigating darkspawn."
"Some day you need to tell us more about your stories as the Grey Warden." Wanda said as they kept going deeper into the ruins.
More dwarves. More insane rambling. And not just from their companions. Some of the dwarves were babbling about drinking from the master and other such creepy nonsense.
"The Hawke's blood. The Master will rise. He will be free." Another of the crazy dwarves walked towards them.
"Gerav?" Varric stepped forward.
"Varric?" Gerav shook his head. "N-no one told me you would be part of this. We were just going after the Hawke."
"Why has the Carta been attacking me?" Marian demanded.
"I c-can't say. The Master must be free…"
"Really, Gerav?" Varric shook his head in disapproval. "I thought better of you than this. I mean, gutting the occasional competitor for fun and profit, that's the game. But what are you all even doing here? Worshipping demons?"
"We drink the darkspawn blood. He calls us…"
Marian and Wanda noticed Carver react to the dwarf's words as their eyes narrowed.
"Isn't darkspawn blood poisonous to drink?" Wanda pointed out.
"It's the only way… to hear the music." Gerav said, clearly out of it.
"Oh, come on, you nug-licker. Snap out of it. There's no gold in hallucinating." Varric said.
"An acquaintance of yours, Varric?" Marian turned to him.
"Marian, this is Gerav. He's a greedy, brilliant, bastard son-of-a-nug from the Carta. Gerav, this is Marian and Carver Hawke, the ones whose blood you want to drink or bathe in or whatever." Varric shrugged. "But if you're after eternal youth, I've got to tell you, they're no virgins."
Marian and Carver blushed, while Wanda groaned. Great. Thedas has its own version of Elizabeth Bathory.
"The Master is calling. He needs the blood." Gerav said crazily.
"Gerav… buddy… This isn't like you." Varric drew Bianca. "Look. I've still got Bianca, never misfired a day in her life. You don't want her to see her papa like this, do you?"
"Varric? You want to spare this bastard?" Marian asked. They didn't want to force Varric to kill his friend.
"Not if he's after you, Marian." Varric cocked Bianca. "Bianca, I think it's time to say goodbye." Varric fired but Gerav did a throwing motion to the ground as an explosion followed before he dodged Varric's bolt and more dwarves appeared behind him. "Reinforcements! You bastard!" Varric snarled.
Carver blocked with his sword as Isabela and Marian attacked with their daggers. Wanda telekinetically stopped a knife one of the dwarves threw at her before she threw it into his chest, while Varric fired at Gerav's throat, while Carver, Isabela and Marian finished off the last of the dwarves.
"You poor stupid bastard…" Varric shook his head as he looked at Gerav's corpse. "I used to do business with the Carta, back in the day. Gerav was a nutcase then, too, but in a good way. He was trying to design a new type of repeating crossbow. Bianca was the only one that ever worked. I can't believe he ended up like that."
Further in, they found a heavily armored dwarf unloading a rhinoceros-like creature that Wanda noticed that they called "bronto".
"Hawke. They told me you were going to be trouble." The dwarf smiled. "And look, you brought the whole family. How generous." He stepped away from the bronto. "I swore to Corypheus we'd bring him Malcolm Hawke's blood. One way or the other…"
"What does this have to do with my father?" Marian demanded.
"The Master wants you. I don't ask why." The dwarf removed a strange looking sword from the bronto and set it on a table.
"So, it's Corypheus who's after me?" Marian demanded. What kind of name was Corypheus anyway? It almost sounded Tevinter.
"What Corypheus wants, Corypheus gets. From us, or from someone." The dwarf said.
They sighed as Marian shook their heads. Was there at least one bad guy, who could be reasoned with?
"I just came to tell you or whoever this Corypheus is, your attacks need to stop." Marian said calmly.
"Corypheus, we have done as you command!" The dwarf threw his head back and raised his hands. "Your sacrifice is here. You will see the surface once more!"
The door behind them shut close as the dwarf charged at them but Carver stepped up as the dwarf impaled himself on Carver's sword. Wanda pulled up a barrier to block the arrows before Marian attacked with Fenris and Isabela. The bronto charged at them but Varric fired a bolt into its head as the creature toppled. Isabela ducked and stabbed the dwarves in their chests, while Marian grabbed two dwarves and slammed them to the ground before Fenris cut them down. Fenris then blocked as another dwarf attacked with his axe and Fenris cut the handle before cutting the dwarf's head off.
Varric checked over the corpse of one of the armored dwarves as Marian found a strangely shaped dagger with black blade with thorns.
"What is this? I can feel it inside me." Marian screamed suddenly as the dagger glowed. Merrill and Anders immediately tried to rush to her, Carver and Wanda only a step behind but all of them were knocked down by a barrier that came out from the dagger before it stopped glowing and Marian was about to collapse to the ground before Fenris held her.
"Maker's breath…" Varric said.
"Are you OK, Marian?" Wanda asked as Marian breathed out.
"She seems to be alright." Anders said. He tried to heal Marian's wounds but it did not seem that she would be severely injured, save for exhaustion.
"The enchantment needed to do that…" Carver shook his head. "What did Father know?"
"One has to wonder just where these dwarves acquired that weapon." Fenris said. That seemed to be no ordinary dagger.
"This will take us to Corypheus." Marian said, examining it. Somehow she just knew it would help her.
They kept going deeper into the ruins before a barrier lifted up behind them as they entered another corridor.
"We're trapped." Wanda said before they noticed a demon trapped behind a barrier in a cell.
"…be bound here for eternity, hunger stilled, rage smothered, desire dampened, pride crushed. In the name of the Maker, so let it be. I can do nothing about the Wardens' use of demons in this horrid place. But I will have no one say any magic of mine ever released one into the world…"
Carver took his hand off his sword hilt, and shook his head and he and Marian looked like if they had heard a ghost. "Who was that? I feel like I know that voice."
"It sounded like Father, but… how?" Marian whispered. Their father would never have been mixed up in anything that involved demons.
"That binding… we need to bring down that barrier." Anders said, examining the barrier blocking their way. "We need to free that demon in that cell and kill it."
They put down the barrier as the demon went out before Anders froze it and Marian shattered it. And suddenly, they heard the voice come again. "I can do nothing about the Wardens' use of demons in this horrid place. But I will have no one say any magic of mine ever released one into the world."
"Do you hope to learn something about your father down here?" Isabela asked.
"Of course, I barely remember him." Marian nodded.
"Well, I think your father sounds like someone worth knowing." Isabela smiled. "According my mother, my father wasn't. Not even for one night."
Marian and Carver sighed, wishing now Bethany had not decided to stay behind. She deserved to know the truth about their father just as much.
They kept going deeper into the ruins, until they encountered a man who approached them moved oddly, as though he had been severely injured. His hair was falling out in clumps, and his skin was mottled grey. Both Carver and Anders winced as he approached. "The key. Did they find it? The dwarves? I heard them… looking… digging… How do you bring the key here?"
"You mean this? How is this a key?" Marian asked, showing him the dagger.
The thing shambled towards them. "Magic, old magic, it is. Magic from the blood. It made the seals. It can destroy them."
"I came in here to find Corypheus." Marian said. "Do you know where… or what…he is?" They only hoped that the answer would not be a demon.
"Do not say his name!" The thing cringed. "He will hear you! Do not wake him. Now when you hold the key!"
"The door sealed behind us. Is there another exit?" Marian asked.
"No way out when the walls stand. The Wardens build their prisons well. If the center holds, who cares what else is trapped?" The thing said, pacing down the place.
"I don't think we're getting anything useful out of him." Wanda said, eying the crazed creature. "Why are they after the Hawkes?"
"Hawke! You are the blood of the Hawke?" It looked at her, glazed, dead eyes narrowing. "I smell no magic on you…" It nodded. "But you hold the key! The key to its death! Yes, I can show you out, yes."
"Who are you? What's wrong with you?" Marian demanded.
"You ask me that? I am the one who belongs here, not you. You are no darkspawn."
"That armor, it's Warden issue. No one has that." Carver said, noticing the griffon on the creature's chest plate.
"You hear it, no?" The thing looked at Marian's brother, and then at Anders. "Hear it calling? I smell it in you. I know the way out. Follow me. Down and in. Down and in."
"Perfect. What do I need to do?" Marian asked, glad that they would avoid violence.
"The seals hold us in. Anything comes in, nothing ever leaves. Not without the key. You must use it, yes. On the seals. Every seal, you touch the key to it. Only then they open. Only for the Hawke. Not back. Not up. Only way out is down and through the heart. Down…" It started to shamble off. "Down in the depths…"
"Careful. Things down here, they can get complicated." Carver said, sighing as they turned to him.
The voice came again when the next demon died. "I may have left the Circle, but I took a vow. My magic will serve that which is best in me, not that which is most base."
"That which is best in me." Carver looked up at Marian. "Father used to say that, didn't he? To Bethany? She never felt like she could live up to him."
"I know he would be proud of her." Marian's eyes got wet as her companions put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We're here for you." Wanda said.
"Thank you for asking me to come along again, Marian." Fenris said.
"Is there a reason I wouldn't?" Marian smiled.
As they went deeper, they found a giant monster frozen within a green barrier.
"Let me guess. The first seal?" Marian said.
"Two thousand years, the magic holds. Never broken. Give it the key. Let it take the magic back to itself. Absorb it, all who came before…"
"This…This is a bad idea, isn't it?" Marian asked, pulling out the dagger. Suddenly, the seal opened as the creature attacked them. Marian dodged as Anders threw a fireball but it barely fazed it. Wanda tried to immobilize it but it knocked her away as Varric's bolts had no effect, nor had Fenris's sword. Marian cut its head off as one of the pillars around the seals glowed and the dagger absorbed the energy emanating from it.
"The blood works. It is good." The Warden said.
"Thank you for helping me, but… who are you? Do you have a name?" Marian asked.
"Name…" It paced back and forth. "So long since I've said my name. La… Larius. I was Larius. There… was a title, too. Commander… Commander of the Grey."
"He was a Warden." Anders said. "Poor wretch must come down here on his Calling…"
"Yes. The Calling…" Larius nodded. "The songs get louder. Only death stops them. I am dead. But I never died."
Marian paled, realizing that Carver would end up just like Larius one day before they turned to Anders.
"The Calling? What does that mean? What are you talking about, Anders?" Wanda asked as she turned to him, confused.
"Wardens aren't immune to the taint forever." Anders said grimly. "In time, we start to hear voices. The same ones darkspawn hear."
"Wait, you mean that…" Wanda glanced at Larius as Carver and Anders nodded as she shuddered at the thought of both of them wandering in the underground, half-crazed.
"Not exactly a hero's end, is it?" Carver said, with just as grim tone.
"If you're a Warden, then do you know…" Marian pointed at the circle from which the dagger drained the power. "What just happened? What does the seal have to do with my blood?"
"The magic, it calls to the blood, reads the thoughts of those who hold it. The last to hold it, the Hawke. I…" Larius looked away. "I was there when he laid the seals. Before I became this. You favor him. C-Corypheus calls. In the darkness. What waits there?" He shuffled away again.
Carver came to stand next to him. "I felt something after that seal. We have a thing, the Joining. It was in the blood, like that."
Fenris shook his head. "It seems your blood is special, Marian. Why am I not surprised?"
"The sooner we find our way out of here, the better." Varric said.
"I've bought our freedom, Leandra. We can go home now, us and the baby. We'll be together. I hope it takes after you, love. I would wish this magic on no one. May they never learn what I've done here."
"Father didn't want a child with magic? He got that one wrong. He sure didn't show any regret back home." Carver said. "The attention he gave Bethany… Well, I guess he figured the worst that could happen to us both was tripping on my sword."
"He knew you and I didn't need protecting. You were the strongest of us." Marian said. "I just always played it smart.
"Sure, it's easy to believe that now. But I think…" Carver paused slightly. "I just wanted to help." He then gave his sister a sympathetic look. "I did worry sometimes, for you two. Bethany just wanted to be 'normal'. As if we made a good case for it."
"She knew what we could be. Glad to see you're starting to see it too." Marian said.
"I'm sure Bethany isn't any less sadder than you are." Wanda said.
"We'll see, I suppose." Carver shrugged. "As far as we get, Father's still gone. I'm tired of losing things. I miss him. Mother's food. You two sometimes. Gamlen can go suck an egg. Come on. This mess down here, it's not following us out."
"When I left the Wardens, I swore I'd never spend another minute in the Deep Roads." Anders glared at their surroundings.
"''Left' sounds like it was a mutual arrangement." Fenris said.
"Fine. I ran away. What's it to you?" Anders snapped.
"Ran away from the Circle, ran away from the Wardens…" Fenris shrugged. "It sounds like a habit."
"Running away from your family, straight to Danarius. Running away from Danarius, straight to Hawke. Maybe we're more alike than you think." Anders said.
"I've always said so." Varric said, netting a glare from both men.
They kept on walking then suddenly Anders stumbled and grabbed his head, making them worry.
"What's wrong?" Marian asked.
"I'm not listening…" Anders shook his head. "I'm not listening."
"The abomination's hearing voice." Fenris said. "How unexpected."
"Anders?" Marian shook the healer. "Anders?"
After a moment, Anders came to his senses and nodded. "I'm all right. I think I'm all right."
"He is waking." Larius shambled towards them again. "The magic grows lax. He feels us walk where no step goes."
"Are you talking about Corypheus?" Marian demanded. They still had no idea what Corypheus actually was.
"He calls. Like an Old God. He mimics their cry." Larius gestured. "He calls them to free him. The dark children and the light, any with taint in their blood."
In other words, Corypheus could influence the darkspawn and the Grey Wardens because of the taint, just like the Old God. Maybe bringing Anders along hadn't been a great idea after all.
"If Corypheus isn't an Old God, what is he? Human, demon, darkspawn?" Marian asked.
"More than darkspawn. More than human." Larius shook his head. "He thinks. He talks. He pieces the Veil."
Carver blinked. "You're talking about an awakened darkspawn. The Wardens have only encountered them once."
"He wants what was once his." Larius said as Marian stared at Carver.
"How could this Corypheus be sending people after me if he's asleep?" Marian asked.
"He can call, dream, but not know. When the seals are gone, he will wake. And he must die." Larius said.
They all shuddered, realizing that Corypheus was very dangerous.
"Why are you down here? How have you survived?" Marian demanded.
"The Calling. The music. It is our death." Larius said.
"The corruption…" Carver's voice sounded reluctant. "Once it gets that bad, the darkspawn can't sense you anymore. The last advantage."
"Yes." Larius nodded. "I lived, but I died. The corruption feeds me. So many years in darkness…"
"When you run off, where do you go?"
"I know the darkness before the seals. Here, the voice is too strong." Larius shambled off again. "I cannot stay."
They had not gone far when Anders staggered again. "Stop. Just make him stop talking. Make him stop."
Carver's eyes widened. "It's Corypheus. He can hear Corypheus."
"Hang in there, Blondie. We're going to get you out of this." Varric soothed him.
Marian tried to shake him but it had no effect before Wanda smacked him in the face. Anders soon enough came to and glared at her.
"Sorry. But it seemed like the only way." Wanda said.
"It's all right." Anders said. "That…" He turned towards Carver. "What about you?"
"I don't hear anything." Carver said. He frowned. "But you're a mage, and you've been a Warden a bit longer than I have."
Marian frowned before turning to her brother. "You will tell us if you do start hearing things?" Carver nodded, as Marian glanced at Wanda. "If you think he's starting to hear things, zap him."
"I think I can manage that." Wanda said, amused by the idea of zapping Carver, who rolled his eyes.
"Sisters." Carver muttered under his breath.
"Isabela, stick to Anders like glue. He hears voices again, punch him." Marian turned to the pirate, as Isabela gave them a salute.
Anders sighed. "How's this going to fit into your grand tale, Varric? 'Marian Hawke and friends walked for a really long time in nasty tunnels that smelled like nug shit.'"
"Well, I'd probably say something like… 'Then around the corner, we caught the sight of an entirely new type of darkspawn.' You had to ask, Blondie." Varric deadpanned.
Anders sighed. "I've already done the 'and around the corner we caught sight of an entirely new type of darkspawn' thing. You'll have to come up with something else."
They soon came across an ancient altar that looked Tevinter in origin, maybe dedicating to one of their Old Gods.
Marian examined the altar. Fenris gave her a concerned look. "Don't even think about making a sacrifice here, Marian. Whatever happens, I promise it won't be good."
"I can't believe I'm saying this but…" Anders took a deep breath. "Fenris is right."
The last thing they needed, was messing with an ancient ritual of the Tevinter magisters, who according to legends, started the Blights.
"I have no intention of even touching the thing." Marian said. "I'm more concerned with…" She reached to the altar. "Can you feel it? There is power in the thing. But… if Dumat is dead, how could there be?"
"Whatever it is, we shouldn't mess with it." Wanda noted.
They found the body of what seemed to be one of Varric's ancestors, and delivered the last rites. Varric seemed oddly touched by the sentiment.
Anders stumbled again. Isabela started to draw back her hand, and he shoved her away. "Aaaah!"
"What's wrong?" Marian asked as they turned to Anders, who was clutching his head.
"Wardens… the Joining… I have too much taint in my blood. I can't shut him out." Anders bent over, holding his head. "Help me…" He started to glow. Always a bad sign. "I will not…" Justice's voice took over. "Be controlled!"
"Anders!" Wanda exclaimed as the Spirit of Justice picked the staff and called up a spell. Wanda created a barrier as Carver stepped forward, energy surging through him as he negated the spell.
"What the hell?" Wanda asked.
"Templar abilities." Marian said.
"How?" Wanda wondered.
"I don't know. We'll need to talk with him about that." Marian said as Carver neared Anders and struck him in the face with the hilt of his sword as Anders fell down. Anders glared and was about to summon another spell before Carver punched him again, breaking Anders's nose as Anders fell down. He got up, regaining his color, wiping the blood off his face.
"Thank you." Anders managed to say, despite the fact blood was streaming from his nose as Carver helped him get up. "I-I guess they're right. You never can leave the Wardens." He sighed. "I hope I can hold against him. Against them both."
"Let's just try not doing that again. Bianca hates being turned on her friends." Varric said, holstering his crossbow.
"He feels the seals weaken." Larius shambled out of the shadows again. "He knows you are close. You must be ready…" Suddenly he turned, and started looking around. A moment later, Carver did the same thing. "What's that? Who? No… no. They're here."
"The Carta?" Wanda asked.
Larius shook his head. "No. Worse. More treacherous, more dangerous. The Wardens. They listen to Corypheus. They want to bring him to the light. Stop them. You must stop them." He shuffled away again.
Voices echoed through the tunnel. "Something's happening. The prison's breaking down. But it's stood up to tunneling before. What can—" The woman leading the other Wardens stopped short. "You. You have the key. And you've come through the seals. But how?" She narrowed her eyes when she saw Carver. "Wait, you're Hawke! Stroud told me you met in the Deep Roads. Are you the same one? The child of Malcolm? The Carta said they were close. I am Janeka. I lead this unit of Grey Wardens."
"Senior Warden, why are you interested in my father?" Carver inquired, narrowing his eyes.
"Then you don't know? Without Malcolm, this prison would have fallen over twenty years ago." Janeka said.
"Tell me what my father did." Marian said. It was time to know what role did their father play in all this.
"The Grey Wardens built this prison to contain one of the most powerful darkspawn we've ever encountered." Janeka gestured. "But even the best magic fades. The Wardens need to reinforce the seals. This requires the blood of a mage untainted by… Warden training. The last to perform the ritual was your father."
"Our father was a blood mage?" Marian demanded, her and Carver not believing what they were hearing, with Wanda just as stunned, all of them thinking one thing. She was lying. She had to be lying.
"To avert the Blights, forbidden magics are sometimes necessary." Janeka said.
"For us, maybe." Carver glared. "My Father knew better."
Janeka shrugged. "He did not bind the demons, if that is your concern. That was done in another era, before the Chantry's laws."
"That's why the Carta came after us." Marian said, realizing why did the dwarves attack her, Bethany and Carver.
"We need your help, Hawke. I've been working with Constable Mahariel on h research on this darkspawn and I believe the original Wardens were wrong." Janeka gestured arrogantly. "He isn't a threat to humanity—he's our greatest opportunity. A darkspawn who can talk, feel, reason…"
"Corypheus cares nothing for Blights." Larius protested, his voice echoing. "He used you."
One of the Wardens with Janeka gapped. "The Warden-Commander."
"Don't listen to this… creature. He's half darkspawn himself. I know how to harness Corypheus, use his magic to end the Blights." Janeka sneered.
"No." Larius said. "The Wardens knew. Corypheus is too powerful."
Carver nodded. "There are rules to the order, and with good reason. Father wouldn't want this."
Varric shrugged. "Worth the risk. If he doesn't help, it's one more big darkspawn to stick a bolt in. No big deal."
Fenris just shook his head. "A darkspawn and a mage. Just what the world needs."
Wanda also shook her head in disapproval. If there's one thing she had learnt from Tony and the Mind Stone and Ultron, toying with powers you don't understand never ends well.
"Corypheus calls her, and she listens." Larius gestured. "She brought him the Carta, sent them for you."
Janeka stepped forward. "Stroud wouldn't let me have your brother and Constable Mahariel wouldn't allow me either. I need you."
At a glance, they noticed Carver glaring at Janeka as Anders's eyes flashed with blue glow. Also, the concern that the Hero of Ferelden was involved didn't exactly help her case either. "How could you trust any deal this darkspawn makes with you?" Marian questioned.
"Do not think me foolish, Hawke. I am making no deal. I have a spell which can control Corypheus, bind him to my will. He will be a new, important weapon in the war on the Blights. No more, no less." Janeka said as they shot her incredulous look.
"Are you talking about using blood magic?" Marian asked. Binding darkspawn sounded foolish. Using blood magic to bind darkspawn was outright suicidal.
"Everything that was done to him was through the power of blood. The Wardens imprisoned Corypheus before the Chantry banned such magic. It is the only way to hold him." Janeka said.
"Sounds like a convenient excuse." Wanda sneered.
"Corypheus may be as great a threat as the next Blight. We can't risk freeing him." Marian nodded in agreement.
"We'll find a way to do this with or without you, Hawke. This prison will be broken. The Blights will end. Come." Janeka gestured to her companions, and they left.
"With me. We will beat them to the seal." Larius said as they followed him.
They decided to activate some of the prisons old mechanisms in order to slow Janeka down. Unfortunately, they were slowed down by the Carta dwarves, who set off the wards, blocking their path. According to Larius, they had to reconnect some kind of beam to get past the barrier.
Fenris leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. Merrill went up to him quite cheerfully. "Cheer up, Fenris! This isn't so bad!"
Fenris looked at her as if she was insane. "We're in a black pit full of evil. How can you imagine this "isn't so bad?""
Merrill shrugged. "It's not going to rain. And there's almost no chance of being attacked by bears!"
Fenris shook his head in disbelief. "And we put our lives in your hands. Astonishing."
"Oh, I know." Merrill giggled. "It surprises me, too."
"She's got a point." Varric said.
It became a race with Janeka as they had to go through riddles, labyrinths and turning on mechanisms to get ahead of Janeka and they also had to fight their way through demons, spirits and a pack of darkspawn and deepstalkers.
They soon made it to the top of the summit and there they found Janeka and her Wardens blocking their path. "You're too late, Larius. Hand over Hawke, and I'll give you a quick death."
"Hawke has made his choice—the right one." Larius protested.
"The right choice, or the only choice?" Janeka folded her arms and her face became smug. "Malcolm Hawke was not allowed to disagree."
"It is the past. It doesn't matter." Larius tried to wave her away.
"Larius? What does Janeka mean by 'not allowed?'" Marian demanded as she turned to him.
"How does she know this?" Larius glared at one of the other Wardens. "Alec, did you tell her?" He shrugged. "Malcolm Hawke was reluctant, had to be… persuaded. I was Warden-Commander. It was my duty." Larius took a few steps away. "I delivered an ultimatum—help us, or you'll never see her again."
Carver put a hand to his sword. "You did what?"
"You threatened their mother?!" Wanda snarled, her hands glowing as her eyes flashed crimson red as Marian reached for her swords as well.
"No, never." Larius held up his hands. "He came with us. I never had to decide her fate. She was never told about what passed between Malcolm at me."
"That doesn't excuse it." Carver said.
"You see, Hawke? How can you trust anything Larius says?" Janeka sneered.
True, Larius was not to be trusted but the Hero of Ferelden himself sanctioned this mission. If there was anyone they could trust, it would be him. "Larius's threats were reprehensible, but he is still right about Corypheus." Marian said.
"You can come willingly or not, Hawke. I just need your blood." Janeka said as she and her men readied their weapons.
Janeka sent icicles their way but Wanda blocked them. The other Wardens attacked but Fenris, Isabela and Carver blocked before Varric shot some of them down and Anders used a spell to daze them before the fighters finished them off, while Marian engaged Janeka. Janeka blocked with her staff but Marian kicked her as Janeka staggered before Marian stabbed her in the throat as Marian glared and Janeka slumped back, coughing blood before tilting her head as light left her eyes.
"He stirs." Larius said. "Slay him now, before he wakes. Before his strength comes." He shambled past the dead Wardens. "The key. It's not strong enough. Use your blood. Free him and slay him."
They did not like this but it was the only way for them to leave the prison. Marian pulled out her dagger as she neared the pillars, deactivating the pillars and opening the seals before she went to the center of the chamber and used her blood. The key floated in the air, glowing with a soft orange light. Then the light exploded, throwing both her and the key clear. Fenris and Carver helped her back to her feet as something began to emerge.
It seemed to be a darkspawn, floating in the air but it was… a man, who seemed to be as tall as an ogre.
"It looks like an emissary." Anders said. "It's the most intelligent kind of darkspawn. Something like an alpha in the pack, each type of darkspawn has one." He said to Wanda, who looked confused before nodding. "Though I've never seen one like that before." He eyed the being again floating in the air.
"Be this some dream I wake from? Am I in dwarven lands? Why seem their roads so empty?" Its voice reverberated throughout the chamber. It turned its strange gaze to them. "You. Serve you at the temple of Dumat? Bring me hence. I must speak with the first acolyte."
Anders' eyes widened. "Dumat… was the first Old God to become an Archdemon. There haven't been temples to him since ancient Tevinter."
Did that mean this was an ancient creature from the ages of mage empire, that had existed thousands of years ago and ruled Thedas?
The creature stared at him. "You look human. Do you belong to the Empire? Slaves then, to the dwarvers? Why come you here?" It glared. "Whoever you be, you owe fealty to any magister of Tevinter. On your knees. All of you."
Wanda glared. That creature started to remind her of Thanos due to its arrogance.
"The Free Marches haven't been part of the Imperium for six hundred years." Marian said.
It narrowed its eyes at her. "You are what held me. I smell the blood in you." It turned away, and raised its hands. "Dumat. Lord. Tell me. What waking dream is this? The light. We sought the golden light. You offered… the power of the gods themselves. But it was… black… corrupt. Darkness… ever since. How long?"
"The Golden City." Larius shook his head. "The first violation. The magisters who brought the Blight."
"Wait, you're telling me this is one of those ancient Tevinter magisters, who entered the Golden City in the Fade and tainted it and created the darkspawn and started the Blights?" Wanda demanded, not believing it.
"That's ridiculous!" Anders said firmly. "There were no magical bogeymen who trespassed in the Maker's city. It's a story."
"You don't think a magister would be arrogant enough to challenge the Maker?" Fenris scoffed. "You need to meet more magisters."
"It's Chantry propaganda." Anders waved his hand dismissively.
"Where do you think darkspawn come from?" Marian said, not convinced.
"Some creation of the Old Gods, no doubt." Anders said.
Corypheus was looking up at the sky. "Dumat? Have you forsaken me? I am your faithful servant…"
"The darkspawn aren't just some conveniently explicit lesson on the dangers of magic." Anders said.
Anders had a point but they could not ignore the fact that the darkspawn was shouting "Dumat" all over the place.
"We may never know the truth." Wanda said.
"Unless Corypheus is for real, everyone who knows what happened is long dead." Marian nodded.
"You don't think it's a little convenient? What does every sane man and woman in Thedas fear? The Blights. Why not pin those on mages too?" Anders pointed out.
"What manner of speech is this?" Corypheus demanded, looking furious at them. "How long have I slumbered?"
"He tainted the world." Larius said. "He speaks to all who carry the corruption. Darkspawn. Wardens. He brought Janeka here. Brought you…"
"Why bring the Wardens here? He seems confused." Wanda pointed out as they turned to Corypheus.
"He slept. While the seals held, he could not wake. He knows nothing of time that passed. We must kill now. Before he comes to." Larius said.
None of them could believe this, they were in a Warden prison and face-to-face with an ancient Tevinter magister. "You really think he's one of the original magisters? That he's been to the Black City?" Marian said.
"If he was able to enter the Black City, who knows what else is he capable of." Wanda said. She had read from the books and heard enough from Fenris to know that the ancient Tevinter magisters were just as bad as Hydra or Thanos.
"The city!" Corypheus roared. "It was supposed to be golden! It was supposed to be ours!" Corypheus began to gather his magic. "If I cannot leave with you, I will leave through you. I seek the light."
Wanda and Anders lifted up a barrier but Corypheus managed to break through, knocking them all down with a blast of magic. Anders sent a few spells as Wanda hex-blasted Corypheus but none of it had any effect on him. Varric fired from Bianca but Corypheus was unfazed. Marian, Carver, Isabela and Fenris rushed to the pillars as Marian used the key to open a pillar as shades appeared and Carver and Isabela fought through them. Every time Marian opened the pillar at the four corners of the chamber, Corypheus's defenses seemed to break as Wanda knocked him back.
"I made your sacrifices, Lord. Strengthen me now!" Corypheus shouted as he floated in the air and suddenly, rocks fell from above as Wanda shielded them all but still, they became too busy dodging the falling debris and the torrent of fire Corypheus was sending them. Anders created a barrier to protect them from the flame.
Anders fired bolts of lightning at Corypheus, while Marian was opening another pillar. Fenris had to pull Isabela and Carver away as Corypheus threw a lightning bolt and Wanda barely managed to deflect the following one as Corypheus again sent a torrent a fire, this time at her but Wanda pushed it back as Corypheus staggered. He was powerful, maybe almost as powerful as anyone possessing the six Infinity Stones and the Gauntlet. Shades came down as Varric was also firing Bianca at Corypheus. Carver, Isabela and Fenris fended off the shades but Corypheus knocked them back with his telekinesis. Isabela groaned as Anders dragged her to safety, using his healing magic, while Marian deactivated another pillar and Corypheus's defenses were down once again.
But, Corypheus drew power from another pillar, and ice began to fall. And the rocks were now electrified. And there was still fire everywhere.
"If he pulls a dragon out of his ass, I'm leaving!" Varric snapped.
Varric pulled Merrill out of the path of some falling ice. With Carver, Isabela and Fenris at her back, Marian started deactivating the pillars again as Wanda and Anders tried to deflect the magical attacks Corypheus was firing at them.
The defenses dropped again. Corypheus tried in one last desperate attempt to defeat them, it began channeling its magic and fired but Marian flipped back to avoid the blast. Marian rushed at Corypheus and cut him across his face with the dagger as Corypheus fell to his knees, screaming in pain. Corypheus glanced at Larius before Marian threw the dagger, embedding itself into its forehead as Corypheus slumped back. Marian neared him and pulled the dagger out of the lifeless body.
Anders approached the corpse and upon close examination, they found an ancient Tevinter amulet around his neck. Anders examined it and widened his eyes. "That amulet… no one's used that pattern since before the First Blight. It was unique to a small sect in Tevinter who worshipped the god Dumat." He then looked down at the ancient magister's body. "Corypheus really was an ancient magister. I always thought the Black City was just a story…"
"They're no myth, mage. Nor have the magisters of the Imperium changed." Fenris sneered.
This was a living proof that the Chantry had been telling the truth over a thousand years, but it still didn't give the right to punish all mages. "Even if it's true, it doesn't justify punishing mages over thousand years later." Marian said as Wanda nodded. The Chantry and the Templar Order and the Circle of Magi sometimes reminded her too much of the Sokovian Accords and oppressing the Avengers.
"Do you think?" Anders asked. "What else might the Chantry know that we don't? I-I'll need to study this further."
They met Larius outside and he looked a bit different, though Hawke couldn't say with what.
"You did well, Hawke. More than the Grey Wardens of old were able to accomplish." Larius' voice was steady now, and he stood up straighter. Walking, not shambling. "I will tell the Warden-Commander of your service here."
"I'd be careful." Carver said. "We don't usually come back from the Calling."
"I must try." Larius managed a small bow. "You've gained an ally today."
"Why are you talking like that?" Marian said. Something seemed… off about :arius now but what, they couldn't tell.
"My head is clear now. Without Corypheus' call, I can think again. I thank you for my freedom." Larius said.
"The Wardens won't be happy we killed one of their own." Wanda noted, turning to Janeka's corpse.
"Janeka ignored Constable Mahariel's express orders when she sought to free Corypheus. They'll be relieved she's gone. The prison stands no more. My gratitude you have, for my freedom." Larius said, walking away as they narrowed their eyes. Something seemed… off about him now but what, they were not sure.
Present
Cassandra narrowed her eyes.
"I said you wouldn't believe me." Varric said.
"When the Seekers arrived at the structure, this prison… it was destroyed." Cassandra shook her head. "The Grey Wardens were there, but they did not mention this Larius. They claimed everyone was dead." She glared. "And now you claim the Champion and the Scarlet Witch were not only there, but defeated a magister… one of the magisters of old."
"Left there by the Wardens themselves." Varric nodded.
Cassandra put her hands on her hips. "A curious tale. I wonder if there's more to it."
"A small matter." Varric's voice was heavy. "The one lasting treasure to emerge from this—a moment together for the family. In happier times."
Six years ago
They had returned into the Hawke estate as the Hawke siblings talked at the fireplace.
"The attacks, darkspawn, every bloody part of it, all because of what happened years ago." Carver paced in front of the fireplace.
"Did Father think it was worth it?" Bethany wondered, reflecting on what had they heard. "He certainly knew it was too shameful to mention. He was wise not to share it with Mother. Or any non-mage." She had a point. Blood magic on top of leaving the Amell name, no wonder their father never talked about it.
"It gets harder every year to remember what Father was like." Marian nodded sadly.
"What was he like?" Wanda asked.
"I thought he knew everything." Bethany smiled.
"You never liked that he spent so much time with Bethany and I, but it wasn't all bad." Marian said as she and Bethany turned to their brother.
"He started training me too, best he could. Then I picked up some things from those soldiers who came through." Carver smiled fondly. "Remember when I beat him? Took the blade clean away."
"His two little soldiers. He would be proud. Even after all this." Bethany chuckled.
"He was holding back." Marian noted.
"On magic? Sure." Carver nodded. "But not the blade. After that… well, he knew I could handle the house while he was off with Bethany." He sighed as the Hawkes looked sad again. "I suppose I see why he was so concerned."
"He wouldn't want us wallowing over what we've lost." Marian said.
"He was so proud of you and Carver. His little soldiers." Bethany said, turning to them both.
Carver nodded. "I don't think he ever got what he wanted out of this life." Carver then looked into his sisters' eyes. "I think…" He smiled. "I think it'll be all right, you know. Not real soon, mind you."
Marian and Bethany laughed. "I suppose it will. Not real soon."
The Hawke siblings hugged each other.
"Take care, Brother." Marian said.
"Thank you for taking care of everything." Bethany said as Wanda neared them, sharing the hug.
"Be careful, both of you." Wanda said.
"The Wardens will need me to report back." Carver said.
"And I should head back to the Gallows before Cullen comes to Aveline to put an arrest warrant on me." Bethany said. "Look after Marian and mother, will you, Wanda?"
"You can count on me." Wanda smiled.
They hugged each other again before parting.
Leandra then approached Marian, smiling. "You're not so different. Not beneath. I see much of Malcolm in all three of you. Apparently, even in my dotage, I know him better now than I did at the time. He kept so many secrets. I may have been willingly blind."
"How did you even meet? A Ferelden apostate and Kirkwall elite?" Marian wondered.
Leandra crossed her arms as if she was remembering that happy moment. "Mages were sometimes called to perform at the Viscount's functions. Malcolm was not what I pictured." She smiled. "So earnest, like he really cared about everything he said." She then smiled at Marian. "Very like you. But it was long ago. We have a new life, and we must think of tomorrow. Malcolm gave us that."
"It's hard to think of how much we've lost." Marian said sadly.
"Sometimes. But look at what you've done for us. Malcolm gave us the chance, but you're the one who brought us where we are. We all know that, even if sometimes linger in moment that is better forgotten. I've done enough of that. We are blessed and should live our lives as such. As much as we choose to." Leandra said before turning to Wanda. "I'm sure he would be proud of you too, considering what you've done for us."
"I'm happy to help you, Leandra." Wanda said before they went into their rooms, trying to rest after the adventure they had been through. Wanda wondered how the Avengers would react to what she had seen.
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.