Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Marvel Cinematic Universe.


"I know this might not work out but Wanda and I could come to visit you and Fenris, if you want." Steve offered as Marian was preparing the breakfast.

"I'd like that. I'm pretty sure Fenris would too and Carver and Bethany would surely be delighted to see you again." Marian turned to Wanda, who nodded.

"I've been training Eldritch magic for three years. We can come to visit you here and you us, if you'd like." Wanda offered.

"Well, I hope we can work this out without…"

Bodahn suddenly entered with a letter. "Sorry to interrupt but this just arrived. I thought you might want to read this immediately."

Marian opened the parchment and narrowed her eyes. "Uh-oh."

"What?" Steve asked.

"Orsino is asking me to come to the Gallows. As soon as possible." Marian said.


They had barely set foot in the Gallows when a mage came running up to Marian. "Champion! Thank the Maker you've come!"

"What's happened?" Marian asked.

"First Enchanter Orsino got into a terrible argument with the knight-commander!" The mage said quickly. "He stormed off to bring the matter before the grand cleric, but Meredith gave chase. I fear there will be blood!"

"That doesn't sound good." Bobbi said.

"Then take us to them, before that happens." Marian said as the mage nodded, accompanying them onto the boat and sailing back into the city.


As soon as the boat docked, they rushed towards the Lowtown market as Meredith was again arguing with Orsino, inches away from each other.

"I will have the tower searched. Top to bottom!" Meredith said, fury in her eyes.

"You cannot do that. You have no right!" Orsino shot back, waving his hand dismissively.

"I have every right! You are harboring blood mages, and I intend to root them out before they infect this city!"

"Blood magic! Where do you not see blood magic? My people cannot sneeze without you accusing them of corruption."

"Do not trifle with me, mage. My patience is at an end."

"A wonder that I never saw it begin!"

"Why are you to fighting again?" Marian asked, getting in between them.

"This does not involve you, Champion." Meredith turned to her.

"I called her here. I think the people deserve to know just what you've done." Orsino said.

"What I have done is protect the people of this city, time and again." Meredith started to near towards Orsino before Marian stepped up, stopping her "What I have done is protect you mages from your curse and your own stupidity. And I will not stop doing it. I will not lower our guard, I dare not!"

The Avengers stared. It was obvious that Meredith's paranoia had gotten worse and was reaching the breaking point.

"Is there any truth to what she's saying?" Marian asked.

"These are only her latest accusations, nothing more!" Orsino said. "And what if she does not find what she's looking for? How much further will she go to root out something that isn't there?"

"The Champion knows better than anyone how deep the Circle's corruption goes. I must find the source!" Meredith said, glaring at the First Enchanter.

"Oppressing the mages isn't the answer." Steve said.

"What other option do we have? Should we look the other way? Tell the victim of a possessed mage that we meant no harm?" Meredith asked in sarcasm. "Tell me, Champion, that you have not seen with your own eyes what they can do, heard the lies of mages that seek power!"

"You can't condemn actions of some to condemn them all." Marian said, trying to reason with the knight-commander. For a moment, it seemed to work as the knight-commander relaxed. For a moment.

"You would cast us all as villains, but it is not so!" Orsino stepped up.

Meredith nodded. "I know, and it breaks my heart to do it, but we must be vigilant." She glared at the First Enchanter, her voice almost a feral snarl. "If you cannot tell me another way, do not brand me a tyrant!"

Orsino sighed. "This is getting us nowhere. Grand Cleric Elthina will put a stop to this."

The First Enchanter was about to leave, when Meredith grabbed the sleeve of his robe. "You will not bring her Grace into this!"

Marian and the Avengers were about to intervene again and suggest for the people to go home and let them deal with the knight-commander and the First Enchanter before suddenly, Anders stepped up, slamming his staff to the ground. "The grand cleric cannot help you!" Anders shouted.

"Explain yourself, mage." Meredith growled, nearing him.

"I will not stand by and watch you treat all mages like criminals…" Anders pointed at her accusingly before glaring at Orsino. "…while those who would lead us bow to their templar jailers."

Orsino glared back. "How dare you speak to—"

Anders cut him off with another tap of his staff against the stone. "The Circle has failed us, Orsino! Even you should be able to see that!" Anders's eyes began to glow briefly. "The time has come to act. There can be no half-measures."

"Anders, what have you done?" Marian whispered, a pit of dread forming in her stomach.

"There can be no turning back." Anders turned away. Suddenly, it hit the Avengers.

"The chantry…" Wanda whispered.

Beneath them, the ground began to shake. There was a horrible sound. They all whirled around to see the Chantry start to collapse. Light burst out in all directions as the stone toppled and crashed. In few moments, all that was left of the Chantry was rubble and ash.

"Maker have mercy!" Meredith whispered.

"There can be no peace." Anders said lowly.

Sebastian fell to his knees. "Elthina! No! Maker, no! She was Your most faithful, Your most beloved…" He looked to the ground with tears in his eyes. "Why didn't she listen to me?" He then got up and raise a hand towards the ruined Chantry. "Blessed by the souls of the faithful that they ascend to Your right hand…"

While Sebastian continued with his prayer, Orsino turned on Anders. "Why? Why would you do such a thing?"

"I removed the chance of compromise, because there is no compromise." Anders said as the Avengers glared at him. He had gone too far. They knew that his opinions had been becoming extreme lately but this…

"The grand cleric has been slain by magic." Meredith's voice was cold. "The chantry destroyed." She turned to the templars. "As knight-commander of Kirkwall, I hereby invoke the Right of Annulment. Every mage in the Circle is to be executed—immediately!"

Wanda and Strange stared in horror before the rest of the Avengers caught up with them a fraction of moment later. The Right of Annulment. The templars would kill all mages in the Circle of Magi in a last resort to restore order. Usually done, when the mages had succumbed to blood magic or had become possessed by demons and had become abominations.

"The Circle didn't even do this! Champion, you can't let her! Help us stop this madness!" Orsino begged.

"And I demand you stand with us!" Meredith ordered. "Even you must see that this outrage cannot be tolerated!"

They looked from one to the other. Behind them, Sebastian's voice was hot and furious. "Why are we debating the Right of Annulment when the monster who did this is right here?" Sebastian gestured at Anders. "I swear to you, I will kill him!"

"It can't be stopped now. You have to choose." Anders said as it hit Marian and the Avengers.

"That potion you wanted us to help you make…" Wanda whispered.

"Was that… why you needed me to distract the grand cleric?" Marian glared at Anders, the phrase "if looks could kill" coming to mind.

Anders nodded. "If you knew what I was doing, you would have felt honor-bound to stop me. I couldn't take that chance. The Circle is an injustice, in many places beyond Kirkwall. The world needs to see."

"Do you even realize what you've started here?" Wanda demanded.

"I do. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Anders nodded, although they didn't believe him.

"Elthina is not the Circle! She was a good woman, and you murdered her!" Sebastian shouted.

"You fool! You've doomed us all!" Orsino clenched his fists, glaring at Anders.

"We were already doomed. A quick death now or a slow one later." Anders met Orsino's eyes. "I'd rather die fighting."

"You think you're a hero? How many innocents you've just killed?!" Clint demanded, all of them shooting Anders incredulous looks.

"You're a murderer." Marian's voice was almost a snarl as she glared at the healer. "The grand cleric, the mages… their blood is on your hands!"

"I know." Anders said, barely a hint of remorse on his face and his eyes.

"It doesn't matter. Even if I wished to, I could not stay my hand. The people will demand blood." Meredith said, sounding… pleased.

They all met the knight-commander's eyes. And saw nothing human beyond them. She almost reminded the Avengers of Ross. Just because of Wanda's mistake with Rumlow, all Enhanced and the Avengers had become outlaws and hunted until Thanos.

Marian turned to look at Orsino. "I won't let them slaughter all over you."

"I knew I could count on you." Bethany sighed in relief.

"But what of Anders?" Sebastian turned to him with eyes full of hate and contempt.

"Marian, if you do this, I don't know if I can follow." Aveline's voice was bleak.

"The mages could become magisters, if they could. Do not let them." Fenris said.

"You sure about this?" Varric asked. "Even you might not win this fight."

"I know we can do this. I believe in you, Marian." Merrill's voice wasn't quite as confident as her words.

"Shit. What have you gotten yourself into this time, Isabela?" Isabela moaned.

"Fighting against templars to defend mages?" Wanda grumbled, knowing how much in over their heads they all were now. But it was too late to go back now.

"There's no way we're letting you punish them all for crime of one mage, who wasn't even one of them!" Steve glared at Meredith.

Meredith took a step towards them and glared back, her gaze focused mainly on Marian. "You and your friends should think carefully, Champion. Stand with them and you share their fate."

For the past seven years, Marian had tried to do her best to protect the mages, her sister included, from the wrath of templars and from themselves to stop them from letting their own power corrupt them. It was obvious on whose side she was going to be. "I'm not helping you, Meredith."

"Thank the Maker!" Orsino said in relief.

Fenris narrowed his eyes. He still may not have had a high opinion on mages but Marian and Wanda and the past seven years had helped him realize that regarding magic not everything is black and white as he stepped to their side. "It is a mistake. But I won't abandon you."

Aveline nodded. She believed in law and order but she knew the right from wrong. "I see what you are trying to do, and my place… is with you."

"You are a fool, Champion." Meredith sneered before she gestured at the templars with her. "Kill them all! I will rouse the rest of the Order!" She headed away.

"Go!" Orsino yelled to the mages with him. "Get to the Gallows before it's too late!"

Moira and other two templars stood aside, not drawing their weapons. The rest of the templars attacked but were quickly overpowered by Marian and the rest. Marian, Fenris, and Aveline alongside with Steve, Bobbi, Bucky and Hunter engaged the knights, while Clint, Varric and Sebastian started shooting the hunters and Strange, Bethany, Anders and Merrill casted spell and archers and the remaining templars alongside the rest of the group until they all were killed.

"So it's come to this." There was grief in Orsino's voice. "I don't know if we can win this war, Champion, but… thank you." He glanced at where Anders was sitting on a crate. "I will leave you're…" He shook his head. "Friend for you to deal with. I must return to the Gallows. Meet me there as soon as you can."

"We're not going to attack any templar, who doesn't attack us or our allies." Steve said as he turned to Moira, who nodded.

"The Veil is going to be torn, and that means demons and abominations." Bethany said.

"Gather who you can, and aid the guard. Kirkwall is going to need you." Marian ordered.

"Yes, Champion." Moira saluted, and then gestured to her fellows.

They watched her go, and then Marian walked towards Anders. The mage didn't look at her, no hint of remorse in his eyes. The Avengers and the rest glared at him. All those innocent people he just killed…

"There's nothing you can say that I haven't already said to myself. I took a spirit into my soul and changed myself forever to achieve this. This is the justice all the mages have awaited." Anders said.

"You begin a bloodbath to prove a point?" Strange demanded incredulously.

"I'm not proving a point. I'm changing a world." Anders said. "The people fear what we can do, but to use that fear to bludgeon us into submission is wrong! And they do it with our blessing! If I pay for that with my life, then I pay. Perhaps then Justice will at least be free."

The Avengers stared. To an extent Anders had a point but this line of thinking is what tore the Avengers apart because of people's fear of them and the Enhanced, leading to the Sokovian Accords.

"Do not hide behind your spirit!" Sebastian growled. "It was your hand that did this."

Marian and the rest had to agree with Sebastien, it was he and his desires that turned Justice into a demon. Anders looked pretty sane when he gathered the ingredients to destroy the Chantry. Not to mention he had the blood of many innocents on his hands, mages, templars, the people of Kirkwall and everyone who was in the Chantry.

"You have to pay for what you've done." Marian glared.

"I know. The sooner I die, the sooner my name lives on to inspire generations!" Anders said as he looked up into the sky as they looked at him incredulously. Was Anders serious? Inspire? All he would become would be a warning to everyone the dangers of mages, a simple act of fear magic. He would be remembered as a zealot, whose actions slaughtered hundreds, maybe thousands of innocents.

Marian withdrew a dagger and drove it into Anders's back, right into his spine. He went completely still and then toppled over and landed on the ground. To an extent, they mourned for the friend Anders had been but his zealotic ideals made him too far gone.

"It will never be enough, but it's a start." Sebastian said.

"We'd all best get to the Gallows, and quick." Varric drew Bianca. "It's going to be quite a show."

They had not gone far though, when a shade demon emerged from the ground. When they were about to react, suddenly a blade ran through the shade from behind as it vanished as Marian blinked. "Carver?"

"Your family has convenient timing." Isabela noted.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." Carver smiled in relief. "I thought you were dead."

"Here to cheer on the templars, are you?" Marian regretted the words as soon as she said them.

Carver only nodded in understanding. "You're the only family I have left. I have to stand by you. Just say the word and you'll have my blade."

"I thought that the Grey Wardens were supposed to be neutral." Wanda said.

Carver turned to her and Marian in regret. "I'm a Warden because of you. I blamed you two for a long time, but…" He touched the hilt of his blade. "You saved more than my life. I am so much more than I was. This is what I was meant to be, and I won't thank you by doing nothing while you start a war and let our baby sister die."

They hadn't started this battle but they damn well going to finish it. "Your blade would be welcome."

"Brother and sisters Hawkes together again, huh? Just like old times." Carver chuckled.


They kept their word to Moira. Unless the templars attacked first, they let them be. If they found them attacking mages, they gave them fair warning. Some backed off. If they found them being attacked by demons or abominations, they rendered aid. Some attacked them anyway. Blood ran through the streets.

Marian, Isabela, Aveline, Carver and Fenris attacked with their blades, while Steve was throwing his shield and Bobbi attacked with her staves and Clint and Sebastian fired arrows, while Wanda was using her powers. Strange and Merrill were casting spells, while Bucky and Hunter were using their guns as Sam flew around, firing as well.

The trip across to the Gallows was silent. Marian saw Carver and Isabela snuggling up to each other. If she thought her friends would listen, she would tell them to get out. She glanced up at Hightown could see the smoke from here, she hoped that Bodahn, Sandal and Orana were safe.


There was fighting already in the courtyard of the Gallows. Orsino was trying to get his people to safety, but both mages and templars were already dying.

"First Enchanter!" Marian yelled.

Orsino gave her a relieved look. "Champion! You've survived, thank the Maker! We must—"

Meredith's arrival interrupted whatever Orsino was going to say. "And here you are!"

Orsino stepped forward. "Let us speak, Meredith! Before this battle destroys the city you claim to protect!"

"I will entertain a surrender, nothing more." Meredith said, as she and her templars and Orsino and his mages were inches away from each other in the Gallows courtyard. "Speak, if you have something to say."

"Revoke the Right of Annulment, Meredith, before this goes too far. Imprison us, if you must. Search the tower. I will even help you." Orsino begged. "But do not kill us all for an act we did not commit."

"The grand cleric is dead, killed by a mage. The people will demand retribution, and I will give it to them." Meredith shook her head. "Your offer is commendable, Orsino, but it comes too late."

They looked behind her, to where Cullen stood. The Knight-Captain looked startled by Meredith's refusal to accept Orsino's offer. The request sounded completely reasonable and it would have prevented more deaths.

"People didn't choose you to act in their name, last I checked and I don't recall any people wanting all mages dead for an act of one apostate." Steve said.

"But they will soon enough. The Circle should have kept all apostates in check, Captain Rogers." Meredith glared.

"We can still prevent this, before you both tear Kirkwall apart." Marian said.

"You heard her. She's wanted this all along." Orsino's face was bleak.

"I'm disappointed in you, Champion." Meredith glared at Marian. "So be it. You will share the Circle's fate."

"So what is it to be, Meredith?" Orsino sounded resigned. "Do we fight here?"

Meredith gestured dismissively. "Go, prepare your people. The rest of the Order is already crossing the harbor."

"This isn't over." Orsino gestured to the mages, and they followed him into the tower.


They readied themselves in the courtyard. Their position was sound. The templars would have to come through a chokepoint to reach them.

"Nervous, Marian?" Varric asked.

"I know we have to do this, but I don't want to lose people." Marian said.

Varric nodded. "But what a way to go! A heroic sacrifice for the good of Kirkwall? There are worse endings, you know." He shrugged. "You know me, Marian. I'm not one for long goodbyes. I'm not sure we should be doing this. Helping dangerous people run amok. But I'm with you."

"Whatever I'm going into, it's good to have you along." Marian smiled. She gazed out across the water. Lanterns bobbed on the ships approaching the Gallows. After everything, they were right back where they started. In the Gallows, with no hope.

"It's been an honor, Marian."


"You don't have to be here if don't want to be." Marian said.

Isabela shook her head at her. "And if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't be." She laid her hand on her arm. "Your life would have been easier if you had just cut me out of it. But you stood by me. You defied the Qunari and fought their Arishok for me, even after I betrayed you."

"If you'd gone with them, I wouldn't have been able to yell at you." Marian winked.

"Oh. Well, I'm glad you wanted to yell at me so badly then." Isabela stuck her tongue out at her. "I know I don't exactly inspire confidence, but I swear I'm going to come through for you this time. When you look for me, I'll be fighting at your side."


Carver laughed. "Sister." He folded his arms. "You always seem to find a way to make my life difficult. I should be hunting Archdemons but…" He glanced from Isabela to Bethany and Marian. "It feels right to be at your side again."

"This is where you should be. The Hawke siblings together." Marian said.

"That won't always be the case. You know that." Carver shrugged. "I've seen a lot of things. The world out there, it needs help. But I can start here." He put an arm around Isabela's waist. "Who would have thought, huh? Three nobodies from Lothering." He sighed. "I wish… I wish mother could have seen us like this. I don't know what she would think about the rest, but…"

Marian shook her head. "She always knew it would take something like this to bring us together."

"I suppose she did." Carver straightened as he hugged Marian and Bethany. "I'm proud to call you both sisters. That's gone unsaid too long. "In war, victory," Champion. And whatever else may come."

"No "goodbyes"." Bethany shook her head. "If we don't come back from this, never doubt that I love you both. All these years, I've tried to understand what Andraste sought. Why she had to lock us up. And I just cannot believe that is his will."

"Being in the Circle must've been hard. Do you ever wish you had come on the expedition?" Marian turned to her sister. Maybe she could have protected her from the templars' wrath. Maybe she would have been killed by the darkspawn.

"If I had, who knows where I'd be now." Bethany shrugged. "I always thought it was hard growing up outside the Circle. Always on the run. Never realized how free I was." She considered. "Maybe it took being locked in the Gallows to understand my place in this world." She eyed the other mages, inexperienced in fight and scared of fighting the templars, who were about to slaughter them all. "To see the need to free my fellow mages."

"I couldn't ask for a better brother or sister." Marian was on verge of tears as they hugged each other.

"May the Maker bless us and keep us. I wish Mother had lived long enough to see this." Bethany said.

Wanda then approached them. "For what it's worth… I'm happy to have met you. You brought me home and family, when I was in a world I didn't know or understand. You're my second family, next to the Avengers."

"I'm sure your brother and our mother would be proud of you." Marian said. "You've looked after us as best as you could."

"And we will continue to do so." Wanda turned to the Avengers.

"We're always going to have your back." Steve nodded. "We stand by for what is the right thing to do. And that's helping you defend these fellow mages."


"Captain?"

Aveline laughed. "Not for much longer if this goes bad." She sighed. "What a mess. You really put loyalty to the test, you know? Donnic has kept the guard protecting civilians. Meredith will have no support from them. With luck…" She shrugged. "Well, let's just say we need some luck."

Marian laid a hand on Aveline's shoulder. "I never wanted to mess up your life like this."

"I think it's something that just sort of happens to friends of yours." Aveline pulled her in for a hug. "Marian?" She waited for him to nod. "It's worth it. Now let's bust some heads like the old days."


Marian glanced at the man in the dark coat. For a moment, she considered turning her back and walking away. Then she walked towards him.

"Here I am, about to defend these mages in hopeless battle." Fenris shook his head. "You lead me to strange places, Marian Hawke."

"Sometimes you have to do the right thing." Marian said.

"I'll take your word on that." Fenris nodded. She knew it must have been difficult for him, considering how he felt about mages. He then looked at her. "Then let me say one more thing, in case it's the last. You're a good friend. You and Wanda and are the only ones I've ever had." It was clear to Marian that Fenris and Wanda were more than friends but he never was a sentimental type. "It will be an honor to fight at your side. Now the battle awaits us." He then bowed. "Na via lerno victoria. "Only the living no victory." Fight well."


Marian found Sebastian looking at the mages, he looked terribly conflicted and she couldn't blame him after what they just witnessed.

"It's hard to look at these apostates and not see Anders." Sebastian said when he noticed Marian standing next to him. "Andraste says we're all children of the Maker and deserve the freedom to walk by His side or throw ourselves to the Void. Still, I can't imagine she would support this chaos."

"Andraste wouldn't want her Chantry to be a prison and torture-chamber. We must reclaim her mercy." Marian said.

Sebastian nodded. "You're right. I should need you to remind me of such things. We must show that the Chantry cannot condone tyranny among its templars. We'll worry about the mages after. To victory, my friend, by any means necessary."


Merrill was fidgeting, turning the ring around and around on her finger. "I feel like I'm forgetting something. Or there's more to do. Or…" She sighed. "Does all this feel like a dream to you, too?"

"Don't get distracted now." Marian said. Now was not the time for Merrill to lose focus.

Merrill nodded. She had given a lot of reasons for Marian to give up on her but Marian had always tried to help her, despite her blood magic. "I won't. I… promise I won't let you down this time. Marian, before we go… I…"

"Merrill, whatever happens, I'm proud to have known you." Marian put an assuring hand on the elf's shoulder.


"I'm glad you're helping me. All of you." Marian eyed Steve, Bucky, Sam, Clint, Bobbi, Hunter and Strange.

"We always fight for the good cause. And at this moment, it's defending these innocent mages." Steve said.

"And here I thought that Gonzales and Coulson had issues." Bobbi muttered.

"No kidding." Hunter muttered.

"For what it's worth, the Avengers always protect innocent." Clint said. "We've got your back. You're Wanda's family, that makes you our family too."


"Are you prepared, Champion? I believe the battle is almost upon us." The First Enchanter looked tired, and old.

"You don't believe there's a chance of winning this fight?" Marian questioned.

"With you on our side?" Orsino turned to face her. "Perhaps." He shook his head. "But even if we win, what then? More templars would come, with even larger armies. We are apostates now. Our only hope lies in the Circles elsewhere in Thedas. They could rise up with us against this injustice. I assure you, however, we will find sympathy nowhere else."

It was good to realize just how deep they were in.

"We'll do what we can to protect you." Steve promised.

"Very well. You will need to give orders to your companions, and I will do the same for my people." Orsino ordered.


"I am at your service, Marian." Sebastian said. "Where do you want me?"

"Sebastian, I want you somewhere with a good vantage point. Cover as well we move in." Marian said.

"May the Maker favor us now." Sebastian said.

"Clint, you're going to help him." Steve ordered as Clint picked his bow.

"On it, Cap."

"Merrill, attack from a distance. Stay out of the fight as much as you can."

"I will."

"Aveline, charge in whenever you see an opening. Give the mages some breathing room, and let them do the work."

"Very well."

"Buck, Sam…"

"On it, Cap." Sam nodded as they prepared their guns.

"Isabela, I want you to fight from stealth. Keep them confused."

Isabela laughed. "Sounds like fun."

"Hunter, Bobbi, help her."

"Got it, Cap."

"Varric, take a vantage point. Focus on their archers."

"I'll stick by Daisy."

"Bethany, Strange, keep out of the fray and use your spells at distance."

"I'll try."

"On it."

"The same goes for you, Wanda."

Wanda nodded.

"Carver, Fenris, you two stay with me. I'm going to make a nice big target of myself and it would be good to have some backup."

"I think we can handle that, Sister."

Fenris nodded. "I am yours."

"We're cornered. The templars know it. You know it. But this is bigger than their hate… their fear." Marian gestured with her hands. "They've come to take your lives, and we are saying, no. We don't want this, but sometimes… sometimes you have to stand."

"Champion. It is beginning." Orsino said as he stepped up.


Outside in the Plaza it was an utter war zone, mages and templars were facing one another. Mages casted powerful spells to throw the templars off balance, but the templars were trained to this and managed to overwhelm the mages.

They then broke into the courtyard. Bethany threw a wall of fire over the chokepoint. Merrill called up a tempest and put it over the wall of fire. Clint, Varric and Sebastian kept on firing arrows and bolts at the archers and leaders.

A few templars made it through, and mages died for it. They saw Emile de Launcet, of all people, throw up a barrier to protect some of their comrades. A moment later, Isabela was there at the buffoon's back, kicking one approaching templar in the face before burying one of her knives in the throat of another before Sam flew down from above, pulling out his guns as he and Bucky opened fire.

Bobbi and Hunter ambushed the knights from the shadows. Wanda blasted some of the templars back as Steve threw his shield, ricocheting off the templars back to him, while Strange used Tao Mandalas to shield them all or used Eldritch magic to push back the templar knights.

Some templars managed to get past the barricade. The first one to come within reach of Carver's blade was promptly cut in half. On the other side of him, Fenris and the Blade of Mercy began to glow, and he saw the oncoming templars hesitate at the sight.

Across the yard, Aveline fought. They recognized the mage that stood back to back with her as Alain. The young man twirled his staff, keeping the templars from being able to encircle the Guard-Captain.

The first and second waves of templars came, broke, and fell. They waited, but if the third was coming, Meredith was rethinking her options. They glanced down at the bodies, and saw the faces of people they had known. People they had fought alongside.


"Look at it all." Orsino knelt by the body of a dead mage. "Why don't they just drown us as infants? Why wait. Why give us the illusion of hope?"

Bethany gave him a pleading look. "First Enchanter, we need to-"

Orsino got up. "I refuse to keep running! I won't wait for her to kill me."

"This is not helping, First Enchanter." Marian tried to calm him down.

"I'm tired of helping as well." Orsino shook his head. "The irony is that until this very moment, I have never used blood magic."

Strange stepped up. "No, don't…"

"Quentin's research was too evil, too dangerous, so I put it aside. But I see now there is no other way." Orsino growled.

Quentin… that madman that killed Leandra. Marian's and Wanda's minds went back to the letters they had found in that… monster's lair. Signed with an "O". Suddenly, all the pieces fell together.

"You were working with that murderer?" They saw the heads of Carver and Bethany come up as he heard the conversation. The expressions on their faces was murderous as they saw Bethany's eyes suddenly flash with purple magic, fury blazing in their eyes and not a moment later, Marian and Wanda had similar looks on their faces.

"I knew about him." Orsino sighed. "I kept his existence secret because I didn't want to give Meredith more ammunition against us." He looked down at the bodies. "I see now I needn't have bothered." Before anyone could stop him, Orsino drew his knife and slashed his palm open as more templars entered. "Meredith expects blood magic? Then I will give it to her. Maker help us all."

Some yellow aura surrounded the First Enchanter and they watched in horror as the corpses of the mages around them rose up into the air and began to merge with Orsino. The end result was nothing more than a monstrosity, it was even worse than an abomination. There was no term for what the abomination they were seeing but it looked like an ogre with human hands dangling from its head.

Once again, they all prepared for a fight and were surprised to find the templars fighting alongside him to bring down the monster. The beast that used to be Orsino kept on swinging its fists at them knocking the templars aside and every time they cut a piece of it off it started to move and attack them.

"What the hell is that thing?" Clint demanded.

"I don't know!" Bethany cried out, staring in horror at what had happened to the man, who used to look after her the past seven years, betrayal filling her.

The pieces of the monstrosity began to reassemble before suddenly, from above struck down lightning and at the place where the abomination was, was left nothing but ashes as the Avengers saw rise up to his feet a familiar long-haired blonde man with a red cape and an armor, but more muscular, rather than fat the last time they had seen him as he turned around, revealing blue eyes and kind smile decorated with shorter beard, wielding in his hand a giant axe.

"I see you've left me the big one."

"Thor!" Steve laughed.

"I've noticed you were in trouble, so I came to help. Templars and mages, well, same old same old." Thor shrugged.


The tower was in disarray, but by the time they reached the courtyard, it was free of demons, abominations, and attacking templars. Those that knew better, fled from Marian and her companions before facing Meredith and Cullen and the templars accompanying them.

"And here we are, Champion, at long last." Meredith stared at Marian.

The time for illusions was gone. "I was afraid you were going to let everyone else do the fighting." Marian glared back.

"Not at all." Meredith unfolded her arms. "I am here to see order restored. What happens to you now is your own doing. You were never part of this Circle, and I tolerated that, but in defending them you've chosen to share their fate."

"Knight-Commander." Cullen stepped out from the other templars. "I thought we intended to arrest the Champion."

"You will do as I command, Cullen." Meredith said coldly as she turned her icy eyes on the Knight-Captain.

"No." Cullen moved to stand between her and Marian. "I defended you when Thrask started whispering you were mad. But this is too far."

"I will not allow insubordination! We must stay true to our path!" Meredith's voice was full of anger, no longer calm or controlled, and they could see the templars starting to shift and fidget. She saw it too. She drew her blade, aiming the point at Cullen and forcing the man to take a step back. The blade glowed red. A familiar red.

"Holy mother of God!"

"Andraste's dimpled buttcheeks!" Wanda and Varric summed up the entire situation eloquently as they, alongside with Marian and those from Kirkwall stared in disbelief and shock, their jaws almost dropping to the ground at the sight of the sword the Knight-Commander was wielding in her hand. It took few moments for the Avengers to realize as well what was Meredith holding in her hand.

"Is that…" Steve trailed off.

"You recognize it, do you not? Pure lyrium, taken from the Deep Roads. The dwarf charged a great deal for his prize." Meredith smirked, eying the blade of her sword as red energy pulsed through it.

That idol from the Deep Roads. She had been the one that bought it from Bartrand and had been infecting her for over three years. It must have amplified Meredith's paranoia and fear, which explained why it had come to this breaking point and the worst part of it was that she was not even realizing that she had been losing her sanity over time.

"The idol poisoned Bartrand's mind in the end." Marian said in a last attempt to reason with Meredith.

"He was weak, whereas I am not!" Meredith turned to her templars, pointing the tip of the red lyrium sword inches away from Marian's face. "All of you, I want her dead!"

"Enough!" Cullen stepped up and gestured, and the templars stayed where they were. "This is not what the Order stands for. Knight-Commander, step down. I relieve you of your command!"

Meredith turned her head and the look she gave Cullen was chilling, as if she wanted to burn him into ashes with the fierce gaze she was giving. "My own knight-captain falls prey to the influence of blood magic." She whirled on the templars. "You all have! You're all weak, allowing the mages to control your minds, to turn you against me!" She was all but frothing at the mouth. "But I don't need any of you! I will protect this city myself!"

Cullen stepped in front of Marian and drew his sword. "You'll have to go through me."

"Idiot boy! Just like all the others!" Meredith snarled.

"She's lost it. Just like Bartrand." Varric reached for Bianca.

Bethany nodded, and threw up a barrier, making sure it enveloped Cullen as well. This was not going to be pretty.

The red glowing blade penetrated the stone of the courtyard as the red glow grew brighter, spreading over Meredith. Her eyes gleamed with it. "Blessed are those who stand before the corrupt and wicked and do not falter!" The wave of energy that spread out threw half the templars off their feet. Red glowed in the archways as fire sprang up on old wards.

Meredith practically flew through the air, landing behind some of the statues. "Maker, your servant begs you for the strength to defeat this evil!" She yelled. Suddenly, some of the statues started to come to life and move towards them.

Fenris and Carver stood back to back as the statues of slaves surrounded them with Bobbi and Hunter aiding them against the reanimated statues. Bethany was about to go to their aid when Meredith launched herself back into the fray. She landed a few feet from her, and Cullen only barely got his shield up in time to block the blow she sent at Bethany. Bethany sent a spray of ice at her, aiming to chill her armor and slow her movements. It worked, and Cullen managed to get a hit in before she sent a wave of energy that knocked them both back. They had to roll in opposite directions to escape the fist of a giant bronze statue.

An arrow hit the arm joint of another statue, preventing it from bringing its fist down on Isabela. Marian glanced in that direction and saw Sebastian and Clint up on the roof, using their bows to cover Isabela's movements as the pirate backed up Aveline.

Some of the statues managed to reform themselves into spider-like creatures. Steve pushed Cullen out of the way just in time as it swung one of its massive fists. It was about to slam its fists on top of them again, but then lightning shot out of nowhere and blasted it. They turned and saw Merrill standing there with staff on hand.

They quickly got up just in time to see Meredith charging at them again and she probably would've killed them if a bolt hadn't pierced her shoulder. A few yards away stood Varric with Bianca in hand. However, Meredith's rage was even greater than they expected and Steve barely managed to block Meredith's sword with his shield as the following explosion of energy knocked them both in the opposite directions. It hurt almost as much as when Thor struck with Mjolnir.

Cullen then shouldered Meredith, making her lose her balance. Thor blasted her with lightning but Meredith used her sword to absorb it but at least it knocked her off her feet. All the statues that Meredith had brought to life were being broken into pieces as Bethany froze them and Strange shattered them before they began to surround her as Zevran and Nathaniel Howe came to aid but Meredith didn't seem to relent as Strange, Merrill and Bethany used their magic to blast her back before Thor called up from above the lightning and struck Meredith down.

To their surprise, it barely even fazed her, charred ground around her as Meredith got up on her feet again. "I will not be defeated!" She held the glowing blade tightly. "Maker! Aid your humble servant!"

Meredith drew her sword closer to her and it would seem as if she began to channel even more power into it. Then the sword shattered in the shards covered Meredith's body. They heard her screams, which were bloodcurdling, and they watched as her body began to turn red. She collapsed to unease and moments later she became a statue herself. Red light still shimmered from it.

Slowly, the templars began to approach. Marian, her siblings and friends and the Avengers watched them cautiously. Cullen gestured, and one of the templars approached what had once been Meredith. She moved her hand towards the statue, then drew it back before shaking her head at Cullen.

The Knight-Captain nodded. Then he gestured for the templars to step back, and nodded to Marian.

Marian returned the nod, and then gestured at her companions. Together, with the Avengers and Doctor Strange, they walked out of the Gallows.

"I think I know where you can seek refuge." Steve whispered as Marian smiled. Wanda turned to Fenris, who smiled too.


So, what do you guys think? The next chapter will be a concluding epilogue to this story.

Please review and let me know if you have been enjoying this and want for me to continue.