Maxwell awoke and found himself in a dark dank room with armed men around him pointing swords at him. It took a few moments to realise that he was in manacles and he seemed to be standing in some kind of dungeon, but he noticed the symbol of the Chantry engraved on the floor.

He looked around and saw that Adaar, Ellana and Edric were also under armed guard, though it appeared that they singled him as their leader judging by the looks on their faces which looked at that of fear. He then winced in pain as if someone had pressed a hot brand into a palm and looked down to his left hand glowing.

The door to the chamber opened, and a woman entered. Maxwell felt a chill when he recognised the symbol on the woman's armour. A Seeker. The woman had deep brown eyes and short black hair with a scar just underneath her left cheek and looked as if she had a short temper.

The Seeker narrowed her eyes, and then walked around to stand behind him. She bent until she was inches from Maxwell's ear. "Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now." She straightened, and then paced a circle around Maxwell. "The conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead." She pointed. "Except for you and your companions."

Maxwell blinked. "All those people?"

She grabbed Maxwell's wrist, yanking it up so the shackles dug into his wrist painfully. "Explain this."

"I can't." He was still confused, concave destroyed? Everyone dead?

"What do you mean you can't?" The woman tapped the hilt of her sword.

"I don't know what that is, or how it got there," he said truthfully.

"We don't even know that the conclave was destroyed," said Adaar.

The woman prepared to draw her sword on Adaar. "You're lying."

A hooded woman pulled the Seeker back. "We need them, Cassandra."

"I can't believe it. All those people…" Ellana swallowed against the lump in her throat. "Dead?"

The hooded woman looked at them all. "Do you remember what happened? How all this began?"

"I remember running," said Erdic.

"Things were chasing us," said Adaar.

"And then… a woman?" said Maxwell.

"A woman?"

Maxwell shook his head and tried to clear the cobwebs on his memory. "She reached out to me, but then…" It went blank again.

The Seeker sighed. "Go to the forward camp, Leliana. I will take them to the rift." Cassandra bent, and unfastened the shackles, replacing them with a simple rope binding. The guards then did the same to the others.

"What did happen?"

Cassandra finished the knot. "It will be easier to show you." She pulled Maxwell to his feet, and led him and the others out of the Chantry and the guards followed with the others.


They soon reached outside and what Maxwell saw was devastating. Above where the Temple of Sacred Ashes had once stood was a giant green swirling void. It looked as if the entire sky had been ripped apart.

"We call it 'the Breach.' It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each passing hour," said Cassandra gesturing to the tear. "It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave."

"An explosion can do that?" Ellana gasped.

Cassandra nodded. "This one did. Unless we act, the Breach may grow until it swallows the world."

Maxwell was about to ask when his hand was suddenly dipped in molten metal. He screamed and collapsed. Cassandra rushed to him, and helped him sit back up. "Each time the Breach expands, your mark spreads…" Cassandra met his eyes. "And it is killing you. It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time."

Maxwell winced at the pain in his hand. "You said it may be the key… to doing what?" he asked.

"Closing the Breach," said Cassandra. "Whether that's possible is something we shall discover shortly. It is our only chance, however. And yours."

Ellana just stared at her. "You still think he did this? To himself?"

"Not intentionally," said Cassandra looking at her. "Something clearly went wrong."

"And if I'm not responsible?" Maxwell asked.

"Someone is, and you and the others are our only suspects," said Cassandra. "You wish to prove innocent? This is the only way."

Maxwell took a deep breath, and then got back to his feet. "I understand."

"Then…?" Cassandra's eyes were hopeful.

"I'll do what I can," said Maxwell getting to his feet. "Whatever it takes."

"You make it sound as if we have a choice in the matter," Erdic grumbled.


Around him people were staring, with expressions that ranged from contempt to hostility to outright murderous.

"They have decided your guilt," Cassandra said as they walked. "They need it. The people of Haven mourn our Most Holy, Divine Justinia, head of the Chantry. The Conclave was hers." Cassandra sighed. "It was a chance for peace between mages and templars. She brought their leaders together. Now, they are dead. We lash out, like the sky. But we must think beyond ourselves. As she did. Until the Breach is sealed." She turned, and cut the ropes binding their hands. "There will be a trial. I can promise no more. Come. It is not far."

"This is far above my pay grade," said Adaar.

"You can't deny that it's a new experience," said Erdic.

"Where are you taking us?" Maxwell asked as they across the bridge.

"Your mark must be tested on something smaller than the Breach."

They walked through the gate and into the valley. They were halfway up the path when his hand burned again. Cassandra helped him back to his feet when it passed. "The pulses are coming faster now. The larger the Breach grows, the more rifts appear, the more demons we face."

"And were getting closer to it, great," Erdic muttered.


The bridge beneath them collapsed. Maxwell tumbled down, and landed in a dazed heap. Cassandra landed next to him a heartbeat later. The others were bit of a safe distance away, but they made their way down as well.

The seeker rose, then suddenly drew her blade as a demon materialized nearby. "Stay behind me."

Maxwell managed to get to feet own feet just as four more demon appeared, this one between him and Cassandra. It moved towards him.

The others appeared, Adaar holding a greatsword, Erdic a sword and shield and Ellana a staff. Adaar then gave him a pair of daggers she took.

Addar swung her greatsword, slicing the daemon in half. Erdic blocked the claws from his demon and then plunged his sword right into its gut. Ellana sent a blast of ice freezing the demon in it's place. Maxwell dodge the swipes the demon attempted and then plunged his daggers right into its back

Cassandra finished her own opponent a heartbeat later, then turned. Adaar looked around. "It's over."

Cassandra pointed her sword at them. "Drop your weapons." Her eyes narrowed. "Now."

Adaar narrowed her eyes back at her, not lowering her blade. "If you're gonna lead us through a demon-infested valley, you'll have to trust us."

"Give one reason to trust you."

Adaar looked at her straight in the eyes. "Because our lives are on the line."

Cassandra looked at her for a moment and then to the others and sighed. "You're right," she said and sheathed her sword. "I cannot protect you, and I cannot expect you to be defenceless." She shook her head. "I should remember you agreed to come willingly."

They started up the path, with Cassandra handing them some potions. Several more demons blocked their path, and more fell from the sky. Fortunately, the demons were not particularly powerful. Cassandra gestured at them. "We're getting closer to the rift. You can hear the fighting."

"Who's fighting?" Erdic asked.

"You'll see soon," said Cassandra quickening her pace. "We must help them."


No sooner had the last demon fallen than the elven mage caught Maxwell's wrist and pulled him towards the rift. "Quickly, before more come through!" he yelled holding up his hand, all but pressing the strange mark to the rift.

Maxwell felt a surge of energy seem to flow out of him, and the dull ache in his hand eased. The rift twisted, flickered, and then vanished. He stared at him. "What did you do?"

He gave him a small nod. "I did nothing. The credit is yours."

He glanced down at the mark. "I closed that thing? How?"

"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand," he said gesturing to his hand. "I theorised the mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake—and it seems I was correct."

Cassandra finished cleaning off her blade. "Meaning it could also close the Breach itself."

"Possibly." He gave Maxwell a considering look. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."

"Good to know." He turned to see a dwarf adjusting his glove. "Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever." He smiled up at her. "Varric Tethras: Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong."

Erdic raised an eyebrow at him. "I know you, don't you have a seat in the Merchants Guild?"

"I try and avoid sitting in it," Varric shrugged.

Maxwell just stared at him for he also recognised the name belonging to the author of Hard in Hightown's author and the Tale the Champion. "Are you with the Chantry, or…?"

The non Dalish elven mage chuckled. "Was that a serious question?"

"Technically I'm a prisoner, just like you," Varric shrugged.

"I brought you here to tell your story to the Divine," said Cassandra glaring at the dwarf. "Clearly that is no longer necessary."

Varric appeared entirely immune to her glare. "Yet, here I am. Lucky for you, considering current events."

"It's good to meet you, Varric," said Ellana gave him a small bow.

"You may reconsider that stance, in time," said the mage gave a small shake of his head.

"Aww, I'm sure we'll become great friends in the valley, Chuckles."

"Absolutely not," said Cassandra gesturing emphatically. "Your help is appreciated, Varric, but…"

"Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore. You need me," he said tilting his head and gave her a charming smile.

She stared at him, and then made a disgusted noise before turning away. Maxwell assumed that meant the dwarf had won the argument.

The mage shrugged. "My name is Solas, if there are to be introductions. I am pleased to see you still live."

"He means, 'I kept that mark from kill you while you slept,'" Varric said.

"It's true, I saw him performing magic upon you when you were unconscious," said Adaar.

Maxwell noticed that she was looking at him suspiciously and he could see why. He gave Solas a closer look. Clearly not Dalish, but there was an odd cast to his features.

"You seem to know a great deal about it all," said Ellana curiously.

"Like you, Solas is an apostate," Cassandra said.

Solas shook his head slightly. "Technically all mages are now apostates, Cassandra." He turned his grey eyes back to Ellana. "My travels have allowed me to learn much of the Fade, far beyond the experience of any Circle mage. I came to offer whatever help I can give with the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed, regardless of origin."

"That's a commendable attitude," said Maxwell.

"Merely a sensible one, although sense appears to be in short supply right now," he said and then he turned back to Cassandra. "Cassandra, you should know: the magic involved here is unlike any I have seen. Your prisoner is no mage. Indeed, I find it difficult to imagine any mage having such power."

"Understood." Cassandra gestured for them to start moving. "We must get to the forward camp quickly."

"Well." Varric gestured. "Bianca's excited."

"Who's Bianca?" Edric whispered to Adaar, who simply shrugged.


"So…" Varric glanced at the four of them after they'd finished dealing with yet another group of demons. "Are you innocent?"

"I don't remember what happened," said Maxwell.

"And neither do we," said Adaar.

"That'll get you every time." Varric leaped over a snowbank. "Should have spun a story."

"That's what you would have done," said Cassandra giving the dwarf a dirty look.

Varric just gave her a cheerful smile in return. "It's more believable, and less prone to result in premature execution."

Cassandra continued leading the way up the mountain. "I hope Leliana made it through all this."

"She's resourceful, Seeker," Varric assured her.

"We will see for ourselves at the forward camp," said Solas offering Ellana a hand through the snowdrift. "We are almost there."


"Another rift."

"We must seal it," said Solas turning to Maxwell. "Quickly."

They moved forward, joining the soldiers engaging the demons. "They keep coming," a soldier yelled. "Help us."

When the last of the demons fell, Maxwell turned towards the rift. "Hurry," Solas yelled. "Use the mark."

Maxwell raised his hand, and felt… something… stir. He willed the rift to close, and green light flowed from his hand. Once again, the rift writhed and flickered, then vanished.

Cassandra nodded, and then turned to the soldiers. "The rift is gone. Open the gate."

"Right away, Lady Cassandra."

"We are clear for the moment. Well done," said Solas following Cassandra through the gate.

"Whatever that thing on your hand is, it's useful," said Varric gesturing for him to precede him.

"We still don't know what it is," said Erdic.


Leliana was arguing with a Chantry brother. The words 'only chance' were mentioned. Maxwell glanced up at the rift in the sky, and then took a deep breath before joining the others. "Ah, here they come."

The brother gave him and the others a baleful look.

Leliana, however looked relieved. "You made it. Chancellor Roderick, this is—"

"I know who they are," Roderick then turned to Cassandra. "As grand chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take this criminals to Val Royeaux to face execution."

"Order me?" Cassandra glared. "You are a glorified clerk. A bureaucrat."

"And you are a thug, but a thug who supposedly serve the Chantry!" Roderick spat.

"We serve the Most Holy, Chancellor, as you well know," Leliana reminded.

"Justinia is dead!" Roderick pointed out. "We must elect a replacement, and obey her orders on the matter!"

Adaar shook her head. "Isn't closing the Breach the more pressing issue?"

Roderick gestured at her. "You and your associates brought this on us in the first place!" He sighed, and let his hands drop. "Call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless."

Cassandra stepped forward. "We can stop this before it's too late."

"How?" Roderick asked lifting his arms. "You won't survive long enough to reach the temple, even with all your soldiers."

"We must get to the temple. It's the quickest route."

Leliana shook her head at Cassandra. "But not the safest. Our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains."

"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path. It is too risky."

Roderick sighed. "Listen to me. Abandon this now before more lives are lost."

The mark on his hand pulsed again, glowing brightly. Now though, it felt more like picking up a too-warm teacup instead of glowing-hot steel. Cassandra glanced at it, and then looked up at him. "How do you think we should proceed?"

"Now you're asking me what I think?" Maxwell blinked.

"You have the mark," Solas reminded.

Cassandra nodded. "And you are the one we must keep alive. Since we cannot agree on our own…"

The thought of soldiers dying as a mere distraction sickened him. He then looked to the temple, at least there they would be able to save most of the soldiers. "I say we charge. I won't survive long enough for your trial. Whatever happens, happens now."

Cassandra's nod was approving. "Leliana, bring everyone left in the valley. Everyone."

"On your head be the consequences, Seeker," Roderick shot out as a passing condemnation.


Soldiers were dying. He fought side by side with Cassandra and then they heard Solas' yell. "Be wary—another fate rift."

Maxwell nodded, and the mages headed in that direction. Several soldiers were already there, fighting demons. "How many rifts are there?" Varric asked as he loosed a crossbow bolt on what appeared to be a terror demon.

"We must seal it to get past," said Solas put up a barrier spell around the soldiers.

"We have to push through!" Adaar as she swung her blade as a rage demon.

As soon as the last demon was down, Maxwell stepped up to the rift. This time, it seemed easier. His hand started to glow almost as soon as she lifted it. "Sealed, as before," Solas noted. "You are becoming quite proficient at this."

"Let's hope it works on the big one," Varric said, stowing the crossbow on his back.

"If not, this is gonna be one short trip," said Erdic.

A tall man with short blond hair in fur-lined armour approached. "Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift?" He said as he sheated his sword. "Well done."

"Do not congratulate me, Commander," said Cassandra gesturing at Maxwell. "This is the prisoner's doing, the one with the mark."

"Is it?" He then looked at him. "I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here."

"You're not the only one hoping that," said Maxwell.

"We'll see soon enough, won't we?" he said, his face emotionless. He turned back to Cassandra and pointed. "The way to the temple should be clear. Leliana will try to meet you there."

"Then we'd best move quickly. Give us time, Commander."

"Maker watch over you." He nodded. "For all our sakes."

He watched the soldiers go, noting that despite his apparent rank, the man didn't hesitate to half-carry a wounded man from the field. He took deep breath, and followed Cassandra.


Bones and charred corpses littered the ground. For a moment, Ellana was grateful they were far past recognisable. If she'd been able to identify a friend, she might have lost it right there.

"The Temple of Sacred Ashes," said Cassandra's in a grieving voice.

"What's left of it," said Varric looking around.

Cassandra stepped to Maxwell's side and gestured. "That is where you walked out of the Fade, and our soldiers found you. They say a woman was in the rift behind you. No one knows who she was."


They soon reached the centre of the temple and there they saw the Breach. Sadly it was a good thirty feet in the air, clearly they're had been stairs before the temple exploded.

"The Breach is a long way up," said Varric gazing up at the sky, shielding his eyes.

Then they heard Leliana's voice behind them. "You're here. Thank the Maker."

Cassandra gestured. "Leliana, have your men take up positions around the temple." She walked over to Maxwell. "This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?"

"I'll try, but I don't know if I can reach that, much less close it," he said looking up at the Breach.

"No." Solas pointed at a rift down inside the temple itself. "This rift was the first, and it is the key." He looked back at him. "Seal it, and perhaps we seal the Breach."

"You're sure he can close something that big?" Edric asked. "I mean look what happened to after we sealed those small ones we came across."

"I do not know," said Solas.

"Either way we're not closing it here," said Adaar.

Cassandra turned to Maxwell. "Then let's find a way down. And be careful."


"Now is the hour of our victory," said a voice through the air around them. It sounded dark, cold, clammy. "Bring forth the sacrifice."

"What are we hearing?" Cassandra asked looking back at Solas.

"At a guess: the person who created the Breach."

"Guess that means we're innocent," said Ellana.

Maxwell continued picking his way through the wreckage. A strange glowing red crystals littered the place. He saw Varric's eyes widen, and he turned to Cassandra. "You know this stuff is red lyrium, Seeker."

"I see it, Varric."

"But what's it doing here?" Varric grimaced.

Solas gave it a considering look. "Magic could have drawn on lyrium beneath the temple, corrupted it…"

"It's evil." Varric's voice was insistent. "Whatever you do, don't touch it."

"It's not joking, I've heard rumours of this stuff and it says it messes with your mind," said Erdic.

Maxwell nodded and they continued the way down the path and then, the strange voice rang out again. "Keep the sacrifice still."

A woman's voice came, sending a chill through Maxwell's blood. "Someone help me!"

Cassandra paled. "That is Divine Justinia's voice."


There was no staircase down. So they had to jump down and began striding towards the Breach. The female voice called again, and Cassandra stopped in her tracks.

"Someone help me!"

Maxwell blinked as his own voice echoed from the temple walls. "What's going on here?"

"Get away from her!" Adaar's voice yelled.

Cassandra turned towards Maxwell and Addar. "That was your voices. Most holy called out to you. But…"

The rift shifted, and the light changed. Forms started to appear. A tall man, holding something. The Divine, held in some kind of trap. And then the four of them, entering the room. Maxwell couldn't remember entering the room. The last thing he remembered was opening the door and then everything went black.

"What's going on here?" Maxwell yelled.

Adaar then saw the figure and she, Erdic and Ellana drew their weapons. "Get away from her!" Addar yelled.

"Run while you can! Warn them!" the Divine yelled.

"We have intruders," said the tall man. "Kill them. Now!"

Then the images faded.

Slowly Cassandra turned. "You were there. Who attacked? And the Divine, is she…?" Cassandra gestured at the rift. "Was this vision true? What are we seeing?" She strode towards Maxwell.

Maxwell shook her head. "I don't remember!"

"As we keep trying to remind you!" Adaar grumbled.

"Echoes of what happened here," said Solas. "The Fade bleeds into this place." He turned to look at them. "This rift is not sealed, but it is closed… albeit temporarily. I believe that with the mark, the rift can be opened, and then sealed properly and safely. However, opening the rift will likely attract attention from the other side."

"That means demons," said Cassandra turning to the soldiers. "Stand ready!" She gave Maxwell a nod.

The soldiers took their positions as did the archers on the ruins. One of the archers nodded to Cassandra, who nodded back and then to Maxwell.

Maxwell raised his hand towards the Breach and powerful magic exited from it striking its core. Then there was a small explosion followed by the appearance of a pride demon.

"Now!" Cassandra yelled, and the soldiers moved in.

Arrows just bounced off the thing's spikey skin. A moment later, Erdic and Cassandra's sword did much the same. Ellana spells and the ones cast by Solas seemed to do a little damage, but not enough. Varric kept on firing bolts at it, but they seem to be just as effective as the arrows.

"We must strip its defenses, wear it down!" Cassandra called to the soldiers.

Adaar then raised the sword swinging it had the demon, distracting it. Maxwell saw his chance made his way over to the rift. He used the mark to disrupt the energies, and the demon staggered and fell to its knees. Solas gave him an approving nod before he and Ellana directing a barrage of magic against the weakened creature.

A few more demons managed to escape the rift before they took the big one down. Maxwell wiped what he thought was sweat out of his eyes, but there was red on the back of his hand. He wasn't sure if it was his blood or that of the soldier who had died defending him.

They were clear, for the moment. She turned towards the rift. "Do it!" Cassandra ordered.

Maxwell nodded. He outstretched his hand and energy surged once more out of the strange mark. He saw the rift shift and contort, and send more energy into it. The edges of his vision started to grey as the rift gyrated. Suddenly the rift seemed to burst, and the energy slammed back into him, sending him flying. Dimly he saw the green light shooting upwards towards the Breach, and then darkness claimed him.