I blasted the Alpha Hurlock with a wave of air as Alyssa tossed a vial of explosives at it. The Darkspawn exploded in a miraculous show of blood and guts and I chuckled as I used my shield to protect myself from the falling gore. "Now that, was a sight!"

"Ugh," exclaimed Alyssa as she shook the guts off her hands, body protected by the armor I 'procured' from the quartermaster.

"What did you do," asked Alistair.

"Fanned the flames," I said. "Made them stronger and more volatile. It's a wonder why more people don't ever try learning how to manipulate air, when combined with fire, it's a wonder explosive."

"And you know this how," asked Ser Jory.

"Experimentation." 'And an understanding of physics, chemical reactions, and explosives. A little extra hydrogen in a set area and boom.'

"What did you experiment on, my lord?" I glanced up as I spotted a crow watching us with more intelligence than normal.

"Eavesdroppers… Come on, the ruins should be clear."

"And if they're not," asked Daveth.

"Well, we'll clear them then get the treaties."

"You sound confidant," said Alistair.

"So far, we've only encountered the scouts and one full vanguard party with a single Hurlock, which we just killed mind you, and some blight wolves."

"How do you know it was a vanguard," asked Alyssa.

"The Alpha, marked by the amount of dried blood on the armor, showing the number of kills its obtained, either human or fellow Darkspawn as it vied for control. These things seem to follow pack mentality for the most part. If this is a Blight, then that will most likely change soon."

"Wh-what do you mean," asked Jory.

"I mean I've read about the other Blights. The Darkspawn get smarter as they listen more and more to the Archdemons, developing ambush tactics, amassing in numbers and using scouts. These were the scouts, meant to see the numbers and relay information back. A vanguard unit would skulk around places where you might see visitors, ruins and such, but would only appear on the eve of a massive battle. Seems Duncan's feeling is proving right." I handed Alyssa my canteen and let her wash off the rest of the gore before we started into the ruins.

"There's the chest," said Alistair. "Right, Phoenix. You go retrieve the treaties, and we'll cover your back."

"Oh yeah, send the powerhouse away from the potential danger. Smart idea, Alistair."

"Arse." I went to the busted chest and saw movement from the corner of my eye.

"Finally revealing yourself, witch?" I aimed my newly acquired staff, curtesy of Wynne, at the woman. Morrigan, one of my fated companions during the next few months.

"Perceptive, aren't we," she asked. She made her way down a ruined ramp to us. "Now, what have we here? Are you a vulture, I wonder? A scavenger poking amidst a corpse whose bones were long since cleaned? Or merely an intruder, come into these Darkspawn-filled Wilds of mine in search of easy prey?"

"And which are you, milady? A nasty Chasind witch, come to scare or eat us? Or a curious little bird who should know when she's outmatched?"

"A challenge, is it?"

"More an observation. We're Grey Wardens. We've come to find the treaties left here long ago, but the chest is too damaged and not recently. So someone must know where they are. Would that someone happen to be you?"

"Perhaps." She started circling me. "I have been watching you for a while now."

"Of which I'm aware. You thought you were so sneaky, swooping around in that raven form of yours. But you forgot one thing about wild animals not yet affected by the Blight. They flee at the signs of battle and at the heavy presence of an army. Your presence was obvious."

"I see. 'Tis true, I do have your treaties."

"Oh, the creepy stalker witch has the treaties," said Alistair. "Grand."

"Alistair," I said. "At times like this, it's best to play nice. Diplomacy can go a long way." I moved to the woman. "May I know your name, milady?"

"You may not." She circled me some more. "You have a very unusual appearance, Warden."

"I get that a lot, Beautiful."

"If you're done flirting," said Alistair. "Can we have our treaties now?"

"I don't have them on me," she said.

"And, this is where she lures us to her hut and eats us."

"She's no cannibal," I said.

"And how are you so sure?"

"It takes a certain form of madness to be a cannibal. One she doesn't have. You can see it in her eyes."

"I wouldn't trust her," said Jory. "She's an Apostate." I sighed and gave him a look before pointing to my eyes and hair. "Uh… no offense intended, my lord."

"And none taken, Ser Jory."

"I may not have the treaties on me, but I can lead you to who does," said the woman.

"And that would be," asked Alistair.

"My mother."

"Then lead the way, Lady Crow," I said. "Hmm… seems to fit. I know what to call you now."

"And that would be?"

"Morrigan." The witch faltered and her golden eyes met my silver as I grinned. Keeping people on edge and likely to make mistakes when plotting against me. I may not be as brave as I normally come across, but against humans, against people, gaining an advantage was easy. A few words, a smirk and a grin, a flash of light hiding my true goal. People were easy to trick, and overconfident people especially so.

"I do not know what form of magic you possess, but to correctly guess my name, you must be proficient in it indeed."

"Can we get moving, please," said Alyssa. "Humans… too much talking…"

"Meet the Dalish sometime," I said. "They are worse than me. But we are pressed for time. Please lead on, Lady Crow." She glared at me before leading us through the Wilds. Alyssa turned to me as we hung back, following Morrigan.

"How did you guess her name?"

"One of the Highever soldiers, some two years ago, told my father about his encounter with a witch in the Wilds. Same eyes, same revealing garments, same better-than-you attitude. I know how to deal with people like her. Trip them up, use words against them. You'd be surprised what you can trick them into revealing."

"Something you've done in the past?"

"Politics is all about playing to ego and using your brain. As the youngest of the Cousland line, I needed to know how to speak properly in the presence of other nobles. From there, I made note of certain ticks they had when hiding something. Like yourself."

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Lord Howe's son is dead, yes?" She paused and stared at me. "You have a tell, same as anyone else. A second of pause as you consider how to respond to an uncertain scenario. Consider yourself on my permanent allies list. Enemies of the Howe's should stick together. Especially since we've got no one else at this time." She sighed before I paused. "Ser Jory."

"Yes, Milord," asked the knight.

"Down!" I turned around and shot a fireball over his head, impacting a blighted wolf as it hopped at him. "Up! I hear more incoming!" Morrigan turned to me and I slammed my hand on the ground, turning it into ice as the pack charged in. Jory sliced through the one sliding towards him as Alyssa shot arrows into the pack. Daveth sliced through a wolf as Morrigan watched the fight. I aimed my staff and sent a spear of ice into the alpha. It snarled before bounding on top of Daveth to me. I swung my sword and bisected it before turning from the spraying blood. I flicked off the blood from my sword and turned to Morrigan. "That should be all for now. Lead the way."

"That was your magic magic? I didn't feel a pull from the Fade. So you are a Mage? I could've sworn that knight called you a lord," she mused.

"My magic is unique, Lady Crow. I do not draw on the Fade, but the world around us. Nature and my soul. A magic you cannot learn, by the way. I see the ambitious look in your eye." She scowled slightly before I turned to Alistair. "And stop it."

"Stop what," he asked.

"Threatening her with your mind."

"I imagine it's not a very big threat then," said Alyssa.

"Hah ha," said Alistair. "You all may be willing to follow the dangerous seductress, but I'm keeping my blade ready in case she tries anything."

"She could've tried something while she was following us after we beat that demon. Instead, she watched us. And she is leading us to her mother who has the treaties. As much as you would like her to live up to the Templar beliefs that all Apostates are evil, she is more neutral. And obviously afraid of her mother." Morrigan stopped and turned to me with a glare. "So. You are following her orders. I was wondering how one would learn where to find us. Your mother. It's Flemeth, isn't it?"

"How do you…" started Morrigan before a chuckle could be heard.

"So," said an aged voice from a nearby bush. "Your appearance isn't the only peculiarity about you."

"Flemeth, I presume," I said as I turned to the woman. Since my arrival, I'd been monitoring her through magical scanning. The one bonded with Mythal. And in turn, she took notice of me.

"You presume correctly, Silver One."

"We were told you have the Grey Warden Treaties."

"I do indeed."

"May we have them, please? If this situation is truly a Blight, and should our main offensive alone fail, the treaties will ensure we have a fighting chance."

"So you're erring on the side of caution?"

"As one should in times such as these. Though, I suspect the woman who convinced the late King Maric to hunt one of the last dragons to already know that."

"Wait," said Alistair. "She what?"

"Stories," said Flemeth.

"Stay quiet, Alistair," I said. "The less you know, the better." I turned to Flemeth. "I know this situation may or may not be cause for concern for you, elder. But let me put it this way." I switched to the Elvhenan language. "The Dread Wolf will come sooner rather than later. Mythal." She eyed me curiously before speaking in Elvhenan herself.

"And you would claim to help me?"

"You don't need help. Not when you've been preparing for this for centuries now. No. I can offer aid only when you require it. If such a thing is needed. I know you've already planned to send a piece of your soul with the other Destined Soul. Hawke."

"Who's that," asked Jory, only catching the name in the Elven language.

"I do not know," said Morrigan, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Very well," said Flemeth in English. Well, in Fereldan. "Take your treaties." She tossed me a package and I caught it effortlessly. "Morrigan shall show you the way to your camp. And Warden." I looked at her. "Consider this a kindness I don't often extend." I nodded before walking up to Morrigan.

"Lead the way, Lady Crow." Flemeth cackled at the nickname, prompting a glare from Morrigan directed at both of us. "Oh you love it. I can tell. Better than what Alistair's thinking. It's not often he has a witch swoop in on us unexpectedly. Doesn't help you're more beautiful than one might expect living off the land."

"Don't go putting words in my mouth," said Alistair. "But no, I don't appreciate the swooping thing. What I appreciate even less is that you knew it would happen."

"These eyes see more than yours do, Alistair. They're not just for show." I tossed a throwing knife I took off Daveth as I walked past him into the shadows, a Genlock falling to the ground shortly after. "Are you coming or would you rather stick around for a wave of scouts to dare brave close to the witch's hut?"

"Right behind you," said Daveth.

"Would you slow down," asked Alyssa, "Damn humans."

"Keep up, knights," I said over my shoulder. "Or Flemeth might skin the both of ya."

"Perhaps I might," laughed Flemeth, scaring Jory into following me. Alistair gave her a look before catching up.

Within an hour, we were back to the portion of the Wilds closest to Maric's Camp. I looked at the sky and assessed the time. About four hours till the battle. "Whatever this ritual is, I think we should get it over with soon."

"I'll lead them back to camp," said Alistair. "You get rid of the witch."

"What's wrong, Alistair? Not looking to get better acquainted with the woman? I doubt many have had a chance to get close."

"No. And never suggest such a thing again." I chuckled before walking to Morrigan.

"Thank you, Lady Crow."

"Call me that again and see what happens," she glared.

"Your magic can do nothing to me."

"We shall see, Warden. We shall see." I smirked as she walked away before heading to the camp and bracing myself as Fenrir tackled me.

"Ok! Down boy!" Wynne chuckled as she walked over.

"He's as hyperactive as ever," she said.

"Well, he's trying to cheer me up. With everything that's happened, I really haven't had time to grieve, you know?"

"I understand. If you're up for it, you can attempt to enter the Fade."

"I doubt that'd be wise, Wynne. The less certain Spirits know of my existence, the better, believe me. I don't fit in the rules of the Fade. They would resent me. Though, I'm used to humans doing the same so why not?"

"Perhaps you are right. It wouldn't do to annoy the Spirits on the eve of battle."

"Sorry, Wynne. But my magic is just too different."

"It's alright, Phoenix. How was the expedition to the Wilds?"

"Eventful." I stood up and walked beside her back into camp. "Met the infamous Witch of the Wilds, Flemeth."

"You're having me on."

"I swear on the Maker. Flemeth and her daughter, a woman named Morrigan."

"I'm surprised you're not shaken by that?"

"Why would I be? I've had no need to fear magic."

"I wish you would be more cautious about yours."

"I'm fine, Old Bird."

"And I wish you wouldn't call me that."

"It's a compliment. Old means wise for Mages."

"I'm not a bird. Should I treat you like those beasts of your name in the Western Approach?"

"Point taken, Wynne."

"Good. Now, I must tend to other matters. Good day, Lord Cousland."

"Wynne." I turned to Alyssa as she walked over to me. "Can I help you, Alyssa?"

"Why are you so chummy with everyone?"

"I was raised to believe all intelligent beings are created equal. Human, Elf, Dwarf, Qunari." Fenrir barked. "Mabari."

"I still find it hard to believe this slobbering mutt is intelligent." Fenrir whined slightly and tilted his head, looking at her. "Don't look at me like that."

"And yet you talk to him like he's a person." I smirked as I walked past her. "Fenrir. Back to the pens." The Mabari barked before running ahead to the pens. "Now then. Do you need some tips on fighting, Alyssa?"

"What could I possibly learn other than what you've taught me." I hummed to myself before taking a bow and arrow from the merchant nearby and moving behind a tent, facing Alyssa with the archery targets to my right.

"Anyone in front of the targets right now?"

"What? You're going to make that?"

"I am."

"I'm calling crap. You're not even facing the right way, and even if you turn, you have to aim through the tent. You're not making it." I notched my arrow.

"Last chance. Still think I can't make it?" I aimed at her, my arrow higher up than the normal notch.

"Stop aiming that at me!"

"I'm not. I'm aiming for the target." I loosed the arrow and she flinched before hearing a hit to her left. I smirked as she looked at me in confusion before looking at the target and seeing my arrow in the hay. "Archer's Paradox. Normally the curve only works with a slight effect, but I've figured out how to shoot around corners due to trial and a lot of error. Mother nearly killed me when I destroyed several paintings in the Cousland family home. Though one of them was my grandmother, so she forgave me." I retrieved the arrow and returned that and the bow to the merchant. "Notch your arrows in different spots on your bow and torque the string next time. You'll figure out how to abuse the Paradox in order to pull off impossible shots. Good for diversions and shooting from cover." She looked at her bow before looking at me.

"How much trial and error?"

"Unlike most people, I had nothing to do. Growing up, when I wasn't studying with my magic, or my political knowledge, I was learning how to innovate my fighting. Shooting around corners, disarming shields, shattering swords, taking hits normal people would falter to and more. Oh, and a bit of farming and sailing experience on the side." I crossed my arms.

"Why?"

"Too much time plus dreams of being a hero." I chuckled as I moved my shield around, showing me the Cousland Crest. "Though some hero I am. Couldn't even save my family from slaughter." I growled and slung it back to my back. "Howe will pay. For what we've both been through." I looked at her. "I think it's time to go to Duncan. I saw Daveth, Jory and Alistair heading to his tent. We can go there now or try and see if we can find some things around the camp."

"I feel like we're good on spare things for now."

"Alright. Then let's get this ritual started. Keep in mind, because of their secrecy, more than likely they'll kill us if we refuse once we learn what's going to happen. Just accept it as it is and we'll both survive."

"How are you sure?"

"Think about how many they must recruit from Conscription and normal applicants. Now think about how many Warden's you'd see even on the surface. Either all of them go into the Deep Roads on a daily basis, they have a high mortality rate, or most never survive the ritual, meaning they always have a low number of actual recruits. I didn't bring this up with Daveth and Jory because to be honest, I don't know what they'd do." She glanced at the Grey Warden tent before looking at me.

"I'm not so sure about joining now."

"Well it's join and potentially die, or don't join and inevitably die within a few days because of your altercation with Howe. Or worse life imprisonment and potential slavery to the Tevinter Imperium." She frowned before shaking her head.

"Dammit."

"We both have no choice at this point in time. We need to establish that now. So we need to make a promise now."

"What promise?"

"We protect each other. Watch each other's backs. We get through this and promise that whoever survives, if we both don't already get through this Joining, to get revenge for the other. We survive, we make sure that stays that way until we both get through this thrice damned Blight. Agreed?" I held out my hand to her, lacing our words with magic. She hesitated before shaking my hand.

"Agreed." Our hands glowed with magical energy and a mark appeared on the backs of them.

"Deal is struck."

"What is this?!"

"The mark of our promise. A reminder to survive and push through anything we come across until our vengeance is complete. Or until the Howe's are on the right hand of justice if we can't kill Rendon outright. During or after the Blight, whichever happens first." She looked at the mark worriedly. "Don't worry. It's nothing more than a reminder." 'And a slight push in the most dire situations to better yourself and get out alive. The world needs you more than it does me. Tabris would make a better impact as the Hero than Cousland anyways.'

We made our way to the tent and were led to an obscure portion of Ostagar away from prying eyes. Duncan turned to me. "Phoenix," he said. "I don't suppose your studies have brought you to knowledge of how to block off unwanted eyes."

"One warding field coming up, Duncan." I slammed my hand on the ground, eyes glowing silver and light flashed a hundred feet around us. Not enough to draw attention but enough to signify my magic was working. "We're good. No one will come across this section of the ruins. Not that anyone would anyways. They're all focused on the battle tonight."

"You can never be too careful. Now then… It's time to induct you four into the Grey Wardens."

The start of the ritual was the same. Daveth and Jory both died. When Alyssa's turn was up, she turned to me and I nodded. This was why I had made that promise with her. To push her along. To make sure she was the Hero of Fereldan. I watched as her eyes turned black and she soon collapsed, my spell protecting her from death as she passed out. Duncan nodded, feeling the Blight in her, showing she was a Warden now before he turned to me. "It is your turn now, Phoenix."

"Right." I sighed and took the chalice from him before looking at Alistair and Duncan. "See you both on the other side." I downed the Blighted Blood and instantly, was brought a vision of the Archdemon. I could feel my body collapse from the strain of the disease. This was my first instance of Astral Projection, an ability I would use in other worlds as well. I hovered over the Archdemon, my new connection to it allowing me to locate it but not fully hear it. Already, I could feel my magic fighting the Blight to protect me, but I forced it back for the time being. Once I confirmed the Archdemon was under Ostagar, baiting the Wardens and Maric's Army, I transitioned to another location on instinct, appearing at the Howe estate in front of Rendon who was going over the winnings from their sack on Castle Cousland. "Keep smiling while you can, bastard. I'm coming for you." My view switched to Lothering and I found myself in front of a beautiful redheaded woman singing a song in the tavern of the small town. Instantly, I was entranced. This woman who would become one of my friends and companions, the Bard Leliana.

That's when the strangest thing happened. Something that would become apparent with a number of people I would meet across worlds. Leliana paused slightly as she turned to where I was floating, eyes meeting mine. I blinked as I met her gaze and was startled back to my body from the incident. I groaned as Alistair and Duncan dropped me as I shook myself awake. I glared at Alistair who chuckled. "Sorry," he said. "Weren't expecting you to wake up so soon."

"So you drop me?"

"You're the one who started thrashing. What? Did you have a nightmare?"

"I saw a blighted dragon."

"The Archdemon," said Duncan.

"It's in an old Thaig underneath Ostagar and… It didn't seem keen on leaving any time soon. Duncan, I think…"

"Grey Wardens," called a soldier as he rushed over. "Sizable scouting party spotted in the Wilds!"

"Damn. Phoenix, stay with Alyssa. Alistair with me!" I watched as they ran off and I shook my head.

"Right. Fate finds a way to keep things in motion. Now you're stuck on babysitter duty and talking to yourself. Why am I doing that anyways? Oh right. Used to talking with Cortana." I groaned. "I miss advanced tech. Bows and arrows are fine and dandy, but it's safer to take them out at a distance with a good .308 round to the head." I chuckled slightly. "Never thought I'd miss the Capitol Wasteland."

It was nightfall and the fighting had begun in the ruins when Alistair made his way back to us. "Anything," he asked.

"She's still out like a lantern. No Darkspawn have stumbled upon us yet, though."

"Take that as a blessing." Alyssa's groaning alerted us to her waking and I stood up from my spot. "Speaking of blessings. Someone's blessed us with her presence."

"Is it a blessing or a curse?"

"Only knowing her a day? I'd say a bit of both."

"Piss off, both of you," groaned Alyssa as I helped her up.

"Now that Sleeping Beauty is awake, we should get to the others," I said. "The fighting's started and sounds like its reached the ruins. We need to move now to help Duncan."

"We need to head to the tower. Someone was supposed to light the signal fire," said Alistair. "It's supposed to summon Loghain's men to finish off the Darkspawn."

"It won't be that easy. Nothing ever is." I picked up my sword and shield and rolled my shoulder before looking at Alyssa. "Gave your arrows an upgrade, by the way. Nightshade poison on the tips. Be very careful drawing them. I didn't have enough leather to make a pair of gloves for you. I made the poison extremely deadly."

"What about me," asked Alistair.

"You heard me say I've only got a limited amount of supplies, right? Nothing for you. Just stay out of her line of sight and you're fine."

"What about you?"

"Yeah, I've built a very large immunity to nightshade. Tends to happen when I test the potency."

"You tested it on yourself?!"

"I wasn't gonna ask my servants to test them. I had them ready with antidotes and healing potions, though. Mother was extremely worried I would die when I took an interest in alchemy she made sure I had people nearby in case I overdid it."

"Are you insane," asked Alyssa. I turned to her, looking like I was thinking before holding my fingers a centimeter apart. "Maker. Why am I stuck with you two?"

"Because the Fates are fickle bitches. We can complain later." I blocked a few arrows aimed at her with the Shield of Highever and cut them off before glaring at the Genlocks readying the next volley. "We've been found! Alyssa! Cover us! Alistair with me!"

"I'm supposed to give the orders," whined Alistair.

"Just charge!" I rushed forward and blocked an arrow aimed at my head with my shield as Alistair followed after me. I could hear arrows flying past me from Alyssa as I met a Genlock's head with my shield and slammed the pommel of my blade into its head before blocking the axe of his neighbor. I threw the Genlock away before ducking under an arrow that lodged into the first's head, curtesy of Alyssa. A Hurlock charged at me, forcing me to disengage from the second Genlock and block the jagged sword from decapitating me.

Alistair took on the brunt of the Genlocks with Alyssa backing him up by taking out the archers. I rolled under the Hurlock and slashed upwards, slicing through the Darkspawn's shield arm and making it limp. It snarled at me and swung its sword down. I blocked with my shield and pushed back as Alistair shouted, drawing its attention to him for a brief moment. I stabbed forward, impaling its throat before slicing through and removing its head. "Down," shouted Alyssa. I ducked and let an arrow soar into a second Hurlock coming behind me.

"Alyssa! Advance!" I kicked a Genlock from Alistair and stabbed into its head before whistling. I flipped a Genlock over my back as it charged me and a large mass leapt onto the monster's neck, jaws clamping down on its throat. "Good boy, Fenrir!" Alistair groaned as a few Genlocks chopped at his shield.

"Need some help," he called. I shot my hand out, a fireball catching one of the axes on fire as Alyssa dropped one of the Genlocks. The remaining Genlocks were sliced cleanly through as Alistair swung his sword with enough force to snap his iron sword. "Damn." I handed him the Cousland Family Sword.

"Try not to break it, Alistair."

"Are you sure? This sword belongs to your family."

"I don't need it." I slung my shield to my back and brought out my staff. "Let's head to the tower. The soldiers inside should've lit the signal fire already. Something's wrong."

"Lead the way," said Alyssa.

"Fenrir. Stick with Alyssa and watch her back." The Mabari barked and moved to the archer's side. "Move out!" We made our way across the bridge, pausing as a portion exploded from a boulder thrown by an Ogre. I looked out at the sea of bodies as I watched the bloody war below. I frowned, knowing my 'brother' was nowhere near the fighting but might still be in danger.

"Phoenix," shouted Alyssa.

"My brother's down there!"

"Focus on it later!"

"She's right," said Alistair. "We need to get off of this bridge! I don't want to be on the wrong end of one of those boulders!"

"Come on, then," I said. I rolled my shoulder and led the way across the bridge, meeting a team of Darkspawn half way. I slammed my staff into the ground, freezing their feet to the stone beneath them before I tackled the Hurlock to the ground, plunging a hidden dagger into its neck as Fenrir snapped his jaws around a Genlock. Alyssa finished off the final two with carefully aimed arrows right into the Genlocks' eyes. I picked up the Hurlock's sword and weighed it before nodding. "You'll do." I stood up and blocked a spell aimed my way.

"What was that?!"

"Looks like Darkspawn can use magic now! Sometimes I hate evolution!" I roared in annoyance as a fireball glanced past my shield. The shockwave shook the air and stumbled Genlock mage before breathing in. "Fuck off!" I shot forward with a magic enhanced sprint and slammed my shield into the mage's face, blighted blood spurting across my face before I grabbed his neck and snapped it. The remaining Genlocks around me snarled in surprise before attempting to charge. "Just a little speed enhancement and…" My arms and glowed as I picked up a dropped steel sword and stabbed into the first Hurlock, impaling the steel into its heart. I ripped it out and decapitated a second one with the Hurlock's sword before disarming a third with the steel. The last Genlock started to run. I chuckled before snapping. The Genlock burst into flames and screamed in pain before collapsing. A Mage and Templar joined us and I dropped the steel sword, favoring the reach of the Darkspawn blade.

"Was that Magic," asked the Templar.

"Soul Magic. Not reliant on the Fade. You two come with us! We need to signal Loghain's men to attack!"

"Who are you to order me, Mage?!"

"Grey Warden Phoenix Cousland!"

"Of House Cousland," asked the Mage.

"Yes. Now move, the both of you! We need to get to the tower!"

"Maker," grumbled the Templar. "A Noble Mage. Now I've seen everything." We entered the tower and saw the last of the Wardens inside get rammed into the wall by the horns of an Ogre.

"Holy hell…" I've faced down some big things before. One of the biggest bipedal I've ever fought was a Supermutant Behemoth at an abandoned trainyard protecting a bottle of Nuka-Cola Quantum. Don't ask. But that was taken out at a distance with a few mines and a Fat Man launcher. Seeing something just as big and more than likely deadlier based on speed alone was… downright terrifying. I was snapped out of my stupor only by the dying snarl of a Genlock in front of me. I looked down and saw my dagger buried into its neck, my hands having moved on their own. I growled before kicking the corpse away and looking at Alistair.

"I'll draw the smaller ones to me," he said. "Templar, help me."

"Alyssa, stick with Alistair."

"Right," she said.

"Mage. You're with me! Fenrir! Protect him!" The Mabari barked before I picked up another Darkspawn blade. "Hey! You hulking piece of shit!" I kicked a piece of rubble the size of my head into the Ogre's eye, making it snarl at me. "Eyes on me, Blighter!" I ran for the Ogre with a shield spell igniting around my body, curtesy of the Mage at my back while I heard Fenrir chomp down on a Darkspawn getting too close to their position while Alistair and the Templar cut down Genlocks with Alyssa shooting down archers and Genlock Mages as they came from the hole in the ground.

The Ogre slammed its fists down to me, prompting me to freeze in place before rolling to the side and slicing at its wrist as I did. With a snarl the Ogre clenched at its hand before throwing a corpse at me. I grunted as it knocked me to the ground and left me open to be stomped on. I grunted in pain before stabbing one of the Darkspawn blades into its foot to get him off. I stood up and spat up some blood as Alyssa launched an arrow into its damaged eye. I started casting a healing spell on my body before blocking a volley of arrows aimed at me from a line of Genlock archers. I growled as one went through my leg, just missing my knee. "Oh good… Almost became a hold guard. That would've been humiliating." I pulled out the arrow before duplicating it and using a wind spell to send them back to the archers. "Alistair, Templar! It's charging! Look out!" Alistair threw a Hurlock into its path while the Templar was trapped in place by a Genlock Mage's frost spell and tackled into the wall. I settled my sword and shield to my back before charging a massive flame spell, focusing on the Ogre's position.

"I'll help," said the mage as they charged their own spell.

"Alistair! Get out of there!" Alistair glanced at us from hacking at the Ogre's legs before seeing what we were doing.

"Oh, Maker," he muttered before running to Alyssa's side as she turned the Ogre into a pincushion.

"Now!" We released our spells, two moderate sized fireballs sailed across the room before impacting with the Ogre, setting the furs on its armor aflame. I rushed in and hopped onto its back from a nearby broken pillar and stabbed the sword into the Ogre's neck. It roared as it tried throwing me off while Alyssa shot out its remaining eye. It managed to get me airborne as I held onto my sword. I managed to use a wind spell to turn me, bringing me around enough to swing my sword as I was coming down.

Alyssa looked at me as the Ogre's head rolled to her and Alistair. I panted and dropped to a knee as I finished healing my broken ribs. I spit out the last of the blood in my mouth and breathed deep before standing up, my hand shaking. One of the things that had become apparent through my travels so far was this. I'm a very stubborn bastard. To the point that even my body refuses to acknowledge defeat when my mind shuts down. It's more than likely a defense mechanism from either my magic or the natural defenses of Gallio's creation that makes up my base form. Homo Accommodare. An adaptive variant of the Homo Sapien-Sapien species created by the Manifestation of Science and Progress himself. Faster reflexes, faster thinking speed, high endurance than a normal human. Enough to track down a would be lich, but not enough to take on full blown gods. Not for long at least.

"Are you ok," asked the archer.

"Peachy…" I stood up and groaned. "Do not get a massage from those things. Might crack a few ribs."

"Templar's down."

"I saw. We can't worry on that now we need to…" The clank of metal against metal brought my attention to the floors above us. "Survivors?" 'That's new.'

"Come on," exclaimed Alistair as he unbarred the doorway to the staircase. "We can help them and have some backup for the beacon."

"Let's get a move on, then." 'At least until the Darkspawn open up the floor down here.' We fought our way through the tower, recruiting a few soldiers and a second mage on our way to the top. There was a glimmer of hope in Alistair's and Alyssa's eyes. One I knew would be snuffed out sooner rather than later. It didn't matter how many people we had in the tower with us. What came next was inevitable.

I lit the signal fire and looked out at the sea of bodies. I enhanced my vision to the hill Loghain's forces were behind and saw him turn his army about, towards Denerim. "That bastard…"

"Phoenix," asked Alyssa.

"Loghain's abandoning the battle with his men in tow! We need to…"

"Form ranks," shouted one of the soldiers. "Darkspawn incoming!"

"Duncan," exclaimed Alistair as he looked out the window to the battle below as an Ogre crushed the Warden Commander after dealing with Cailan. Another Ogre slammed through the wall of shields at the stairs, leading to the Darkspawn starting to slaughter the soldiers. I picked up a mace before slamming it into the head of a Genlock and blocking an arrow volley. Alistair and Alyssa were both exhausted from the constant fighting and were starting to slow. A stray blast from one of the mages went wide and took out a Hurlock in front of them, knocking them out before Flemeth slammed through the wall in her dragon form.

"Took your time, didn't you," I shouted before turning to the approaching horde. "Fuck off!" I shot my hands out, sending a gust of wind into the horde as Flemeth picked up my fellow Wardens in her claws. "Go! I'll catch up!" I picked up my family's blade, dropped by Alistair, and sheathed it before slamming my hands down, sheathing my body in wind, I followed after Flemeth as she took off. I flew behind her, covered by the sounds of fighting and the darkness above, my armor being a leather armor to not reflect the light of the fires below. I frowned as I saw the lives ended below and turned away, trying to put the deaths out of my mind. 'Nothing you can do, Phoenix. Just keep going.' Even as I thought this, another presence entered my mind.

"You will fail, Warden," boomed a voice in my head as a roar echoed in the valley. "Death shall come for you!"