CHAPTER 19

..x..

Crimson streaks of lightning tore the skies apart as ominous black clouds swirled above, swallowing up the light of day and casting the landscape into near darkness. In the distance, the walls of the royal capital of Ferelden were visible, towering over what lay below as a great number of darkspawn swarmed the now broken gates and walked the battlements. Corpses of the city guards hung at the entrance, torn limb by limb in a macabre display of victory as fires burned within, glowing a hellish red.

It was an omen of what they were about to face, and to some, the beginning of the end.

A gust of wind picked up their banners as men and women of all races stood tall over the hill overlooking the city, with the king's knights and friends on horseback at the front. Every one of them held their weapons steadfastly, their varying features showing nothing of the fear they felt inside. This would be where they would live or die, in a battle greater than any other they ever faced.

"Men!" Alistair called, the mere sound of his voice commanding them to attention.

A white horse galloped towards them from the side, armored from head to rump in beautiful gold plates as the king of Ferelden rode in on its back. Bringing the horse to a walk, he traveled along the line of soldiers, regarding each of them as his golden armor glimmered under what little sunlight filtered through the inky clouds.

"Before you stands the might of the darkspawn horde!" he declared, his youthful features hardened by past battles. "They are relentless and their numbers are great! But though the odds seem to stack against us, know that we have hope to win this war!"

"We have hope because all of us are here, together! Together as a single powerful force! Ready to drive these monsters from our lands!" He veered his horse once more, walking the line, steely ambers gazing over them. "But none of us would be here if it were not for the brave woman who not only united our peoples but has also sworn to protect Ferelden—her home—from all who threaten it!"

Everil rode her brown, steel armored steed from the side, solemnly galloping towards him as she looked over their army of elves, mages, dwarves, and men. They followed her with their eyes, seeing in her the confidence and pride of a leader as she held her head up high.

"Her name is Everil Cousland!" the king declared firmly, gesturing to her with an open palm. She placed her hand on his and he laced their fingers before raising their joined fists."Future Queen of Ferelden, General of my armies, and the fearless Grey Warden we are about to follow into this the greatest battle of our lives! It is thanks to her we will be victorious! It is thanks to her that today we will defeat the Blight!"

"Hooah!" the men cried out with the might of a dragon, thrusting their blades, spears, bows, and staves to the black skies.

Alistair lowered their arms and turned his horse while drawing his sword, facing Denerim's gates as Everil did the same.

"Now let's fight and show the darkspawn what we're made of!" Alistair lifted his sword high above as he yelled to the men behind him, his horse neighing as if it too was ready. "Let's fight to avenge my brother's death! To honor the brave Grey Wardens who died with him!"

"Hooah!" the soldiers cried out in unison.

"Let's fight for our families!" Everil's voice then joined his, her blade up. "Let's fight for our futures!"

"Hooah!" They slammed their weapons to their shields.

His horse whined once more, Everil's following suit as she narrowed her eyes, her grip on the reins tightening.

"Let's fight!" Alistair roared again, and he swung at the gates. "For Ferelden!"

And they kicked their mounts into a run, the soldiers behind them letting out a resounding war cry, matching the clap of thunder above as they all dashed with weapons ready. Everil and Alistair led the charge, the knights, and their party following closely as the army flooded the blighted fields behind them.

Riding her horse at full speed, Everil gazed up as they neared Denerim's walls, spotting several genlocks aiming arrows at them from the battlements. She drew her bow and arrow, quickly aiming from her galloping steed. One after the other, she fired as the elves at the back and Leliana did the same, hitting their mark. Most creatures plummeted to the ground, while others shot at them, hitting a few of their men and missing others.

She quickly put away her bow and drew Elethea just as they clashed with the darkspawn guarding the gates. Their wails drowned her cries as she cut them down, swinging as they tried to dismount her. Alistair did the same, decapitating a hurlock and then slashing the throats and faces of several more. The knights made quick work of the rest, spearing through them or cutting off their heads as the creatures struggled to reach them on their steeds.

They fought their way into the city's first district, where darkspawn poured out in numbers from every corner, charging at them with murderous intent. Everil halted her horse, taking out more enemies while Alistair went past her, slicing through and stabbing any trying to attack him.

"Take back this district!" she commanded the knights and those still running in. "Kill any darkspawn you see and block the gates!"

And the knights and soldiers did as they were told. One after the other, they engaged the enemy, weapons, and shields clashing as the blood of both friendlies and foes rained over the ground.

Everil hopped off her horse, drawing her dagger and slashing at an incoming genlock, dispatching it. She whirled around and struck down another, slitting its throat open as it screeched. She took a few steady steps to a group rushing at her, then she ducked, dodging a hurlock's axe before swinging and slashing its middle. She blocked a blade with her dagger and stabbed the next up the jaw and through its head, its black blood spraying over her. She kicked a genlock as it tried to attack her, staggering it before yanking her sword from its friend's head to slash at its chest.

A series of roars broke through the sound of battle as three ogres rampaged towards them, stomping through several soldiers in their wake. One of them swiped up a man, biting off his head as his comrades backed away in terror.

Everil clicked her tongue and ran at the closest one. "Sten, Oghren, Shale!"

"Right behind you, Warden!" Oghren called as they followed her.

"Take the legs!" she shouted.

Sten swung his massive sword, cutting into the side of its knee, while Oghren and Shale struck at the other knee. The ogre roared in pain as they hit its legs again, forcing them to buckle. Everil lept, stabbing at its gut before climbing her way up to its chest and burying her sword into its heart. It fell with her on top and she rolled off onto her feet, panting as she dashed to the next.

Several soldiers fell another ogre while Zevran, Leliana, and Morrigan engaged the third. The witch cast a sweeping ice spell, freezing its legs. Zevran tried to climb onto it, only for it to grab him as he let out a grunt. Leliana fired an arrow, piercing the ogre's neck as it tried to bite the elf's head off. Everil rushed in, flinging her dagger at the monster's head, piercing the side of its face and making it to let go of him.

"Morrigan!" Everil called, glaring at the witch. "Stay out of this!"

"'Tis too late for that, Warden!" she said with a snicker before raising her hand and closing it into a fist. The ice closed in on the creature's legs, breaking them and forcing it to its knees.

Zevran took the kill, jumping onto it and driving his daggers into its throat.

With a grunt, Alistair blocked a hit with his shield and stabbed through the same hurlock's chest. He used his foot to shove it off his sword before whirling around and slashing through several more.

Another resounding roar shook the very ground they stood on, drowning all the screams, cries, and the clashing of weapons as an evil shadow flew over the battlefield, dominating everything. It plunged them into darkness, its shape blocking the flashing of lightning coming from the skies as the rumbling thunder accompanied its cries.

Everil struck down another hurlock, then looked up to see the nightmarish beast they sought to slay. The Archdemon. It flapped massive black wings, soaring to the center of the city while spitting fire in its wake. "There it is…" she breathed with narrowed eyes, hearing the sinister voices in her head as it beckoned the taint in their blood.

Everyone around her also gazed up, terror over their faces as they watched it fly.

.x.x.x.x.

The first district was in ruins, a vision from damnation itself. The stench of blood and sulfur saturated every breath as fires burned all around, while buildings lay in shambles, the gore of those the darkspawn vanquished smearing everything in red. The soldiers who perished in the first push to take back the city lay along with those of the enemy, their blood seeping into the dirt and stone. Some men helped the injured as they took them to the mages for healing, while the rest of the forces stood by, awaiting further instructions.

"We lost a few men, but not as many as we expected," Ser Donall reported to Alistair and Everil.

"And the gates?" Alistair asked as he folded his arms, covered in dried blood and dirt, just as the rest of them.

"All blocked, Your Majesty. But I'm afraid they won't hold for long. We must move in and take back the rest of the city soon."

Alistair glanced at Everil. "Then we have to hurry…"

Ser Donall also turned to her. "I shall call upon the detachments now, my lady."

She nodded. "Do it. Have them gather by the north gate. We'll meet them there."

"Understood, my lady." He bowed with both fists to his chest and hurried away to fulfill his tasks.

"Good work there, pretty boy," Oghren teased as their party neared the pair, grinning wide. "You almost look like you know what you're doing!"

"Heh, thanks." Alistair put on a sarcastic smile of his own. "That's what I'm going for, actually..."

"So what now?" Oghren smirked wickedly, a glint in his eye. "Should we go kick some dragon arse?"

Everil folded her arms. "That's the plan. But before we go charging into the Archdemon's lair… There's something I want to say to all of you."

Oghren quirked an eyebrow. "You're not about to get sentimental on us, are ye?"

"Perhaps I am…" Everil let a slight smile tug at the edges of her lips, looking at each of them as they waited for her to speak. These people had been more than just traveling companions. They were friends. They suffered and saw the same hardships they did, lived through the same struggles they did. Fought beside them without question, helping them every step of the way while also risking it all for their cause. Without them, she and Alistair just wouldn't have made it this far.

Her stare landed on Morrigan and she struggled to keep the resentment from showing on her face. The witch stared back at her, arms folded, before looking away with apparent disinterest. Releasing a soft sigh, Everil shoved aside the feelings of anger and betrayal, and instead regarded the rest of the party. "Thank you," she spoke firmly, dipping her head. "Thank you all for helping us through all this. No matter what happens when we go into those darkspawn infested streets, or when we finally face the dragon… Please know that fighting alongside you has been a privilege and an honor."

Leliana grinned sweetly at her. "The honor was mine, Evy. You will always be a valued friend to me."

"It has been a pleasure, all of you," Wynne said to them, placing a hand on Leliana's shoulder. "I have learned and experienced so much while traveling beside you. I swear that this old woman will not forget any of you."

"You did well, Kadan," Sten said, arms folded as he gazed down at the Grey Warden. "You far exceeded my expectations."

Everil chuckled. "Glad to hear it, Sten."

"I concur with our qunari friend," said Shale, a stiff smile on her face. "I admit it was quite an exciting journey and you definitely did a better job than I anticipated. Just make sure not to get eaten by the dragon. Fate would dictate that it would fly over me and poop it upon my person."

"Yes. And we wouldn't want that now, would we?" Everil replied with a grin as a few in the group chuckled at the golem's jest.

The golem nodded. "Definitely not."

Zevran cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Well… It would seem that after the battle you may not have much use for me."

"Actually…" Alistair walked up to him, patting him on the shoulder. "We could use someone who knows how assassins work to watch our backs. You know how it is in all this political nonsense."

The elf gestured to Everil. "Do you really think you'll need me when you have her?"

Alistair chortled and crossed his arms. "Now, that is a fair point. But the offer stands."

"You can do whatever you wish, Zevran," Everil added with a friendly smile. "You have always had your freedom. If you wish to stay with us, we would appreciate your service."

"I suppose it is true I followed you willingly… and you really only needed me for this." Zevran tapped a finger to his angular chin, then he bowed with a hand to his chest. "Thank you both for the offer, but I will have my adventures elsewhere, for now."

"Bah… You lot are gonna make me tear up," Oghren grunted, waving them off.

Everil chuckled at the dwarf. "What about you, Oghren? Any final words?"

"Yeah…" He grinned, then lightly punched her in the arm. "It's been a damn good ride, Warden. Thanks to you I can be a proud warrior again after that Branka fiasco had me in the gutters... Now let's go put an end to that sodded overgrown lizard before it flies off!"

Bjorn barked in agreement beside her, wagging his stubby tail.

"Right," Everil nodded, her expression hardened. "Head to the north gates. It's time to go dragon hunting."

"Let's do this!" Oghren let out a howl of excitement as he hurried ahead of the rest of the party, with Zevran trailing him and the others going after them. The soldiers in the area gathered around to see them off, all cheering as the dwarf answered by pumping a fist in the air.

The Warden shook her head helplessly at him, then made to join them when Alistair took her hand. "Wait…"

Puzzled, she turned to face him. "Wha—?"

He pulled her to him and claimed her lips with his, ignoring the prying stares of his men. And he kissed her, slowly, passionately, hands flat over the small of her back as her arms wrapped numbly about his neck. Their tongues waltzed as the world seemed to temporarily fade around them, leaving them alone in their own private sanctuary.

No battlefield. No death. No soldiers. Only them.

And she almost felt like crying after having endured the pain of sharing him with another. He was hers again. And no one or anything would ever get in their way.

Reluctantly, Alistair pulled back from their kiss, breathing a little harder than before as he leaned his forehead against hers. "Let's make sure we both make it out alive..." he whispered, a corner of his lips going up as he stared into her eyes.

"Right…" Everil had a slight smile as she caressed his cheek.

They all made their way to the gates, walking through the soldiers as they hollered at them.

"Kill those bastards!" some called.

"Death to the darkspawn!" others yelled.

"Hail the Grey Wardens!" more shouted.

Hearing their calls, Everil walked with her head held high, determined eyes trained on the doors before them as she led her entire party to battle. They were close to ending this war. Close to saving their country from monsters that would ultimately devour them if they failed. And they would win. No matter the cost.

.x.x.x.x.

Fires burned what was once Denerim's market, the flames spreading through the old, wooden homes around the square and burning the small shops and merchant stalls that once stood at every corner. Dead bodies of both city guards and residents lay scattered in pieces, left to bleed onto the streets, their murderers growling in pleasure as they tore their corpses apart.

Gone were the cheerful calls of the shop owners selling their wares. Silenced was the laughter of children running by as they played. They could hear only the screams of those left throughout the city along with the dragon's distant cries.

On fearless steps, Everil crossed the gates to the now hellish place, passing blazes raging at each side of the road, her attention on the enemies on their path as their tainted voices filled her mind. She drew her sword, the sound making the darkspawn rise from above their kills to growl at her. Her party and four groups of mages, elves, humans, and dwarves followed her, marching into the monster-infested market.

The creatures snarled at them, preparing their weapons as they gathered together, pouring out from every alley and blocking their path.

Everil raised her blade and aimed it at them. "Kill them all!"

And she charged, releasing a resounding battle cry as her companions went with her, the men running behind them with a roar of their own. Weapons clashed once more as they engaged the mass of genlocks and hurlocks.

"Die!" The Warden parried off a hurlock's sword, then lunged with her blade, piercing through its gut. She kicked it off her, quickly engaging the next enemy as they came. Her blade sliced a hurlock's throat, her dagger slashed another, then she deflected a sword and stabbed through one's face.

The touch of magic spread through the air as the mages cast their spells, ice, fire, and lightning cutting through the sizable group of monsters. Ice encrusted a handful as dwarves and humans cut them down. Fire surged through more, searing their bodies while more soldiers put them out of their misery. Bolts of crackling electricity shot out in a line, cooking the brains of several enemies in their path.

Alistair swung his shield, hitting a hurlock's head before stabbing it through the chest. He blocked as an axe came at him and thrust through his attacker's neck. Behind him, Sten and Zevran took on a group of monsters that erupted from torn down shops, quickly dispatching them.

In moments, they cleared through the market and tore down a blockade the darkspawn created on an alley to proceed to the next area. Everil continued to lead, guiding them through the streets as they fought their way to their goal. Several men perished along the way, but far more darkspawn corpses were left behind over pools of their own black blood.

They advanced through another set of double gates and hurried across a bridge over the city's canal, seeing the waters tainted red as bodies floated downstream. They headed deeper in, following the back roads to the tower as the rest of the army fought the bulk of the horde in the major areas. Yet although they faced smaller forces, resistance was still persistent.

Everil locked blades with another hurlock, gritting her teeth as it shoved against her. She whirled on one foot, breaking the stalemate and making it lose balance before slashing open its throat. "We're getting closer!" she yelled to her men. "Don't let up! Keep fighting!"

And a roar made the ground tremor when the Archdemon dove off its perch and descended from above. Its wings spread, again shrouding the battlefield in darkness as it flew straight to the Grey Wardens who dared challenge it. Everil looked up, eyes wide, seeing its mouth light up and realizing what was to come.

It drew in a deep breath, its throat glowing purple.

"Dragon's breath!" she alerted and ran, dashing out of its way.

The beast fired a stream of blazing flames that scorched everything in their wake. Violent heat rained upon them, the blaze charring a path of ashes and death, incinerating both darkspawn and friendlies on the spot. Flames remained over black dirt as the dragon moved on, flying over them like a giant bird of prey.

Coughing, Everil pushed herself off the ground, the smell of sulfur sharp inside her nose. "Damn it…" she bit out, wiping her chin and glaring up at the beast as it began its descent once more.

It cried again, rattling her very being as the voices pierced her brain. She stood slowly, hardened stare set on it as its throat once again lit up. Everil gazed around at her party and at her men, seeing them just rising, coughing and in a daze, unprepared to avoid the next attack.

Damn it! She sheathed her blades and prepared her bow, taking a brave step towards the approaching dragon as anger and frustration boiled inside her. "Come down and fight, you son of a bitch!"

But then a shape on top of the burning structures drew her attention as Riordan, now clad in his Grey Warden armor, ran over the rooftops, jumping from building to building as an expert rogue would. He looked at the dragon as it went lower, its attention focused on her instead of on the Warden following it from the side. And he jumped, soaring in the air and landing atop it, burying one of his daggers into its back. He let out a cry and stabbed it with his other blade, causing the beast to screech as it bled.

Everil stared as the Archdemon veered out of its previous path, sparing them from another attack as it tried to rid itself of the Grey Warden on its back. Her heart was at her throat as her eyes tailed it, seeing it fly higher as Leliana, Alistair, and Zevran walked up to stand behind her.

"You die today!" Riordan yelled as he yanked his weapon, then stabbed it again, making his way up to its neck while struggling to keep himself from falling off. The dragon growled, flapping its wings to soar higher as it approached Fort Drakon's towering spire. It then narrowed its crimson glare when it neared one of the tower's stone walls, rolling its body sideways as it flew at it.

The stares of those on the ground turned to horror.

"Riordan!" Everil cried out, running a few steps, but she and the others could only watch.

The Warden hit the wall, his dagger dislodging from the dragon's back. Hurt and shaken, he frantically swung his arms, scrambling to stab the creature as he fell and piercing one of its wings instead. The blade slid easily through the thin skin, slicing it like paper as the Grey Warden continued to fall. Then, there was nothing to hold him up. Nothing for him to grab onto. And no one to take his hand.

Riordan dropped, further and further, helplessly watching the dragon crash onto the side of the tower, growing more and more distant.

With a clenched jaw, Everil turned away just as his body hit the ground.

"No…" Alistair breathed out, tightening the grip on his weapon. They hadn't known the man for very long, but he'd been willing to die for all of them as Duncan would have done. He gritted his teeth in anger, glaring up at the tower.

"It's climbing to the top!" Leliana yelled as she pointed, the others watching with her as it used its claws to anchor onto the walls. It roared as it made its way up to the ledge, its wing dripping with blood.

"It can't fly anymore…" Everil said as it disappeared from their sight over the tower. "We can climb up after it and finish it off!"

They nodded to her and she turned to the men standing by. "You will all follow us! Chances are, the dragon will call on more darkspawn when it finds itself pinned down, we'll need your help when that happens."

"Yes, my lady!" some shouted, hitting their arms to their chest.

"Come on!" Everil said, drawing her blade and raising it above her head. "A Grey Warden sacrificed himself to give us this chance! Let's make it count!"

"Right behind you!" Alistair called.

Oghren cracked his knuckles. "Let's get this shit done!"

Everil ran with her party and their allies as they crossed the last of the stretch to Fort Drakon.

.x.x.x.x.

They stormed the tower, where darkspawn crowded the massive first-floor halls. Torches lit the gruesome scene surrounding them as they fought, blades clashing with the enemy's while their shadows shifted with every flame's flicker. Stone walls were painted red with blood from the prison guards, their body parts scattered all around.

Everil stabbed a hurlock, then ducked and slashed upwards through another's side. Beside her and behind her, Zevran, Alistair, Leliana, Oghren, and Sten battled through more enemies as they crossed the great hallway before them, heading for the stairs.

"Climb!" she called over the sounds of battle resonating in the wide space. They ran, leaving any stragglers behind as they moved to the second of the tower's many floors. Another wave of darkspawn met them at the next level, the corridors filled with them. Like a hive of loyal pawns, they relentlessly protected their queen, throwing their lives away as the two Grey Wardens and their allies broke through their numbers.

Sten cried out and swung, killing several at once. While Oghren brought his axe around, partially decapitating two genlocks. Shale pummeled through a small group, smashing them to paste as Leliana and Zevran were behind her, each one killing more. While Bjorn followed his mistress, mowing down enemies along the way.

As they climbed another set of stairs, more of them poured down the steps towards them. Everil looked up past the rail, seeing them charging with weapons raised. She backed up, extending an arm to halt her companions as they stood a few steps below.

"Morrigan!" she called.

The witch's attention went up to her.

"Burn them to ashes!"

She smirked. "With pleasure..."

Morrigan stepped up to stand beside her and brought forth her staff, summoning a spell before unleashing a wave of flames that flowed upwards through the wide arch of the spiraling stairs. The cries pierced their ears as the monsters burned alive, the smell of burnt flesh permeating the air.

In minutes, it was over, and the mage stood still, lowering her staff.

"Thanks. Excellent work," Everil praised, half-smiling as she lightly patted the mage's shoulder.

Morrigan sent her with a subtle frown, watching her resume the climb, unfazed by the burning ashes scattering around her.

Tired, but determined, the group made it the rest of the way to the top, emerging in a wide chamber lined with old armor and old dragon statues. Two great iron doors stood at the other side, flashing purple each time the wounded and enraged Archdemon used its breath. The roars pierced the walls, making them shake all around them and rocking them to the core. Massive stomping and screeching rattled the place, along with more growls as the dragon clawed the stone in a violent rage.

Breathing heavily from all the fighting, Everil took a confident step, pulse racing and heart beating wildly as she stared intently at those doors. And then fear crept up in her when the dragon struck the metal, leaving three thin strips along its surface before releasing another breath of flames that illuminated the entire room.

No fear… she told herself, jaw set in pure determination. This ends now…

"This is it…" Everil uttered, addressing her party as the soldiers gathered at their rear.

Oghren snickered. "Finally… This is where the fun starts…"

"There is something I have to do first, however..." Everil drew in a deep breath, summoning all her courage for the fight and for her next task. She couldn't go to the end yet. Not without first tightening some loose ends.

"Morrigan…" she called softly, shifting her gaze to the mage, her expression neutral. "May I speak with you for a moment?"

Morrigan seemed a little surprised by her request but eventually nodded.

"Everil…" Alistair breathed from behind her, reaching out to her only to stop halfway when she raised a hand to silence him.

The two women stepped to the far side of the room, away from earshot as the dragon's thrashing also helped muffle their voices.

"I do not wish to speak about what happened," Morrigan began coolly, folding her arms.

"I know… And trust me, neither do I." Everil's tone lacked the warmth she used to have for her. "But this is important…"

"Very well..." Morrigan sighed, rolling her eyes. "What is it?"

A pair of arms wrapped over her shoulders, stunning Morrigan into silence as she stood frozen in place. And despite the intrusion, she didn't withdraw from her. Couldn't pull away from her. Instead, she gulped and awkwardly wrapped hers around her waist.

"I'm going to be the one to slay the dragon..." Everil whispered by her ear, trying her best to keep the bitterness from her voice. "If your ritual doesn't work and I die… I want you to know that although I cannot find it in myself to forgive you right now, I bear you and that child no ill will."

To Morrigan's shock, her heart twisted with guilt at her words, and her brow knitted as she stiffly answered, "It will work..."

"Heh…" Everil pulled back, then gave her a half-hearted smile that made her chest ache even more. "We both know there is no such thing as certainty. Even you cannot wield that kind of power, Witch of the Wilds."

Lips pressed into a line, the witch watched mutely as the Grey Warden spun about and returned to the center of the room. Alistair and the rest of the party waited for her, sending them a mixture of puzzled and wary stares as their leader came to stand with them. Sighing softly, Morrigan sauntered to them, joining the group while frowning at the Warden's back.

"All right, men! " Despite the beast's screeches outside, Everil's steely voice filled the chamber, commanding everyone's attention. "Focus your energy on weakening the bastard! Give it all you've got! And remember that today we all fought bravely for something greater than ourselves!"

"Hooah!" warriors, archers, and mages raised their weapons, tired and bruised, but with fire in their eyes.

"Follow me!" She drew her sword and turned to them, raising it high. "Follow me to victory!"

And they did, charging through the hall and storming out the gates as their thundering steps challenged the beast's roar.

The Archdemon whirled its massive size around to zero in on the Grey Wardens, pupils turning into slits as they came to it without hesitation. Fighters went with them, while archers and mages kept their distance by the doors and around the tower's rooftop, attacking from a distance. They swarmed it, slashing at the tough scales over its legs, barely cutting it as it focused on the Wardens.

The dragon opened its jaws and snapped them, trying to bite Everil as she rolled, dodging its teeth. She cried out, bringing her sword to slash at it, scratching the side of its face. With a vicious snarl, it lifted its head then snapped again, this time narrowly missing her. It growled, frustrated by the woman's swift movements, then swiped down with its horns, forcing her to duck as it took out several soldiers that tried to fight it.

"The thing's skin is armored!" Oghren yelled as he hacked at it, leaving a gash that did not bleed.

As if on cue, Alistair slashed at its front leg and caught its inner thigh, splitting open its flesh as blood poured from the wound. The Archdemon growled deep in its throat and swiped at him with its claws. He rolled, evading them as the razor-sharp talons created deep streaks over the stone. It kept swiping, angered by the fresh injury as it flung soldiers away from it, torn gear pieces and limbs flying.

I really hate dragon claws… Alistair got on his feet, then shouted to the others, "Its underbelly is weak! Focus on that but watch for the claws!"

Sensing their plans, the beast got on its hind legs, extended its wings, and released an ear-piercing screech.

The offending noise stunned every man around as they covered their ears, unable to move. The Archdemon used its powerful legs and lept back, flapping one wing to land onto an empty platform behind it, out of their reach unless they risked its jaws. Answering its call, darkspawn poured from adjacent doors, letting out cries of their own as they stampeded to them.

With a roar, Everil slashed at a genlock, then followed through to the next, stabbing another and another. Her hound tackled a hurlock behind her as it tried to attack her, tearing off its throat before dashing to pounce on one coming from the flank.

Leliana huffed as she avoided an axe, before lunging forward, slashing the wielder's throat. She threw the blade at the next behind it, lodging in its head before pulling out her bow, firing several arrows at multiple foes.

Snarling viciously, the Archdemon watched as they slay its underlings one by one, their numbers quickly diminishing as they fell. It growled, the rumble resonating through them as its claws dug into rock.

Swinging her sword, Everil took down another hurlock, then looked to the archers on the sidelines.

"Archers!" she cried out, raising her blade.

Elves and humans promptly gathered in a row behind her, each preparing an arrow.

"Aim for the underbelly! Fire!" she commanded and pointed her blade at the dragon.

Arrows soared over her like a great wave in the ocean, flying onto its neck and chest. It roared in pain and rage, its wings expanding as blood poured out of its wounds. It drew in a breath, its injured throat lighting up, preparing its flames.

"Mages! Cast a wall of ice! Block its dragon breath!" Everil shouted.

All at once, the mages focused and brought up a shield between them and the dragon just as it unleashed its power. They gritted their teeth, grunting with exertion as they kept its blaze from engulfing them. The ice shattered, soaking the ground as the fire burned through it, evaporating all liquid left behind.

Frustrated, the Archdemon lept from its perch and slammed down below, great wings sending a gust of wind that swept over them. Soldiers fell and tumbled, all archers flying back while Everil and her party barely held their ground, covering their faces from the ash and dust.

"Now!" Everil cried out as the beast groaned, running to it with Elethea at the ready. "Focus on its legs! Weaken its stance!"

The Wardens and their party closed in on it as the remaining warriors also attacked its limbs. Its blood finally spilled onto the ground as they landed hits at its belly, causing the beast to screech in anger. It violently scratched with its claws, again sending more torn men hurtling away from it, some going over the ledge of the tower and plummeting to their deaths.

"Keep fighting!" Everil ordered as she slashed at the creature's chest, drawing another wail from it.

More crimson gushed from the Archdemon's open wounds each time it moved, leaving a trail as it turned and stomped on more men. It continued its struggle, killing several as the corpses littered the battlefield. The dragon roared, its cry shaking the ground. And having had enough, it whirled around, sweeping them with its massive tail. It landed a direct hit, knocking them several feet back, while the brutal gust of wind that followed violently brought their remaining forces to their knees.

Worn out and injured, the Archdemon looked upon the battlefield as smoke escaped its nostrils in heavy huffs. It snarled at its downed enemies while few moved or stirred. Then it stood on its bleeding hind legs and spread its wings, releasing a mighty cry of victory. Lightning cut through the darkness as a deafening clap of thunder joined the Archdemon's roar and rain came pouring over them as if the skies themselves wept over their defeat.

Feeling the drops drumming on her face, Everil winced, lying face down on the ground. She moved an arm and shakily placed a hand on the floor, trying to rise. Searing pain cut through her chest and she groaned miserably. Its tail had cracked her ribs.

Everil clenched her jaw and pushed herself through the agony, lifting her upper body on trembling arms. Her vision swam while she gazed ahead to the screeching beast as it summoned more of its minions. The remaining human soldiers stumbled and stood between her party and the enemy, weakly locking weapons with the darkspawn while jagged blades ran some through.

Her head craned towards Sten, Oghren, Zevran, and Leliana as they gradually sat up. Alistair steered a scant distance beside her, lying on his chest, his head facing her as blood slid down his right eye from a gash upon his brow. Morrigan and Wynne were casting spells, both visibly worn down and trying to help the wounded soldiers attempting to keep the darkspawn from reaching their king.

Heaving as desperation settled in, Everil returned an angry stare to the Archdemon. And its glare met hers.

"Save me..."

Shock fell over her features upon hearing its weak voice inside her mind, pleading to her. She spun her head to search for her weapons, seeing them gone from her reach. But then her gaze landed on Alistair's sword as it lay beside him. She went for it with a quivering hand, fingers curling around the hilt.

"Awaken me..."

With great effort, Everil stood, hair sticking to her face and water dripping from her bruised body. She bit back tears as she took an unsteady step forward and grunted in pain, a hand over her injured chest.

"Release me from this nightmare…! Grey Wardens!"

Alistair's head shot up, the voice screaming in his mind snapping him back into consciousness. His panicked gaze trailed up to her, just in time to see her take another step, wielding his father's sword. He looked at the dragon, and then back at her, eyes widening as time itself seemed to lag.

What if the ritual doesn't work?

What if Morrigan is wrong?

Unable to move nor speak, Alistair saw her ready his weapon and heard her release an anguished cry that drew the attention of everyone on the battlefield. Then, to his horror, Everil fearlessly charged, feet pounding on the ground, taking her away from his grasp as she rushed towards the Archdemon and to her death.

"Everil, no!" He desperately reached out to her as her form grew smaller and smaller.

Determined and focused, Everil ignored his call and kept running, steely blue orbs set on her target. From the sidelines, Morrigan summoned a stream of flames, burning all the darkspawn in the Warden's path. And she swung and cut down several more, breaking through the swirling ashes as the witch's blaze helped clear her way.

Still standing on its hind legs, the Archdemon roared, priming another firebreath deep within its throat. But she was faster, cutting through multiple hurlocks as they tried to protect their master from her wrath. Everil slashed at their middles, cut a head off, then sliced through one's leg to bring it to its knee, and she climbed onto its shoulder to boost herself up. The Warden jumped, soaring as high as she could, gripping the sword with both hands while releasing another, powerful war cry.

The blade buried itself in its chest, piercing the dragon's heart as it spit fire to the black skies. But it wasn't deep enough and its claw shot forth. It wrapped around her dangling body and her cracked ribs snapped under its viselike grip. She screamed, one of her hands slipping from her weapon. But she held on with the other, coughing up blood and stubbornly gritting her teeth while bringing her arm back up to grip the golden sword's hilt. And she twisted the blade, driving it further into the beast and unleashing a white, blinding light that enveloped them both.

Everyone left standing covered their eyes as the top of the tower lit up like a beacon, pure white rays shooting up into the black clouds and splitting them apart. The darkspawn cowered under its purity, backing away as they slew their god before their eyes. The brightness was too much, and the taint no longer called to them. Defeated and terrified, they ran, retreating into the tower as they fled.

Throughout the city, both soldiers and monsters froze mid-battle and gazed upon that beacon. The darkspawn screeched and growled, taking several steps back before turning around and running in horror from the brightness spreading above them. The men could only watch them nearly trample over each other, scrambling to escape through the gates and to the deep from whence they came.

At the tower, Alistair slowly rose to his feet as he and the others struggled to see through it all. The light raged on and a powerful wipnd swirled around both dragon and Warden, surging upwards as purity continued to spread throughout the heavens.

Morrigan placed a hand over her womb, chest growing uncomfortably tight with worry for the woman still attached to the dying beast.

And as soon as the light came, it went, shooting up and releasing a shock wave that rumbled throughout the now normal sky.

A shuddering breath escaped Alistair as he lowered the arm he'd used to shield his sight from that last explosion of light. He blinked a few times, taking a step while frantically searching through the blurry mass a few feet away from them. His vision sharpened and alarmed ambers fell on the dead dragon's body, before spotting the woman lying beside it with her back to him. With growing panic, he waited expectantly for her to stir. To get up. But she remained motionless as the rain continued to fall over her.

He took another step, the water pouring on him further weighing his shoulders as he trudged on heavy feet.

The rest of their party looked on from afar, staring with trepidation over their features as he approached Everil's still form.

Alistair went to his knees, reaching down with shaking hands before ever so gently turning her over onto her back. His chest constricted the moment he saw blood oozing from the corner of her mouth, mixing with the puddle beneath her head. The image of the time in which she lay on her deathbed weeks ago flashed before his eyes and he couldn't help the sob that escaped him.

"Wake up…" he breathed, gently cradling her into his arm as her head lolled to the side, the raindrops carelessly falling over her face. "Everil… Please wake up…"

But despite his calls, her eyes wouldn't open.

His heart dropped like led and tears slid down his cheeks as quivering fingers brushed damp locks from her pale face. "Maker, no…" he murmured brokenly as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. "Please, no…" He pressed his cheek to her cool forehead and tightly closed his eyes, more tears rolling out only to disappear in the pouring rain.

"Alis...tair…?"

His eyes snapped open at the sound of her voice and he drew back, gazing over her features. She was looking back at him, tired, injured, and weak, but alive. Maker, she was alive.

Another tear slid down his face, and he put on a wavering smile. "Hey…"

"Hey…" she whispered hoarsely, and swallowed, shakily reaching up to cup his cheek. "It worked…"

"Y-Yes…" he half-chuckled, half-cried. "Y-Yes, it did… Thank the Maker..." He carefully pulled her into another embrace, nuzzling her brow as he shook, overwhelmed by emotion.

She smiled despite the pain and let him hold her as Wynne hurried to them. White light came once more, this time from the mage as she helped heal the worst of her wounds. The others in their party approached them, all visibly relieved, while Bjorn gently licked his mistress' cheek.

Moments passed, then Alistair helped her rise, holding her by waist as her arm came to wrap over his shoulders for support. And when the soldiers saw their savior on her feet, they erupted into cheers, raising their weapons as their cries joined those of the troops on the streets below. Everil smiled weakly at them, still hurting but grateful to be able to witness their victory. Behind them, Morrigan watched the scene from afar, feeling the corners of her lips turn up ever so slightly while standing by the door. But her smile faded when she turned away and disappeared into the shadows.

Having sensed her stare on them, Everil gazed over her shoulder and her grin also vanished upon finding her gone.