The Wrath Of The Old Gods and What Came After – Part 1

Summery: Dune fights, Cassandra argues, Solas is a prick and Varric just tries to keep things light as the newfound crew attempts to get to the Forward Camp without killing each other.

Dune had proven herself of decent strength during their stint with the shades, but strength and skill were two different abilities, and watching the elf stumble around swinging her blade effortlessly though with a childlike accuracy more than proved that fact. Multiple times while slogging past demons Cassandra had to raise her shield to block the prisoner's blade, at least the woman had the mind to look somewhat sheepish before throwing herself back into the fray. One thing the Seeker noticed that Dune seemed relatively adept at was strategising, as the woman had the uncanny ability to know exactly where her pray was prior to even sending it a glance. It looked like she was predicting which way wisps would drift or shades would stumble and more than once she had leapt down onto a ghoul before the Seeker could identify it as either friend or foe. At first, Cassandra merely chalked it up to Dune attacking without asking questions, but the elf never miss-struck. She seemed to always know whether or not someone stumbling towards them in Inquisition armour was among the living.

The two were momentarily resting at the base of a rather steep incline that led up to a ridge. Dune's wheezing breath was coming out harsher than ever before and the Seeker found her gaze drifting towards the prisoner after each rattle. On one brief look over she caught sight of a slight gash in the elf's clothing, the fur slowly darkening a few centimetres from her shoulder.

"Your arm is bleeding." The prisoner's eyes darted in her direction before they sought out the cut.

"So... It is..." Dune raised her blade and embedded it into the icy ground. Cassandra re-drew her shield and kept close to her companion, her hand resting on the hilt of her own sword. She noticed some far off movement, judging by the green glow wisps, though luckily too far away to cause trouble.

"Do you require anything?"

"No... I'm fine..." Even with the other warrior's odd manner of speech, it was not difficult for Cassandra to pick up on the hostility coating her words. The sound of tearing fabric drew the Seeker's attention to the prisoner's back. Dune had removed her scarf and outer most layer of clothing, revealing a well worn and high collard sleeveless dark leather tunic. With the other woman's outer coat removed Cassandra was able to see the extent of her companions tattoos. Incredibly interact sky blue swirls danced all the way down from the elf's shoulders to her wrists. A singular thick band of the same solid colour wrapped around her arm mid bicep. The darkness of the prisoner's skin made the markings stand out under the light of the glowing sky. One thing that the Seeker took particular interest in was Dune's muscle mass, as most of the elves she had met prior were thin beings built for stealth. This was simply not the case with the prisoner. The other warrior's arms were clearly used to wielding large weaponry. Dune was just finishing tying off a strip of fur with her teeth when she met the Seeker's gaze.

"I have potions."

"Not deep... enough... to waste..." The elf secured her scarf back around her neck before tying the coat around her hips and hefting the great-sword back over her shoulder.

"What about your tattoos?"

"What... about them?"

"Won't it leave a mark?" Dune shrugged.

"Worse marks... elsewhere..." She marched past the Seeker towards the rising hillside. The prisoner had only just made it to the base of the stairs when both her ear's flicked upwards. They may have only been travelling for a few hours or so, but Cassandra had caught on to the change as meaning trouble. She drew her blade as the elf adjusted her own grip.

"More demons?"

"Some... fighting... who?" Cassandra started up the steps, taking two at a time.

"We'll see soon enough, we should help them."

All Varric could think, as he sent another bolt at a flaming figure, that vaguely reminded him of a particularly surly elf, was fuck did he miss Kirkwall. Sure the place was a mess and crime was beyond rampant and the last time he stopped by the Hanged Man there was a very dead man lying across his favourite table. But there were no demons. Though there wasn't any Hawke either. His friend wrote often and was spending most of her time either protecting Daisy's clan or sailing the seas with Rivaini trying to track down Sunshine. The Storyteller sighed and glanced at the Mage standing a few feet to his left, scowl permanently etched into the other man's face. Another pang of homesickness hit him as he was reminded of Broody with his solemn demeanour and off-putting personality, last he heard from Aveline the man was in Tevinter killing slavers. Then there was the Big Girl herself, she was far too busy for him to even get in a game of Wicked Grace prior to his kidnapping... ok maybe he didn't miss Kirkwall, he missed his people, his people and not being ass deep in demons.

Varric frowned as he sunk more rounds into the rage demon, trying to get it to leave the very scared and poorly armed villager alone. It didn't work, the creature cut the young man down in seconds before turning to advance on him. The Storyteller fired and called out for aid, but he couldn't even see the Mage with Flamio in the way. He was going to get burned, he wasn't looking forward to getting burned. Though just as he hunkered down a familiar war cry echoed off of the rubble, Varric rolled his eyes. Of course, the Seeker would show up in his hour of need, no matter how hard he tried he could not seem to shake the dragon slayer. Yellow blood splattered across his clothes and bare chest as a large dented hunk of metal sliced the demon from head to toe.

"Fuck...!" His pint-sized saviour hissed before dropping her blade, clutching her left wrist and sprinting full tilt towards the nearby Rift. A shade attempted to strike the elf down but was quickly backhanded into oblivion by a relatively aggravated looking Seeker. The woman arrived at the magical rip before shoving her hand inside, there was a spark and a pop before the eldritch portal collapsed in on itself. The small elf fell to the ground panting. The dragon slayer sheathed her blade before stomping over, grabbing Tiny by her scarf and slamming the other warrior against a crumbling stone pillar.

"What did you do?" The taller warrior demanded. He didn't catch Tiny's response, she was really quiet for someone used to throwing around massive blades.

"Now Seeker is that how we go about making friends?" The Story Teller asked as he made his way over. The dragon slayer shot him a glare before focusing back on her unfortunate victim.

"This does not concern you, Varric."

"Really? Because to me, it looks like you're attacking the only person who can fix this mess."

"I would find myself in agreement," offered the Mage.

"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon her hand," Varric silently thanked Chuckles as the Seeker's face relaxed.

"That doesn't explain how she knew what to do. She is no Mage."

"Correct," so much for him helping.

"I... didn't... I just... wanted... the pain... gone..." The warrior's voice came out as little more than a wheezing hiss, it sounded like she was having trouble breathing.

"Whoa, ease up!" The dwarf placed his hand on the tall woman's arm and pulled her back slightly, it wasn't much but he managed to give the elf enough room to wiggle free.

"I am not choking her," the Seeker snarled and shook him off. "She just sounds like that."

"Sure and my nose was always crooked," Chuckles squeezed between the dragon slayer and Tiny. He raised his hand as if to check the other elf's throat and she swiftly ducked under his reach.

"Cassandra... is right... I just... do this..." the mage frowned as the other elf left to retrieve her blade.

"Could it be used to close the Breach itself?" The Seeker asked, gaze moving from glaring down at Varric to tracking her fellow warrior.

"Possibly," Chuckles turned back towards Tiny as she re-joined the group. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."

"Look at that Seeker, I was right! You were manhandling our ticket out of demon city," he faced the elf, she really was small, though he still had to glance up to meet her gaze and she did look as if she could toss him over her shoulder like a sack of grain. "Varric Tethras: rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tag alone," he winked at the Seeker, who glared in response, as he held out a hand towards the elf. Tiny smiled back at him and shook his hand.

"Dune... warrior... sword barer... and part... time prisoner..." Varric chuckled.

"Good to know that I'm not the only one who's kept their sense of humour." Dune's smile widened and she let out what sounded like a popping wheeze.

"What else... am I supposed... to do? Take up knitting?"

"Why not? I bet if you asked nicely the Seeker would lend you a hand?" Tiny's head snapped back in silent laughter.

"Oh, I like you..."

"You may reconsider that stance, in time," the Mage muttered

"Aw. I'm sure we'll become great friends in the valley, Chuckles."

"Absolutely not," the Seeker barked as she stomped between the Storyteller and his new friend. "Your help is appreciated. Varric, but..."

"Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore. You need me."

The dragon slayer scrunched up her face as if trying to think of a way to prevent him from joining the ragtag team. Chuckles took it as his chance and introduced himself to the other elf.

"My name is Solas if there are to be introductions," he said. "I am pleased to see you still live." Dune frowned and narrowed her eyes at the Mage's words, Varric sighed.

"He means, 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept.'" Dune nodded, though she still looked somewhat put off.

"Thanks..." the elf seemed displeased with her rather curt answer but continued on none the less.

"Cassandra, you should know: the magic involved here is unlike any I have seen-"

"Understood," The Seeker cut him off. "We must get to the Forward Camp quickly." The tall warrior made her way to a nearby cluttered path, with an annoyed elf at her heals.

"Is she always like... that?" Dune asked.

"Like what? Blunt and rude or just generally unpleasant to be around?"

"What's the difference?"

"Trust me Jay-Bird, there's a huge difference," the elf cocked her head to the side.

"Jay-Bird-?"

"We do not have time for this, we must hurry!" The Seeker ordered.

"Yes, mother!" Dune chirped, Varric chuckled and Cassandra made what could only be described as a disgusted noise as the group continued their journey towards the Forward Camp.

Dune was nowhere near as skilled with the oversized cleaver as she was with her own blade and often found herself cursing any god that came to mind for her luck. More than once she miscalculated a swing and heard the scrape of her sword against the Seeker's shield or had her grip too loose when a greater shade backhanded her guard, causing the weapon to sail out of her grasp and forcing Varric to dive for cover. The insides of her cheeks were raw and bloody from trying to keep her embarrassment at bay. The Seeker had offered to look for a smaller blade multiple times and the dwarf simply joked about her desire to wield the great sword like a throwing axe. Dune knew that they were merely trying to help, at least that's what she chose to believe, though the Seeker was probably tired of having to watch out for both demons and her companion. Dune sighed as she pried the iron monstrosity out of the ground and hefted it back over her shoulder.

"You know Jay-Bird," Varric said, putting away his crossbow. "I bet if we took a quick look around we'd be able to find you something that could strap that monster to your back."

"More effort... then the... thing's worth..."

"Fair enough, but your backs gonna be killing you tomorrow." Dune chuckled.

"If I... live that... long..."

"Andraste's tits, someone's pretty doom and gloom." Dune raised a brow and pointed at her vallaslin.

"Falon'Din... Dalish god... of death... doom and gloom... comes with the territory..."

"Ah, so you are aware of who's marks you bear." She shot Baldy a glare before huffing and trying to walk off. "Why Falon'Din? If you do not mind me asking."

"I do... mind," Solas frowned.

"I did not catch your clan's name."

"That's 'Cuz... I didn't... give it..."

"You do not speak like most Dalish."

"No...? Really...? Well, I'm glad... that I know now... wouldn't want... to embarrass myself at the next... Arlathvhen." The Mage's ears twitched forward as he blew air out his nose.

"Dune does not sound Dlaish..."

"You know what Chuckles? I think Jay-Bird would like it if you left her alone."

"I was just-"

"Demons!" Whatever the relatively nosy elf was going to say next got cut off by a war cry from the Seeker who had gotten a decent ways away during their argument. Dune charged forward and made it to the other warrior's side just as she deflected the shadowy claws of a shade. Dune's mark flared and she bared her teeth as her blade separated the demon's head from its shoulders. She and the Seeker pushed forward, magic whizzed by her head far too close for comfort. She felt her face twist into a snarl as she ducked under the Seeker's shield and swung out her greatsword, clipping a nearby horror in the knees. It fell and Dune rushed past, knowing that Cassandra was fully capable of finishing the newly kneeless. She glanced over as she heard Varric shout, three shades had surrounded him too far away for either of the warriors to make it to him in time and Solas didn't appear to notice the rouge's predicament. Dune flung her weapon with all her might, effectively taking the demons out of the fight but leaving her unarmed. The small woman turned to face an oncoming wraith, with no armour and no blade most would be as good as dead. Fortunately for Dune, she was not like most.

She lowered her head and raised her hands, fist fighting a demon wasn't ideal, but Dune had full confidence that she could hold the thing back until aide arrived. She sprung forward on her right foot and slid past the creature, it turned just in time for her to drive her elbow into where the apparition's face should have been. It felt like her limb was passing through a thick almost gelatinous fog and her skin tingled upon contact. The living vapour screeched and summoned blue mana shields with a wave of its stumpy hand, Dune dove to the left as it flung a ball of spiritual energy at her. She grabbed a rock and threw it at the creature. Its head snapped back as Dune regained her footing. The wisp raised it's hand to strike just as a blade sprouted from it's chest. It disintegrated before Dune had the chance to lower her fists. Ice met Fire once again as a furious Dragon gazed down at a cocky lioness.

"Have you gone mad?" The Seeker demanded, taking a step forward and snarling right in her face, though Dune was not one to back down from a challenge and stepped up to meet Cassandra. She tilted her head back and crossed her arms.

"Those shades... would've... grabbed... Varric..."

"We do not need Varric to seal the Breach!" Dune narrowed her eyes and balanced on the balls of her feet, she just came up to the Seeker's chest, she jabbed the taller warrior in her breastplate with a crooked finger.

"No life... is... expendable..." Cassandra frowned.

"I wasn't..."

"It doesn't... matter what... yeah was... or... wasn't... trying to say... Think before... yeah speak Seeker... Yeah never... know who's... listening..." Dune nodded behind the aggravated warrior, who turned and met Varric's wary gaze.

"I..." the rogue ignored her as he walked past, dragging Dune's cleaver behind him. He handed the blade off before making his way towards a set of stairs.

"Words may not... be able to... break noses... like that elbow... of yours, but... they can... still open... deep wounds..." Dune left the still fuming woman with her thoughts and sidled up next to Varric.

"Y'all right...?"

"Yeah just..." he sighed. "I knew the Seeker didn't like me and I don't care much for her. It's just... shit..."

"It doesn't... matter who's talking... being called... a pawn... ain't the greatest..."

"You can say that again," Varric scratched the back of his neck. "Well enough of that, we've got a sky to fix."

Yeah... yeah... we do..."

Jay-Bird was reckless, that much was obvious. She had a tendency to do things mid-battle that no one could predict. Whether it be toss her blade like a throwing knife or full body tackle shades, no one could really tell where she was going next. Watching her fight was chaotic and if Varric didn't know better he'd say that the warrior had no skill and was swinging a hunk of steal around like a maniac desperate to survive. But every time he took a second and watched her, he could see it. Slight pauses before her charges, seconds went by as she took stock of where her allies were on the field. The way she danced around the Seeker's shield or disabled creatures and left them because she knew that the dragon slayer would cover her back. Oh, there was method to her madness, a familiar method that he had gotten to learn after years watching another bird take flight.

When they finally arrived at the Forward Camp a Rift had set up shop. The Seeker was first to charge in, shield out a battle cry shocking the inter-dimensional creatures that were in the middle of slaughtering soldiers. Chuckles backed her up, spells from his salvaged staff weaving around allies and pelting Terrors coating them in frost and ash. Varric had already fallen a few foes of his own before he even noticed where Jay-Bird had ended up, he glanced over towards the Mage just in time to catch sight of a silent shadow raising hazy claws above its head. Fully prepared to rip out the other man's spine. Before Varric could shout a warning or line up a shot a corrupted gnarled fist crashed through the demon's chest. As it vaporized he watched Dune Pied Piper a train of the things after her. Leaping in directions that pulled the creatures into the line of fire of her companions while keeping their attention fully on her. Occasional causing the entities to crash into or even attack one another as they tried to keep pace. One of the horrors drifted close to him and glanced his way, though momentarily as Dune scrunched her face up in concentration and the thing turned back towards her. Varric fired a shot and the twisted demon's head exploded in a shower of yellow before vanishing. The Seeker cut down the one at the tail end of the smaller warrior's train and only then did Dune lift her blade and strike a devastating blow through the remaining creature's shoulder. She let her weapon sink into the ground before raising her hand and pulling the Rift closed.

"So any idea why those demons were out for your blood in particular? I haven't seen them do that yet." Dune glanced his way before wiping sweaty palms on ruined fur trousers.

"Terrors are... attracted... to fear... focused on... things... was afraid... and well..." She shrugged.

"Wait, back up, you intentional carted those things after you?"

"What do you mean intentionally?" They both jumped, turning to spot the Seeker leering over them, arms crossed and expression laced with clear disapproval.

"It appears that our reluctant saviour is well aware of what exactly causes a demon to target someone," Chuckles added hands clasped behind his back smug expression plastered across his face. "Though, purposely working oneself into such a state, where multiple creatures of fear are hunting you is not the most well thought out of plans."

"I... know what... I'm doing..."

"You say as if you have dealt with demons before?" He inquired, the Seeker took a step forward and Varric slid between her and Jay-Bird. He wasn't about to let the dragon slayer lay her hands on the elf again.

"You were involved, with the explosion! You must have been!"

"No, I... at least..." Dune frowned and her eyes narrowed. "I don't... think I was..."

"You don't think you were?"

"No... I can't..." Dune reached up and grabbed her head, ears drooped back. "I was with my clan, the Keeper wanted to speak to... D... me then..." A thin trickle of blood dripped out of Dune's nose. "I was running... something... was chasing me? ... a woman...?" Dune closed her eyes and swayed on her feet she shook her head back and forth.

"A woman?"

"No... I he... Were is he... I refuse... Bax... He couldn't just..." Blood was flowing freely from the small elf's nose as she swayed, the Seeker pushed past Varric and caught Jay-Bird by her forearms just as she tipped forward. Dune's head slumped against the taller warrior's breastplate. Varric reached up and touched her arm, she felt like she was on fire.

"Um... Chuckles something's up..." the mark sparked and the Mage placed his hand on Jay's forehead, quickly chanting under his breath.

"Where... Summer... gone ... not what about... I we... I hear... the baying..." Moments past and Dune started to pull away from the Seeker, she looked pale and fresh blood was smeared across her face, but she had stopped muttering. Jay blinked at the others.

"What...?"

"Solas?"

"I do not know," Chuckles frowned. "If I had to guess, old magic."

"Like the mark?"

"No, different I do not know where to even begin," he replied. Cassandra lowered herself to meet the other warrior's eyes. Twin glassy blue orbs, so light that they appeared almost white, stared back at her.

"Is she safe?"

"In theory."

"In theory?"

"As long as no one pushes her to remember what she cannot, she should be fine."

"What about-"

"Look," Varric cut them off. "I know that this is a new and very shity development, but there's still a hole in the sky so maybe talk later?" He pointed at the Breach. The Mage and the warrior glanced his way before nodding and walking off, Dune looked down at him, confusion plastered across her features. "We'll talk later Jay." She frowned but followed the others. Varric sighed, just his luck stumbling across someone saddled with old magic and getting stuck having to save the world.