Hello everyone! I am back with another chapter of Kingdom Hearts: Inquisition! While I did enjoy my little break, I believe it is time for me to return to this story. While the updates to this story will be slow (mostly because I need to resume working on this story), but I continue to work on this story. With that out of the way, let us resume!

Chapter 17

"Hawke sent me one final report," Leliana said, "He is on his way to Weisshaupt."

It has been more than 2 weeks since Sora and the Inquisition returned from Adamant. When they arrived, Sora went to Leliana so that she can brief him on the situation in regards to the Wardens. As Sora leaned on the railings on the third floor tower, Leliana said "As for the Grey Wardens, they are fighting demons and Red Templars while staying clear of Venetori."

She turned to Sora and said "You dealt Corypheus a significant blow, Sora."

Sora replied "Not just me, it was everyone's effort. It was also Loghain's sacrifice that help us…along with the Divine."

"Yes," Leliana said, "While you bested Corypheus here and at Halamshiral, he himself was not present either time. We fear her is close to finding another way to enter the Fade. When we find something, we will notify you."

"Thank you, Leliana," Sora said as he sighed, "I have a lot of things to do today."

"You should relax, Sora," Leliana said.

Sora chuckled and said "I should be telling you the same thing."

Before Sora was about to head downstairs, Leliana then said "Sora…can…I have a moment of your time?"

Curious, Sora looked at her and said "Sure, what is it?"

Leliana stood quiet as she said "What was she like? Divine Justinia, or her soul, or the spirit that took her form. I read your report, I know it isn't clear, but…"

He knew what she was trying to say as Sora said "She was kind. She guided through the Fade and helped us escape."

"That does sound like her," Leliana said as she looked over the railing.

"She did ask me to tell you something," Sora said, "She said 'I'm sorry. I failed you too'."

When Sora said that, Leliana gave out a sad look and said "Oh…I…I see."

She then looked at him and said "And…I got a message from Cassandra. When you were in the Fade and retrieved your memory, did you really…"

Knowing what she was talking about, Sora nodded and said "Yes, I did meet the Maker."

The moment Sora said that, Leliana stood there in silence as she had an emotionless look on her face before she said "I…I should finish these reports before it slips my mind. Perhaps later we might discuss the matter further."

She smiled at him a bit and said "Thank you."

With that, Leliana walked towards her desk and began to look over the reports. Even though Sora wanted to see if she was alright, he decided to leave her alone for a while and check up on her later on. As he headed down to the second level, he saw Dorian looking through a bookcase as he was looking through a lot of book.

When Sora walked up to him, Dorian sensed him as he said "You have remarkably little here on early Tevinter History. All these 'gifts' to the Inquisition, and the best they do is the 'Malefica Imperio'? Trite propaganda. But if you want twenty volumes on whether Divine Galatea took a shit on Sunday, this is evidently the place to find it."

Sora crossed his arms and said "I am sensing you aren't happy with the collection we have."

Dorian looked at him and said "It's alarmingly chaotic. I found a copy of the Aureballian in what seemed to be the Antivan classics sections."

"Oh no," Sora said sarcastically, "How scandalous, you should alert the Magisterium."

"You laugh," Dorian said, "But in some places there are punishment for that."

He then looked back at the selves and said "Did I see something by Genitivi here? I could have sworn…"

Sora could feel something was bugging Dorian as he asked "What is this about, Dorian?"

Dorian turned to Sora and said "When everyone returned, they told us about your tumble into the Abyssal Rift. You went into the Fade, physically went in. Are you…all right?"

"Yeah…I am…" Sora said, "But…we lost a lot of people that day. Including Loghain."

"I know how you feel about people losing their lives," Dorian said, "You do realize this feat hasn't been performed in over a thousand years? Corypheus and his contemporaries entered the Fade and began the Blights. In comparison…"

Sora tilted his head and asked "So…I should be happy that I was able to do what no one else could do?"

"Concerned, more like," Dorian said, "If you can walk into the Fade, others will try to follow. Who knows what secrets Corypheus has revealed? Not all of them will be so lucky as you. What they could unleash. My advice? Keep this quiet. Let them speculate. Too many will see this as a challenge."

"I can see that," Sora said, "And I don't suppose you would be among these challengers."

"It's…tempting," Dorian said, "But I am no fool."

"Temptation…" Sora thought, "Dorian's fear…"

His thoughts were interrupted when Dorian said "There are enough idiots in the world who think if they just use enough blood magic, their problems will vanish. It's exactly the sort of thing to stop back home. This…This I don't need."

He then looked at the bookshelves and said "What I do need is a copy of the Liberalum. I'll wager I can find Corypheus' real name. If I can prove he was a grasping ankle-biter with no family to speak of? The luster would come right off. Wish me luck."

Sora nodded and, right before he was about to head down, Dorian then asked "One other thing…how…how was he?"

When Sora looked at him curiously, Dorian looked at him and asked "The Maker. We heard that you were visited by the Maker himself. For him to suddenly appear before all of this…"

"I know," Sora said, "It shocked me too. But…he seemed nice. Like he knew what to say to calm me down."

"I see…" Dorian said as he looked at the books on the shelves, "Makes you wonder though, if He could take on the appearance of those we feel comfortable talking to…has he ever spoken to us by using someone else's face? Maybe we did and we didn't know about it. A frightening thought really."

Sora felt that Dorian need time to process this and he then headed down the stairs as he headed to the Underforge. As he entered the main hall, he saw Varric looking at the fireplace. Wanting to know what was up, Sora walked up to him as Varric saw him and said "I guess the Hero of River Dane's story finally came to an end. Loghain was the Ferelden ideal, you know? The common boy who freed his kingdom and became Teyrn."

He turned to Sora and said "He helped to end the Fifth Blight. The rest aside, that made him a hero. He wasn't the first good man to fall to Corypheus, he won't be the last. This story's no good for heroes."

"I…know the feeling," Sora said, "But some of us heroes will come out on top in the end."

"Well," Varric said, "If we're both still standing at the end of all this, I'll buy the drinks."

"Can't," Sora said, "Underage."

Varric nodded as he sighed and said "Hawke asked me to tell everyone back in Kirkwall where he's going. I'll have to let Merrill know. He also told me to make contact with an old friend to help us out. So…I'd better write some letters. But before that…can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Sora said, "What is it?"

"In the Fade," Varric said, "Is…Is it really true that you met the Maker?"

When Sora slowly nodded, Varric sighed and said "Well…shit. To think, all those times I have used the Maker's and Andraste's name in vain…I tell you, you have the weirdest things happen to you."

Sora placed both hands behind his back and said "Guess I am lucky?"

Varric gave him a deadpan look and said "Lucky? Look at all the shit you have been though: You were saved from an explosion that leveled a mountaintop and fell out of the Fade; you traveled through time; faced down one of the ancient Magisters who started the Blights; had a mountain fall on you AND lived; managed to stop an assassination that would have brought the Empire into chaos; stopped a demon army WHILE escaping from the Fade once again; AND to top it all off, before any of that ever happened to you, you were visited by the Maker and brought you to OUR world in order to save us all. ONE of those things would be impossible. All of them together though? That's…That's a miracle."

Sora then shyly rubbed his head and said "Well…when you put it like that…I can see your point…"

"Maybe it was a coincidence that you were brought to our world to save us," Varric said as he rubbed his eyes, "But to think…you were visited by the one who created everything…I…I still need to process this. Maybe we can talk about this later?"

Understanding what he is going through, Sora nodded as he headed to the Underforge. When he got there, he saw Harritt and Dagna working on his armor. Sora walked up to them and asked "What's the damage?"

Harritt replied "Well, the armor has been badly damaged when you went to Adamant. It will take a while for repairs to finish."

Dagna nodded as she looked at Sora and said "The Ebony metal is VERY pricey, so it will take time."

Sora sighed and said "Well, do what you can. The place where I am heading at is covered with red lyrium and I would rather be happy if I stay alive there."

"We will try our best, your lordship," Harritt said.

Sora nodded as he left the Underforge and made his way to the throne chair, since he will be passing judgements that day. As he sat down, he saw the crowd already gathering around in anticipation as he saw Josephine walking up to him. When she was near him, she said "Today, you have 4 prisoners ready to pass judgement from you."

Curious, Sora raised an eyebrow and said "I'm passing judgement on four people? Who are they?"

Josephine replied "The first, I do not believe a reminder is necessary for this accused. Her capture and disgrace could not have been more public."

When Sora was about to ask who it was, he looked ahead and saw two guard bringing in Florianne to him. Sora realized it and said "Ooooh, her. Honestly, I completely forgot about her."

"It happens to the best of us," Josephine said, "But anyways, Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons, although her titles are among the dignitaries already at risk of forfeiture. You spared her life, despite her treachery. What becomes of it now falls to you."

When Sora saw the former Grand Duchess, he said "Guess you enjoyed your stay here as our 'special' guest?"

As Florianne huffed, Josephine said "Despite her posture, Lady Florianne has acknowledged your authority."

Florianne then said "Should I curse you on behalf of the Elder One? I realize he had no intention of honoring the concordats I manipulated. Do as you must, I respect your mastery of The Game, even as I despise your victory. Celene does not know her fortune."

This was a bit difficult for Sora. He didn't know Florianne too well to know what punishment to give. Sure, he stopped her plans to assassinate Celene, but Sora stopped her from doing so. And even if she committed some form of treason, it wasn't enough to have her executed, but Sora doesn't plan to execute the former Grand Duchess. What he does know that she is dangerous in The Game, and the excitement of it pleases Florianne. If there was a way to take that away from her. That is until he had an idea.

Sora coughed a bit and said "Because of your hidden deeds to assassinate the empress, I believe a form of repentance is in order. Florianna, you will be hereby sentenced to serve within the Chantry."

"Boredom, your worship," Florianne said in a displeased tone, "The sentence you have imposed is boredom."

Sora shrugged and said "The best I can come up for you."

As Florianne was being taken way, Sora looked at Josephine as she said "This next one you have encountered with her in the past."

When Sora looked over, his eyes widen as he saw Ivanna being brought in by the guards as Jospehine said "Ivanna here was hired by the Venetori to not only aid them while they serve Corypheus, but also assassinate you as well. You have bested her twice and she has acknowledged your strength."

Sora looked at Ivanna as he leaned forward and said "I am surprised that you haven't escaped on your way to Skyhold. Aren't you still under contract?"

Ivanna huffed and said "From who? The man who didn't put up a fight against the Warden-Commander? I was promised riches, but I wasn't paid in advance when I was brought here. However, since you bested that fool, my contact with him is no longer in effect."

Josephine looked at her and asked "So you are no longer interested in assassinating the Inquisitor?"

Ivanna shrugged and said "That is one way of saying things. But, if the Inquisitor does consider something, the fool Erimond entrusted me with plans that the Venetori had on the side. If the Inquisitor is interested, I would be happy to share them with you. For a price."

She then thought "Like becoming yours! I would gladly lend my body for you to use!"

When Ivanna said that, Sora rubbed his chin and thought about Ivanna's situation. While she is no longer contracted to kill him, it would be dangerous to let her go free. If she does, she could either return to the Seheron to resume her attacks on the Qunari or try to kill him in a form of revenge for beating her twice. But when she offered information on the Venetori, Sora thought about it and believed that she could help them…if watched properly.

Deciding what to do, Sora took a deep breath and said "While you are no longer a threat to me, you are still dangerous to be free out in the world. I hereby sentence you to serve the Inquisition while under the supervision of the mages. Should you step out of line, they will handle you."

"Oh?" Ivanna said curiously, "Serving you? How much will I get paid?"

Sora replied "How about a roof over your head, a warm bed and free meals? It is a generous offer, I suggest you take it."

Ivanna sighed and said "Very well, Inquisitor. I am yours to command."

"Yes!~" Ivanna practically screamed in her head.

When the guards carefully unshackled her and they walked away, Sora leaned in towards Josephine and whispered "Be sure to be VERY careful around her."

"I understand," Josephine whispered before she said, "The next is another lingering pains of Adamant. Ser Ruth is a senior Warden of the Order."

"Wait…I'm judging…a Warden?" Sora asked in shock.

Josephine nodded as she said "She was one of the many who slit the throat of another to bind a demon. She does not contest this."

Sora looked over as he saw Ser Ruth being brought to him in chains as Josephine continued to say "In fact, she surrendered to us. She requests no mercy. He wants the public justice of the headman's axe."

Sora's heart was broken when he heard that Ruth wants to be publicly executed for something she was tricked into. Sora leaned in and asked "Why would you want to be executed? The Wardens were tricked into doing this…awful deed."

Ruth looked at him and replied "There is no excuse for my actions. I murdered another of the Order. That blood marks me more than the Blight ever could."

Josephine then said "Excerpting their actions while thralls of Corypheus, many treaties allow Wardens any extreme, if it opposes the Blight."

"I can't do it!" Ruth practically cried, "I can't use the greater good to justify my crimes, as if it would create a future I could be a part of! It is wrong that this broke me. I've done worse with full sanction. I can do nothing, except be an example of the cost."

Sora was heartbroken to see Ruth broken like this. While she admits that her actions cost another's life, she was not only tricked into doing so, but she believed that her actions were for the greater good. While Sora disagreed that sacrificing another for the greater good was wrong, he saw that Ruth regretted her actions, but she doesn't deserve to be executed.

Sora sat back on his chair and said "While your actions were heinous, I cannot simply execute you for being deceived. You are dedicated to your duty, admitting your mistakes is the first step of redemption. Instead of death, you will serve as a reminder to that belief. Ser Ruth, as Herald of Andraste, you are forgiven in his name. Maybe you will find peace with that."

Shocked by this, Ruth looked up at him and said "Your worship…I—I will try."

When the guards freed her from her shackles, Ruth was led out of Skyhold as Josephine then said "And lastly, I submit Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium, who remains loyal to Corypheus."

When Josephine said that name, Sora narrowed his eyes in rage as he saw the Tevinter mage being brought to him in chains as Josephine said "We found him alive, offering extreme resistance, likely because the Order will ask for his head. In more colorful terms. To say nothing of justice you might personally require for what was suffered in the Fade."

Sora gritted his teeth as he leaned back more and said "Looks like you have no where to go now, wannabe mage."

Erimond huffed in anger as he said "I recognize none of this proceeding. You have no authority to judge me."

"On the contrary," Josephine said, "Many officials have communicated that they will defer to the Inquisitor on this matter."

"Because they fear, not just Corypheus, but Tevinter," Erimond said, "Rightful ruler of every piece of ground you've trod in your pathetic life. I serve a living god. Bring down your blades and free me from the physical. Glory awaits me."

While Sora was eager to have him executed, he believes that the Wardens deserve this more than himself. That is when Sora said "While I want to be the one to execute you, there is a group who want this chance more than you. I hereby give you to the Wardens, let them have your head. I'll even provide an executioner for the job if they are unable to."

Erimond huffed and said "Their petty justice or yours, it matters not. Truth lies in the next world."

The guards then grabbed him as the Tevinter mage was being taken away. Once all judgements were passed, Sora stood up, stretched his body and said "That was something."

Josephine nodded and said "You have been doing well so far, my young lord."

"You think so?" Sora asked, "I feel…like I have too much power over people's lives. I hope I don't take it too far."

Josephine replied "You have a kind heart, Sora. I do not believe you will fall to such fate."

"Thanks Josie," Sora said, "Any updates on where Corypheus is?"

"No leads so far," Josephine said, "But we will inform you when we have something."

Sora nodded as he left Josephine as she headed to her office. Walking in the main hall, Sora decided to head to the gardens to relax a bit. When he got there, he saw Morrigan sitting on a stone bench reading a book. Sora then walked up to her and said "Hey Morrigan, how are you doing today?"

Morrigan looked up at him and said "I am doing well, Inquisitor. I heard you have saved the Grey Wardens form their own self-destructive follishness. 'Tis for the best. For all their eagerness to shed blood for their cause, we will still need them should another Blight arise."

Sora sighed in relief and said "I am glad you agree. Some people around here are rather eager for them to leave Ferelden and Orlais."

Morrgian nodded and said "'Tis fortunate that my Warden was not there, or he would surely have been in the middle of it."

Sora raised his eyebrow in confusion and asked "Your Warden?"

Morrigan replied "You might know him as the Hero of Ferelden. A lofty title, though he wears it well."

"The Hero of Ferelden…" Sora said, "You mean…Warden-Commander Jerrick? The same Warden who disappeared 10 years ago after he ended the Fifth Blight?"

"The same one," Morrigan said.

Putting some pieces together, Sora asked "And…is he Kieran's father?"

"That he is," Morrigan replied "After a year the Blight ended, he came searching for me, and when he found me, he followed me and we have been together ever since."

Sora smiled and said "I am happy for you two. He really cares for you and Kieran if he was willing to leave the Wardens to be with you two."

Morrigan said "Nobody is more surprised by that fact than I, Inquisitor."

Sora crossed his arms and said "You said you two departed from one another, why is that?"

Morrigan replied "My love is on a quest to combat the Calling, the ACTUAL Calling that signals the end of a Warden's life. If he is successful, it will mean a long life for him…perhaps for them all. Once Corypheus has been defeated, I fully intend to join my love once more. Kieran misses him greatly."

"Oh," Sora said, "So he is looking for a way to cure himself from the Calling. Is it really possible?"

Morrigan replied "Grand enchanter Fiona was once a Grey Warden, but something removed the Blight from her blood. Similarly, a Warden mage named Avernus performed experiments that prolonged his life to unnatural lengths. So we know it is possible. Indeed, 'twas I who found the lead my love now follows in the Western Lands. Success is not guaranteed, or course, but he has never lacked for determination."

"That is great to hear," Sora said, "You think he can offer some help to us?"

Morrigan thought about it and replied "'Tis unlikely. Corypheus uses the Blight, but he is not controlled by it like a true Darkspawn. Still, my love has ever been resourceful. I can give the Inquisition a means to send him a message. He will think this means I miss him, of course. He will be insufferably pleased with himself."

She then narrowed her eyes at Sora and said "I hope you appreciate this sacrifice, Inquisitor."

Sora chuckled and said "Duly noted, Morrigan."

Before she was about to head to her room, as Morrigan got up, Sora asked "Are you two happy together?"

Morrigan stopped as she looked at him and replied "The three of us. And it is little business of yours."

As Sora nervously gulped, Morrigan sighed and said "But yes…I never thought to find someone in this world I could trust as an equal. He had been a good partner, and a good father."

She then narrowed her eyes at Sora and said "And now I pray we do not discuss this any further. Lest these honeyed words make me vomit."

With that, Morrigan headed to her room to write a letter for her love. But before that, Morrigan quickly glanced at Sora and thought "To think that this boy actually met the Maker of all things. Just…what else are you capable of, young man?"

As she left, Sora smiled at Morrigan's feelings for her Warden. Even though she looked like she could be a villain, he sensed her heart was loved by Jerrick and was happy with their son. He felt like she has been alone her whole life until Jerrick came into her those thoughts aside, Sora stayed in the gardens for a while until he headed outside Skyhold and towards the courtyard. There, he saw Cassandra holding a large stick as she was using it to…hit Iron Bull in the stomach?

As he got closer, he heard Cassandra whack Iron Bull in the stomach as Bull said "Again."

Cassandra hits Iron Bull in the stomach harder as Bull was irritated and said "Again."

When Cassandra whacked him in the stomach once again, he grunted and said "Oh come on! This is why the Qun doesn't like women fighting. I should've asked Cullen."

When Iron Bull said that, Cassandra was irritated as she whacks him, this time delivering a powerful upper slash that knocked the Qunari to the ground. Iron Bull groaned in pain as he said "Good one!"

When Sora got close, he asked "What is going on?"

Cassandra just sighed as she handed Sora the stick and said "Perhaps you can take over."

As she headed to the armory while Sora stood there confused, Iron Bull got onto his feet and said "Qunari training exercise to master your fear. I heard about the Nightmare at Adamant. Sounded big."

"It was," Sora said, "But…can you explain why I am going to hit you with a stick?"

"Probably, if I try," Iron Bull said, "It'd involve a lot of Qunari words, though. Just hit me with the stick, all right? I need to get over this demon crap."

Simply shrugging, Sora gripped the stick with both hands as he whacked Iron Bull's stomach hard. Iron Bull grunted in pain and said "There we go!"

Sora whacked him again as Iron Bull said "Oh yeah!"

When Sora whacked harder, Iron Bull said through the pain "Damn demon! Who's stuck in the Fade, huh?"

Feeling to encourage Iron Bull's exercise, Sora said "Those demons wanted to tear you apart."

Sora continued to whack Iron Bull's stomach, the Qunari shouted "Piece of Fade, piece of crap!"

With one final hit, Iron Bull shouted "And who killed you?! That's right! Iron Fucking Bull!"

He then let out a sigh of relief and said "Oh…I needed that. Thanks, little boss."

"And…this works for you?" Sora asked.

"Yup," Iron Bull simply replied.

Sora shrugged and said "Okay then."

After Iron Bull's exercise, before Sora was about to head out, Iron Bull said "So…you saw the Maker, huh?"

When Sora nodded, Iron Bull stood there before he said "Fuck…"

With that, Iron Bull went into the tavern while Sora decided to head to the armory to talk with Cassandra. However, when he entered, he saw her talking with Cullen. When Sora got closer, he heard Cassandra said "You asked for my opinion, and I've given it. Why would you expect it to change?"

Cullen replied, almost sounding frustrated "I expect you to keep your word. It's relentless, I can't—"

Cassandra interrupted him as she said "You give yourself too little credit."

Cullen rubbed his eyes a bit and said "If I'm unable to fulfil what vows I kept, then nothing good has come of this. Would you rather save face than admit—"

When Sora took a step, it made a sound and caught both of their attention as they looked at him. Sora gave them a nervous smile as Cullen then walked towards the exit as he whispered to Sora "Forgive me."

When Cullen left, Cassandra said "And people say I'm stubborn. This is ridiculous."

She then looked at Sora and said "Cullen told you that he's no longer taking lyrium?"

Sora nodded and said "He did. It sounded like it was important to him."

"It is not a decision to made lightly," Cassandra said, "But now…Cullen has asked that I recommend a replacement for him. I refuse, it's not necessary."

"What?" Sora asked in shock, "Why?"

"Because he is suffering from it's drawbacks," Cassandra said, "Besides, it would destroy him. He's come so far."

Sora was sad at the information and asked "Is there a way to change his mind?"

Cassandra replied "If anyone could, it's you. Mages have made their suffering known, but Templars never have. They are bound to the Order, mind and soul, with someone always holding their lyrium leash. Cullen has a chance to break that leash, to prove to himself, and anyone who would follow suit, that it's possible. He can do this, I knew that when we met in Kirkwall. Talk to him, decide if now is the time."

After she said that, Cassandra made her way upstairs to her room. While Sora wanted to check up on Cullen, he wanted to make sure Cassandra was alright…considering what happened in the Fade. Walking up the stairs, Sora looked and saw her sitting on the table and asked "I…just wanted to check up on you. Writing a report?"

Cassandra nodded and said "Writing does not come naturally to me, as I'm certain you can imagine."

Sora crossed his arms and asked "So…can someone else do it for you then?"

Cassandra shook her head and replied "I couldn't, not even if my life depended on it."

She sighed and said "Historians will one day ask what happened at Adamant fortress, in the Fade. I was there, I saw it with my own eyes. It must be recorded."

Sora nodded and said "That is a good idea. But be careful with what you write."

"Certainly thought so," Cassandra said, "Until I started writing."

She then got, walked towards the railing as she leaned over and said "I still don't know what to say about the Spirit of the Divine. I saw her there, heard her voice. Yet I cannot claim with certainly it was really her. The Chantry teaches us that the souls of the dead pass through the Fade, so it could have been her. Yet even so…"

Sora then said "Well, I believed it was her. She helped us one last time before moving on."

"I hope that's true," Cassandra said, "I want to believe it."

She then stood quiet before she then said "That…isn't the only thing that I was thinking of writing."

When Sora tilted his head, she looked at him and said "The memory of you meeting the Maker. Many would believe it was a demon tricking you, since no one knows what the Maker truly looks like."

Sora replied "He did say that he takes on the form of the person who makes us comfortable said. You said he took on the form of your brother?"

"Anthony, yes," Cassandra sadly said, "He died when I was young, he was someone dear to me. Someone I looked up to, and when I saw him in your memory…I couldn't believe it. I convinced myself that it must have been a demon, but you never seen my brother, so there was no point a demon would take on a form you aren't familiar with."

"And what do you think?" Sora asked.

Cassandra stood quiet and replied "The Chantry told us that the Maker turned his back on us when we didn't carry out his will. But…for him to send you to us in our time of need, I am now convinced that he did not turn his back on us and has always been watching it. If he didn't care about us, he would have never sent you."

She then smiled at him and said "So…I thank you, Sora. Because of you, I now can truly believe in the Maker now."

Sora smiled back and said "You're welcome."

After a tender moment between Cassandra and Sora, he made his way outside when he saw Solas walking down the stairs with Cole walking behind him as the young man said "But you like demons!"

Solas replied "I enjoy the company of spirits, which is part of why I do not abuse with bindings."

When they got close to Sora, Cole said "It isn't abuse if I ask!"

Solas looked at Cole and said "Not always true. Also, I do not practice blood magic, which renders this entire conversation academic."

When the two of them saw Sora, Cole power-walked up to him and said "He won't bind me. He's a mage, and he likes demons, but he won't help."

Sora tiled his head and said "You want Solas to bind you…like the Grey Wardens at Adamant?"

"He has to!" Cole said as he walked away, "If Solas won't do the ritual to bind me, someone else could. Will! Like the Warden mages! And then…I'm not me anymore. Walls around what I want. Blocking. Bleeding. Making me a monster."

Sora could sense Cole scared and said "Maybe…there is another way to help you with this."

Solas then said "I do recall stories of amulets used by Rivaini seers to protect spirits they summoned from rival mages. A spirit wearing an amulet of the unbound was immune to blood magic and bindings. It should protect Cole as well. The resources of the Inquisition could be used to find such a talisman."

"Good," Cole said as he walked away, "They will not take me."

When Cole was gone, Sora sighed and said "I guess everyone is having a hard time after Adamant. Especially those who didn't go into the Fade."

"I agree," Solas said as he looked at him, "Going around to check up on our companions?"

When Sora nodded, Solas said "Very well then. If you need me, you know where to find me, Sora."

As Solas was walking away, Sora stopped him and said "Hey Solas, when we were in the Fade and we saw…you know…who did you see?"

Solas stopped for a moment before he replied "Someone…who was once my ally."

With that, Solas headed back to Skyhold. While Sora was curious on who he meant, he decided not to pry into it as he headed inside the tavern to check up on Sera. When he reached her room, he saw that it was closed and, when he opened it and saw Sera, she then said "Heard what went on it that Fade thing. What you think went on. Can't even to start to believe that business."

"Yeah…" Sora said, "We had a rough time in there."

"I know, right?" Sera said, "Loghain, he's gone. And in trade, a busted-down bunch of Wardens. And they're always weird. Usually bad stuff happens first so you're glad when the hero shows up. But Wardens are the wrong way 'round. They're the good thing that means a bad thing is about to happen. Like in Denerim, when the Blight ended."

"You were in Denerim when it happened?" Sora asked, "What did you see?"

Sera replied "People talked a lot about this one Warden. There was a big fight, and they died, or, I don't know, maybe they didn't?"

"The Hero of Ferelden?" Sora asked in shock, "You forgot the Hero of Ferelden?"

Sera replied "That was ages ago. Ten years. I was playing with small painted boxes and burying stuff I stole. I remember more people cringing about magic than Blight. Wardens were an excuse for your stuff to go missing. Blackwall's nice though. Different from the Adamant ones. Need more like him."

"He sure is," Sora said before he thought, "But…his fear is himself. Why is he scared of himself?"

He then looked at her and said "Well, I came to check up on you and see if you are doing okay. Been through a hard time at Adamant."

"I'm fine," Sera said, "It's you I'm worried about. I heard what Cassandra said. She said you met the Maker, yet, he wasn't. Said he was the reason you are here."

Sora nodded and said "That is what I saw. They think it was a demon that I saw. But no demon has the power to interfere with Luxord's magic. I mean, it could be the reason."

"Well, I don't want to think about it," Sera said, "Hurts my head."

Sora chuckled and said "Then I'll be out of your hair. Hang out later on?"

Sera nodded and replied "We do something fun when we have free time."

As he agreed, Sora headed out and made his way to the stables to check up on Blackwall. When he got there, he saw the Warden using an axe to chop some wood. The moment Sora was close, Blackwall looked up, saw him and said "Someone I knew once described Adamant to me: 'Adamant is, and always will be, the Order,' he said. 'A Guardian on the edge of the abyss, the lone soul that stares into oblivion and doesn't waver'. That's what Warden-Commander Clarel tried to be. What they all tried to be. I'm told her Wardens never wavered."

As he set another wood to chop, he said "They went to their deaths willingly."

When he chopped the wood, Blackwall said "They died for us, and Corypheus twisted their sacrifice to make it his own!"

While Blackwall talked, Sora leaned against the well that was present and said "We stopped him and save most of the Wardens. Let's be thankful for that at least."

"But not all of them," Blackwall said as he looked at Sora, "And they died thinking they were doing something good. There's no one to blame but Corypheus. Even Clarel's intentions were righteous. Her desire to protect was so great, it led her astray. It's not right…to want to do good, to be good, and have that turned against you."

Sora sadly nodded and said "I…know the feeling. But…don't think about what went wrong. Think of their intention for doing what's right."

Blackwall nodded and said "Clarel made mistakes, but she was a great woman. And she died a great woman. It's not the armor or the trappings of the Order. It's not the Joining. At the heart of it, all a Warden is, is a promise. To protect others…even at the cost of your own life."

"But when that time comes, are you ready to pay for it?"

When Sora and Blackwall heard the voice, they looked over and saw Larxene walking towards them. As soon as she was near them, she said "I mean, it's pretty sad that she was used to do something SO terrible. It is really heartbreaking."

Blackwall narrowed his eyes at her and said "Don't you dare disrespect Clarel or the Grey Wardens. You know nothing of their sacrifice."

As Larxene rolled her eyes, Sora asked "Any reason why you're here?"

Larxene replied "I have reports to turn in for the Boy Scout. I was on my way to give it to them."

"I'll come with you," Sora said, "I need to talk to him about something."

"Ugh, fine," Larxene said as she headed up the stairs.

Sora turned to Blackwall and said "Don't listen to her, Blackwall. Just…focus on the good things the Wardens have done."

When Blackwall nodded and resumed to his chore, Sora quickly rushed up the stairs as he was walking next to Larxene and said "You better not be going around and talking down to people. We don't want their morality to be crushed with your trash talk."

"Awwww, you hurt me, 'boss'," Larxene said pretending to be hurt as she opened the door to Cullen's officer, "I am only here to tell the truth and—"

"AGH!"

Crash!

Larxene practically jumped in fright as she saw something crash near the doorway close to her face. She looked down as she saw a small box broken into pieces. When Sora and Larxene looked over, they saw Cullen breathing heavily. He saw them and said "Maker's breath! I didn't hear you enter, I…forgive me."

Larxene calmed down a bit, and wanted to yell something back at the commander, but when she saw him suffering, she merely shrugged and said "Hey, if the door was asking for it, I say it had it coming."

Sora shook his head as he looked at Cullen and said "Cullen, if you want to talk about it."

Cullen replied "You don't have to—"

He then grunted as he leaned on his desk. Feeling a bit worried, as Sora slowly walked up to him, Cullen stopped him and said "I never meant for this to interfere."

Sora then softly asked "Are…you going to be alright?"

Larxene then said "Yeah, you aren't looking so good there, Boy Scout."

"I will be…I don't know…" Cullen said as he slowly stood up, "You wondered what happened to Ferelden's Circle, it was taken over by Abominations. The Templars…my friends…were slaughtered."

He walked towards the window as he looked out and said "I was tortured, they tried to break my mind. And I…how can you be the same person after that? Still, I wanted to serve. They sent me to Kirkwall. I trusted my Knight-Commander, and for what? Her fear of mages ended in madness."

He stood silent for a bit before saying "Kirkwall's Circle fell, innocent people died in the streets. Can't you see why I want nothing to do with that life?"

Sora was sad to see Cullen like this and said "But Cullen, what happened to you in the past was—"

"Don't," Cullen said as he walked near him, "You should be questioning what I've done. I thought this would be better—that I would regain some control over my life. But these thoughts won't leave me. How many lives depend on our success? I swore myself to this cause. I will not give less to the Inquisition than I did the Chantry. I should be taking it!"

He then punched the bookshelf hard that caused both Sora and Larxene to jump a bit as Cullen softly said "I should be taking it…"

Seeing Cullen in this state, Sora placed a hand on his shoulder and said "You've already given enough, Cullen. I'm not asking you to give more. The Inquisition can be your second chance to start over."

"I don't know if that's possible," Cullen said.

"Oh quite whining," Larxene said, "Just be lucky that you have people to watch over your sorry butt. Better than nothing."

As Sora gave her a provoked looked, Cullen sighed and said "I suppose so."

"Well," Sora said as he patted his back, "I will leave you to calm yourself. Unless there is anything…"

"Oh right, the report," Larxene said as she looked at Sora, "I was about to inform Boy Scout here that the smugglers I talked to gave up the Red Templars' source of red lyrium."

Sora looked at her and said "Really? Where?"

Larxene replied "It was at that place you sent me when me and the others joined the Inquisition. Empire of Lion or something like that. Anyways, it's located near a small town, but I assume you know about that?"

Sora nodded and replied "Yeah, I know about that. I just have to wait until my armor is fixed so we can head here."

When Larxene nodded, Sora looked at Cullen and asked "You going to be okay?"

As Cullen nodded, Larxene rolled her eyes and said "Just go, loser. I'll make sure Boy Scout here gets his act together."

Sora was hesitated for a bit, but with an approving nod from Cullen, he nodded back as Sora headed back to his room to go over any reports from the Inquisition. But as he sat down, he let out a sigh of relief. He did it. The Inquisition did it. They stopped the assassination AND prevented the demon army from rising up. Sora really put Corypheus' plans to take over the world on hold…for now. But the thing that Leliana said about him finding another way into the Fade. Problem is, what other way is that? For all Sora could know, the Magister has already found it and they don't even know. It really frustrated him to know that so long as Corypheus is out there, this world is still at risk in being in danger. He promised that he was going to stop Corypheus and that is what he is going to do. After he had a moment to himself, be began filling out forms as he spent his day with paperwork…his most terrifying foe.

Later that night…

Leliana was in her room as she was looking over pages of books that belonged to the Chantry. Ever since she got the message that Sora saw and meet the Maker from Cassandra, she began to look through every detailed sources about Sora's situation. Throughout the history of Thedas, there hasn't been one incident where someone had come in contact with the Maker, the closest people have gotten to that would be them hearing his 'voice' and telling them what to do. That last person to accomplish this was Andraste herself, but Leliana knows how her story ended. But this was different. Not only did the Maker showed himself to a child, but someone who wasn't from this world to begin with! But Leliana wasn't mad or anything. In fact, she was worried that, if the Chantry were to learn of Sora's encounter with the Maker, probably they would already have, then they would start calling out on Sora, saying that it was a demon tricking Sora instead of the Maker himself. She wouldn't allow that to happen to Sora, she promised to protect Sora, even if it means 'silencing' a few who are against the Inquisition.

While she was looking through a book, she heard a sound and, when she looked up, she saw a Corridor appeared as Marluxia walked through it while carrying a large brown book. When the Corridor disappeared, Leliana huffed and said "It must be easy to be able to go to places with ease."

"You should try it," Marluxia said, "I will be sure to teach you if you like."

But Leliana shook her head and said "That would be unnecessary. From what Sora told me, I don't plan to fall into the Darkness anytime soon."

"But you do your work in the shadows," Marluxia said as he placed the book on the table, "That is almost similar."

As Leliana rolled her eyes, Marluxia motioned his head at the book and asked "Is this the book you wanted me to retrieve from that vault the Chantry had?"

Leliana looked at the book, opened it and replied "This is the one. A history of when Andraste was alive. The Chantry carefully preserve her life up to her death as it is all written here."

"Just what do you hope to find?" Marluxia asked as he leaned against the wall.

As Leliana flipped through the pages, she replied "Some clue as to why the Maker revealed himself to Sora. Something like this is never heard of and it is strange for it to happen now of all times."

"Sora is rather a special case," Marluxia said, "He has the ability to make the impossible possible."

"So what I have seen so far," Leliana said as she turned over more pages.

Curious, Marluxia asked "Just…how often does one meet the Maker? Or rather, heard him speak to them?"

"Very rare," Leliana said as she turned a page and skimmed through it, "Though when someone claims that the Maker spoke to them in their sleep or hear his voice, they would declare it blasphemy. The only way to prove the clerics wrong is if we find some evidence to prove Sora's case."

Marluxia nodded and said "I see you point. You really must care for Sora."

Leliana nodded and said "I do. He is the only pure thing in this world that is on the bent of chaos. I made a vow to protect him and—"

However, when she turned a page and looked at it, Leliana's eyes were drawn to something on that page that caused her to stop talking. As she read that page over and over, her eyes slowly started to widen in shock. Marluxia saw her expression changed and asked "What is it? Did you find something?"

"I-In a way…" Leliana said, "This page tells about Andraste's birth family. Look at this."

Curious, Marluxia walked behind her as he looked at the page she was looking at. In a matter of seconds, Marluxia's eyes widen in shock and cried "Are you kidding me?! Is this some sort of joke?!"

"This book hasn't been touched for hundred of years," Leliana said, "For something like this to be in this book BEFORE Sora arrived…it…it can't be a mere coincidence that he is in this world."

Marluxia looked at her and asked "But what does this mean?"

Leliana sat in silence and said "It means…that this was a reason why the Maker brought Sora into this world…"

And that is all for this chapter! I hope you guys liked the choices for the Judgment passed, and I did in fact added Ivanna's judgement here mostly because she is one of Sora's 'love interest' in this story. And I also hope you guys like everyone's aftermath reaction to Sora's meeting with The Maker. And what has Leliana discovered in this book that caused her and Marluxia to react the way they did? Find out later on in the story. Until then, please stay safe and review!