"You will be guided by those you seek as for the Vir'Abelasan it shall not be despoiled even if I must destroy it myself!" Abelas decides after Eve had decided to ally which seems fair until…
"No!" Urgently, Morrigan cries out transforming into a crow and flying after Abelas.
"Morrigan no!" Eve calls out but it falls too deaf or well feathered ears as we follow after them.
"You tough bastards- a day's march, hours of fighting and still fierce as dragons. The chantry never knew what it was throwing away." Proudly, Samson beams as we arrive at the sight, my eyes widening in disgust at the charred corpses and limp bodies having been impaled noting one struggling the dark depths of water before having its neck snapped by the tall lyrium infused creature towering above him.
"Samson sir! Watch out!" One of the most normal looking Templars warns him drawing out his blade.
"Inquisitor. You and those elf things don't know when to stop. You've hunted us across Thedas. I should've guessed you'd follow us into this hole." Scowling, Samson greets us.
"Stop this now Samson, didn't Kirkwall's bloodshed teach you nothing?" Angrily, I demand from him, remembering his pathetic form having fled the battle as blood was spilled.
"It taught me the powerful capabilities of lyrium, I saw what happened to Meredith and I've seen you fighting, the price paid is nothing compared to the power given." Smugly, he declares as I shake my head at the fool, still having not learned his lesson.
"Listen to me, your lyrium is gone, you will fall back into your withdrawal, but it will kill you this time Samson, red lyrium withdrawal are much more horrid then the lyrium provided by the chantry!" Pleadingly, Eve begs for Samson to see reason making me shake my head at the lost cause.
"And you would know?" Samson challenges her.
I know enough to know it's worse than death. Samson please listen to me. Maddox is dead he wouldn't want this, he died for your cause. Samson please stand down…" Gently, Eve reasons to Samson his face softening at the mention of the tranquil, recalling Eve mentioning her going off with Cullen somewhere surprising me at the time to see her so serious and not be so weird and giggly about it all.
"I told him not to…he died as one of us. One of the faithful…Corypheus chose me twice, first as his general, now as his vessel for the well of sorrows. You know what's inside the well? Wisdom. The kind of wisdom that can scour a world. I give it to Corypheus, and he can walk into the fade without your precious anchor." Samson proclaims.
"He'll cast you aside!" Eve tells him.
"You dare say that to my face!? After you butchered my men!? You're no match for Corypheus. Even if you drink from the well, you'll never master its wisdom as he could. This is the strength the chantry tried to bind. But it's a new world now with a new god. So, inquisitor how will this go?" Tauntingly, Samson demands from her, fury etched into his roaring tone.
Power's all well and good. Until it's taken away. Smirking, Eve raises some strange amulet as Samson releases a pained cry, falling to the floor as the red hue around him disperses.
"What did you do? What did you do!?" Angrily, Samson demands on his knees.
"My armour it's gone. The lyrium…I need it! Kill them all!" Pained, Samson cries to the heavens as I groan.
"Here we go." Tiredly, I sigh already predicting the cravings and withdrawal having filtered in as the fight begins.
"You can't take it from me Corypheus he must…eugh…" Defeated, Samson collapses to the ground in defeat.
"He's still breathing." Surprised, Cassandra raises a brow after kneeling down and hearing his low breathes.
"Yeah he's sort of like a cockroach you think he's dead but sadly he just can't die." Disappointed, I sigh shaking my head at the mess.
"We can take him back to Skyhold for judgement…" Eve reasons as I sigh and nod, seems like a waste of time and space but eh, the inquisitor's word is law I suppose.
"Abelas!" Worried, Eve calls out to him once catching sight of him as we turn. Frowning, my eyes narrow when spotting Abelas frantically searching, rushing over to the well no doubt when I note a familiar raven or crow looming over him, chasing after him following after him as he desperately climbs the slowly appearing stone steps upwards towards the well. Urgently, we follow after him up the steps finding Morrigan having reverted back to her human form, blocking Abelas path towards the well of sorrows.
"You heard his parting words Inquisitor the elf seeks to destroy the well of sorrows." Scowling, Morrigan greets us.
"So the sanctum is despoiled at last…" Disgusted, Abelas stumbles back.
"You would have destroyed the well yourself given the chance." Angrily, Morrigan seethes at him.
"But why!? Why destroy the last chance, the last hope of the elves regaining their identity!?" Lost, I demand from him.
"Because it is not theirs!" Proudly, he declares making me shake my head disgusted by his reasoning.
"They didn't ask to change; they didn't ask to abandon it! Now would you get over yourself! Proclaiming yourself to be better than them if anything you're worse. You were the one hording the truth, selfishly hiding it from those that died for this wells secrets…" Angrily, I explain to him.
"To keep it from your grasping fingers better then it to be lost then those underserving." Poisonously, he spits out directing it at Morrigan and I.
"Don't you see, pride does nothing all it caused is destroy so much. Thanks to your pride you can't see how selfish you are. I mean who are you to decide the well's fate? What makes you think you can choose the wells fate when you yourself have no idea how much this well's knowledge can save people, can save millions and help them!" I reason to him trying to get him to see reason, to see the logic, to see others outside of his own who could benefit from this well.
"Fool you'd let your people's legacy rot in the shadows!" Angrily, Morrigan scowls at Abelas as we stand before the well.
"For once I agree with the wicked witch." Annoyed, I place my hands on my hips irritated.
"Enough! Let's just…talk about this. If this well can help us, we need to talk this through, you spoke about the price Morrigan, but we don't know what kind of price that's the issue." Pleadingly, Eve tries to be peacemaker.
"The well clearly offers power Inquisitor if that power can be turned against Corypheus can you afford not to use it?" Morrigan reasons to Eve.
"Do you even know what you ask? As each servant of Mythal reached the end of their years they would pass their knowledge on through this. All that we were all that we knew it would be lost forever…" Glumly, Abelas explains to us looking out sadly over the well.
"It doesn't seem easy holding onto what's left." Sadly, Eve sympathises with Abelas.
"It wouldn't have to be…" Gently, I begin.
"How!?" Sharply, he demands from me.
"You can leave, your duty would be done, you would have nothing more to protect. You could start again, spread the truth to those that will listen with the others tell the elves the truth of their origin, try reaching out to them for once instead of hiding in the shadows…make up for your years of neglect, of slumber by reaching out to them…" I implore him, his eyes widening from my words.
"But will they listen?" Frowning, he demands from me.
"Some may others may not but its through those that listen that the truth can be shared." Calmly, I reason to him.
"And if that truth is twisted, turned?" Angrily, he scowls at me.
"Then you can continue spreading the message, clarifying some things even." I reason.
"You can promise me this?" Scowling, he asks making me frown.
"No I can't but the world is changing Abelas for the better after all this, a new era may be created, a new hope you can use that to spread the truth we can help you do that…the well may be gone but the knowledge will live on by sharing the truth out." Bluntly, I tell him.
"You cannot imagine. Each time we awaken it slips further from grasp," Pained, he tells me.
"There are other places my friend, other places where your people yet linger…" Solas voices out surprising me as we both turn to him.
"Elven such as you?" Scowling, Abelas eyes narrow at Solas.
"Yes, such as I." Solas confirms.
"You have shown respect to Mythal and there is a righteousness to you I cannot deny. Is that your desire? To partake in the Vir'Abelasan as best you can. To fight your enemy." Abelas requests off of Eve.
"If you'll allow it." Quietly, Eve exclaims.
"One does not obtain permission. One obtains the right. The Vir'Abelasan may be too much for a mortal to comprehend. Brave it if you must. But know this you shall be bound to the will of Mythal." Gravely, Abelas warns her.
"Bound? To a goddess who no longer exists if she ever did?" Morrigan raises a brow scoffing at the thought.
"Bound as we are bound. The choice is yours." Frowning, Abelas exclaims.
"Is Mythal…is it possible for her to still be alive?" Confused, Eve enquires.
"Anything is possible." Abelas states.
"Elven legend states that Mythal was tricked by Fen'Harel and banished to the beyond." Lost, Morrigan tells him.
"Elven" legend is wrong. The dread wolf had nothing to do with her murder." Sternly, Abelas answers.
"Then why did they frame them like that? What could this god have done to deserve everyone's hatred?" Annoyed, I demand from Abelas raising a brow surprised almost by my question.
"Murder? I spoke nothing of-" Morrigan points out lost.
"She was slain if a god truly can be. Betrayed by those who destroyed this temple. Yet the Vir'Abelasan remains. As do we. That is something." Abelas says.
"Where will you go?" Eve queries.
"Our duty ends why remain?" Abelas questions.
"There is a place for you lethallin if you seek it." Solas calls out to him, calmly.
"Perhaps there are places the shemlin have not touched. It may be that only Uthenera awaits us. The blissful sleep of eternity never to be awaken. If fate is kind." Abelas considers.
"And running from your issues great choice," Sarcastically, I remark crossing my arms once more.
"What do you recommend?" Abelas demands irritated.
"I don't know what have I been pounding into your head this entire conversation!?" Fed up, I snap at him.
"The imperium went to great lengths to sponge elven history you could be the last to know the truth." Dorian agrees with me.
"Would the elves of your land listen?" Abelas questions him.
"Maybe would it hurt to try? If you don't more cases may become like Fen or worse…" Pained, ashamed almost, Dorian glances at me only to turn away pained, making me sigh shaking my head.
"It very well may Shemlin yes." Sternly, he rejects the offer.
"Thank you...for what it's worth. You could fight with us join us he killed your people." Hopeful, Eve offers.
"We killed ourselves, long ago." Solemnly, Abelas states confusing me.
"Malas Amelin Ne Halam Abelas…" Solas informs him as I blink perplexed not even I can translate that.
"His name Abelas it means sorrow. I told him I hope he finds a new name…" Solas clarifies for us as he walks away from us leaving us with the well.
"You'll note the intact Eluvian I was correct on that count at least…" Tiredly, Morrigan acknowledges as she looks over at the well, noting the dusty Eluvian presented before us limp and lifeless.
"Is it still a threat? Can Corypheus use it to travel to the fade?" Eve wonders.
"You recall when I took you through my Eluvian each required a key. The well is the key. Take its power and Mythal's last Eluvian will be no more used to Corypheus than glass. I did not expect the well to feel so…hungry." Amazed, Morrigan whispers in awe as she looks out at the waters below.
"Morrigan you're better than this don't let it draw you in, we have to think about this carefully!" Concerned, Eve voices out to her worry etched into her features.
"Knowledge begets a hunger for more. I am willing to pay the price the well demands. I am also the best suited to use its knowledge in your service…" Solemnly, Morrigan whispers in awe.
"Or more likely to your own ends." Bitterly, Solas scowls at her.
"What would you know of my ends elf?" Snippily, Morrigan's eyes narrow at him.
"You are a glutton drooling at the sight of a feast you cannot be trusted!" Angrily, Solas glowers at Morrigan.
"I don't like it either she is far too eager…" Cassandra agrees with Solas.
"I do not hide it to restore lost knowledge I would risk much." Honest, Morrigan states.
"And what would you do with it? You could be even worse than Corypheus!" Cassandra confesses.
"So paralysed yourself with fear for what might be. I can give nothing but my word. Of those present I have the training to make use of it. Let me drink Inquisitor. I have studied the oldest lore. I have delved into mysterious of which you could only dream. Can you honestly tell me there is anyone better suited?" Confidently, Morrigan challenges Eve.
"What about you Solas?" Eve turns to him.
"No. Do not ask me again." Sternly, he scowls.
"What about you Dorian?" Eve turns to Dorian.
"A human from Tevinter scoops up the last bits of elven knowledge? I know why you ask I know that it's important but…I can't be that man." Dorian refuses.
"Fennic?" Eve turns to me making me arch a brow.
"Wait what?" Frowning, I raise a brow.
"She can't!" Surprised, we both turn to the worried Solas.
"Excuse you?" Insulted, I glower at him.
"Vhenan please!" Pleadingly, Solas turns to face me as I seethe, feeling my hands bawl up.
"Well Fen what about you?" Eve repeats.
"Me as an option? You're joking right? You got to be desperate…" I mutter as Morrigan's eyes narrow.
"But it may be able to hold the knowledge to help you." Eve offers.
"Look Eve I'm flattered but I can't who knows what how my lyrium will react to the magic. I'm sorry but I can't." Sighing, I confess.
"What do you guys think?" Eve questions us.
"She is right about only one thing. We should take the power that lies in that well." Sternly, Solas states as I frown at him, how are we to even do that? He doesn't trust Morrigan, but he doesn't want any of us to take it…how are we to take the well without a vessel? Can't we just take some of the water within a flask or something? Have it analysed by Dagna or something and then come to an conclusion one having a report from the magical experts? Can't we just do that!?
"It all seems ghoulish let Morrigan use it if she wants it so much." Dorian advises.
"If it is truly between you and her…then let her take the risk. Maker help us all." Cassandra sighs.
"Fen?" Eve turns to see my furrowed brow.
"Urgh…I don't know. Morrigan has her kid to consider in all this, for all she knows this well could do more harm than good and if you took it…maybe flip a coin or something I don't know!" Honestly, I confess, I don't know enough to make a decision its on them.
"Enough deliberation give me your decision!" Fed up, Morrigan demands from her.
"I guess Morrigan is the only one I barely know anything on elven lore…I had to have you guys tell me stuff after all…." Eve gives in making Morrigan smirk proudly.
"Bound to the will of a dead god? It seems an empty warning. Perhaps a compulsion yet remains. Who can say otherwise? I do not fear it either so." Bravely, Morrigan declares.
"Do you really want this Morrigan to be bound by the will of a god?" Uncertain, Eve questions her concern etched into her features.
"We do not and yet it must be done. I am ready." Sternly, Morrigan dictates as we all nod stepping back for Morrigan to drink the well…
Frowning, I watch on my arms crossed as Eve sends her a worried look but she assures her almost nodding at her as she focuses on ahead, delving into the dark depths of the water, bowing respectfully to the pool of knowledge until diving down after twirling for some reason. My blues narrow at the aura like blue mist, gas substance surrounding her, beginning to engulf her almost as she dives down kneeling into the pool and taking a sip, only for our eyes to widen when a wave of water bursts out the current sloshing and dispersing before us, causing the tidal of water to come crashing down on us, making us dart aback as we peer over finding a unconscious Morrigan sat upon the empty well. Urgently, Eve rushes over to her side shaking her.
"Morrigan! Morrigan! Please be okay! Please be okay!" Pleadingly, Eve begs shaking her desperate as frowning, I approach the panicked woman kneeling down placing my forefingers to her neck, detecting a pulse. Lightly, I slap her cheek making her yellows hues burst open as she jumps forward groaning cradling her head, releasing some ancient elven curse as Eve glances at me for translation, only to see my confusion. Just because I'm learning doesn't mean I know it all yet, all seems okay until I note the heavy hue of smoky blue resonating from her, this must be the gas, Eve mentioned only then for Corypheus to arrive, fuming roaring as we all dart to the mirror heading back to Skyhold.
"So why bring us here?" Curious, I question Solas looking up at the opening of the waterfall.
"I was trying to determine some way to show you what you mean to me." Earnestly, he begins making my eyes widen.
"If you think this sweet talking is going to get you far then think again love…" Sassily, I warn him perplexed by the sudden heavy atmosphere.
"Perhaps but I think at least you should know the truth, that is the best thing I believe I can offer. You are unique in all Thedas. I have never expected to find someone who could draw my attention from the fade." Softly, he smiles making me blink not used to his words.
"My, my guessing that means I win against your fade girlfriend…" Cheekily, I remark feeling my muscles tighten, unadjusted to the strange air around us.
"Heh, yes I have to give you that. You have become important to me, more important than I could have ever imagined…" Honestly, he confesses making my eyes wide, feeling my muscles tighten, noting a brief thought in my head telling me to run only for me to exhale, calming myself.
"Hey, I know that, look I know we fight but come on where's all this coming from? You dying on me or something?" Strained, I smile not adjusting to his tender words.
"Fennic your markings, the magisters that carved your skin in an attempt of vallaslin. In my journeys in the fade I have seen things I have discovered what those marks mean." Solas reveals to me.
"What do you mean?" Perplexed, I encourage him.
"They are slave markings or at least they were in the time of ancient Arlathan. A noble would mark his slaves to honour the god he worshipped." Solas informs me.
"So even back then they had slaves, heh I should have known. Arlathan really was no better than Tevinter." Emptily, I chuckle bowing my head shaking it.
"I wouldn't say that…after Arlathan the Dalish forgot…" Solas tells me.
"You're telling me the reason I got these markings were just another thing the elven and Tevinter magisters got wrong, the reason I got these marks were for…nothing. Tch guess I really am a hollow mask, just like Abelas said…" Grimly, I whisper my brow furrowed just like Abelas said, I really am nothing but a feeble attempt at a ritual long forgotten, a embarrassment to the sentinels.
"That isn't true you were a victim you didn't choose these markings…don't say that. I'm sorry. For all they did wrong, the Tevinter did one thing right. I didn't tell you this to hurt you." Gently, he assures me as I sigh, bowing my head sometimes the truth hurts.
"Solas I can't play the victim card yes you are right but still just goes to show how selfish the sentinels are by hoarding away this information all it does is create self-attempt failures like me and cause the Dalish to continue a tradition they so love having no idea how messed up it really is…" Pained, I turn my head away saddened by the sad truth of the situation and reality.
"I wouldn't call them selfish…" Solas exclaims making my eyes widen.
"What…was that?" Fuming, I seethe at Solas as we make our way through some opening, leaning against the tall tower of the tree, crossing my arms as I look out, my ears hearing the soft rush of water cascading down the rocks above. My nose twitching at the soft smell of dampness in the air, it's going to rain soon, I note to myself frowning.
"What was what?" Confused, Solas questions me standing by my side, lingering by my side.
"That!? Back at the temple you were ordering me what to do." Annoyed, I scowl at him, feeling my muscles tense up scowling at him.
"Vhenan I simply wanted to keep you safe." Earnestly, he tells me, feeling his hands gently coiled around me making me grimace and scowl shaking my head. Frowning, I remove my hands from his, crossing them again once more as I turn to the waterfalls again, infuriated with him. How can he be so rude? How can he defend the sentinels when others are suffering? How can…?
"I can make my own decisions Solas." Pained, I whisper to him, trying to get him to understand I'm not weak, I'm not useless, I'm not defenceless. I had a life before him, I've fought and stood my ground ever since I was born…I don't need a hero, I don't need a knight, I don't need anyone fighting my battles when I've fought for myself my entire life.
"I know that but what makes you think you can make decisions for me? We barely knew what was going on!" Irritated, I point out.
"I just…" Sighing, Solas begins, concern etched into his features.
"You just what Solas what!?" Impatiently, I demand from him fed up with his cryptic words.
"Vhenan please calm down…" Gently, Solas pleads to me making me sigh and bow my head.
"Calm down!? Calm down!? You had the nerve to tell the sentinels to continue hiding the truth from the people!" Angrily, I snap pointing out the truth.
"They are not their people." Firmly, he corrects me making me scowl.
"Where is this coming from? I can't believe your siding with the sentinels…" Surprised, I furrow my brow as I unravel my arms, placing my hand on my hip demanding the truth.
"Vhenan you haven't been chased out by a camp of elves, threating to kill me." Annoyed, Solas defends himself as I scoff.
"Oh no, I haven't bene in a similar situation at all. Solas I have seen people destroy themselves to regain the elven knowledge I…I'm a bi product of it. If we can just….if we get them to communicate to get them to learn. We can stop people experimenting we can stop people like me from being created…" Sarcastically, I remark only then for my voice to soften trying to get Solas to understand to see how his and the sentinel's pride will be their downfall if they don't share, if they don't get off their high horses and tell them the truth.
"And you think they will listen?" Snippily, Solas scoffs.
"Not at first but overtime they will, especially with the sentinels numbers I know they can convince people why don't you see that?" Earnestly, I try to get him to see.
"Because they are not my people." Disgusted, Solas scowls my eyes widening at the sternness in his tone, almost enraged by being associated with the innocent people suffering.
"Then who are your people Solas!? What gives you the damn right to separate yourself from the elves!?" Fuming, I demand from him.
"What about you!? You always go on about not being city elf nor being from a clan." Irritated, Solas counters.
"That doesn't mean I don't care for them or I see myself as better. I see them as people something you clearly don't." Harshly, I point out fuming.
"They turn away at the faintest idea of their history being a lie…" Solas assumes making me scowl. Yes he had one bad experience but he shouldn't let that affect him, not to this degree.
"It's scary Solas how would you feel if your entire life turned out to be a lie!? Your entire beliefs being wrong!? A belief you have stood and stayed loyal to having been a lie!? It's scary Solas and sometimes people don't know how to react so they destroy it because they are scared but that doesn't mean they can't understand…enough blood has been spilled from this thirst of knowledge." Pained, I explain turning my head away, grimacing hurt how can he stand there and say such curel things!? I mean they are people just like us who are suffering still, the cycle will never end if we don't put a stop to it and we can with the sentinels aid, yes it may change the wordl but so long as that cycle ends…
"Knowledge that does not belong to them." Sternly, he snaps.
"So what then? Does it not belong to me then? As much as I hate to say it I was a city elf once, I was just like the rest of this supposed lowly elves that you speak of…" Angrily, I demand from him outstretching my arms out.
"Vhenan you are different, you are special." Tenderly, he whispers to me, placing his hands on either side of my cheeks. Softly, he leans in as I sigh bowing my head as I feel his soft, gentle, loving lips upon my temple, my blues softening when feeling his shy lips on my marked features making me sigh bowing my head. I exhale, my body relaxing as my fingertips climb up, to coil my fingertips around his neck, bringing him close as we both place our temples upon one another. Blissful, we both lean against one another seek comfort within one another. We bow our heads enjoying the peace and quiet alongside one another's company.
"Special? You mean my marks…" Bitterly, I huff glancing to the side.
"That isn't…" Pained, he begins.
"Don't lie the only reason you drew near me was because of my marks…" Frustrated, I scowl at him pushing myself off of him, turning my back to him.
"Vhenan if you would just listen…" Solas begins as I place my hands on my hips not sure what to say.
"Listen to what!? To a snobby idiot who thinks he's above those that are suffering and supports the people hiding in the shadows like cowards hiding knowledge that could help their people suffering up above!" Furious, I argue snapping at him.
"For the last time they are not my people!" Surprised, I blink at his rage.
"Your people…?" Slowly, I whisper my eyes narrowed, my head quirked to the side.
"I'm sorry, I should…we need to focus on our duties to aid the inquisitor. This relationship...it will only get in the way of that. We need to end it. We have to." Slowly, the turns his back to me.
"What?" Gently, I whisper confused.
"Vhenan please…" He removes himself from me as I watch him turn to leave, my body frozen, my chest tightening pained as I blink back the tears threating to fall.
"So what? That's it after your promises…heh..heheheh… You're just like the rest of them…and here I thought you were different. But you are no better your hands are no different from the marks that hit me, beat me, clawed into me. They all smell the same stench of iron." Emptily, I release a chuckle, a strained smile on my lips as I bow my head shaking it.
"Vhenan what are you-" Solas begins only to be cut off as I feel my blood boil, my ears ringing as I hear the heavy crunch of bone, my nose twitching at the heavy scent of iron lingering in the air, glancing at the ruby red hue on my crimson knuckles. Startled, Solas cradles his cheek, pained, confused, saddened almost accepting the pain.
"Guess I was wrong again, letting my guard down only then to be betrayed again by an filthy, monstrous, hideous, abomination…" Harshly, I snap poison laced in my tone as I turn my back to him, not noticing his flinch, the teary glassy hue in his eyes as I storm off leaving him, my blood boiling, bubbling screaming as angrily, I storm off leaving the abomination to rot…
*Welp it happened how do you guys feel about it?*