Note: And so begins the endgame...prepare yourselves!
A jet of purple fire soared over Lahara's head, and she ducked, the heat bringing a sweat to her cheeks. She had just entered the courtyard, and it had become unrecognisable. Two ramparts and half of the buildings had been destroyed, the rubble set aflame, and the remaining soldiers and mages were desperately trying to regroup between the Venatori and Red Templars. The Archdemon had retreated overhead, circling the fort, Corypheus perched on its shoulders. No doubt waiting for the initial assault to break through before making his grand entrance.
The Titan Executioner, meanwhile, was in the thick of it. It trampled on the remains of the stables, readying another fire volley to take out the surrounding soldiers. Lahara's eyes narrowed, and she ran towards it. As it opened its mouth, Lahara jumped, thrusting out her hands. Hundreds of ice needles ripped through the air, striking the beast in the throat. It choked, the icicles melting and burning into its skin. Momentarily stunned, it backed down, just in time for Iron Bull and Cassandra to storm into it with several Inquisition troops. A group of mages followed, conjuring ropes and chains to snake their way around the Titan. It snarled and thrashed, snapping several ties, and Lahara braced her right hand. This was her chance!
She broke into a run, but at the same moment, Hawke jumped into her path. The Champion tackled Lahara to the ground, sending them rolling down the rubble, her eyes filled with blood-lust.
"You're mine!" Hawke screeched, her hands flying to Lahara's neck. Lahara moved quicker, however and caught her wrists. Growling, her Shard sparked to life, and she focused all its energy directly into her fingers. Hawke howled in pain, desperate to break free, but Lahara's grip was iron. Dark streams of blood trickled down the Champion's forearms, and Lahara pushed herself up, twisting Hawke's shoulders so that her hands were locked behind her back.
"Sorry, Amber," Lahara muttered, bringing one hand to Hawke's forehead. "I've got to do this..."
Her fingers prickled as they came into contact with Hawke's Shard, but before she could access its power, a foreign presence emerged.
"Stay back!"
A spark burst between Lahara's hand and Hawke's face, and the Herald cried out, knocked backwards. She lost her grip on the Champion, and moments later was thrown chest-first into the remaining rampart wall. A heavy pressure clamped against her back, crushing her lungs against her ribs.
"You will not stop our Vengeance," a voice that was not just Hawke's whispered in her ear. "Every unjust death, every moment of meaningless pain and suffering, we will return to this world a thousandfold!"
"Jus...tice..." Lahara choked, fighting against the weight pinning her down, "please..."
The pressure lessened a moment, only for Lahara to be spun around and pressed against the rampart wall again. Hawke stared into her, her eyes glowing vibrant blue.
"The suffering He caused is unforgivable," she said. "There is but one solution, the ultimate revenge against the one who betrayed us! The destruction of all He created, to show whose power was truly the strongest!" Hawke's grip shifted, and she snatched Lahara's right wrist, holding it against the wall. Her dagger followed, its tip primed at the base of the Herald's thumb. "But to accomplish such, our power must be complete..."
"Amber...Justice…" Lahara gritted her teeth. "This power...isn't ours. We have...to give it...back..."
Hawke hissed.
"Only one can be worthy to be Etro's vessel, this is true," she murmured. "And I shall prove it will be me!"
She made to slice Lahara's wrist, but Lahara twisted, screaming out as the dagger severed her thumb-tip instead. Blood sloshed from the wound, soaking into the rune on her hand, and she drew into its power, into the art so long forbidden by the Chantry.
Forgive me, Bethany.
Lahara's Shard burst into a blood-red aura, which rapidly engulfed both her hands. She wrestled out of Hawke's grasp, before proceeding to grab her dagger by the blade. The power in her palms was enough to melt the steel and the weapon dribbled to the ground, useless.
Hawke quickly pushed Lahara away, dashing into the rubble in retreat. Lahara followed, sending volleys of ice and thunder in chase. Every bolt and blast send debris exploding everywhere, carving chunks out of the ground and walls, but Hawke was fast, ducking and dodging even as Lahara tore the very foundations of Skyhold. Lahara swore, renewing her attacks, desperate to trap the Champion so she could finish this once and for all.
Eventually Lahara had to stop, breathing hard as it was getting difficult to maintain her spells. Her bracelet was already filled to the brim with gold, but the Herald didn't care. She knew death would be coming for her very soon, there was no point holding back. Not when she had to make this count. Now the truth was clear to her; only one person was meant to be Etro's vessel, and sacrificing herself and Hawke was the only chance they could give Thedas—and themselves—to survive the oncoming darkness. She could only hope Elissa—and Bethany—would understand.
Catching her breath, Lahara surveyed the ruins. Hawke had disappeared, and so too had the Titan Executioner. The Inquisition were thus focused on the remnants of Corypheus's forces, managing to rally them into a corner and contain the last pockets of resistance. From afar Lahara caught the scream of the Archdemon—it was further inside the ruins, although clearly not alone, judging from its pained cries.
"Where are you?" Lahara puffed, swallowing back the nausea that was bubbling ever so close to the surface. She reached out with her hand, attempting to sense Hawke's Shard, but then pale fingers clasped her wrist.
"She seeks to unite with it again," Cole's quiet voice uttered beside her. "Spearhead of chaos and destruction, fuelled by valleys of sorrow and suffering, a tempest-storm that seeks an end to all things."
"Sounds about right," Lahara said. "Wait, there!"
A movement in the rubble stirred, and then a howl broke through as the Titan Executioner emerged from the shadows, Hawke on its shoulders. It tore across the debris, shooting out purple fire-balls. Lahara scrambled, taking cover behind a fallen rafter, when Iron Bull roared. He stepped right into the creature's path, his chest singed and one horn already broken.
"You'll have to get past me first!" he declared, taking up a broadsword and hacking into the Titan. The Titan bellowed, rearing onto its hind legs, before Hawke leapt downward. Her remaining dagger found its mark, and Iron Bull growled, blood seeping down his chest and back.
"Iron Bull!" Without thinking Lahara threw lightning from her fingertips, engulfing the Titan in a cage of white fire. Moments later she soon regretted it, as blind-siding pain slammed into her temples. It was rapidly followed by a bout of sickness, and Lahara spat out saliva and bile, her legs starting to shake.
Damn it...I need more time!
"Enough of this!" Hawke slapped her palms together, and the Titan Executioner fell still. Its body rippled, before melting into liquid black. The inky darkness streamed to Hawke's hand, morphing into intricate tattoos that glowed a faint purple. The Champion turned to Iron Bull, grasping his shoulders. Iron Bull roared, the deathly glow consuming him. Then suddenly he fell silent. His eyes lost colour, and he slumped to the ground, motionless.
"No!" Cullen's yell echoed across the ruins. He charged, his sword primed, but Hawke flung out her hand, letting loose black tendrils that snared the Commander. He writhed, trying to break the suffocating bonds, but they wrapped closer and closer, snapping bones and stealing his breath.
"Damn it!" Lahara made to counter, but she could only stumble, a pathetic fizzle leaving her hand. The cracks in her bracelet widened, and she had to drop to one knee, sweat cooling on her forehead. Angry tears burned behind her eyes as she listened to Cullen's dying gasps, unable to do anything to stop it. All the while Cole perched beside her, his eyes taking on a whitish glow.
"Your soul is shattering," he said. "You will not have time."
Lahara sighed. "Not much I can do about that, Cole."
"Then let me give you what you cannot." Cole touched her Shard, and a pulse of warmth flowed up Lahara's arm. "Save them, and yourself."
Lahara watched as Cole's body began to fade, absorbed into her Shard. A soothing sense of calm spread over her chest and limbs, and she closed her eyes. Cole had given her his spirit self, to help keep her soul together for these last few moments. And in that instant, the answer hit her.
Of course!
My soul can't shatter if it's left my body before the Shard destroys it!
So that means...
"Amber Hawke!" Lahara held out her arms. "You're that scared of me, huh? When are you going to show up and prove yourself?"
"I hold no fear!"
Hawke's voice bellowed from behind a fallen pillar, and she stood tall, her body adorned with the black tattoos of the Titan Executioner. At her feet lay the bodies of Iron Bull, Cullen and several Inquisition mages. Lahara managed a wry smile, and she beckoned with her hands.
"Then come get me!"
Snarling, Hawke bolted, taking the bait, her dagger primed. Lahara didn't move, standing stock still, not even flinching as Hawke's blade plunged deep into her stomach. Even Hawke seemed shocked, having expected her to avoid the charge. Icy pain lanced up into Lahara's chest, but she fought it down. Instead she snatched Hawke's face, one hand on her cheek, the other on her forehead.
"Everyone knows…" Lahara breathed, "the only cure…for Vengeance…is…Compassion!"
She drew into Hawke's Shard, and Hawke screeched. Lahara felt burning pain cross over her own brow, as the rune faded from Hawke and imprinted onto her instead. Without the tether of magic, the spirit of Justice also followed, soon mingling with Cole's. For a brief moment Lahara saw the two spirits together, hand in hand, before they both fizzled into lyrium.
Thank you.
The world swayed, and Lahara dropped to her knees, blood seeping thick from her belly. She didn't bother to try to stem it, knowing the end was upon her.
I've done it!
"No...no, no!" Hawke's voice, no longer distorted, but frantic, and filled with remorse. Lahara blinked, managing to catch a glimpse of exhausted brown eyes. "Fuck, what have I...Lara, why, why?!" She pulled Lahara into her arms, shoving her palm against her belly, soaking her fingers in blood. "Why didn't you damn well dodge?!"
Lahara let her chin rest on the Champion's shoulder, her eyes closed.
"Take care...of Beth..." she croaked, the darkness drawing deeper. Something warm and metal dug into her wrist, as pieces of her now-shattered bracelet stuck to her palm.
"You idiot!" Hawke was crying, her tears splashing onto Lahara's cheek. "You weren't supposed to...this wasn't...Maker why, why?!"
Hawke's weeping was short-lived, however, as she was caught by a sudden choke. Her hold on Lahara loosened, and Lahara fell to the ground, just barely able to still hear what was going on.
"What?" Cassandra's voice, shaky and horrified. "But...you were enthralled, I did not..." She let loose a shrill cry. "Champion, I am so sorry!"
Hawke began chucking, and a crunch signified she too had fallen to her knees. Given Cassandra's response, it was obvious what had happened.
Oh no.
"I guess…I deserved that, huh?" Hawke was still laughing, though it soon turned into coughing. "I've been…a naughty girl…" Lahara heard her slump to the ground, and felt the Champion's breath tickling her nose. "Sorry...Lara...looks like...I'll be joining you..." Her voice drifted to a breathless whisper. "Beth...stay strong..."
Warm tears spilled across Lahara's cheeks.
Oh Beth, I wish I could tell you…
"It's...all up...to you…Elissa," Lahara uttered, as reality slipped away for the final time. "Don't…mess it up."
Elissa shivered, rivulets of blood pouring down her back. The Archdemon's claw had pierced straight through, and she couldn't breathe for the fluid pooling in her lungs. Leliana's arms remained around her, chiding and angry.
"You fool!" she hissed again for the umpteenth time, pressing Elissa close to her chest. "I already had to watch you die once, and now..."
She was caught by a gasp, as sudden warmth blossomed from the rune on Elissa's chest. Similar warmth then appeared at her right hand, and across her forehead. It spread further still, into her empty eye socket and into the wound in her back, numbing the pain. Still it did not stop, and Elissa felt her strength returning. Even ancient aches from years-old scars began to vanish, and then Elissa finally knew. A fountain of knowledge had opened within her, at long last breaking open the door of secrets that had eluded her for so long. For a moment the ruins of Skyhold vanished, replaced by the black throne and spire.
The Unseen Realm…
This was my home, where I channelled the souls of the dead so they could be reborn. Souls were unlike anything in the known universe, filled with impossible potential, of dreams and drives and ambition. A mix of chaos and light that if unchecked would destroy everything.
And He…
He was jealous, fearful my power would one day usurp his. Fearful he would not be revered as the most powerful over all.
He… was the Maker.
And the Maker murdered me.
But now...
I am reborn at last.
"Elissa?"
Elissa opened her eye, gazing into the fiery skies of Skyhold as she lay in Leliana's lap. Without hesitation she stood up, and Leliana gasped.
"Your wounds, they're..." Her grey-blue eyes widened further as they met Elissa's own. "Your eye!"
Elissa nodded, touching the soft petals that now sprouted from her once-empty eye socket. The black and white flower that marked her as the goddess reborn.
"No, no! This cannot be!"
Corypheus's voice bellowed from above, and Elissa glanced skyward. The Archdemon dived, sending rubble flying, and Corypheus flung himself off its back, his orb in hand. The dragon had managed to regenerate one of its eyes, while the other remained empty and blood-stained, the mirror to Elissa's previous wound.
"You..." He eyed Elissa hungrily. "That power, it will be mine!"
He raised his orb, which began crackling with green bolts of energy. Elissa scoffed. She merely raised her arm, and a cloud of Corruption appeared around Corypheus's hand. Corypheus gasped, trying to save the orb and break free, but the shadows smothered his entire forearm. In seconds it was crushed to dust, along with the lower half of the magister's arm. Corypheus howled, cradling the stump of his elbow to his chest.
"Impossible!" He raised his other hand. "Kill her, kill them all!"
The Archdemon screeched, leaping for Elissa. Elissa side-stepped, bringing her palms together and conjuring a spear of Corruption. This time the form of darkness was completely under her control, and she clasped the weapon, facing the dragon.
"Chaos knows its master once more!"
She charged, striking the Archdemon's flank. The Corruption spear ripped through its hide, and the Archdemon staggered. Elissa twisted her weapon and sliced again, severing its wing and snapping the bone. Corypheus shuddered in response, though it was not long before he was under attack himself.
"For Amber!" Merrill yelled, followed by Alistair, Varric and Dorian. Elissa gave a wry smile, concentrating on the Archdemon. It roared, making to bite, and she jumped back. Twisting, she thrust her spear between its neck and shoulder, the black Corruption like acid to the beast's scales. It screamed, lashing out with its foreclaws. Elissa stumbled, narrowly avoiding her back being carved out again. She wrapped her hands around her spear, conjuring more Corruption. It split the spear, and Elissa held up dual blades of dusty darkness.
The Archdemon bellowed, swinging its tail around. Elissa leapt over it, slamming her new weapons downward with all her strength. Like a knife through butter they cleaved the creature's tail, and red lyrium blood spilled. Elissa didn't stop, aiming her next strike at the dragon's wing. She tore through the skin, ripping out several scales on its back in the process.
Bleeding from numerous wounds, the Archdemon growled. It floundered on its legs, weak and defenceless. Elissa snarled, bringing her blades together and re-assembling her spear. At the sight the dragon reared, and Elissa sprinted.
"Not this time!" she yelled, throwing her spear. It flew through the air, banishing smoke and ash, before plunging right into the Archdemon's chest. The dragon choked, as the spear dissolved, becoming a smothering blanket that engulfed the beast. It writhed, trying to escape, but the black mist seeped under its scales, under its skin, until it had filled every crevice of its body.
Elissa snapped her fingers, and the Corruption coalesced, swallowing the Archdemon whole. Then it receded, and the dragon collapsed, dead. Elissa glared at it, breathing hard. This time, there were no breaking ramparts to cheat her of victory. Her second Archdemon lay slain. Now all that remained was to see its master met the same fate.
"No!" Corypheus reached out to his lost ally, only to be swarmed by Alistair, Varric and Merrill.
"You're finished, Corypheus!" Alistair barked. He shot forward, piercing the magister's shoulder with his sword.
"Never!" Corypheus roared, hitting back. Alistair yelped, a bleeding tear scored across his face.
"Bastard!" Varric rumbled, firing a volley of crossbow bolts. "You'll pay, you'll pay!"
"Pathetic insect!" Corypheus lunged, a ball of lightning escaping his fingertips. It struck Varric straight in the chest, and he fell to the ground, Bianca clattering useless beside him.
"No!" Merrill squeaked. "You won't hurt me or my friends anymore!"
She cast a bolt of ice from her staff, and Dorian joined her, strengthening it until a huge javelin of frozen water smashed into Corypheus's chest, shattering ribs.
"You are an embarrassment to Tevinter!" Dorian snarled. "Go back to whatever hole you crept out from and never come back!"
"Gah!" Corypheus staggered, pushed against the remaining rampart, but then he struck back. A force-spell shot from his hand, and the group cried out, sent flying in all directions. Elissa gritted her teeth, running to take their place. She could not let Corypheus gain ground.
She summoned her dual blades, charging straight into the ailing magister. Corypheus rumbled, casting green lightning from his fingertips. Elissa raised her right arm, changing her blade into a shield of Corruption that deflected the blast. In seconds it combined with her other dagger into a broadsword, and she slammed the black blade into Corypheus. Blood and spittle flew from the magister's face, and Elissa attacked again, and again, and again.
"This is for Lara!" she cried, breaking the red lyrium crystals on Corypheus's skull. "And Amber, and Iron Bull, and Varric, and every other innocent who's been sacrificed for your mad ambition! Every family you tore apart, every slave you murdered, every sin you committed in this world to try and attain a power that was never yours!"
She smacked Corypheus into the wall, and he groaned, falling onto his back. Weakly he tried to get up again, only to crumple back to the ground. Elissa watched coldly, changing her broadsword back to her spear. Slowly, she walked towards him. Corypheus's breaths had become shallow and rapid, and he held his remained hand over his broken ribs.
"It's over," Elissa stated, poising her spear at his chest.
"No, no!" In desperation Corypheus aimed a last force-spell, but Elissa deflected it straight back. Corypheus whimpered, collapsing to the ground with barely the strength to move. Scowling, Elissa planted her foot on his breastbone, pressing hard.
"Want to know something, magister?" she asked, twirling her spear in her hand.
For the first time, Corypheus trembled, his eyes filled with fear.
"What...what are you..."
"You were actually right all along," Elissa stated.
"I don't understand..."
"That Black Throne you coveted so much," Elissa prompted, "it never did belong to the Maker." Her eyes darkened. "It belonged to me!"
She thrust her spear into Corypheus's heart. Corypheus bawled, his armour plating and bones dissolving from the Corruption. Red mist escaped his body, the crystals of red lyrium snapping piece by piece, the sinews of his body rotting away as centuries of twisted blood magic came undone in seconds. More Corruption seeped up from the ground, engulfing his remains, before the darkness receded, leaving nothing behind.
Elissa huffed, letting her spear dissipate. At long last, Corypheus was defeated, and her power was restored.
But at what cost...
As she turned back to her friends, a bell chimed through the heavens. The world seemed to lose colour, turning motionless and dull. Elissa gasped, scanning the sky, sensing a new presence she had never felt before.
"So, you have done it!"
Elissa glanced towards the remaining Skyhold tower, and her eyes widened. Zevran was standing before the debris, but this time she knew it wasn't the Antivan Crow at all. The power behind those eyes was nothing of Thedas, or even the Fade. It was the power of creation itself.
"Well done, my goddess," he said, with a smile that sent a chill down Elissa's spine. "With your powers restored, there remains hope for this world."
Elissa frowned, at last realising whom she was speaking to.
"So it appears." She acknowledged him with a slight nod. "But was it not your carelessness that led to this disaster?"
"An unforeseen circumstance," 'Zevran' answered. "You have every right to be angry, my goddess. But it is misdirected. For if you seek vengeance upon me, you will doom the souls of this world to destruction. Only I can help avert oncoming catastrophe."
"So Zevran mentioned," Elissa said.
"Indeed," 'Zevran' went on. He gestured to the light in the sky. "Thedas is lost, consumed to a power even I cannot match. I cannot prevent its inevitable demise. However, I created this world, and it is not beyond my power to create another anew." He waved his hand, and Elissa caught a glimpse of dense forest and mountains, none of which she had seen before. "Born from fire and light, it lies in wait for new life." He beamed at Elissa. "And now you are restored, my goddess, you can guide these souls there, to let them flourish and have their second chance."
"And how exactly do I do that?" Elissa asked.
"The Soulsong," 'Zevran' said. "Sing it, and the souls of this dying realm will be summoned to you. Then you must guide them to my new world." He turned away, his form fading.
"Wait!" Elissa cried. "You have to tell me..." She swallowed. "What happened to Zevran?"
'Zevran' smiled again.
"My servant will await you once your task is complete," he replied. "You have thirteen days 'til the end of this world, my goddess. When the final bell tolls, time will cease, and all that was will no longer be. Do not waste the time you have left."
He vanished, and time juddered to a start again. Elissa blinked, the blinding light gone. In its place returned the noise and chaos of the battle recently fought, along with the realisation Elissa had not had a moment to process.
Lahara...Amber!
Beth!
Heart racing, Elissa dashed across the fallen ramparts and walkways. It wasn't long before she caught Bethany's weeping in the air. She scrambled past the surviving soldiers, civilians and mages, even as they bowed to her, even as whispers of her true name flew through the ruins. Even as she knew what must have come to pass to allow her powers to have been restored.
She scaled the rubble of the former east rampart, and at its summit her horrified eyes locked onto the tragedy before her. Bethany was kneeling between the bodies of Lahara and Hawke, her head in her hands, her wails of pure agony like knife-cuts into Elissa's chest. More survivors were gathered around, their heads cast down in grief. Cassandra was amongst them, her blade sullied with blood, her face ashen and grey. Leliana was with her, trying to console, though it was having little effect.
Jumping the last of the distance, Elissa came to Bethany and swept her into a hug. Bethany, however, pushed her away. Instead she clasped Elissa's hand, her caramel eyes begging.
"Bring them back!" she wailed, her tears free-flowing. "Bring them back, bring them back!"
"Beth..." Elissa's gaze softened.
"You're Etro now!" Bethany screeched. "You're the Reaper of Souls, bring them back now!"
She grasped Elissa's collar with her hand, shaking her, repeating her plea over and over.
"Beth, Beth!" Elissa gripped her wrists, gentle but firm. "Beth, I want to, believe me, but I can't! I can't bring back the dead!"
"Bring...them...bring..." Bethany whimpered, before crumpling into Elissa's arms. A bawl escaped her, and Elissa held the poor mage tight, kissing her temple.
"Beth, I'm so so sorry," Elissa murmured. "I can't bring them back. Not to this realm. I'm sorry…"
Bethany's only response was to hold onto Elissa tighter. Elissa closed her eyes, seeking out the familiar imprints of her fallen friends. Relief flooded through as she was able to find them; the Shards had not sundered their souls, as Lahara had warned.
But how had they avoided that fate?
"Lara! Amber!"
The two turned, smiling warmly. But something wasn't quite right. Their forms seemed less solid, and were fading further as Elissa watched.
"We can't stay in the Fade," Lahara said. "But we're okay. The Shards can't hurt us now." She smiled. "Remember us. Keep remembering, and we'll linger in the Black City for as long as our memory burns."
"Tell Beth not to grieve," Hawke added. "We'll see her soon. We'll see you all soon, in the new world."
Elissa nodded.
"I'll make sure of it," she asserted. "I promise."
Lahara and Hawke grinned.
"Good luck, Etro reborn," they said together. "We'll be waiting."