Elissa stood beneath the war-tent, spying Josephine and Alistair hurrying towards its worn canvas. Around her the clean-up operations continued, clearing rubble and seeking survivors who were promptly taken to the new healing camp. Leliana stood beside her, holding her hand, her expression sombre. As the two waited, Elissa sighed, noting the change in her companions. Alistair was stern-faced, sporting a dressing to his cheek, though even that wouldn't hide the terrible scar that would be left behind. Josephine appeared more withdrawn than usual, though she had tended to herself the same as always, her hair neat and attire tidy.

"We're here," Alistair stated, seemingly not at all daunted by the flower in Elissa's eye.

"Thanks for making it so quickly," Elissa said.

"Of course," Alistair said. "I take it things are still going from bad to worse?"

Elissa licked her lips. "In a way." She stood taller, focusing on the tasks at hand. "How is the Skyhold restoration going?"

"As well as it can be," Josephine reported. "But it is becoming difficult to accommodate the survivors, and the neighbouring nations will not cease sending delegates who do little to help. We have sent our own emissaries to ask for aid, though it will be days before we receive any answers."

"Are the disasters still spreading?" Leliana asked.

"Yes, and so far, only Ferelden remains united in their efforts," Josephine said. "Orlais has fallen to internal bickering and it is tearing itself apart. Many nobles do not believe what is happening outside of their doors and are being obstinate in making contingency plans for the refugees from Nevarra. The Corruption outbreak in the Dales is also starting to spread, displacing many Dalish and consuming local villages, and Tevinter is experiencing more aftershocks from that earthquake." She paused, letting her words sink in. "I have also heard rumours that the quake also caused a tsunami to flood Par Vollen, but I do not have absolute confirmation."

Leliana shook her head. "How awful. So much loss of innocent life."

"I have heard even less from Antiva and Rivain, which concerns me more," Josephine continued. Her shoulders sagged. "I have sent so many messages to Yvette, to Mother, but…"

She trailed off. Leliana touched her friend's shoulder.

"I can only imagine how you must feel," the bard said. "I am sorry."

Josephine nodded sadly, wiping away a stray tear.

"To think we would be facing this, after achieving what we set out to do," she murmured. "We sealed the Breach, defeated Corypheus, and yet the world…has given up."

"We still cannot," Leliana answered, her blue-grey eyes defiant. "Even after what we have lost, we have to still find hope."

"But hope for what, exactly?" Alistair turned to Elissa. "Your, um, new look does seem to have inspired some, but it's also frightened many. They're all whispering that you hail the end, and that there's nothing else that can be done to stop it."

"They're…not wrong," Elissa sighed. "We only have twelve days left before Thedas is destroyed forever."

Horrified faces stared back at her. A long silence followed, before Josephine started trembling.

"What?" She shook her head, her eyes wide. "So…after all we fought to build and protect, it's all…we may as well have never…"

"There can be no new beginning without an end, Josephine," Leliana said. "Justinia had a vision for the future, yet that vision could not come to be until her own legacy ended. And so it is for us. This may well be the end for our world, but it is not the end for those who live on it."

Alistair raised a brow. "Not sure I'm following? Aren't they one and the same thing?"

"No," Elissa said. "And this is going to sound far-fetched and insane, but I need you both to listen. Otherwise we'll miss our last chance for a happy ending."

Alistair nodded, standing attentive. Josephine however kept her eyes downcast, the edges of despair threatening to take over.

"Corruption is going to eat away everything, and not even the Maker with all his power can stop it," Elissa stated. "However, what He's done instead is to create a new world. A world that craves souls in order to flourish."

"The Maker?" Alistair blinked. "You mean…"

"Yes. He spoke to me, through Zevran," Elissa explained. "He was Zevran's master all along."

"Whoa." Alistair ran a hand through his hair, while Josephine stared, bewildered. "I can't say I ever saw that coming."

"Me neither, but we can discuss the whys and hows another time," Elissa said. "What's important is that the Maker needs the souls of this world to be carried over to the new one. A task He's set me, but I'll need help in order to see it through."

"Ah, I think I get it," Alistair said. "Bit less glamorous than killing Archdemons but you'll take what you can get, right?"

"Right," Elissa replied. "But it isn't as easy as me snapping my fingers." She licked her lips, hesitant. She had yet to bring up the issue of the Soulsong, and as much as she knew she couldn't keep it to herself, she couldn't help but want to protect Leliana. She already knew what the bard would choose to do, and that was a decision she could never agree with.

Before Elissa could make up her mind, however, a shout carried across the air.

"Elissa, Leliana!"

Both Elissa and Leliana glanced up. Bethany waved to them from across the courtyard, her arm draped around Morrigan, who was limping. The latter was smeared in dirt and blood.

"Morrigan!" Alistair hurried to her side, taking over from Bethany. Morrigan winced, readjusting to his hold. "Maker you look awful. Shouldn't we take you to the healers first?"

"My pain matters not in this moment," Morrigan stated, her voice cool. "The news I bear is too important. I must speak with Elissa."

Alistair frowned, but didn't protest. He helped her to the war table, where she sat, rubbing her left leg. Bethany crept closer to Elissa, and Elissa touched the mage's hand in reassurance.

Once Morrigan caught her breath, she raised her head, her gaze settling on the flower in Elissa's eye. "I trust my mother visited you of late, Elissa?"

Astonished stares spread through the group, while Elissa nodded.

"In the Fade, yes," she said.

"Maker above, she's still after you?" Bethany shook her head. "When everything's going to end..."

"She's not," Elissa said. "She had her reasons for what she did, Beth. And for better or worse, I have to believe her." She turned to Morrigan. "But she's already told me about the Soulsong."

"Soulsong?" Josephine repeated. "What is that?"

"T'is the song that will summon all the souls of Thedas together," Morrigan supplied. "And yes, Mother told me of that, however she also bade me an additional tale." She winced, clasping her leg tighter. "For while the Soulsong may summon the souls of Thedas, unless there is a containment vessel for them, they will simply be lost to Corruption."

Elissa ground her teeth. "She loves leaving out important facts, doesn't she?"

"Perhaps, but t'is not you who need remedy this problem." Morrigan sat straighter, before hitching up her shirt to expose her back. Alistair's cheeks reddened, and he looked aside. "As her parting gift, Mother wrote this for you." She muttered a word, and glowing runes appeared across her skin. "T'is plans for a Well of Souls, much like the one that was destroyed in the Temple of Mythal. It will allow the souls of Thedas to gather in one place."

"She could've just sent a messenger pigeon with that information, you know," Alistair said.

"On the contrary, this magic is very ancient and special," Morrigan countered. "It needs to be enchanted into the stone used to build the Well. And you will need all the mages at your disposal to see it completed in time."

"And then what happens?" Josephine asked.

"If the souls are in one place, they can be led anywhere," Morrigan went on. "That will fall to you, Elissa...Etro. Return us to the Unseen Realm, where our souls were originally born, and we will find our way anew." She swallowed. "T'is my only hope for Kieran now."

"I see." Elissa chewed her lip, thoughtful. She may have lost the Soulsong, but she still had access to the Unseen Realm.

Perhaps, perhaps…

"Then we had best to get work on this Well of Souls," Josephine stated, relieved to have something to work towards.

"We will handle that," Leliana said. "You need to focus on keeping the leaders of the other nations content that we have a plan of action, and push them to lend aid."

"I will find a way," Josephine answered. "May I take my leave, er, Warden..."

"Just Elissa is fine," Elissa said. "'And yes, you may."

Bowing, Josephine sped away, back to her scrolls and quills; things she was familiar with. Elissa watched her disappear, before facing the others.

"Beth, call together every mage not too wounded and let them know what's going to happen," she said. "But first take Morrigan to Eliza."

"Elissa, I assure you..."

"We can spare some moments to see you healed, Morrigan," Elissa interrupted. "Then you can join Beth and prepare the spells."

"...very well," Morrigan stated.

Nodding, Elissa looked to Alistair.

"Alistair, take two of the rescue teams and clear an area where we can build the Well. We can use the Skyhold debris as a base. Also send Dorian, Merrill and Solas to me, so I can update them as well."

"On it." Alistair saluted. "We'll let you know as soon as we're done."

He hurried off, shouting to one of the teams. Elissa sighed, turning to Leliana. The bard frowned. She had been watching closely during the entire exchange.

"You have something else you are not telling me," Leliana said.

Elissa hesitated.

"Yes," she admitted at last, her shoulders sagging. "I spoke of the Soulsong, of the power to call all the souls of Thedas together." She clasped Leliana's shoulders. "As it turns out, you're the one who has it, not me."

"What?" Leliana spluttered. "But I am no goddess, not even a mage!"

"No," Elissa said, "but it is your power, nonetheless." She licked her lips. "And since you are no goddess, if you sing the Soulsong, it...it will..." She trailed off, unable to speak the truth aloud.

"Kill me?" Leliana offered.

Elissa winced, before nodding. Leliana tightened her jaw. "Then it will be a sacrifice well made."

"No!" Elissa clutched Leliana's hands. "I won't...I won't live in a world where you're not there!"

"Mon coeur," Leliana stroked Elissa's wrists, "we have already been given our second chance. And I would love more than anything to be with you again and again, in as many lifetimes as I am allowed. But this...this is my atonement." Her gaze became distant. "For all I did as Marjolaine's underling, and as the Divine's Left Hand. For all the souls I let loose too early, who now cannot escape Thedas's ultimate fate." She sighed. "If my punishment is to let every remaining life flourish at the cost of my own, then I accept it."

"I don't." Elissa gripped Leliana's hands tight. "All this power at my fingertips, and I can't...I can't save you."

"You already did." Leliana kissed her softly. "You have given me so, so much, Elissa. So much that sometimes I wonder if I ever truly deserved it. Yet now it is my turn to give back." She wrapped her arms around Elissa, and Elissa held her close, feeling the bard's heart beat beside hers. "You have your duty to perform, too."

Elissa could only nod, tears not far behind.

My duty...

My duty is to you, my love.

I will find a way to save you, I swear it.

"Elissa, may I have a moment?"

Elissa looked up from her reading, finding Dorian hovering near her tent. His cheeks were coated in stubble, his eyes were lined with dark circles, yet he still managed a smile when their gaze met.

"Of course." Elissa put down her book, allowing Dorian to step inside and sit beside her.

"I…well, this may be nothing at all, but…I wanted to voice some concerns," he said, speaking in a hushed undertone. "About Solas."

"Oh?" Elissa raised a brow. "Is he alright?"

"I almost wish that was the kind of concern it was," Dorian answered, "but alas, no." He checked the tent entrance again, his fists clenched. "He's been acting strangely around the Well."

"In what way?"

"Well, for one, he won't let any human mage enchant the stone," Dorian said. "Which seems innocuous enough, as most of our remaining mages are elves anyway, but…there's something in the way he's casting the spells that doesn't seem quite right."

"I wouldn't be the one to know this sort of thing," Elissa admitted. "Have you told Morrigan?"

"Yes, and she is investigating, but I thought you should be aware," Dorian said. He let out a breath. "I'm sure Solas knows what he's doing, but he's being very secretive about it. And that never bodes well."

"I agree," Elissa said. "Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Dorian."

Dorian bowed, rising to his feet. As he did so, Elissa noticed the eye-patch that had been tied to his belt. Remorse filled her, and she touched Dorian's hand.

"Yes?" Dorian asked.

"I'm sorry," Elissa said.

Dorian quirked a brow. "Whatever for?"

Elissa sighed. "I've been so pre-occupied, I never thought to ask…how you were, after…"

Dorian smiled sadly. "We've all had to deal with loss, Elissa. And from what you've told us, there's still hope for rebirth." He squeezed her hand. "I don't envy the burden on your shoulders, but I also know of no-one else who would have the best chance of carrying it. I have faith we're in the best of hands."

Elissa nodded. "Thank you, Dorian."

She watched him leave, then rested her head back, staring at the canvas above her.

I can only hope your faith isn't misplaced.