Chapter Forty-One

Magical Marshes

(WARNING... MY LITTLE PONY is mentioned... and talked about a little. Kids man - what can you do? you have been warned - enjoy learning the names of Ponies Muahahaha)

Alistair called me on the Sending Stone the next morning.

"M'love – I miss you," he sighed. I giggled as I left the room, "I miss you too – oh; Galaxia made me an offer I think you might like…"

"Oh – and what did our favorite Water Sylph have to say?" he asked. I heard Galaxia laugh from behind me and sent her a wink.

"She says that the Fae have a special kind of talent among the Water Sylphs – using a special Stone that the Earth Sylphs dig up. They can make a round disk with the crystal or whatever it is and the Water Sylph enchants it… we could talk like this – like with a sending stone – but also be able to see each other. She's got her mother making her a set of five – one for me and each of my mates. In theory you could contact any of my mates who had one too. So let's say you wanted to call Fenris or Cullen and check up on me because you want to do a birthday surprise or something… you could!"

"I think I'd mostly be contacting you but that does sound nice. I miss seeing you every day. Is it wrong of me to miss the Blight just because I was with you every single day?"

"I miss it too – and when we got married… I may not like Eamon, but I do miss Redcliffe – and that damn bed."

"I uh… I may have commandeered that bed for the Royal Bedchambers for the same reason… Eamon was so confused… I just told him I haven't a found a bed that gives me a better night of sleep. He gifted me the bed, the frame, the pillows and the sheets that were on it while we were there. I heard there was a situation with one of the scouts at the Vigil that ended in the womans' family farm being tended to by 'The Princesses' guards' brother'…?"

"Drake offered the solution and Aedan accepted it. Amaranthine is his Arling so he has the right to assign outside workers in times of need. Besides, the Princess is your betrothed so having her people here is a show of good faith isn't it?"

I saw Aedan and my guards all looking slightly smug about my steering the conversation. Little did they know…? Alistair wanted this answer.

"… And when the nobles ask me about it, I will tell them just that. Thank you for giving me the answer before I could ask for it my love. You always know just what I'm going for – sometimes before I do."

"Mmmh – it's because I love you so much. Was there anything else – we do have a marsh to look into when we get there…"

"Just one – was there anything the Vigil needed?" he asked – getting all serious. I smiled, "Well, yes – the food supply ran low due this war between the Architect and the Mother; I told you about them before right? If we don't get these people fed – and fast – they'll riot at the Vigil. Could you possibly send a shipment marked for the common folk of Amaranthine? Seneschal Varel will see that it gets distributed as needed. The Farm that Drakes' brother is running is coming along, but that is for the one family… oh – and Drake is actually an only child."

"Wait – then how is the one his brother?" Alistair was baffled.

"Because the brother is adopted and his cousin – Drakes uncle on his Water Fathers' side died and was the last one in that group to die so…"

"Okay – good to know… it makes me all kinds of confused, but good to know all the same. Alright – I'll arrange a shipment of grains and such for the common folk."

"I love you, Alistair," I sighed.

"And I love you – hopefully I'll see you in just a few more weeks. I'm still touring the Bannorn – the damage is… extensive. Waking Sea fared well, but Ceorlics' land is… devastated."

I harrumphed, "Ceorlic is a snake – he pulled his men from Lothering but didn't care to evacuate it and save his people. I say you find a new Bann to replace him – one that will care for the people!"

"The people in his Bann have already called for that, actually. With Gwaren offering aid to the refugees from Lothering and such, many have left – but the ones who stayed all call for his removal. Due to the overwhelming demands, Ceorlic has been disposed and we are currently looking into a new Bann for the area. Alright Love – they're telling me that it's time for my day to begin. I miss you – and I love you."

I chuckled, "I miss you and love you too – hopefully, I will see you soon."

The connection cut off.

Aedan coughed, "The diplomatic stuff…"

"He knew people would bitch about you 'hiring' Fae when they weren't authorized by the Chantry yet so he was discreetly asking me if I had a way to shut those people up with diplomatic nonsense. Alistair is getting better at ruling, yes – but he still needs some help from time to time. And when it comes to how to deal with the Fae being incorporated into Ferelden and the Elves getting better standing, he comes to me."

Nate looked impressed, "You're the one behind the repeal of the law against helping elves?"

I shrugged, "I am – I hate how they're treated like second class citizens when they do all the work! I threatened to organize a walk-out – all elves would walk out from their jobs and take care of only themselves – until the situation was rectified. Hearing that a Teyrna would lead it, ¾ of the Landsmeet was suddenly in favor of repealing the law. They worried every elf really would walk out when an 'Elven' Teyrna organized it. Humans rely on the elves so much and treat them like dirt. The Elves were here first – before the humans by at least 4,000 years, before the Fae, and before the Dwarves. That they are treated so abysmally is horrific! Imagine if some creature came into your world and enslaved you humans like it was their God-given right – then imagine that they eradicated your religion, your beliefs and your whole way of life. Everything that made you human was taken away from you and you were treated as worse than dogs. More than 3000 years later, and that race acts like you are nothing but a stain on their boot. You were just former slaves – savages that don't even know their own culture anymore; couldn't even remember their language. And then, those beings pretend it wasn't their fault – but yours. Why let yourself be enslaved in the first place? Obviously you were nothing but savages if you let that happen to begin with. But the Veil ripped away the immortality and magic from the Elves – they were still reeling in shock at that when the Humans that were called the Tevinter Imperium came in and enslaved them. They had relied on magic for so long that they didn't know how to fight – and had no time to adapt. So also imagine in the scenario that suddenly, you've lost all ability to fight and you've been told you're going to die when you thought you were immortal."

"You're very passionate about this," Magma observed with an approving nod.

"Damn fucking right, I'm passionate about it! Slavery is illegal here – and it was illegal where I'm from too. The people my ancestors enslaved? It was only because of their Skin Color – not a damn thing more than that. 'Oh they must be beasts because they don't look like us' they said. And women were treated just as badly – we were property. We belonged to our fathers – and when our fathers' died, we belonged to our brothers. Until we were sold off to a husband. That became illegal after a long time – in fact, slaves were freed before women were."

"Makers' Breath…" Anders breathed.

"Even fucking worse – women have only had rights for only 100 years! And the people who were freed had been free for 157 years. How does it make any sense to keep anyone as property? The fight to free women – for them to be seen as people rather than property – was called Women's Suffrage and it took 100 years for it to bear any fruit. The movement started in 1820, succeeded in 1920 and when I died in 2020 women were still treated very poorly! The people with darker skin were treated worse than women – if a crime was committed, it was assumed that they were at fault. Anyone who didn't have pearly white skin was seen as lesser – and women with darker skin were… if you weren't a white man, you were seen as lesser; that was just the way Earth worked. So yes; I'm passionate about anti-slavery and I'm against arranged marriages unless both 'arranged' parties are okay with it. Goddess – I hate anything resembling slavery. You want to piss me off? That is the surest way to do it!"

Magma nodded, "Slavery was never allowed in Danu. The Protective State, Mating being random and even the morals of our queens has made it so that we do not abide slavery. Even the Humans on Danu are treated with care though they are the 'minority'. Speaking of – we've long since learned that if one mate is a Non-Fae, then all of your mates will be. I would say human rather non-Fae, but we're long removed from having regular elves, there are no dwarves and we had never heard of these Qunari – for all we know; you may have one of each."

"No – two are human and one is Elven so far. And I only know about the Elf because Alistair doesn't get jealous about my mentioning him – I don't think that has anything to do with Fenris' ability to rip out hearts from still living chests."

"No – if this Fenris weren't a mate then King Alistair would feel an increased urge to protect you rather than entertaining the notion of you being with the man. It is odd – normally, you would have to meet the mate for him to be calm though…" Drake explained.

I shook my head, "It could be that I already know Fenris though stories in my homeland – would that explain it?"

"Perhaps; but since this is something we've never encountered – and likely never will again – then we have no way to know for sure. It will be documented – for the future in case it does happen again – but that is the most that can be done. Anyway, breakfast is ready," Celeste said with a smile.

We all ate and headed out for the Blackmarsh.

It took us approximately 3 days to get from the Wending Wood to the Blackmarsh.

Nathaniel talked about his boyhood dream of reclaiming the Marsh – I thought it was cute how excited he got about it.

It took us two and a half days to fight our way through the marshy lands – finding all but the Dragon Bone at the docks before we finally reached the area with Kristoffs' body.

The Blighted Werewolves didn't seem to see me, which was odd since regular blighted creatures could; but Aedan shrugged it off as them going after what they deemed to be 'bigger threats'. Magma was inclined to agree – due to animals liking Fairies, most animals wouldn't attack me. And with the immunity to the Blight, Drake thought perhaps it was a mix of that and the animal thing.

I managed to find the Toy Pony too – and promptly turned to Oghren to give it to him.

"What's this; a baby's plaything?"

I smirked, "Didn't you say you wanted a Pony the other night?"

I heard coughs and laughs and Drake looked ready to keel over in laughter – he was the joker of the group, I'd learned.

"You paid attention to what I said when I was drunk? That's… special. Oh, hey – wanna buy a bridge? Too bad it's not a real pony, huh? Just as well – the real ones poop."

"You want money, just ask – no need to pull a bridge into it."

He laughed, "This is… you make me laugh."

I winked and we continued on.

The moment we were all around Kristoffs body, 8 Darkspawn surrounded us; The First and 7 Hurlocks. The First was fucking ugly. 5'9 with peeling grey bits of skin hanging off him… everywhere. His eyes were milky like a dead body might have, his armor looked scavenged and 'repaired', and he had no nose at all. The smell was horrid; a mix between decaying body, three-day old vomit, and cat piss that I knew would haunt me for days to come.

"Yes… that is your Grey Warden," The First said, his voice deep and scratchy, as though from long disuse – which was quite likely the actual reason. I gagged and shouted, "You know, it is times like these when I wish I could puke; Goddess, that smell is horrid!"

The First ignored me and approached Aedan who gripped his daggers tightly. "The Mother told it to me that if he was lured to this place and slain, that in time you would come. And the Mother, she was right. The Mother is always right."

"Yes, yes, we know it was supposed to be a trap. Can someone spray this asshole down with perfume? Or do we think that might make it worse?" my eyes were watering as the First looked to me.

Celeste made a nice breeze to move the smell away from me while all my guards chuckled – I was glad they found this so amusing.

"If you knew, why come?"

"I'm no cliché monologue-type villain; can't we skip this part? I feel like we should skip this part…" I was holding my nose. The First held up his palm and what seemed to be a rift appeared in his hand. And all went 'Dark'.

Unlike everyone else, I was standing when we 'came-to'; I hadn't felt myself 'fall asleep' at all.

Ugly Butt growled like an animal and shouted, "No! We have come to the Fade as well? It cannot be this!"

I was fucking ecstatic that the stench didn't transfer to fade at least. "You weren't first in your class I take it?" Aedan actually sounded amused as Anders and Nate high-fived over that one. I was taking deep breaths and literally singing Hallelujah under my breath.

"The Mother, she has deceived me… I am betrayed." And here is where I began feeling sorry for him. He sounded so broken; not angry like in the games. "I can never trust my mother either." Oghren grunted and looked disturbed.

"Looks like someone was considered expendable, hmm?" Nate grunted as my elbow met his gut – I was too short to hit his ribs.

"I am the First! I am not being expendable. Both the Grey Warden and the Mother will be learning this!"

"Now look, you made him angry. Depressed, I could work with; Angry, not so much." I pouted.

The Children and Hurlocks around us attacked as the First turned and stalked off. They really weren't much of a fight, strangely enough.

"Ara, look," Anders shouted and I turned. He was staring at me and I realized my wings were out and looked different. They were solid and glaringly gold. Everything that came into contact with me reacted too. The ground seemed more real, enemies seemed weakened, allies were strengthened…

Magma was completely on fire; Celestes' wings were out too; Galaxia was made completely of water and Drake… looked like Drake. I frowned, "No… no – I like the black color!"

Celeste giggled, "I don't think this is permanent – we will see once we get out of here… because I don't believe you would have allowed this if we would be stuck here."

Anders set his hand on me and wounds that had been on his arms from a few arrows closed instantly, causing him to shoot back. I flinched.

"Sorry! I'm not… it's just startling to experience." Anders said before hugging me.

"Did that… thing say the Fade? We're in the fade?!" Oghren shouted. "Oghren, use your inside voice."

"Sod that! I'm a dwarf; I'm not supposed to be here, that's where humans dream. Dwarves don't dream!" he was panicking so I placed my hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "You know what I am; trust me. We will be out of the fade in no time. We will be back in the Waking World within the day. Your body is fine, just asleep. I swear to you Oghren, we will be fine."

My words did seem to calm him. "You better be right. If we get back and my body isn't fine, I'm making you buy me several rounds."

"When we get back, if something is wrong, I will have Alistair buy you a set of Casks, deal?" he nodded though Velanna looked at me curiously and I realized we hadn't told her my relationship with the King. I chuckled as Nate awkwardly explained I was his mistress before Aedan shouted, "Blood of the Maker, she's his wife."

Galaxia nodded, "He is one of her Primary Mates – and as they have lain together, they are married in the ways of our people."

Oghren nodded and gripped the Axe I handed him. No one had weapons in the Fade except what I 'conjured'. I had been testing a theory and found I could do what Valor had done in the Mage Origin – make things from nothing in the fade, will them into being. I handed Velanna and Anders staves, Aedan got daggers and Nate got a very pretty bow, though he didn't like it as much as the Howe Bow.

Upon observing me… my guards were able to 'summon' their own weapons.

I began to lead us around to heal the tears in the Veil.

Magma spoke while we traveled around, "Ara; I find myself curious."

I hummed, "About?"

"Your life before – who you were and… just any of it, really."

"Um… well, okay – but just so you know, when you ask people in that manner, they always blank. Seriously – Aedan tell us all about you."

Aedan stumbled for a moment and said, "Uh… shit – um… I have a brother?"

I grinned while the others all sniggered. Nathaniel chuckled, "I believe you rest your case."

"I believe I do. Back to Magmas' question, I was 27 when I died on Earth. I had two older brothers – Gareth and Jonas; Gareth was 5 years older than me and Jonas was 3 years older than me. My twin sister – whom was 8 months and 26 days younger – was named Jade ad our younger sister was Leah; she was 8 years younger than me. My husband was named Alex and we had a son named Levi who was getting close to 4 years old when I died. I was a writer and former surgeon or 'non-magic healer'. I focused on making the body of people into the body they should have been born with – making men look like men or such. Alex used to be a private bodyguard at a company before an accident made it to where he ended up working as a shop assistant."

"What did you like to do for fun?" Galaxia asked.

"I would read books, write in my downtime and play with my son. My son had a love of Ponies – in particular, a show about ponies that most people thought was 'girly'. So we played with toy ponies called Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow-Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Apple-Jack, and Flutter-shy. Each pony had special properties and crap too – I know more about those ponies than I knew about my own books at times. That happens when your kid has an interest… you learn everything about it."

"… What kind of names are those?" Oghren scoffed. I grinned, "You do not want to get into this conversation Oghren – you really don't."

"Sod it – I want to know why anyone would name a pony Pinkie Pie."

"Pinkie Pie liked to throw parties and make people happy – and she was pink from the pie family. Rarity was a fashion designer – she was white with purple hair. I'm telling you – you don't want to continue this line of conversation."

Drake was sniggering, "Did the ponies talk?"

"The show was called 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic… yes the Ponies talked – and had whole villages and even a royal court with princesses and everything. All the villages were cleverly named horse puns – Canter-lot, Ponyville, and Saddle Lake. My knowledge of this show is so extensive that I could write out the whole plot and fill twenty books with it. And the whole damn theme is about friendship being a magic all on its own."

Galaxia coughed lightly, "… What were the Princesses names?"

I groaned, "The main Princess was Celestia; ruler of Equestria – the whole land – and the pony directly linked to the sun. Her mane is made of rainbows. Princess Luna is sister to Celestia and has a mane made of starlight. Princess Cadence is the ruler of the Crystal Empire and rules over love while being married to Shining Armor – the brother of Princess Twilight Sparkle… the Princess of Magic. Flurry Heart is the daughter of Cadence and Shining Armor."

Celeste giggled, "I'm named for a princess!"

Aedan chuckled, "As fascinating as this is… let's get back to a real topic."

I motioned, "Thank you – what do you want to talk about?"

Aedan shrugged, "I don't know; food?"

"Food is good – I like steak and other meats more than most things."

Oghren grunted, "Who doesn't like steak?"

"Vegetarians and Vegans, I think – Vegetarians don't eat mean at all and Vegans don't eat anything that came from an animal. That means no eating things like honey, milk, meat, eggs or such." I explained to the confused look on Nates face at the second of the two words.

Drake nodded, "Some Earth Sylphs will go Vegan. My brother did – because he can understand the animals and says it just isn't right that you eat something you can understand and converse with."

Magma nodded, "Celeste is Vegetarian."

I hummed, "That is good information to have – I'll be sure to cook separately for her when I do cook."

Celeste beamed at me, "Your recipes are easily adapted already."

"Still – even Pizza can be Vegetarian," I smiled. Aedan looked hopeful, "Does that mean you'll make pizza for dinner?"

I couldn't resist, "If you're a good boy, sure."

Magma and Drake sniggered. Aedan shook his head, "Only Oghren here understands – Pizza is the food of gods, I tell you. It is the most addictive food I've ever eaten and I would happily sell my soul for it."

I rubbed my face, "I had to make sure that only I ever made it. Alistair would have surely taught the Palace staff and then he'd get fat and have clogged arteries. Actually, it really is easy to make and if Alistair put his mind to it, he'd work it out easily."

Oghren harrumphed, "… I like pizza. It goes good with my ale."

"Pizza is a food that pairs well with almost anything; ale, mead, wine, water, soda, or even tea. I like Pizza – I love pizza – but I know better than to make it too often." I grumbled.

We headed around to the docks.

"You… you're not a spirit like everyone else. How did you get here?"

"Drop the act demon. I know the girl was taken over. You cannot fool me," I snarled and tossed a dagger as Aedan jumped away from me to avoid being hit. As expected the Demon changed forms and attacked. Velanna kept sneaking glances at my wings as I used them in combat. I shot one wing out and tripped the demon while the other stuffed feathers in its eyes.

"You seem adept at using Wings but you don't have them outside the fade?" Velanna asked causing the men to all laugh though I flared my wings and knocked em all on their asses with a chorus of grunts… Velanna smirked.

Celeste giggled. I rolled my eyes and said, "I actually do have wings outside – and so does Celeste there. I keep them hidden for obvious reasons. Remind me to show you when we make camp tonight?" she nodded and we headed into the catacombs, clearing out the dead 'resting' there. I was happy enough that nothing seemed able to hurt us with my 'aura' weakening any enemies around us.

Upon emerging, we encountered the 'guard'. "Halt! Who enters the Blackmarsh?"

Aedan said, "We're Grey Wardens – and we're a little… trapped here at the moment."

"Trapped? Then you're just as we are; locked in this nightmare. We've been here so long at her mercy. I almost forgot what it was like… before. There is a Spirit that's come to free us, perhaps you could help him? If it's possible…"

I gave the poor man a smile and nod as we headed off to meet Justice.

"The Mansion will not protect you, Fiend! Come out and face your crimes! Be cautious, my friends. The Baroness has power within her lair, and she knows it well. We rush in at our peril." The Spirit was see-through and fully armored, just like in the game. He stood at 5'8 though Kristoffs body was at least 5'10 so he would have that extra height later. His voice was ethereal and deep… almost soothing. I could see a hint of red eyes under the visor of his helmet, but otherwise, his armor covered him completely.

"Hello, Ser Justice. Would you like some help?" The spirit turned to me, startled. In fact everyone around us looked at me in awed silence.

"What are you?" He seemed cautious. "I am a Fairy, and I wish to see the Baroness defeated for what she's done here, same as you." He nodded.

Celeste spoke, "She is our Princess – so we will aid if she does."

Justice gave the people his speech and we charged the Mansion.

The Baroness was none-too-happy about our sudden… intrusion, "My, My… all that shouting outside and now you've finally decided to barge in? Without a proper invitation?" she was… I was feeling more insecure. If even the villains of this world were so pretty, what hope did I have? Her wavy black hair hung to her shoulder-blades looking freshly cleaned, her eyes were green and her make-up perfect. She was thin, but not horribly so, and her skin was flawless. She wore a red Victorian-esque dress that would have been the 'fad' in Orlais years ago, and her voice held that French accent that came from the region too.

"Foul sorceress, you will release these poor souls and submit yourself to Justice!"

"Justice; is that what you are calling it? What of their punishment, for burning my home and me within it?"

"You were stealing our children, using their blood to feed your ill-placed Vanity!" on man shouted and I winced at the insult. She looked pissed.

She sniffed, "As was my due! You lived on my land, and I was your rightful ruler! Your blood was mine then, just as your loves are now."

I scoffed, "Lady – you are crazy. Living people are not property no matter where you live or who tells you otherwise. Slavery is wrong on so many levels that it just isn't…"

Magma moved beside me, "I do not believe you will get through to this Baroness, Ara."

"What's this? The pathetic fools have managed to recruit yet more sympathizers?"

"We are not alone, Baroness; your reign ends here." Justices voice really made me feel powerful… like having his approval meant that I would succeed.

"As it happens, I am no longer alone either." The first came around her. I laughed causing people to look at me.

"Oh, Baroness… your new pet has already lost to us once, and will lose to us again." Aedan was smirking as he spoke, causing the fight to begin. Justice engaged the First while our group handled the shades and wraiths.

When it was over, she didn't just use the First to sunder the Veil… she used the souls of all those trapped here too.

We woke up exactly where we started, by that hut near Kristoffs body. Kristoff, as I said, was 5'10 with tan skin blue eyes and stubbly black hair and beard. Justice stood there, armor red and black in Orlesian fashion.

"What… where am I? What is happening?" Justice looked around before it dawned on him. "No! This is the world of Mortals; beyond the Veil! And this… a mortal body of Flesh. I'm trapped within!"

"Justice… it will be okay. For now, let us go kill the bitchy Baroness." Justice looked at me as I spread my wings. Something had happened to them. They were still spectral in the Waking World, but their color had changed.

Rather than white-to-black fade, they were white-to-gold now. Velanna looked at them and moved to touch before glancing at me. I nodded and held a wing out to Velanna and the other toward Justice.

Each companion reached out and ran a hand through my feathers. "It is… solid. How unexpected," Justice said. His voice was still that soothing deep one from the fade and overlapped Kristoffs natural baritone.

I smiled as we headed off to seal rifts and fight demons. It didn't take as long as I expected; there weren't as many as in the game.

Before the final battle, we stopped for a moment… nothing more awkward than the Hero of Ferelden needing a bathroom break mid battle. Magma sniggered at my words and cheerfully informed me that Fae do not need to void – so it wasn't just me.

While we were stopped, I pulled a Lyrium Ring out of my bag and handed it to Justice who looked confused for a moment.

"What is that sound? Such beautiful singing… the stone within this ring, is it Lyrium?" Nate, Anders and Velanna watched with interest while we waited for Aedan and Oghren to get back – apparently the Dwarf was on watch.

"Am I… allowed to keep this? Is it to be mine?" Justice asked, though his eyes never once left the ring that sat in his palm. I smiled, "That is the idea of a gift, hun."

"When mortals dream of Lyrium in the Fade, it is not like this. This song… saddens me, but it is breathtaking. Of all the things I hope to see in this world, this will no doubt be the most precious. I shall keep it by my side as a reminder that even in misfortune, good can be found."

I caught sight of Nates astonished face and Anders looked thoughtful. Velanna… well she looked indifferent.

Galaxia smiled, "I can hear the song – part of my Gift is that if anything exudes a song in any form, I can hear it. That way, I can duplicate it later."

Celeste kissed her mate on the cheek, "I prefer when you sing original songs."

That was news to me – that Galaxia wrote her own songs. I would have to listen in sometime. I'd heard Drake and Magma get into a singing battle just the previous night – Drake had a voice deeper than the Deep Roads that could melt steel; Magmas' voice was a bit higher but could make even the straightest man swoon… I was tempted to make him sing for Alistair and see where that put us.

About then, Aedan returned and we approached the Baroness. "So this is the world of Mortals? How very dull it seems… so immutable and unchanging. Yet, I am here; I have crossed the Veil! The Spirits will watch in envy as the mortals of this realm bow down before me," I could see the faint smirk on the demons face as she looked around.

"Good luck doing that when you're dead, bitchy bee," I snorted. She whirled to look at us. She caught sight of Justice. I saw her gaze flick to the ring for the slightest of moments.

"It seems I was not the only one drawn here… How very tiresome. When I defeat you, I will take that trinket as my prize," she began changing then, turning into a 10 foot tall purple demon with 4 black horns, 8 neon green eyes and lobster clawed arms. I sniggered and flapped my wings, drawing the demons attention.

Celeste saw what I was doing and jumped into the air with me.

One claw shot out to try and hit me back down, but I performed a circular loop to dodge the arm. I decided to simply distract her by flying around the head and horns while the demon tried to bat me down to the ground. Thankfully, my companions were smart enough to take advantage of my antics, and blades and magic began flying around to damage the Demon.

I sliced at the back of the neck, missing the first two times when I had to retreat too soon, but managing to embed and retract my dagger on the third swipe. When the demon fell forward, Justice dashed up and took the head off.

Drake – when I finally looked at the others – was covered in Silverite and Gold ores. Magma was muting his flames and Galaxia was putting water back in the swampy marsh.

I landed and shook my wings free of blood before folding them.

"And so it is done. For what it is worth, thank you; may the victims of this place rest in peace, wherever they may have gone. It seems I cannot return to the fade, however, I am trapped here in the body of this… Grey Warden? I can feel the memories of this poor man. They are difficult to see, but he was a Grey Warden? He was slain by the Darkspawn… the one called the First that we beat in the Fade?"

"Yes. His name was Kristoff, and the First was doing the bidding of the one known as the Mother. Grey Wardens are the only ones in the entire world who can kill Archdemons or the leaders of the Darkspawn that emerge every few centuries. Before a few months ago, the last Archdemon was 400 years ago. In fact, Aedan here is the Warden who ended the blight a few months ago…" I explained.

"It seems I am at a loss. I know nothing of this world beyond the few memories of this… Kristoff, and what I have seen in the Fade; yet I do not wish to die. What shall I do? You seem to be a creature of Good Character, and you are of this world… can you advise me?" wait, me?

"Join us? Get Justice for Kristoffs death, then when you are more knowledgeable you can make your own choice?" I was hesitant. I knew it needed to happen, but I wasn't sure why he was asking me rather than Aedan.

"That… would be a good purpose. To get Justice against the ones who commanded this mortals' death… Very well, I will join you."

"Good. Come along, you lot, I've set up the camp tent."

Without a word, everyone entered the tent. I called dibs on the first shower. I made it quick before exiting to see Aedan waiting to talk to me when I made my way to the Kitchen.

He informed me that he told Justice How to bathe and get cleaned up properly… and the spirit needed it. Kristoff had been dead for a few days before we reached the marshy lands to avenge him.

I made Pizza for dinner – after learning that Justice wouldn't eat meat either, he shared in the Vegetarian Pizza.