"They will not…kill more people. Not like this. I will protect them Inquisitor. I will protect our people. I want to fight inquisitor!" Roaring, the demon growls.
"This is bad…" Varric exclaims worry etched into his tone.
"You think?" Snarky, I remark my grip tightening on my blades.
"And then? Will you stop or will the rage take you?" Stoically, Solas demands from the demon.
"No chance of this ending poorly spirits can always be taken at face value." Dorian sighs.
"You're not walking out of here demon!" Glowering, Eve declares as we get into battle position.
"Better than leaving him as an abomination." Sighing, Varric exclaims.
"Stupid demons and what they freaking do!" Scowling, Sera frowns at the demon.
"The Hakkon may have hurt people but stooping to such desperate means of being possessed makes us as bad as them. Besides Brandon died the moment that demon took over, no one deserves to die by the hands of a demon. They are ruthless more so in killing then humans. At least we have the conscience to make their demise swift." Smoothly, I whisper as we charge ahead taking care of the demon as we then leave, after Eve looted the body and Cassandra orders the scouts to report to scout Harding and take back Brandon's body for his family, of course not before being checked out by the mages in case of any demon remnants within him.
"Still waiting for me to do something sneaky and spy-like?" Teasingly, Bull remarks as we exit the temple of sorts.
"I'll see magical dwarves flying through the sky before that happens." Varric exclaims.
"Good! Because I'm supposed to ask about your friend Isabela. I tried to before, but Fen was hogging her!" Smirking, Bull complains.
"I was not hoggin her if anything she was hogging me; do you have any idea how many hats I had to look at and pretend to care about!?" Infuriated, I scowl at the bitter memory of hat shopping with Isabella, taking hours on end for some stupid silly hat.
"See? And I still can't tell if you're shitting me! Sometimes, you're so Qunari it makes my head hurt." Varric teases.
"Yeah heh I remember asking Fen for some information…" Fondly, Bull smiles at the memory.
"Let me guess dagger impaled into your arm?" Varric offers.
"Into my cards actually, then again I was winning." Proudly, I intervene.
"You were only winning because you were distracting me about that redhead at the bar," Huffing, Bull pouts.
"You shouldn't have told me of your love for redheads Bull. Besides you're just bitter I stole ten gold from you." Proudly, I reveal as we continue on our way.
"So you're telling me you faked your death all because you refused to hand over information over Hawke and us…" Amazed, Varric whispers as I shrug lazily slashing at the greenery in our way.
"Well you and other things too. I mean I know a few magister secrets; secrets people want me dead for. It isn't the first time nor will it be the last." Bluntly, I deadpan.
"Fen I…I'm sorry. Fenris never told me…" Guilty, Varric sighs.
"And I have never told Fenris. Imagine his reaction oh boy…" Chuckling, I shake my head at the thought of my furious brother.
"How can you be okay with this? It's…." Baffled, Varric asks me.
"That's life Varric it's like you said, you got to deal with the hand dealt to you whether it's a shitty hand or not. You can always be resourceful with your hand after all…I don't blame you, Hawke or anyone for the way my cards have been dealt Varric don't forget that okay?" Gently, I tell him as he sighs knowing this is a one-sided argument.
"I…you're a good friend Fennic. After this, I…I'm going to treat you to a life you deserve." He promises me making me roll my eyes, the day that happens of the day the world ends.
"If I live long enough…" Lowly, I whisper under my breath.
"Don't say that. Please…" Begging, he pleads his voice breaking making me sight at the heavy conflicted topic I had brought up in the past, only ending up in the same way the pair of us miserable at the sad end that can never change. These lyrics although have given me the boom of my life have also been the curse of my existence and will no doubt be my downfall. I've accepted it but the others cannot, if they don't at least accept the possibility…who knows what could happen, as selfish and obnoxious as that sounds.
"Behold worthy ones the woman who blazes like fire and mends the air!" Startled, I furrow my brow as we enter some hut to find some weird guy with…oh no.
"Did you just introduce me to spirits?" Amazed, Eve whispers.
"Oh crap." Bull curses glancing at me as immediately, I take a shaky step back unnerved, uncertain.
"Nope, nope, nope nopity nope, nope." Lowly, I chant under my breath, feeling my muscles tense.
"What is this?" Eve wonders.
"They are safe, they mean no harm." Gently, Solas assures us making me scoff.
"Uhh that's not a lot of good…" Nervously, Sera worries stepping back joining my side.
"They're not harmful I don't think." Dorian tiredly assures us.
"When do you lot ever think!? Oh wait I know just after you get possessed and lose all of your body's control to a demon!" Frustrated, I scowl at the morons before me.
"I met a mage who said she used to be an org's apprentice…" Exhausted, Eve turns to the creepy leader.
"Sigrid Goldstein she left the hold after I told her she had to leave her teacher…" He tells us.
"She's an abomination!?" Horrified, Cassandra gawks.
"She's possessed and you do nothing?" Frowning, Dorian questions.
"Once a mage masters their power their teacher departs, and their duty ends unless the mage is weak." He informs us.
"You mean you let a spirit…" Uneased, Bull releases a noise of discomfort joining me and Sera.
"Some have wisdom for those willing to listen and some have rage, some have spirits that would consume the poor mage and destroy their psyche, their mental state at least tell me you keep an eye on your mages at the least…" Pleadingly, I reason to him hoping to hear some sort of logical assurance.
"We do what we can…" He shrugs as I glower at his half assed response this is serious, this…there is so much that can go wrong, don't get me wrong. I agree we can learn a few things from spirits, I mean the spirit of wisdom I met in the fade was kind but to have a spirit possess you? To hear their voice in your head, to become like him, no, no that is not a blessing, it's not a gift it is a curse, a horrible, terrible curse!
"And is that enough? What if that spirit alters based upon its hosts thoughts and gets corrupted then corrupted the mage? What if the spirit sees through the eyes of the host and…" Horrified, I shake my head at the numerous problems arising from this method seeing brief images of him of them.
"Then we cut them down." Simply, he answers.
"And those that you don't those that hide their corruption, what of them?" Glowering, I demand from him my tone furious.
"What happens to those weak?" Eve wonders.
"Sometimes they don't wake up it's sad but life goes on…" The leader answers.
"It is a kinder fate than most in the circles…" Solas reasons as I scoff.
"Is it their decision whether to seek help or not." He answers making me gawk at him as I feel Bull's hand on me stopping me from decking him as I feel my marks flare up.
"And what if they fear that help? What if…this is too risky of an operation to do!?" Angrily, I demand from him raising my voice.
"And you know this?" Seething, I turn to the calm and composed Solas, my eye twitching feeling a blood vessel within me pop, a part of me relieved at the fact that I am no longer his girlfriend, for this makes things a lot easier.
"I know enough Solas. I have seen the damage spirits infused within hosts can do to people, how it can destroy their mental health, how it can haunt them consume them, break them make them do terrible things…" Seething, I snarl at him baring my fangs.
"Fen…" Concerned, Varric calls out to me as I sharply turn to the door.
"I need some air I can't…" Shaking, I raise my shaking hands up as I storm out needing air, needing time to breath, scream and roar at the idiots before me.
"Amazing I've never seen a Dalish with markings like that!" Startled, I blink at the voice turning to frown at the hooded woman, approaching me as I grimace at the heavy warm layer of iron laced on my tongue, my brow furrowed. Agitated, I twirl my arrow with my forefingers, analysing the ruby red hint on the arrowhead, agitated.
"That's because I'm not a Dalish." Sternly, I snap crossing my arms, grimacing at the memory. Frustrated, my eyes narrow as I glance to the side, noting the numerous Hakkon knights and soldiers fall flat on the floor, crimson pooling behind them.
"Oh apologies…" The woman bows her head at me.
"Wait you're that abomination…" I furrow my brow at the sight of her.
"I would rather not be called that." Sternly, she scowls at me.
"And I would rather not be called Dalish." Agitated, I counter spitting out ruby red spit, staining the faint fibres of greenery below.
"Fair enough, what brings you out here?" Curious, she questions me.
"Venting out shit." Casually, I shrug.
"Is that…blood?" Uneasy, she glances at the ruby red stained greenery.
"Yep. Payment for the markings now why are you here?" Bluntly, I demand from her.
"I…I had planned to release my master but I…I don't want him to go." Shyly, she whispers her voice breaking.
"Why not?" Confused, I question her.
"I…he has so much more to teach me." Desperate, she reasons making me shake my head.
"Does he though? From what I heard you've mastered all he could teach you." Honestly, I state the fact making her grimace.
"I...he isn't wrong!" Feebly, she whimpers.
"Does your spirit want to leave?" Tiredly, I lean back on the bench I find myself perched upon.
"He…he does." She joins my side as I scowl.
"Then why don't you?" Lost, I question her.
"I just…I feel like we have so much to learn, I mean maybe even together." Tightly, her hands claps around one another her voice shaking trembling.
"But does he or do they want that?" Calmly, I correct myself noting my marks returning to their dull blue.
"I don't know I just…I don't want to be alone." Whimpering, she whispers tears in her eyes.
"You won't be you can always see him in the fade have you ever where they want to be?" Softly, I reason to her.
"They want to be free but I…I don't want him to lose him." She confesses to me.
"You won't sometimes…distance is a good thing." I offer not sure what to say.
"Is it?" She questions.
"It makes the reunion something to look forward too." Hopeful, I reason making her beam brightly.
"You…you have a point. I…" Bravely, she stands as I blink watching her slowly approach the stone pedestal only to falter.
"Don't you feel like you're trapping them? Imprisoning them from exploring the fade to feed back to you the information gathered." I prompt making her go silent for a brief moment.
"I never thought of it like that…thank you." Grateful, she smiles taking out her staff.
"Whatever…" I mutter as she does the ritual while I lean over the bench spitting out another gush of crimson staining my tongue.
"The abomination!" Frowning, I turn to find Eve, with a new team, Vivienne much to my annoyance, Varric, Cole, Cassandra, Solas and Dorian.
"Yeah not anymore…so you can recruit her if you want." Lazily, I wave her off as she approaches the newly separated mage.
"You said something…" Softly, Solas whispers as the others rush over to the mages side.
"Maybe I don't know talk to her she'll tell you." Annoyed, I scowl gesturing for him to go.
"I've known him since I was a child, I trusted him..." Frowning, I overhear her confess to Eve as the others listen.
"A great comfort but you are no longer a child…" Gently, Solas hints.
"Indeed, but some mages need the help of a god all their lives." She defends herself.
"Do they though?" I prompt as I lean over feeling all eyes on me as I watch my arrow twirling it through my fingertips.
"How are you to be independent? To push yourself if you allow these supposed gods to guide you." I question turning to face her, my eyes narrowed at the thought of relying on some god, no way I couldn't do that. The only person you can rely on is yourself, then again, I've never been andrastian unlike my brother thanks to Sebastian converting him through the power of wine.
"I…I hadn't thought of it." Shyly, the woman whispers.
"Very well…but perhaps however ask if its help you need or companionship…" Tenderly, Solas offers, a tenderness of understanding in his eyes. I note him glance at me weirdly enough making me scowl.
"Companionship? Perhaps that is what I was thinking. I wish to thank you for your aid. We can both be happy now, perhaps I can pay you back by joining your inquisition." Hopeful, she considers beaming brightly at Eve who happily smiles back.
"I'd like that maybe you can serve under Fen!" Excited, Eve suggests.
"Nope." Easily, I reject the idea.
"What? Why not?" Frowning, Fen argues.
"Meredith is all I need thank you very much." Calmly, I answer as we deal with the girl, letting her join now fully free from her mentor as we continue on our way.
"So that's where the Silver Shroud comes from?" Dorian prompts breaking the silence.
"I suppose so." I shrug not sure what to say.
"Silver shroud?" Confused, Vivienne arches a brow.
"Yeah in Tevinter there was this rumour which turns into a legend or tale of sorts about this terrifying warrior deity, a warrior princess almost, that would run you down on sight." Dorian smirks.
"You're joking me someone wrote about Fox before me!?" Laughing, Varric beams while I groan.
"Ah yes I do remember some magisters telling that as a bedtime story." Fondly, jokingly, Dorian recalls.
"Wait a bedtime story I'm a bedtime story!?" Scowling, I turn to Dorian.
"It would seem so…" Solas remarks making me groan.
"I don't know how to feel about that…" Conflicted, I shake my head deciding to not focus on it.
"Don't worry in the end of the story you gobble up the magister's heart!" Dorian assures me.
"Oh…that's…" I trial off still shell shocked by the reveal.
"At least you win." Perkily, Eve offers.
"It seems to be a camp…" Frowning Bull notes.
"Long abandoned at that…" I add as I kneel down, analysing, checking for any remnants of loot that could be of use.
"Could it have been the last inquisitor's camp…? It looks similar to the one at the ruins with his message about his friends…" Eve proposes curiosity laced in her tone.
"Perhaps seems Ameridan left a message…" Dorian notes as I stand up stepping back as Eve activates the eerie green aura of sorts.
"I dislike being so far from home. Hellamshiral needs me. The darkspawn have grown stronger some of my brothers would let those creatures destroy Orlais. They think Drakon is no better than the imperium but if we do not stand with the humans against the darkspawn, we might lose everything we have gained. I will fight this Avvar dragon for you Drakon and then we shall drive back the darkspawn, together…" The distorted form of I assume is the last Inquisitor, Ameridan resonates in the air.
"If the elves had helped Orlais during the second blight Orlais may not have turned on them later." Grimly, Dorian points out.
"Pride cookies freaking again!" Fed up, Sera scowls confusing me.
"But he died here and the elves ignored the second blight as it spread across Orlais. Less than 100 years later that hostility turned to war and the elves lost their homeland again." Solas scowls, shaking his head.
"It's sad if things had been different, either side wouldn't be suffering now. If they had both just listened to one another…we weren't there during that time." Eve tells us.
"So, are you saying it was right what the elves did!?" Frowning, Dorian questions me making me sigh tiredly.
"No, I'm not what I am saying is that it's easier to judge and say what should have been done without experiencing what was going on during that time." Sternly, I state the fact scowling as we continue exploring onwards until…
"Hm what's that?" Curious, Eve looks up at the stoic stone statue of a man and woman holding one another, veins of green coiling around the statue.
"A statue?" I raise a brow looking up at it.
"A man and woman they look so sad…" Frowning, Sera points out.
"Really? Seems to me they are looking lovingly at one another." Eve describes.
"Hey look another fragment…" Dorian says.
"We have a plan…Telana and I will deal with the dragon. My spirit companion believes we can seal the dragon away even if we cannot kill it. It is less clear if I can do this without saving myself as well, but I have little choice. This beast will wreak havoc across Orlais unless we stop it." Ameridan explains, his voice distorting.
"He saved all of Orlais from the Avvar and no one ever knew." Sadly, Bull scowls.
"People people don't do things, so you know them good on him." Scowling, Sera states the fact as I nod my head, agreeing with her.
"To be forgotten for someone so big…it's disgusting how desperate people can hide something like this over someone's species." Scowling, I glower at the thought crossing my arms.
"No one ever knew their heroism was lost to history." Solemnly, Cassandra bows her head.
"He did not do it for recognition. He did it because it was necessary." Sternly, Solas tells Cassandra.
"It's a damn fine story shame nobody found it till now…" Varric places his hand on his hips.
"Varric why don't you write it?" I offer as we make our way out of the fortress continuing our exploration.
"Me? I wasn't there." Frowning, Varric argues.
"I mean in that book you're going to no doubt write about all this, you have to write about this." Calmly, I respond.
"Yeah you're right Fox. Heh maybe with this book I can finally answer the question ever one of my fans have been asking…" Cheekily, Varric remarks.
"What's that?" Curious, I arch a brow.
"Are Fenris and Fennic one in the same or are they different people?" Mischievously, Varric proposes making me go silent, groaning at the stupid question.
"Fennic I thought you would find this interesting…" Snootily, Vivienne's voice cuts through the eerie silence as I scowl, joining the others in investigating the watch tower. We had come across believing to be linked with Ameridan.
"What's that?" Tiredly, I sigh deciding to amuse the snooty abomination.
"Some Orlesian nobles noticed you during the ball. Fortunately, before you and the elf began fornicating…" Vivienne remarks making me internally scream, grimacing at the memory.
"Yeah so?" Struggling, I remain stoic, trying not to show her the reaction she has brought out, not allowing her the satisfaction of victory.
"They asked me if I could set you up with some of their sons." Vivienne informs me.
"I'm sorry what last I checked Orlais doesn't take kindly for elves." Scowling, I hint.
"Well yes they find the Dalish repulsive, but you are like the newest fashion statement with those lyrium markings of yours…If you became a mistress it would be a great boom to the institution." Vivienne describes making my eye twitch.
"The inquisition is fine as it is Vivienne." Frowning, I refuse the disgusting offer.
"Aren't you interested? You could acquire a treasure trove of secrets to use, it would just be like as you had done in Tevinter." Vivienne exclaims as I scowl.
"And you wonder why I ran away from such a life." I prompt.
"My dear they are already hunting you down why hide when you could get more secrets, aren't you interested?" Vivienne presses making me scowl.
"Far, far from it. Eve we found something!" I call out alerting Eve who approaches as we find some sort of secret passage which we go down to reveal…
"Another one?" Eve whispers recognising the eerie green aura.
"Talana my love I should not have asked for you to come with me. Though I know you would not have stayed behind. You're a dreamer and this dragon we have obtained carriers a demon inside of it. I can see how its presence hurts you. You should be at Halamshiral reminding our people of our alliance with Drakon. Not here risking death with me. Still in the old tongue your name Banal nadas means nothing is inevitable. I will remember your name and hope…"
"A dreamer like Talana would be sensitive to demons this spirit of Hakkon would have caused her a great deal of pain…" Dorian informs us.
"It hurt the inquisitor too you can tell because he took so long to say she died." Solemnly, Sera points out.
"Two bright blinding breaking broken. Get to safety I will seal us both away it's not forever come back with aid. But her leg was broken she could only lie down and try to see him one last…" Sadly, Cole whispers pained.
"I thought he was human." Scowling, Sera demands from me.
"I guess some side effects I don't know it'll pass." Lazily, I wave off the problem.
"Ameridan was correct. The presence of such a powerful spirit would have caused a dreamer like Talana immeasurable pain." Grimly, Solas confirms.
"More pain than watching her husband and all her fighting buddies get killed?" Snippily, Bull remarks scowling.
"Bull…" Sternly, I call out to him understanding his pain but taking it out on Solas for one simple comment isn't enough.
"Dreamers are said to be sensitive to demons a creature like Hakkon would have caused Telana immeasurable pain." Cassandra recalls.
"No more paint than watching everyone she loves die I imagine…" Varric exhales shakily.
"We could never understand the pain from both sides. You could tell he cared deeply for her though." Silently, I cross my arms.
"How come? "Fascinated, Eve raises a brow.
"His voice it sounded…pained. He didn't want to do it but had to for Telana and everyone else's safety despite the price paid…" Distressed, I explain as we continue on our search, approaching the shrine temple.
"Oh well done well done indeed!" In awe, the professor gushes as we make our way down to some tomb, Eve leading the way with Harding and the professor after having discovered this place by the watch tower.
"That's something you don't see every day…" Harding notes as we note the statue of Andraste with two hallas on either side of her open palms, a shrine of some kind.
"A pair of shrines. This one is clearly Andrastian, albeit from a very early period, likely pre-divine. But this is elven. One of their gods. Um, what was it? Every mother finds Druffalo among sleeping juniper grows, G-something, the one with the deer." Struggling, the professor mutters.
"Every mother finds what?" Confused, Eve raises a brow at his chant.
"Oh um it's uh a memory aid to help me with the names of the elven god. Every is Elgar'Nan, mother is Mythal, Finds is Fallow…" Shyly, he trials off uncertain.
"Falon'Din." Easily, I answer.
"Oh are you Dalish?" Smiling, the professor questions me making my eye twitch.
"No." Curtly, I cut him off, crossing my arms.
"Then how do you…?" Confused, he furrows his brow.
"I had a friend who wouldn't shut up about these idiots. This may shock you but names as stupid and pompous sounding as these I can't forget. I mean who has a astrosphere in their name? I haven't heard so many silly names since Cassandra' announcement, no offence Cassandra." Quickly, I turn to her. I swear the harder the name is to pronounce the more of a pompous snob they are.
"None taken you're not wrong." She gives in.
"I was more focused on early chantry history; I didn't really do elves." The professor informs me.
"I'd be surprised if you did anyone…" Slyly, I remark snickering.
"H-Hey! I know a bit I mean there's only one F for Falon'Din." The professor argues.
"Um actually…" I begin surprised he would forget the god that caused the downfall.
"I suppose I forgot Fen'Harel." Surprised, the professor recalls.
"Most people do." Scowling, Solas remarks as I arch a brow from the bitterness in his tone.
"Wait…how do you forget the god that supposedly sealed all the other gods away? He seems like one of the key players to remember." Teasingly, I call out hands on my hips.
"This isn't him though. It's one of the ladies ah obviously, G-Something…" Struggling, the professor continues his analysis over the shrine.
"Ghilan'nain. Dammit Merill! Do not tell Varric about this." Urgently, I answer only to recoil back scolding myself, dang it why do I remember such useless stuff!? Urgh I guess you do learn stuff if you're intoxicated.
"Why not?" Confused, Eve quirks her head to the side.
"He'll tell Merill and she'll have a field day thinking she converted me." Grumpily, I state the fact.
"Has she?" Curious, Cassandra enquires making me scoff.
"Hah no! Gods is nothing more than a title for some self-pompous buffoons who think they own the world!" Confidently, I wave off such a stupid idea, if these supposed gods existed why did they let people suffer? Why did they leave? What made them achieve the status of godhood? What is the truth behind this pantheon of gods and Andraste? Maybe I'm thinking too much…
"Yes brilliant thank you! That would have bothered me all day!" Grateful, the professor smiles at us.
"Two shrines for two lovers: Inquisitor Ameridan and Telana. Maybe Telana was an elf." Harding offers.
"Oh yes that's good! The chantry expunged references to elves before the exalted march on the dales. They erased the canticle of Shartan. They must have done the same to Telana." The professor adds.
"Wow and people say Kirkwall's chantry shouldn't have blown up…" Jokingly, I point out.
"It shouldn't…" Frowning, Eve argues.
"Not with the people inside…maybe." Sheepishly, I shrug thinking back on a certain priest I had wanted to slowly torture due to a certain silent stoic Qunari in her grip. But no apparently, you can't punch chantry priestesses…it's sin. Like hell I care about sin! She deserves to suffer!
"The chantry should not rewrite history to cover up inconvenient truths…" Eve exclaims.
"Agreed. The chant of light should spread the truth not supress it!" Cassandra agrees with Eve.
"Regardless, the important thing is what this tells us. It's not a burial site that much is obvious." The professor begins.
"Look at those flowers. They aren't native to this area. What if they were left at this shrine as an offering?" Harding wonders.
"Yes, a night of prayer before battle against the dragon. But then where, where? We're missing something. What are we missing? Where did you go?" The professor queries.
"Guys look at this," Eve points out as we approach the eerie green light, our eyes widening when hearing the distorted voice just as Harding and the professor leave to report in their findings and come to some sort of conclusion.
"I am prepared now for my final battle against the dragon of the Avvar all is in place. I offer thanks to Ghilan'nain, halla mother and Andraste the maker's bride. As you were raised up from mortal men meant to stand with our creators, our makers so raise me up now to defend this world…" The last inquisitor informs us.
"Oh, he's one of those aren't you one Fen?" Curious, Sera asks me.
"Not really, Sebastian did mention some believing in both of them but I never bothered to look into it." Dismissively, I reject the idea.
"Elfy elf's don't like that these days." Sera adds.
"You're not wrong, Merill was furious at the sheer thought of it. That was not a good day," Varric confesses grimly as we both sweat drop at the memory.
"Either way it taught me a valuable lesson." Sighing, I state the fact.
"What was that?" Curious, Bull asks.
"Religion is stupid. Believe what you want but if it leads to fights or is used as an excuse for a war that's stupidity at its finest." Bluntly, I deadpan.
"We had something similar in ancient Tevinter they kept the holidays but renamed them for the maker…" Dorian recalls.
"Belief is a funny thing, the elven inquisitor must have had a funny path to walk still does I suppose." Varric confesses.
"Inquisitor Ameridan who helped bring the inquisition into the chantry built this shrine for the maker and the elven gods." Cassandra gasps in awe.
"He made a shrine for the human and elven ones you don't see that much these days." Bull confesses.
"It is a rare mind to have roomed for one of both beliefs equally…" Solas exclaims as the message ends and we then head to the Hakkon gates only to get so far even after doing some stupid puzzle. In the end we decide to head back for reinforcements from the natives that like us to fend against the jaws of Hakkon.
"I guess…?" Unsure, I shrug as we continue on our journey.
"Am I seeing shit or…?" Lost, I turn to Dorian as we head through the once closed gates of Hakkon after having some of the natives on our side, climb over and open it from the inside for us as we walk through the gates and head further inside.
"And we have a bear hooray." Dorian confirms my thoughts as we fire at the Hakkon knights.
"Eat them not us!" Scowling, Sera tries to talk to the bear.
"I can die happy now!" Gleefully, Eve gushes.
"You can die after we finish everything." Annoyed, I correct Eve as we continue on.
"Traps…magical ones, think you lot can dispel them?" I question Solas and Dorian identifying them, Denarius often used them to lure intruders in.
"We don't have time we need to be careful!" Urgently, Solas rebukes as I furrow my brow and nod.
"Watch the wards we can't afford to be slowed down." Dorian informs us as we enter the old temple.
"Pissing, freezing magic!" Scowling, Sera squeaks as I quickly grab her just as a icicle spikes out where she once stood, nearly having impaled her as we continue onwards.
"Even colder than usual this is magical we need to keep moving…" Dorian informs us.
"We stay here our bits will snap off get moving!" Sera scowls as we find ourselves at an altar.
"Better right? Might even keep our toes." Relieved, Sera sighs once the cold nipping at us ceases, however unlike the other Tevinter in the room, I cope well with the icy breeze, having adjusted to the icy temperature over the years.
"We should probably keep going that's no kind of good ritual chanting…" Varric exclaims as our eyes narrow, our ears hearing the low murmurs of the Hakkon fighters.
"When is there?" Dryly, I remark making Varric smirk.
"Face me and die Inquisitor! Your predecessor could not stand against me you shall fall as well! I am Hakkon reborn!" The demonic voice of the leader I assume calls out after taking care of his underlings as we all charge towards the beast, me, Bull and Cassandra while Dorian and Solas alongside Varric fire from afar waring down the mallet wielder.
"He's summoning Hakkon into his own body!" Horrified, Dorian gasps.
"Who does that!? That's a terrible idea!" Bull scowls.
"I thought you'd love it bull, having a dragon in you." Teasingly, I argue.
"Still spirit shit!" Disgusted, Bull counters.
"Don't care stupid gets arrows!" Angrily, Sera spits out as we face the demonic deranged fool, Sera joining with her blades as we rush at the creature.
"Is everyone alright?" Eve calls out.
"Yeah we'll be fine." I assure her pained as Dorian finishes tending to Bull.
"Right Solas think you can-" Eve begins.
"Dorian mind lending a hand over here?" Assertively, I cut her off as I feel Dorian place his hand on me. I feel my stiff limbs soften alongside the regeneration potion's effects kicking in as I note the frowning Solas and Eve looking warily on as we approach the altar.
"There's the dragon it's frozen or something…" Sera notes as we approach the frozen dragon where stone steps arise forward to approach the pillar as I frown.
"If this doesn't scream ominous, I don't know what is…." I mutter lowly under my breath as we approach.
"Inquisitor." Respectfully, Eve bows her head to the male as pained, I note the markings across his skin making me grimace at the grim reality of the vallaslin, a reminder of him of it all…
"Inquisitor. How fares Drakon? Has he brought to the whole world yet?" Ameridan enquires.
"Inquisitor Ameridan this may be distressing to you and I apologise greatly, you have suffered a great deal and I am so sorry to see you continue doing this despite the lack of recognition you don't deserve. Inquisitor you disappeared in 1:20 divine around the time of the signing of the Nervarran Accord." Gently, Eve begins, her voice pained remorseful.
"You say it as though it was…how long?" Upset, he bows his head catching on.
"You were the last inquisitor. There has not been another since you disappeared 800 years ago." Stoically, Cassandra reveals.
"Drakon was my oldest friend. He would have sent someone to find me." Pained, Ameridan reasons.
"I'm afraid Drakon was a little busy with the darkspawn pouring down from the Anderfels…" Dorian hints.
"W-What do you mean? Is Drakon alright?" Lost, Ameridan demands from Dorian.
"He never had the chance the darkspawn that rose in the Anderfels threatened all of Orlais." Calmly, Solas tells him the grim fact.
"I see…Talana escaped the battle. Did she…do the records say what became of her?" Weakly, Ameridan whispers pain in his tone at the thought of her making me grimace glancing to the side, noting Solas' silent hues glancing at me as I sigh.
"I…I'm sorry she…she died. She came back to the island in hopes of finding you in her dreams." Frowning, I step forward telling him the grim truth as he bows his head pained, making my eyes soften pitying him as I feel a pair of eyes on me which I brush off.
"I asked her not to. She was a good hunter and the love of my life, but she never…I never wanted this job. Hunting demons was so much simpler than politics." Upset, Ameridan confesses.
"Inquisitor Ameridan how can the leader of the seekers be a mage?" Lost, Cassandra questions him.
"Has history forgotten so much of our people?" Sadly, Ameridan questions me.
"Sadly so." I nod my head playing along with the lie.
"I was not a Seeker myself as most inquisitors were. I used my magical gifts in the hunting of demons and maleficarum. Do the seekers no longer welcome the aid of the mage?" Ameridan queries as I stare at the bind of green string or fabric, almost binding the two together.
"No that was forgotten…among many other things." Cassandra sighs.
"Cassandra is a seeker and after the seekers went rogue. She discovered the truth about them." Earnestly, Eve opens up.
"We learned they developed the rite of tranquillity." Cassandra begins.
"You mean sundering one from the fade? The seekers do it briefly when granting an initiate their abilities." Ameridan exclaims.
"It has become a way to control mages deemed dangerous. They are left tranquil. Permanently." Grimly, Cassandra responds.
"Killing a man is ugly work. You learn not to look to it as your first recourse. But sundering them from the fade is easy. Bloodless." Hurt, Ameridan glances to the side.
"But it's also a fate worse than death. They are left an empty shell of what they once were for their loved ones to see and grieve over." Grimly, I counter thinking back on Kyle…Ander's devastated expression.
"Agreed. I told them spreading such a solution would lead to abuse. They swore that would never happen, they promised. I am so sorry." Guilty, Ameridan apologies making me sigh, it isn't his fault far from it.
"Cassandra will rebuild the seekers into an organisation to be proud of again…with the inquisition's help." Eve informs him.
"Then you both have my thanks." Thankful, he nods his head.
"I was a good hunter. I did not want to lead an organisation but Drakon told me I was needed…as I suspect you were needed." Ameridan confides in Eve her features softening at the implication.
"I wasn't Inquisitor by choice. Whatever my life was before…" Bravely, Eve exclaims her brow furrowed, resolute in her words.
"Take moments of happiness when you can find them. The world will take the rest. The dragon carries the spirit of an Avvar god. I lacked the strength to kill it. My own magic was able to bind us all, locked in time. But when the cultists drew that spirit into another vessel. It disrupted my bindings; it is breaking free." Solemnly, he explains to us.
You're not alone this time. It's time the inquisition ended what it started." Determined, Eve assures him.
"No, you will." Ameridan informs us confusing us.
"The passage of years can be delayed but not ignored. I will soon join Telana's at Andraste's side. Take this it holds the last few memories of an old hunter who was neither wise nor strong as he had thought. Fight well Inquisitor I am honoured to have met you…" Gently, Ameridan tells us as my ears perk up at the clang of the staff hitting the floor collapsing as the green light binding both begins to fade. Instantly, I draw my blades, hearing the roaring rage of the dragon as I glance at Solas and he at me as we both nod, getting into battle position to take on the jaws of Hakkon.
Frowning, I gaze into the flickering flames of the campfire as I sit down taking out my flask, taking a sip of the burning rush down my throat. Quietly, I glance to the side at the closed tent of the others slumbering. I had offered to keep watch but for some odd reason, the dreamer joins me mediating.
"Today really got to you didn't it?" Sighing, I shake my head at the mess before me furrowing his brow when he finally opens his eyes, his stoic amethyst meeting my stoic sky blues.
"What do you mean?" Frowning, Solas questions me.
"Telana and Ameridan that got to you." I gather.
"Did it get to you?" Sighing, Solas exhales.
"Not really no. I'm not really a romantic…" Casually, I shrug taking another sip of my flash noting Solas' judgmental scowl.
"Neither am I." Quietly, Solas glances to the side.
"I wouldn't say that…" Slyly, I remark.
"Why…?" Softly, Solas whispers perplexing me noting the pain in his tone.
"Hm?" Perplexed, I hum out loud.
"Why don't you hate me?" Fed up, he demands from me, his tone calm but I can sense the fury in his voice.
"What would I get out of being angry Solas?" Tiredly, I question him, being angry is too exhausting what's the point? There is none.
"Huh?" Surprised, he blinks taken aback.
"Look I've…I've seen what happens to people who break up and I don't want to become that. I know I can be better than that." Earnestly, I try to explain my brow furrowed at the memory of the rejected Anders, with how poisonous, bitter and horrible he became from it.
"But your feelings surely they…" Sadly, Solas begins.
"Not in the slightest. Sorry to say this but I guess our relationship wasn't as emotional as you thought it was." Coldly, I remark smugly smirking when seeing his pained features, a one up for me I suppose but why do I feel so much pain? Confused, I furrow my brow at the torn conflicted emotions.
"Maybe for you then…" Snidely, Solas remarks surprises me.
"What oh for Solas come on, we gave it a try and you ended it. I don't get why you have to be the one to make it awkward aren't you glad? You said you didn't want it to affect the inquisition and it's not." Fed up, I state the fact scowling at him.
"I know that, but aren't you? Bottling up your emotions won't help. I mean I haven't seen you sleep even once since you came back from Kirkwall." Sternly, Solas points out making me sigh.
"I know I don't sleep." Bluntly I deadpan.
"Unless…" Softly, Solas whispers as I scowl when seeing his eyes soften at me making me scowl.
"That was a one off besides its better this way returning to my routine." Irritated, I remind him taking another gulp of my flask.
"No, it's not. Not mentally…" Solas insists making me roll my eyes.
"I'm not your problem anymore Solas." Coldly, I remind him bitterness etched into my tone as I try to steel myself, holding in the conflicting emotions flowing within me.
"You were never a problem to me." Tenderly, Solas whispers surprising me.
"Heh surely something I did must have happened for you to break it off though…" Scoffing, I shake my head at the lie.
"I…" Solas begins.
"You're a dreamer too aren't you Solas like Telana?" I gather.
"Yes…" Solas confirms.
"Heh this is going to sound pretty stupid considering we aren't together but…if I went missing like Ameridan did would you have….?" Curious, I question him.
"Yes." Curtly, he cuts me off surprising me by the intense look in his eye alongside the resolute tone used.
"I didn't even ask you…" Mockingly, I raise a brow.
"You didn't need to ask. I would do everything in my power to find you…" Firmly, he promises me.
"Seems I can't get rid of you, you're sort of like a mole almost you know, you try to scratch it off, rip it off, even cut it off but it only causes trouble and then it scars remaining on your body forever." Tiredly, I grumble scowling.
"Lovely metaphor there thanks…" Drily, Solas huffs.
"Oh, come on you know what I mean look I…" Struggling, I try to explain.
"If I went missing…would you search for me?" Gently, Solas questions perplexing me.
"…Maybe. It depends on if you want to be found or not. I mean we are all going to part ways soon I mean when Corypheus kicks the bucket you'll continue on your little fade adventure." Bluntly, I state the fact.
"And you?" Solas prompts perplexing me.
"Me?" I raise a brow.
"What will you do?" Solas questions me looking down at his staff.
"Eh keep travelling going from place to place until well either I'm captured and killed, or I die of blood loss from the markings, hey maybe I can throw in the Qunari after me too heh." Casually, I shrug.
"How can you joke about this!?" Surprised, I blink at Solas' angered tone.
"Hm?" Stunned, I blink taken aback.
"I…just how can you be so calm about dying!?" Angrily, Solas demands form me.
"Everyone dies Solas." Honestly, I deadpan at the moron.
"I know that I just…I don't want you to die if you die…" Pained, he begins making my eyes widen when his voice begins to crack, his eyes beginning to turn glassy.
"If I die what? Everyone dies Solas nothing will happen when I die." Irritated, I state the fact to the moron.
"You're wrong if you die…so many people will be graving, so many will be hurting I…if you die…" Solas trails off, holding back the tears, brushing them aside.
"Stop." Fuming, I stand up, raising my hand to silence him, earning his attention.
"Listen to me Solas what we had it…it's over. You made your bed Solas and I…I get it. I don't want you or anyone to feel like they have to stay around and watch me wither away or suffer. I don't want that on anyone, I've seen people be consumed by lyrium, I've seen people slowly die not being given the mercy of death, I've seen those affected by it and I don't want anyone to go through that." Calmly, I explain to him steeling my nerves, pained, sorrow and hurt threatening to sketch into my tone.
"So, you want to die alone!?" Infuriated, Solas demands from me.
"I'd rather die alone then cause suffering to those that have to watch me wither away…You…Solas I won't let what happened between us get in the way of our work, even if you won't accept it. We can still be friends…" I offer.
"I can't… I can't be friends with you…if you die I…" He whispers, his voice shaking confusing me as he bows his head pained.
"Oi now, why are you crying? It's fine…we're friends Solas don't think for a second you can't talk to me about stuff alright? Yes it's awkward and yes I get you feel like we can't talk but we can. I know you bottle things in, I know how you isolate yourself I know how you feel I do but you can talk to me. I know I may seem like a grump but don't think you can't talk to me, everyone cares about you Solas they see you as a friend and I know…I know you find it hard to open up to people but you can." Panicking, I furrow my brow at his sorry state as awkwardly, I pat his back, not sure how to deal with this, blurting it out no thought whatsoever as I practically vomit out my words.
"But if you go…" He whispers.
"You have the others to talk to, to experience things I could only dream off…" Easily, I answer.
"I can't live in a world without you…" He tells me making me frown, he doesn't know that everyone moves on that's life.
"Solas…" Exasperated, I sigh, he'll move on, he broke up with me for a reason, he'll move on everyone does, he'll find someone new, someone better, someone who has a full life.
"The thought of you dying makes me want to die with you because the minute you leave this place and move on, you're taking my heart with you and I need to be with you." Earnestly, he confesses to me making my eyes soften, not sure what to say about all this conflicted.
"You don't mean that." Angrily, I hiss blinking back the tears threatening to fall.
"Fennic." Solas stands.
"Solas…don't you made your bed now lie in it." Fuming, I snap poking his chest as I turn my back to him and take out my bow, going out for some last-minute hunting before returning to Skyhold.
*What do you think of Solas and Fen's chat? Would love to know!*