ANDERS

The streets were teeming with templars, so he took each step carefully. It was not easy. Each time he encountered the symbol of the flaming sword, he could feel the fury of the spirit connected to him boiling over. Keeping Justice in check was increasingly difficult. He must get in place quickly. After the next corner, he stopped for a moment, propping up his inconspicuous staff. He looked more like a homeless man in his robes, but despite his disguise, he tried to avoid patrols. He raised his eyes, staring at the Chantry looming in the distance. His fingers tightened on the thin staff. He had been preparing for this moment for so long that he almost didn't believe the whole thing would end.

The image of a bright smiling face stood before his eyes.

- I'm sorry, Hawke. I hope that someday you will forgive me. - he whispered to himself as he continued walking. When he approached the square of the Gallows, he noticed the crowd of onlookers gathered there. He furrowed his brow and walked closer, joining the crowd. In front of the huge brass statues stood Meredith with a group of templars. Next to her stood Orsino with several mages among whom Anders recognized Hawke's sister. The Grand Enchanter and the Knight-Commander were shouting at each other, which attracted onlookers. The mage stepped a little closer, trying to hear what they were saying.

- I order to search the tower top to bottom. - Meredith growled.

- You can't do that. You have no right! - shouted Orsino in protest.

- I have every right! You are holding blood mages and I intend to eradicate them before they infect this city!

- Blood magic. Where have you not seen blood magic? My people can't even sneeze without being accused of corruption.

- Don't play games with me, mage. My patience is at an end.

- I wonder if it ever began.

- Enough! - came a suddenly so painfully familiar voice. Hawke firmly stopped the argument. Meredith walked up to her.

- This doesn't concern you, Champion. - she said firmly.

- I called her here. - Orsino announced. - I think people have a right to know what you have done.

Hawke tried hard to defuse the conflict. Meredith, however, deflected her words like a ball. The Knight-Commander had no intention of letting it go.

- This is getting us nowhere. - Orsino said in resignation. - Elthina will put an end to this.

The Grand Enchanter turned away. Meredith quickly grabbed his arm.

- You will not involve Her Grace into this.

Anders couldn't listen to this anymore. This wasn't how he wanted it to play out. He didn't want Hawke to witness any more events, but now he had no choice. He threw off his camouflage clothing on the ground and walked closer.

- The Grand Cleric will not help you. - he said firmly.

All eyes were on him. When he passed the Champion, he did not even look at her. He lacked the courage. He turned directly to Meredith.

- Explain yourself, mage. - templar demanded.

- I will not stand by and watch you treat all mages like criminals... - he said accusingly. His right hand tightly clutched his staff. He lifted it up and, hitting the cobblestones with one end, he shifted his gaze to the Enchanter, directing the rest of his speech to him. -... While our leaders bow to their templar jailers.

- How dare you speak to me... - indignation could be heard in the Enchanter's voice.

Anders hit the cobblestones with his staff for the second time.

- The circle has failed us, Orsino! Even you should see that! - ...his fury boiled like a volcano. Justice demanded justice. Anders lost control for a moment and a net of blue cracks covered his skin. He gnashed his teeth, directing his will into containing the spirit. He succeeded, but it cost him a lot of energy. He bent down slightly and leaned harder on his staff. He turned around looking into the void. - The time has come to act. - he said more calmly. - There will be no half-measures.

- Anders... - he heard a worried female voice behind him. He froze in place, not able to turn around. -... What have you done?

- There is no turning back. - he said as if to himself. Suddenly a quiet murmur came from the Chantry's direction. All but him turned their gaze to the building. Anders closed his eyes and tightened his grip on his staff. It had happened. The spark had been ignited. The time for change had just arrived. A bright glow flooded the square. Pillar of pale pink light emanated from a tall tower and flew towards the sky. After a moment the accumulated energy exploded, sending the remains of the bricks into the air. A shrill bang swept the area and soon the flaming remains of the pennants that decorated the entrance to the temple began to fall from the sky. The square became eerily quiet. Gathered crowd stared at the ruins in disbelief.

- Maker have mercy. - Meredith spoke softly. The sight of the destroyed temple seemed to shake her to the core. Nearby, a man's lamenting cry could be heard. Sebastian, prince of Starhaven and a faithful andrastian, fell to his knees praying for the souls of the fallen.

Anders straightened up and turned in the same direction as everyone else. He stared at the sky for a moment, watching the burning pieces of cloth go up in flames, and then he looked determinedly at Meredith.

- There will be no peace. - he said throatily. He felt Hawke's accusing gaze on him and ignored it. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of how easily this had come to him.

- Why? - resignation could be heard in Orsino's voice. - Why did you do such a thing?

- I removed the chance of compromise because there is no compromise. - he explained. Despite his determination, he felt as if he were in a dream. The void was calling to him subconsciously. He would soon reach it.

- The Grand Cleric has been slain by magic, the Chantry destroyed. - Meredith analyzed the situation. She turned after a moment and addressed the horrified crowd. - As Knight-Commander of Kirkwall, I hereby revoke the Right of Annulment. Every mage in the Circle is to be executed - immediately!

- The Circle has nothing to do with this. - Orsino defended himself. - Champion, you can't let her do this. Help us stop this madness.

- And I demand that you take our side. - said Meredith. - Even you must recognize that this insult can no longer be tolerated.

- Why are we debating the Right of Annulment when the monster who did this is standing in front of us? - accused Sebastian. - I swear to you I will kill him. - he growled in anger. It was hard to tell if he was directing those words to Hawke or Meredith.

- It can't be stopped now. You have to choose.. - Anders spoke up. By the Maker, even he realized how selfish and arrogant that sounded. Marian should not be here. Why did fate bring her to the square today? He finally looked at her. The blue eyes were filled with sadness and regret. She trusted him and he took advantage of that. She pressed her cherry lips together.

- Did you need me at the chantry just to keep the Grand Cleric busy? - her accusatory question drove a cold dagger through his body.

- You... took part in this? - disbelief ran through Sebastian's voice.

- The Circle is an injustice in many places outside Kirkwall. The world needs to see through it. - Anders explained.

- Elthina was not a Circle. She was a good woman and you murdered her! - the fury never left the Prince of Starkhaven.

- You fool. You've doomed us all. - Orsino spoke up.

- We were alredy dommed. A quick death now or a slow one later. I prefer to die fighting.

- You must choose a side in the conflict Champion. - Meredith pressed.

Hawke started a discussion that led to another argument, but Anders was no longer listening. He didn't even notice when the fight broke out. Mechanistically, he walked over to a small crate and sat down heavily on it. He felt his legs would no longer be able to support him. He stared stubbornly at the piece of burnt cloth that had become the center of his world. Somewhere at the bottom of his mind, he sensed the satisfaction of Justice. He wasn't sure if he shared it. He was roused from his state of semi-retreat by footsteps coming from behind him. Despite the dust mixed with the smell of fresh blood, he smelled a characteristic flowery scent. He didn't think he would be able to smell it again.