Chapter 2 The Mark

Pain woke Maxwell. He tried to move but found that he was chained up so tightly he could barely move a muscle. He opened his eyes and found several guards pointing swords at him.

"What in the Maker's ass have I found myself in." He asked himself. The door slammed open and 2 women walked in, the guards stepped back and sheathed their swords.

One of the women wearing armor with a sword and shield looked pissed, and walked around him. She leaned in.

"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you right now." She asked and he believed that she would although he had no idea why.

"Mind telling me why you want to kill me Lass?" He asked, earning a sharp hit over the head.

"The Conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you." Max gave a laugh

"Good one this is a prank right?" He asked when they didn't laugh and in turn he grew serious.

"You're not joking." He muttered head down. The woman in armor grabbed his left hand, shoving it in his face. For the first time he could see the glowing green mark on his hand, it pulsed and he felt the pain again.

"Explain this." She ordered, he tried to remember he truly did but he couldn't.

"I can't." He replied.

"What do you mean you can't?" She asked, clearly not believing him.

"I don't know what that is or how it got there." The armored woman grabbed his throat ready to kill him.

"You're lying!" She yelled. The other woman so far had not said anything pushed the armored one back before she could hurt him.

"We need him Cassandra." She said calming the angry woman, the one dressed in armored robes looked at him.

"Do you remember what happened? How did this begin?" She asked.

"I remember running. Things were chasing me. And then a woman." He replied unsure of himself. It hurt when he tried to remember.

"A woman?" The robed figure asked.

Cassandra put a hand on the roped one's shoulder.

"Go to the forward camp Leliana. I will take him to the rife." She said, Leliana left.

Cassandra knelt down and started undoing the chains that locked Maxwell in place.

"What is your name?" Cassandra asked him.

"Maxwell Trevelyan of Clan Lavellan." Despite the situation he had to laugh at Cassandra's expression.

"It's a long story but know that I am more Lavellan than Trevelyan." He claimed.

"Very well I won't ask but we should get going." She said after unlocking him, she helped him stand up and led the way outside. He could see they were in a snowy town but what immediately took his notice was the giant green tear in the sky.

"We call it The Breach a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour." Cassandra explained.

"It's not the only rift, just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the Conclave."

"An explosion can do that?" Max asked, he was a mage but he never heard of mage having that much power.

"This one did."

"Unless we act, the Breach may grow into it and swallow the world." The Breach pulsed and the Mark flared with power causing Max to drop to his knees in pain.

"Each time the Breach expands, your Mark spreads. And it is killing you." Cassandra said concern in her voice despite herself. Max laughed at the news.

"Great something to look forward to, will it just kill me or will I explode?" Max joked trying to lighten the mood.

"It may be the key to stopping this but there isn't much time." Max sighed and took a breath to calm himself.
"I'll help if I can." He said Cassandra smiled at that. She helped him stand back up.

He could see civilians and soldiers watching him, he could hear the muttering.

"He killed the Divine."

"They should hang him."

"They have already decided you are guilty." Cassandra said not unkind, Max shook his head wishing he could remember what happened.

They walked further out of town and came across a bridge, starting to cross it Max asked a question that was one his mind.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Your Mark must be tested on something small then the Breach first, there is a rift not far." Crossing the bridge they began to make their way further up the valley.

"How did I survive the blast?" Max asked.

"They say that you stepped out of a rift and then fell unconscious. They say a woman was in the rift behind you, no one knows who she was" Cassandra stopped talking to let Max take it all in. They came up to another bridge, starting to walk across it they got about half way before Max noticed a green mentor falling towards him. Shoving Cassandra out of the way, the mentor hit and caused the bridge to fall apart. Max and Cassandra fell to the frozen river below them.

Max groaning in pain heard another explosion and Cassandra yelling. Getting up he saw that four demons were suddenly on them and attacking. He reached up and stroked his sister's pendant that she had given him before his parents forced him out of his home. Fighting back the waves of terror that threatned to overcome him, he blasted one with a lighting bolt with it arching to another one nearby killing them both. He was about to blast the others but when he turned to face them Cassandra had already killed them. She moved up to him, sword drawn and pointing at him threatening.

"I knew I should have kept you bound." Cassandra said

"If you did I would be dead, a demon attacked me I had to defend myself Lass." He could see a torment of emotions going through Cassandra's eyes, finally she sheathed her sword.

"I should remember you agreed to come willingly." Max relaxed, he really didn't want to fight her as she was his one chance to clear his name.

They made their way further up the valley, Max following Cassandra as he had no idea where he was going, he was cold, hungry, sore, tied and terrified that he was fighting demons. His mind kept going back to the Cave fighting all those demons, defending his sister. He shook off the panic that was threatening to set in. He was much more powerful now he could handle a few demons. He noticed that Cassandra was rubbing her left arm like it was hurt.

"What's wrong with your arm?" He asked, reaching out and grabbing her shoulder to stop her. She jerked away from his touch but didn't punch him, progress he thought.

"A demon got a lucky hurt. I think it's bleeding but should be fine." He glared at her.

"Why didn't you say anything? I am a Mage, I can heal you." He said, beginning to remove her armor one her arm and rolling up her sleeve. He could see that she had a small cut where the demon had bypassed the armor. He hovered his hand over the cut, he drew on the power of nature around him. His hand glowed green, not like the green from the Mark. More like the green of the forests. A few seconds passed and the cut was healed, not leaving a mark.

"Thanks." she said putting her armor pack on, she looked at him curiously.

"Your magic is different, you don't use a staff like most mages."

"I'm what's called a Nature Defender, a very rare type of magic. And I've almost never used a staff." He explained to her, Cassandra nodded thoughtfully.

They continued on their way, finally getting out of the valley they had fallen into. Suddenly Max could hear fighting up ahead.

"We're close to the rift you can hear the fighting." Cassandra said, almost running towards the sound.

"Who is fighting?" Max asked, running after her.

"You'll see." She replied unhelpfully.

Running up stairs he followed Cassandra as she jumped down a ledge, he could see several people fighting demons. A dwarf that looked familiar with a familiar crossbow, as well as an elven mage flinging spells and a few other soldiers. He could also see what he assumed was a rift, it was glowing green and seemed to be made out of crystal floating in the air. Jumping into the fray Cassandra started fighting demons, her sword flashing green with the reflection from the rift. Max knelt down letting his will flow down into the earth finding the roots that he was after. A few seconds later Cassandra was about to strike at a demon when suddenly a massive tree root engulfed the demon. Cassandra's sword bounced off the wood. Looking around she saw that all the other demons had had the same treatment. She looked back to Max and saw him kneeling hands on the ground and he was glowing, magic sweeping off him into the ground. Max was sweating and suddenly exhausted; he had never tried that spell with some many enemies before. The Elf ran up to him grabbing his hand, he dragged him to the rift.

"Quickly close it before more demons show up." He ordered, he shoved the Marked hand towards the rift, a second later green tendrils of energy leapt out of the Mark and struck the rift. He could feel the rift fighting him wanting to stay open, he poured his magic and will into the Mark and a second later the rift exploded and disappeared.

"Well done." The Elf said Max turned around to thank him but when he saw the dwarf more closely he recognized him.

"Varric?" He asked in disbelief, Varric seemed confused for a second and then remembered him.

"Maxie boy!" He said, pulling the human into a hug.

"Never in a million years would I expect to see you here." He said laughing.

"Boy is it good to see you Varric, how's Bianca doing?" He asked, looking at the crossbow.

"She's well still kicking ass."

"You two know each other." Cassandra asked Varric had never mentioned it to her, but then she didn't know Max's name earlier.

Varric looked at Max who shook his head not wanting to relive the day they met.

"Long story Seeker but Max and his sister traveled with me Hawke and the others for a while. Never did hear from you after we dropped you at home." He said looking back at Max.

"My magic surfaced not long after and my family disowned me for living with an elven clan ever since." He explained his face darkening slightly.

"Sorry to hear that Max." Varric said, putting a hand on his arm and looking him in the eyes. He was silent for a few seconds and then nodded, putting the dark thoughts away for now.

He looked at the Elf and held out his hand.

"Ma' melin Max Trevelyan." The Elf's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Ma' melin Solas.

"You know Elven?" He asked, Max smiled.

"I did just say I live with an Elven clan, I'm flaunt in Elven." He replied, Solas nodded.

"Yes, of course I should have guessed that." He replied.

"So you know about Mark?" He asked, judging by the way Solas shoved his hand towards the rift he knew the answer.

"Whatever magic opened the Breach also placed the Mark on your hand. I theorized that Mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake. And it seems I was correct." He said smiling.

"Meaning it could also close the breach itself." Cassnadra put in.

"Well that's good here I thought we would be ass deep in demons forever." Varric said, collapsing Bianca and putting her on his back.

"So I closed the rift what now?" Max asked, looking at Cassandra.

"We are going to meet Leliana." Cassandra replied.

"What a great idea." Varric said.

"Absolutely not, your help is appreciated. Varric." Cassandra said, but Max was already shaking his head.

"Look, I don't trust either of you." He said looking at Cassandra and Solas.

"But I do trust Varric is coming." He and Cassandra glared at each other, Cassandra sighed defeated.

"Fine but I'm watching you Varric." She said, Max let her have the last word.

"Let's get to the forward camp." She said leading the way further up the valley.

As they started walking Varric fell into step with Max, Cassandra and Solas walking up front.

"Thanks for that." Varric said, Max smiled at him.

"No worries, I meant what I said, you're the only person I trust at the moment. Not 30 minutes ago Cassandra was ready to take my head off, now I'm her only hope." Max shook his head.

"Yeah she has a way with people, she kidnapped me and interrogated him about Hawke. Now I'm helping her too." Varric replied.

They fought through several more packs of demons, each one causing Max to slowly seep into the panic and fear that threatened to overcome him. Eventually they came up to a bridge protected by a guard tower. A rift had appeared and the soldiers were fighting the demons coming though. Defeating the demons and closing the rift Max held his hand in pain.

"Open the gate." Cassandra ordered, Max still in pain walked though with the others. He could see Leliana and an older man in priest robes argering, they stopped arguing when they saw Max and the others approach.

"Ah here they come." The priest said, Leliana ignored him and moved to check on them.

"As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take this criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution." The priest ordered Cassandra but she just looked at him like he went mad.

"Order me? You are a glorified clerk. A bureaucrat!" Cassandra yelled angrily, Max was just glad she wasn't angry at him for a change.

"And you are a thug, but a thug who supposedly serves the Chantry!" Cassandra smiled at him.

"We serve the Most Holy, Chancellor. As you well know." Leliana put in.

"Justinia is dead. We must elect a replacement and obey her orders on the matter." The Chancellor argured.

"We need Lord Trevelyan's help to close the breach!" Cassandra yelled, Leliana startled in surprise.

"Trevelyan?" She asked, Max nodded.

"I'm no Lord not anymore since my parents disowned me, my name is Maxwell Trevelyan of Clan Lavellan." He heard Leliana's sharp intake of breath, he figured she was just surprised that a human could belong to an elven clan, he sighed he was already getting annoyed at repeating it.

"It's a long story that I don't care to repeat right now."

"We need to get to the Breach now." Max said steel in his voice, both Cassandra and Leliana looked at him in surprise, but then Leliana's mouth twitched up in a knowing smile.

"We must get to the temple, it's the quickest route." Cassandra said, but Leliana frowned.

"But not the safest, our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains." Leliana arged, Max nodding he liked that plan better. While it would be quicker to charge directly to the temple. There was every chance that he would fall to a demon along the way, no the mountain pass was the safer option.

"We lost contact with scouts up that path." Cassandra argued, Max frowned but he would still rather go through the pass.

"I say the mountain pass, it's the safer route plus we might be able to save your scouts." Max said Leliana was nodding agreement Cassandra frowned but nodded. Max was surprised that he was able to convince her to stand down.

"You're the one with the Mark, if you say you would rather go the mountain pass then that's where we will go." Gathering supplies for the final push, Cassandra walked up to Leliana.

"Bring everyone for the final push." She ordered, Leliana nodded and ran off. As they were leaving Max heard the Chancellor mutter.

"On your head by the consequences Seeker." Max was solely tempted to hit the man but restrained himself with great effort.

They made good time up the mountain, taking out a few more packs of demons in the tunnels. Even saving the scouts and closing a rift. Closing rifts were getting easier and easier for Max but they still caused him great pain. Finally they reached the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Upon reaching the front of the temple the party could see the charred remains of those caught in the blast.

"So much death." Max muttered to himself, he caught a glint of metal that caught his eyes upon walking over to the corpse he fell to his knees when he saw what caught his eyes. Varric walked over to him wondering what was going on.

"What's wrong?" He asked, Max gestured to the ring.

"It's my father." He simply stated, Varric went quite not sure what to say. Max reached over carefully, taking the family crest ring. Cassandra and Solas walked over but Varric shook his head at them.

Max took a few seconds but then stood back up.

"Let's get this over with." He said.

"You alright Max?" Varric asked.

"I don't know what I feel, he was a bastard of a father but." Max stopped, unable to finish.

"But he was your father." Varric finished for him, Max nodded. Shaking himself Max moved forward.

"We have more important things to worry about than my family troubles, like closing the big crack in the sky." He said, forcing a smile. Varric smiled letting the matter go for now.

The entered the ruined temple, Max could see the soldiers and archers taking position.

They could see in the courtyard below a large rift with flowing green energy spiraling towards the breach.

"The breach is a long way up." Varric remarked, staring up at it, Max heared light footed footsteps behind him. Turning around he could see Leliana running towards them with a bow and arrows on her back.

"You're here, Thank the Maker." She said,

"Leliana, have your men take up positions around the temple." Cassandra ordered.

Leliana nodded and began ordering her men into positions.

Cassandra moved over to Max and put a hand on his shoulder.

"This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?" She asked, Max closed his eyes for a second reaching up to grasp his sister's pendante. He nodded, opening his eyes.

"Let's do this." He replied. They started making their way to the courtyard below.

After they had walked further into the temple they started seeing glowing red crystals.

"You know this stuff is red lyrium Seeker?" Varric asked, clearly worried about it.

"I know."

"What's it doing here?"

"Magic could have been drawn on the lyrium below the temple corrupting it." Solas put in.

"It's evil whatever you do, don't touch it." Varric said.

"Keep the sacrifice still." A voice from nowhere said, Max looked around but could not see who was talking.

"Someone help me!" A female voice cried out.

"That's Divine Justinia's voice." Cassandra remarked.

Upon reaching the courtyard Max's Mark began to pulse with energy being so close to the rift.

"Someone help me!" The Divine called out again.

"What's going on here?" Max's voice could be heard.

"That was your voice, Most Holy called out to you but…" Cassandra was interrupted by a vision appearing in the air. They could see The Divine being held in place with red energy and a shadowy figure standing over her, then they saw Max run in.

"What's going on here?" The vision Max asked again.

"Run while you can! Warn them! The Divine yelled at him.

"We have an intruder kill him." The shadowy figure ordered.

The vision disappeared in a flash.

"You were there, who attacked? And the Divine is she…? Was this vision true? What are we seeing?" Cassandra asked, troubled by the vision that they saw.

"I don't remember!" Max said annoyed.

"Echoes of what happened here. The Fade bleeds into this place." Solas explained.

"This rift is not sealed, but is close. Albeit temporarily." Solas said changing the subject.

"I believe that with the Mark, the rift can be opened and then sealed properly and safely. However, opening the rift will likely attract attention from the other side" Solas warned.

"That means demons. Stand ready." Cassandra ordered, she nodded to Max.

Taking a deep breath Max holds out his hands and sends a torment of energy towards the rift, trying to open it instead of closing it. After a few seconds the rift roared with energy and opened causing Max's arm to throb with pain.

The rift palsed and a large Pride Demon appeared roaring a challenge. Max's blood ran cold and he stood for a moment palazared with fear. It was a Pride Demon that had finally struck him down so long ago in that Cave, Max still had the scars on his body to show for it. Taking a breath Max began to shoot cold and fire spells at the demon knowing it resisted lightning. The other shoulders began to pelt the demon with arrows, Cassandra and the other swordsman charged in but the demon seemed to be absorbing their blows. Max cursed he knew what he had to do. Fadesteeping towards the demon, he appeared just in front of it dodging a swipe he moved behind it and started climbing on its back.

"Maxwell!" Cassandra yelled but Max ignored her, focusing on his task. The demon was thrashing around trying to throw the mage off but he held on for dear life. He climbed closer to his head. Upon reaching it he grabbed the horns of the demon, his legs slipped and the demon started swelling around trying to dislodge Max but again he held on flying through the air only holding onto its horns. Max started to send every ounce of magic he had into the demon trying to overload it's shield. Just before he fainted the demon dropped to one knee his shield and energy depleted. Seeing a fallen sword near a dead soldier Max reached out with his will and caused a tree root underneath to flick the sword to him. He caught it and jumped off the demon swiping at its head, cutting it clean off. Landing on his back Max had no time to think and held out his hand sending energy towards the rift putting everything he had into it as it fought back at him not wanting to be closed. Finally he overcame it and the rift exploded, closing it. Suddenly everything was quiet, Varric and Cassandra started running towards him Max reached out to them but his vision slowly dimmed into the world turned black and he fell unconscious.

Author's Notes

That's a wrap for chapter 2, so I've changed Max's backstory from ingame. I've mixed both the human and elf backstories together and added in my own twist. The mentions of The Cave will be explained later on as will why Max hates his father but you could properly guess from the fact that he is a mage and from Clan Lavellan why he does. Also will be explaining how he knows Varric and Hawke later on as well.