The Unbreaking

by LadyAubade

A novelized version of DA:I centering around the love story of Meira Neria Lavellan, formerly of Kinloch Hold, and Cullen Stanton Rutherford, Commander of the Inquisition's Forces. In a world determined to keep them broken and apart, they fight to be together. Cameos, blushes, stammering and fluff abound. *New chapters Tuesdays*

47. Preparations

A/N: Back to Meira's POV. Another long chapter.

WARNINGS: Violence and death. Some allusion to rape/torture - as always, nothing explicit, but want to warn.

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"It's not a matter for debate," Cullen growled, his face serious as he glanced around at us all. "There will be abominations among the mages and we must be prepared."

Josephine glared at him. "If we rescind the offer of an alliance, it makes the Inquisition appear incompetent at best, tyrannical at worst."

Cullen rounded on Ellana, his face furious. "What were you thinking? Turning mages loose with no oversight? The Veil is torn open!" He turned to Leliana. "You were there, Spymaster, why didn't you intervene?"

We'd been locked in the War Room since our return to Haven - meeting in the cover of night - all peace gained while on the road stripped completely away as we had recounted what had occurred at Therinfal and Ellana had divulged what had happened with the mages. Upon springing the trap for Alexius, the magister had moved to erase Ellana from existence. Ser Dorian had explained to Ellana that the method used was a talisman he had helped Alexius develop when the magister had been Dorian's mentor.
The theory they'd been working on was the manipulation of time through magic, but they had never been able to get it to successfully work. Ellana informed us that Dorian theorized that the Breach had been the final piece missing in their research - that it's power and sundering of the Veil had allowed the magic they'd developed in theory to work in reality. Ellana described how Dorian had interrupted the spell and in so doing, he'd cast Ellana and himself into the future - a future where Ellana was dead, the Venatori and their leader - the Elder One - had taken over the world.
I'd watched as Cullen went from intrigued, to concerned, to horrified and finally absolutely furious. His nightmares had grown worse and worse with each night that passed on our way back to Haven, I going to tend to him each night. I tried to get him to tell me what was wrong, why he thought they were worsening, but he merely held me and promised he would be alright.
He'd be sweat-soaked, terrified and shaking, but cling to me when I came to his tent to care for him, promising that it was just because of what happened with the templars. I tried to ask Cole if he had any insight, but the boy said Cullen had demanded he stay away from him when he'd tried to help, so he had. I even asked Purpose, but he repeated the same line he'd told me in the Fade when I refused to enter Cullen's dreams: I had to discover it for myself.
I looked at him now - his exhaustion plain as beneath his eyes were deep purple bruises from his lack of rest, his face glistening with sweat and his cheeks gaunt. I swore I wouldn't enter his dreams without his permission and I knew that whatever was at the heart of why this was happening he didn't want to share, but I was beginning to fear for him. Infuriated with myself as well as the answer was on the tip of my tongue every time I looked at him, but I couldn't reach it, trapped as it was in the haze of memories.
I feared for Ellana as well as I looked her over. She seemed almost despondent as she recounted what had happened, her eyes staring off - though when they occasionally caught on one of us, I could've sworn there were tears in them. She was reluctant to describe what the future they'd witnessed had been like, but she did, looking more and more uneasy as she went on. I knew she was holding things back, it was clear in how she'd need to clear her throat and press through. What we'd discovered at Therinfal was confirmed in what they had witnessed in the dark future - this Elder One intended to assassinate Empress Celene and raise a demon army to aid in fulfilling his ultimate goal according to Alexius: raising Tevinter to its former glory.
Cullen had listened in horror as Ellana described Dorian's theory he developed while in the dark future that red lyrium acted much like the Blight - spreading wherever it grew, even infecting and eventually growing out of people who stayed near it for too long. I'd been gutted when she explained that the Inquisition had been completely destroyed by the Elder One's army as they tried to breach the castle to end Alexius and the Elder One. I'd caught my sister's eye as she briefly described what they'd witnessed.
Eventually, she'd wrenched her gaze away from me before quietly explaining that they'd also discovered where the oculara came from while in Redcliffe. I'd asked what she was talking about, but she'd clamped her lips together. Cullen had interjected and explained that Solas had stumbled upon one in the Hinterlands - a skull set with crystals that sat atop a staff. Solas had discovered that the skull revealed magical shards within the wild, but what the shards were for had yet to be determined. More had been found by Inquisition soldiers and Solas was conducting studies and tests upon the objects. Cullen had curled his lip as he told me that they were made using blood magic.
Ellana had gritted her teeth and confessed: the skulls were those of the Tranquil mages that had gone missing. The Venatori, under the orders of the Elder One and Alexius, had captured any Tranquil they could find and killed them after forcing demons to possess them using blood magic. Her eyes had been on me as she revealed this information, her face forlorn. I'd been shaken to my core, bringing a hand to my mouth as I uttered a strangled cry. I'd noticed Cullen shift towards me in my peripheral, but restrained himself. My whole body shook at the idea of what had become of them - what could have become of me. Maker, thank you.
After I collected myself, I demanded that we find all of the oculara and destroy them - after we discovered the reason they were created in the first place. I would not let those Tranquil die - their final moments agony at the hands of blood magic - in vain. Whatever they'd been murdered for, I would see taken from this Elder One and I demanded that Alexius see justice for their deaths.
They'd ultimately escaped the dark future, foiling Alexius's plans, who readily surrendered at Ellana's return to the present. Upon their victory, King Alistair had arrived with the Fereldan army and demanded that the mages leave his kingdom. Ellana had offered an alliance to Fiona and safety among the Inquisition.
Mixed emotions were within the room at her announcement; some believing that an alliance - much like the templars - was the only way the mages would be able to prove themselves worthy of the freedom they had fought for; while others felt they deserved punishment for their asinine decision to submit to the rule of a magister. I believed if anyone deserved punishment, it was Fiona - that she be stripped of her right to lead the mages for making such a idiotic decision in order to "save" them. All she had done was succeed in pushing the people of Thedas's ire for the rebels to the point of wanting their blood - if King Alistair's reaction had any indication of the people's perspective. A part of me felt blame lay at the king's feet for giving them Redcliffe in the first place, but he'd been trying to help the mages in remembrance of how they had come to he and the Queen's aid during the Fifth Blight. We were in the middle of discussing how we could rectify the situation and how best to prepare for the mages, when Cullen had reached the end of his wits with the whole matter.

"They have suffered enough, Cullen!" Leliana argued, pulling me out of my reverie. "Why would you continue to mistreat them?"

Cullen glanced at her, his anger abating a little. "It is not mistreating them to take reasonable precautions."

Ellana glared at him. "We're not monsters. We can control ourselves without any outside help. Can your templars say the same?"

Cullen screwed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath before continuing, his voice calmer. "This is not an issue of self-control. Even the strongest mages can be overcome by demons in conditions like these."

"Be that as it may, Commander," Ellana snarled, "Your templars fared no better on their own and they don't have the 'sin' of being mages as an excuse. Do not pin the possibility of death and chaos solely on us mages because of your prejudices. Your templars could ingest the wrong lyrium and raze Haven to the ground in their madness - just as any thoroughly as any abomination."

Cullen blinked a moment and looked away. "Fair enough." He sighed heavily. "I apologize, Herald. It is not fear of them, but fear for them - for the people of Haven. I...have seen my share of abominations; have fought them. I...do not wish that fate or death at the hands of one on anyone here. I simply ask that you allow the templars to perform their duty to prevent that from happening."

"No," Ellana said flatly. "This is Thedas's onechance to figure out how to function in a world where mages have equal rights to everyone else. It was your precious Chantry that deemed those born with magic as enemies to the world. That Chantry has been brought to its knees." Her eyes were simmering with rage. "A mage blew half of Kirkwall to the Void, a Chantry his chosen place of detonation, because of mage oppression. Now, there is a would-be god who seeks to prove that magic and the Imperium should rule the world - and in so doing, he will destroy it." She slammed a hand on the table. "I am done with extremism. You will put yours aside. The templars' duty is to serve and protect - not cage and abuse mages. They will turn their blades on the Breach and then focus on pulling themselves out of the muck they pitched themselves into, to prove they are still worth having in this world. The mages will help me seal the Breach and then spend every waking moment of their lives from that point on, earning the freedom they demanded at the cost of plunging the world into chaos. In that time, they will learn to coexist and do so peacefully. If either party fails, it will be of their own doing, the consequences their own to face. The Inquisition will pull this world back together and make certain the future I saw never comes to pass. There is no more mages verse templars in this room - we are the Inquisition. Do you understand me?" Ellana's voice was deadly calm through all of this, but everyone looked as if they were being scolded by their mother as she spoke.

"Ellana," I breathed and her blazing eyes turned to me. "The Commander -"

"-Don't. Do not even try to defend him, Talitha," she curled her lip at me - it seemed that not even I would be spared her wrath. "I know what he means to you, know what you think of him, know that he is trying. But trying is not good enough anymore. His precious Order is as blood-soaked as the rebel mages and apostates. And they did it to their own people because they are mindless addicts -"

"-That is untoward Ellana, and you know it," I argued back. "Neither party is completely in the right here and there is no clear answer to this -"

"-Nonsense," Ellana spit. "I'm beginning to think you're as biased against your fellow mages as he is because he's your -"

"-I am not biased in either direction, Herald," I bit. "Perhaps my neutrality comes from the fact that I have been at the mercy of the worst that both mages and templars have to offer, so I do not place my trust wholly in either party," Ellana flinched, but I pushed on. "Both sides of this have been abused, tainted, twisted, manipulated and neglected. Youare just as prejudice against templars as you believe Cullen is against mages. Ifyou are truly as tired of extremism as you are claiming, then it needs to end first with you. You've said that's what you desire of us, so set the example." I stared her down hard before staring down the rest of them. "This divide needs to end first with us in this room. If the Inquisition's goal is to restore order, then we have to find compromise amongst each other - a common goal for the future of Thedas. If we cannot, we are doomed before we've even begun and had no right to bring the mages ortemplars into our fold - allies or no." I turned back to Ellana, my own anger boiling. "And do not insult me again by bringing my love life into a debate as an excuse to ignore my point. That is beneath you and I hope you would know me better than to think I have no mind of my own. You grew up in a clan that hated templars for their vengeance - forgetting that it was the misuse of magic by our clansmen that led to that vengeance; I grew up in a tower where templars protected me from the vengeance of others, but treated me with cold civility because of my magic. You grew up in a clan where magic was respected; I saw the tower I called home ripped apart by mages drunk on blood magic and its power. Leaving only to end up in the clutches of a templar who peeled away my very humanity layer by layer until there was nothing left.

"The templars I saw at Therinfal were not the templars that hurt you or I - they are men and women of merit, valor and honor who were betrayed and manipulated by the officers who were supposed to lead them down a righteous path. They deserve a chance to prove themselves, just as much as the mages do. Joining the Inquisition is a new beginning for all within it, or have you forgotten your own words so quickly? That includes those who founded it, those who lead it and those who join it. And if the Inquisition is an organization of merit it will take the opportunity to lead the mages and templars down paths that reshape this world - that prevent us from ever coming to this place again. The Chantry is all but gone. The Circles are broken. The Order is gutted. All that is left in positions of power or influence is the Inquisition and Thedas's kings. Mortal man cannot face down the Breach, thus the Inquisition alone has the manpower and means to put an end to the immediate threat we face right now. Your Mark is awakening and spreading again, the Breach will soon become unstable. It's like the sea crushing against a dam with cracks in it." I met Ellana's eyes again. "You want to keep that dark future from happening? Stop bickering, find a compromise and let us be done with that violation in the Veil."

Ellana kept eye contact with me, glanced at Cullen, then lowered her eyes. The others had stayed silent during our argument, but were exchanging glances. Ellana said nothing for a time, until she murmured, "You are right." She straightened, clasping her hands behind her back. "Here is what I suggest. We explain the situation of this Elder One and the Venatori to Barris upon their arrival. Before the templars arrive, Fiona is to be informed as well and told that the templars are joining us. After we seal the Breach and things have settled, Barris, Fiona and Talitha need to be in here together. Barris to be told that he will be the templar ambassador; Fiona to be told that Talitha will be the mage ambassador. Fiona answers to Talitha, and thus, so do the other mages." I opened my mouth to protest, but Ellana held up her hand. "Fiona has proven herself a poor leader, but I would give her another chance under your eye, as your attaché. The mages will submit to what we ask of them because we offered an alliance - that's not to say that they are slaves to our will. They are to govern themselves, but they are to bring their needs and complaints to Fiona who will present them to Talitha, who will bring it before us. Same as Barris for the templars - and I would suggest Henry Trevelyan as Barris's attaché." She glanced at me. "Talitha and Barris are to work together as ambassadors, but also they are to work to bring the mage battalion and templars together. The templars and mages will train together in weaponry and combat skills and the mages will give the templars practice in defending themselves against magic. Talitha will delegate roles and create teams within the battalion and choose assignments for them to be sent on. Barris will do the same within the templars." She turned to Cullen, who met her gaze. "Commander, you and Talitha are to work jointly in overseeing the templars and mages. Your tasks in regards to the templars will be to act as a mentor to Barris and Trevelyan, see to the mage and templar's joint training, develop trust building exercises for the two factions and to help develop a way for the templars to have no need for lyrium. You left the Order for the Inquisition. The significance of that is not lost on me - nor any in this room, I am sure. You claim to want change - this is your opportunity to prove it by being one to spearhead it. Set an example to your former brethren." Ellana turned to me. "Talitha, you are to ensure that the battalion is treated as an equal partner, to see that the mages are being treated fairly, but also that none are dipping into nefarious magics. As its leader, you are to teach the battalion how to use magical weapons or see to training in other techniques of battle magic - assisted by the Commander. You are to oversee what is selected as education for the younger mages, any scholarly research that the Inquisition needs in the area of the arcane, the care of the Tranquil, the division of creature research with Minaeve, and anything else the mages may be required to do or where magic is required for the Inquisition." She addressed the room. "Fraternization is to be encouraged - any fighting takes place, they face punishment in the form of team building exercises. If we are rebuilding the Order and the Circles, we start with the two factions building a rapport."

"So long as we do not break our alliance with the mages, I do not see anything wrong with what you have suggested," Josephine offered. "But what of the templars keep watch over the mages?"

"Why?" Leliana questioned. "The mages should have a chance to prove themselves."

"I do not think it wise to be unprepared," Cassandra disagreed. "If nothing else, can we not have some of our people trained to deal with abominations?"

"How about this," I interjected. "Cullen and the templars train as many as deemed necessary, but those trained are kept hidden. The mages are free to conduct themselves without knowing there are eyes on them. If all goes well, those templars and trained soldiers are never needed; if the worst should happen, they are there to step in."

"I see no fault with that," Ellana relented after a moment. "But the templars must know up front that the mages are free. They have no power over them and their abilities are to be wielded only against our enemies or in practice if Talitha and the Commander allow it."

"As you say," Cullen nodded and then paused as he thought. "With what you've suggested...are you asking Talitha and I to act as First Enchanter and Knight-Commander respectively?" Cullen questioned.

"No," Ellana shook her head. "You are not a templar, but you have experience that Ser Barris does not and insight that...is needed. I want you to mentor the knight as he needs since he is to be acting leader until a Knight-Commander is chosen. If it is him, then he is already prepared; if it is not, he can at least lead confidently until another is chosen. We may have our differences, but I can recognize your potential to lead. However, I believe you desire for your duty to be first and foremost to the Inquisition and its army. I would not see that changed. This is simply to set the templars on the right path. Talitha may be more akin to a First Enchanter, but honestly, Commander, who else would we choose? The Order is leaderless - there is no one to guide them, no one to set an example of them. Fiona needs to prove herself; Vivienne is too power hungry. I'm sure Madame de Fer will try to assert her dominance, just as I'm sure Fiona will baulk at the demotion; but I have no fear that Talitha will put them in their place." Ellana looked at me pointedly, to which I fought a smirk. "As far as Talitha remaining in a position of leadership among the mages, we shall see. If Fiona proves herself or another of the mages does, we shall readdress the situation."

"Are you saying we are to reveal the two of you to Barris and Fiona?" Leliana asked.

"No," Ellana met Leliana's eyes. "Just that they are informed of the larger schemes going on and thus the templars joining us was deemed vital. Our duplicity is to be apologized for, but only to assure that it was done to meet the larger threats we may face. It will in no way affect our alliances - and it is not to be wielded by the mages or templars to gain leverage on the Inquisition. Our duty is to restore order above all; to close the Breach above all - what we did, we did to ensure those ends met. The Herald is not to be a part of those initial conversations. You are the leaders of the Inquisition, are you not? Talitha and I are merely giving suggestions - suggestions you can either heed or discard."

A silence fell until Leliana spoke. "Commander, what do we have left for preparations? We need to be ready to march on the Breach as soon as the templars arrive."

"They should be here by the end of the week," Cullen stated. "The soldiers are nearing completion of the barracks for both the mages and templars. We've requested extra necessities be sent by our various suppliers, which should arrive the day before the templars. We have just enough to support the mages until the additional shipments are made. The mages are to be stationed here upon their arrival," Cullen pointed to a place on the map, "But we'll need to move them into their barracks before the templars arrive to keep some distance between them. I advise the separation for now until we settle things. As for our assault on the Breach, I sent word to the Lavellan Clan that we could use additional archers - I want there to be no gaps in our defenses, as we don't know what will happen up there. They will arrive tomorrow." Cullen looked to Ellana, "I assigned them and the archers of the army to Mahanon, as I felt he would be best suited to direct them and he seemed eager to join us at the temple ruins."

"Thank you, Commander," Ellana nodded.

"As for Haven, I do not want to leave it defenseless while we march on the mountaintop. Rylen is to take charge in my absence and I will leave enough soldiers behind for guard rotations and to protect the people within the walls of Haven. Extra fortifications are being seen to, our trebuchets are fully operational and incendiary projectiles have been prepared. All of our men are properly outfitted with weapons and uniforms denoting their station. Any preparations needed should be finished within the week."

"Preparing to be attacked, Commander?" Ellana questioned.

"The boy - Cole, or whatever he calls himself - talked of preparing," Cullen stated, his eyes flicking to me. "These fortifications were already underway, but I may have...expedited the process. He may have helped at Therinfal, but I am not eager for us to trust him. That aside, he seems to have insight that is beyond my understanding. I do not think it unwise to heed his warnings when it is for the betterment of protecting our people."

"I have people watching the boy," Leliana assured.

"Provided they don't lose him," Cullen pointed out, to Leliana's annoyance.

"I thought you agreed that Cole could stay?" Ellana asked.

"I did not agree," Cullen shook his head as he placed his hands on his sword pommel. "He simply came along like a stray. Someone has taken a liking to the...boy." He looked at me.

"I will vouch for Cole's character," I shot at him, fighting a smile. "Give him a chance."

Cullen looked to me, his eyes causing my stomach to quiver. "I suppose my concerns can wait, we mustfocus on the Breach."

"And with this 'Elder One' threat; the beast you spoke of," I murmured as I looked a Ellana. "I see prudence in being prepared for anything - even if the warning comes from a denizen of the Fade and time magic."

Cullen gave me a smirk before turning to Josephine. "How are negotiations coming along with your lyrium trade connections?"

Josephine smiled, "Well. A contact should be arriving tomorrow to discuss contracts."

"Good," Cullen gave a curt nod. "The templars will need it, as will the mages - sealing the Breach is going to be one of the most difficult things either faction has ever done."

"I say that is all we need to cover this evening. We all should get some rest," Josephine stated. "These next few days are going to be arduous."

The others slowly filed out and I did not miss the way Ellana's face fell as she glanced at me. I would need to go to her, to let her unburden herself. I made for the door, but felt Cullen's gloved fingers on my own and I turned to him. He met my lips hard with his own before pulling away. "I am going to miss you," he growled. "The sooner your position is officially announced, the better."

I let out a breathy chuckle. "Patience is a virtue, Cullen."

"Not in this," he pouted. Then his eyes went wide and his cheeks reddened. "I - I mean...in waiting for y - No, that's not what I - Maker's breath." He was scarlet now. "I am trying to say that I am ready for us to not have to be...apart," he looked at me softly, "And I am going to miss being able to spend time with you as I wish until then."

"I know, my love," I touched his face tenderly. "I am going to miss you as well."

He took my face in his hands and kissed me soundly before wrenching himself away. He grimaced as he straightened, forcing his arms to his sides as he met my eyes. "I love you."

I laughed quietly. "You look miserable, my knight."

He pinked and softened again, his voice lowering as he tried again. "I love you, my darling."

"And I love you," I murmured, looking at him for a few moments before leaving the room. I did my best to ignore the unease in my gut as I left him alone.

...

I snuck to Ellana's window and called for her. I heard rustling within the room and then felt her hand on my shoulder. Climbing into her room, I saw tears wetting her cheeks before she crushed me in a hug. She sobbed quietly into my shoulder as I rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Tell me, da'len. I know it is crushing you. Tell me what happened - what you saw."

She shook her head. "Not yet. I'm not ready yet. I want you to tell me about Therinfal first."

We laid on the bed, facing each other just like we had when we were children. I told her everything that had happened, not leaving out any details as I told her of the templars, of Envy, of the Fade, of everything that happened after. She seemed particularly interested in my trip to the Fade where Purpose helped me. I couldn't blame her, I still felt excited whenever I thought of it. As I described it to her, my mind wandered back to that night.

I carefully crept into the tent I was sharing with Cassandra after I left Cullen in Therinfal's courtyard, but the warrior stirred anyway. "Did you two make-up, then?"

I couldn't help the smile that was plastered on my face. She couldn't see it, but I wouldn't have doubted if she could feel it. "Yes, thank the Maker."

"Details. Now." Cassandra demanded.

I recounted what had happened to Cassandra's absolute glee. I could understand why Cullen valued her so much. She was a fierce warrior with a soft heart. She cared deeply...about everything; evident as she listened with rapt attention and reacted with nearly as much happiness as I had felt. I went to bed with a smile on my face. Heart full of happiness.
I would not survive mine without the Maker, without you. I would not survive my darkness without all of the people who had become a part of my life in these past few months. Maker. Andraste. My deepest thanks for these blessings.
It was only as I was drifting off to sleep that a piece of my mind reminded me that I had no potion to keep out of the Fade. All I had prepared and the ingredients destroyed by the corrupted templars. And when I realized, it was too late.

...

I shot up, my heart pounding in my chest. I was in the Fade and I could feel dozens of demons circling me, circling the fortress. Demons of despair, rage, hunger, terror. Fear gripped me and I began to panic, my mana reacting wildly.

"Meira. Meira!" Purpose shouted and I found him. He was kneeling in front of me, worry on his face. "You have to calm down."

"There's...there's so many," I panted. I could feel them pressing, hear their whisperings - their promises.

"Shut them out," Purpose commanded. "They came for the emotions leaching out of the fortress. Make them return their focus to them."

"How?"

"Demand it." Purpose gave me a hard look.

"Demand it?" I questioned.

"Stand up, face them and tell them to leave you be," Purpose instructed. "This is no different than Envy. Nothing is real - nothing can happen - that you do not want. You want them to leave? They will. You just have to say so."

My heart pounding, breathing ragged and brain clouded with doubt, I stood. The demons pressed in even harder. Whispering my name, whispering about parts of me that reflected them. I took a deep breath, stood straight and shouted, "Be gone!" They hesitated a moment, but did not leave. Laughs and hisses echoing around me.

"You have to believe it, Meira. You have to mean it." Purpose instructed.

I growled and palmed my staff. "I said leave me," I screamed as I slammed my staff into the ground, causing ice to erupt all around us. I felt those malicious spirits vanish.

"Good," Purpose nodded.

I panted a little, leaning on my staff. "What are you doing here?"

"I sensed you slipping into the Fade and knew you'd need help," he shrugged. "Envy was kind of a trial by fire. Now, I can actually help you."

I quirked a brow. "What do you mean?"

He smirked. "It's time for you to learn what a dreamer can really do in the Fade." Suddenly, he was behind me, his hands on my shoulders. I expected them to be cold, but they were warm. I looked down and realized I was not in my armor, nor was I wearing my disguise. I was myself, in a thin dress. "Take a deep breath, center yourself and open your mind to see what is around you."

"Could I perhaps have some better clothes?" I looked him over. He wore casual clothing of fine make - a tailored coat of a deep red, a linen shirt with several buttons, leather breeches and fine boots. There was a sword strapped to his back as well. "Why are you dressed so well?"

He barked a laugh. "I do livehere, you know." He glanced at me. "What would you like to wear? Picture it." I imagined in my mind and felt as the fabric draped across my skin. He chuckled. "You could wear literally anything and you chose that?"

I blushed. "I wanted to be comfortable." I wore a linen blouse and leather leggings with boots. My staff was strapped to my back and my short swords to my waist.

"I'll allow it for now," he glowered, "but I will put you in something that actually suits you. Your man may be satisfied with you in armor, but you belong in dresses."

He looked at me, his eyes alight with mischief. "Are you...flirting with me, Purpose?" I asked.

He flashed a wolfish grin. "Do you want me to?"

I blushed harder. "No."

He smiled wider, "Good, because I wasn't."

I was utterly confused. "Wait, wait...spirits can flirt? Do you...how do you...?"

"No, no, this is about you, Meira. Not me," he shook his head. "Save questions for another night."

"Spoilsport," I grumbled.

"If nothing else, you can rely on me to keep you on task," he clasped his hands behind his back. "Right, let's get to it."

I knew time was passing slowly in the waking world, but my lessons with Purpose seemed to take all night. First, he wanted me to truly see what the Fade had to show me. We were still at Therinfal, but I could not only see what events had occurred earlier that day, I could see Therinfal as it was before it existed, when it was in its prime and before the templars had occupied it.
All I had to do was sit and wait for the spirits that occupied the space to approach me. Little wisps that uttered snippets of thoughts, conversations and memories. Spirits of valor, justice, duty, honor, courage, perseverance and even another spirit of purpose.
Purpose conversed easily with them all, sharing laughter and history. The wisps danced around me, playing with my hair and even letting out whispers of laughter. The other, more powerful spirits, were hesitant of me at first, but with Purpose vouching for me they were eager to share what they knew of the place. I listened in awe as they spoke, not wanting it to end. Once they'd finished, the spirit of valor approached me.

It was female, plain in looks, but fierce in her eyes. She wore the armor of a templar. "I am Valor, mortal."

"Hello," I inclined my head.

"This one shows respect. I like it, Purpose," Valor smiled to Purpose.

"She's a good girl, Valor," Purpose offered.

Valor turned her eyes back to me. "What happened in this place was a disgrace. Those Red Templars should be ashamed."

"'Red Templars'?" I asked.

"That's what they call themselves - their faction. From what I overheard, they're essentially an order to destroy the old; to rip down your Chantry." She curled her lip. "There is nothing honorable about them. I am sorry for what your man had to endure at their hands. I aided him as well as I could, but he...shuts us out."

"My man?" I quirked a brow. "You...you helped, Cullen?"

"In the moment he was at the mercy of the red ones, he showed great valor," she crossed her arms over her chest. "His heart called to me and I answered. I whispered words of encouragement to him and he listened. Then you arrived in time to help him. He faced them down without fear with you at his back. I may have helped guide your sword and his in the ensuing battle. You both earned my aid."

"And I may have helped him get the words out he'd been wanting to say all day." Another spirit appeared. It was an handsome male and he had a roguish smile on his face. "He seems to have the courage on his own once in a while - even the wherewithal to say it without stammering - but he needed a little help."

"Courage!" Purpose clasped the spirit on his shoulder. "So, you're the one that got him to finally tell her how he feels."

"Well, he sort of did," Courage sighed. "Not how I was wanting him to say it, but...I'm not a spirit of passion or love." He whistled. "Too bad there isn't one here." Courage met my eyes and flashed another wolfish grin. "Though your kiss against the wall nearly drew one out."

I blushed. "Just...just how much do spirits help mortals?"

They all laughed. "Far more than you mortals want to think," Purpose replied. "You lot are kind of hopeless."

"This...this is..." I was feeling a little shaky. "This is a lot."

They laughed again. "This is why we like Fadewalkers so much," Courage stated. "The ones who actually figure out we're not all trying to kill you or possess you realize that the Fade is amazing."

"Still absolutely raving mad," Purpose interjected, "But amazing."

"Then...then why do you...want to join us?" I asked.

"Not all of us do, girl," Valor growled. "Most of us want to help you, not join you. Those who want the latter are usually on the verge of being twisted already."

"So by 'help' you mean...?"

"Valor helped Cullen and you in battle; Courage helped your man find the words he's been needing to say -"

"-and may have helped youduring that kiss," he winked at me, to which the wisps danced around me and giggled.

"-I have continually helped guide you towards your purpose; Compassion helped ease your pain. Are you putting the pieces together?" Purpose quirked a dark brow as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You help by fulfilling the spirits you represent...and that can be as broad or as limited as you allow it to be?" I asked.

"She is quick, Purpose," Valor nodded approval.

"You have to show her the really great stuff next," Courage smiled excitedly.

"That's the plan. First, Meira, you need to tell them goodbye - they won't remember you for long," Purpose said sadly.

"Why?"

"Unfortunately, to keep ourselves in our pure forms, we cannot hold on to memory like you mortals do," Valor spoke. "We've crowded here because of all the activity recently. The wisps pulling memories, lingering whispers of things that have happened here. In the process, we got to know you all - see much of each of you. The others may have come before to explore, but today's events are what drew all of us. We fought off Despair, Rage and Terror as best we could to keep you from being overwhelmed by enemies, but I would worry what will become of this place once you leave."

"Aye, the demons swarming already are indication enough," Courage agreed.

"You...spirits fight demons?" I asked.

They all looked at me. "Honestly, what do they teach you?" Valor scoffed. "Did I not say that we wish to help mortals? Sometimes that means fighting our dark reflections."

"That's...quite sad," I frowned.

"Why?" Valor questioned. "They are evil - seeking only to do harm. Why wouldn't spirits of honor, valor, courage, duty and justice fight foes that need to be vanquished? When they die, they go to be made new elsewhere in the Fade. Perhaps it gives them a chance to return as new versions of their better selves."

"I suppose it makes sense when framed that way." I looked at them all. "Perhaps we can send some templars back to defeat any demons that come?"

They shook their heads. "Get that Breach sealed first. It's quieter here, but it's wreaking havoc on us," Courage advised, his jovial face falling. "It's painful."

"As soon as we return, that is our priority," I promised.

"Good. I, personally, look forward to watching you close it," Valor smiled. "I may not remember you if you're there, but know that I will be grateful."

"I...thank you," I smiled sadly. "It was...an honor to meet you."

"And you, Fadewalker," Courage nodded at the same time Valor did.

"Why do you call me 'Fadewalker'?" I asked looking at him curiously. "It's usually 'dreamer' or 'somniari'."

"Aye, but Fadewalker sounds so much more impressive, doesn't it?" He smiled as they faded away.

I laughed. "I suppose it does." I turned to Purpose who was studying me intently. "What?"

"You're a natural at this," he murmured, his gold eyes studying me intensely.

"Well, I was born a dreamer," I shrugged.

"You misunderstand," he shook his head. "It is rare for a dreamer to catch on this quickly. Usually, you are so frightened that you either become possessed or..."

"Or?" I quirked a brow.

"There is a reason you are rarities in the world," he stated, his voice bitter.

"I suppose I've had enough experience with demons and spirits to know there is more to you than what we know," I cupped my elbows.

"I am just glad that I don't have to guide you through...more painful trials to begin," Purpose's face softened. "I've watched you endure enough."

I nudged his elbow. "You do care."

He rolled his eyes. "I gave up my life for you - well, most of it. I think that alone says I care." His golden eyes landed on me with an intensity that was unnervingly like Cullen's.

"Why do you wear his face?" I asked before I thought better of it.

Purpose looked away. "I am not sure if I can answer the question, Meira, as I'm not sure I fully understand the answer. Perhaps because it was the face I was wearing when Alrik killed me. Perhaps because it is the face you know me with. Perhaps because I...am like your Cullen."

"Like him?" My brows furrowed.

"That is the best explanation I can come up with, I'm afraid," he frowned. "I wish I had more knowledge for you, but I am not Wisdom or Knowledge. Perhaps one day we can find such a spirit, but...you have to be ready for that. Wisdom is too easily twisted to Pride. Knowledge has little patience for questions. Besides, we need to return to your lessons."

"One more question," I interjected to his impatience, but he waved a hand. "Well, maybe two. First, how are you still alive if Alrik killed you? Second, how do you remember me - everything you've been through?"

He shifted on his feet. "Again, not questions I can entirely answer." I made a skeptical face at him. "I want the answers as much as you do, Meira, but for now accept that I do not know everything and I must prepare you so that you can seek those answers out. All I can say is we are intertwined. What I did to you...," He took a deep breath, his eyes closing. "It had lasting effects on us both." He met my eyes, looking so like Cullen. "I do not regret this situation, Meira. It allows me a chance to...redeem myself - if that is something spirits can do. I...see what my other self did and I...am disgusted." Like my Cullen indeed.

"Then I sincerely hope we can find these answers, Purpose," I looked at him intently. "For both our sakes."

"Then let us return to the task at hand," he stated. He had me return to the day's events of Therinfal and showed me that I could see it over and over again, from several perspectives. I could see us arriving in glory and power within the eyes of the Envy demon; I could see us fluffing the ego of the nobles; see as we brought fear to the templars. Then I watched as the corrupted templars massacred as many as they could - felt the pain of their victims, felt the pain of the red templars. I saw everything again from every angle and felt even more that we had made the right choices in regards to the templars. They had fought with valor, courage and honor against the red templars. The corresponding spirits among the battles.

"Do you know if the Lord Seeker allowed Envy to take his face?" I asked as I studied everything.

"I do not," Purpose shook his head. "Whatever occurred, it occurred before the templars came to Therinfal. Envy was already the Lord Seeker when he met Ellana in Val Royeaux, remember? Wether Envy took his face or he gave it willingly, I do not know."

The longer I was here, the more amazed I was becoming. Purpose taught me how to manipulate the Fade - to change the environment, to use magic, but it was very difficult, and how to move around the Fade. We went from Therinfal to Haven to the Hinterland to Val Royeaux just by thought. The idea that I could do that while sleeping in one spot frightened me, but Purpose encouraged me by saying I could only travel if I wanted to - it wouldn't happen by accident now.

"Which leads us to your final lesson for tonight: entering dreams," he met my eyes.

"No," I shook my head. "The one time I did, it was horrible." I recalled Cullen's nightmare - memory and his reaction after. "I will not invade others' privacy like that."

"Even if you could help them? Save them?" Purpose quirked a brow.

"How is seeing things they do not want others to see, helping them?" I asked.

"They don't need to know you saw it. You don't have to change anything. You can simply observe; be no more than a shadow in their mind. Then you can use the knowledge gained to help them in the waking world," he explained.

"How do you know all of this?" I asked.

He looked away from me again, clasping his hands behind him, and I knew that he was keeping things from me. "I have helped dreamers before."

"Did you love one of them?" I asked, guessing what the bitterness and defensiveness could stem from. I earned a look of shock from him.

"I am a spirit of Purpose, I cannot -" Purpose protested, his brows lifted.

"-Did you love one of them?" I asked again, looking at him hard.

He scowled and looked away. "Perhaps."

"What happened?" I questioned.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "She grew afraid of her powers and took her own life. A demon possessed her lifeless body and templars had to cut her down."

"I am sorry, Purpose," I placed a hand on his arm.

He didn't pull away, but he didn't meet my eyes either. "She was the reason I turned." He let out a breath. "Being half Desire allows me to...experience things other spirits cannot. Love may not be the word I felt for her, but...want. She was the reason I wanted. Wanted to be mortal, wanted to join the mortal world. Once I figured out that I could as a spirit - without possessing anyone or anything - it was too late. She didn't meet me where we usually met and I..." He cleared his throat. "You don't need to know the rest. Well, you know the end of it, but I'll spare you the details of the middle."

"What do you mean you figured out you could come to the mortal world as a spirit?" I questioned.

"Like Compassion - Cole. He is a spirit, yet he possesses no one, he created the form he resides within. He's the first spirit I've known to actually accomplish it. It can be done, but it...is very difficult."

"Is that why you've attached yourself to me? You're trying to figure out how to do it?" I probed.

He met my eyes, the gold burning. "No. I have no desire to be part of the mortal world permanently. Not anymore."

"Can you leave the Fade, though? You did when I was with Deshanna. You were still a spirit, not there physically, but you came."

His grip on his arms tightened. "I could." He met my eyes again, his own softening. "And I would for you, Meira. I just...can't do it often, lest I be locked out of the Fade and go insane in the mortal world."

"I understand," I murmured. "It was a question I had on my mind. I would not ask that of you, it would be your decision."

"It wouldn't, but I appreciate the thought all the same," he chuckled.

I looked him over. His posture was so much like Cullen's - resolute and stubborn. His face so like Cullen's, but free of the stress, the scars, the aging brought on by all he'd endured. Aside from his eyes, I imagined he was what Cullen would look like if our lives had played out differently. I wondered what I looked like - if I was the me covered in scars, branded by the Chantry or if I looked more like Purpose. The me I would have been. I pushed the thought away, not wanting to know; knowing the answer - either way - would bring me no comfort. To quell the uneasiness that rose at those thoughts, I asked another question that was on my mind. "I have another one: what spell did Deshanna use on me?"

His head snapped back to me. "I will not answer that question on this night. You are not ready to hear the answer."

My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

He sliced a hand through the air. "No, Meira. Not this night." He came close to me. "Stop stalling. Your man is suffering right now in his dreams. You need to go see what is happening, so you can help him."

"Cullen?" I questioned. "I thought I saw the worst of it."

Purpose smirked. "Is that what the stubborn idiot told you?"

"Oh, Maker. Purpose, what's happening to him?" I searched his eyes.

"No, Fadewalker, you have to answer that question yourself." He gestured a hand to his left. I looked around. We were back at Therinfal, in the courtyard. "All you have to do to enter someone's dream is approach their sleeping form and touch their forehead." He led me to Cullen's tent. I watched as Cullen thrashed, his breathing fast, sweat pouring down his face and soaking his tunic and blanket. "When he said it brought back everything, he meant it. We tried to give you two as much bliss as we could in hopes of easing it for him, but...we are not you."

"Cullen, my Cullen," I murmured. As I watched, he muttered my name. I lowered myself to him, placing a hand on his cheek, but avoiding his forehead.

"He senses you," Purpose explained. "The only time his mind isn't completely surrounded in his defenses is when he sleeps. Unfortunately, that means benevolent spirits aren't the only thing that can approach him. You need to help him, Meira. You're the only one who can."

"He doesn't want me to. I can't betray his trust like that," I continued to stroke his face.

"As I said, you're observing, not altering," Purpose rebutted, growing agitated.

"I doubt he even wants me to see it, Purpose. I already saw something he didn't want me to and that was an accident. This time it would be intentional."

Purpose pinched the bridge of his nose in impatience. "Meira. You. Are. A. Dreamer. This is what you are meantto do. You are the bridge between the mortal world and the Fade. People like him," he gestured a hand to Cullen, "who are haunted and hunted by denizens of the Fade, who are defenseless, should be able to turn to mages like you for help and protection. Would he ever askfor such help? Even when he needed it?"

I studied Cullen's face. He was muttering, gasping, whimpering and I saw a tear falling from the corner of his eye. I do not want you tainted by my darkness. He wouldn't want me to see this. I understood what Purpose was telling me, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this would be crossing a line. A violation of Cullen's privacy and trust if I did this without his permission. I knew he would never give it, but I could not hurt him this way. He'd already had things toy with his mind; already been violated. I had as well and would not be the perpetrator of such a thing. "I won't do this, Purpose. I will care for him however else I can, but I will not enter another's mind - even Cullen's - without their permission."

Purpose grimaced. "I admire your conviction, Meira, but I fear you - and he - will regret this choice."

I shook my head, ignoring the disquiet in my gut. "I would regret it more if I violated his trust. We have both been violated enough."

Purpose's face softened. "I...forgive me, Meira. I...didn't think of it that way. I saw only what you are meant to do, how you could help. I did not think about...the repercussions."

I met his eyes and gave him a soft smile. "You mean well, Purpose, I know. This is...a line I cannot cross. Wether I am meant to or not. I will help those who ask, but only when they ask."

After a moment, Purpose nodded. "As I said, I admire your conviction - I hope for your sakes, you don't regret it. Talk to him about it, see if he will allow you to help him. For now, why don't you comfort him in the waking world?"

"What?" I asked, but as I turned to Purpose, I felt myself wake up.

I was in Cullen's tent, actually sitting next to him. I boiled inside at Purpose, but worry tugged at my heart as I studied Cullen's face. He was still whimpering and gasping; squirming and shaking under his thin blanket. He was soaked with sweat. Oh, my love. As carefully as I could, I stripped off the soaked cover to reveal that he was drenched from head to toe; his tunic and leather breeches clinging to his skin.
Summoning ice into my palms, I placed one on his forehead and wrapped the other around one of his wrists. He took a sharp inhale at my touch, but he did not wake. His lips were dry, so I took the waterskin nearby and poured a little water into his mouth and wet his lips. I watched as his throat bobbed. He seemed to calm a fraction, but he still murmured and whimpered. I watched as he continued to shake.
Gently, I stroked his face and alternated between which wrist I was cooling. Soon, he felt less hot under my touch, the sweat easing; his clothes became damp and cool. He began to shiver and curled in on himself trying to get warm. I knew I should remove the damp clothing, but I couldn't bring myself to try. I worried he'd thrash again. Instead, I eased him to his back and gently draped myself across him to try and give him some warmth.

"No," he breathed. "No. Leave me." He sounded so scared, it wrenched my heart. "No, I won't take it."

"Cullen, you're safe," I whispered.

"Leave me!" he cried as he jerked. "No! No! No!" he started thrashing in earnest as he shook.

I climbed atop him, trying to hold him down. I braced myself for whatever would come, knowing he could flip or pin me easily. "Cullen, please. You're safe."

"Leave me!" he shouted and flipped me on my back in one swift move. His eyes were open, but he wasn't there. His grip was hard on my wrists and all of his weight was on me. His face was livid as he stared, unseeing, at my face.

"Cullen, please," I murmured, keeping my voice calm as I summoned a ball of light, hoping the soft glow would bring him out of his trance.

He blinked and glanced at the light before looking back at me. He was still shaking, his breathing ragged, his pupils huge. He studied me again, confusion slowly entering his face. "M-Meira?"

"Yes, you're safe. It was a nightmare." I explained, still calm.

"Meira?" he questioned again. Then he released my wrists and scrambled off me, his eyes full of concern. "Maker, Meira. What are you doingin here?" He was on his hands and knees, his limbs still shaking as his eyes studied my face.

"It's a long story," I murmured. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Meira. Tonight is -" He let out a groan of pain as his arms buckled from under him.

"Cullen!" I lunged for him, catching him before he hit the ground. "Cullen, please. Tell me what I can do." I cradled his head in my lap, running my fingers through his damp hair.

"Tonight is not a good night," he murmured after he'd recovered. "Please, don't worry," he sat up and stroked my cheek.

"Purpose was concerned enough to drop me here," I grumbled. "And I am most assuredly worried." I wrapped my arms around him.

"I am sorry," he apologized. "Did I hurt you?" He sounded so certain that he had, so ashamed of himself.

"Don't apologize," I rubbed my fingers along his neck and answered him truthfully. "You didn't hurt me, I was prepared. Let me care for you."

"Al-alright," he conceded. "What -"

"First, your clothes are wet and it's too cold for you to sleep that way. You'll get sick. Let me dry everything," I instructed. "While I do that, you need to drink plenty of water." I handed him the waterskin.

"You...you want me to undress?" he asked, a blush creeping into his face.

"Cullen, I want you to undress so I can dry your clothes. Fear not, Commander, I will not take advantage of you," I flashed him an impish grin, trying to rouse humor in him.

He blushed deeply. "That's not- I wasn't- Maker's breath." There's my Cullen.

I chuckled as I put my back to him. I started to dry his wool blanket so he'd have something to cover himself with and as I did, I began to tell him of what happened with Purpose in the Fade. He listened, asking the occasional question and reacting with curiosity and awe at what I described.

"Purpose wanted you to enter dreams?" he asked.

"To help. He says I am a bridge between the mortal world and the Fade. That mages like me should be able to help mortals that suffer in their dreams." I nearly turned to him, to ask him if he'd let me help him, but I knew it was too raw to pose that question. He'd reject it. "He wanted me to help you, but I refused. I will not enter other's dreams without their permission. I would not betray your trust like that."

I felt his hand on my shoulder, his thumb running along my skin. His hand was cold. "Thank you." He placed his clothes next to me and I passed the wool blanket to him. After a moment, I turned back to him.

He was bundled up in the blanket, his face scarlet, his eyes averted from me. He took an arm out of his blanket, which he kept firmly around him, as he reached for his fur mantle. I noticed the well-defined muscles in his arm, the dusting of golden hair on his forearm and his beautifully made hand - with its strong fingers as they grasped his mantle. Following his arm back up to his shoulder and the bit of his chest that I could see peeking out. There were scars all along his skin - some from blades, some from magic. I could see a hint of hair on his muscled chest, darker than his other hair. Heat flamed in my face as embers began burning in my core and I looked away, only for my gaze to be brought back as he held his mantle out to me. I quirked a brow as I looked between it and his face. He cleared his throat, still unable to meet my eyes. "Cou-Could you put this on, please?"

I took it from him, my fingers brushing his, causing my stomach to quiver. I quickly put the mantle on and bit back a chuckle as he tugged his blanket around him tighter still after pulling his arm back in. His face was red and he scratched at his chin. Clearing his throat again, he asked, "Did you...enjoy the Fade?"

I smiled. "I did. It was...amazing. The spirits, what I can do. It was also frightening, but I don't think its a bad thing to have a healthy dose of reverence for the powers I seem to hold."

"I do not believe so either," he nodded. "I will admit, it does sound extraordinary." I smiled wider at him. He let out a shiver as he looked away.

"I'm nearly finished," I assured as I continued to dry his things. We sat in comfortable silence as I finished, though I could feel him watching me as I worked my magic, studying my face. "Does it bother you?"

He quirked a brow. "What?"

"My magic? Does it bother you for me to use it?" I studied his eyes.

He hesitated a moment, but shook his head. "There was a time - the smallest use would send me back there, but...that has lessened." He met my eyes, his gaze steady. "That's not to say that I want mages going unchecked. I trust you. Trust Bethany and the others that have proven themselves in the Inquisition. I still struggle with my trust of magic, but...perhaps someday I can remember the good before I remember the bad."

"I'm sorry," I offered. "I'm glad it is getting better."

His lips twitched, his eyes lighting with humor as the fear faded away. "As am I. I was growing tired of caring for my own wounds all the time."

"After your excellent care of the wound on your lip?" I quirked a brow as I tried not to smile. "You should consider becoming a healer yourself."

He smirked. "I don't think my patients would appreciate my work."

"Mmm, but I do," I purred as I looked at the scar on his lip before glancing over the rest of him. He seemed so...big in the small tent, huddled under a blanket. His hair was mussed, his face drawn with lack of sleep, but blazing red in an adorable blush beneath the light beard was growing. I found him as handsome as ever. He blushed at my perusal, but gave me a sheepish smile. His clothes finished, I said, "That should do it."

I handed him the bundle to which he shrugged the blanket off his shoulders. He noticed his blunder a moment too late, but he didn't cover up. I'd not allowed myself to study him before, but I had been caught off-guard when he'd dropped the blanket. I sat enraptured by his beauty, a strong urge to draw him caused my fingers to twitch.
I wanted to capture his strength, his sheer masculinity and the story written on his skin by his scars. He had the scar through his lip and few minor ones at his nose and jaw, but none appeared on the strong column of his neck, where I watched as he swallowed thickly.
The scars continued across his broad shoulders, down his well-defined torso. Some interrupted the smattering of dark hair across his chest and where it dipped along the center of his narrow waist. His scars ranged from small to large, but my eyes caught on what appeared to be claw marks at his left shoulder and right hip. He had burns in places and scars from cuts almost too numerous to count. I noticed, too, that his shoulders were speckled with freckles, hinting at his childhood of days spent in the sun.
My fingers itched for my parchment and chalk, wanting to try and capture what I was seeing. His shy nature in his averted gaze and reddened cheeks, his quiet confidence in the way he kept his back straight, the toll of his struggle in the shadows beneath his eyes and the gauntness of his face, the strength of his arms, the warmth that emanated from him despite the sadness that clung, and the power hidden beneath his skin.
There was so much of him on display, physically and emotionally, and I couldn't help but think of the difference between the man before me and the boy at the tower. He'd been strong at the tower, but the years since then - the years of disciplining his body as a warrior - had made him into a weapon. The boy at the tower had been shy, but occasionally flirtatious. The man before me was still shy, but there was a confidence in him that had not been there, despite his uncertainty.
I remembered the way he'd looked at me when he'd called me out on watching him at the farmland - the knowing smirk he'd flashed as his eyes sparkled with mischief. He did not smirk now, instead his face burned with a blush as he kept his eyes averted and I was brought back to the reality of our situation. He cared for me, a piece of him pleased that I was looking at him, but at the forefront was embarrassment as to why he sat undressed before me. Heat seared across my face at my impertinence as embarrassment shot down my spine for staring, to which I promptly put my back to him to give him back his privacy.

"Done." He said quickly after I'd turned from him, his voice husky. I faced him to find his eyes on me. I was still embarrassed, but he looked at me with nothing but gratitude. "Thank you, for...tonight."

"I apologize for Purpose just dropping me in here. I wasn't aware spirits could do that." I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled. "They seem to have taken a particular interest in you."

"In you as well, it seems," I murmured. I met his eyes again and blushed a little. "I should get back to my own tent."

"I suppose who should," he rested his arms on his knees, clasping his hands together.

"I'll see you soon," I smiled and slipped out of his mantle. I noticed that he looked away from me again.

"See you soon," he sounded almost melancholy as he said it.

I turned to the tent flap and just as I was opening it, I felt his hands on my hips. Gently, he pulled me back against him, wrapping his arms around my waist. He was so warm against me, his chest heaving as his breathing had become uneven. He buried his face in my neck, his nose and lips grazing the exposed skin there.
"Meira," he whispered against my skin, sending a shiver along my spine as those embers in my core began to burn in earnest. He kept breathing my name against my skin, causing my heart to race. I leaned into his chest, savoring the strength of his arms around me as I let a sigh tumble from my lips.
He held me tighter for a moment before he released me. I ran a thumb along his cheek before practically throwing myself out of the tent at the desire burning in his amber eyes. It was still dark, but I could sense others stirring. Forcing my heart to calm as I heard him groan frustratedly in his tent, I stepped through the Fade back to Cassandra and I's tent. The slight pop startled the warrior, who was already awake.

"Where were you?" she quirked a brow, her dark eyes flicking over me.

I sighed heavily. "It's a long story. I was in Cullen's tent and not because he or I chose for me to be there."

She let out a snort of amusement. "Tell me."

For the second time I recounted the events of the Fade, though Cassandra seemed more wary of what I told her than Cullen had been. "That is certainly interesting. And you're sure this Purpose isn't a demon in disguise?"

"I'm sure," I nodded. "His purpose is to help me find mine. He gets a little...impatient I think."

"It sounds like Cullen," she said softly, a smirk on her lips.

"He looks like Cullen," I admitted.

"He...does?" Her dark brows raised.

I nodded my head. "It's another long story. One I'm not quite ready to share." I glanced away from her.

"Of course," she nodded. "There is no need for you to. Besides, we should begin to gather our things."

"I need to inform you of a couple things I learned," I stated. "First, Envy was already the Lord Seeker in Val Royeaux. I am not sure if Lucius was party to it or not. Second, the corrupted templars call themselves Red Templars. A splinter faction to destroy the old templars and rip down the Chantry. I fear there will be more of them to face - we did not end the threat at Therinfal."

Cassandra scowled. "We need to tell the others and it's time I looked into what has happened with the Seekers."

...

I told Ellana the rest of what happened prior to us arriving at Haven, blushing as I recounted what all had occurred between Cullen and I. She put a hand on my shoulder, a sad smile on her face. "I am happy for you," she murmured. "But know that this is not going to be an easy road for you. Da will have a difficult time accepting an interracial marriage - all of them will - and if you think he'll give Cullen permission to court you - to bond with you - without testing him, you're fooling yourself. Be that as it may, none of us have any right to bar you from being together. He was there when the rest of us were not." She chuckled after a moment. "I am surprised he agreed to courtship - the idea is almost more Elven than it is human. I know some humans practice it and I believe it was influenced by the Elves. From what I've gathered from ViVienne's written lectures, marriage is the game of politics and advancement among the humans and dwarves, love rarely has anything to do with it. And waiting to have sex until you're wed? That does not seem to be the norm either, except maybe among the nobles and royals - only to introduce mistresses and such after marriage. It seems in all races except our own, most who want to have sex, have it. Virginity and fidelity are not expected amongst all humans or dwarves - or Qunari according to Bull. I find that ironic - the Qun and the dwarves of Orzammar aside - since the Andrastians prize the 'marriage' between the Maker and Andraste. The clergy of the church are sworn to celibacy in remembrance of this spiritual union - so why is celibacy not more practiced and valued amongst the believers of Andraste? And yet we Dalish with our 'heathen' pantheon put more value into unions - most of us waiting to find our mate and then bonding for life." Her eyes found mine. "Why are you two waiting? Not that I'm discouraging you, I'm purely curious."

I blushed deeply. "I am...not sure when I will be ready for that, Ellana." I noticed as she winced, cursing herself in Elven under her breath. "Besides, we...we both believe it issomething worth waiting for, but I...I wanted him to know how I felt about him. I wanted him to know what I...whereI want us to go."

She studied my face, "I didn't mean to be insensitive. I do think it's beautiful and so sweet it makes my teeth hurt, but...it's very reminiscent of Dalish bonding. I am just surprised is all."

"Perhaps a piece of me recalled the hahren's teachings about bonding. Perhaps I was inspired by the tales of courting I've read and heard about. Perhaps it was a mixture of both," I shrugged before I blushed, murmuring, "I love him, Ellana. I love him so much it hurts sometimes. He is a good man who has been hurt as much as I have. We both could use certainty and wholesomeness in our lives. The look on his face when I told him I wanted him to court me…The look he gave me when I said I loved him. Ellana, it nearly broke my heart. It was as if he couldn't believe I could care for him - that I truly wanted him to be a part of my life."

"Forgive me for my harshness with him earlier." Her brows furrowed as she looked away. "I see what he is trying to do, the man he is wanting to become, but he's...he's too unsure. Too guarded, too careful. He needs to realize that he isfree of the Order. That he is not bound to them - that he owes them nothing." She met my eyes. "But he also needs to see that he is their best hope at true change. He left the Order, he's no longer a templar, but he is the first to take the strides he's taking - has already taken. Everytemplar that joins us will be looking to him for the example they are to follow." She frowned, her voice lowering. "He cannot falter. He must break those chains entirely. Therefore, he cannot be too reserved in his change."

"Then why didn't you say thatto him, Ellana? Instead of tearing him down?" I asked.

Her lips twitched. "I can't let him think I actually like him...maybe even admire him a little, now can I?"

I looked at her, shocked. "You...do?"

She let out a huff of air. "I do...especially after what I saw in that...dark future." Her eyes glistened with tears. "My sister, it was...it was horrible."

"Then tell me," I urged. "Tell me so you're not carrying this weight alone."

She shook her head. "Dorian is the only one who can understand because he sawit. I feared leaving him behind in Redcliffe - for all his bravado, I know it affected him. Not as badly as it did me, but...I don't know how you could see all of that and notbe...changed."

"So, you won't tell me beyond the vague descriptions you gave in the war room?" I probed.

She met my eyes. "No, I want you to see it." Ellana closed her eyes for a moment and breathed, "Meira, I want you to enter my mind in the Fade, see it all unfold and help me to not be so...terrified. I can...hardly look at you all and not see what I saw there. It's...crushing me."

My heart started pounding in my chest. "You...you're sure? I-I haven't done that yet, so I can't promise that I will bring you relief."

"Purpose seems more than willing and able to help you," Ellana voiced. "And I trust you."

I hesitated a moment, studying her face. She did look haunted and unwell. "If I can help, I will."

"I will not be able to fall asleep on my own," she warned. "I haven't been able to sleep since we left that future." She held up her fingers and placed two on each of my temples. "Do this and use your ice magic to surrender me unconscious. All it takes is willing my mind to slow its functions - feel the energy with your healing magic and then cool the electricity you feel. Don't freeze it, unless you want me to die - just cool it enough that is slows. I will drift off."

"That sounds...very complicated," I stated.

"It's not, I promise. It sounds far more complicated than it is," she encouraged. "I did it correctly on my first try with...her." She spit the word and I knew she meant Deshanna. She hugged me to her after looking at my face. "You can do this. And thank you...tell Purpose, thank you as well."

I nodded and then placed my fingers as she had shown me on her face. She closed her eyes as I felt with my mana, searching as if for a wound. Then I felt it as she had described - her mind. Electricity firing within, bouncing around and around.
Slowly, I willed for it to slow as I cooled the heat the electricity gave off and sure enough, I felt Ellana's breathing slow and her body grow heavy. I withdrew my fingers to find her sleeping, but her face was still tight with stress. I took a deep breath and willed myself to enter the Fade.

"So you have a willing participant now?" Purpose questioned as soon as I awoke. I looked to him, he was wearing armor this time. Not Cullen's, not anything I recognized, but it was handsome.

"Ellana needs our help and she wants me to see what she saw in Redcliffe," I explained.

He looked me over. "You'll need to be dressed properly as well. It sounds like this future was...volatile to say the least. What you will see is merely a reflection of what occurred, but...you can still be harmed if we are not careful." He snapped his fingers and I felt the weight of armor settle on my back. He nodded appreciatively, "Far better than what you wear on the other side."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you sure you're not Pride?"

He smirked. "There's nothing wrong with dressing smart." He grew serious. "Are you ready for this?"

"No," I admitted, "but Ellana needs my help. I will do what I can. Do you know how to help her?"

He nodded. "I do. What is most important here is that you do not let her forget anything she saw - it has changed her, changed her for the better though she doesn't realize it yet. You need to make her innermost self realize and remember that she escaped. That future did not actually happen. That future won't happen so long as she continues on the path set before her." He met my eyes. "She cannot give into fear. She cannot run away."

I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"

He looked away. I followed his gaze to see Ellana. She was not asleep on her bed as Cullen had been asleep in his tent. Instead, she levitated, looking almost as if she were floating in water. She was stunningly beautiful in the Fade, wreathed as she was in shimmering fabric that danced around her.
Her dark hair glossy, shining with gold as it flowed away from her face. The vallaslin glowed - the tree shifting through every season: buds and flowers decorating the branches before they leafed out, then the leaves fell and the tree was bare only to repeat the cycle as its roots flowed down her neck, to her hands and feet. Her skin was iridescent, as beneath it glowed a light. I realized the light was the Mark as it pulsed - pulsed from her hand throughout her body. The longer I looked, the brighter she became. I noticed Purpose looked away, squinting his eyes.

"Your sister has wanted to run from this since she awoke. To run from the Inquisition, to run from the title of Herald, to run from the responsibilities placed on her. Like the halla run freely through the forests back home." He looked to me. "The only thing that has kept her here, up to this point, has been you. That changed when she saw what the future could be - when she saw what could become of all those she loves." He looked back to her, shielding his eyes. "She mustremember, but she must have the comfort of knowing it has not come to pass - but keeping the weight of knowing that she alone can prevent it."

My heart ached for Ellana as Purpose told me this. "Why do you so easily tell me herpurpose, but not mine?"

He smirked at me. "Her purpose is obvious - as obvious as the mark on her skin. She is meant to lead - to change the mortal world." His eyes grew intense as he stared at me. "She cannot do it without you. You cannot abandon her."

I met his eyes. "Why would I abandon her?"

He chuckled. "You wouldn't, but I thought the situation called for grim but vague predictions."

I rolled my eyes. "Can we please help my sister now, you dolt?"

He smiled broadly. "I'm awaiting you, my lady. Touch her forehead."

I walked up to Ellana, ignoring the shaking in my hands as I reached up to place a finger on her forehead.

I watched as Ellana and the others sprung the trap for Alexius, the Venatori assassinated at the hands of Leliana's agents. I observed as Dorian sauntered out, challenging his former mentor as his son, Felix, challenged him as well. Alexius face shifted as he turned, working the talisman, spitting at Ellana for how she'd ruined the Elder One's plans - how she should never have existed.
Dorian sent magic at Alexius, and I watched as Dorian and Ellana were sucked into a swirling vortex of a rift. Beyond the vortex, they came out within a flooded cell where red lyrium was growing out of the floor and walls. Venatori guards heard as they were dumped into the water.

"Blood of the Elder One!" One shouted.

"Where'd they come from?" The other questioned before they attacked.

Dorian and Ellana swiftly cut them down, after which Dorian began theorizing - his bravado intact. "Displacement? Interesting!" Dorian mused as he began searching the room. "It's probably not what Alexius intended. The rift must have moved us… to what? The closest confluence of arcane energy?"

"The last thing I remember, we were in the castle hall," Ellana voiced, looking Dorian over.

"Let's see," Dorian put a hand to his chin. "If we're still in the castle, it isn't… Oh! Of course! It's not simply where — it's when! Alexius used the amulet as a focus. It moved us through time!"

Ellana looked at him, alarmed. "Moved us throughtime? Can that even be done?"

"Normally, I would say no," Dorian admitted. "Obviously, Alexius has taken his research to exciting new heights. We've seen his temporal rifts before. This time we simply… passed through one."

"That… doesn't sound good," Ellana murmured.

"It soundsterrible," Dorian agreed. "Depending on when we are and what happened while we were away."

"What was Alexius trying to do?" Ellana probed.

"I believe his original plan was to remove you from time completely. If that happened, you would never have been at the Temple of Sacred Ashes or mangled the Elder One's plan. I think your surprise in the castle hall made him reckless. He tossed us into the rift before he was ready. I countered it, the magic went wild, and here we are. Make sense?" Dorian cocked his head, his grey eyes alight with mischief, and a smirk on his mustached lips.

"Not really, if I'm to be honest," Ellana sighed. "It just seems so insane."

"I don't even want to thinkabout what this will do to the fabric of the world," the man shook his head. "We didn't 'travel' through time so much as punch a hole through it and toss it in the privy. But don't worry. I'm here. I'll protect you." He flashed Ellana a wolfish grin, to which she rolled her eyes.

"So this 'Elder One', have you found anymore information on him?"

"I suspect he is the Venatori's leader - as they claim their deeds for him," Dorian scowled. "Some magister aspiring to godhood. It's the same old tune. 'Let's play with magic we don't understand. It will make us incredibly powerful!'" He waved his hands around as he said this, his voice going higher in pitch before he looked at Ellana seriously. "Evidently, it doesn't matter if you rip apart the fabric of time in the process."

"There were others in the hall. Could they have been drawn through the rift?" Ellana questioned as they made their way out of the cell.

"I doubt it was large enough to bring the whole room through. Alexius wouldn't risk catching himself or Felix in it. They're probably still where, and when, we left them. In some sense, anyway," Dorian offered. He looked around the hall they had entered, where more red lyrium was growing, more water was spilled upon the floor and the stench of death was growing stronger. "Let's look around, see where the rift took us. Then we can figure out how to get back… if we can."

"And what happens if we can't get back?" Ellana probed. "I hope you have a plan to get us back?"

Dorian smiled, "I have some thoughts on that. They're lovely thoughts, like little jewels."

They followed the hall, finding more cells filled with skeletons and red lyrium. "Alexius has made a dreadful mess of the place, hasn't he?" Dorian questioned aloud.

"I didn't see this part of the castle," Ellana replied. "I wouldn't know."

"It was covered in the tackiest carvings of wolves and dogs, I'd ever seen," Dorian sighed. "This is notan improvement."

Ellana's lips twitched, despite the worry on her brow.

"What is this?" Dorian asked as they came upon a large formation of red lyrium.

"Red lyrium," Ellana answered. "There was some at the Temple of Sacred Ashes after it was destroyed. Did Cullen not tell you when you two talked about Alexius?"

"I was too preoccupied by his hair, how doeshe get it to do that? Don't get me wrong, he holds no candle to me, but I couldn't help but spend our time trying to figure it out." Dorian mused aloud as he studied the crystal mass. "This is...lyrium?" He murmured. "Why is it...coming out of the walls? Why does it...sing?"

"I don't know," Ellana murmured. "Varric, who you met briefly, encountered red lyrium before in Kirkwall. He says it drove his brother and the Knight-Commander there insane. He says it can infectpeople - so I'd advise against touching it." Ellana said as Dorian had leaned closer to a formation to inspect it.

"It...pulses," he observed, "Like...a heartbeat."

"It is strange," Ellana agreed. "Can we move on?"

Dorian straightened and nodded before they continued on. At the end of the hall, they made their way up a flight of stone steps, that opened to a small landing, with more stairs on either side. Red lyrium was everywhere, the song whispering as they passed by, both being careful not to touch it. A decaying body lay at Ellana's feet where she backed away and hurried up one of the stairs. I could see her growing more worried, the more red lyrium and cells occupied by the bones of the dead they passed.
Passing through the only functioning door on their path, it opened to a wider room with more red lyrium and cells. These cells were not empty or occupied only by bones. The citizens of Redcliffe were within, but all seemed to be unaware of Dorian and Ellana as...red lyrium consumed them. They were chained to the walls, some seemed dead while others were gone in every way except physically - men, women and even...children. There bodies were in various states of infection, as if the transition were slow. One of the cells at the front was occupied by a living being, not consumed by lyrium - a young elf male who was singing.

"Andraste blessed me, Andraste blessed me… My tears are my sins, my sins, my sins, my sins… Andraste guide me, Andraste guide me…," he sounded terrified and far away as he sung. His voice strange, as if many speaking as one - like the red templars. A few of the other cells echoed his song, sobbed or cursed the Maker and Andraste.

Ellana paused and approached the male. She let out a gasp as she searched his face. His eyes glowed red, the gas the horrors had emitted pouring from his skin. Ellana backed away, but asked, her voice wavering, "Lysas? Hello? Do you remember me?"

Lysas continued to sing, his voice growing more terrified. He didn't even look at Ellana. "Andraste blessed me, Andraste blessed me."

"What did they do to you?" Ellana murmured.

Lysas just continued to sing, but tears slipped down his cheeks.

"There's nothing we can do for him - for any of them," Dorian murmured as he came to stand beside Ellana.

She rounded on him. "What is happening here? What in the Void happened?"

Dorian's face grew serious as he studied Ellana's, "I don't know. What I do know, if we can get back - this will never have taken place. In true time, that boy is still safe in Redcliffe."

"If we can get back. You keep saying 'if' so you know that there's a possibility that we won't be able to get back," Ellana snarled. "Stop acting as if everything is fine! You know it isn't!"

Dorian took her hands in his, I was surprised that she allowed him to. "Love, I understand that you are scared, but you must stay calm. That is all I'm trying to do - keep us calm." He studied her face. "Come now, deep breaths. In and out." He had her take a deep breath in and a deep breath out as Lysas continued to sing behind them. Dorian took Ellana's hand and led her away. "We don't know what else we will face here, try to keep in mind that it isn't real - it will only be real if we fail. I will ensure that we do not."

Ellana took a shaky breath and nodded. She gave one final look back at Lysas before they worked their way through the hallway. Up another flight of stairs and they came out to a strange looking room. Red lyrium was everywhere as they stepped onto a metal grate suspended by chains. A drawbridge was up across from them, but to both sides awaited more Venatori guarding the doorways.
Ellana let out a ferocious snarl as she unleashed her magic upon them - ice and fire raining down in equal measure. Freezing and burning her enemies. Dorian favored fire and it burned hotter, brighter and longer than Ellana's as he wielded it against the Venatori. I listened to their agonized screams as flesh melted away from bone, as if it were no more than wax to seal a letter. Ellana's breathing was ragged, but she strapped her staff to her back.

"Where do we go?" she asked aloud.

"The way forward is blocked by a drawbridge," Dorian observed. "I would guess that leads to the main part of the castle. We seem to be in the dungeons. They raised the drawbridge to keep escapees down here." Dorian looked around the room. "I'd guess those doors lead to more cells, but perhaps there's another way to the main castle through one of them?"

"Do you - do you think the others could be here?" Ellana questioned, keeping her back to Dorian. "All those people were from Redcliffe. What if...what if..."

"We won't know until we look," Dorian offered. "As I said, even if we find the others. Even if we find them in...sorry states. There's nothing we can do, except to return to our time and ensure whatever has happened never comes to pass."

"Dorian," Ellana murmured. "I'm not sure I want to find out what happened."

He chuckled. "Neither do I, but I doubt we'll have much say in the matter. Besides, if we find out when this is - it could give us an insight to the Venatori's plans. Is that not worth it? If we can find out how to thwart them?"

She stood silent a moment. "Let's go."

They went through one of the doors, following the stairs down below. The corridor was flooded, dragging their steps as they entered. "Herald?" a voice croaked. Ellana turned to the nearby cage to find an elven woman with raven hair being consumed by red lyrium. She was clearly in agony, her face drawn, her crimson eyes holding untold pain. "You're… alive? How? I saw you… disappear… into the rift."

Ellana put her hands on the bars of the cell. "Fiona, is that really you?"

Fiona chuckled darkly, her lungs sounding as if they were full of the red lyrium. "What's left… of me."

Ellana looked panicked as her eyes darted over Fiona. "I don't understand. What's happened to you? To the others? Is the...red lyrium growing out of you or...eating you?"

"Red lyrium… it's a disease," Fiona rasped out. "The longer you're near it… eventually… you become this. Then they mine your corpse for more."

"What - what can we do? Can we do something for you?" Ellana begged.

"No..." Fiona coughed, blood on her lips. "I...am...it's over...for me."

"Can you tell us the date?" Dorian questioned. "It's very important."

"Harvestmere… Nine Forty-Two, Dragon," Fiona wheezed out.

"Nine forty-two?" Dorian questioned. "Then we've missed an entire year."

"And then some," Ellana added. "We have to get out here, go back."

"Please..." Fiona begged, screwing her eyes shut. "Stop this from happening."

"I'm here now," Ellana assured. "No matter what, I'll drive them back to Tevinter."

Fiona met her eyes. "Not Tevinter...Alexius...serves the Elder One." She took a few deep breaths, her face contorting in agony as she did. "More powerful… than the Maker… No one… challenges him and lives."

"I promise," Ellana vowed, "I will do everything in my power to set things right."

"I've never fought a god before," Dorian voiced. "This should be memorable." He looked to Ellana. "Our only hope is to find the amulet Alexius used to send us here. If it still exists, I can use it to reopen the rift at the exact spot we left. Maybe."

"Good." Fiona breathed.

Dorian frowned. "I said maybe. It might also turn us into paste."

Fiona's eyes bored into Dorian. "You must try." Her eyes drifted to Ellana. "Your spymaster, Leliana...she is here. The others too. Find them. Quickly...before the Elder One...learns you're here." Fiona took a few more agonizing breaths, the rattle of death in them before her eyes fixed and her mouth went slack.

Ellana turned away bitterly, wrenching her hand from the bars.

"If red lyrium is an infection… Maker, why is it coming out of the walls?" Dorian questioned.

"Are you sure you want to find out?" Ellana growled. Dorian didn't reply as they searched the other cells. They found several dead, all twisted beyond recognizing, but none of the others. Any exits were blocked by debris or red lyrium. "Let's return to the drawbridge and go through the other door."

They made their way back, the drawbridge still up as they passed through the other door. Down in the cells voices could be heard. They hurried their pace, finding Solas first who had his back to them. When he turned, the elf male look absolutely beside himself with disbelief as his crimson eyes fell upon Ellana. "You're alive?" his voice wavered as he took her in, showing far more emotion than he ever did in the present. "We saw you die!"

"The spell Alexius cast displaced us in time," Dorian explained. "We just got here, so to speak."

Ellana released him from his cell, bursting the lock with ice. Solas looked her over, his eyes intense until he met Dorian's gaze. "Can your reverse the process? You could return and obviate the events of the last year. It may not be too late!" He was agitated, far less in control of himself than I had ever witnessed. Fear, panic, desperation all played out in his voice.

"Solas," Ellana murmured, "You look...unwell. Is there anything I can do to help?"

He met her eyes, the slightest hint of a smile on his lips as his eyes filled with...care. "I am dying, but no matter, da'len." He took a moment to look her over. "If you can undo this, they can all be saved!"

"Dorian believes we can go back to our own time if we find Alexius," Ellana voiced, taking a step closer to Solas.

Solas flicked his gaze at Dorian. "That makes sense. He sent you. He would be the key."

"It's refreshing to have someone who understands what I'm saying to them," Dorian sighed.

"You would think such understanding would stop me from making such terrible mistakes," Solas stated bitterly, his eyes downcast before he flicked them to Ellana. "You would be wrong."

"What do you mean?" Ellana asked, her hand reaching out.

Solas pulled away, shaking his head. "It matters not. You are here, but you know nothing of this world. It is far worse than you understand. Alexius served a master, the Elder One. He reigns now, unchallenged. His minions assassinated Empress Celene and used the chaos to invade the South. This Elder One commands an army of demons. After you stop Alexius, you must be prepared."

Ellana looked intensely at Solas, his own gaze full of emotion. "We can't do this without you."

"If there is any hope, any way to save them...my life is yours," he stated. "But remember this future. It may help you prevent it." He pleaded, his fingers twitching as his hand lifted a fraction before dropping back to his side. "This world is an abomination. It must never come to pass."

"Are the others down here?" Dorian questioned.

Solas looked to him. "Those still...alive."

"You have no weapon. Can we find one?" Ellana asked.

"If we fight the Venatori, we can get weapons from them. Until then, I will do without a staff," Solas stated.

"Who else is down here? Who else was captured?" Dorian questioned.

Solas replied vaguely. "I do not know. The Inquisition was made an example of - if the guards are to believed. Anyone who did not convert was executed or used as a warning."

"I will look," Dorian stated. "Tell Ellana all that she needs to know." Dorian left the two alone.

Ellana stepped closer to Solas, who raised his hands. "You should not come near me, lethallan...as much as I - no. I am...dying. Infected. I know not what it could do to you."

She stepped away, looking defeated. "Anyone who did not convert? Convert to what?" Ellana questioned.

"To worship of the Elder One."

"Who is he? What is he?" Ellana probed.

"Unlike anything I have seen," Solas replied, looking away from her. "I have not the words."

"Solas, please," Ellana implored. "If you truly want us to prevent this future, we need all the information we can get."

"I know, lethallan," he smiled at her apologetically. "I have no name to offer you. He is only ever called the Elder One. Beyond that, I only know what occurred from...those who are long since dead. I have been here since witnessing your demise. I could tell you no more of him now than I would know in your time; beyond the fact that he is powerful beyond our imaginings. We should never have sent you here."

"What happened with the templars? M-Meira?" Ellana begged. "Where is my sister?"

Solas could not meet her eyes. "You do not want to know, da'len."

"Where is my sister, Solas?" she demanded.

"Please, Ellana," he pleaded. "Do only what you must to escape this place - to return to your time and ensure this future never happens."

Ellana's eyes widened as she studied his face. "What did they do to her?"

"Well, this one is a ray of sunshine," Dorian sighed as he reentered the room, Blackwall behind him.

"If we make Alexius pay for his crimes, that's enough for me," Blackwall stated. "Solas," he nodded.

"Blackwall," Solas nodded back.

"Is there anyone else down here?" Ellana questioned.

Blackwall and Solas exchanged a look. "You may look, but...I do not know if any of the others live."

They searched the cells, finding several dead: Rylen, Elizabeth, Henry and numerous other faces that were familiar. Their bodies infected by red lyrium as it twisted and mutilated them. "Why are they all here?" Ellana questioned, her voice ragged. "I thought you said the Inquisition was made an example of? Why were they here?"

"Do not ask what they did beforethey were imprisoned," Solas voiced, darkly. Off in the distance, metal groaning could be heard. "It seems they know you are here."

"Know?" Elanna quirked a dark brow. "How?"

Solas did not meet her eyes. "We must hurry. If they know, the Elder One will know before long."

"The Light shall lead her safely through the paths of this world and into the next. For she who trusts the Maker, fire is her water," Cassandra's voice quoted. Ellana and the others stopped before her cell. Cassandra sat upon the ground, blood dripping from a wound. "You've returned to us. Can it be? Andraste has given us another chance? Maker forgive me. I failed you. I failed everyone. The end must truly be upon us if the dead return to life."

"We moved forward in time, Cassandra, by magic," Ellana explained. "We are to find Alexius and return to our own time to ensure none of this ever happens."

"Andraste, please let that be true," Cassandra pleaded. "Maker, guide us all."

"You're wounded," Ellana observed as they opened Cassandra's cell. The Seeker had grimaced as she stood, her hand going to her side. "Can I heal you?"

Cassandra shook her head, her red eyes meeting Ellana's gaze. "Nothing you do can help now. I will be with the Maker soon. We need to find Leliana; find Cullen."

"Cullen?" Ellana questioned. "He's here?"

"Everyone is here," Cassandra closed her eyes. "At least, their bodies are here."

"What have they done with Leliana? With Cullen? With the others?" Ellana questioned, her voice growing panicked again. "Where is my sister?"

"We need to find them," was all Cassandra said in reply.

"Why will no one tell me what has happened?" Ellana implored, bite in her words. "If we can return, we need as much information as you can give to ensurethis never happens."

Cassandra pressed forward, not answering for a time. "We succeeded at Therinfal - slaying a demon, defeating corrupted templars only to learn that you had died. When you did...more corrupted templars showed themselves and pushed us back to Haven only to join the demon horde that had torn through Orlais at Redcliffe. Everyone who had survived regrouped to siege the castle - foolishly believing we had a chance, though Cullen knew it was hopeless. We fought and fought; each time loosing more soldiers. Each time the Venatori leaders would capture some of our people to...parade before us. Vivienne was forced to be possessed by a demon, cutting down our people as an abomination. Varric...they...they -" Cassandra's breathing became shaky, "Strung him up to be feasted upon alive by demons. Bull and the Chargers fought valiantly after barely escaping Orlais, nearly breaching the walls, but they were cut down - their blood used to summon yet more demons to grow the endless horde the Elder One had created as they were nailed to the stone. Sera...I heard her terrified screams as she was dragged over the wall. I know not what became of her. Rylen, Elizabeth, Henry, Bethany..." Cassandra was gasping between sobs now. "They...they...Please, no more. I can't. We alone survive because they were already captured - tortured for information. I was one of the last to fall."

The others had looks of horror and hopelessness as she described everything.

"Please, Cassandra," Ellana pushed. "What happened to the Commander? To my sister? To...to my family?"

Cassandra looked away from her. "The Elder One does not care who his army kills. No matter their innocence, no matter their age." Cassandra's eyes turned back to Ellana, devoid of hope. "Just know that everyone you loved - everyone you cared about - everyone in the Inquisition...is gone. We may live," she gestured to herself, Blackwall and Solas, "and we will aid you, but we are gone. Knowing how will not help you."

Dorian placed a hand on Ellana's shoulder. "We need to get moving. I can hear footsteps."

Visibly shaking, Ellana stayed back while the others pressed forward. She hugged herself, trying to calm her body. Taking a deep breath, she hurried to follow the others. The ferocity with which Cassandra, Blackwall and Solas fought - weaponless though they were - was gut wrenching to watch. It was the fight of the dying - of those who had nothing more to lose. They fought without mercy, without care for themselves as weapons found their marks - only for the wounds to be sealed over by red lyrium.
Taking what weapons they could, they made their way up from the cells to the barracks. Decaying dead were strewn around the room - impaled to the walls, littering the floor even as plates of food lay uneaten on the dining tables. They took yet more weapons, loading themselves down as much as they dared as Ellana searched. It was plain on her face - if they would not give her the answers she sought, she would find them herself. She stumbled into the room of one of the higher-ranking guards, finding a Red Templar consumed by lyrium. She searched through the guard's things, picking up a journal, her face falling as she read over its contents.

Dorian entered the room and she handed the journal to him. He read and looked at her. "We will make sure this never happens. We need to keep moving."

They continued on from the barracks, having collected all they could: weapons, poultices, potions and any information Ellana could gather. Climbing yet another flight of stairs they came to a corridor of doors. The corridor stank of blood, death and waste. Entering a room, they found torture devices within, bodies upon them on stretchers. My gut rolled with nausea as I took in the violence done to the poor souls. Limbs missing, burns upon their skin, cuts and gouges, red lyrium growing from a few. Finding nothing, they continued on to hear voices.

"There is no Maker," a voice sneered. "The Elder One has taken all that is his and will soon rule from his city."

"That still doesn't make him a god," Mother Giselle's voice replied calmly.

They all flinched as they heard a hard slap and Giselle's answering cry. Ellana started hurrying toward the sound, but there were so many doors and the voices bounced around the stone hallway she was unsure where they were.

"There is no god but the Elder One," the sneering voice spit. "The Maker is dead! Say it."

"Never! I'll die a good Andrastian before living a second as one of you!" Giselle shouted in defiance.

Ellana was searching in earnest, her breath coming out in harsh rasps as she ran towards Giselle's voice. Horrific sounds of flesh and bone sundering came from the room as Ellana neared it, Giselle's agonized scream ringing down the corridor. Ellana crashed through a door to find a few Venatori surrounding some kind of device that held red lyrium. The crystal had been plunged into Giselle's chest, caving in her ribcage and piercing her heart. The Venatori had gloated and spit upon Giselle's dying form before whirling towards where Ellana had crashed through.
The rage upon my sister's face was terrifying to behold. Not waiting for the others, she hurled herself at the Venatori. Glyphs appeared upon the floor, Ellana triggering one as she crossed it, setting herself ablaze. She cried out a moment before covering herself in ice, smothering the flame. Breaking the ice, she charged the one that had spit upon Giselle and plunged the blade of her staff into his chest. He cried out, but Ellana drove it deeper in, twisting the blade until blood spurt from his mouth. I heard her speaking lowly in Elven at the man, cursing him in every way she knew how. The others killed the remaining guards quickly, throwing them upon the glyphs that still burned upon the floor.

"Meira?" A quiet voice choked out.

Ellana whipped her head up. There was a cell at the back of the room and within it was...Minaeve. How the tiny elf still lived was beyond me.

"Minaeve?" Ellana questioned. "How - how are you alive?"

"I...earned the...attentions of one of the guards. I reminded him of his...favorite slave." Minaeve answered, her voice hollow. "They kept me for...passing time. And to care for you."

"Me?" Ellana's brow quirked.

Minaeve glanced over Ellana. "How are you...here?"

"Minaeve, I'm not Meira. I'm the Herald - I'm Ellana," Ellana explained. "We didn't die. Dorian and I were sent forward in time by Alexius's spell. We're trying to return to keep this future from ever happening."

Minaeve studied her a moment. "Take me with you. I want to help." Ellana quickly broke the cell door, Minaeve exiting. She was disheveled, her ragged clothing torn and skin filthy. "They locked me away after I tried to...free your sister."

"Where is she?" Ellana probed. "What did they do to her?"

Minaeve's face turned dark, a look in her eyes that I had never witnessed before. It promised death and pain. "She's in the main castle, along with the Commander. What was done to them will be nothing compared to what I do to the Venatori." She gave no more response as she went around Ellana to Giselle's side. Minaeve placed a filthy hand tenderly on Giselle's face that was twisted in agony. Minaeve gently closed her eyes. "She was braver than the rest of us combined. Never, not once did she give in to their demands. No matter what they threatened, no matter how they tortured her - she stayed true to the end." She glared at the body of the one Ellana had killed. "He'd kept her alive this long because she refused to break, but he finally lost control. May his soul wander the Void forever."

"May Giselle find peace at the Maker's side," Cassandra murmured.

"Let us leave this place," Minaeve demanded. "Leliana is here somewhere. She was caged with me until they dragged her away."

Further along the corridor, another voice could be overheard. "Tell me how Lavellan knew of the sacrifice at the temple."

"Never!" Leliana's voice spit. A hard slap rang in the hall, Leliana's echoing cry following.

"There is no use to this defiance, little bird," the other voice jeered. "There's no one left for you to protect."

"You're wasting your breath," Leliana defied to another slap.

"Talk! The Elder One demands answers!"

Ellana was hurrying in earnest now, but Minaeve stopped her. Putting a finger to her mouth, Minaeve took a dagger from her belt. "This one is mine," she bit. "I want to kill him slowly. I want to enjoy it." Ellana looked horrified, but Minaeve turned away from her.

Leliana laughed bitterly, hatred within the sound. "He'll get used to disappointment." Leliana screamed in pain as another slap was heard.

Minaeve quietly opened the door, slipping inside. Ellana pushed the door wider to reveal a horrific sight. People hung from chains in the ceiling, suspended only by their arms. Their bare bodies displaying obvious signs of torture - cuts, bruises, burns, and other disturbing things.
Most I could not recognize from the mutilation done to them. I would not have recognized the woman before the cloaked torturer as Leliana if not for her red hair. She was bare as well, but her skin was...beyond mutilated. It looked as if pieces had been cut away, her face more akin to a ghoul than a human. She had no nose, her skin so thin it was as if she were decaying alive - her bones nearly visible beneath.

The torturer walked towards her, grabbing a knife from a table that had various instruments upon it for doing damage to the body. Once before her, he yanked Leliana's head back by her hair, pressing the blade to her throat. "You will break!"

With difficulty, Leliana promised, "I will die first."

Minaeve let out a feral cry and the torturer turned in her direction.

Leliana whipped her head forward, her eyes catching on them before they glared hatefully at the Venatori. "Or you will."

At those words, she snaked her legs around the man's neck, choking him. As she held him, Minaeve rushed forward to plunge her dagger into his groin. The man convulsed against the pain, a strangled gasp coming from his mouth as Leliana held him fast.
He tried to struggle in vain as the two females ended him; Minaeve stabbing and stabbing as she shrieked while Leliana cut off his air. The spymaster eventually gave her legs a sharp jerk, snapping the man's neck. Minaeve was gasping for air, blood on her face as she glared down at the man's body. She shook as she held the dagger in hand so tightly her knuckles were white.
Ellana strode forward after a moment, grabbing a set of keys off the table. Leliana's eyes had becoming disturbingly pale, her body emaciated. Both spoke of untold and unspeakable horrors. Rage simmered within her, barely contained beneath the surface.

"You're alive!" Leliana marveled as Ellana unlocked her chains. Leliana dropped, groaning with pain as her arms lowered.

"We never died in the first place," Ellana stated. Her voice was almost hollow. "Alexius miscalculated."

"Then it will be his last mistake," Leliana promised as she made her way to the back of the room. There were two cots there, a man and a woman upon them. I walked closer. Their hands were extended towards each other, almost close enough to grasp. One was clad in Grey Warden armor, the other, armor decorated in the heraldry of Ferelden. The Hero and King Alistair. Upon closer inspection, it was Queen Evelyn and King Alistair. Leliana bowed her head, murmuring so the others could not hear. I stepped closer to her. "Forgive me, my friends. I failed you. No one deserved this future, but you least of all," Leliana laid a hand on each of them. "I will avenge you. I will ensure this future never comes to pass - no matter what it takes. May you find peace in the arms of the Maker." Leliana turned back to the others. "Do you have weapons?" Ellana nodded in response. "Good. The magister is probably in the throne room." She pushed between Ellana and Dorian, making her way to a nearby chest which she unlocked to sort through the contents. Within was her armor and some weapons.

"You… Aren't curious how we got here?" Dorian questioned.

"No," Leliana replied flatly. She'd donned her armor, quiver and bow. She'd picked up a pair of daggers, sighing heavily before she strapped them to her belt.

"Alexius sent us into the future. This. His victory, his Elder One — it was never meant to be," Dorian explained in a rush, his voice bordering on desperate.

Ellana had been studying Leliana, her brow furrowed. "I'm so sorry for everything you suffered," she murmured. Looking not only at Leliana, but all the others.

"We have to reverse his spell," Dorian explained. "If we can get to our present, we can prevent this future from ever happening."

Leliana rounded on the two of them, rage burning in her eyes. "And mages always wonder why people fear them… No one should have this power." Ellana looked as if she'd been slapped across the face. Leliana had been her biggest supporter in seeking the mages' help and allowing them their chance at freedom. Now, Leliana looked at her with disgust and seemed to curse the mages.

"It's dangerous and unpredictable," Dorian admitted. "Before the Breach, nothing we did—"

"Enough!" Leliana bit out. "This is all pretend to you, some future you hope will never exist. I suffered. The whole world suffered. It was real."

They made their way out of the room, now following Leliana as she led them to Alexius. Dorian would try to ask questions, only to be savagely silenced by Leliana. There would be no more discussion of what had occurred with her present. Ellana kept glancing worriedly at Minaeve who was drenched in blood and carrying her dagger in her hand, but she said nothing.
Working their way through corridors, more evidence of this dark future made itself know. Blood circles for arcane rituals and the corpses of their sacrifices. Demons prowled where rifts had opened within the castle, red lyrium growing everywhere they stepped. Each rift emitted magic that changed the flow of time, the party using it to their advantage to slow enemies and speed strikes. Opening a gate, they found their way to the castle's private docks hidden within a cavern. Red lyrium was everywhere, parts of the castle structure in decay.

"The magister needs more power for his rituals," an evil voice demanded.

"No! Don't hurt me, Linnea. You know me!" Another voice, terrified, cried.

"There is no other way to cure the Blight," Linnea hissed.

They hurried down the steps to find a mage shaking before a dark haired woman. The woman looked as if she had gone completely mad. Dead were strewn around her feet, blood running in rivers down the steps upon which she stood. The man begged before her, but she merely looked at him with a cold smile as she lunged for him.

"Ahhh! Maker, no!" he cried as she plunged the dagger she held into his gut.

"There is no Maker!" Linnea cried. "There is only Him. Come forth and serve the Elder One!" Sickeningly, they watched as she used blood magic to summon demons within the bodies of the dead. Her eyes turned on the group and she let out a maniacal laugh as a smile spread across her face. "More bodies to sacrifice before the Elder One! Come!"

They fought the woman and her demons, but it was over rather quickly. As Linnea began to use blood magic once more, Leliana shot an arrow through her skull, another through her throat and final one through her heart. Linnea died before she'd even been able to utter a word, the others cutting down the weak demons she had summoned through magic and blades.

"This is madness!" Dorian cried angrily. "Alexius can't have wanted this!"

"You think not?" Leliana sneered. "How far would you be willing to go to save the person you love most?"

"What do you mean?" Dorian rounded on her, but she only gave him a smirk in response.

Continuing on, they climbed up and finally made their way outside. They were in a courtyard, the castle proper on the other side. My eyes followed along steps, up a statute and to the sky. I gasped in horror as I took in the scene, Ellana's memory doing the same. "The Breach! It's..."

"Everywhere," Dorian finished for her.

"The Elder One and his Venatori," Cassandra murmured. "They are the ones who opened the Breach. With you dead, the Elder One reopened it and it consumed the world."

"The veil is shattered," Solas observed. "There is no boundary between the world and the Fade."

"I've forgotten what the sky was like before," Blackwall stared down the sky, as if willing it to be what it had once been.

"Let's go," Leliana urged. "We do not have much time."

They tore their way through groups of demons, Ellana sealing rift after rift - the toll becoming plain on her face. Red lyrium jutted out of the ground everywhere, climbing up to the sky and doing its best to claim the castle. Making their way out of the courtyard, the exhaustion they all were feeling was becoming obvious.
Between the chaos the Breach was emanating, sealing the rifts, fighting the demons and the wounds the others had already had from their exposure to red lyrium, their party was quickly become desperate. They entered the castle proper, which was in no better condition than the rest of what they had seen. Leliana led them on, where yet again a voice rang out within the corridor they had entered.

"I am not a child! I can resist you!"

"I amyou," a demonic voice hissed back.

"No!" the first voice cried out in defiance as Ellana yanked open the nearby door.

Before them, they watched as a young man, who was chained to the floor, immolated himself and a desire demon that was trying to tempt him.

"Connor!" Ellana cried out as she reached for the boy. He screamed in agony as the fire claimed him.

"It was an act of courage," Dorian observed gravely. "He knew there was no other way to resist."

"What a terrible waste," Solas muttered.

Dorian turned to the elf. "He resisted that demon to the last."

Leliana left the room, saying nothing. Ellana searched the open journals and bits of parchment that lay strewn about. Dorian joined her as the others left behind Leliana. "It seems Alexius has gone mad," Dorian observed. "Locking himself away? Not allowing anyone in? His master guaranteed to kill him for his mistakes...what mistake? Did he not succeed?" He reread a section of the journal they were looking at. "Shard door?"

"It sounds like getting to Alexius is going to be more difficult than it already has been," Ellana thought aloud.

"I fear you may be right."

They exited the room to find Leliana waiting for them. She gestured to a door. "This is the magister's chambers, at least when he still used them. There may be useful information within. We will go on ahead to ensure the path is clear. Do not linger."

They nodded as the spymaster turned her back. Entering Alexius's room, they found it in complete disarray. Dorian and Ellana separated, searching the desks for clues. Ellana found nothing, but Dorian called her over to read the last entry of a journal.

"So the time magic is only possible because of the Breach and it is Alexius's inability to get it to work beyond when the Breach was created that has earned his master's wrath," Dorian summarized. "He mentions Felix...I wonder -"

They rejoined the others and Dorian turned to Leliana. "What became of Felix? Do you know?"

The spymaster glanced at him. "Yes, I know."

"And you're not going to tell me?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Silence fell again as they continued through the castle - death, blood magic and red lyrium the only constants. Eventually, they entered the main hall. Within, the Venatori were fighting demons pouring out of a large rift within the middle of the hall. Springing into action, Ellana headed for the rift while the others faced the demons and Venatori. Minaeve cried out as she was cut by a demon, Ellana sealing the rift a moment too late as the demons melted away.
Suddenly, a ferocious roar rang out through the hall. A flash of red and silver flew around the room, cutting down the Venatori as if they were nothing. The creature only came to a halt when all the cultists lay dead, pausing before Ellana as it heaved in breaths.

"Meira?" it questioned. I realized it wasn't a creature, but Cullen. Cullen infected with red lyrium.

"Commander Cullen?" Ellana asked as she looked him over. He was covered in crystals of red lyrium, his eyes red and glowing. His armor was scratched and dented, his mantle, cloak, pants and boots rags.

"Meira," he stepped towards Ellana, a hand out to caress her face, but she caught his wrist.

Gently lowering his arm, "I am not Meira, Commander. It's Ellana." He studied her a moment. "We traveled through time. We're trying to get to Alexius to return to the past - to ensure this future never happens."

He blinked as if he didn't understand, but he said, "I have red lyrium in my veins. I am more powerful than I could ever have thought possible, but the only thing keeping me from becoming a monster is Meira. If they kill her, I will kill you all. I am chained to Alexius - to Samson. She...the part of her that is still herself - sings to me; drowns out the song. I made a vow to the Maker, a vow to the Inquisition, a vow to myself and she reminds me of them. She sings of the man I was - sings of the Maker. What she sings is all that keeps me from succumbing to the monster I am."

"What are you asking, Commander?" Ellana asked.

He leaned towards her, his crimson eyes burning. "Find her and bring her to me."

"Cullen," Cassandra's voice sobbed. "Forgive me."

His eyes turned to her. "There is nothing to forgive, Cassandra." He smirked bitterly. "I knew it was hopeless - knew it was suicide, but we had to try. Then when they took her, I couldn't give up - not for anything. They made me this in hopes of breaking me, but it only made me stronger. I will not falter, not even now." He looked back at Ellana. "I have been biding my time, acting as Alexius's guard dog until something happened. Thank the Maker you arrived when you did." He pointed his sword to a door off to the side. "She is through there. Meira will be heavily guarded, so be prepared. I will remain here to ensure there is no more resistance between you and Alexius. Find the keys for the door, they are red lyrium shards enchanted into keys." He chuckled, devoid of mirth. "They keep them with Meira, believing she's his most loyal follower. Little do they know, she's been biding her time as well." He turned away from them. "Go, I have barely the strength left to resist and Meira is fighting with all she has left. She'll have alerted the Elder One - she stalled as long as she could, but no longer."

They rushed for the door he had pointed towards, following the hall until it opened to what was once the castle's chapel. The Venatori were in various states of worship before the dias. Ellana froze in her place as she took in what sat atop the dias - what the Venatori were worshipping.
I sat upon a throne, clothed in a gaudy dress that resembled the scales and wings of a dragon. Black and grey with jewels that were meant to look like red lyrium. I smiled cruelly down upon Ellana and the rest as they entered, my eyes heavily lined in kohl and my lips colored blood red. Ebony curls were piled atop my head, decorated with a crown.

"So, the Herald returns - just as Alexius feared in his darkest nightmares," a voice spoke all around the chamber - my voice and yet my lips had not moved. "How the Elder One burns with rage. On furious wings does he ride to vanquish his rival once and for all." The Ventori made shouts of praise and fell prostrate before me. I only smiled wider. "Perhaps there is hope yet." All at once, the Venatori within the room began screaming - clutching at their heads, tearing at their eyes and clawing at their ears. Their screams turned to sobs and wails of agony, begging for death. I snapped my fingers and they fell dead in unison. Gracefully, I rose from the throne which I had sat upon, descending the stairs as my face shifted from the mask I had worn to one of genuine relief. I strode towards Ellana, arms outstretched as I crushed her in a hug. "I knew you weren't gone - I knew, so I fought in the shadows as long as I could," I smiled widely.

"Meira?" Ellana breathed. "What...what did they do to you?"

My face fell. "I am a dreamer - the most prized possession the Elder One could have beyond his pet. Though, I am less certain which of us is the true pet." I met her eyes. "Through me, the Elder One directs his minions while he is off raising Tevinter to its past glory. Through me, the others worship him when I speak with his voice. Through me, I deliver orders to the Elder One's generals."

"Meira," Ellana begged. "Tell us who he is, how we beat him. Tell us everything we need to know to keep this from happening."

I smiled at her sadly, putting a hand to her cheek. "He is powerful, da'len. He only allows me to see what he wants me to; not that I haven't glimpsed things. Alas, I have no name to give you. He is beyond what we could have predicted before we lost you - he is old, his abilities new. He commands forces and beings we would not have thought possible, but how, I do not know. A great beast is at his command and the only other advice I can give is to look for your enemies where you would least expect to find them. Trust the Inquisition and its people, though - they fought to the death to see him defeated, to avenge you. I did what I could to spare them horrific fates - ending their suffering within their minds while their body responded." Her eyes found Minaeve, who was struggling to stand as blood poured from her open wound. "Minaeve, do not blame yourself. I did what I had to to ensure the comfort of those I love. I alone must live with my sins. Do not make them yours."

Minaeve was weeping silently. "But Meira, what they did to you..." She collapsed into my arms and I cradled her against me.

"Was no worse than anything I had suffered before," I smiled bitterly. "I knew it would come - what better way for blood mages and cultists to worship their god? I am his temple incarnate. Through my veins, he flows; within me, he resides." Minaeve wept and cried out in pain. "Hush now, little one. Surrender to sleep and find eternity in the arms of the Maker." With a finally cry, Minaeve succumbed to her wounds.

"Meira," Ellana gasped.

My eyes found hers. "Do not weep for me, sister. Succeed in your goal and this will never have happened. I waited, I endured, because I saw within Alexius's dreams that you had lived. I knew you would come back - knew the Maker had spared you so you could save us all." I gently laid Minaeve down, crossing her hands over her chest as I closed her eyes. I stood and touched Ellana's face again. "Maker guide you, my sister. You will succeed. Leliana, Cassandra, Solas, Blackwall, Cullen and I will ensure it. We need to make our move on Alexius, the Elder One knows you are here. It will not be long before he arrives."

"Cullen said you had keys to the door?" Dorian questioned.

I waved my hand over my dress and it shifted. I was now in armor - armor like that of what I wore for the Inquisition. I held my hands out, shards of dulled red lyrium sat upon my palms. It had not been jewels in the dress, but the shards. "These are the keys. They place them within my dress when they come to worship, taking them back when they've finished. You came at the best time." I passed them to Dorian. "Leliana, if you would lead the way back."

They ran back to the hall, finding Cullen in the middle of fighting off some more demons and Venatori. The way he moved neared impossible. He was strong and fast, tearing down his enemies with the smallest effort. He turned at their approach, his eyes finding the Meira within their group as if he had sensed her before seeing her. Dorian headed for the enchanted door, the others on his heels while Cullen and I raced into each other's arms. We kissed with such passion the others turned away.

"Oh, my darling," Cullen breathed. "Forgive me, forgive me." He buried his face in my neck as he crushed me to him, careful that the red lyrium in his skin did not touch me. "You have suffered yet again because of me."

"No, my love," I assured. "It was not your fault. I saw the truth in Alexius's mind. I endured for this moment. To ensure that we would get another chance." I cradled his head. "The Maker spared her to spare us this future. Have faith, my love. Nothing I have suffered will truly come to pass. We did what we must to be here to help her." I pulled away from him, stroking his face tenderly. "We will fight side by side and though we may fall, we will be the victorious ones." He met my eyes. "Let the blade pass through the flesh, let my blood touch the ground, let my cries touch their hearts. Let mine be the last sacrifice. Those who oppose thee shall know the wrath of heaven. Field and forest shall burn, the seas shall rise and devour them, the wind shall tear their nations from the face of the earth, lightning shall rain down from the sky, they shall cry out to their false gods, and find silence. Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls. From these emerald waters doth life begin anew. Come to me, child, and I shall embrace you. In my arms lies Eternity."

Cullen held my face in his hands. "Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter. Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just. Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow. In their blood the Maker's will is written."

I smiled widely at him. "Let us be the last sacrifice. Let us stand and not falter. Let us find eternity in each other's arms as we go to meet our Maker."

He kissed me passionately once more. "I love you."

"And I love you. Always," I promised.

Together, hand in hand we went through the door, joining the others in the throne room. Alexius stood with his back to them, Felix was near the fire blazing before Alexius, sitting upon the floor.

"Look at what you've done, Alexius!" Ellana shouted, her eyes blazing with rage. "All this suffering, and for what?"

Alexius kept his back to her. His voice despondent as he replied, "For my country, for my son… but it means nothing now." He continued to speak, not turning to them. "I knew you would appear again. Not that it would be now. But I knew I hadn't destroyed you. My final failure." He hung his head in defeat.

"Was it worth it?" Dorian spat, demanding an answer. "Everything you did to the world? To yourself?"

Alexius still did not turn. "It doesn't matter now. All we can do is wait for the end."

"It doesmatter," Ellana raged. "I will undo this." I noticed as Leliana slipped away from the others, moving through the shadows unseen by the rest of the group.

"How many times have I tried?" Alexius beseeched the ceiling. "The past cannot be undone." The man seemed utterly broken and hopeless. "All that I fought for, all that I betrayed, and what have I wrought? Ruin and death. There is nothing else. The Elder One comes: for me, for you, for us all."

Leliana grabbed Felix viciously, pulling him into her arms as he let out a weak cry. She held a dagger to his throat as she brought him into the light. The sight of him was grotesque - his skin matching Leliana's in mutilation. He looked like no more than an animated corpse, his eyes barely alight with life.

"Felix!" Alexius cried as he reached out for him, begging Leliana not to hurt his son.

"That's Felix?" Dorian questioned, his face horrified. "Maker's breath, Alexius, what have you done?" He was seething as he took in his former mentor and friend. His face turned livid as he stepped towards Alexius.

Alexius looked to Dorian, pleading in his eyes. "He would have died, Dorian! I savedhim!" Alexius looked over the grouo briefly, but he cared only for Felix. He turned his eyes to Leliana. His voice broke, "Please, don't hurt my son. I'll do anything you ask."

I noticed my other self shift slightly at Alexius's words.

"Hand over the amulet," Ellana demanded before she turned towards Leliana, her voice commanding as she spoke, "Leliana, let Felix go. He's innocent."

Leliana stared hatefully at Alexius, who implored, "Let him go and I swear you'll get what you want."

Leliana's brow furrowed as her lip curled, "I want the world back." Just as her hand moved to slit Felix's throat, she was frozen where she stood. Not by ice, but she simply didn't move.

"Wh-what happened?" Alexius questioned, looking about the room. His eyes landed on the Meira of the future. "You - you stopped her. Why?I know how you hate me - hate the Elder One - hate all of us."

I met his eyes. "I did not hate Felix and his death at her hands would have ensured yours, ours and possibly theirs." I gestured to Dorian and Ellana. "You swore you would give us the amulet if Felix was released. I saved his life. In exchange, you will go a step further and assist Dorian in figuring out how to reverse your spell. He's close, but we need you to find the answer."

Alexius looked at me for a time. "Why would you give me a chance to undo my mistake?"

"I have felt your guilt, your hopelessness, your want for another chance," I explained. "You've even disobeyed the Elder One and tried to go back to before all this began - to save Felix, to warn others of the Elder One. You want to better your country and save your son, but a piece of you knows this is not the way. Perhaps in the time they are from they can figure out a true cure for Felix - not this walking death you've condemned him to." My face twisted into agony. "All he feels is pain, Alexius. All he desires is death so he can be free."

Alexius looked to Felix. "What's to stop me from killing you all? There is no guarantee in the past. Here, Felix is alive. Here, Tevinter has risen from its ashes."

"To be what?" Dorian implored. "A nation of fear, death, slavery, and blood magic - is that not the worstversion of Tevinter that could have been brought back? What if we could bring it back to a glory unknown? One worthy of the world?"

Alexius met Dorian's eyes. "But Felix..."

"I swear, Alexius," Ellana took a step forward. "I will do everything within my power - will ask the Inquisition to do everything within its power - to find a way to save your son."

Alexius smiled bitterly. "Will I live to see it? Or will you order me executed for all I have done and all you have seen?"

Ellana hesitated a moment. "I will let you live, but you willface justice."

Alexius studied Felix for a time, his son limp in Leliana's arms, his stare fixed. Alexius looked up at the ceiling. "I will help you."

"How do we reverse the spell?" Ellana questioned Dorian and Alexius.

Alexius held out the amulet he had used as he descended the steps. "This is the same amulet I used before." He turned to Dorian, "It is the same one we made in Minrathous. All we need to do is rework the spell I used previously and -"

"-And the rift should reopen," Dorian finished. "Of course. Change a piece of the spell here or there, it will reopen to spit us out in the past instead of the future." Dorian turned to Ellana. "Give us an hour and we should have it figured out."

"An hour? That's impossible! You must go now!" Cullen demanded. At his words, the castle shook - demonic cries echoing and a monstrous roar ringing out beyond the stone walls.

"What was that?" Ellana begged.

Meira gasped, her voice changing as she spoke, "The Elder One approaches. Death promised with each beat of his heart, echoing like the beat of its wings. None will escape."

Solas turned to Ellana, his eyes wide in terror, "You cannot stay here."

Blackwall stared up at the ceiling, his brow furrowed and shoulders slumped with defeat. "There's a reason they won."

"There is no way to win against the creature they serve," Cassandra stated as she and Cullen looked at one another. A slight nod passing between them before she met Ellana's eyes.

"Meira, Leliana and I will remain inside with you," Cullen instructed. "Cassandra, Solas and Blackwall will hold the door on the outside." The future Meira snapped her fingers at Cullen's words. Felix was protected within a barrier, while Leliana had been moved near the door of the throne room. Solas, Cassandra, and Blackwall headed for the door.

"Wait!" Ellana begged. "Please, don't...don't do this."

My future self came to Ellana, taking her hands in mine as I smiled sadly at her. "This is the only way, Ellana and you know it."

Ellana started crying. "I can't watch you die."

"You must, sister," I commanded. "This is the only way this future never comes to pass." I looked to Dorian and Alexius. "Make this happen."

"Here," Purpose's voice spoke, causing me to jump as he appeared next to me. Everything froze and I was reminded that this was not truly happening, that they had escaped. "Here is the place you need to change."

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

He looked to me. "Did you not see what you were capable of, Meira? What you arecapable of? You killed those Ventori - with no more than a thought. You froze Leliana, making her see what she intended to do play out in her mind again and again. You missed how you made her see Felix and Alexius dead as well. You can make people see whatever you want them to see, believe whatever you want them to believe. You need only will it within their mind - within their section of the Fade."

I looked at him in horror. "Why would I want to do that?"

"You don't have to, but know that you can," Purpose explained. "It doesn't have to be nefarious or for death, but to help." He gestured to what was taking place before us. "Your sister for example. Here is what actually happens."

He allowed it to play out. I watched as I turned from Ellana to take Cullen's hand.

Leliana turned to Ellana as she wept aloud. "Look at us. We're already dead. The only way we live is if this day never comes."

The others offered sad smiles or nods before they headed out the door. Cullen and I stood nearest the entrance while Leliana stood before Dorian and Ellana, notching an arrow in place. "Cast your spell. You have as much time as I have arrows."

Alexius and Dorian began working furiously as demonic shrieks and the shout of warriors could be heard. I listened as Cassandra yelled defiantly, speaking the Chant until her voice was cut off. The sounds of Solas's magic rang within the throne room, lightning striking foes until we heard him cry out. Blackwall's great hammer crashed upon the stone floor, but soon it was heard no more.
Pounding began on the door, the room shaking at the force. Cullen and I looked to each other, smiling sadly as we squeezed each other's hands one last time. The doors burst open, a mass uncountable of demons beyond the door. A couple of terror demons stalked within, Venatori rushing before their feet, throwing the bloodied corpses of the others at Cullen and I's feet.
Cullen let out a ferocious yell as he tore his way through them. As he did, his whole body shifted into lyrium - becoming that behemoth I had witnessed at Therinfal. As a few demons of pride overwhelmed him, laughing as they did so, he turned back to look at me. That bitter smile curved his lips as they tore him limb from limb.
I let out a devastated cry and all around me enemies fell dead, cutting through the horde like a wave of water. As I cried, a foe's arrow struck true - piercing my heart. A demon reached out for me and I let out an agonized cry as it made contact with my flesh. Helpless at the pain, the creature wrenched my head from my neck.

Leliana let arrow after arrow fly, "Though darkness closes, I am shielded by flame." More arrows flew, finding their marks, but there was not enough arrows in the world to take down the horde approaching the spymaster. "Andraste guide me. Maker, take me to your side." She cried out as she was pierced by an arrow in the shoulder.

"No! No! No!" Ellana screamed, tears pouring down her face. She reached out towards me, towards Leliana, but Dorian grabbed her.

"You move, and we all die!" Dorian shouted.

Leliana was out of arrows, so she began to use her bow to attack them. She killed a few with a blow to the head before it snapped in half. Palming the daggers she had taken, she stabbed at her enemies, but a demon grabbed her as another ripped open her abdomen.
Alexius cried that he'd gotten it, tossing the amulet to Dorian before he raced towards Leliana. Magic filled the room as he put an barricade between the demons and the rift. Ellana looked out at the scene one last time.

"Go!" Alexius shouted. "Save my son!"

Dorian grabbed Ellana's arm and pulled her through the rift.

Everything froze again and I felt tears on my cheeks. Purpose placed a hand on my shoulder. "I am sorry that either of you had to witness that." He came to stand in front of me, his golden eyes boring into mine. "Now go back. Go back to that point when you were comforting Ellana."

I thought and willed the Fade to move time backwards. My future self was staring down Alexius and Dorian. "What do you want me to do?"

Purpose looked at the scene. "Is it not obvious?" He quirked a brow at me. "What sort of comfort or encouragement did you truly offer your sister? You told her she had to witness your death - that it was the only way to save you. Then you left her to be with Cullen."

I winced at the way he phrased it. "I suppose you are right."

"So change it," he ordered.

"How?"

"Make your sister see how you would have comforted her," Purpose instructed. "Just as you had the Fade shift the time of this memory, have the Fade shift what your sister remembers."

I thought for a moment; thought of the words, of what I would have done. Then I willed my future self to say it to her. In a mixture of amazement and horror, I watched as Ellana's memory shifted. My future self held her hands, staring at Alexius and Dorian. "Make this happen." I turned back to her. "Ellana, you will make it out of here. This future will never come to pass because you will do everything in your power to make sure it never comes to pass. Don't forget what happened here, but learn - remember us. Take what we endured - take the pain, the anger, the sorrow you feel and point it at the Elder One. Defeat him. Grow strong, grow confident and lead. No more running. No more fear. Rise up and stand because you can, because it is the right thing to do, because only youcan do it." I kissed her forehead. "I love you my sister. Always."

At that, everything else played out as it had. I noticed the slight shift that occurred at my words to Ellana. She did not weep for us, though tears did streak her cheeks. Instead, she watched as we met our ends, a sad pride in her eyes. She put a fist to her breast in a salute before turning to Dorian and joining him as they passed through the rift.

Purpose stood next to me. "Good," he nodded. "Her purpose is to lead and you have given her the seed of assurance she needed to know that she can."

"It was already within her - the Maker chose herfor a reason."

Purpose stared at me, his face serious. "That may be, but you are here with her for a reason as well. Do not sell your importance short."

I nodded to the now sleeping Ellana. "My importance seems to be linked to her; to Cullen. That is more than enough for me."

Purpose gripped my arm. "No, Meira, it isn't - you have a purpose that is your own. Continue to reach for it."

I looked him over. "I am."

He gave me a curt nod. "Your work here is done. You can wake up." He looked to Ellana, squinting again. "She will sleep soundly now."

"Thank you, Purpose," I murmured.

"Meira," he turned to me. "Before you go, I want you to understand - you canmake mortals in the waking world see what you want them to see. All you have to do is will it, just as you will your magic into existence. You're manipulating the Fade around themjust as you manipulate the Fade around you."

"I understand," I nodded. "Purpose, can I do what I did to Ellana on myself? Not changing anything, but see...my memories?"

He looked at me. "Why do you ask?"

"I know I have the answer to what is happening to Cullen, but I can't seem to remember it. I thought perhaps if I could go within my own memories, I could find the answer," I mused aloud.

"It is dangerous, Meira. Going into yourself - you could change things without meaning to or discover things about yourself you never wanted to know," Purpose explained. "It would be better for you to continue asking Cullen until he tells you or entering his dreams."

"There is so much I don't remember," I muttered. "I want to look at my own memories someday."

"Meira, you are you now because you don't remember things. What if...what if there are things lurking within your memories that could change your very being?" Purpose questioned.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What do you know, Purpose? You speak as if you knowthere is something I should not remember."

He looked away from me. "No, that's not what I meant. I was just trying to explain that there is danger in what you are considering." He met my eyes again. "I do not think that risk is necessary for what you need to accomplish."

"It was a thought, Purpose," I assured. "Something to be addressed in the future."

He nodded. "Goodbye, Meira."

"Goodbye, Purpose," I smiled.

...

The next few days were spent rushing to get everything ready for the arrivals of the mages and templars. I observed Ellana, who seemed more settled, more confident than she had been before I had delved into her memories. She led and directed without second-guessing herself, every bit the Herald the people saw in her.
I became Talitha, fully committed to the role as it was unlikely there would be need for me to be the Herald for some time. Solana had cursed at me for how close I had come to removing my makeup entirely while away - cursing me even more for losing some of it. She refreshed the makeup and helped me don my clothing as Talitha while I recounted everything that had happened. Solana raged at the templars for their idiocy, but had equal rage for the mages and what they had nearly wrought on the world. The news of what had become of some of the Tranquil had sickened her and she expressed a desire to see them better cared for than they'd ever been. I vowed I would see it done.
The mages arrived two days after we had, Fiona being informed of the templars joining us upon her arrival. She had baulked at the news, but her defiance had quickly been silenced as her asinine decision and it's would be consequences were explained to her. The leaders of the Inquisition explained the threat of the Elder One and Venatori - that because of them it was deemed vital that the templars assist the Inquisition in quelling the threat.
Fiona had contemplated a long while, but eventually agreed that they would be necessary. Going a step further but saying that the removal of all the prior leaders of the Order gave her hope for what was to come. Though she did readily voice that mages would not again submit. When assured that the mages would keep their freedom, Fiona felt she had still placed the mages in good hands within the Inquisition.
The templars arrived the next day, finding the mages among the Inquisition. To everyone's surprise, Barris silenced any grumbling. He said they had no right whatsoever to oppose the mages presence. The Order had faired no better than the mages, the Inquisition a place for both to start anew. They would uphold their agreement with us and perform their duty with the mages free beside them. Any who refused to obey were welcome to leave the Order.
Cullen saw the templars placed in their barracks, working with Barris to distribute lyrium and cementing plans for the assault on the Breach. I worked among the mages, relaying Cullen's orders for them. I saw them to their tents, assuring any needs met.
On my way back to the village proper, I overheard a templar and mage harassing Cassandra. The mage about the poor arrangements and the templar about the mages being free. Cassandra waved them both off, but they persisted.

I laughed as she stared them down and growled, "Deal. With. It." At that, she turned her back on the pair and left them to glare at each other.

I looked towards where Cullen was training the recruits. He walked among them, his hand on his sword as he observed their sparring. He stood tall, despite his obvious exhaustion. I'd hardly seen him since that first night of our return and I found my heart echoing his words: the sooner our relationship could be considered appropriate, the better.
I allowed myself a few moments of studying him, my heart fluttering in my chest as the sun bounced of his armor and turned his hair gold. As if sensing my perusal, his amber eyes found me. He hesitated only a moment, pouring all of his love into that stare and I couldn't stop the blush that bloomed in my cheeks. A smirk pulled his mouth, but his brow furrowed as a bell rang out. Not warning of danger, but of friendlies approaching. He turned towards the outer gates of Haven.

"Recruits, at attention," he ordered.

Immediately, they stopped their sparring to stand ready for orders. The gates of Haven opened to the heraldry of Ferelden and a piece of its army. Soldiers marched ahead of where King Alistair rode atop a horse. He was not in armor, but traveling clothes as he and his unit of soldiers made their way into Haven.
Alistair ordered the soldiers to stop and stand at attention before the Inquisition recruits. Cullen stood tall, eyeing the king as he dismounted his horse. Alistair was handsome. A boyish charm to him despite his age being older than Cullen and I. He seemed young and full of life compared to Cullen's rugged and broody nature. Alistair was a few inches shorter than Cullen and a bit burlier in comparison as he approached the Commander. The King wore a wide smile as he extended his hand to clasp arms with Cullen.

"Been a long time, Rutherford," Alistair greeted gaily. "I'm sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances." His smile fell as he studied Cullen's face, his eyes flicking down at their clasped arms before he sighed heavily. "Can we just...dispense with the whole king thing? You knew me when I was an idiot templar initiate - probably seen more of me than my wife." Cullen turned red. Alistair laughed. "Still as coy as ever, I see - I bet the ladies just swoon for you."

Cullen barked a nervous laugh. "Well, of all the ways I'd imagined meeting my former friend as the King of our nation, that was not what I expected."

"I get so tired of being seen only as the 'King of Ferelden'," Alistair whined. "It's nice to let loose." He chuckled to himself. "Evelyn would joke that if I wanted to really let loose I should put on a dress and dance the Remigold at the palace." He leaned towards Cullen conspiratorially, "Between you and I, I don't think that would be appreciated by the court."

"I would think not, Your -"

"-Alistair, please," the king pleaded.

"Al-Alistair," Cullen caught himself. "What can the Inquisition do for you?"

Alistair rubbed the back of his head. "I...made a rather poor impression of myself on your Herald." He looked around at the mass of people and tents, his red brow furrowing. "Aside from that, I wanted to see that the mages had kept their end of the deal. They were to leave Redcliffe - even Ferelden - or stay within your organization. It seems they have kept their word." He met Cullen's eyes once more. "May we talk more privately?" Alistair asked. "There are things I need to discuss, with your Spymaster in particular."

"Of course, Y-Alistair," Cullen nodded, gesturing towards me, waving me over. "Talitha can show you to the Chantry, I need to see to my recruits before I join the others and yourself."

"Thanks, Rutherford," Alistair smiled. "Hopefully, we can catch up after all this nasty business is seen to."

"That nasty business being the giant hole in the sky?" Cullen quirked a brow.

Alistair whipped around towards the Breach. "Maker, how long has that been there? I turn my back for one second..." Cullen chuckled at Alistair's humor. Alistair winked at me. "And whom do I have the pleasure of following?"

"Talitha, your majesty," I gave a slight bow. "Shall we go?"

"Lead the way," Alistair nodded.

We made our way through Haven, people bowing to the king - mostly the native Fereldens. Alistair would nod, but he said nothing as we continued to the Chantry. Entering the building, I led him to Joesphine's office. Knocking on the door, the Antivan woman answered a look of shock flitting over her face as she took in Alistair. "Your Majesty," she greeted.

"Your Majesty, this is our Ambassador, Lady Josephine Montilyet," I introduced.

Alistair nodded to Josephine. "I apologize for not sending word prior to my arrival - rude, I know. To be honest, I hadn't even made up my mind I was coming until we were here. I am being perfectly serious when I say that no special accommodations need to be made for me. I am first and foremost a Ferelden, second a Warden - I am used to uncomfortable conditions."

"Your Majesty, we would be remiss if we did not provide appropriate accommodations. How long will you being staying with us?" Josephine was frazzled, but she quickly recovered.

"Provide me a tent and I hear you have a tavern - that is all the accommodation I need," Alistair pursed his lips. "I plan on being here for only the one evening."

"What can we do for you, your Majesty?" Josephine asked, her eyes flicking to me. "You may go, Talitha. Should we require anything, I will ask one of the others."

I nodded, offered Alistair a slight bow and left. Ellana later informed me that Alistair had come to offer some of his men to help seal the Breach. He had heard what happened the last time and if more demons were to appear, he wanted the Inquisition prepared. While with us, he also wanted to inspect the Inquisition and the situation with the mages and templars.
I felt his primary reason for coming - for all his show of being scatterbrained and wanting to put a better foot forward between himself and the Inquisition - was to speak with Leliana about his wife. Ellana informed me that Alistair did not know where she was, had not heard from her in some time and was becoming increasingly concerned. She'd gone to search for a cure to the Blight, had sent him regular updates, but he had heard nothing from her since the Breach exploded into existence. He knew if anyone knew where she was or could find out, it would be Leliana - as she would stop at nothing to find her dearest friend. Leliana agreed that she would put her best agents to finding the Queen.
Leliana also voiced her concerns about the Wardens to Alistair, asking if he knew anything of them. He'd replied bitterly that since he'd become King, his days as a Warden were over - Evelyn taking the role of leader over the Ferelden Wardens. Leliana and Alistair were left alone to talk privately about things, until they left to eat together. Sitting within the tavern, watching the two, it was as if Leliana was a different person as she laughed with Alistair about the days of the Fifth Blight.
As I looked away from them, I caught Cullen's eye and blushed before looking away. Nerves twisted in my gut as I thought of what the next day held. Alistair was to depart in the morning to return to Denerim, while we were all to head up the mountain. Mages, templars, the Inquisition soldiers, all of the companions, Cullen, Leliana, myself and Ellana. We would climb that mountainous path that we'd descended an eternity ago to face down the violation to the heavens for the final time.
Sealing it, healing the Veil, would solidify the Inquisition's legitimacy and cause in the eyes of Thedas - what would become of us? I looked to Cullen again, now focused on Rylen and the others he was sitting with as I sat with Solana, Bethany, Fiona and a few other mages. I knew our tough times were only beginning, the weight of responsibilities piling up, but none of that mattered to me. I was his and he was mine - we were finally going to be able to be together. No one to say that we couldn't be together, no Order and no Circle to keep us apart. We needed only to heal the hole in the sky.

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