"Little Light"

The dreams plagued her more often than not the closer they got to the Western Approach. Days. Weeks. Pretty soon, a month. Those last few days were the worst, for the little mage. She was lucky if she got a decent amount of sleep, as she was often awoken throughout the nights. Heavy breathing and cold sweats. It was hard.

Sometimes she didn't even remember what she had been dreaming about.

Other times, it was like inky blackness that stuck to her insides. Trying to infect her, reminding her of all the horrible things she'd done in this world. How many times she'd fucked up. Liz knew. She always knew. Every single day she knew. Remembered. She would never forget.

But it was the night before they were supposed to march onto the fortress that stuck out to her the most.

Liz was running. In this dream, she was Erin Trevelyan. Just like she was in the waking world. Her little legs were trying to scramble across the expanse of the desert, dark and drowning. She could feel it, weighing down on her shoulders. Like it was right there. She could hear it, chuckling in her ear. As if it was always at her back.

But she could never see it.

The young mage, even back on Earth, had never seen this entity. Always following in her steps and haunting her. Ever since she was a child. Irritation reared its ugly head and she stopped. The young woman, despite being in Erin's form, was standing in her childhood home. A single story house that her mother had rented from the Tribe on the Reservation.

It was dirty, walls filled with filth and grime. The tiled floors were supposed to be white, but the dirt stained them grey. Papers and beer cans littered the ground as she stomped her foot and whipped around. It was dark, a bright green glow piercing into the house in place of the sun.

"What are you!?" Liz demanded, "What do you want?"

Nothing. It was eerily quiet. Not a chuckle. Not even a whisper.

"What the fuck do you want from me?! If you want to kill me, JUST FUCKING KILL ME." She yelled impudently, finally fed up with running from it. "Show yourself you stupid piece of—ergk!"

Her small body was grabbed and lifted off of the ground by her throat, all air expelled from her lungs. A deep throaty chuckle resounded within the house, making it shake and rumble. It felt like an earthquake was outside, like something was huge. Absolutely massive.

'Clack clack crunch' Went the rocks outside, all she could see was its legs. But, that's not what she was focused on. It was the tall figure that held her that had her attention.

"If I take this form, will you fear me?" It shook her and she struggled to breathe, feeling herself get dizzy. Despite knowing it was a dream. That she was in the Fade. It all felt so real. The thing slammed her small body against the dirty wall. It was a white featureless shadow. A shadow that was familiar, just like her friend when she was younger. "Where have you gone, my Little Light?"

He spat the endearment like it was venom. It sounded wrong. All wrong. Wrong wrong. He wasn't him. He wasn't her spirit friend from Earth. He wasn't- Couldn't be!

"I'm not afraid of you!" She screamed at it, clawing at it's arms as it starts to choke her. It's a dream. Dream, she's dreaming. She didn't have to breathe. So she doesn't. Liz glared at the thing, ignoring the settling dread in her stomach that was threatening to take over. Send her into a frenzy. She wouldn't let it. She wouldn't!

"Oh, but quite the contrary. I can see it, twisting in your gut." Its voice rumbled in front of her, but also all around her. Outside of the house, inside of her head. It was everywhere. "Tell me, Little Light. What would happen to the friendships you found, forged on a lie? What would they do if they knew? You are a fake. A fraud. A liar. How would they feel, knowing what you are?"

Her eyes widened. The formless shadow leaned forward, face so close to hers.

"Or, rather, what you aren't." He whispered with glee and she could feel her heart freeze in place. She screamed and he started to laugh. He took her deepest fear and threw it in her face. Her friend's faces popped into view, expressions morphed into disgust, fear, disdain. The most prominent of all? Betrayal. It cooed, "Let me help you, Elizabeth. They can't hurt you if you hurt them first. Remember what your parents did? Remember how everyone turned their backs on you? They will too, you know. Everyone here. All of them."

The little mage began to flail and kick, getting more frantic.

"I can let you see Elise again." Liz froze at that statement and the demon latched onto it, becoming more eager. "Yes, that's right. I can make it happen. I know where she is. Let me-"

It's voice didn't even sound like it was coming from in front of her anymore, almost like it was connecting with her very thoughts. It sounded like her. Was it her? Was she it? Hot, searing pain erupted in her chest. She could feel it pushing and prodding. Trying to get in. Her scream turned into a wail of agony as it echoed throughout the empty room, resounding off of the walls.

"No!"

Liz could barely hear a faint call, as if behind glass. Her eyes and mouth were agape as she tried to repel the feeling of it trying to invade her thoughts, her mind, her very soul. No no no!

"Liz! You have to wake up!" The voice resounded, but she continued to scream. Her arms flailed but failed to grasp onto her tormentor. It hissed and looked up, slowly becoming transparent. It's form flickered like a TV with bad reception.

"Compassion." It spoke, the disgust evident in it's tone. The pain in her chest lessened and it's voice returned to normal. It didn't sound like her anymore and her screaming paused as she began to cough and choke. Wake up wake up, she just wanted to—

"Don't listen to him!" Someone's voice was right there as she flew into a seated position. Her body felt cold, but she was sweating and shaking.

Wake up?

Blue eyes and a mop of blonde hair. Safe.

"W-W-Who are you?" Her voice sounded hoarse, possibly from screaming. She almost missed the brief flash of pain in his eyes.

He continued, trying to offer reassurance. "He can't hurt you. He won't."

Liz's shaking hands came up and gripped the front of his shirt. Her voice was small, a stinging sense of déjà vu niggled in the back of her mind. "H-How do you know?"

"I won't let him." The familiarity of the words caused the tears to fall and he wrapped his arms around her awkwardly. Oh, right. She'd heard those words before, but he was gone now. He left. "I'm sorry."

"W-Why are you sorry?" He had no reason to be. Right? Liz blinked back the last of the tears, voice finally returning to normal.

"I … I don't know."

"Erin, are you okay?" Her tent flap flew open, revealing her brother. She blinked away her tears and nodded. The man looked at the rogue next to her with surprise before a wary expression made its way onto his face, "Cole? What are you doing in here?"

"She was scared and screaming so I came. I-I wanted to help." The rogue, Cole she learned, bowed his head and peeked up at him through his mop of scraggly hair. "I feels like too much, pressing down – a weight on her shoulders that no one can see." He then turned to Liz, who was staring at him like he'd grown a second head. "You don't want him there and he doesn't like it."

"How do you even know these things?"

"Erin..." Max spoke hesitantly from the front of her tent. She turned to him and tilted her head in question, "Do you… do you know who this is?"

The young mage squinted at him. Was this a trick question? He'd just said his name. "Yes. Cole… I think. You said that was his name, anyway."

She expected him to snort and make a jab at her or maybe make her the butt of some stupid joke. But she didn't expect the alarm that flew across his features. He looked to Cole, lone eye boring a hole straight through him. The young rogue had his head lowered guiltily. Then, Maxwell's voice was low and dangerous. "Cole… can I talk to you for a second? Get out here."

He, for the most part, sounded every bit like an angry brother. The angry brother that she sometimes got the butt end of.

The demon's words from her dreams filtered through her mind, causing a guilty frown to appear on her face. Liz turned and began changing her clothing and putting on her armor. Which only consisted of a leather chestpiece. But it was better than nothing. A lot of the times she had to move her hands a certain way to cast spells, so she couldn't have much to restrict her movements.

The young woman sighed as she clipped her wolf pelts on and popped out of the tent into the night air. It was still early in the morning, which was when they planned on storming the fortress. Just before dawn.

She sighed, seeing her breath appear in front of her face. The desert was colder when the sun was down, the dust kicked up as the wind whipped through her short locks. Her gaze landed on a small grouping of Maxwell's companions.

Solas, Varric and Cole stood with him. They were speaking in swift and hushed tones. The otherworlder rose a brow and began to approach, not even bothering to try and be stealthy. Her feet crunched against the dry dirt.

"It would be against her wishes if-" Varric paused and turned, noticing the little mage as she approached. The rest of them went silent, as well.

"We will speak of this later." Was Maxwell's clipped reply as she got within hearing distance. He turned on his heel and stomped away. Varric had his hand on the lanky rogue's shoulder, looking every bit as sympathetic as he probably felt.

"Is everything okay?"

"All is well, Erin. Are your arms feeling better today?" Solas was the one to speak up, hands behind his back as he approached. The young woman looked at them and pressed on them with the tips of her fingers, still feeling the tenderness. "May I?"

"Sure, I guess. I mean, I mended most of the breakage but it's still a bit bruised." Liz explained, unclipping her wolf pelt and allowing access to her shoulders. The apostate unraveled the bandages and she winced as he pulled one away on a particularly sensitive part. "C-Can you be a little gentler, please?"

"Apologies." He mumbled, revealing her right shoulder. His fingertips moved just above her skin, hand glowing an odd blue. She could feel his mana caress her wounds, the icy feeling numbing some of the burning. "Do you remember how you got these?"

"I believe I was attacked by a wild cat." Liz told him, but it sounded more like a question. Not even she was completely sure. But she didn't want to worry her friend, so she kept it at that. He simply nodded and she didn't miss how he turned to look at the dwarf and his lanky rogue friend. Both of whom were looking at her with somber looks. "Isn't it weird? I think I went out to hunt, but I didn't bring my bow. Perhaps my lack of sleep has been getting to me more than I thought."

"Perhaps." Solas agreed, though there was something in his tone that had her on edge. A hint of anger, maybe a little bit of worry.

Varric shook his head and grabbed Cole, taking him away from the two. Solas continued to treat her wounds and she didn't even have to rewrap herself. After he was done, not only did the pain mostly reside but the bruising was almost completely gone.

The young woman blinked, surprised to feel water trailing down her cheeks as the apostate backed away to look at his work. The bald elf went from stoic to wide eyed and concerned, "Erin, did I cause you any pain? It was not my intent." When she stared at him oddly, he elaborated, "You're crying."

"I—what?" Liz pressed her fingers against her cheeks, feeling the wetness. She was, indeed, crying. She could feel the twisting sorrow in her chest, but couldn't explain why it was there. "Yeah, I'm okay. I don't… I don't even know why I'm crying."

But the tears wouldn't stop. They kept coming and coming, like an endless waterfall. Without saying anything, she turned and retreated away from camp to the mounts where she could be alone. What was going on with her? Why was her dreams getting worse? Why was she feeling things that she shouldn't be?

Liz had no reason to be sad. None at all.

Maybe it was because of what the demon said. About Elise. Yeah. That was probably it. With that, she began to saddle up Rin and get her ready for the trip to the fortress with the army. They were on the outskirts of the rather massive camp. Supply carts and tents were lined up in a neat row. Soldiers were gearing themselves up and people milled about as Commander Cullen gave orders to his men. Some people were tending to the horses and readying them up.

That's when Maxwell approached her, just as everyone was getting mounted up and ready to march.

"Erin, when we get to Adamant you're going to stay behind and help Commander Cullen organize the troops. You will be there as their battle medic."

"What about you guys?"

"We should be fine."

"You're joking, right? You can't just sideline me because you want to keep me safe in a little bubble, Max. I'm a grown ass woman." The young woman stated in a clipped tone. She hefted herself atop Rin, who was surprisingly well behaved that day. "Besides, Serana has been helping me train the apprentices. If they stayed behind with Stitches, they should be fine. You? You guys need someone. Serana and I have the training."

And they did. Serana and Liz were two of the most skilled mage healers the Inquisition had at the current moment. Add on to the fact that they were both decently trained in offensive magics, it made them a great asset on the battlefield. As were most 'battle medics'.

The young man pinched his nose, almost the same way Liz did when she was irritated. She noticed how the lines on his face seemed to have gotten more prominent since becoming the Herald.

"There's no way I can talk you out of this, is there?" He sounded resigned, shoulder slumping.

"Absolutely not." Her voice softened, but she wouldn't apologize for this. Never this.

They marched upon the fortress, battle cries and metal singing in the air. Arrows flew toward the high walls of Adamant, trebuchets lobbing ammo at the aged stone. Towers shot into the sky, flags flapping in the wind. Ladders were thrown up, sending some of the troops atop to try and infiltrate. The battering ram sent the door shaking and scattering on the floor inside.

Liz heard yelling, causing her head to shoot skyward. A man dropped onto the ground next to her with a loud crunch and crumple of metal. He'd fallen off of one of the ladders and nearly landed on her. The young mage clenched Athras' staff until her knuckles were white, forcing herself to follow Maxwell and his group into the fortress.

She ignored the screaming of the men outside and the sound of rubble falling onto the soldiers. She ignored the screeches of demons in the distance and how people were probably getting shredded by said demons. She ignored the carnage, in favor of the here and now. Right then and there. She couldn't afford to dwell.

At least not then. Later.

Later.

Men and women alike stormed the fortress, swords held high. Maxwell and Commander Cullen were talking. The group were on the ramparts, along with other Inquisition soldiers and scouts. Demons and Wardens alike battled against the wave. Screeching and shredding. Terror demons lashed out, shredding armor like aluminum. Despair demons floated, freezing people in place and impaling them with icicles. Rage demons, too. Giant flaming blobs of red, slithering across the stone and leaving trails of soot as they spit lava at their enemies.

Things weren't looking good.

Sure, the Inquisition was winning the battle. But not without significant loss. Smoke billowed across, kicking into the air as the winds picked up. The stench of blood and charred death was most prominent as she made her way through with her friends. The little mage threw up barriers and shot lightning whenever she could, but it never seemed like enough.

It was at this moment that Liz realized how much stronger Serana had gotten. The power she held, all this time.

"Solas!" Lavellan screamed, just as he tried to block a blow from a rage demon. Liz whipped her gaze in their direction, but she was too far away to assist. Stuck between concentrating on barriers or jumping to help her friend—what was she to do? The searing claws had ripped right through Solas' staff and into the front of his chest. The apostate was thrown on the ground in front of Serana, who had been shielded by him. The little elf fell to her knees, hands on his chest to stop the bleeding. Most of which had been seared shut by the blow. He looked like an absolute wreck. "Solas, no. Nonono. I can help, I-I can. Hope, please."

The rage demon roared, drowning out Liz's plea for Serana to run. Run! It slithered in their direction and leaving an ashen trail in its wake. Soldiers were screaming in pain and dropping like flies. Some were in the midst of bleeding out as they lay, peering at the sky with their last glimpse in the living world.

"Vhenan, no." But his words fell on deaf ears.

Liz was about to Fade step in their direction, when the elven woman let out a shriek. Her eyes turned completely white, an ethereal glow erupting from her skin and enveloping everyone in the area. The rage demon howled and slowly dissipated, as it was closest to her. The demons nearby let out shrill cries, as if hurt by the blast.

But their allies were miraculously untouched.

The otherworlder watched in wonder as her friend's silvery hair billowed, light pulsating from her as if she were a beacon. It spread across the expanse of their side of the field. Some of the men that were on death's door sat up, confused. Their wounds miraculously closed and bodies invigorated.

Liz felt the wounds on her arms and any fatigue she felt disappear, as if it'd never been there. She even heard her brother yell in alarm, "I can see!"

The demons on the ramparts were gone, the remaining Wardens staring at the Inquisitor for guidance. As he'd told them to help against the demon threat. Some could see reason, it seemed.

It was in that moment of pause, that a fight broke out.

"She's an abomination!" Cassandra yelled, stomping toward Serana who had stopped glowing and appeared unnaturally pale. She looked sick from overexertion, eyes sunken in. Solas sat up and grabbed her shoulders in time before she fell. The elf clutched her close, resting his chin on the crown of her head.

Liz approached, staff still brandished. "Cassandra, stop."

"What happened?" Maxwell asked, jogging in their direction. His blind eye was open and able to see, though his scars remained. Liz blinked, confused.

"I've seen this before, Seeker. Remember Anders?" Varric stood beside the semi conscious Serana as she was held by her beloved. Hawke approached, holding his staff like a sword. He stood on her other side and appeared stony faced and ready to protect the young elf. The statement was obviously supposed to have placated the Seeker somehow, but it only seemed to put her on edge even more.

"How long have you known, Varric? Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" The Seeker gave pause and looked down at her like she was a ticking time bomb. And maybe she was. Liz felt uneasy. Who was Anders? An abomination? She had a demon inside of her? What was going on?

"Look, just listen-" Varric started, but the warrior cut him off.

"You cannot be serious right now!"

"Now is not the time, Cassandra." Solas snapped, "At this very moment, the Wardens are completing a blood ritual to create a demon army. I believe that to be a more pressing matter."

"Alright, look. Let us add this to the number of things we need to talk about after all of this is out of the way." Maxwell spoke up, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Whatever it was that she did, I can see out of my blind eye now. Bull, did it do anything for you?"

"I ripped that thing out years ago. I doubt any demon-y shit could do anything." The Ben-Hassrath lifted his eyepatch and opened his eye, showing him an empty socket.

"Oh… sorry."

"No harm done, Boss." The Iron Bull chuckled and they grouped up, getting ready to continue.

It didn't go unnoticed by Liz how her brother seemed to tense up, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword. Boots crunched near her and she turned, seeing the odd blonde rogue from before. Only now he had a ridiculously large hat on.

"Every night – flicks, flashes, small bursts and he's still there. Yet not." Cole tilted his head, hat hiding most of his features. "'My hidden companion.'"

The young woman rose a brow and held up her hand at Maxwell, "Hey hey, he's just … I don't know what he's saying but he just came over to talk. It's okay, Max."

The eldest Trevelyan gave the rogue a glare before turning and leading the group further into the fortress. Liz turned to Cole and squinted at him. She couldn't see his face as he looked away.

"Scout?" She questioned, wondering what he wanted. What he meant.

"My name is not Scout, it is Cole." He almost appeared amused at her comment and Liz's mouth twitched into a frown. Was he being sarcastic? He turned to her and gave her what she would interpret as a sad smile, "Don't worry. I've got your back. Friends help friends."

"….Right."

Something just didn't feel right about this fortress. Everything inside of her was screaming at her to run. The dark ominous feeling she often got in her dreams almost seemed to resonate within the walls. Laughing. Taunting her.

Liz's eyes narrowed, remembering the dream she had just nights before.

"Stop them, we must complete the ritual!" A rather pompous looking man called, making Liz scrunch her nose. The Wardens stood around a raised platform, remnants of the Fade leaking through and causing something in the young mage's stomach to stir. The feeling she got from her dreams becoming more prominent the closer to the green glow she got. Everyone turned to Maxwell's group.

The eldest Trevelyan stalked forth with purpose, eyes set on the man atop giving commands. He addressed the Warden Commander, Clarel. Trying to convince the woman that it was the wrong thing to do. That what she was doing wasn't the answer. It was a lie.

But the pompous man, Erimond, refuted his claims. Trying to spin it as if he was trying to stop the Blight itself. Impossible. Liz wanted to scoff. She was new to this world, but even she knew how ridiculous that sounded. How could these people even believe such a thing?

Even so. The fact that the ritual required blood sacrifices. Disgusting. The more he talked, the more she wanted to drive a blade through his throat. Something inside of her was simmering with hate.

"And this sacrifice? You would allow them to bind your mages to Corypheus?!" Liz snapped, voice louder than ever. "Is this the kind of thing the Wardens resort to?"

Clarel looked down at the young woman, who stepped forward and stood next to her brother. She appeared shocked, almost unbelieving of the woman's comment. "Corypheus? But he's dead."

"These people will say anything to shake your confidence, Clarel." Erimond spoke to her, sneering down at Liz. Clarel pinched the bridge of her nose, looking every bit as conflicted as she probably felt.

Then…

"Bring it through." The comment it it of itself caused Liz's stomach to drop. Her eyes narrowed when the mages around the green glow began casting some sort of spell. The air rippled around them and she could feel something reaching for her. Trying to claw its way out. A chuckle. A very familiar chuckle.

No.

It wasn't.

Right?

That's when Hawke stepped forward, trying to convince the Wardens. Alistair, not liking it any more than the Champion. They were trying to turn them against their leaders. Liz knew how hard that would be, but perhaps some would see reason?

As they all spoke, everyone trying to talk sense into them. Liz couldn't keep her eyes off of the tear that was forming above the raised pedestal. Her gaze narrowed when she heard something breathing. Something big.

It pushed. Pushed. Prodding and pulling, wanting to burst forth. Fear licked at her insides, only to be stamped out when she felt someone brush against her shoulder. She turned, seeing that odd lanky rogue standing next to her. Cole, she remembered his name was. His huge leather hat hid most of his features as he stared forward, daggers poised to protect.

A screech drew her from her thoughts, causing her chest to quake. Her brown gaze snapped up to the sky, spotting a gigantic flying beast barreling toward them all. It shrieked again, breathing red as it splashed against the stone ground beneath them. Liz felt her body flying, only to hit the unforgiving stone.

"Unf!" She grunted, eyes opening and seeing Cole covering her from the fire. His hat shielded her vision, arms around her protectively. "….W-What-"

"Erin!"

The dragon's massive wings sent the air down into the courtyard, causing some of the people to stumble and fall to their knees. The rift rippled above the pedestal, showing eyes. Many many eyes, staring out. They all seemed to look in different directions, as if searching. Liz stared in horror as one of them caught sight of her.

They all turned and focused in on her, a voice filtering through the tear. "My my, look at you."

Her breath caught and she scrambled up from underneath the rogue who held her. She had to get away. Get away!

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph that thing is ugly!" Jade shrieked, seeing the demon inside of the rift.

"Iron Bull, take your group and find Clarel and Erimond. Don't let them get away!" Maxwell called, holding up his shield and facing the rift. Demons spouted out, but it was what was behind them that terrified the lot of them. Everyone could see it, now. See the thing that stalked Liz's dreams. "I need to stay here and try to close this rift!"

Yes, she knew who it was. Or, rather, what it was. That demon.

The young mage didn't even see the Pride or Terror demons that stalked around, slicing at the Wardens and the Inquisition warriors. It was absolute mayhem.

And she ran.

Liz's feet carried her up the stairs on the left, unconsciously following the Iron Bull as he pursued Clarel. The Chargers followed, along with Jade and that odd man with the hat. The chase took them along the side of the fortress. Huge arches framed the expanse of the desert and rock formations in the distance. The dragon clutched onto the side, claws digging into the stone like it was dirt. It screeched and it grabbed one of the Inquisition soldiers that had been in the front right next to Bull.

The Ben-Hassrath let out a girly sounding shriek in response, burying his axe into the thing's feet. The dragon pushed itself off of the fortress, taking the screaming soldier with him into the skies.

"Come on, can't stop now!" He called, turning back to the task at hand and following the Warden Commander.

Armor shifted as they all ran along the ramparts, toward where Clarel had run. Fled from the group. Only for a dragon to roar once again. Did that thing ever give? Didn't it have better things to do? Like, dragon-y things?

"Be alert!" Rocky called as the massive beast seemed to make the whole area rumble. Jade squealed when they came upon the Warden as she stood out on the open.

"W-Wait, you guys. I have a bad feeling about this." The dwarf called, causing the group to stop near the arch in the wall. The Iron Bull stepped forward, as if to stalk up to Clarel and Erimond, but he was stopped by Jade. "Stop!"

The two mages were yelling at one another in the distance, fire and force magic being flung about. Liz could see how angry Clarel was at the pompous man for lying to her. Most of them stopped, but the young mage spotted Kyle stalking forward. Trying to be the hero. He'd followed the group at the command of Maxwell.

"She's right there, we have to-" Iron Bull swallowed his words when a shriek rang through the air as the dragon landed in front of them. The fortress shook and rumbled. The group stumbled backward, almost in unison. Bits and pieces of rubble began falling as it snatched up the Warden Commander and flew off with her. Kyle stared at the thing with widened eyes in the distance, body frozen as he stood in front of Erimond.

"Kyle! Get your ass back here!" Liz called, only to be grabbed and yanked back by that rogue again. Her mouth was covered by his pale hand, his other free hand holding his finger to his mouth.

"Shhh!"

Jade grabbed Bull and yanked him around the corner. The others followed without much protest, peeking out into the expanse of the half destroyed bridge. Erimond lay motionless on the ground, the young scout standing next to him.

Then, a body dropped from the sky and onto the bridge. Between the group and Kyle, who stood there looking up at the dragon as it landed atop the figure. It snarled, its tail flailing back and forth as it stepped towards its prey.

Liz turned and buried her face in the rogue's chest, not wanting to see the young man die. She always joked about how he would eventually get himself killed—but now? Now?

She knew his father. Sid. He was a nice older man.

The young woman let out a quiet whimper when she heard the dragon roar and the sound of magic sparking to life. She squeezed her eyes shut, but wasn't able to block out the sounds of the dragon as it fell from the broken bridge. Or the rumble and shake of the fortress side as it began to collapse and fall apart into the darkness.

Everything after that had passed in a blur. Liz couldn't really remember much. Because afterward, they had to retreat. Many had died and the demons that had been pouring out of the rift had been stemmed.

When she did come to, it was weeks and weeks later. She recalled fading in and out as they continued their trip back, but not much other than that. Sometimes there was a man, a blonde man, sitting near her holding her hand. But she couldn't recall his name or his face. It felt like it was slipping through her fingers, like water.

Then, her eyes opened and focused in. She was staring at the ceiling in her bedroom. Her arms felt as heavy as lead, fingers barely twitching on command. Liz let out a cough, trying to call for assistance. But nothing.

Minutes later, her door squeaked open followed by the short chubby form of Jade. She was holding a tray and humming. She paused, seeing Liz staring up at her with a frown. The dwarf flinched, sending some of the water in the cup sloshing onto the tray. "Oh, shit. You're awake!"

"R-Reeeally?" Liz sounded hoarse, trying to bring out some sarcasm. But her voice wouldn't listen.

"Well, at least you're still you." She muttered, "You've been out for awhile, you know. Ya missed a lot."

Why was she here and not Serana? Or Solas?

"S-Sera...na." Liz croaked and the dwarf nodded, putting the tray down on her nightstand. Jade walked around Liz's bed and opened the curtains, sending in the morning rays of sunlight. She squinted and turned to the young woman on the bed.

"Serana is alright." She sensed a lie, if she ever heard one. Jade was bad at that, "Shortly after ya passed out during the retreat, you shoulda seen! The dragon flew back by and there was a scout stuck in its horns!" She cackled, trying to change the subject, "You shoulda seen him! He was screaming loud enough for everyone to hear."

Liz winced, "...K...Kyle."

"Yeah..." The dwarf seemed to fumble for something to say. "Look, I just came in to check on you. Since you always take care of me. I got chu, bro." She held up her hand for a fist bump and Liz rose her brow. She shakily bumped fists with Jade and resisted the urge to ask where she got that from.

A question for later.

Right now, the young mage felt absolutely exhausted. Even though she'd just awoken from some sort of coma. Her head turned and she spotted just what the dwarf had brought her. It was a type of beef stew, but most of it was broth. Evidently something the conjured up, much like the stews for the sickly she'd requested all that time back.

Liz sighed and forced herself into a seated position, though with much effort. She turned, taking the bowl.

Her dreams came back full force, that night. One, there was a memory of Elise. Her little sister. She was standing in the doorway at their apartment, dirty clothing scattered across her bedroom floor. She sat at her computer desk, staring down at her textbook trying to study.

"Elise, I need it to be quiet..."

"Never be afraid, Lizzy. Grab life by the balls and make those exams your bitch!" She encouraged, pumping her fist and grinning at the woman. Liz felt a smile spreading across her face, only for it to slowly fall as the scene slowly melted away.

The scene changed and she was back at Adamant. Screaming everywhere. Men were dropping like flies and everything seemed to slow to a crawl. They were all trying to retreat. Demons. Venatori. What remained of the Wardens in their control. It was all too much for them.

But Liz had been struck. She was down, dying—doomed.

Blood caked the side of her face and blinded her left eye. Her arm was nearly immovable, probably dislocated. The young woman had learned the hard way since her arrival. There was one thing she knew for certain.

Death was an inevitability.

Numerous times she'd been in a position similar to this one. Yet she had slipped away, barely alive. But living. But for the first time since her arrival, she knew. She just knew that she was done for. The mage sighed, time speeding up as the hammer came down with crushing force. Her eyes closed in acceptance from her spot kneeling on the ground.

Where there should have been the crunching of bone. Perhaps even the sharp pain that would have followed before death. No. Instead metal slammed onto metal, making a noise similar to a huge gong. A pained grunt and the feel of someone's body slamming into hers made her brown eyes snap open in surprise.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" She heard a yell, armor knocking into her head and sending her onto the ground. Her body collided with unforgiving stone. Ringing. Her ears were ringing. Spots in her vision.

Liz could barely make out the blurred form of her supposed brother, standing above her. Though barely. He, too, looked nearly as bad as she. His shield was raised, sword nowhere to be found. From the ground, she stared up at his determined features and wondered … wondered why. Why?

Cole

Cole was dreaming. He was dreaming wasn't he? The rogue's sensitivity allowed him to know that much, at least. He turned, seeing his friend blinking in and out of consciousness from her spot laying on the ground maybe 20 feet away. He sidestepped, dashed, swung. Step step. He went where his feet told him to. Worry gnawed at his insides, like a rabid animal. He wanted to—no—he needed to get over there.

Was this his dream or hers? She was stuck on the ground, just like that time. That time—

"Liz!" He called, but got no answer. Only the twitch of her fingers, blood slowly pooling beneath her. "Don't hurt her!"

But his voice couldn't travel over the sounds of battle. Screams and singing of metal, scraping. Screeching. The rogue was surrounded. Leaving his position would mean abandoning Cassandra. The young man stood beside the Seeker, dipping and dodging between her swings. They were an immovable wall. She shielded him while he struck from below. Above. Their sparring having paid off, afterall.

The spirit dropped another, and another. His eyes flicked to the warrior, who pulled her sword out of a man with a wet sucking noise. He'd looked away for maybe seconds, minutes. He wasn't sure. His gaze slid back to his other friends—

Maxwell was kneeling before the possessed Warden, hammer raised and ready to deliver a killing blow to the young man. Body bloody, beaten.

Cole's mouth opened in a silent scream. Interrupted by pain like no other. Pain not his own. A memory of a woman's voice, telling her older sister never to be afraid. 'Make it your bitch!'

He blinked, only to find Liz's form standing in front of the Warden about to strike down Maxwell. Chirping could be heard, singing through the air. Electricity danced around her body, like a protective cloak. The young mage's hand was jutting on the other side of the man's torso. Body frozen.

He could have sworn he heard someone calling for him. Telling him to move. But he couldn't take his eyes off of his friend, who had appeared 10 feet from her prone position in but seconds.

How?

The young woman ripped her arm out of his torso with such dispassion, body moving almost mechanically. Red life force caked her tanned skin, up to her elbow as she turned her brown eye toward Cole. She looked right passed him, as if she didn't even see him.

'THUD', the man's body fell limp next to her.

The air seemed to shift around her, causing her hair to lift. Her body disappeared.

'CRACK!' thunder snapped, shorting out the rogue's hearing as the air shifted next to him. It made a hissing noise as electricity discharged through the air.

The Seeker's surprised yells could be heard behind him. But he couldn't make it out, ears full of cotton balls.

Then came the burbling and the screaming. That was quite evident.

He slowly turned, seeing what could only be described as absolute carnage. Red. Red everywhere. It was on the snow, in the mud. All over Cassandra's armor. In the middle of it all, his friend. Liz. She stood there, dismembered bodies scattered at her feet. Her hands twitched, eye staring off into the woods as if scanning for more people. Cassandra held her sword out toward the girl, arm shaking.

It felt like minutes, hours maybe, before the light dancing across her skin subsided. A weapon he had not seen before hissed and dissipated into thin air. He could have sworn it'd resembled a whip of some sort.

"…..Liz….?" Cole spoke hesitantly, trying to hear her. He took a step. Then another. Heedless to the wet squish of flesh and goo underneath his leather boots. Wardens and demons alike lay dead, battle done. Silence.

Liz turned and took a step toward Cole, eye unfocused. Blood and green goo caked the woman, like some grotesque painting. The Seeker tensed next to him, her stance battle-ready.

"Erin." She addressed hesitantly, trying to get the mage's attention. "Erin."

But she wouldn't respond. Her body moved, as if her joints were stiff. Mechanical. Step. Step. Pause. Step. She went right passed the two, heading toward Maxwell. Only to stop and stare down at him.

The warrior was still kneeling in the same position on the ground. He stared up at his sister, fear evident on his face. For the first time since Cole arrived, he noticed the complete unfamiliarity that crossed the young man's face as he stared up at his sister.

Maxwell's mouth opened to speak only to be interrupted by a cough, blood spittled out of Liz's mouth and nose—THUD.

The young mage's body flopped to the ground unceremoniously, eyes rolling back and body shaking.

"Erin!" "Liz!" Cole and Maxwell found their voices.

The young man, Herald to many, held his sister down. Frantic eyes looked up to Cole and Cassandra in question. "What's going on!?"

"Maxwell, stand back." The sound of metal gliding into a sheath met Cole's ears as he stared down in shock. Body unable to move. It was like his limbs were made out of metal. How could he help? He couldn't. His friend was dying in front of him and he couldn't do a thing!

The Seeker knelt down next to Liz and dug into her pouches, finding a vial of some sort and uncorking it. "She used too much mana. She is going into shock."

"Is she alright?"

He was only met with silence as deft hands forced the liquid down the mage's throat, only to have it coughed right back up. The woman hissed, "Drink it or you will die." A pause, "Go and get Solas, Cole."

A sense of urgency could be felt, rippling through the air. He didn't need to be told twice.

"It's a dream." Cole spoke from behind Liz, who was standing above her prone body. Everyone was rushing to keep her alive.

"I know." She turned, eyes connecting with his own. "What are you?"

Cole smiled and felt himself awaken, feeling his mind pull away from her own. He sat up and stared forth, realizing that he'd fallen asleep in the kitchens. The rogue rubbed his eyes, feeling them itch and sting. He still wanted to lay down and close his eyes. If even for a little bit longer.

So he did.

The rest of the night was spent in silence.