Chapter 70: The Temple of Mythal
AUTHOR NOTE: Apologies for the recent delays, I actually was having a bit of block on this story and ate through my buffer chapters. But, I'm back writing again, so no worries :D
I reach for my travel ring, but Declan puts out a hand to stop me.
"Ferox, don't. Please stay, at least for now. Corypheus seems unable to enter for the moment, and you know this temple better than anyone else. We need you."
"Alright," I agree. "My ring still has a full charge. If Corypheus returns , I can leave easily enough."
"Sister," Tenebris says, tilting his head to look at me. "I won't let him have you; you have my word." He takes my hand. "But please, don't go back to the Black City. Anywhere but there."
I scoff, pulling my hand back. "Useless emotions. I would be safe there."
"Firefly...please," Varric pleads. He looks thoughtful for a moment before adding, "The dragons need you."
I nod. "That's a valid point. Very well. If I leave, I'll start in the Hissing Wastes with Cinder. Toth's presence would make her transition into an Ancient easier."
Varric and Tenebris both exhale sighs of relief at my answer. I shake my head. "Can we get on with this now? Unless you want Samson to get the Well?"
"Is she alright like that?" Declan asks.
"Not really, but it's better than the alternative," Tenebris answers with a sigh. "She's right, though; we need to get moving."
Morrigan falls in step next to me as we head deeper into the temple. I glance over and catch her watching me with curiosity.
"Was there something you needed, Morrigan?"
"Not particularly, no. Merely observing. 'Tis most curious, your change in demeanor."
"I'm not here to satisfy your curiosity," I reply, giving her an icy look. "I realize Samson knows we're following him, but I'd rather he not hear us coming."
Dorian snickers behind us. Apparently something I said amused him. I ignore him and keep walking.
The courtyard where we stand differs from the last time I saw it. It has been left - or perhaps encouraged - to grow over with vegetation: tall trees with spiraling bark reach upwards toward the light filtering in from overhead; mosses and even grasses have taken over some of the crumbling stairs and stonework underfoot. This is a place in balance with nature. It suits her.
A square platform lies directly ahead, with a short set of wide stone steps leading up to it on this side, and the far side, as well. Ah yes.
Morrigan is examining the inscription on one of the posts just to the side. "Abelasan - the place of sorrows. I'm sorry, I cannot translate the rest, but it appears this Well of Sorrows is important."
"This is the supplicant's path," I tell her.
"Yes, of course. For paying obeisance. It may aid our entry."
I give her an impatient look. "You forget I've been here before. I remember the way just fine." I carefully walk the path, each step lighting up a section of the tiles beneath. When all are lit, the magic tingles, sparkling blue magical energy shooting up around me before settling down again.
"It's certainly pretty, but what does it do exactly?" Dorian questions.
"The ancient elves would go into an enchanted extended sleep called uthenera. It is not unlike what Lucis and I do with the dragons when they are not needed. It takes very little of their physical resources to remain alive, and with enough practice, one can learn to live entirely from the energy of the Fade, indefinitely. Of course, the Veil did not exist when this practice first began, and accessing the Fade was unnecessary.
"Walking the path is the way to ask for knowledge and guidance from the one sleeping within. If one is humble, and asks an appropriate question, then walks the path, they will receive an answer from the dreamer."
"A trial of faith," Declan comments, nodding. "Like the gauntlet at the Temple of Sacred Ashes."
"That's not a bad comparison, but these were living beings within, not a dead woman's ashes imbued with lyrium." I shake my head at the foolishness of mortals.
"So we knocked on the door, does that mean Mythal's home?" Varric asks, his eyes darting around him.
"No," I answer. "From what I've seen, it appears she has not resided here in some time." I walk on ahead of the others.
After I complete another of the labyrinthine puzzles, we stop for a quick rest, and drink from our waterskins. I notice an odd statue around the corner, and go to investigate. Morrigan follows.
She stares up at the massive carving. "That is a representation of Fen'Harel, but what is it doing in a temple devoted to Mythal?"
I shake my head. "I don't know. They were close, once, but it is odd that his icon would be here in this place. If I get a chance to see either of them again, I'll be sure to ask."
Morrigan frowns.
The ground shakes as an explosion detonates from the next room. Morrigan and I run to determine the source, and Declan, Varric, and Tenebris are not far behind. I reach the doorway first, and see Samson standing on an upper walkway, behind a stone railing. It appears he has opened a hole to an underground chamber in front of where they stand.
"Hold them off!" He shouts to his men, jumping down into the hole.
A handful of red templars and a few horrors move into action, heading toward us.
"Bianca was just asking when we were going to see some action," Varric jokes from behind me.
But I feel no rush of excitement over the coming battle, no fear. Only cold, calculating stillness.
"I'll take care of this," I announce, brandishing my staff. I twirl it in a motion above my head, bringing the storm, but it isn't lightning I'm after. A layer of ice forms on the ground between me and the templars. They reach it and start sliding, losing their balance. After a second, however, their momentum slows and I see the lines of frost already creeping up their legs. Their feet and legs become heavy, and finally stop moving entirely. The creeping frost rises up their chest, and I watch as panic sets in when they realize what's happening.
"Death," I whisper softly, the word almost a caress as it leaves my lips.
The templars arch their necks upwards, desperately gasping, trying to pull air into their motionless, frozen lungs, but there is no hope for them now. The last of their life escapes their mouths in one final cloud of vapor, leaving the chamber in an empty stillness.
With a snap of my fingers, the floor of ice shatters, glittering shards scattering across the stone. I blur into motion, hitting each templar with a solid blow from my staff, and when I have finished, the floor is littered with frozen chunks of flesh.
"Sorry," I say to my brother. "You didn't need those, did you?"
Tenebris shakes his head, his lips pressed into a thin line.
I turn back and head up the nearby staircase to where I'd seen Samson standing before. Morrigan joins me, peering into the darkness below. Samson is nowhere to be seen.
"Wait," Morrigan says, and I turn my impatient gaze on her once more.
She frowns again. "Our true objective lies ahead," she says, indicating the door across the broken floor, not the hole itself. "If we continue the path…"
I think it over. "The elves might be more likely to listen to us, at least, if we show our respects." I nod. "Inquisitor?"
Declan nods. "We need to get to the Well and find out if this eluvian exists. Samson is only a secondary objective."
A narrow section of the tiled floor remains, and we make our way around the hole. As an afterthought, I call the rocks and earth to me, and seal the hole, instead.
"They won't be returning the same way they went in, anyway," I announce.
A soft chuckle catches my attention and I look up to see Varric smiling at me. I pause and watch the expression soften. Something thumps in my chest. Something painful. Why does it hurt? I frown, confused by the sensation, and feel my shoulders drop.
"Ferox," Dorian says near me. "You are among family."
His hand tentatively finds my shoulder, the long slender fingers seeming odd against my paler skin. I leave it there, but stare at it, the warmth stirring something again.
"Dorian…" I find myself smiling at his words, and he pulls me in for a hug.
"Welcome back, Dragon Girl," he says, slowly letting go. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you're a bit frightening when you're like that."
"Sorry," I say, wincing. I remember Corypheus, and the panicky feeling settles over me again. But, Varric is there to offer his hand, reassuring me, and the feeling eases.
"You okay, Firefly?" he asks.
"I think so." I swallow. "But we really don't have time for this."
"We need to keep moving," Tenebris agrees.
"At last, something we can agree upon," Morrigan says sharply, with a nod of her head.
Varric walks with me, keeping a tight grip on my hand. The next area contains a massive door. Examining it reveals that it has been sealed by magic, and I think I know what kind.
"There must be more of the magical paths nearby. When we walk them all, we'll be granted entry," I tell them. "We should split up, we'll complete them more quickly that way."
Declan frowns, but nods. "Logical. Alright. You start with the closest one, Ferox. Varric, you stay with her."
Varric smiles at me.
"Tenebris, you and Dorian take the one on the left, and Morrigan and I will head toward the one at far end. When you've finished, return here so we know that you're done. Ferox, if you see anyone not back yet, check in to help them, seeing as you've been here before."
"A solid plan," Tenebris says, and he and Dorian walk toward their assigned door.
I nod, and Varric and I enter the room directly to our right. There's a small passageway that opens up into a larger chamber. The ceiling - if there ever was one here - has been lost, and sunlight streams down in from above. I'm happy to see some patches of blue in the sky, and relieved to know that my storm from earlier did not get a chance to do too much damage.
Vines hang down from the opening, and curl around the pillars inside. We head toward the raised platform that dominates the center of the area, and I recognize this one as one of the more challenging paths.
"Varric, you follow the low wall over there and stand in the center section. I'm going to need you to pull the lever when I tell you okay?"
He gives a small shrug. "Sure thing," he grunts, and heads over to the location I indicated. With his help, the path is simple enough, and we walk back into the central room a couple of minutes later.
We're the first ones back. I trust Tenebris to figure out his puzzle, and I decide to see how Declan's progress is going with Morrigan.
We've just reached their doorway when Varric pulls on my hand, stopping me. A glance back reveals him putting a finger to his lips. He points over my shoulder and I turn to look.
Morrigan and Declan are standing close together, the light of their path already illuminated, filling the area with an ethereal blue glow. They appear to be talking, not touching, but there's something almost intimate about their posture.
I turn back to Varric, my eyes wide. He laughs, clearly having drawn the same conclusion I had about them.
"You know, Inquisitor, we could come back if you're busy," he teases them, and I see Morrigan turn away.
Are they really…? No, they can't be, right? Stars, I really hope Declan knows what he's doing.
"No, we're finished," the Inquisitor says, with no hint of embarrassment.
The four of us return to the main area by the sealed door again, and find that the barrier has dissipated. Dorian and Tenebris join us a moment later.
"It seems we are ready, then?" Declan asks, putting hand on the giant doors.
"Indeed," Morrigan agrees.
Delcan pushes open the doors, carved in a relief of swirling vines and patterns. The door opens into a wide, clean chamber. This part of the temple has been more maintained, perhaps by spells. The walls are intact, and very little dust has been allowed to gather.
"'Tis not what I expected," Morrigan mutters.
"We're being watched," Declan states, just as elves step out of the darkness in all directions. They hold their weapons at the ready trained on us. I turn in a circle, and see that they have us surrounded.
On the upper walkway stands the elf from before, the one who had confronted Corypheus at the bridge. He wears a hood up close to his face.
"You are unlike the other invaders. You bear the mark of magic that is...familiar," he states, looking closer at Declan and the glow of the anchor. "What is…"
He trails off as I walk forward.
"Aneth ara, Abelas," I greet him, with a small bow of my head. "It has been many years."
He bows. "Destroyer, friend of Mythal, I had not thought to see you in this place. What is your connection to the others that trespass here?"
"We seek to keep the Well of Sorrows from the invaders you spoke of."
Morrigan whispers something to Declan, and I cut my eyes to him, questioning.
"It appears your companions do not share the same respect for our sanctum. I know what they seek; they would drink from the Vir'Abelasan."
"Is that true? You wish the Well's power?" I ask Declan. "The plan was just to keep it from Corypheus."
Uncertainly crosses the Inquisitor's eyes, and I look to Tenebris. He frowns. "I'm not certain Corypheus will stop trying, Sister. Perhaps it is better if we allow someone to use the Well."
Abelas's voice increases in volume. "Our duty is clear. The Vir'Abelasan shall not be usurped, even if it means I must destroy it!" He turns and runs through a nearby doorway.
"No!" Morrigan cries, a cloud of smoke enveloping her, and a crow flies forwards from where she stood. The bird is gone in an instant, disappearing through the doorway before I can even react.
"Shit," Varric grunts, as the elves set in on us, and the fight begins.
Tenebris scrapes his hand along a sharp corner of the crystal on his staff, allowing the blood to flow. A wave of force magic courses through the room, and the elves are propelled back. I hear Bianca fire behind me, and see the corresponding elf be pinned to the wall.
A sick feeling enters the pit of my stomach as I raise my staff. I'm so sorry.
"Dorian, Static Cage," I instruct, as he raises his staff, aiming in the same place as mine.
The ball of lightning forms high in the air, growing in strength from our combined magic. I hold back on my power, choosing to keep the spell selective, striking only our opponents. The lightning arcs, hitting each in turn. They twitch and collapse, lining the room.
I sigh, squatting next to the one closest to me. Dead. I look up, and glare at Declan. "You're being stupid. You are listening to her, Declan. Mythal was my friend; trust me when I tell you that you don't want what the Well offers."
Declan looks down, his brow furrowed. "I know this isn't the best timing, Ferox, but if you can't help us in the fight against Corypheus, then I need another way to stop him. If the Well can offer that, then it's worth it."
I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. I clench my fist, feeling the anger rise within me. Toth takes notice and shifts. Tenebris puts a steadying hand on my shoulder, and I shake it off.
"No, Brother. What if it had been your temple that they wanted to defile?"
"I would let them have it if it would save the world," he says his voice steady. He looks back at Dorian. "If we don't succeed, then it is likely that all of this will be gone, too."
I think on that, and my shoulders slump, realizing he is right. There is no saving this place, not as it is. I sigh. "Okay, Inquisitor, if you want this, then so be it, but you should know what you're getting into. The price of the Well is to be bound to Mythal's service for all eternity. That's not something to be taken lightly. For all we know, Mythal may have joined Fen'Harel already. We could be handing the Inquisitor and the mark over to the other side."
Declan blanches, apparently not having considered that. "We still need to get there," he states.
I watch as the others enter the next room, Varric and I falling behind the others. He waits until I start moving before walking next to me.
I give him a grateful smile. "Thanks," I whisper. "I needed a minute to collect myself after that."
"I don't really get this magic stuff, you know that, but I can't imagine I'd take well to someone going through my friend's stuff."
That makes me chuckle. "It's the collective knowledge of a group of ancient beings, and you make it sound like they're stealing her knickers."
"Mythal's knickers!" he exclaims. "Sorry, I really need to get some new curse words."
"Flippant sarcasm in the wake of danger - that's why I love you," I tell him, shrugging my shoulders. "Oddly enough, it does help me feel better, though. I appreciate you bringing me back from the cold. Normally, I'd have been like that for days before coming out of it."
"I think I'm getting use to it; your moods that is - let's just hope this is worth it."
"Yeah, I don't relish the idea of being around Corypheus again...now that I know what could happen. It was bad enough with just Toth threatening to take over."
"No more putting yourself in danger."
I nod. "I won't," I agree, "at least with Corypheus, that is."
We both go silent as we reach the top of a giant staircase leading down to a lower level. I see Samson from here, and hear the sound of our team's footsteps on the level below us. Varric and I give each other a look before running down the stairs. I carry my staff with both hands, and I know Varric and Bianca are as ready as I am.
At the bottom, I see the last of a group of elven sentinels fall to the red templars. No...more of them gone.
Samson is congratulating them on their victory when Declan and my brother reach them.
"Inquisitor," Samson utters. "You've got a long damned reach. You've hunted us half across Thedas. I should have guessed you'd follow us into this hole."
Declan steps forward. "Corypheus is just using you. Can't you see that?"
"He chose me. Twice. First as his general, and now as the vessel for the Well of Sorrows." Samson closes his eyes and clenches his fist, and I watch as the red lyrium crystals on his armor glow with power. He scoffs. "This is the strength that the Chantry tried to bind. But it's a new world now, with a new god."
"Your magister is no god," Tenebris corrects, the disgust obvious in his voice. "And power such as that can always be taken away." He smiles, and looks to the Inquisitor.
Declan raises a rune unlike any I've ever seen before. Is this what he and my brother were up to in my absence? He crushes it, and instantly, the light of Sampson's armor fades.
"Kill them all!" Samson shouts, and we're in the thick of a fight again.
A dark cloud emanates from Tenebris, and I see the impact on each of the templars. Samson looks confused.
"Get ready, Varric," I tell him, a grin on my face.
In a loud voice, I chant, "I call upon the ice and snow, to shield my friends and strike my foe." Cold magic, so close from embracing it before, follows the wave of weakness that Tenebris has already started.
But to my surprise, one of the red lyrium horrors casts a fire spell, sparing himself and a few of his surrounding templars from my ice spell. Apparently they were watching at Adamant. Clever. New tactics then.
Varric and Declan go to work smashing through the section of frozen templars, and I look to Tenebris. "Blood Wound," I call to him, and see him chuckle.
I watch as my brother puts away his staff, slicing his hand again on the crystal. He flings his hands outward, the dark tendrils reaching. He raises his hands above his head.
I cast a wall of fire to keep the others from reaching him. Tenebris finishes his spell by closing both raised fists and pulling downward. The templars scream in pain. My own small chuckle is drowned out by Tenebris's rumble of laughter, relishing in the sheer giddy rush of power, taking in their strength.
The templars fall in unison, the clang of their armor satisfying a need I'd nearly forgotten. Sweet vengeance. The entire conflict has taken no more than a few seconds.
Samson backs up, looking around him in confusion and staring at Tenebris and I.
"What kind of magic is this? What are you?"
Declan smiles, looking at both of us. "You're standing in the presence of the true gods, Samson. Something Corypheus could never be with all his borrowed power."
"Lies," Samson spits. "The throne of the gods was empty."
"No," I object, shaking my head. "We were there, alright. He never reached the Black City."
A moment of doubt crosses his features.
"Maddox sacrificed himself for you," Declan says softly, pressing on Samson's doubt.
He frowns and sighs. "I told him not to."
I don't know who Maddox is, but apparently he was someone important to him. I stay silent, letting the Inquisitor handle this. Declan certainly has learned better timing of his use of influence.
Declan speaks with him quietly for a few moments before announcing, "We'll take him back to Skyhold for judgement."
"How are we gonna get him there? Oh, right," Varric said, shaking his head as Tenebris takes hold of the templar and twists his ring. A few seconds later, my brother reappears without the templar.
"I deposited him safely in the dungeons at Skyhold."
"Thank you, Tenebris," Declan states with a nod. "We can question him when we get back. It's funny, I almost feel sorry for the man."
"Oh, please tell me you put him with Erimond," I comment.
Tenebris chuckles. "Two men who thought they had power and influence from Corypheus, learning the truth of the Tevinter gods. I'd pay to be a fly on that wall."