Chapter Two - Nightmares
"Where are they?"
The rage and despair demons, wraiths and shades were gone. The landscape of the Fade, reflecting the Hissing Wastes, churned and shifted. It was empty, devoid of any feature except the glowing sand dunes, pillars of jagged stone, and darkness.
"Be wary," the Inquisitor's staff shone brightly, shedding light upon them all. "The demons must be nearby. Don't let your guard down."
"Where could they possibly hide?" said Varric, swinging Bianca in all directions. "There's nothing here."
"That's impossible!"
"Something is definitely not right here," Dorian turned to the Inquisitor. "Can you feel it?"
"I think I see something over there," Iron Bull pointed. A small point of light, engulfed in the darkness, flickered weakly.
"Let's go," the Inquisitor hurried forward, feeling slightly stronger than her physical self.
For a while they ran towards the light, gaining on it. As the light grew, a shape beside it emerged. It was a statue. A tall figure of a man.
The stopped in front of it, catching their breath. The Inquisitor lifted up her staff, allowing the light to fall on its features.
The statue stood the height of five men. There was no face. Both its arms extended into long, curved claws or tentacles.
"I've seen this statue before," Varric said.
Dorian nodded. "So have I. Magisters have written books on statues, icons, and architecture in the Fade. There is little known on what they truly mean. This particular one turns up often enough. That in itself is particularly strange, for an ever changing place."
"Creepy," said Iron Bull.
In the silence that followed, a small cracking noise could be heard.
"What the fuck?" Varric jumped, aiming Bianca at the statue.
Dorian's face paled. "Look... Look at the face."
The Inquisitor stared as dust fell from the statue's face. A thin, crooked line, like a mouth had formed. It opened, and began to speak.
"I knew you would come." It grinned.
The Inquisitor took a step forward, even though her whole body screamed against it. "What are you?"
"I linger in the minds of all mortals."
"A demon then?"
" I stand in the light for all to see. I strike in darkness so none may know me. But my purpose is always the same. To harm."
"You want to harm me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"There are many that wish you ill. You have denied many beings the riches of your world by closing the Rift. And there are those who seek desperately... for escape."
"That's too bad. Demons belong in the Fade, not in Thedas. And that's where they're staying."
"You think you have that much power? You resolve a few petty squabbles amongst mortals, and you think you can control everything in your wake?"
"If there is peace in our world, there will be less fear, hate and pain for monsters like you to feed on," the Inquisitor challenged. "If the physical world changes, this world will, for the better."
The mouth's grin widened. "You know so little. You have clever friends, but that will not help you. They will all betray you in time, like they have before."
"Keep your filthy lies to yourself. If you want to fight, let's get this over with."
"Fight?" the mouth whispered. "I would rather play."
"What?" the Inquisitor brandished her staff. "Come and fight me demon!"
The mouth disappeared in a cloud of dust.
"I don't like where this shit is going," Varric said.