Chapter 6: Contact

(Fade version of Shepard's Quarters)

Shepard opened up a very Alliance looking footlocker that was in the exact place she last saw her gear filled wooden chest in the real world. Smirking she pulled out the brand new looking Spectre armor. "Sometimes I can almost like the Fade, "she said and then looked at the spirit to add, "Almost."

Skyhold hmphed and shook her head. "Compassion seeks the mage, but the mage is not the only danger, "said the spirit, "Quiet whispers came with him but the mage is no longer the only one that listens. Unfortunately, as Compassion's connection to the Fade weakens so does his protection from the whispers."

"Whispers? Great, "said Shepard as she started to gear up, "Anything else you can tell me?"

"Once I could hear and see all that took place within my walls…even a ways beyond, "said Skyhold sadly, "But I have been asleep for centuries, awaking only with the arrival of your Inquisitor. The repairs have helped but with the blood I'm still blind and my hearing is weak. Those born of the Fade I can hear the loudest. Speaking of which…"

(Shepard's Quarters, Reality)

"Ok ladies and gentlemen, "said Dorian with a smirk, "As soon as our lovely Grey Warden here is safely in the Fade, you will be free to go. Just remember let the good Commander know or he will give you his frustrated look and we wouldn't want that."

The mages in the room all laughed nervously, well aware that after this they would help with the evacuation of Skyhold and most will leave with the civilians to prevent possible abominations.

"Now I do apologize for the dreadful lack of seating, "Dorian continued, "But due to the lovely lady's unique abilities…"

"That's enough, Dorian, "said Anders making himself comfortable on a pile of blankets on the floor, a safer place in more ways than one than on the bed next to Shepard. He then took the large vial of lyrium and drank. Lying down, he said, "I'm ready."

"Don't forget to be a good man and see if you can find out what could be causing the poor Veil to thin so much while your over there, "said Dorian as Anders' eyes closed.

(Fade)

Justice opened his eyes to the sight of Shepard and someone looking like an older version of her aiming weapons directly at him.

"Anders?"said Shepard unsure if the glowing form of her friend was really the mage in question.

"Justice, "said Skyhold as she put away her rifle. She then offered her hand to the newcomer, "I greet you. I am Skyhold."

Justice took the hand up and as he stood, Shepard asked, "Please tell me that you know what's going…"

A thump at the door followed by growls interrupted them. Shepard raised her pistol and shot the demons trying to crawl in through the window. "Damn it,"she said, "Let me guess your arrival attracted them. Skyhold can you get us out of here?"

Skyhold thought for a few moments and then shook her head negatively. "They are too wide spread, "she said, "Anywhere I would take us would be just as dangerous if not more so. I can strengthen these walls for a while."

"In that case, "Shepard said as she put away the pistol and pulled out a shotgun, "Let's thin out the herd. Justice you with me?"

"It will be a pleasure, "said Justice pulling out his staff and prepared a Justice charged fireball, "Open the door."

Shepard swung open the door and jumped back as Justice threw the fireball. A large BOOM followed and Shepard peaked out the window to see pieces of burning demons flying through the air. She blinked once, stepped back and sighed. She then turned to Skyhold and asked, "You wouldn't happen to have a grenade launcher I could borrow?"

"Even here you have proven to be a thorn in my side, Shepard, "Harbinger's voice rang out, "Why do you continue struggle against your destiny?"

Shepard and Justice carefully stepped out of the room and looked down to see the Cole's form standing in the middle of the gardens surrounded by demons. Shepard's eyes narrowed seeing the 'Cole' with gold glowing eyes and bright cracks of energy across his form.

Harbinger/Cole continued, "I should thank you. If it wasn't for your persistence I would have never attempted to use this alternate reality as a means to destroy you and your Inquisition. It will prove more than useful when the cycle begins anew."

"He must be channeling through the blood mage, "mused Justice quietly as Harbinger/Cole continued to talk in the background, "With how he channels power along with his mind, it is impossible to determine what limit there would be on the number of minor demons he can control."

"It's not the minor demons I'm worried about, "said Shepard cocking her shotgun, "Can he summon any of the big guys?"

"He has tried, "said Skyhold from inside the doorway, "So far the defenses I put in place before going to sleep are still holding but there are cracks."

Apparently Harbinger/Cole either noticed they weren't listening or was finished with his monologue since he sent the demons up to attack.

"Cover me!"Shepard growled just before jumping over the railing and using her biotics to slow her just enough to allow her to safely land with a roll and run towards the fake Cole.

"Is she always this reckless?" asked Skyhold as she started firing her rifle to try to clear a path for the human.

"You have no idea, "sighed Justice as he fought to keep the incoming demons off of them, "Compassion is not going to be happy when he hears of this."

(Reality)

"Ma'am, you wanted to see me?" asked Scout Harding as she poked her head into Lady Josephine's office.

"Ah yes, Scout Harding, "said Josephine as she stood up, "Please come in and take a seat. I'll be right back."

Scout Harding sat on one of the overstuffed chairs as Josephine took the door that lead to the War Room. Looking around, the dwarf wondered what was going on. She was preparing to head out to scout around the Burning Wastes when orders came that all Inquisition were to return to Skyhold and those that were already here were to wait for further instructions. Suddenly the people were running around saying that all civilians and mages were to evacuate. Just when she started to make some sense of the chaos, she got a message asking her to report to Josephine's office.

To be continued…