Chapter One

Legacy of Malcom Hawke

I was not ready! So much for uneventful downtime! Being Champion fucking sucked… bug ones! Everyone and their cat were coming to me for advice and help; and I meant it about the cat – apparently it wasn't just dragons and wyverns that listened to me. Not to mention Bartrand had shown up late, two years ago. He had been supposed to return during the events of the Qunari Uprising but… grrr.

I was so damn glad when the Carta began their assault on the three Hawke siblings only because that meant getting out of Kirkwall for a bit!

It was Carver, Bethany, Hawke, me, Fenris, Merrill, Anders and Bela… I was so sick of Mage this or Templar that; we almost left Anders behind because he wouldn't shut the fuck up! I know I was encouraging him to blow up a chantry, but you would think he'd be a bit quieter on the subject!

"There it is," Varric pointed to the old Warden Prison.

Carver looked around the Vinmark Mountains. "It… erm… doesn't look very Dwarven."

I snorted and took Varrics line, "Bro… these are Carta dwarves. They're more criminals and smugglers than anything else." Varric scratched his chin and sighed, "They aren't usually so stupid, though. I don't know why they'd attack you…"

"I just don't want them attacking the mansions again; what if I'm there, naked? That would be just awkward," Bela sighed, giving Hawke a sensual look.

"Like that would bother you?" I smirked and she gave me a grin, "But I'd only have three daggers!"

"So we just… walk in? Slaughter every dwarf in sight?" I gestured to Varric, "Obviously not every dwarf…"

"Whatever else happens, they won't be getting a chance to attack any of you again." Fenris growled. "I really don't know why they were after me… unless they found out my blood cures the taint…"

"What?" Hawke asked.

"Did I forget to mention that? I'm not just immune to the Taint, I can cure it… That warden mage, Avernus, is no longer tainted – but once a Warden, always a Warden. My blood increased all magics – including Templar magics – and I can regen body parts…"

"So… we didn't have to be Wardens?" Bethany asked, looking betrayed. "It was Wardens or Circle – for either of you – and with what will happen very soon, this was the better option."

"Well, I don't like that they can get to either of you." Anders cut the conversation short, and I sent him a smile. "Well, regardless do we have a plan? I may have found their hide out, but my sources couldn't tell me anything else – it's all very strange. I mean, as far as my contacts in the Carta know, they shouldn't be here… there shouldn't even be a here. This place is invisible; a blind spot on the map. Bianca has never been this suspicious, and she's twitchy to start with."

"I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding; later we'll have tea and laugh about it," Hawke smirked. I rolled my eyes.

"Ooh your name is Hawke? I thought it was Locke!" Varric snorted using a high-pitched voice.

We began walking and I noticed the tipped caravan.

"Should we take that as a warning?" Hawke asked amused. I smirked, "Take it as you will, bro, it ain't going to deter us." Leandra had un-officially adopted me, so all the Hawkes kind of saw me as family now… I was rolling with it.

As continued I heard a shout, "It's the Hawke!"

"Well, they know who we are…" I giggled at Hawkes exasperated sigh.

It was another 15 minutes before we got to the first… talker…

"You! The brothers and sister all together… You're finally here; you've come! Everyone, the child of Malcom Hawke has come to us!"

"Well, how could we not… after such a sweet invitation?" Hawke asked with a smirk.

"We must have the blood; you don't understand!"

I rolled my eyes, "Coryphaeus, right?"

That's when all eyes turned to me and the crazy dwarf pointed to me, "You… you understand! You're the other one he needs… the one with the precious blood… we need it too… We will take it! He will walk in the sun once more!"

And they attacked. When they lie dead everyone looked at me, "Want to explain, sister?" Hawke gave me a smirk.

"Hmm? Oh… your father helped to trap one of the oldest Darkspawn… a… erm… ancient Tevinter Magister…"

"So the chant of Light is…" Anders looked horrified.

"There is a maker, and there were Magisters… but the blight already existed; trapped beyond the Veil. They just released it. There are some theories that you are so not ready to hear, but… for the most part… every legend is based in fact. I'll say this; neither version of the Chantry is actually wrong though they have seemingly opposing views. Goddess knows that the Chantry didn't even claim it was the Magisters fault until after the Third blight."

"The Tevinter Chantry believes Andraste was not the Bride of the Maker, but rather a Mage with fierce powers. She isn't actually worshiped, either. Only the Maker…" I didn't comment to Fenris' words.

"Was she? A Mage, I mean…" Anders asked.

"I can't say for certain; only that there is a great deal of evidence to support both claims. There are even statues of her in the Fade, Anders – she was a lot like me in one way though… she didn't care about the fame; only her people. Wait… I've told you most of this before, Anders. You knew the Chant was mostly real…"

"I forgot," he snipped.

They all delved into silence as we began to fight our way deeper.


"I've never heard of a Magister named Coryphaeus," Fenris commented a few hours later as we set camp.

"How about the Conductor of the Choir of Silence; or High Priest of Dumat?" he hissed a breath. "Worship of the Old Gods is out lawed."

I knew everyone was listening. "Because of him. He was the one who started it all, you know. Listening to Dumat, who promised God-hood to his High Priest… The man then went and recruited the Architect of the Works of Beauty – the High Priest of Urthemiel – to his cause… they just kept recruiting from there… the Architect; Aedan killed him on my command. He was… actually trying to find a way to 'free' the Darkspawn from the call of the Old Gods; to give them free will. He didn't remember his life as a human at all. Cory will remember. This is the only Magister I know the true name of… and it is not yet time for others to know."

"You killed one of the Seven?" Fenris breathed.

"Not me; Aedan. I was not going near that asshole for anything. I didn't know at the time that my blood was permission only so I was terrified that if he knew about my… abilities that he would try to corrupt me the way Darkspawn make Broodmothers. I knew I was immune but I did not particularly want to be swallowing Darkspawn skin, blood or vomit! Ugh… can we talk of something else?"

"That's how they make Broodmothers?" Bethany looked ill. "Sadly…"

"So then… Corypheus."

"What about him, Varric?"

"How would you describe him?"

"A tall stick that needs a taco."

"What is a Taco?" I sighed and made tacos for dinner.


We finally made it into the building the next day. We were relentlessly attacked in waves of Dwarves with the occasional Bronto. Then we ran into Gerav… Varrics' friend.

Gerav was short – 4'2 – with dark brown hair and pasty skin. His eyes – the ones that had once been blue – were white with the taint. He had no beard, though his jaw was covered in dark stubble.

"The Hawkes' blood! The Master will rise; he will be free – need the Blood of Light… her blood… free the master…"

I sighed, "Great; they've given my blood a name. They'll never let this go."

"Gerav?"

"Varric? No one told me you'd be part of this. We were just going after them…" Gerav pointed to me and Garrett. We looked at each other, amused.

"Really, Gerav? I thought you were better than this. I mean, gutting the occasional competitor for fun and profit, that's the game… but this? What are you all even doing here; worshiping demons?"

"He… calls to us… we drink the darkspawn blood and we hear his song…"

"Eww… why would you do that? Won't it kill you?" I exchanged a look with Carver and Bethany at Hawkes words; they looked away.

"Only way to… hear the song… need the song…"

"Oh come on you Nug-licker! Snap out of it; there's no gold in hallucinating!" Varric shouted.

"He isn't hallucinating, Varric… The taint carries music – the song of the Old Gods. It drives them, guides them. Carver, Bethany… you hear it too, don't you? Faint hums of a beautiful song, unlike anything you've ever truly heard?" I asked.

They nodded. "Some of the older Wardens say that it will get louder the longer we live…" Bethany said. I shook my head, "Not exactly. It's more like… as the taint grows stronger within you, you hear it more. Being a warden is a death sentence, but I won't let you two stay tainted forever, unless that is your wish."

Hawke got annoyed, "Varric, Ara, where are your manners? Are you going to introduce me to your crazy friend?"

"Right… Hawke, this is Gerav; a greedy, brilliant, bastard son-of-a-nug from the Carta. Gerav, this is Hawke; the one whose blood you're trying to drink… or bathe in… or whatever and Ara; the other person whose blood you're after… Gerav, buddy, I got to warn you… you catch diseases that way." I gave a dramatic bow.

"The master is calling… he needs the bloods."

"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… do you want to spare this bastard?" Hawke asked and I stepped forward. "I can do it, but… it'll be tricky. He won't need a sacrifice, just… someone to stay with him as he recovers. It's strange that he can live without an equal exchange…"

"If we can save him…"

I looked to Gerav, "You want my blood, come here and you will receive it."

The Dwarf had the biggest grin on his face as he came to me; I cut my forefinger and collected a vials worth before turning the vial into a syringe. Just as Gerav got to me, I jabbed the needle into his neck. His eyes widened and he collapsed.

"What's going on?" Varric shouted. "It's not like curing a Wardens taint; he was so corrupted that he was almost a ghoul already. His body is undergoing a healing transform – hence why he needs a watcher while we do this. I will leave food for whoever stays, but this will be tricky. Gerav will be out cold for 3 days as he heals; we will be trapped below for a week and a half. Whoever stays can't carry Hawke blood or the taint so that leaves Varric, Fenris, Merrill or Bela. Can't be Varric because we will be finding something to do with his family here, Fenris refuses to allow me out of his sight, and Bela wants to rub against Hawke… Merrill, will you stay?"

"Of course!" I handed her a Void Bag full of food and water – enough to last her 2 full weeks, just in case.

And we were once more on our way – killing carta, walking around… finding 'codex entries'…notes about Corypheus and Wardens and even the return letter approving the 'scrub' to make this prison invisible.

"They told me you were going to be trouble… how generous of you to bring the whole family. I swore to Corypheus that we'd bring him the bloods needed; one way, or another."

"Just a little blood? Let me open a vein; or does he need a kidney too?" Hawke snarked.

I snorted as the crazy black haired commander reared his head back and shouted, "Corypheus; we have done as you commanded! Your sacrifice is here; you will see the surface once more!"

I rolled my eyes and sent a dagger into the mans' throat before doing the same to the corrupted Bronto. Hawke was the only one to see the glow from the body; the Key of Malcom Hawke.

"Do you see that?" He asked, I smirked. "No, Brother… it's all yours. This is the Legacy of your father. You are his first born; and as such…"

He reached into whatever he saw, coming away with a staff. It was a rusty brown color and much nicer than the game version. I had the 4 'prongs' that held a giant 'ruby'. And it began to glow blue; engulfing Hawke and I placed a shield so no one could get close as he shouted, "What… I feel it… inside me!"

"What did father know?" Carver breathed. "That staff… it draws on his blood… that's dangerous," Anders cried, looking to me.

"A weapon with a mind of its own? It's no Bianca, but…" Varric shrugged and I snorted. Bela pouted at me, "Why is it always him that gets to play with the priceless artifacts?"

Fenris looked at me so I sighed and began to talk as Hawke hit his knees, breathing hard. "Malcom was forced to use blood magic. His family was threatened; all because he was powerful and free already. He had to help seal the ancient darkspawn away or they would have killed Leandra and Garrett… so he made it difficult for them. Only the blood of a Hawke can undo the Prisons wards. The prisons power is tied to that of the Key; the more powerful one is, the less powerful the other. The Key attunes itself to the man or woman who wields it in the rituals to reinforce the prison… Malcom being the last; hence why only Hawke could see the light. In theory, I could have grabbed it and made it mine, but Hawke needs to do this because of the whole blood thing. On the flip side… Malcom helping also secured the Aide of the Grey Wardens in helping him and Leandra – who was pregnant with Garrett at the time – escape to Ferelden."

As we descended the stairs, we saw two carta Dwarves running from us; I didn't even attempt to stop anyone as they all ran forward expecting a fight. I followed and the second I was through, the shimmering golden ward appeared behind me. Everyone turned to look, and Hawke cursed.

"Those sons of bitches; the whole blasted thing is sealed over!" Varric shouted and I chuckled. "I did say we'd be stuck down here, right?"

Fenris nodded and the others all groaned. We made camp.


We found the first viewpoint the next morning, 2 hours after leaving camp.

We saw the Darkspawn marching about along the bridge and I heard Bethany gasp, "Look at this! Why would anyone build such a thing?"

"All built by magic, no doubt," Fenris sighed and I chuckled.

"Hawke, you do know how to charm a girl… but I prefer towers full of coin to towers full of Darkspawn… for future reference." Bela smirked.

We found the first of the prison cells, and I took care of the binding marks.

A deep voice, so similar to Hawkes, began from thin air, "Be bound here for eternity; hunger, stilled; rage, smothered; desire, dampened; pride, crushed. In the name of the Maker, so let it be."

"That was fathers' voice!" Bethany sounded so excited. I nodded.

It wasn't much longer when we found Larius on that bridge. He was hunched over, but if he'd stood upright he'd be 6' like Hawke. His hair was half gone and his blue eyes were dulled and lightened by the taint within him.

"Did they find it? The Dwarves… I heard them looking… digging… how do you bring the key here?" Larius growled out pointing to the staff on Hawkes back.

"This old thing? I guess it liked me?"

"Magic… old magic, it is… magic from the blood. It made the seals… it can destroy them…"

"We came here to look for Corypheus… is he in?" I asked sweetly, causing most of the party to groan or snort.

"Do not say his name! He will hear you; do not wake him… not when you hold the Key!"

I chuckled as Hawke sighed, "Let me guess; you want to drink my blood too?"

"Blood; the blood of the Hawke… are you the Hawke? Hmm… yes, I smell the magic on you… but you hold the Key; the Key to his death… I can show you out; yes…"

"Just who are you?" Hawke asked.

"I am the one that belongs here, not you. You are no Darkspawn."

"He's scavenged Warden Armor from somewhere…" Carver commented.

"Warden, yes… Guardians against the blight… I know the way out… down and in; down and in."

"Because I always like to follow the advice of crazy tainted people…" Hawke sighed and I smirked as Fenris snorted, "Never stopped you before."

"Excuse me?" Anders asked, "Forget I said anything." I was rolling.

"Not crazy… I know the prisons secrets. The seals hold us in; anything comes in, nothing ever leaves; not without the key. You must use it… on the seals. Every seal you touch the key to; only then they open… only for the Hawke. Not back; not up… only way out is down and through the heart. Down… in the depths…" and he hobbled off.

"Tell me we aren't listening to the fool?" Bela asked.

I grinned, "I'm crazier than he is and you still listen to me."

"There is that…" Anders commented causing Fenris to growl.

We made camp.


We made our way through 3 seals over a course of 6 days. More to do with walking, making camp and doing the Malcom's Will quest than killing things.

After the First seal, where we battled a Pride demon with red cracks through its skin, the nice madman pulled himself from the shadows once more.

"Let me guess; the first seal?" Hawke asked. Larius nodded and spoke in his scratchy voice, "Two thousand years, the magic holds; never broken! Give it to the key; let it take the magic… back into itself. Absorb it; all who came before." Larius nodded to the 4 small pillars holding blue light.

Hawke looked to me. "Pick the one that calls to you. I will tell you which choice you have made, once it is done." He sighed and looked at them before stepping into the center. I smiled as he raised the Staff above his head and sent his magic out to all four pillars at once, taking them all.

"So what did Hawke choose?" Fenris asked as Hawke fell to his knees panting.

"Damage of four elements – Electric, Cold, Nature and Fire."

Hawke looked to Larius, "Thank you for helping us, but really… who are you? Do you have a name?"

"Name… so long since I've said my name… La… Larius! I was Larius. There was a title too… Commander… Commander of the Grey!"

"Poor wretch was a Warden… must have come down here on his Calling," Anders muttered.

"Yes! The calling! The songs get louder; only death stops them… I am dead, but I never died."

"Calling? What are you on about?" Hawke asked.

"Wardens aren't immune to the taint, Hawke. Like Ara said, it's a death sentence. In time, we begin to hear voices; the same ones the Darkspawn hear… that's when they send you into the deep roads to die."

Suddenly, Larius snapped his head to his right. "Corypheus calls; in the darkness… what waits there?" and he wobbled off.

"No doubt about it; these seals were created through blood magic," Anders sighed.

"Feathers… why do I feel like we're walking into a trap?" Varric asked. "Because we are; a trap designed just for us. Alas, it has to happen and we will escape unharmed… for the most part."

Suddenly, Anders grabbed his head and began muttering that he wasn't listening and I patted his back. "Justice will see you though this, Anders. I swear it." He nodded and calmed somewhat.

At the second cell, we heard Malcom's voice once more, "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."

"Father used to tell us that… while he taught us," Bethany commented.

At the second Viewpoint, Fenris growled, "How deep does this hole go?"

"Is it odd that a Darkspawn-filled pit is making me feel closer to father?" Carver chuckled and I smiled at him.

"Oh, Isabella; when did let's go underground sound like a good idea?" the pirate muttered and I snorted, "When it would save Hawkes life?" she gave me a small glare but relented.

We made it to the third cell with little trouble.

As soon as the demon was dead, I stilled; this meant everyone was still when Malcom's spirit showed up once more, muttering to himself.

"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…"

The spirit faded and everyone looked at me. I shrugged as Hawke and his siblings walked to the side and began to speak.

"The baby? He's… talking about me. All those things he did, he did for us; his family," Hawke looked distraught.

"Father didn't want a child with Magic? He got that wrong twice over… but he can't have meant that, right? Sure, he respected my name, but…you two were his favorites! Right?" Carver asked.

I snorted as I had come over. "Tell me you don't actually believe that."

They all looked at me and Carver blushed, "Well… maybe not. But they had their little guild and I just… didn't meet the requirements, I suppose. I guess he knew it would be… dangerous for them, the Templars being the least of their problems…"

"I never liked it. I wanted to be normal… like you, brother," Bethany sighed. "I know, sister. I guess I'm just… tired of losing things."

Bethany sighed, "He never wanted a Mage child…"

"He just never wanted you to suffer like he did."

"I miss him you know? Magic can be beautiful… feeling it swirling within… waiting to take shape… I always wanted to share that side of it with him."

"What? Uncle Gamlen doesn't give you that same fuzzy feeling?" Hawke quipped pulling a laugh from both his siblings.

"Maker be merciful and never let Gamlen have children!" Bethan giggled and I coughed and shuffled my feet.

"What?" Carver asked and Hawkes eyes widened in horror. "He has kids?!"

"A daughter about your age… we'll meet her later this year and she has none of Gamlen in her, at least…"

"Thank the Maker for small mercies!" Bethany giggled again.

"Well… father would have hated knowing we were a target because of what he was forced to do here. Let's put an end to it."

When we reached the second seal, Hawke only pulled 3 of them before looking to me. "What did I choose?"

"Attack speed, Armor penetration, and Mana regen." I explained the three choices and we were once again on our way.

We bumped into Larius on the road again. "He is waking. The magic grows lax. He feels us walk where no step goes."

"When you run off… where do you go?" Hawke asked.

"I know the darkness before the seals; here, the voice is too strong… I cannot stay!" and he was gone.

"Why do we follow him?" Fenris asked. "For now, it's more the other way around…" I grinned. "She's right. He just seems to show up wherever we go." Varric commented.


We descended into the green-lit area; full of fog and some type of water that none of us trusted. We came across the first Legionnaire not 10 steps in.

"That looks like…" Varric started. "Legion of the Dead. No matter your crime, you can join the Legion; make a vow to die fighting Darkspawn. Just like that, your name is cleared and your family will not suffer for the crime." I finished.

"We traveled with a Legionnaire in Amaranthine; Sigrun." Anders commented.

"She was a sweetheart! She used to be castles, but you'd never know from her attitude… except her comments about it." I chuckled.

I leaned down and picked up the journal next to the man. I read it aloud. "It's an excerpt from someone named Malev Haran; it's ironic. Hearing of Tethras Garen's crime first gave me the courage to confess my own and join the Legion of the Dead. Knowing that a Paragon's son could give in to the same base passions as a mere merchant, commit a murder even fouler than mine... yet he was sentenced to die in the Deep Roads for murdering his sister, not even offered the chance at the Legion. I am grateful every day for what the Legion gave me: a family, a purpose, and my name is clear. So when the Paragon learned that the Carta were responsible for the murder, not his son, I was the first to volunteer to retrieve the prince. It's not right that he should be the only one who doesn't know he's been exonerated. Tethras; Varric this is your family."

"I knew it sounded familiar! I think Garen was in the early Exalted Age."

"Look there's another body over there!" Anders exclaimed and we made our way over. Once again I read the note aloud.

"This one is signed, Karles Aratack. Paragon Garen refuses to give up. We're the eighth Legion unit he's sent after Tethras in the past five years. None dare tell him that after so long alone in the Deep Roads, Tethras is certainly dead. The Paragon insists he will see his heir restored to his rightful place. May the ancestors favor his cause. We've followed the paths of the other Legionnaires, and so far, we seem to be on the right trail. We're in a section of the Deep Roads that appears to have been altered by human magic, so perhaps we'll find some new clue here. We're going in tomorrow. Ancestors be with us."

"Tethras Garen should have been the heir to the Garen clan, but he was accused of killing his sister, like the first note stated. When the real killer was caught, they tried to find him. It hadn't been long since Tethras was sentenced, but they never could. Instead, every Garen Heir from that time on took the name Tethras in his honor until one of them became a Paragon in his own right and founded my clan."

"So this was one of your ancestors?"

"Not directly, but it's a little closer than I like to come to my past, you know?"

After a few Deep stalker ambushed and a couple spawn… we found the third.

"This one was written by Bashath Garen. This place is cursed. For ten years, Paragon Garen has been sending Legionnaires to search out our lost heir. Now I know what's become of them. There's no way out. This is no normal part of the Deep Roads. There's Lyrium worked into the walls, into the Stone itself, some kind of human magic. From the outside, it looks like just another tunnel, but walk in and it's a prison. There is no way past the barriers, no way forward, no way back. But the trap remains open to every beast, darkspawn, and dwarf that wanders in. My brothers in the Legion have died, and I have done my best to lay their spirits to rest in the Stone. I am the last. There will be no one to do the same for me, or for Tethras, if he too was snared by this noose. For you, my prince, I wish you the Stone's blessing. Atrast tunsha. Totarnia amgetol tavash aeduc. May someone recite the ritual words over your bones and return your spirit to the Stone. He was close, you know. Tethras' body is on our way forward, just 20 feet from this spot. Shall we lay him to rest, Varric?"

"He was… that close when he died? Poor sod. Yeah, I think… I think I'd like that."

"I will do it, as a Paragon of Orzammar." I nodded and Varric gave me a grin.

We reached the Altar first, and I completely destroyed it. I not only knocked the trays to the floor, I used magic to blast the altar itself to pieces. Fenris gave me a smile before 2 rage demons and 6 shades sprung forth and attacked us.

When we approached the skeletal body of Tethras, I used magic to cover him in stone and recited the ritual words. "Well, that was sweet, Feathers… now, let's get out of here before you see me cry."

We hadn't moved more than another 100 feet before Ander cried out, bending double as he clutched his head. "I can't… the voices! W-wardens… the joining… I have too much taint in… my blood. I can't shut him out! Help… me…I will not… be… controlled!"

As the last words left his mouth, Justice took control, causing Anders skin to run with blue veins of magic and his eyes glowed the color of Lyrium. His voice deepened to a Fade spirits natural disposition.

"Justice, stand down! There is a better way to deal with this," I snarled.

Rather than answer, Justice lifted the staff in his hands and slammed it down, shocking us all with electrical energy. I had only enough time to throw up a shield around Anders so he knocked himself out with his own blow.

"Well… I'll set up camp for the night."

We were all in the magic tent, and I was nearly finished cooking a chicken and rice dish when Anders woke up.

"Thank you… for that…" he groaned holding his head. "Thank yourself, bro. you knocked your own ass out, all I did was help that to happen." I snarked as I handed him a plate of food.

"Well, I guess they're right; you really can't leave the Wardens."

"Well, some can since they're lucky enough to know me, but not you. Your future was set for a long time." I shrugged as I sat next to Fenris.

"I hope I can hold against them…"

"This is my pocket realm, Anders. You're safe here. We currently don't exist in Thedas. Time moves as I wish it too here, thanks to Avernus. If we need a week of recoup, I can make it so a week here is a few hours there. We will be fine. If you feel it getting to you again, we pop in here, okay?"

Fenris gave me a look as Anders nodded. "How many times have you put things off using this method?" Fenris asked.

"Twice. Once with that damn Champion Banquet and once with you…" I smirked.

He nodded and we all finished our food and got to bed.


The next evening – day 6 – saw us reach the Final seal. Again, Hawke chose all four pillars, and again he was breathless after.

I nodded, "You now have a higher chance to do extra damage, a higher amount of extra damage, as well as reducing the speed of and stunning your target more often."

The next day, we crossed the bridge and Larius re-appeared as the tower shook.

"He feels the seals weakening; he knows you are close… you must be ready. What's that? No… no, they are here!"

"Let me guess! Puddles the Turtle? The Holy Cheesewheel of Andraste?" Hawke asked and Varric snorted.

"The Wardens; they listen to Corypheus, they want to bring him into the light. You must stop them!"

We heard voices approaching; a male spoke first, "Something's happening; the Prison is breaking down; but it's stood up to tunneling before… what could…"

The only woman of the group of 4 looked directly at Hawke. She was 5'5 with fair skin and short brown hair. Her green eyes locked onto the key. "You; you have the Key… ad you've come through the seals… but how? Champion… Are you the one? The same Hawke, child of Malcom? The Carta said they were close, so you must be him. I am Janeka; I lead this unit of Grey Wardens."

"Senior Warden, why are you interested in my Father?" Carver asked, playing innocent.

"Then… you don't know? Without Malcom, this prison would have fallen 30 years ago."

"Let me guess… it has something to do with this fancy thing?" Hawke flashed the staff.

"The Grey Wardens built this prison to contain one of the most powerful darkspawn we've ever encountered, but even the best magic fades; the Wardens needed to reinforce the seals and that requires the magic of a Mage untainted by… Warden training. The last to perform the ritual was your father."

Playing coy, Hawke faked a startled look, "My father was a blood mage?"

"To avert the Blights, forbidden magics are sometimes… necessary. He was not the one to bind the demons, if that is your concern. That was done in another era, before Chantry laws."

"Why do my family stories never involve embarrassing vacations in Antiva?" Hawke sighed. I giggled.

"We need your help Hawke. I have done extensive research on this Darkspawn and I believe the Wardens were wrong. He isn't a threat to Humanity – he's our greatest opportunity. A Darkspawn who can talk, feel… reason!"

I snorted, "Mr. Cory has been lying to you, dear. He cares nothing for the blights; he's used you."

"The Warden-Commander…!" one of the men exclaimed as Larius came to stand near me.

"Don't listen to this… creature; he's half Darkspawn himself. I know how to harness Corypheus, to use his magic to end the Blights."

"You do know that isn't his name. Corypheus means Conductor in Ancient Tevene. He's one of the Seven that breached the Fade, Janice."

"Janeka! And how would you know?" She sneered.

"Because I assisted in the Killing of the Architect, you daft bitch. Left to roam free, Cory will try to tear down the Fade, take the thrown of the Maker for himself and kill anyone who resists. The Architect wanted to make everyone Wardens so he could make every darkspawn like him and Cory. They care only for their own agenda, not yours. He can't be bound."

"Corypheus calls her, and she listens; she brought him the Carta and sent them after you."

"You must help us! I know how to bind him; your companion is wrong. I have a spell that can control him; bind him to my will."

"Corypheus may be a greater threat than the next blight; we can't risk freeing him."

"We will find a way to do this with or without you, Hawke. The prison will be broken and the blights will end! Come!" she shouted and her people followed her away as she created a flame barrier.

"With me; we will beat them to the seal!" Larius called and we ran after him.

I made sure to activate the Power Nexus near the entrance to Riannon's floor, causing the barrier blocking us to fall.

We caught sight of Janeka on a different 'bridge' using ice magic to take care of a Barrier.

We entered the room that was full of Power Nexus vessels. "Do not touch anything! The old defenses are active again; very unpredictable and very dangerous."

A group of 6 Cart came rushing in, the leader pointing to us and shouting, "There; that's the one Janeka want's dead. Kill her!"

"Her? I thought you were talking about me?" Hawke looked lost.

"Janeka says once the bitch is out of the way, you'll see the truth about the master."

Fenris glowed as he snarled, "I'll not let you touch her!"

"We may die here, but we will take you with us!" the Dwarf shouted, realizing he was outnumbered and shoved a Nexus Vessel.

"NO!" Larius shouted as the Barriers went up.

We killed them fairly easily since Fenris was enraged. He killed half of them in one strike while Hawke and Anders killed the others.

"Remind me to add how dangerous you are to my books Feathers," Varric chuckled.

"I didn't kill them!" I shook my head. "No, you just inspire loyalty so deep that people would fall on their own blades to appease you."

I snorted as I fiddled with the Nexus Vessels using air magic. It took me 3 minutes and 42 seconds according to Varric.

It took us a few hours to make our way to where Janeka would meet us.

She was leaning against a wall and smirked, "Did you really think those old wards would stop me? Look at you, Larius; barely able to string two thoughts together. I bet you only made it this fare because of Hawke and this… interference."

"Hey! The carta call me the one with Blood of Light and you call me the Interference? How rude!"

"Blood of… that's you? I figured he wanted Andraste's ashes… why you?"

"Don't you know? Guess he figures if you knew, you would want me dead; can't bind him if he's no longer a Darkspawn."

"That's no possible." She shook her head and I shrugged.

"You can still turn away; don't listen to him," Larius coaxed.

"You are a fool, Larius… and you should have died here three years ago." I shot a bolt of fire at the revenant before it could attack as she ran off.

"Well… that was a bitchy move. Guess that means no sleep overs for her," I huffed. Varric laughed as Hawke snorted and Fenris just patted my head.


It was almost dawn by the time we reached the top of the tower… which was outside on a fucking cliff.

As we crossed the final bridge, I began my bone 'cracking' ritual; neck, fingers and even wrists. I saw pretty much everyone flinch at each loud pop and snap. I straightened, causing several spots in my back and shoulders to pop as well. Fenris lifted and eyebrow but otherwise didn't comment.

"Have I… managed to avoid doing that in front of y'all… all this time?"

Hawke nodded and I chuckled. "My bad. Not sure how I managed that, though…"

We got almost to the actual prison area when we heard Janeka before us.

"You're too late, Larius. Hand over Hawke and the little whore and I will give you a quick death." As she spoke, her small group moved into view.

"They have made their choice! The right one."

"The right one or the only one? Have you told them about Malcom?"

"It is the Past; it doesn't matter…"

"Excuse me, but they know. I told them what happened here 30 years ago, bitchy bee. Malcom was forced into blood magic, and when he was done he was sent away; blah, blah, blah. Leandra and Baby Hawke were threatened, and it was Larius' job as Commander of the Grey to enact the choice, we know!"

"What?" Janeka shrieked. Hawke glanced at me, "Well, I didn't know it was Larius, but I think that's about it."

I giggled and faked a pout at Janeka, "Oops, did I steal your trump card? Regardless, Janice, he is right about Cory in there. Either stand aside, or die."

She snarled, "It's JANEKA!"

"I know, but it's so much more fun to call you Janice. You get so riled up! Now die," I let my wings spread wide, causing the Wardens with her to gape and step back as I lifted into the air and threw daggers. Janeka was the only one to dodge.

I gave a light giggle and executed a loop-de-loop before lifting her into the air and flying higher. She was screaming as she attempted to freeze me.

"You're not that smart, are you? Elements obey me!" I called out as I took control of her spell and froze her arms. When I was high enough, I dropped her and flew down to watch the splat.

"Remind me not to make her mad…" Anders muttered. "Wise choice…" Carver flinched.

"He stirs. Slay him now, before he awakes; before his strength comes. The Key… it is not strong enough. Use your blood – free him and slay him!" Larius retreated.

Hawke sighed. "Why is always blood? Why can't it be spit or tears?"

"Really? You want to meet a spit mage?" Varric asked, exasperated.

"For variety, why not?" Hawke shrugged as he walked over to the first of the four apparatus.

After all four had a few drops of blood, yellow light shot from the mouths of the griffon shaped pillars into the 'well' in the center.

Hawke stepped onto the platform and dripped a bit more blood into the center of the 'well'.

It lit up, golden designs moving along the platform as Hawke moved away. A golden bean shot from where Hawkes blood was as Corypheus raised from the platform when it opened up.

He was 7 feet tall with nothing more than a skin and bone figure. He wore a long skirt like thing that barely connected to the half a shirt he was wearing. At one point, they may have been a robe – but now the chains along it were melted into his flesh… if you could call it flesh. What was once a helm of some sort was also half-melted into the right side of his head and his eyes were the white-silver of a blind man.

"Be this some dream I wake from? Am I in Dwarven Lands? Why seem their roads so empty?"

He looked directly at Hawke, "You! Serve you at the Temple of Dumat? Bring me hence! I must speak with the first Acolyte."

"You look human… are you not a citizen of the Empire? You keep slaves among you… why have you come here?" Fenris growled low and I looked at Hawke.

"Whoever you may be, you owe fealty to any magister of Tevinter. On your knees, all of you."

I giggled, "Aww, he's so ugly when he's confused! I'd ask if I could keep one, but I think the smell would make me ill!"

Hawke looked at me in amusement before looking to the Magister.

"You're a Darkspawn. Dark… Spawn… Ravaging the Deep Roads, Spreading the Blight… does any of this ring a bell?"

"You are what held me… I can smell the blood in you… Dumat; Lord! Tell me… what waking dream is this?" he was looking to the sky and seemed actually saddened for a moment before he looked to us as his memory cleared a bit.

"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?"

I nodded in sympathy before I could stop myself.

Larius spoke from behind us. "The Golden City; the first violation. The Magisters who brought the Blight."

"We know!" Hawke and I said in annoyance.

"Dumat? Have you forsaken me? I am your faithful servant…"

I cleared my throat causing the old Magister to whirl to glare at me.

"Lord Conductor. Dumat was killed over a thousand years ago. In fact, I believe it was your fault for corrupting him with the taint. And it was even his blood that was originally used to bind you here. You weren't exactly abandon… you betrayed your master, Sethius." He reeled back at the use of his name.

"I would never! I was promised god-hood! How long have I slumbered?" he snarled. I threw a dagger and it embedded in his arm.

"First he goes after the Maker in his own house then me in mine… I think I'm flattered." Hawke grinned as we started the fight.

"The city was supposed to be ours! It was meant to be golden… if I cannot leave with you, I will leave through you! I seek the light."

The first of the 'new' powers he called was Fire, but it refused to harm me, causing the Magister to snarl in anger as he called for earth. Again, I took control. Then came lightning. He was growing angrier each time I took control of his elements.

I allowed Hawke to make the final hit.

As Hawke poked the now dead body, I noticed Larius and winked, mouthing, "Sethius."

I saw him stiffen before relaxing when he realized I wasn't going to rat him out.

'Larius' was now standing straight and speaking smoothly as we walked across the bridge.

"You did well, Hawke. More than the Wardens of Old were able to accomplish. I will tell the First Warden of your service here."

Anders looked incredulous, "You think the Wardens will give you a warm welcome, looking like that? I don't believe we're supposed to come back from the calling."

"I must try… you've gained an ally today." I was standing next to Hawke at the front of the group, and smirked.

"And here I thought I just gained a Headache… you sound different."

"My head is clear now. Without the false call, I can think again, and I thank you for it." Everyone looked at me.

I shrugged, "We'll never see Larius again… it's fine for now."

'Larius' looked between them and I, "Why do they trust your word so heavily?"

"I'm a seer that can see past and future."

"I will take my leave in a moment… I feel I must speak with you for a quick moment." He nodded to me. I walked a short distance with him.

"You know, yet you tried to kill me once… why are you letting me go now?"

"Time must always flow as it was meant to. You have your role to play, and I have mine, Larius. Have fun," I winked and skipped back to Hawkes group and we began heading back through the tunnel system now that the old barriers were down. We collected Gerav and Merrill before heading back to Kirkwall.