I startled awake, the bars of the cell I was in coming into focus first. I was breathing heavily, drenched in sweat and my legs shook as if I had actually endured all of that again. My mind was still reeling, my emotions still raw, but somehow I knew the worst was over.

I survived. I endured.

I had wanted to die, but the spirit was right. I had a purpose; too many things in my life were intersecting for it to be coincidence. Perhaps I had endured what I had in order to be able face what was to come - I prayed that it was true.

"Finally, I was getting worried. You've been out for hours," Bethany's voice spoke.

I looked to my left, wincing when my head started pounding from Cassandra's blow. Ellana was lying on a bedroll in the cell next to me. Bethany sat next to her, checking vital signs and applying a salve to Ellana's injured hand.

"I'll get you a poultice for the pain after I finish with your sister."

"Don't worry about me. How is she?"

"I've done all I can do, but she is still in grave danger," Bethany explained grimly, wiping sweat from her face.

"I have someone who claims they can help," Cassandra said as the heavy door creaked open, returning just as Bethany had given up.

A cloaked figure followed behind her. Their feet were partially wrapped in leather, their clothing patched and tattered. An aged jaw bone hung from their neck. A simple staff was in their hand, which they set against the wall before they kneeled next to the bedroll where we'd placed Ellana.
They lowered the hood of their cloak, revealing a bald head, pointed ears and an handsome face. Eyes the color of storm clouds studied the wound in her hand, before he began muttering as magic flowed from his hands. His long fingers working gently along her hand and arm, dark brows furrowed with focus.

"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Bethany asked him.

"She has been marked by the Breach. What caused her wound, what is thrumming along her skin, is unknown magic. The wound in her hand is more accurately described as a Mark of that magic. Whatever magic opened the Breach also placed this Mark upon her hand," he explained.

"Breach?" Cassandra asked.

"The opening in the sky. It is a breach into the Fade. It is a tear of the Veil, but one so massive that it is a breach of the natural limitations of magic," he explained, "To simply call it a tear is an underestimation of the gravity of its devastative potential."

"What do you mean?" Cassandra asked.

"If the Breach remains open, it is possible it could swallow the world," the male said, a grave tone to his voice.

"Can it-" Cassandra began, but stopped abruptly as a messenger burst through the door.

"A new wave of demons has begun pouring out," he panted, "a new rift formed, the Commander requests more aid."

He turned and ran back up the hallway. Cassandra didn't hesitate as she followed, closing the door and locking it behind her. I heard the clank of her armor as she ran down the hallway.

"I need to work quickly," the male stated.

"Who are you?" Bethany asked.

"My name is, Solas," he offered.

"You're not Dalish, you don't have any vallaslin. Where are you from?" I asked.

Solas tightened his lips before answering, "No, I am not Dalish, nor am I from a Cirlce. I grew up in a small village to the north of here."

We heard the distant sound of the Breach groaning. Ellana jerked, her hand lighting up once more as she screamed in pain. The sickly green magic climbed further up her arm. Solas started murmuring faster, magic swirling from his hands. Ellana calmed and I watched as the poisonous magic receded back down her arm until it was contained within the wound on her hand.

Solas let out a breath, "That should slow things down."

"How did you do that?" Bethany asked.

"There are things that can only be taught outside the Circle," he said as if that were explanation enough.

"Do you think it will slow the Breach?" I asked.

Solas gazed at me for a moment as if considering, "Perhaps. Only time will tell."

Cassandra returned a few hours later, weary and covered in black blood.

"Any change?" Cassandra growled.

Solas nodded his head, "She is calm now. I've done all I can, it is up to her to wake up."

He stood, grabbed his staff and faced Cassandra, "I would like to help fight the Breach's outpouring of demons and study the rifts that have opened."

Cassandra's dark brow quirked, but she simply nodded, "Very well, you will come with us," then she turned towards Varric's cell, "As will you, dwarf. Time to make yourself useful."

Varric smiled roguishly as Cassandra opened his cell door. He rolled his neck as he sauntered through, "Bianca and I have been apart for too long."

"I want to help as well," I said.

Cassandra, Solas and the dwarf all looked at me. Cassandra's eyes bored into my own, "No."

"I didn't do this! I want to help!"

"No."

"If I may, Seeker," Solas interjected, "the magic involved here is unlike any I have seen. Your prisoners are mages, but I find it difficult to imagine any mage having such power."

"I understand, but I don't want her leaving this Chantry."

I looked between them and then at Bethany. Her face was weary and she shook her head at me.

"You're not strong enough. You need lyrium and rest," she said.

I looked at her weary face, "Perhaps I should stay and help you?"

Her face melted with relief.

"Very well," Cassandra consented.

Cassandra gave Bethany the key to the dungeon and cells so that we could come and go as needed, but warned that I was not to leave the Chantry. I watched as she, Solas and the dwarf walked down the hallway.

I spent the next day healing the injured that were carried back. I also helped Minaeve when I was able, who had been given the title of Creature Researcher. We would dissect the demon carcasses the recruits could drag back with the wounded. First deemed unimportant and even needlessly endangering the lives of others, but as we discovered weaknesses that helped fewer recruits die any objection ceased.
My magic started to build, in small steps but I could feel it strengthening. Even after Solas had worked his magic on Ellana, the Breach hadn't stopped expanding. Her Mark would still light up every time it did. Bethany said Ellana had started speaking in her sleep, something about eyes; she was confident she would wake soon. Solas agreed.
I was wary of the strange elf male; he'd appeared out of nowhere with more information than anyone else, but gave little information about himself. Yet, he'd proven a skillful combatant and field healer. He and Cassandra were the only ones to return to Haven since the rifts from the Breach had begun spewing demons anew. I wondered how Cullen and the recruits were faring, but thanked the Maker that he had not returned on a cot or under a sheet. I itched to be helping them all, but my mana was too weak for anything besides healing.

"Is something troubling you?" Minaeve asked, pausing her cutting of a terror demon's flesh.

She had it's black blood flecked across her face and up her forearms. I hadn't faired any better as we searched for some weakness our soldiers could easily exploit. They had been the biggest culprit in slaughtering troops, but Cullen and a few templars had brought this one down.

"Just realizing how much of a toll Tranquility took on me," I sighed bitterly.

Minaeve's brows knit as she searched for something to say, but I saved her the trouble,"I just need to find a way to get my strength back and quickly."

Minaeve studied me a moment, "I don't know if it can be done quickly, but perhaps strengthening your physical body would help strengthen your magical one?"

"How so?"

"The two are connected. I've been pondering this theory for some time, but it's most obvious to me when I am completely famished after using my magic. Yes, lyrium fuels and even enhances our magic, but what if the limits of our magic are directly correlated to the limits of our physical body?" Minaeve asked.

I mulled it over myself for a few moments.

"I think that reasoning is entirely logical and possible, but you must factor in that some people are just more magically gifted," I reasoned.

Minaeve nodded at this.

"Absolutely. Yet, I think strengthening yourself would be a wise endeavor. Perhaps even learning to wield a weapon, so you are not wholly dependent on magic for your defense? At least until the full strength of your magic returns?" Minaeve asked.

"It's a smart plan, but who would train me?"

"You could ask the Commander?"

I smirked, "Now I see your true intent."

Minaeve cracked a mischievous smile, "Getting to spend quality time with your templar would be a side benefit."

"You're shameless," I chuckled.

"But seriously," Minaeve met my eyes, "Getting strong and learning how to defend yourself in any way possible can only be a good thing. If my theory proves correct, your magic will also be the better for it."

I smiled warmly at her, "I will see what I can do, but first we have to do something about the Breach."

"And the demons," she sighed.

I was unable to sleep that night and went down to Ellana's cell. Color had returned to her cheeks, her breathing was no longer shallow and she seemed to just be sleeping peacefully. I wondered what had happened up there, how she had been involved. I brushed the hair back from her face. As I studied her, I felt the old scars open slightly. Hot tears pricked my eyes as I realized how much I had missed her and how much I resented her.

"Is she okay?" Bethany asked, worry lacing her voice.

"Oh, yes," I sniffled, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I can't imagine how...emotional this must be for you."

"I haven't thought of my sister or my clan in nearly twenty years. To suddenly see her again -"

"I haven't seen my sister in some time and I lost my brother nearly ten years ago. I think I understand."

I gave her a small smile; she didn't, not fully, but I still appreciated her offering to share a piece of her pain with me.

"I'm going to check her over some more. I think you should rest while you can."

I nodded and went to the door which swung open the moment I approached. Two templars slipped inside, their swords drawn before they rushed us. I lifted my hand and froze their legs in place, panting with the effort.

"Are you okay?" Cassandra called as she crashed through the door.

"Yes, thank the Maker," I panted, my legs shaking.

"Thank you for stopping them. They snuck through as we were carrying in a badly wounded recruit."

"I'm just glad I could," I panted again, doubling over from the effort.

Cassandra looked at me, concern flickering in her dark eyes for a brief moment before she sheathed her sword. She looked between Bethany and I, her brows furrowing from what she saw on our faces. Exhaustion, fear, stress, dwindling hope - at least that's what I knew was on my face. I gulped down air and straightened, guessing at the question Cassandra was holding back.

"You need one of us up there, don't you?" I asked, "Carrying the wounded back is taking too much time, costing more lives?"

"Yes," Cassandra breathed.

"I'll go," I stated.

"You're too weak," Bethany argued, "You can't. You won't even make it up the mountain."

"And I can't be trusted alone," I looked to Cassandra for confirmation, a slight nod, "I'll make it, Bethany. I have to."

"Neria, I mean, Meira," she breathed, "If you push yourself too far, you'll -"

"Die, I know," Perhaps my earlier wish would come true, now that I didn't want it to. I gave Bethany a sad smile, "If I don't die for the Inquisition, for Haven, for you all who took me in when no one else would, for those doing what is right, what would I die for?"

A pained look crossed Cassandra's face before she turned it away from me, "I've been gone too long. I promised Cullen fresh troops, a healer and myself back within the next two hours."

"Let's not waste another moment then," I urged.

Without meeting my eye, Cassandra handed me a leather satchel, heavy with lyrium and healing supplies, "Take these potions, Maker knows what we will face," she handed me a mage hood, "Put this on to hide your brand. We don't need soldiers unsettled by a Tranquil who can use magic."

I slung the satchel across my chest and pulled the hood on, "I could use a staff."

"You don't need to fight," Cassandra growled, "The troops and I will defend you."

I didn't dare argue with the look in her eyes and instead nodded.

"Lead the way, Seeker," I gestured to the door.

I sent a glance back to my sister and Bethany before entering the stone hallway. I prayed Andraste would preserve us all as we ascended the steps up to the Chantry.