First of, apologies for the long wait. I just started the new term in school, I've had projects and assignments and test that i have had very little time to write this story. But enough of that Here's Chapter 6. Enjoy.
Chapter 6
Making their way through the corridor, Aedan and company came across many possessed Templars, Abominations, Demons and corpses. Yet despite all the opposition they faced, it did not deter them from their mission. Thought she did not show it, Harry knew that Luna was thinking back to their time in the Fade, particularly about the girl they saw in there. Luna always said that she wanted a family, despite her parents being killed and Ashalle acting as her guardian, it was the one thing that she wished she could have, when asked why she did not have a husband, she replied saying that none of the other Dalish males felt right to her, that there was something telling her that she should not rush and that she would find the right person soon.
Not a week later and Luna was rescued from the remnants of Voldemort's Death Eaters and brought back to Harry's home. After taking care of her, which consisted of Luna threatening to cut his balls off with a blunt knife if he so much as looked at her wrongly, Harry and Luna left to investigate more on the remaining Death Eaters and reports of them serving a new master. A year of investigating and fighting Death Eaters led to Harry and Luna falling in love and marrying a month after their adventure and hoping to start a family. Yet as much as they tried they could not seem to, and so they took a break and would try again later. But as much as she tried not to think about it, Luna felt that she would never be able to bear children and so she would have dreams of Harry, herself and either a son, daughter or maybe both, always there showing what could be but can never happen.
Now with their recent escapade through the Fade, all of those emotions are coming back to her. Harry felt guilty about all this, bringing her here and seeing these dreams had to have left an impact on her, he understood why, even he himself could feel something whenever he thought of the girl in the Fade.
"I know how much she means to you Harry, and I also know you both want to start a family. But promise me that you won't something stupid before that happens." Ignotus said in Harry's head.
"I know what my limitations are, and besides when have I ever done anything stupid?" Harry asked.
"There's the time you went into a heavily armed fortress to stop the Death Eaters from killing the Empress of Orlias, or what about the time you decided to collapse an entire tunnel in the Deep Roads to stop a horde of rampaging Darkspawn hoping to kill Voldemort and his followers, or how about the time you…"Ignotus listed off.
"OKAY! I get it, I've done some stupid things in the past but I'm not going to do anything crazy." Harry replied.
Suddenly Harry felt something calling to him, not by name but by a pull on his magic. Creating a pulse of magic that spread across the entire floor and felt by Wynne, Harry searched the entire floor hoping to find where the pull is coming from and if it was hostile. Finding nothing Harry simply thought that that it was nothing when the feeling came again, but this time much stronger, calling to him. Looking around Harry again pulsed his magic and found where the calling was coming from and found a golden thread that lead him towards a door at the end of the hallway. Following the golden thread away from the group and towards the door, Harry could sense that whatever was calling to him was extremely powerful.
"I sense a presence past that door Harry, a presence I have not felt since…." Ignotus said.
Harry continued on towards the door, the pull on his magic was getting stronger the closer he got. Opening the door, Harry came into a large room with a large array of battle robes, staves and other sorts of items he could not recognise arranged around the room, and in the centre stood a rack, covered in exquisite armour similar to Luna's but much larger, made for a male elf. But whereas Luna's armour was green and silver, this was dark blue and silver. To the side of the rack was a small table with an intricately carved wooden staff with a powerful jewel adorned at the top leaning on it, on the table was a folded up piece of silk with a golden ring adorned with a finely cut black stone with a symbol of a line encompassed by a circle finally surrounded by a triangle next to it.
Picking the ring up, Harry was suddenly thrown across the room, slamming his head on the wall, knocking him out. What he did not see was the ring that was now on his right ring finger, the cloak merging with his cape and the armour from the rack merging with his own in a bright flash of light.
Waking up, Harry realized that he was looking at Ignotus speaking with a mage. Upon realizing this Harry knew that he was seeing his ancestor's memories. The memory shifted suddenly to that of a battlefield similar to the one that he had earlier, only this time with Darkspawn as the enemy and that Ignotus was wearing the armour that he saw earlier with the cape around him and the ring adorned on his right finger, wielding a staff and blade in each hand. Upon closer inspection, Harry realized that it was the same staff that was leaning on the table. Harry continued to watch on as Ignotus cut himself a path through the Darkspawn, he watched as Ignotus slammed the butt his staff on the ground, causing giant roots to sprout from the ground and slamming on and across the Darkspawn sending many of them flying across the battlefield. As this was happening Ignotus carried on killing as many Darkspawn that was foolish enough to come near him as he made his way to a large dragon in the centre of the battlefield. Its purple flames scorching all within its vicinity, allies and enemies both.
"I knew I felt a familiar presence, I just did not expect to see these particular objects again."Ignotus said, appearing next to Harry.
"What are they?"He asked.
"Our greatest creations." Ignotusreplied "a staff created by Antioch, the most powerful staff to ever to be created, made of Ancestral Heartwood, with a powerful jewel gifted to him by the dwarves. A stone that could recall shades of the dead made by Cadmus. A cloak of invisibility, made by me, that could hide the wearer from all forms of detection, be they touch or any kind of senses, mundane and magical alike." He explained.
The battle was fierce, as Ignotus continued to kill his way towards the dragon. Upon reaching said dragon, Ignotus send a powerful bolt of lightning towards the creature's head, causing the large dragon to screech in pain. Not liking that one bit, the dragon sent out a torrent of flames towards Ignotus, who managed to dodge the blast. Getting up, Ignotus once again slammed the butt of his staff down upon the ground, only except of large roots coming from the ground, large golems of stone broke the surface and started to throw large chunks of boulders they dug from the ground at the dragon. While this was happening, Ignotus moved silently under the cloak, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, as he waited one of the golems threw a much larger boulder at the side of the dragons head, causing it to stagger back due to loss of focus. Knowing his window of opportunity was short, Ignotus jumped upon the unsuspecting dragon and stabbed his sword into the top of the dragons head. As the large dragon fell on its side with Ignotus still holding onto his sword, there was a sudden pillar of light that shot into the sky encompassing both of them in it. After the light had died, there was darkness and Harry was back in the Fade.
"What was that?" Harry breathed out, eyes wide.
"That was the final battle of the First Blight, historians called it The Battle of Silent Plains."Ignotus answered
Wondering something, Harry turned to Ignotus for some answers."Were you a Grey Warden? And for that matter, what happened?"
Ignotus was silent for a few minutes before he decided to answer."To answer your first question, yes I was a Grey Warden. And before you asked, yes that was the Archdemon and yes I ended the First Blight."He said with a sigh.
"So, how do we get out?" Harry asked.
"All you have to is wake up" Ignotus said with a smile.
Eyes wide open suddenly, Harry immediately could see Luna kneeling next to him, worry in her eyes, while the other crowded around him. Getting up slowly, Harry looked at himself to make sure everything was fine, when he noticed the same ring as before on his right ring finger. Checking his armour he noticed that his cloak seem slightly lighter and felt like silk, he also noticed that his armour also felt lighter and stronger.
"What happened to you Harry? When we heard a crash we came in here only to see you knocked out." Luna asked.
"I picked the ring that you see on my finger up only to be thrown across the room, knocking me out and into the Fade." Harry explained. "I saw more memories of Ignotus, he told me that these items were made by himself and his two brothers. More than that I cannot say."
"So these items now belong to you?" Wynne asked.
Harry nodded, stepping forward he held out his hand and snapped it close when the staff that was leaning on the table sprang towards him. There was a sudden flash of light as powerful magic rolled around Harry in waves. When the light died down, Harry could feel that he was more powerful than before. Turning to the others, he simply smiled and walked towards the door, the others following in his wake. As they made their way towards the top of the tower, they were met with even more resistance, but what seemed to shock some of them were the fact that there were dragonling within the tower. When asked about this, Wynne simply said that they were for study. Shaking his head, Harry continued to lead the way towards the top until they came across a large purple barrier that surrounded a kneeling Templar.
"Oi, you there Templar, what happened to you?" Aedan asked.
"This trick again? I know what you are, and it won't work." The Templar said.
"The boy is exhausted, and this cage I have never seen anything like it. Rest easy, help is here." Wynne assured.
"Enough visions. If anything in you is even human….kill me now and stop this game." The Templar grunted out.
"He's delirious. He's been tortured….and has probably been denied food and water. I can tell." Leliana said. "Here I have a skin off-"
"Don't touch me! Stay away!' The Templar shouted out as Leliana stepped forward. "Filthy Blood Mages….getting into my head…..I will not break….I would rather die."
"You're not going to die. Not while I have anything to say about it." Aedan sated.
"Silence! I will not listen to anything you say. Now be gone!" The Templar shouted standing back up. Realising that they were still here seemed to have woken him up from his deliriousness. "Still here? But that's always worked before. I close my eyes but you are still here when I open them."
"We're real people. We can help you." Aedan said trying to calm the Templar down.
"Don't blame me for being cautious. The images were so real…the voices…so real." The Templar said. "Did Gregoir send you? How? How did you manage to get up here?"
"My name is Aedan, I'm a Grey Warden. I'm trying to save the tower." Aedan introduced.
"Good. Kill Uldred. Kill them all for what they have done." Cullen stated. "They caged us like animals. Looked for ways to break us. I'm the only one left. They turned some into monsters, and there was nothing I could do."
Harry scoffed at this. "Doesn't feel good now that you're the one caged up now is it?"
"What do you know!?" Cullen shouted out.
"I have lived most of my life in the Circle, I know first-hand what the brutality that the Templars can inflict upon Mages." Harry said as he crossed his arms "The Templars and the Chantry are as much to blame as the Mages."
"To think that I once felt pity for the Cirle. Now I would like nothing more than to wipe their taint off the face of Thedas." Cullen said out with ruthless conviction.
"I'd like to see you try Templar." Harry spat out.
Sensing a conflict about to arise, Aedan decided to intervene. "Look not all Mages are evil-"
Whatever Aedan was about to say was cut off by Cullen. "Only Mages have that much power at their fingertips. Only Mages are susceptible to the infernal whispering of demons."
"This is a discussion for another time!" Wynne said with finality. "Irving and the other mages that fought Uldred, where are they?"
"They are in the Harrowing Chamber. The sounds coming out of that place…..oh Maker." Cullen whispered out.
"We must hurry. They are in grave danger, I'm sure of it." Wynne urged.
"You can't save them! You don't know what they have become!" Cullen shouted out.
"And you do?" Harry challenged.
"They've been surrounded by Blood Mages whose wicked fingers snake into your mind and corrupt your thoughts." Cullen retorted "You have to end it now before it's too late."
"I'm trying to save everyone that can be saved." Aedan countered back.
"Are you really saving anyone by taking this risk? To ensure this horror is ended…..to guarantee that no Abominations or Blood Mages live, you must kill everyone up there." Cullen urged.
"I cannot decide upon that until I know for certain what is going on." Aedan said.
"That is your decision to make, but I beg you to listen to what I have to say." Cullen pleaded. "You cannot tell maleficarum by sight. Just one could influence the mind of a king, or a grand cleric."
"I will not kill an innocent if I can help it." Aedan said. "My decision is final."
Narrowing his eyes. "No one ever listens, until it's far too late. Maker turn his gaze on you. I hope your compassion hasn't doomed us all." Cullen said.
Moving towards the staircase, Aedan and the others climbed up towards the top until they came in to a large circular room, filled with Demons and Abominations. To the side were the remaining Mages as well Irving that were not turned into the others. Walking into the room, they were greeted by a bald Mage.
"Ah look what we have here. An intruder. I am Uldred and I bid you welcome, care to join us in our revels?" Uldred asked.
Harry simply stepped in front of the group and slammed the butt of his staff on the ground causing a shockwave of magic to blast around him, knocking Uldred as well as every demon and Abomination to the ground. Not wasting any time, Harry locked everyone on the ground in a stasis field and unsheathed his sword. Twirling is sword around until it was in a reverse position, Harry stood above Uldred, who had a look of pure loathing. Just as he was about to thrust his sword down, Uldred managed to break free and sent a bolt of lightning at Harry, throwing him back, before he turning into a large Pride Demon. Getting his wits together, Harry cried out to the others.
"Deal with the others and get the Mages out of here!"
Nodding, Aedan and the others fought their way to the tied up Mages. Turning to the Pride Demon, Harry quickly sent a torrent of fire, before having to dodge a large purple fist. Thinking quickly, Harry thrust his sword at the Demons chest and held onto the handle as the Pride Demon roared in pain. Growling, the Demon grabbed Harry and threw him across the room, watching him slam into the wall before turning his attentions on the rest of the humans.
"HARRY!" Luna cried out, rushing towards him to make sure that he was alright.
Aeden moved quickly striking the other Abominations that came at them, before engaging the Pride Demon. Yelling out a war cry, he charged at the Demons legs slashing at both legs, causing it to fall down on its hands and knees. Moving quickly from behind, Aedan leapt at its back and started to stab at its back, just to be grabbed by the Demons claws and slammed on the ground hard. Just as the Demon was prepared to squash the other human, a fireball slammed into its face, blinding it. Rubbing its eyes, the Demon stared at the human mage that it had thrown earlier, as he swung his staff in an arc, causing an arc of fire and lightning to come and slam him, causing him to stagger back.
Running forward, Harry jumped onto his chest causing the Demon to fall on the ground and shot lightning from his fingers. Pulling his sword out quickly, Harry activated the Frost rune and stabbed the Pride Demon in the head, killing him. Getting off of the demon, Harry made his way to Aedan and helped him up.
"Thanks." Aedan thanked.
Harry simply smiled and left to comfort his wife, while Aedan freed Irving and the other Mages, with Wynne checking for any injuries.
"I thank you, strangers. For saving us and for saving the Tower from being destroyed by Demons." Irving stated with a smile. "Now come, let us start making our way down. Damn whoever decided to put the Harrowing chamber at the top of the tower." Irving grumbled.
Making their way downstairs, Aedan and the others explained what they were doing here and why they needed the Mages help. After meeting Cullen on the way downstairs, they made their way to the entrance of the tower, where a relieved Gregoir was waiting for them. Telling his men to stand down as well as checking that the tower was completely empty of Demons and Abominations, Gregoir came up to congratulate them.
"It would seem that the Tower, is freed of Demons. I'm impressed." Gregoir congratulated. "You have both the Circle and the Templars gratitude and respect Grey Warden, to your companions as well."
"Well there certainly a lot of cleaning up to do." Irving said
"Knight Commander, surely you cannot believe that these Mages are free from the control of the Blood Mages! They could be waiting to strike!" Cullen cried out from where he stood.
"What!" Irving cried out. "Don't be ridicules!"
"That is exactly what he would say. We don't know how many of them are lying in wait! I will not let that happen!" Cullen said trying to convince the Knight Commander.
"I am the Knight Commander here, not you Cullen. Stand down." Gregoir ordered.
Harry then decided to step up. "If I may, there is a way to truly tell if one is an abomination." He said.
"Oh, I have never heard of a spell that can do such a thing." Irving said.
"One of the perks of being an apostate is that one can explore the world and it's ancient magic without restriction." Harry replied smugly. "The spell is of elven origin, so it would not be something the Circle even would have heard of. It allows the caster to reveal the person's true form. It was first used by the elves to discover any abominations that lurked around them." He explained. If you will allow me, I can test to see if anyone in this room is an abomination in disguise."
Gregoir and Irving looked at each other and had a silent conversation on whether to allow Harry to cast the spell before Gregoir gave a nod, indicating that Harry had permission.
Nodding back, Harry gave his staff to Aedan to hold before stepping up to Irving. Harry than began to cast his spell as he began to speak in the ancient elven language. "Ar Elgar'arla ma Elgar! Itha Eluvian!" Harry said as he thrust he right hand out, palm facing Irving.
Irving's body seemed to shimmer and glow for a moment before both the shimmering and the glow left Irving as he was before. When nothing happened Harry nodded at said First Enchanter. "You are not an abomination in disguise." He then proceeded to do this with everyone in the room until there was none left.
"All done. No one in here is an Abomination" Harry said after 30 minutes of spell casting.
"And what about you, can you not cast it upon yourself." Gregoir asked.
Harry shook his head. "No. Someone else must do the casting on me. First Enchanter Irving, if you would."
"Very well, not let's see if I have this right. "Ar Elgar'arla ma Elgar! Itha Eluvian!" Irving casted, mimicking the same gesture that Harry had done earlier.
The same effect happened to Harry and after both the shimmer and glow receded and nothing happened, Gregoir was pleased with the result. "Well it seems that Cullen's statements are unfounded. Therefore I can safetly say that the Circle is for now cleansed of demons." he said before grabbing Cullen by the elbow and dragging him off.
"Irving, if you don't mind, I would like to accompany Aedan and his crew on their quest." Wynne asked suddenly. "With his permission, of course."
"We would be delighted to have you join us Wynne." Aedan told.
"Are you sure about this Wynne, the Circle still needs you." Irving said, looking at Wynne critically to make sure that she was absolutely sure of her decision.
"Very sure Irving. Besides you can manage without me for a while." Wynne assured.
"Very well Wynne, you have my permission to go along with them." Irving said smiling at her. "As for you Warden, you came here to acquire the aid of the Mages, and so you shall. We will have every able bodied Mage ready and waiting by the time you're ready."
"What about you? The Templars could easily help us with the Darkspawn as well as making sure the Mages are protected in case they get ambushed." Aedan asked Gregoir as he came back to the group.
Raising his eyebrows at the request, Gregoir looked at Irving for his input only for him to simply smile back at him, eyes twinkling. "Very well Warden, you will not only have the aid of the Mages, but also of the Templars." He stated. "You may rest in the quarters to recuperate before you head off."
Thanking him, Aedan and the others made their way to the quarters where they simply slept, hoping that their next stop would be easier then this.
"Ar Elgar'arla ma Elgar! Itha Eluvian!" (I trap you spirit! See the Mirror!")
And that is it for now everyone. I'll try to update you guys more frequently but it will be difficult. Anyway i want to thank you all for the reviews that you sent, it helps me know that i'm doing a good job entertaining you all with this story. If you have anything you would like to share about this story, please do not hesitate to say them in the reviews.
Anyway i have another story on my profile page that if your interested, come check it out. Its a Transformers Prime re imagination. I won't spoil anything for you all but I hope that you would enjoy it.
As always everyone, have an awesome day.
