"Now!" Cassandra yelled. A volley of arrows was released.

Chaos exploded the moment the demon stepped out of the breach.

The demon cackled and summoned whips of lightning, taking out the nearest soldiers, who fell to the ground, writhing.

"We must strip its defenses! Wear it down!" Cassandra yelled.

"How?!" Linden shouted as they dodged, fighting off the demons that were streaming out of the rift.

"Disrupt the rift! It's our only chance!"

Linden cursed and went into stealth, fighting their way closer to the rift. Yennefer did her best to help, flinging spells at anything that came too near.

Linden inhaled shakily and raised their marked arm up. They gave a choked scream as ropes of green connected to the rift. It wavered and flickered before exploding, the shock wave seeming to only affect the demon and Linden.

Yennefer felt it as the energy dispersed and rushed through her. She sneezed. She blinked hard and threw a fireball at the nearest group of shades, turning them to ash.

She turned as Cassandra shouted: "The demon is vulnerable!"

It wasn't vulnerable for long. The demons kept coming.

Soldiers fell one by one.

The pride demon was weakening but they were growing tired.

"One more time!" Yennefer shouted as she fought off demons at Linden's back. They fell like flies before her, but where one was killed, two more replaced them.

They needed to close the rift and fast.

"Oh, Fenedhis." Linden gasped. "I don't think I can do this. I can't do this. Why am I doing this." And with a last burst of will, they raised their arm. Linden could swear their arm was burning, their blood boiling as foreign magic bubbled underneath their skin.

They felt like crying.

The pride demon fell to its knees and Cassandra rushed towards it, her sword and shield raised, before swinging her sword up, giving it a vicious slash to the neck. It fell to the ground, dead. The surrounding soldiers stabbed it repeatedly to make sure.

It was over.

A weary cheer went up.

It was over.

Cassandra smiled before turning to Linden and Yennefer as the remaining soldiers killed off the last of the demons. The rift was oddly calm, and no demons came out.

"We must end this! Close it!" Cassandra commanded.

Linden looked unsure but walked closer, Yennefer following close to their heels.

Linden stared up at the giant rift, feeling daunted by its sheer size. Yennefer came to stand beside them.

They took a deep breath. "I'm scared. I've never done this before."

"I'd be rather surprised if you had." Yennefer took a deep breath and sighed. "They say there's a first time for everything."

"I don't think demon spitting portals is what's meant by that." Linden said dryly.

"If it does go wrong, I doubt we will be alive long enough for it to be our problem." Yennefer remarked.

Linden turned to her. "Well, that's comforting." They smiled.

Yennefer smirked. "You're up."

With a world-weary sigh, Linden steeled their shoulders and raised their arm up, pulling at the rift. It connected with a dull explosion.

And like everything else, things didn't go according to plan.

Pain lanced through them. The rift didn't want to close. The rift wasn't closing. Instead, it felt as if all the energy inside Linden was being pulled out and consumed.

Linden gasped. They weren't going to make it. They were going to die and so was everyone else because Linden fucked up somehow and oh shit.

It required too much energy, energy they didn't have.

They tried to stop, but they couldn't. The rift wouldn't disconnect, wouldn't let them go. They started to panic as they felt their life force start to stutter.

'Fuck, fuck, fuck. Why won't it let go? This is exactly the wrong time to fuck up.'

Suddenly, two arms wrapped around Linden and they felt as foreign magic poured into them, causing the mark to spark as the two energies clashed. It didn't feel like Linden was being eaten alive anymore, and with a jolt, they felt the rift start to close.

Maybe, just maybe, they might be able to survive this.

Linden doubted it.

It was starting to close though.

It was halfway.

Something told them they needed to finish it, and running on instinct, they tried to strengthen the connection, even more, not hearing the pained gasp behind them, and when it started to feel like a heavy chain instead of twined rope, they lifted it as high as it could go, and pulled back.

It felt like a door slamming and before they could react, the resulting shock wave sent them and the being behind them hurtling backward and into darkness.

Yennefer grunted as her back slammed into the jagged stone floor, sliding painfully with the force of the shockwave, Linden's unconscious armor-clad body cradled to her chest.

She rolled Linden off her before inhaling deeply. Linden lay next to her, blood flowing from their nose.

"Fuck." She said.

Her ears were ringing and faintly she heard voices calling out.

She sat up and watched Pentagast approach.

"What happened? I saw you using magic. What did you do?" Cassandra pointed her sword at Yennefer.

Yennefer looked unimpressed. "Nothing nefarious, I assure you."

"I doubt that." Cassandra said darkly.

Solas approached and with a nod from Cassandra and a subtle look at Yennefer, he started to check on Linden.

"Exhausted and bruised but with the proper care they should recover within a week or so." He finally proclaimed. "The rift required a lot of energy they didn't strictly have. If not for our friend here, they likely would not have survived. As is, it's a minor miracle they're still alive."

"Good." Pentagast said before picking Linden up. Yennefer allowed it. There weren't many other options and Pentagast was mostly harmless.

'No one is harmless.' It hissed. Yennefer shook off the thought.

Cassandra turned and walked away but Solas did not immediately follow. He looked at her in silence before shaking his head.

"An interesting development." He said softly but Yennefer heard him anyway.

She inhaled deeply before forcing herself to get up. There were things to do and people to terrorize. She had a feeling she would be doing much of the latter.

The mountain air was cold and Yennefer felt exhausted and just about done with everything. All she really wanted was a warm bath and some peace but she doubted she would receive the latter for quite some time.

Linden was placed in an empty house and swiftly attended by Solas.

Yennefer did not stay.

Instead, she wandered before finding her way into the local tavern, where she hesitated at the overcrowded tables, screaming children and general unpleasant smell of humanity.

She was tired, but not yet desperate, she decided and turned back to the house Linden was being housed. It was empty except for Linden who seemed to be trapped in a deep sleep. Yennefer sat down on a nearby chair and fell into a light doze.

It was not peaceful by any stretch of the imagination, but then again, it had been a long time since she had slept well.

She woke with a start.

Movement. Something had woken her. She looked around. They were not here for her as she doubted the illusion she had cast would reveal her to be there.

Cassandra stood by Linden's bed. She seemed conflicted, tired shadows on her face.

"Can I help you?" Cassandra jumped and turned to Yennefer, who looked the picture of grace and poise despite having dirt on her face and a tear slicing into the material by her hip.

"I-we've been looking for you for hours."

"I'm aware."

Cassandra frowned at her. Yennefer raised an eyebrow. She still felt drained and tired, yet leagues better than she had before her nap.

Naps were wonderful like that.

"We need to talk."

"I don't care to do so."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't care to speak to you nor anyone else. I am no threat to you if you are no threat to me."

"I doubt you mean no harm, and in any case, we must speak about your involvement in the creation of the breach."

"Believe what you will, I doubt I could dissuade you. As I have said before, my involvement in the creation of the breach is non-existent."

"I don't believe you."

Yennefer sighed. "You sound like a broken record."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

Yennefer turned away from her and approached Linden's bedside. "It means: Get out."

"I don't take orders from you."

"Ah yes, You take them from your Devine. How's that working out for you by the way?"

"How dare you-" Cassandra drew her sword.

"Ah-ah. There's a patient here. Don't disappoint your Devine more than she already has been today."

She reached out and smoothed away some of Linden's hair from their face. Their muttering grew quieter.

"After all," She turned to look at a red-faced Cassandra. "Enough blood has been spilled today. Wouldn't want yours to adorn the floor as well."

She smiled and Cassandra paled. With shaking hands, she sheaved her sword and made her way outside without a word.

Yennefer smirked and turned back to Linden.

A missive arrived a few hours later, summoning her to a meeting at the chantry.

Without a word Yennefer stood up and made her way out of the warm house, walking into a crisp new morning. She wandered through the streets, looking on as people went about their business.

She had no true destination and felt no inclination to go to the chantry.
Children played in the snow-stained paths while their parents worked in grim silence. The streets that had once stood abandoned in their trek were now full of people going about their daily lives. The Breach loomed over them like an ill omen.

Looking at it left her disquiet, so she didn't.

A faint noise reached her. Something was wrong. She decided to follow it to its source.

She came upon a rather miserable scene, one she had seen many times before and that rarely ended in anything good.

"What exactly do you think you are doing?" She asked coldly.

An elven woman was crumpled against a wall where a human man had shoved her. The man turned towards her, obviously angry at being interrupted, and paled as he saw her standing there.

Her eyes glowed with deadly intent. "I'm waiting."

"I-she-"

"Go, before I cut out your tongue and make you choke on your own dick."

"Now see here-"

He coughed. He looked at her in horror, clutching at his mouth as blood poured forth like river water.

"I'm not afraid to unman you."

He hastily stumbled away.

Yennefer turned her cold eyes to the elven woman before slowly making her way nearer. The elf scrabbled back as much as she could, baring her teeth in a snarl. Yennefer stopped and crouched a few paces away.

"Are you alright?" She asked softly.

"Why'd you interfere, mage?" The elf spat.

"Hmmm. Not what I asked, elf. I asked if you are alright."

"Yeah, for now. He was rough but he didn't do any real damage."

"Alright." Yennefer stood up and dusted snow off her before offering a hand to the elf.

The elf looked at it for a few moments before grabbing it and allowing Yennefer to effortlessly lift her up.

The elven woman wobbled a bit before taking a single limping step. Yennefer made no comment.

"Let's get a hot meal into you. You look like you could use one."

"And what's it going to cost me?"

Yennefer looked at her. "Nothing but a bit of gossip to pass the time."

The elf still looked distrusting. "You don't have to take me up on it. I'm not going to force you. Seems stupid to miss out on a free meal though."

The elf looked at her before nodding. "That it is."

And so they embarked on their way to the tavern where Yennefer shoved their way clear and found them an open table.

She pulled out a chair for her before sitting down heavily herself. She turned to the room and flagged down a nearby tavern maid who came towards them without thought and ordered two bowls of stew and an ale each.

She turned back towards the elven woman, who looked awkward in a place crowded by so many humans.

"Don't be so nervous. They can't see us."

"Oh?"

Yennefer wiggled her fingers condescendingly. "Magic."

The elf stared at her unimpressed.

"So, what's your name?" Yennefer drawled.

"You first."

"So suspicious. I'm Yennefer."

"Well, Yennefer, I'm Talla. Thanks for getting me out of that scrape. 'precciate it."

Yennefer didn't reply and soon their food came.

She grabbed a spoon and dug in without hesitation or comment, Talla looking at it for a moment before eating.

After a few minutes, Yennefer looked up and said: "So, what's the common man's opinion on current events?"

Talla looked at her. "You'know, you can easily tell, you ain't a noble-born but you aren't like us normal people either. A rich girl, like all the others using us as playthings. Lots of people won't like that and you might find an arrow in your back sooner than later. Just saying, seeing as you saved me life an' all."

Yennefer gave her a look. "That's not what I asked."

Talla didn't look intimidated and took another sip of stew. "Concerning the big green in the sky... People are saying it's the end times. That the Maker has finally left us completely and the Demons are taking advantage of it to make this world their playground. Can't say I blame them for that kind of thinking. Nothing like that has happened in Thedas before. They don't know what to think and sooner than later someone's gonna take advantage o' that. Likely the Chantry, as they always do."

"Tell me about the Chantry?"

"Them? A bunch o' frills and frocks preaching about evil and pretending to do something about it while acting all high and mighty. Don't get me wrong, there's some good ones but they're as scarce as teeth in a beggar. Hold a lot of power though. Can't even say the Maker's name without having to pay some tax or another."

"You a tax evader then?"

"Could say that."

"What are they saying about Linden?"

"Who?"

"The elf who closed the breach."

"Oh! That one. Opinions are mixed really and rumors are plenty seeing as no one knows much about 'em. By now, words spread and they're being called the Herald of Andraste. Honestly. First, the maker's abandoned em', now they get a special savior all to themselves."

"Tell me about Thedas."

"Huh. So it's true you're actually from another world? Neat." She looked impressed. "What do you wanna know?"

"Where are we and who's fucking who over?"

"Well, we're in Haven, which is a small village between the border of Ferelden and Orlais, which is why the gathering was here. Also helps that the temple contains, well contained the Ashes of Andraste. Symbolism and shit about the ashes healing the rift between the mages and templars and whatever. Clearly didn't work. Haven falls mostly into Ferelden territory though."

Talla took a deep sip of her ail.

"Ferelden and Orlais are at peace but they don't exactly like each other, and with good reason. Tensions are high with Tevinter but I doubt we're going to be seeing any real trouble with them for some time. Mostly, it's the chantry fucking everyone over, but no one does shit about it 'cuase they don't want to seem unfaithful or whatever, so I'd be careful of that lot. Nobles only have so much sway, but the chantry has its fingers in almost every pie."

Yennefer took a sip of her ail. It was terrible but she had had worse. "Good to know."

They ate in silence before Talla stood up. "Thanks for the meal and your help back there, but I got stuff to do. See you 'round Yennefer."

Yennefer sighed. She had a feeling she would find her time here unpleasant.

The next three days passed in a blur. She steadfastly refused to meet Cassandra and her people in the chantry and despite their best efforts, could never pinpoint her long enough to drag her into a meeting.

She didn't care for the politics underfoot. She was no longer young. She didn't care for playing anymore.

Instead, she used her days to find out everything she could.

She talked to the few people that were willing to speak to her, which waxed and waned day to day, as well as doing the odd job or two to help out.

She stepped outside of the medical tent. She had done all she could, healed as much as she could. Resources were scarce and the injured and dying laid in the hundreds. Many had come to the conclave to witness history and most of them now laid dead and buried beneath the snow.

Those that survived were few but still too much for what little resources they had.

Many of those she healed were unconscious, or else would be held down as she forcefully healed them.

At first, the healers had been angry that she was casting magic upon the patients, but when they realized they couldn't actually stop her and that more people were surviving than dying at her hands, they left her alone.

She stretched, snow landing softly in her hair. She pulled her hood up and sighed. It had been a long day.

She started walking, passing Varric's campfire when he called out to her. "Why don't you join me? We didn't really get a chance to talk before." He motioned to the log beside him.

Yennefer hesitated before sighing and deciding 'Fuck it'. She walked over and sat down on the faintly wet wood. She was cold and the fire was warm. She could hold out if the company turned out to be terrible.

"Heh, good to see you aren't such a stick in the mud as you look."

She raised an amused eyebrow. "Are you quite sure of that, dwarf?"

He looked at her. "Nah, if you were we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

"Hmm."

"So, we never really got a chance to talk before. Let's get to know each other."

"I'm nothing interesting."

"I beg to differ. You got everyone in a real tizzy, with all that appearing from nowhere and claiming to be from another world."

"I'm not a liar."

"See, I don't quite believe that but I'll take you at your word for now. So, what is a gal like you doing in a sad world like this?"

"A quite literal case of wrong place, wrong time. Your breach between spheres has farther-reaching influences than exercised on your world alone. I was pulled here a bit like a magnet to an iron statue."

"Sounds unpleasant."

"Highly."

"So, what are your plans? Besides healing people who will never be grateful for it."

She gave him an unimpressed look.

He held up his hands placatingly. "Hey, just wanna be prepared."

"Nothing much. Your world looks like it has enough problems without me interfering."

"Good to know." He hummed. "So, what do you think of our little dust ball? Anything good?"

"I haven't quite decided."

"I'm not sure if I should feel insulted or not."

She gave a vague smile and stood up, brushing off her pants. "Goodbye, Mr. Tethras."

"Be seeing you."

She nodded before pausing. "Oh, and Varric? I've seen far sadder places than this."

And then, it happened.

Linden woke up.