Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Anders walked towards Marian when he entered the clinic, then gestured to a corner where they could talk privately. "I'm going to be trying something, and I thought you'd want to be part of it. You were right. What I did with Justice was unnatural. It should never have happened."
"Is there a way to undo it?" Marian asked.
"I've spent the past three years researching the methods of Tevinter magisters." Anders said.
"Why am I not surprised?" Fenris glared. Ever since Danarius, willing to give mages more benefit of the doubt but on more than one occasion, Anders and Merrill had shown him that they are not good examples of mages.
"They're the only ones who have ever sought to reverse spirit possession, not just behead the victims. I believe I have a formula for a potion that can separate Justice and me. Without killing either." Anders said.
"Is it dangerous?" Steve asked.
"There are always dangers with magic." Anders shrugged. "But I believe this will be worth the cost."
"I've studied Tevinter magister's methods of magic. I've never heard of a safe potion that could separate a spirit from a possessed human." Strange said, skeptical.
"Surely that's worth any risk it entails." Marian argued.
"I knew you'd stand behind me in this. Even if…" Anders trailed off.
"What?" Marian asked, confused.
"Nothing. I've gathered most of what I need, but there are some… outlandish ingredients I was hoping you'd help me collect. A powder the Tevinters call "sela petrae" and a small amount of drakestone."
"Is it just a potion?" Wanda questioned. If there was something that could reverse possession, one would think they would be stocking it at every tavern from Kirkwall to Seheron, unless this was something deadly and dangerous.
"I think there might be more to this ritual." Strange said, skeptical.
"No, no ritual." Anders shook his head. "Just mix the ingredients up and… boom. Justice and I are free. And we can take our rightful place among free mages."
"I have a bad feeling about this." Sam said as the Avengers nodded.
"I'm not sure we should risk messing with a ritual from Tevinter Imperium magisters." Wanda agreed.
"I understand your reservations." Anders said. "But, please, trust me."
"Sorry, Anders. But this time, we're not helping you." Steve said. It was obvious to them that Anders was not telling them the whole truth and lately, his opinions regarding the templar-mage debacle had been becoming more and more extreme.
"Fair enough. I suppose I cannot blame you strangers for your reservations." Anders said.
"Marian, this is a mistake. I don't like this." Wanda whispered.
"Me either. But… I think the least we can do is find out what is he up to." Marian said as Wanda nodded, knowing she had a point as Marian turned to Anders. "I'll help you. If they don't want to, don't force them to."
Anders nodded.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Steve said.
"Anders's opinions have been becoming more extreme lately. I can understand why but…" Wanda trailed off.
"Whatever he is up to, I'm sure he's not honest about his intentions." Strange said. "I would've stopped him but…"
"But what?" Wanda asked.
"I don't know. That spirit possessing him… it's powerful. Maybe I could beat it but… I just can't shake this feeling that there are larger forces in play." Strange said ominously.
"Marian…" Varric glanced up as Marian entered his room in the Hanged Man. "This is awkward."
"You?" Marian raised an eyebrow. "At a loss for words? I should mark this day on my calendar."
"Enjoy this while it lasts. It might never happen again." Varric shrugged. "Look, I just want to say, it has been an honor knowing you."
"Are you about to die?" Marian's eyes widened. "Am I? Why so serious all of a sudden?"
"Don't panic. I just needed to get that off my chest." He shook his head. "You know it's six years today? Six years since I found you dragging your and Scarlet's tails out of Bartrand's office. Here's to whatever comes next."
Marian had helped Anders collect all ingredients before they returned to his clinic. "There is one more thing I would ask of you, Marian. And I can't tell you why. I must get inside the chantry, without being seen. Will you talk to the grand cleric for me? Distract her long enough for me to do what must be done?"
"What do you want me to talk about?" Marian questioned. That was ominous.
"Food? The weather? What does it matter?" Anders shrugged. "No, talk of mages. Give her one final chance to hear what we have suffered. To pick a side. Perhaps she'll be more inclined to listen to you."
"Tell me your plan." Marian said. She was getting tired of these deceptions.
"You would not thank me if I told you. If you support freedom for mages, help me. That's all I can say." Anders insisted.
"What is it you don't want me to see?" Marian crossed her arms, running out of patience, starting to think the Avengers were right about Anders.
"You said you believe in me. Again and again, you have shown your support for mages." Anders gazed at her earnestly. "Then trust me now. I am only doing what is necessary."
"Was this ever about you and Justice? Or have you lied this whole time?" Marian demanded.
For a moment, Anders stared at her before looking away. "I lied. There is no potion. But what we have gathered will bring freedom for more than just me and Justice. It will help mages throughout Thedas. In the face of that, one lie means little."
"I can't act blindly. Tell me your plan." Marian said.
"I am taking a risk. I would not see you drawn into it." Anders gestured emphatically. "But maybe your support of mages ends at talk. It's easy to support freedom if no one must die to achieve it. You cannot pretend friendship, then stop now."
"Being a friend doesn't mean I have to agree with your every decision." Marian protested.
"You cannot care for me and despise what I stand for. I am the cause of mages. There is nothing else inside me. Will you aid us now? Or does your support stop at the chantry door?" Anders gave her a pointed look.
Marian was silent, considering for long moments before sighing. "Tell me what you would have of me, then. But I won't forget you blackmailed me to get it."
"I promise: whatever happens, it's on my head. It will not come back on you. Go to the chantry. Talk to the grand cleric. I will join you when I'm done." Anders said as Marian gave her a concerned look. "I'll find you as soon as I'm done. Thank you."
Marian entered the Chantry, nearing the altar before Grand Cleric Elthina approached her with a warm smile. "Maker's blessing, Champion. Have you come to pray?"
"Have you thought about which side you'll take? Between the mages and templars?" Marian asked.
"It's no secret that you count apostates among your friends, Champion. You have done much to fan the flames of rebellion here. We must give Meredith and Orsino time to work out their differences. No good can come of showing favor to one side." Elthina said.
Marian nodded. A dozen lifetimes wouldn't be enough to make those two work out their differences. Apparently, nothing less than the intervention of the Maker himself or Andraste herself could. "The Maker created mages. Why doesn't He protect them?"
"I feel for the mages, I do. I would not wish to be locked in the Gallows. But I cannot take sides. We are all the Maker's creatures, but magic allows abuses beyond the scope of mortals. I can only hope I can balance the needs of everyone. For if it comes to war, it is the people of this city who will lose." Elthina said.
She was still searching for a response when Anders came over to them. "There you are. I've been looking for you all over." He gave Elthina a small bow. "Your Grace."
"Your soul is troubled, child." Elthina's voice was gentle and sad when she looked at Anders. "I hope you found a balm for it here."
Marian let several hours pass before heading down to talk to Anders again. He found Anders talking to Varric. "I wanted you to have this."
"What's that, a…" Varric gave him a confused look. "Pillow?"
"Hand-embroidered by my mother. The only thing of hers they let me keep when I went to the Circle."
"Why in the name of Andraste would you give that to me?"
"You've been a good friend, Varric."
"Uh-uh. You keep your pillow, Blondie. And may you have many more dreams of killing templars on it." Varric shook his head, then waved goodbye as he left the clinic.
"Marian. I…" Anders would not quite meet her eyes. "Didn't expect you here. But…" Anders looked down at his hands before looking back up at her. "Let me take this time to tell you how much I respect you. You've stood by me, when I gave you every reason to turn away. Just remember, whatever happens, I wanted you to know that."
"Why are you talking like this?" Marian wondered. Until recently, Anders was a good friend to her. Lately, she had been wondering if she actually knew him at all.
Anders stepped out of the clinic, and leaned over the railing that separated Darktown from the view of the bay. "He'll still be here, you know—Justice—long after you and I are gone. It doesn't mean the same thing to a spirit. He'll just go back to the Fade."
"Usually people don't say things like that unless they're about to stab someone in the back." Marian said, eying Anders carefully.
"None of this is aimed at you, Marian. I think I've made that clear. I was hoping we'd find a better way, but…" Anders looked genuinely sorrowful for a moment. "Justice and Vengeance are too intertwined. I can't tell one from the other. You have been a better friend than I ever thought to have." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Your support has meant the world to me."
The sun was starting to set when she realized her feet had led her back to the Chantry. With a sigh, she entered. Elthina was talking to some of the mothers. She walked towards Marian when she'd finished her conversation. "I hope you haven't come to try to talk me into leaving again. Kirkwall needs a steadying hand on its reins, now more than ever. Orsino and the knight-commander grow more fractious by the day." She gave her a concerned look.
"There are apostates plotting something against the Chantry." Marian said. She wished she knew what the plot was.
Elthina raised her hands skyward. "And the sky is blue and the rains come in the spring." She laid a hand on Marian's shoulder. "It's no secret you have close associates who are apostates, Champion. I do not doubt you know of one's plans. But mages have threatened me before. I cannot turn on my templars, on the very words of Andraste, for fear. No matter how justified that fear might be." She patted Marian's shoulder, and then walked away.
"Marian?" Sebastian approached her, confused. "Did I hear that right? Someone is plotting against the Chantry?"
"I don't know." Marian said.
"But you think Elthina is a target?"
"I know she is. I just don't know what, exactly, she's the target of." Marian sighed. "Perhaps nothing. Perhaps everything."
"You watch yourself as well, Marian."
"Do you think I could do it?"
"Do…" Sebastian's eyes widened. "You are thinking of taking the Viscount's job?"
"With a second hand on the reins…" Marian looked in the direction Elthina had gone. "Maybe we can stop the cart before it goes over the cliff."
"If anyone could, my friend, it's you." Sebastian nodded as Wanda neared her, while he left.
"What was Anders up to?" Wanda asked.
"Honestly, I have no idea. But I can't shake this feeling…"
"Something bad is going to happen. I just hope it won't be on Anders's head." Wanda nodded.
Present
"The Champion tried to warn her." Leliana folded her arms.
"I wonder what would have happened if she'd listened." Cassandra shook her head. "They didn't know what Anders intended but suspected he was up to something they certainly would never approve of. I wonder, why didn't they…"
"If they knew exactly what was he planning, I'm certain they would've tried to stop him. But he blackmailed Marian." Leliana reminded.
Cassandra examined her hands. "It could have ended differently. Elthina a woman of peace. The Champion a viscount with Meredith's respect and the Avengers defenders of peace in the city…"
"You think they could have stopped the cart from going over the cliff?"
"After listening to Varric's tale?" Cassandra considered her answer for a few moments. Finally, she nodded. "Yes." She sighed. "At the very least, I wish they'd gotten the chance to try."
"Though I don't think his tale has ended, we should listen to see what else transpires."
Now, for those familiar with Dragon Age, I think you might be confused why didn't Strange try to stop Anders from executing his plan, since he obviously could've figured out sooner or later what did Anders actually do. Let's just say he was too busy researching Tevinter methods with the ingredients he didn't think to realize Anders created his own recipe for what happens later.
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.
