9:30 Wintermarch 26th
I was helped up by Flemeth though I naturally looked down at the ground. She chuckled lowly.
"There are those who bow their heads too quickly. Raise your head girl or should I say 'irregularity?'" Flemeth whispered the last part and I looked at her. She gave me a smirk.
"Flemeth! Good to see you!" Derek laughed and Flemeth let me go. Then I realized I was all wet and started to shiver, partly out of cold, the other out of fear.
"I had to admit, I did not expect you to come back so soon. How is Morrigan faring with you hm?" Flemeth asked.
"She's fine but she had other responsibilities." Eren described. There was a glint in her eyes.
"I see then what sort of business brings you to my hut?" Flemeth asked.
"We're going into Ostagar to retrieve important documents. This place hasn't been touched by darkspawn yet so I want to ask if we can stay here until our task is complete." Eren stated. Flemeth cackled.
"Of course but I do not offer my help for free." Flemeth said.
"Always a catch." Talen rolled his eyes.
"Indeed. Hm, what should I ask of you?" Flemeth rubbed her chin and she looked over to me. I felt an uneasiness. "I want to talk to the girl here but even then that would greatly put things in your favor…I shall offer you help and more so long as this girl stays with me, until you leave of course." My stomach dropped to the floor.
"Why do you want Nia?" Eren glared.
"You have no idea what you have in your possession though, regarding your talents, you could not even begin to fathom. What say you to our deal? I will not harm her if that is what you are thinking." Flemeth crossed her arms. Eren gave me a look but sighed.
"Alright. She can stay with you while we're here." Eren said.
"Eren!" I breathed out.
"Try not to insult her ok?" Eren stated. I flashed him my middle finger.
"Don't be vulgar." Wynne chastised me. Flemeth cackled.
"Well, don't be shy, come in! Unless you'd prefer sleeping outside with your companions." Flemeth gestured to her hut.
"Of course." I mumbled. I kicked Eren's shin as I walked and I heard a pleasing sound of pain. We went in the hut and it was actually really normal. There was an old time stove with a stone chimney. A place to bathe with a bucket as well as two beds, a table, and some chairs. "I'm guessing one of these beds used to be Morrigan's?"
"Indeed, though I didn't bring you here to talk about my daughter." Flemeth went to the stove where a kettle was whistling. "Tea?"
"No." I shook my head. "I don't like tea but thank you." Flemeth gave me a playful grin before motioning me to sit. I did so.
"Such manners. I am guessing you are wondering why I brought you to my hut." Flemeth poured herself her own cup of tea. I nodded. She sat in front of me. I was still shivering from the water.
"How do you know I'm an irregularity?" I asked. She laughed.
"When one makes an entry like you do, it is hard not to notice it." Flemeth said.
"So you've been in the fade too." I said.
"One always returns to the place they called home." Flemeth gave me that enigmatic smile. "Though, in truth, I went into the fade because of your presence. Morrigan called it impossible when I fainted. You were the cause."
"I'm sorry." I said. Flemeth laughed again.
"You shouldn't be so quick to apologize. I was merely entranced on how one can so easily rend the fabric of the fade but it wasn't you alone, was it?" Flemeth stared.
"You don't have to keep on tip toeing around the subject." I sighed. Flemeth smirked.
"You have a spirit not of this world with you, one that bears something similar, something from long ago. That spirit is accumulating power isn't it?" Flemeth said, taking a sip of her tea.
"Halo, that's his name." I said. Flemeth laughed.
"How thoughtful." Flemeth smiled.
"He's trying to send me home." I said. She raised an eyebrow.
"Send you home? From beyond the beyond?" Flemeth cackled.
"Yes." I stated. Flemeth stared into her cup.
"Have you ever encountered a spirit that said that you are not supposed to exist?" Flemeth suddenly asked. I opened my mouth before remembering that one spirit that said something similar.
"I'm the impossible, possible." I said.
"Good girl. Let us say that this world was a story, one that has fixed events but flexible personalities." Flemeth gave me a mysterious smile. Another shiver went up my back. "There are things that can't be changed but there are choices we can make. That's all life is, choices. Then along comes a ripple. When you throw a pebble in a clear, stable pond, ripples begin to form. Little by little, those ripples become greater until the pond becomes altered. Throw more pebbles and soon the reflection is no longer clear." Flemeth explained.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.
"You are the pebble girl, can't your mind comprehend this?" Flemeth chuckled. I gulped. I didn't like where this was going.
"So if that's true then…the story is changing?" I asked. Flemeth took a long draught before setting down her cup.
"Precisely. The ripples are small of course. You have not stayed for an exuberant amount of time. Three years this august, if I assume correctly?" Flemeth asked. I nodded. "You have not grasped a major foothold in this world. If your spirit gathered enough energy by a certain point, then you can surely return."
"Thank God." I sighed.
"But if you do, your removal will cause certain things to never pass. Things that you have changed by your hand will disappear because you cannot exist unless a part of you stays." Flemeth sternly said.
"Like what?" I asked. Flemeth got up and looked out at the window. The others were already preparing the camp. It looked like they also caught a few fish.
"The dwarf managed to find a tunnel the very day you came, saving himself and allowing the events to make him a Grey Warden. The noble boy, you saved yourself. If you decide to leave, these things will not come to pass. Perhaps even another, that you benefited, will have their destiny changed as well." Flemeth said.
"How do you know about how Derek and Eren survived?" I asked.
"One learns much if they know which questions to ask." Flemeth said ominously. I felt that she wasn't going to give me more than that. I looked out the window. Eren, Derek, Rael, even Oren wouldn't be alive today if I wasn't here. Suddenly, leaving didn't seem so…easy.
"So what you're saying is that I have to exist here so things can stay the way they are?" I asked.
"A part of you but even a part might not even be able to linger. Unless it has something to survive on, that will perish as well and so goes your influence. Their existence falls on you." Flemeth explained. I gulped.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.
"You must realize what your accidental appearance caused in this world and what your disappearance would cause as well. Your choice isn't without its consequences." Flemeth sat back down.
"I don't get it, why do you place so much importance on me?" I asked.
"You are the impossible of course. A rarity such as yourself?" Flemeth chuckled. "There isn't another chance I would have in this lifetime. After all, when will I have the chance to speak to someone from a world beyond my understanding? Though, in order to get my payment, I would prefer meeting you in the fade to truly see this spirit of yours."
"Halo might not like that. He's kinda black and white on the whole evil and not evil thing. Even though spirits aren't technically evil even when they're demons. Maybe misguided but well, fault is half and half I guess." I shrugged. Flemeth laughed.
"You need not explain it to me girl. I know how spirits work child." Flemeth said. I laughed nervously. 'Of course you do, considering you're Mythal and stuff.' I thought. Flemeth sighed and the feeling to shiver near her faded. "That should be enough for you to be more comfortable. You can go and change. I don't want you to die of pneumonia." Flemeth chuckled.
"Thank you." I said, getting up.
"You will be required to sleep here with me so I can delve into your dreams. Do not worry, the sheets were all aired out before you came." Flemeth said. For a second, she kinda seemed grandmotherly.
"So did you expect us?" I asked. Flemeth gave me that mysterious smile again and her eyes seemed to glow. Scratch that. Not grandmotherly at all.
"Go on girl. Don't keep me waiting." Flemeth went to get another cup of tea while I went out as soon as I could without being awkward. I got out and it was freezing outside. Metal does not win against cold. Especially wet clothing underneath cold metal.
"Hey come by the fire missy!" Derek laughed. I made sure to go to my pack and take out my dry clothes.
"Jesus Christ! It's frigging cold!" I huffed.
"Well it is winter." Alistair laughed. I didn't care much for my body so as soon as I got my equipment off, off came my clothes.
"Can't you at least go to the woods!?" Talen cried out. Zevran whistled. Bra was still wet but I didn't care. Then a shadow came and Eren was blocking the view.
"Ah no show with our dinner?" Zevran cried out with disappointment as I quickly put on spare pants. I really need to get laundry done. These were my last pair of clean clothes, minus underwear. I sat down in front of the fire, putting my hands as close as I could.
"Next time, I'm taking the damn tea." I shivered.
"What exactly did she want with you?" Eren asked, sitting next to me and giving me a roasted fish. I took it and ate.
"Stuff." I said.
"Yes, that isn't vague at all." Leliana said sarcastically. I noticed everyone was looking at me, expectantly. Even Sten gave me a wary glance.
"Even if I did tell you, none of you would believe me." I said.
"Did she feed you tea and cookies?" Talen chuckled.
"She offered tea but I didn't drink it. I don't like tea." I said.
"Don't get off topic. What did Flemeth want?" Derek asked.
"She just wanted to see an irregularity." I said plainly.
"Um can you please elaborate? What's an irregularity?" Alistair said.
"Something that is beside the norm, something that isn't supposed to exist, the impossible made possible and I am that thing." I described. The ball of nervousness was extremely wound up. Should I tell them or not? In the end, they were going to find out. Better sooner than later right?
"What are you talking about?" Talen asked. I gathered up my measly courage and decided to tell them.
"I'm not from this world. I'm from a place beyond the veil. A world that is drastically different from yours. I'm something that isn't supposed to exist in this world, I was never supposed to be here." I explained. They all looked at each other and Wynne sighed.
"There are things that cannot be explained so easily." Wynne stated.
"Oh come on missy! You may not like the town or village you're from but that's a bit of a stretch of a lie don't you think?" Derek chuckled.
"Someone from beyond the veil, the magisters of old were barely able to even grant themselves in the fade and that's with thousands of sacrifices!" Talen scoffed.
"Come on, tell us the truth." Alistair laughed. Leliana gave me a sympathetic look while Zevran shrugged. Sten had that disapproving scowl and shook his head. I glared at them, got up, and dumped the fish bones in the blaze.
"I'm done." I stated, in more ways than one. I was a fool to think they'd straight up believe me.
"Nia." Eren got up.
"No! What's the point in telling you people the truth if you don't fucking care!" I shouted. "Here I am, laying down something that took so much of me! Here I am trying to make you guys understand!" My voice broke as the emotions inside suddenly decided to spill out. "You don't think I wouldn't have gone home if I had the chance! You think I'd be here if I could take the ship or the road home!? No! I want to go back! I want to see my family but I can't! Yet you don't understand! Why won't you believe me!?" I sobbed. They all stared at me wide eyed.
"I believe you." Wynne added softly. I scoffed.
"At least there's one. I'm going to bed." I said, going back to Flemeth's hut. As soon as I shut the door, I slid to the floor. I wiped my tears angrily. They couldn't understand. What's the point of even trying to explain?
"There are things in this world that cannot be understood. The ignorance of men is prevalent." Flemeth came by with a small handkerchief. I shook my head and she took it away. "Is there anything you need out there? I doubt that you would like to go outside looking like that." She chuckled. I wondered why she was acting really nice.
"My pack." I remembered my journal out there as well as my clothes and armor. Flemeth nodded.
"It would be best if you go to bed girl." Flemeth said. I nodded and got out of the way. I went to the spare bed and sat down. I was still crying but at most I just felt empty and slightly guilty. I didn't need to make them understand but I wanted to. I didn't want to be burdened with this anymore. Flemeth came back inside with my stuff. I got my journal and she set down a candle for me. There was a thought nagging behind my mind about how she was really nice but I decided to keep that on the back burner. I'm sleepy.
9:30 Wintermarch 27th
As soon as my head hit the pillow, I woke up in the fade. I got up and realized that I wasn't in the forest, on the trail, or anywhere I recognized actually. Instead the sky was a beautiful blue like the day after a rain. I was underneath a beautiful and large apple tree on top of a grassy hill. I stood up and the plains were as far as I could see.
"Where am I?" I wondered.
"So this is your realm? How barren." Flemeth chuckled. I looked next to me and took a few steps back from my surprise. Flemeth had her armor and her hair up like I was used to seeing her. Through all the times I've play through, no CGI can do the real thing justice. Even with her wrinkled face, everything about Flemeth seemed to scream 'Power.' I was in awe until she smiled at me. "Did I startle you?"
"A little." I mumbled while my cheeks heated up in embarrassment. "Why does the fade look like this?" I said.
"This is your mind girl, do you not know how to navigate it?" Flemeth cackled. I gave her a flat stare until Halo appeared in front of us. For a second, I felt tiny underneath his gaze even if it was directed at Flemeth.
'What are you?' He asked immediately. Flemeth gave us that mysterious smile.
"Hello to you too. It is nice to see a spirit that is not so easily bowed." Flemeth said. "My name is Flemeth, as to what I am…" She chuckled. "Unfortunately I do not trust you enough to tell you."
'A thing of power. Many spirits don't know who you are.' Halo said.
"You talk to other spirits?" I asked.
'They come and go.' He said.
"Do you not keep track of what your spirit does in the fade?" Flemeth asked.
"I never really thought about it." I shrugged.
"Are you gathering power and information to send her home?" Flemeth asked. Halo nodded.
'Little by little, soon.' Halo said. I sighed in relief.
"Have you told her the complications of what you might do? Of what this world will suffer if she leaves?" Flemeth asked. Then I remembered what she said.
"Halo, Flemeth said that if I leave, things go back to normal. That means that Derek and Eren would both…die." I said, fidgeting with my fingers. Halo was silent but I recognized that downtrodden look. "Is that true?"
'Those that have been changed by you…will change back once you leave. Don't you want to leave?' Halo asked.
"I want to see my family again." I stated. "But can't the changes stay?"
'Not unless a portion of you stays but then you will not be whole in the next world.' Halo described.
"It is either you or them." Flemeth crossed her arms. I didn't like the sound of that. Eren, Oren, Derek, and most likely Rael would be sacrificed so that I can go home.
"I don't like it." I sighed.
"You don't have to like it girl but you must live with it." Flemeth said.
'What do you see Old One? You see farther than I can, farther than we can.' Halo said.
"Huh?" I wondered. Flemeth chuckled.
"You seem to know much. What is your real name?" Flemeth asked. Halo bristled.
'Why must you know? Names have power Old One.' Halo glared.
"I am not here to cause her harm. New roads have opened because she's here. I only want to see if I can use those roads." Flemeth said.
"So you are going to use me." I stated.
"We all use each other to gain something. Do you not see yourself as someone who doesn't use others. Didn't you use the noble boy to come here to me?" Flemeth asked. She hit it right on the nail and how I probably won't ever know. I pursed my lips and looked away. "There is no such thing as a pure being. Everyone has their light and darkness. There are advantages to being selfish." I huffed and scowled. The landscape started to change. Clouds started to form and I heard thunder.
'Careful, this place is directly tied to you.' Halo said.
"Let her be spirit. There are times when humans need to free their hearts or else be weighed down by them." Flemeth waved her hand. "And as to what I see is something I can't share. The path is laid out, what we can change are the choices not the road. For that I will warn the both of you; there comes a path, a choice, to stay or to leave." Flemeth looked at me. "If you can't make the choice then it will be chosen for you. That is all I can say."
"Why? Can't you tell me anything else?" I asked. Flemeth smiled.
"One cannot take without something in exchange. I have given you all the help that I can give you personally though…" Flemeth looked at Halo. "If you can show me your true form, then I can offer more help to her and to her group. It is your choice spirit." Halo bristled again before he sighed.
'Will the path that might be chosen for us be difficult to cross?' Halo asked.
"That is not my place to say for it's not my destiny but yours." Flemeth nodded. Now I was just confused.
'Very well.' Halo said. His form started to change into something…huge. He was a mish mash of grey, black, and white. He towered over us, twice as big as the tree we were standing under. His arms, hands, and chest looked sculpted but that's as far as human he would look like. He was standing on top of a huge glowing halo and his face was split down the middle. He had the beginning of thighs before a sort of skirt of light flowed out to show nothing else. There were no discernible facial features, no hair, no eyes, no mouth, no ears. Nothing. His left side was glowing black while the other half was a mixture of grey and white.
And his wings…didn't look like wings. They looked powerful and razor sharp. If there was anything doubting me that Halo wasn't human, this was it. This was Halo's true form, his Acquirer form. I was left breathless, which was good because I think I forgot to breath.
"Marvelous, simply marvelous. This is enough spirit. I think it is time to go back to the waking world." Flemeth said. I blinked and I immediately felt the cold. The small blanket did nothing to keep away the cold.
Though I shivered more at Halo's true form than anything else.
Beta'd by FearaNightmare and Syutaku!
Keep an eye out on these Flemeth chapters as there is going to be A TON of foreshadowing. Not just for DAO, oh no, this foreshadowing goes much more beyond that. Let's see if anyone can actually get some of it right. Also we've hit 150 reviews! :D You guys are awesome! Don't forget, the 200th reviewer gets a spoiler free question for Inquisition!
Also the cover art has finally been uploaded! To see all of it's majesty, also updated portrayals of Talen, Derek, Eren, and Nia, go to yamiayala. deviantart art / Days - of - Our - Start - Cover - Art - 630259933 Just remember to take out the spaces.
Thank you baberbot1 for favoriting/following! Thank you WindBear7, Chimera Spyke, and Syutaku for reviewing! Please review! :D