Chapter 35: The Dragon vs The Wolf

Disclaimer: I do not own The Elder Scrolls Series or the Dragon Age Series.

Elder Scrolls belongs to Bethesda and Dragon Age belongs to Bioware

A/N: Very sorry but it's been a while. Don't worry, school is now over for me so expect me to write a lot more chapters. Especially since my brother is using my PS5 so gaming is out for me this winter break. Anyway, enjoy the fight.


30th of August, 9:45 Dragon/ 30th of Last Seed, 305 4E

"Behind you!"

Two more soldiers fell to those ice golems, crushed beneath into a frost paste.

"I got it!" Bull interjected, the Qunari barreling forth and breaking the golems with a swing.

Quick to Cassandra, Evelyn cast a barrier over the Seeker. Legionnaires' swords failed to pierce her back and met their fate at the end of the Iron Bull's hammer.

A fireball flew past her cheek and she barreled to the ground. Fire encased over her palm to counter strike until she realized it came from Dorian. She looked behind to see a fallen Orc, melted cavity straight through the head.

"I know you like fireballs, Evelyn but this isn't the time!" Dorian exclaimed as he launched waves of spirit energy down the streets.

"Focus, focus," Evelyn muttered as she picked herself up. Then she heard a whirring sound.

"Take cover!" she yelled, planting her staff down and erecting a barrier.

Her friends narrowly entered as the balls of magic and stone crashed all around them. Marble, stone, and wood crashed off buildings. Evelyn heaved as they battered over her barrier.

But she held and protected her friends though fell to their knees. Cassandra was quick to pull her back up and a potion handed from Dorian restored clarity.

"Fallback! Fallback!" Orlesian soldiers screamed, waving their arms above as they ran down the street. Streams of fire fell from above, incinerating flesh to crisp.

FUS RO DAH!

Dragon shouts exploded buildings, tearing up streets and barricades. Evelyn and her friends fell to their knees beneath the force, retreating them back into an alleyway. They ran as fast as they could, Bull and Cassandra breaking down any obstacles. Safety arrived, spotting an open house to which they filled in and sealed shut the door with a barrier.

And with a loud thud, Evelyn plopped onto the floor. "Fucking dammit," she let out, pressing her palm over her face.

How could it have come to this, she thought? Why now? They had a chance, however slim, to turn this around but now it was falling apart. And now it seemed like she would meet her grave here, in the pompous arrogant capital of Val Royeaux.

"Are you alright, Inquisitor?" Cassandra asked.

"No, Cassandra. I'm fine and dandy if you haven't noticed?" Evelyn asked in all seriousness.

Cassandra huffed. "You know what I mean, there's no need to be snark."

"Snark?" Evelyn questioned with a chuckle. "Look who's talking," she said, stampeding and closing face to face with Cassandra.

"Inquisitor, please... this isn't the time," Dorian interjected.

"I-"

No, no, Dorian was right. Now was not the time.

"I'm sorry, Cassandra," she said, hanging her head low.

"It's fine, Inquisitor. Just-"

GAAN LAH HAAS!

Pertinent screams echoed from the streets. Evelyn instinctively crouched with her companions.

"Shit," Evelyn muttered. "Bull?"

"I'm on it," he replied, knowing what she asked as he observed out the window. "More dragons, purple ones with four eyes. Man if this wasn't a siege, I'd really go out there."

"Bull…" Evelyn glared.

"Right, right," Bull said. "Well, they're flying off to the walls now. Streets are empty too but there are too many corners. There could traps, Khajiit..."

"Then perhaps we should go through this house," Dorian suggested to the hallway behind.

"That might not be the safest option," Cassandra voiced.

"Of course, walking out in the open for a dragon to swoop by is the better path," Dorian said.

"Well…" Bull chimed before a glare from Cassandra shot him down.

"Inquisitor," she asked. "What do you think?"

Cassandra, Dorian, and Bull penned their glances to Evelyn for an answer. Sounds of explosions and roars in the background masked her thoughts. But honestly, she didn't know. Any choice really had no point to it. Fight, retreat, fight, retreat. Two days of the same shit, losing ground and then barely recovering a portion of the city. And the one person that could actually help was nowhere to be found. She was just so sick of it all that she… that she…

"Evelyn," Cassandra said, causing Evelyn's eyes to grow wide. The Seeker lowered herself to Evelyn's level and looked straight into her eyes. "It's okay."

"What do you mean?" Evelyn asked.

"Don't think that the burden is just on you because it's not," Cassandra said. "If it was, we all would have protested to even fight this war."

"True," Evelyn remarked.

"But we're still here," Cassandra peered to Dorian and Bull. "Fighting with you because we trust you."

"Since when did you become the calm, supportive one?" Dorian asked, tongue in cheek.

A growl escaped from Cassandra, giving the Tevene death glares who rightfully backed away.

"Shut up," Dorian muttered to Bull, who snickered with glee.

"As I was saying," Cassandra raised as she turned back to Evelyn. "We fight with you not just because of our trust but because we believe there is a chance to win. It hasn't all been a steady loss."

"Of course, that didn't mean we have doubts," Bull added, his one eye directing out to the battle infested streets. "I'll admit, I thought this was going nowhere. But... I also thought the Qun would keep fighting Tevinter."

"But now they aren't," Dorian continued the point. "And now we have the full support of both nations against the Empire."

"Well, not yet…" Evelyn began to counter until glares from her friends shot her down. "Then again, Kahari isn't called the Hero of Ferelden for nothing. And of course, Hawke hasn't-"

"We can worry about all those other things later, Inquisitor but right now…" Cassandra said as she looked out the window. "We need to get to one of the fallback points and regroup with the Alliance."

Cassandra smiled serenely at Evelyn, helping to invigorate her speech into her mind. Reminding Evelyn to once again stand and nod as their leader.

"Alright then," Evelyn said. "Let's get a move on. First, we need to figure out the path we'll take. Let's go upstairs for a better view. Dorian, do you have the map?"

Dorian nodded, pulling out a rolled paper as they set out to the top floor of the building. The Tevene mage rolled out the map of Val Royeaux across a slightly burnt table in a parlor. Bull closed whatever curtains were left on the windows as the rest congregated around.

"Okay so we've lost Eastern Shopping District and the University," Evelyn recounted of the harrowing days of blood and magic. "And we're here in the Avenue of the Sun."

"The Seeker headquarters are close by," Dorian pointed.

Cassandra shook her head. "Too close. They're probably already attacking the area now."

"So the Imperial Palace then?" Evelyn suggested.

"Perhaps," Cassandra mulled, grabbing her chin. "Bull, what do you think?"

"Well, we've already lost nearly half the city so…" Bull said, waiving on his words as he looked out the window. "Anything within a few blocks is full of Imperials by now."

True, the streets would be full of Legionnaires, mages, creatures, and what else they might have. But as Evelyn thought, she was thinking too obviously, The Empire wasn't with their underhanded techniques.

"Wait… under?" Evelyn exclaimed, clicking in her. "Underneath!"

"What?" Cassandra questioned.

A cry of disgust from Dorian answered. "You mean the- the sewers!?" he exclaimed. "That hasn't been cleaned since… Andraste knows how long."

"Well, Dorian," Evelyn raised in her Wycomian accent. "Unless you feel like fighting your way through Legionnaires and-"

FUS RO DAH!

Evelyn pointed her thumb out the window. "Then we really don't have much of a choice."

Dorian let out a meek gasp to protest but subsiding from a Qunari shove and stare.

"Oh, alright," he slumped and sighed. "If that's what you think is best."

"I do," Evelyn nodded.

"Though there is a concern of where we'll know to go…" Dorian began to voice as Evelyn responded with another rolled parchment. "Ah… of course you would."

"Right," Evelyn chuckled. "I mean… considering all that's happening now, how lucky is that?"

Dorian and Cassandra shared with Evelyn the brisk moment of elation they could share, brought up with a snarky comment from Bull on how it was a five-one chance. This right here… this peacefulness amidst a city under siege was just a further reminder to Evelyn to keep ongoing.


By the hour they fired, days on end, Imperial trebuchets assaulted the high walls of Val Royeaux. Backed by magic and dragons, they easily felled the Sun Gate, one of the most defensible positions on Thedas only outclassed by the city of Minrathous. Yet… that's all they destroyed. Strange as even the Imperial soldiers were likely confused as to this inaction. Strange save for the two most powerful beings that walked this area as both prepared for what may be their last.

As the siege went on, both came to discuss with their close friends in opposite worlds.

"You're certain he'll come alone?" Mythal penned her question in a half-broken cry to Solas, still showing her adamant hesitation to the endeavor.

Solas sighed in contemplation, mulling for an answer as he grabbed several crystals. "He has to come alone," he answered as he placed the crystals into his staff. "He knows this as well."

"But why now-" Serana asked.

"Because I have to Serana," Gaius answered strongly as he put on an enchanted ring. "If we're going to have a chance to succeed, then I'll need everyone at their full strength. And I'm not going to risk your life."

"I can help though. I can-"

"Get killed or worse, captured," Solas added as he strapped several sticks to his belt. "I have to do this alone. It's the only way."

"No, it isn't! With all our mages and the dragons, we can defeat him in one blow."

"That's not my only concern," Gaius parted away through the tent. "I don't doubt we can defeat him, there's no question about that. But this is just something I need to do… alone."

"That makes no sense! Even with the information we have on him, there's no guarantee you'll win. Please... let me help you."

Both men, human, and elf, neither truly mortal, paused in their steps. As the worlds they stood in flowed around them, time seemed to stand on its heels. And looking overhead at the edge of their respective views, a serene plane of ruins and a war-ravaged city, they came to the same conclusion.

"I'm sorry," they said with teary-eyed choked voices. "But to stop all this and create the future we want, it has to be me. Or else… this is all that you'll be seeing forever."


White Spire, Dungeons

Even in the midst of a siege, there was still a need for those to perform their duties. Regardless of whether or not such duties were reasonable did not matter to some. And of those some, a particular Guard-Captain thought it prudent for prisoners of the enemy assaulting the very city to be guarded. A mistake the guards thought and one that would cost lives dearly.

Pounds and clangs rang through the halls of the dungeon. And rather it because, of say, a prison riot or unruly prisoners, its origins were much more singular. Carrying forth slurs that echoed from his mouth, the Nord General of the Empire refused to wait in idle.

"I swear by the Nine, if you milk-drinkers don't let me out, you're going to wish you didn't carry pikes!"

"Will you shut up already!" a guard exclaimed, slamming the bars.

"Make me," Heidkar challenged as he rattled the bars.

"I said shut up!" the guard reiterated as he pointed out his spear.

Heidkar roared a hearty chuckle. "You don't have the balls, sceever-scat cow-chucker."

"I'm warning, I'll-"

KREN QETH GOL! VAH YOL RON!

The very floor rocked from the echoes of the dragons, tipping the guard to his buttocks and causing Heidkar to burst out in laughter.

"Did you seriously fall from an echo?" Heidkar grabbed his chest, leaning back into his cell. "By Shor, Orlesians really are milk-drinkers!"

"Laugh all you want, Imperial," the guard sneered, slowly wavering back up. "You're not getting out."

"For the last time, I am a Nord, not an Imperial," the shaggy bearded Heidkar said. "And I'm telling you, as a son of Shor, to let me out now or you'll wish to have never been born."

The guard huffed in contempt, hugging his weapon. But another rumble shook the guard to his knees as the mortar of the dungeon itself splintered out cracks. Another laugh emerged from Heidkar but unlike the last one, it carried more of a baritone than a pitch.

"You really are clueless, aren't you Orlesian?" Heidkar mocked as he leaned against the bars. "You can feel the power of the Thu'um, can't you? You think the shaking is nothing more than simple explosions, don't you?"

"Be quiet."

"I don't envy you not knowing," Heidkar continued. "If you want to be able to breathe the next day, then you'll let me out and surrender to me. Maybe then I'll let a little milk-drinker like you live."

The guard had enough of Heidkar's words, putting forth his spear to stab when another shake rocked the dungeon. Unlike the last though, it was much closer. An explosion burst at the end of the hall, kicking up debris. Bolts of energy flew down from the hall, screams of guards crying out as Templars barreled towards the explosion with their shields raised.

"What the hell," the guard exclaimed.

The guard and Heidkar peered down the hall and met with even more shaking. Burning crisp flesh and gurgling noise scared the guard into a defensive stance, focused on who or what would be approaching. So focused that he stepped too close to the bars.

With a famous Nord battle cry, Heidkar grappled the guard through the bars and slammed his head against them. The spear dropped from his hand and the guard found himself in a hold as Heidkar strangled the man. With all manner of movement and spaz, the guard tried to rest free but the Nord's strength was too great. Choking and spitting was all the guard could muster, barely able to mutter a word until finally falling limp.

Quickly the Nord knelt and began to search the guard for a key. "Dammit," he sighed, searching through every pocket with no luck.

"Looking for something."

Heidkar's frantic mood soured, lowering his head to barely see the eagle engraved steel boots that stepped before the bars.

"It had to be you, didn't it?" the Nord sighed with grit as he panned up to his 'savior' proceeded behind with High Elf Praetorians.

"Don't be like that, Heidkar," the sultry voice replied, who was none other than the Altmer general, Celanya. "Is that any way to treat a comrade who's come to save you?"

Heidkar huffed. "Save me sure," he replied as she unlocked the cell door. "And can't wait to lord it over the Emperor."

"Of course not, Heidkar, this is-"

A wave of shock hit over the Altmer that not even Heidkar had seen, one of horror. "W-what…" was all Celanya could spell out as she looked at the end of the cell.

Because in truth, there were two prisoners within the cell yet for all purposes, there might as well have been just one. In rags and sheets laid a dormant Dunmer. Sloshed red eyes that were dull of any light, he sat motionless with his mouth wide open and drool pooling on his chest.

"Suver," Celanya hurried to grab hold of his shoulders. "Suver... Suver, what's wrong?"

Nothing but a blank stare came from the Dunmer general, with the only semblance of communication coming as a glance towards Heidkar.

"Who do you think?" Heidkar answered with a retort as to the main culprit's identity. "

"That bastard," Celanya sighed before glaring with stern to the Praetorians. "Well, don't just stand there."

Without haste, the Praetorians responded to help Suver up, who could barely stand on his own feet even with two people.

"Get him out of here, quickly," Celanya commanded as she held Suver's palm. "Don't worry, Suver. We'll get you back to Tamriel for treatment, I promise."

The Dunmer general merely continued his lifeless stare of soullessness, leaving a wide-eyed Celanya in grief as he was carried off.

"So you do care," Heidkar snided.

"Don't start with me now," Celanya shot back with a glare. "Now let's go while we can."

"No," Heidkar stated.

"This is not the time to argue-"

"That's not what I mean," Heidkar said. The Nord approached close to the Altmer, nearing her face as he spoke without regret. "We have to do what honor demands."

Celanya quickly countered. "The Emperor will take care of it. Your honor-"

"My honor is not the only one that needs to be defended," Heidkar replied.

Celanya grunted with a pause, perused by the Nord's words. She looked back to where Suver had been sitting. Piss-covered drenched with saliva in a cell infested with algae growing between the mortar.

"What do you propose?" Celanya asked, her eyes still focused on the end of the cell.

"Simple," Heidkar answered. "This dishonor must be answered in blood… by the one that allowed our comrade to become what he is. And as it just so happens, she has brought shame to me as well."


From across the river sat the Emperor of Tamriel, Gaius Dracos. Now in a steel-colored armor engraved of Imperial and dragon design, he ensconced over a tree stump and watched with a pensive stare to the city of Val Royeaux. The brutal siege of inferno and blood was coming to an end, his forces would soon sweep the Thedosian Alliance. And with it, the end of the cesspool that was the Orlesian Empire.

"Soon," Gaius commented with a smile as he clasped his hands and tenderly held one of his rings. "It'll be all over after this."

The air behind the Emperor swirled into a white light, shining brightly onto him for a doorway to materialize. Gaius made no effort to even look behind to see as he spoke to the figure that emerged from the light.

"You're early," the Dragonborn said.

In a flash, the bright doorway disappeared and the figure known as the Dread Wolf stepped forth in his ancient elvhen armor of fur and steel wreath in magic and gold as well.

"Apologies," Solas said, "but I already finished preparations long before you did."

Gaius' smile grimaced to a solemn. "Of course," he replied in solidarity. "How did she take it, if I may ask?"

"Not well," Solas answered with a sigh. The Dread Wolf hanged back from fully approaching, pacing as he continued to speak. "She is where she needs to be, away from harm."

"It's a hard thing to do, I understand," Gaius nodded before hanging his head down. "To leave Serana behind… brings back memories I don't want to repeat."

Solas paused. "You're being sentimental?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be? Just because we oppose each other doesn't mean we should treat each other as uncaring monsters. We're both just two beings whose goals impede the others. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Nothing less," Solas scowled. "You invade a continent and kill thousands on the pretext of your arbitrary morality. You're no better than the Qunari or the Orlesians. Nothing more than a conqueror who seeks an excuse to satisfy your hunger for domination."

"And what would you know of me to say that?" Gaius narrowed his eyes as he continued to look across to the city. "Your nothing but an egotistical nostalgic maniac bent on restoring a world for the few over the many, displaying remorse to simply ease your own mind. I am a man that seeks to stop that."

"No, you're not."

"And how would you know?"

"Because I know this is not who you truly are," the Dread Wolf said as he inched closer to the Dragonborn. Determination burned from his eyes, staring down the Emperor. "Are you… Kasccer Jurnis?"

The sullen gaze of the Dragonborn revealed wide, breaking apart to a brazen assurance as he turned to face his adversary. "So you finally know?" he asked with an unashamed hubris.

"Only what I needed through your general's mind," Solas answered. "Your true name is Kasccer Jurnis, born to a noble family from High Rock. Your family and friends were taken from you yet even so you were a hero to the people of Tamriel. Helped to work to free others, to give freedom to all and overcome their differences."

Solas then approached slowly as he continued. "And I know why you turned the way you are now," he said as he stopped but a few feet away. "Alduin, Harkon, Miraak, the Thalmor. You've lost your friends, family."

"Half-true," Gaius shook his head at the last word.

"Your sister-"

"Don't you dare talk about Narria!" Gaius erupted, the tree trunk imploding beneath into pieces as he stood. "I know what I did. My mistake, my weakness. Dead by my hands."

"I understand," Solas replied. "I am sorry, truly"

Gaius grimaced a dark grim back with a huff. "For what? Is this some attempt to appeal to me on my past, my sorrow? Convince how I was once a good person that is now consumed and blinded by grief and anger? Hmph... no, you can't. Because Kasccer Jurnis was a weak man, who couldn't protect the world or his comrades when it mattered most. And I am never going back to that."

"I wasn't thinking that in the slightest," Solas said without hesitation, raising a brow from the Dragonborn.

The Dragonborn made a pensive stare, turning away to the ground. "Then what…" he paused and pondered. Then standing from the stump, he presented such a large grin that Solas was taken somewhat aback as the Dragonborn let out a light chuckle. "You think knowing about my past will allow you to defeat me?"

"I do," Solas spoke in a softer tone, narrowing his glare. "Because now I know you are nothing more than like the Evanuris. An insane nihilistic narcissist, who thinks only of himself and his 'grand ideas'. And while I might too perform a terrible action, I don't rob this world of freedom."

"You want to talk about freedom?" Gaius raised his hand, showing the chaos behind. "Everything I am doing is for the sake of everyone. Not just humans, or elves, or even species beyond these worlds. But for all mortal beings, to ensure we have a purpose!"

The Emperor's voice began to boom around, kicking up dirt and blowing wind while Solas continued to stand his ground. Small tears welled around the Emperor's eyes as he and the Dread Wolf stared each other down. Cool collectiveness against unyielding passion. And the Dragonborn was the first to make a move.

"And to ensure no one is forgotten..."

A force indescribable erupted in an explosion of pure power. Water disintegrated, the earth cratered. Two beings, two demigods locked their blades. The Dragon and the Wolf's battle had begun.

Solas broke the stalemate, flinging Gaius off with his mana as he encased his body in a gleaming blue aura.

WULD NAH!

Gaius launched back, his ethereal sword slamming on the Dread Wolf's staff. They locked and edged, the Dragonborn's strength slowly pushing Solas into the dirt. But the elf's mana exploded in brilliance, swinging and throwing his opponent to the dirt.

YOL! FO! SOV!

Breaths of elements torrented towards Solas. The elf twirled them away, countering back with vortexes of the Fade. Back and forth the two struggled, putting their best in magic and sword. Summoned Xivilai charged from the Dragonborn, easily turned to stone from a flash of Solas' eyes. Rain of magical light blades showered down with elvhen fury, blown back by the Thu'um.

FUS RO DAH!

Earth shattered in pieces as boulders of dirt rocketed towards the sky, the battle following forth. But the outcome remained uncertain. Lightning blue as the ocean struck from Solas, exploding every rock Gaius stood atop and bringing him sooner to fall. Unrelenting they were that the Dragonborn lost focus as his legs turned to stone while dispelling a rift.

"VEN GAAR NOS!" Gaius managed to shout as a gigantic twister expelled and ensnared the Dread Wolf.

Even within a magical shield, Solas was tossed around like a cat's plaything and swept within the current. Gaius grinned, launching back up with a Whirlwind. It seemed he had caught the Dread Wolf when a streak of light exploded forth from the cyclone. Its yellow brilliance streaked around Gaius, hitting him repeatedly from all sides and battering against his Ebonyflesh. Then the world around him slowed as he witnessed Solas striking down with a stave and rocketing him to the ground.

"FEIM!"

The Dragonborn smashed into the ground without harm, only managing to look up as boulders of dirt, stone, and magic collapsed on his position. Without delay, a brilliant explosion bright as the sound radiated spectacularly. Molten magma is what became of the ground with only a small platform held together by the sheer power of the dragon souled Breton.

A breath for interlude came, both fighters trying to process and plan their next move. Solas, who now stood standing on the air as if it were the ground, glared down to Gaius, who responded in kind with a smirk.

"Not half bad," Gaius said as he began to chug a vial of a potion. "Not half bad, indeed."

The Dragonborn let out short chuckles as he began to levitate, matching the Dread Wolf's level who remained unfazed.

"Truly?" Solas asked, questioning with intent.

"Don't mistake my compliments as veiled insults," Gaius replied. "I'm not like your Evanuris nor any other deceitful creature you've known. When I say things, I mean them. Like for example… I know for a fact you're not giving it your all."

"The same for you," Solas pointed to Gaius' legs of stone.

"This," Gaius gestured, shattering the stone from his legs. "Hardly the level of a spell by a master wizard. A minor inconvenience at best."

Solas lowered his arms down and said, "I suspected somewhat you'd have a high magical resistance."

"And yet still you show no concern in light of that," Gaius countered, raising a brow in ire. "Though I will admit, in terms of magical ability, you do have the advantage. That much does give me some pause."

A smile protruded the Dragonborn, his air of confidence certain of victory over the Dread Wolf. The stone-cold glare from the Dread Wolf though told that it would hardly end soon.

With one graceful move, the staff of the Dread Wolf turned into pure light tendrils like a whip. Orbs of light spawned over like a sphere surrounding every degree in the air. And his armor was draped in light, encased with ethereal claws and a helm the shape of a wolf's head.

"Very well then," the Dragonborn smirked, locking in both arms close. "MUL QAH DIIV!"

Like Solas, Gaius too encased himself in ethereal armor. Dragon scales and horns ran over his arms and legs, his helm now a dragon's head. Echoes of a dragon's roar and a wolf's howl enraptured the entire sky, the entire world it seemed. Imperials, Orlesians, and even the dragons have momentarily enraptured above. As the two most powerful beings flared with power unimaginable, one thing was certain. Dragon or wolf, no one was coming out unscathed.

"Let's begin," Gaius said and the sky exploded in a brilliant light.


"Solas, you crazy bastard," was all Evelyn could mutter out as her eyes laid bare to the spectacle of destruction and mayhem above.

"Yeah…" Bull could say as he approached behind with Cassandra and Dorian. "Just... damn."

And just if not more surprised was Cassandra as the Seeker could glare with an open mouth, stepping back to catch it all in one view. "This… this shouldn't be possible," Cassandra said, quivering her words. "How could… something like this happen?"

Evelyn couldn't agree more like the mass of light tendrils, explosions, and shouts whirled with awesome power; lowering herself of any worth, of any importance in this fight against the Dragonborn.

"Dammit!" Evelyn balled her fists.

"Evelyn?" Dorian asked, Evelyn, knowing what he was pertaining to.

"You don't need to console me, Dorian. I know," Evelyn replied as she briefly turned back. "Still doesn't change the fact of how useless we are now."

"Well, I mean sure if you compare us to those two," Dorian gestured to the death-defying battle. "But just because they have all the power doesn't make us any more useless."

Evelyn cocked her head. "Really?" she questioned his sincerity as enormous crackles of lightning broke behind.

"Well, the Imperial advance from the west has halted," Dorian shrugged. "And of course…"

With a big gesture of an arm, the Tevene mage directed attention back to the Suncrest Plaza where many dead Imperial Legionnaires, Orcs, mages, and magical creatures laid around.

"That's different," Evelyn answered.

"How?" Dorian asked.

"Well, because…"

It was hard to think of a reason as her friends all looked to her with doubtful looks. Thinking hard on it, flaws were apparent in any argument without comparing to the Dragonborn. That power the man possessed… at the very least, she thought, he wasn't in the city right now.

"You know what?" Evelyn sighed. "Okay, okay, you're right… somewhat."

"Somewhat?" Dorian questioned with his exaggerated tone of offense. "What, like how Cassandra is somewhat nice?"

A growl from Cassandra wavered Dorian down with surrender and elicited a laugh from Evelyn.

"Maybe," Evelyn snickered with a smile. "Though you'd probably benefit from-"

FOH KRAH DIIN!

"Down!" Bull shouted, pulling Evelyn down as torrents of ice flew past and the tips of her hair frosted like the buildings around.

"Inside away from the two demigods!?" Dorian yelled, receiving a nod from Evelyn.

"Alright, back to the palace!" Evelyn ordered as Bull pulled her up, running towards where they'd plan their next attack.

But just as Bull and Dorian left through the arch, the ground parted and exploded a wall of earth. Evelyn flew back, the world slowing for a bit as she saw Cassandra flying too before pounding back down on her back.

Groaning, she struggled with one arm to get up and rolled onto her back. "Cassandra!" she called out, huffing as her back still shot in pain.

"I'm here," Cassandra called as she crawled over, blood-stained forehead.

"You're… hurt," Evelyn exclaimed as the Seeker pulled her up to sit.

"It's fine," Cassandra said, pulling out a poultice. "Here, take it."

"But it's the last one I can't," Evelyn argued. "You take it."

"I'll have to agree with the Inquisitor on this. You should take it."

Evelyn paused with widened eyes, exchanging a glance with Cassandra as they both turned around.

"You!" Evelyn said, springing to her feet upon who she witnessed.

It was the Nord general Heidkar, dressed in a demonic black and red armor she saw in the Fade, and beside him an Altmer Imperial woman, who wore armor, not unlike the other general they captured.

"You didn't forget me now, did you?" Heidkar asked, resting a greatsword to his shoulder as he looked to Cassandra. "Especially you, woman?"

"Get back, Inquisitor!" Cassandra skidded in front of Evelyn as she held a defensive stance. "Call for Bull and Dorian while I-"

"I'm afraid your friends won't be able to help you, Lady Seeker," the Altmer spoke with indifference. "If you would be so kind to direct your attention behind you."

Evelyn cursed under the Maker's name to the reveal of a swirling dome of purple energy rising above the plaza entrance. "What did you do?" Evelyn demanded.

"There's no need to be so hostile, Inquisitor," the Altmer said as she strolled forth beside Heidkar. "Allow me to explain. I am General Celanya, second in command to the esteemed Commander Marius. I believe you are acquainted with General Heidkar considering his last failure."

The Nord general growled in contempt at the Altmer, who stared at Evelyn with one of those passive-aggressive smiles nobility would show; the one that told of an intent to harm and so she instinctively grabbed hold of her staff.

"Let them go!" Evelyn said as her arm stub materialized into a spirit sword and stood by with Cassandra.

"Oh, they won't die," Heidkar answered. "Just an illusion they're in. They'll live… soon as I kill her for Suver!"

Heidkar rocketed forward with a battle cry, slamming into Cassandra with fury.

"Cassan-" Evelyn reached out when a wall of lightning blocked her path, striking on her palm to yelp in pain.

"Ah, ah, ah, Inquisitor," Evelyn saw as Celanya pointed forward, lightning crackling in her palm and wielding a sword. "Don't interfere."

Evelyn had no time for this, whisking away in a Fade Step through the lightning. Cassandra was holding her own, blocking the heavy strikes of the Nord.

"Cas-" Evelyn again reached out, whirling her staff to imbue with magic.

But a pull on her staff tugged her down, dragging her body across the plaza. Evelyn looked up to Celanya, palm outstretched in an orange glow.

"Now what did I just tell you?" the general smirked.

Evelyn snarled and let loose from staff a barrage of magical missiles. Celanya dodged with ease despite the armor she wore, flipping and sidestepping. Evelyn twirled up, panting, and refused to let up as she embraced the mana.

"Careful now," Celanya taunted between each dodge of a missile. "Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself now?"

"How about thinking of yourself first?" Evelyn countered.

Flames and ice on each arm and shot forward in a stream, blinding the Altmer in a smoke. She had got her, stepping through the Fade with a strike to the back and- ...her spirit sword dispelled!?

"Wha-" Evelyn let out before flying back from a quick palm strike to the chest.

"Oh come now… did you really think it'd be that easy, Inquisitor?" Celanya asked.

"Shut up," Evelyn groaned, clenching her chest.

The Inquisitor's eyes widened as her hand pressed a strange feeling of… cracks. Her chest-plate rusted to a brown, barely holding together. What did that elf do?

"Heidkar, you seem to be having some trouble," Celanya called out.

Evelyn quickly wavered around; Cassandra on the offense, pushing the Nord back who struggled as he was countered from every swing.

"I… can… handle it!" Heidkar said.

With a smart dodge, the Nord shoved the Seeker down. Evelyn lunged to protect. A swift wave of her staff froze the Nord with a force field. But her body suddenly locked, muscles contracting tight and squeezing of her any feeling. All she could move were her eyes, locked squarely on Cassandra.

The Seeker rushed to her before being pummeled to a roll, an angry Nord striking down to continue their fight.

"I'll let you fight by yourself, for now, Heidkar," Celanya spoke. "But I'll intervene again if you take too long."

Evelyn's eyes could barely move to see Cassandra again in a struggle with the Nord. It was bad and there was nothing she could do. Her bones refused to move even a centimeter. But she had to do something?!

"Oh, it is best you don't look, Inquisitor," Celanye cooly said, blocking her view. "Your rage will need to be tempered once I present you to the Emperor."

Move, move! She had to move!

A loud cry wove the Altmer from her view. The Nord smacked down from his weapon, stumbling back from a charging Cassandra. Heidkar dodged with veracity but Cassandra would get some cuts.

"Don't," he yelled to the Altmer to presumably fight alone.

A fool, Cassandra was winning as she struck the Nord away with a shield bash. This was it, her victory, as she struck down on the downed Nord with a roar.

"Enough!"

Just… what? Cassandra had hollered, Evelyn swearing to hear a bone crunch followed by a clank of her sword falling.

"No more weapons!" Heidkar yelled.

A punch followed up, grabbing the shield off. A flurry of punches flew from the Nord, deafened under steel and muscle. Her moans and cries of pain overpowering the fight above of the demi-gods. Tearing into her heart, her soul to rage and hate.

"FUS!" Heidkar shouted, flinging Cassandra into a building as she pressed against the walls. "Helmet!" he said, reaching out to Celanya.

Shrouded clouds surrounded his head, turning to a demonic helm of horns and blood-red hue. No… Evelyn thought. She had to stop it, break free or her friend was going to die. But all she could do was watch… watch as the Nord charged headfirst.

"Cassandra!"

The mana brought forth, crying out from her body and breaking free. It carried forth a resounding blast, tossing the Altmer away. Great explosions broke behind her, propelling her.

"Get away!" Evelyn commanded, channeling all her mana to a single punch to the face of the Nord, crashing with a boom towards the building.

"Cassandra, let's-"

No, it… it couldn't be… Evelyn's eyes were lying. She was fast, she felt it. There was no sound of piercing or stabbing, she saw him charging, saw him. Saw him.

"No, no," Evelyn pleaded, falling to her knees. Tears swelling, flooding as she laid witness to the gaping hole through Cassandra's chest with her body laid bare on facedown.

"Cassandra," Evelyn held her friend in her arms, lifeless. "Cassandra, please. You can't- you can't-"

A laugh echoed and verberated from the buildings, off the walls. Sadness was quickly toppled by rage, even as tears flooded from her eyes Evelyn could still give a seething rage.

"Don't even bother," Heidkar walked forward. Though his body and head bloodied with armor tattered and missing pieces on his chest and arms, he still approached as if nothing happened. "She is dead and I have regained my honor. My comrades' death were not in vain."

In vain? In vain? Evelyn roared out with as mage rage as she could. How could he say that? He would pay for what he did?!

"Murd-" Evelyn raged as her word immediately fell silent. Not again.

"That's enough, Heidkar," Celanya said, interceding in front of Evelyn. Her hand raised towards her in a green glow. "There's no need for further antagonization."

What the hell? The Altmer looked completely fine, her armor hardly torn or bent. And even her face only had put a blood streak on the corner of the mouth.

"You want to leave her here? What about bringing her to the Emperor?" Heidkar asked.

Celanya scoffed. "Do you not see the rage on her face?" she asked, looking back to Evelyn with condensation and what Maker Evelyn would give to curse at the moment. "She is in no mood to meet the Emperor anytime soon."

Light flashed in the corner of Evelyn's eye, blinding her momentarily and leaving only ears to listen. Whirling of heat shrieked pounding all around, followed by a crackling thunder to which she heard 'ro dah'.

"Besides, Heidkar," Celanya said. "I doubt the Emperor needs any more distractions. We should get back."

The Altmer general, still holding a hand out to Evelyn, pulled out and blew into a very large whistle. There was no sound to hear but that seemed to be that point as gusts of winds swept over here. A loud thud shook the ground and Evelyn toppled over like a statue to be made privy to a large orange dragon.

"Nau joor," the dragon spoke, lowering its neck.

Dragon smoke fumed, tearing Evelyn's paralyzed body. A wash of feelings subsumed, anger at the Imperials, fear of being eaten, of regret. The Inquisitor, the hero of Thedas and its people, was but an afterthought on the ground, not even worth killing.

"One more thing, Inquisitor," Celanya said, waving as she and Heidkar boarded. "I would not stay there if I were you. Dragon…"

FUS!

Evelyn's body felt as if it were a ton, the shout mooring her down in conjunction with the dragon's lift. But she could feel again and that's all she needed for her mana embraced arm.

"Bastards!" Evelyn shot her arm forth with all that she could muster, condensed mana barreling like a missile.

But the dragon dodged by the skin of its wings or whatever it was. This couldn't… why… Why this? Why now for Evelyn? All she could do was scream, scream at the top of her lungs. Of her vengeance, of her retribution that would come. Most especially to the man above.

"For once Solas," Evelyn spoke with a heavy breath. "Let him live. So that I can get a shot at the bastards."

The fighting above changed as soon as Evelyn finished her piece. The rays of light circling as the sphere suddenly rocketed straight towards the sky. So high that their streaks disappeared before glimmering back, gaining in size. So much that-

"Cassandra?!" Evelyn exclaimed, searching for her friend's body.

There! By the old cafe, Evelyn moved through falling light. It's luminosity rivaled intensely with heat, piercing the concrete to splinters and a glassy mess. It was but an apocalypse of doom, a downfall of a city. No way to escape could be seen, no way out.

The canal, it was up ahead. Racing as fast as she could with the Seeker, through the unending rays.

All that matters is survival.

Evelyn limbered in a running toss, reaching the canal. The blackness would overtake, flying off the Inquisitor and her friend as the last rays destroyed what was the Market District.


Tossed and weaved, flying and dodging. This dance of evasion had dragged on long enough. With a loud burst, the Dragonborn exploded forth a burst of air, ripping and flinging off the magical threads that caged him. His body now exposed with small cuts on his armor, lacerations and a bruised cheek glowed beneath his ethereal dragon helm.

But Solas looked to fare no better. Blackened hands from extensive magical use, a large gash covering his bald head in dried blood. His entire belt of tools and enchanted sticks nearly empty; his body struggling to catch his breath.

Tired, pissed, frustrated. Both looked to not care about this fight, the winner that they scantily looked down to the burning mess of mortal sin below. All that mattered was to win… by any costs.

The Dread Wolf moved first, breaking one of his sticks and mass spectral of wolves blocking over the Dragonborn. In the stretches of light, the elf zigged down blazing. A glare encased Imperials below to stone. Lobs of fire fell like bombs, shattering and destroying vast portions of the ground.

FUS RO DAH!

The dragons shouted in tandem. The Dread Wolf's shield barely cracked. Palms outstretched, the sky tore at the seams. Space undone as buildings suddenly embedded straight through both dragons. Roaring in agony, they shouted one last time as they collapsed on the city walls.

DOVAHKIIN!

Instantly, Solas appeared far above the sky. Echo of the words 'MEYZ HET!' were but brief as his cheek shattered under the Dragonborn's fist. Pounding so hard into a shockwave, Solas launched straight into the Spire. Gaius barreled forth after, the tower imploding into blocks of debris raining down hell.

"SOV AG SLEN!" Gaius roared out a storm of lightning.

Remnants of the tower exploded in an aura of blue and white, sheathing Solas and Gaius in auras of white energy and lightning respectively. The Dread Wolf blocked every strike of the Dragonborn's blade, clenching his teeth as his power grew. The dragon souls flowed to his body, empowering every strike with ferocity.

"SU!" the Dragonborn called forth the power of the wind to his arms, imbuing into his strikes.

Blow after blow, he landed without recompense. Cutting and tear, Solas bucked and bellowed beneath the blade, his aura disappearing as he crashed at the edge of the city fields.

A screen of dust and dirt expanded out, Solas tumbling out followed by Gaius as he skidded down. Gaius stared down at the elf, broken into a huddle. His ethereal wolf armor was gone, his entire leg exposed, and skin-deep painting his skin crimson red. Barely able to even stand on his arms.

The Dragonborn strolled forward, blade outstretched as he glared down. "I would say you fought well," he said, strolling as the sounds of the battle waged behind. "But that would be a lie."

Solas looked up, a stern look from his blood-soaked face to the Dragonborn. His eyes erupted in a flash, a gigantic beam of energy prepared to swallow him whole. Gaius held his ground, holding the beam back with grit and unwavering fortitude. With a jolt, he straightened up and directed the beam away into the city walls.

"Enough!" he bellowed, striking back with a bolt of charged lightning.

The bolt struck, dropping Solas to the ground. A wave of smoke rose from the elf's face, laying without any movement.

"Shit!" Gaius yelled as he rushed towards Solas, quick to cast a healing light.

To no avail, through his eyes, Gaius could not detect any life with his magic. Only death. "Dammit," he hung his head at the loss of the elf, wrenching into his plans. "You weren't supposed to- ARGHHH!"

The sudden scream of pain came from the body of Solas himself, dissipating into a mess of threads bearing light magic and wrapping over his entire body.

"You are correct, I did not fight well."

The Dragonborn's eyes widened, slowly raising his head from his kneeling. His mouth struggled to even frown, staring upon none other than the Dread Wolf himself and looking no worse for wear.

"Because I was not the one fighting," Solas said, a smirk escaping from his lips.

"H-how?" Gaius gurgled.

"Oh, I was fighting you… in the beginning," Solas explained as he proceeded toward. "But when you dragged me back up in the air-"

"You replaced yourself with a magical construct."

Solas didn't need to reply, planting his staff as his answer. Unlike Gaius', the Dread Wolf's demeanor was not unlike his. Pity rather than disappoint, pouting at what both men realized would come next.

"I'm sorry it came to this," Solas said, his body lighting up in a yellow aura and eyes beginning to shine. "But I will make this as painless as possible."

The threads tightened on Gaius, paralyzing him further as he gritted through. No magic or Thu'um expelled forth to save him, no tricks came. All he could do was but squint to the ball of energy forming on the Dread Wolf's stave. The end for the Dragonborn, bested by an immortal elf whose ambition was greater than his. Powerless to do anything but kneel his head down.

The sparks on Solas' stave were quite bright, it's current reminiscent of lightning. And his face staring down on the Dragonborn, unmoving. Nor blinking. In fact, no movement of any kind from Solas. The embers above of the city fire motionless around him, cold of its heat and its fiery red color. Everything was just a blue and gray hue, frozen like ice. Soldiers' weapons stuck in mid-swing, elemental breaths of dragons flowing as if they were infinite. Just pure silence and permanence of the world.

Except for a chuckle, a cackle. A howling laugh of pure joy of what was transpiring, standing straight from their bindings like loose clothes. Because he had won.

"Oh, how predictable you are Solas," Gaius sauntered forth. "Thinking outmaneuvering me was what would grant you victory."

Gaius' hands slowly traced over the elf's stave, smiling in brevity before cocking his eyes down to match the frozen pupils. "Unfortunately, with no counters against the time magic of the Psijics, this battle was decided long before we even knew of each other."

Gaius rose again as he pulled out a long dagger, serrated in green magicka energy and brimmed with embedded soul gems. "Made especially to capture you," he held the dagger to Solas' face. "I'm sorry it had to be a dagger but it was the only one my mages could get to work. And a shame… more of these would give me a better against your kin."

With a sweep, the dagger plunged into Solas' abdomen and the world resumed for his cries of agony. A whirlwind of erratic energy flowed out the Dread Wolf, returning into the Fade. His screams softening and losing volume as his skin paled, his mass shriveled to nothing but a walking skeleton. And then it finished, a stunned Solas left with eyes widened in shock; leaving one last look of a tear shedding before collapsing to the ground.

Immediately, Gaius keeled over in a violent cough. His hands braced over his head, feeling as if his skull were splitting. Then dragged over his mouth as he tasted metallic and raised his palm out to one etched in blood. A look of despair quivered forth from him, knowing that this trick was not worth it over having to use more than half his power.

"Well, Solas," he turned smiling with bloodied teeth, "it seems we'll have to walk."


Dragon Language Translation:

QETH KRII GOL - Break Bone Earth

VAH YOL RON - Spring Fire Rain

SOV AG SLEN - Shock Burn Flesh

MEYZ HET - Come here

Nau joor - on, mortal