The Tower was silent except for a few grunts and growls from the rage demons scattered about. Not a living soul was on this floor. They were already devoured. Suddenly the grunts and growling stopped as the faint sound of foot steps echoed. The rage demons moved towards the sound, intent on new prey.

Some one screamed, a high pitched and frightened scream that ended with a curse. Whirling around the corner, Jimmy bolted down the hallway. Fen raced along side her, his fur covered in blood and grime. She fared no better, her once pretty armor now covered in blood and gunk. With a curse she whipped around another corner, screaming once more.

"WHAT THE HELL!" she hollered, dodging a rage demon that tried to grab her. "WHY DID WE EVEN AGREE TO THIS STUPID IDEA? I DON'T WANT TO BE EATEN!"

"THEN KEEP RUNNING," Fen bellowed, his paws franticly scrambling on the slippery floor. "THE NEXT ROOM IS WHERE WE NEED TO LEAD THEM TO KEEP RUNNING!"

"FUUUCK!" she shrieked, leaping over a table that had been thrown onto it's side. "WHY COULDN'T ALISTAIR DO THIS?"

"I heard that," she heard Alistair yell faintly and even though she was terrified of being caught and eaten by these monsters she had to laugh. Fen shook his head as he bolted into an open room.

Franticly she followed him through the door and leaped to the side. She landed behind Sten, who was hiding alongside the door with Alistair on the other side. Morrigan, Leliana, and their new friend Wynne stood behind some tables they pushed over. Jimmy looked up and spotted Zevran somehow clinging to the stone above the door like an elf monkey.

While she scooted back to grab her shield and sword the demons growled and grunted their way to the door. When the first one crossed the doorway Morrigan blasted it with a giant snowball spell. It froze then shattered when Sten chopped at it. They continued this routine, freezing and breaking the rage demons until there were none left. Jimmy fell onto her back, gasping for air.

"I'm not doing that again," she groaned. "That was absolutely terrifying, running around this entire floor to get those things to follow me. There has to be an easier way!"

"I'm afraid not child," Wynne said as she offered her a water skin. Jimmy eagerly took it and shared with Fen, who eagerly lapped up the water. "Why must you always let him drink straight from the water skin? It's disgusting."

"I'm not disgusting," Fen argued which caused Wynne to roll her eyes.

"Calm down Granny," Jimmy said with her arm around Fen. "You are speaking to my best friend here, the only one who was willing to go with me on that stupid suicidal mission."

"That's not fair," Alistair complained. "I would have gone but it's too hard to get in and out of this armor quickly. You know I would never let you face something dangerous and exciting like that unless I had a reason."

"I'm not speaking to you," she sniffed, ignoring her friend. "Let's take a quick break before we check the floor again. We might find some interesting things."

While the rest of the group got comfortable, Jimmy eyed Zevran from his strange perch. He gave her a wink, which she rolled her eyes at, before hopping down and walking over. She watched him, daring him with her eyes to make a comment. Instead he smiled and went to bother Wynne, his newest target, and that suited her just fine.

Instead she rested her head on Fen's side, dwelling on how this all began. It wasn't a pleasant memory.

"Who are you?" the Templar demanded. "I left strict orders that no one was to come to the Tower."

"Well your man did say that," Jimmy said, scratching the back of her neck. "But we sort of forced him to bring us here. We are Grey Wardens, seeking the aid of the Tower of Magi for the Blight as the treaty with them states and we were also hoping to get some help with the sick Arl of Redcliffe. That is long story but if you want-"

"I have no time for your stories," the man growled. "And the Tower will not be able to aid you with the Blight. There are no mages left, only demons and maleficarum. I am waiting the orders to give me the right to purge the Tower."

"I'm going to take a wild guess that the malef thing is bad," Jimmy drawled until his last words dawned on her. "Wait, hold up. You can just go in there and kill everyone! What if there are survivors, mages who are demons and your malef things? You can't just kill innocent people!"

"There are no survivors," the man said grimly. "As the Knight Commander it is my duty to ensure none of those abominations escape and to secure the Tower. Now I must ask you to leave."

"No," she said stubbornly. "We won't."

"She's right," Leliana argued. "Surely there must be survivors, those who were able to hide themselves or could be defending themselves as we speak. Give us a chance to at least save them."

The Knight Commander stared at them, taking in the determined looks her companions had. She would have given them all proud smiles and high fives but now wasn't the time. Demons she knew could be very bad and she didn't know much about the maleficarum things but everyone had the instinct to survive. Surely there had to be survivors, those who could help them with both the Blight and the Arl. The Knight Commander sighed.

"Alright," he growled. "I will let you look for survivors. If you haven't returned before the Right of Annulment gets here WITH First Enchanter Irving, I will not let you out of the tower. Once you pass through those doors you cannot return."

"I always thought that was plan B," Alistair muttered softly. "Locking the doors and throwing away the key."

"Guess it's plan A now," Jimmy said with a slight shrug. She looked up at the Knight Commander. "Do you have any supplies you can spare? Anything would be nice."

"No," he said curtly. "When you all are ready to enter the Tower let me know. I will be waiting by the door." With that he stormed away, his anger rolling off in waves.

"I told you guys I had a bad feeling," Jimmy grumbled. "But no we can't listen to the person who is supposedly the leader. Guess I just have fluff in my head and cant think anymore."

"Oh don't be so bitter," Alistair teased, slinging an arm around her shoulders while she grumbled and griped. "Think of it as an adventure! Saving innocent lives, killing demon processed mages, it'll be fun!"

"I really hate your definition of fun Alistair," she groaned. "What can't the Tower be filled with angry cheese people or dancing rats? That would be much nicer than things that are killing people."

"I have seen dancing rats before in Antiva," Zevran said. "They were quite fascinating. All their dancing for a simple piece of cheese."

"Don't underestimate the power of cheese," she drawled. "Alistair will do back flips if it's a good enough cheese. Morrigan how do our potions look? Do you think we will have enough?"

"Thankfully I was able to make a few on the trip here," the witch replied curtly. "But we'd best be careful for we don't have many."

Jimmy stared at the door, feeling a lump in her throat. Silently she weighed her pros and cons. If they didn't help people would die, they'd have no mages to help with the Blight, and the Arl would surely die. If they did help, all their lives were at risk and if they died everything would go to hell anyways. Sighing and rubbed her eyes, wishing Fen could give her some advice but having her talking wolf pal speak in front of a bunch of skittish Templars didn't seem smart. Instead she looked at Sten.

"What?" he asked when he noticed her stare. "Is there something wrong?"

"Do you think we'll find anyone?" she asked.

"I do not know. If there are then we will save them, as we always do." That made her chuckle, lifting her spirits.

"Alright let's go," she said, walking over to the door. "Hey hot shot we're ready to go in." The Knight Commander scowled at her but his men opened the doors, staring at them with their creepy helmets as they walked past. She heard the door thud behind them like a crypt being shut and shuddered.

"That was ominous," Alistair muttered as they crept through the hallway. "There aren't any bodies though. I wonder if the Templars moved them or took care of them."

"Do you guys hear that," Jimmy said softly, scanning the walls and peeking in the few doors she saw. "It sounds like screaming and fighting."

Silently they continued to walk. The hallway opened into a large room where an older woman fought a creature that looked like it was covered in lava. A couple of young adults stood between the older woman and a group of children, looking anxious and worried. Before Jimmy and her friends could get close enough to help the older woman slew the monster. As it sank into a red and yellow puddle she whirled around, a staff in her hands.

"Who are you?" the older woman barked. "Have the Templars finally decided to do something instead of hiding?"

"Knew it," Jimmy muttered. Leliana nudged her, frowning, but Jimmy simply grinned at the bard before turning attention back to the older woman. "Ah hi there. We're here to look for survivors and the First Enchanter. The grumpy Knight Commander said that none of us can leave until we have the First Enchanter."

"What's going on out there?" the woman asked, lowering her staff. "We tried to escape earlier but they wouldn't let us through, though if you are saying Greagoir won't open the door until Irving is there that makes sense."

"Should we tell her?" Morrigan muttered as she scowled at the other mages.

"Be nice Morrigan," Jimmy muttered back. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Grey Warden Jimmy and that's Grey Warden Alistair. These are our companions."

"I am Senior Enchanter Wynne."

"Nice to meet ya. Well, the bad news first. The Knight Commander guy was talking about waiting for something called the Right of Annulment so he could purge the tower." The three younger mages gasped while Wynne closed her eyes in what looked like defeat. "Good news, we are going to save you all! In case anyone's wondering, there is sort of a Blight going on and we got a sick Arl that had a demon messing with him so we are really going to need your help."

"This is troubling news," Wynne said as she rubbed her forehead. "I do not know if the First Enchanter is still alive but we must at least try. I will join you in searching for survivors."

"Wynne no," one of the younger mages said. "You are still weak from your injury earlier."

"I am fine. Are you ready to go Warden? We'd best move quickly."

"Will they be alright?" Jimmy asked, nodding to the children. She stared at a little boy with bright blue eyes. Her eyes stung slightly as tears began to form so she quickly looked away from the little boy who reminded her of someone dear.

"They will be fine," Wynne said confidently. "They will be left in capable hands. Those three will be able to keep them safe."

"Well let's go then," she said cheerfully. "Might as well get this nightmare over with! Is that, flesh clinging to the walls? Ew!"

While Wynne broke down the barrier and Morrigan grumbled about having a Circle pet join them, Jimmy peeked through the barrier with Fen, Alistair, and Zevran in tow. They jumped back when the barrier winked out of existence and carefully crossed into the danger zone. Wynne told them they were in the apprentice level of the tower.

Many of the rooms were in shambles but they checking out every room they could get to. There were a few rage demons roaming around, a shock for Jimmy when she pretty much stumbled onto one. Morrigan and Wynne were always quick to shoot spells at the demons. Ice spells worked wonders on the monsters but after her first encounter and receiving a nasty burn, Jimmy was more cautious poking around the rooms.

Still she found plenty of goodies and happily tucked every thing she found in her pack. This made Fen grumble about her desire to have things but she simply ignored him. She wasn't the only one taking things. Morrigan and Zevran also grabbed things of interest. Wynne frowned at all three of them but didn't say anything. It was probably for the best since Jimmy knew she wouldn't listen to the older woman.

The second floor was harder. Almost every room had some kind of abomination, blood mages, or rage demon. It was difficult to maneuver through it but they were able to, leaving the floor worse to wear than when they entered. For a few minutes they rested in the stairwell, forming a plan. It wasn't the best plan in Jimmy's eyes since it involved her and Fen sprinting around the floor to lead any enemies to the room the rest would hide in. She was right about it.

"Curse this stupid tower," Jimmy grumbled. "This is why people who are considered 'dangerous' and 'untrustworthy' guarded by 'righteous' idiots shouldn't be kept in one place. If mages weren't trapped in one tower and spread out instead shit like this wouldn't happen."

"Not everyone would agree with your views," Fen drawled. "Many feel this is the best way to control magic and mages. You saw the Tranquil when we were on the second floor. Many feel that all mages should be Tranquil."

"It's stupid," she shouted, causing Alistair, Leliana, and Wynne to look at her with concern. Quieting her tone so only Fen would hear her she continued. "Healers are good mages, they keep people healthy and safe. Without it a lot of people would probably die of some infection. Being able to hurl fireballs and lightning at enemies is good for war as well. Imagine, a bunch of mages on some castle wall, killing on the attacking enemy without getting their own soldiers killed. All they'd have to worry about would be arrows and enemy mages. Why lock away people who can be a help?"

"You have an open mind," Zevran drawled next to her. She yelped and glared up at the assassin while he grinned at her. "Many do not think as you do. I am glad you are not as thick headed as most. Intelligent, strong, and beautiful, a deadly combination."

"Quit your smooth talking Fickle," she snorted as the elf sat down next to her. "I've learned that keeping a closed mind while trying to survive isn't the best thing. Why deny an ally that can help you live even if they are different? Sounds far to close to a place I knew. Everyone had to be like one another and follow the same 'normal' lives." She stretched and immediately winced at a sharp pain in her left shoulder. "Damn stupid plan. At least it worked though and now we can get to all the goodies easily."

"Let me take a look," Zevran said. She glared at him, about to tell him to shove off, when he raised both hands in surrender. "I am not trying to, as you say, get in your pants, fearless leader. I am only trying to help. If you are hurt and get killed by something who will lead us? Best to be safe now than sorry later."

"Fine," she grumbled, hiking up her leather armor so he could look at her shoulder. "I feel your hands anywhere else I'll chop off your fingers and leave you with an ugly fingerless hand."

"You wound me," he drawled, gently pressing his fingers along her shoulder. "I do have my honor but my offer still stands to show you some of those Anitva massages I know."

"That's the day I'll grow a tail," she grumbled. Jimmy yelped when he pressed on the sore spot on her shoulder. "Bastard that hurt! Stop poking it!"

"Calm down Jimmy," Fen drawled. "Let the man see how bad it is."

"I'm going to throw you both in a mud puddle," she grumbled. Thankfully Zevran stopped poking her shoulder but it was short lived. He called Wynne over and the older woman quickly came over.

"Our poor leader has pulled a muscle I believe," Zevran drawled. "Do you think you could heal it? I could rest my head on your lovely bosom while you do so."

"Will you stop it?" Wynne sighed, resting her hand on Jimmy's back. Jimmy bit back a yelp when the older woman pressed on the sore spot. "Hmm this is an easy enough fix. Tell me, how did you manage to pull a muscle in your shoulder?"

"Probably when I slammed into a wall avoiding those damn rage demons," she grumbled. Warmth filled her shoulder, causing her to sigh with relief. "Have I told you how amazing you are Wynne? I wish I knew you earlier in life, would have saved me a lot of aches and pains."

"You must have had a rough life before," Wynne said softly. "Someone as young as you shouldn't have scars like you do."

"Were you peeking at me when I was changing?" Jimmy drawled. "I'm sorry Wynne but you're not my type."

"Oh hush. Your shirt is riding up and I can see your scars without spying." The woman chuckled softly as she fixed Jimmy's shirt and helped her get her armor back down. "We should get moving. I'm worried about Nail. We haven't see any trace of him yet."

"You're right," Jimmy said, getting to her feet. "Alright everyone break's over! Let's get back to finding survivors and exterminating the pest problem. Just so you all know, I'm not going to be bait again."

That earned her a few chuckles as the group got ready to move on. Alistair patted her on the shoulder, grinning as he past. She quickly followed him, settling her shield as he did. Getting burnt wouldn't be fun. She'd rather the shield get the brunt of any damage.

Soon everyone was moving and they crept through the third floor, checking the rooms carefully. They stumbled on an interesting looking room with a locked chest. Jimmy eagerly picked the lock and dug through the contents while Wynne grumbled about leaving the First Enchanter's office alone. Like usual she ignored the older woman. There was a strange black book so she tucked it into her stuffed pack, deciding it would be interesting to look at later.

They crept up the stairs and peeked around the wall to study the fourth floor. There was a lot more of the creepy flesh looking stuff that made Jimmy shiver. As they crept down the hall they heard a strange voice speaking. It sounded like several voices speaking the same thing at the same time. Her curiosity took the best of her and she peeked into a room, staring at the bizarre sight before her.

"What the hell is that?" she asked, standing up and walking into the room. "I never knew there were exotic dancers around. What's with the get up?"

"Be careful," Wynne warned. "That is a Desire Demon."

The Desire Demon had a Templar standing in the middle of the room while she, it, whatever it was, sort of floated around him, speaking to him. It paused, staring at them while it caressed it's body. Jimmy rolled her eyes while Fen snorted. The demon stared at him, it's eyes widening.

"This is a surprise," it purred.

"Is there something wrong love?" the Templar asked, staring into space with a creepy smile on his face.

"It's nothing dear," the demon cooed. "Just someone at the door. Go tuck the children in, they have been asking for you to tell them a story. I will be there in a moment."

"Don't take to long darling," the Templar said, still smiling creepily. "The children will want a kiss good night."

The demon ignored him and stared at them. Well, more at Fen who stared right back. It hovered at the Templar's side.

"It has been a long time since I have seen an Old One," the demon growled, it's claws flexing. "A very long time."

"Not to interrupt," Jimmy drawled. "But what are you doing to him? Stop stroking yourself! It's creepy and gross!"

"I am simply giving him what he wants," the demon drawled, caressing itself even more. "He has desired having a wife and children, a normal wife a Templar is denied. I am not harming him so why should you be concerned?"

"Because it's creepy," Jimmy retorted. "None of it's real. All you are doing is torturing the poor man. What you are doing is no better than a dream, eventually he'll have to wake up and face reality. Now let the poor man go."

"I think not," the demon growled. "You are traveling with an Old One so I know you will not let me go." It's voice grew higher pitched and frightened. "Dear! There are bandits at the door! They are going to kill the children!"

"They will not," the Templar roared and launched himself at them. A few other Templars appeared from their hiding places and charged.

"Shit," Jimmy muttered as she fought them. "Not going to listen to reason huh?"

The group fought the Templars, struggling to take them down. Fen snarled and launched himself at the Desire Demon, his body glowing as he grabbed onto it's throat. The demon shrieked, causing the Templars to grow more vicious. Jimmy smashed her shield into the face of one, stunning the Templar temporarily but it was long enough for her to stab her sword into his armpit.

The fight between Fen and the demon was a distraction to them all. When she could, Jimmy glanced over at them. Fen was vicious, using his claws and teeth to rip chunks out of the demon. Deep scratches causing blood to dribble down his sides but it didn't faze the wolf. Suddenly he dodged the demon's attack, his body bending and twisting in a way that a normal wolf couldn't. With another snarl he grabbed the demon's throat again, his claws digging into it's body as he tightened his jaw.

A horrible shriek filled the air but quickly ended. The Desire Demon's head bounced across the floor, spinning slightly as it rolled to a stop. Jimmy stared at it until Fen crushed it with a single step. He was growling dangerously, his eyes wild as his sides heaved. Demon blood dribbled from his snarling jaws as he swung his head around as if he was searching for another enemy.

"Fen," Jimmy said cautiously. Sten lopped of the last Templar's head, finishing their fight with ease. "You alright? The fighting is over for now, you can stop being crazy."

Fen swung his head around and stared at her, the crazed look slowly fading from his eyes. He coughed, hacking up some bits of the demon. The wounds on his sides closed, fully healed. Jimmy looked over at Wynne who shook her head. So she didn't heal the wolf. Jimmy eyed fen again, wondering for the first time in awhile what he really was.

"Sorry about that," he mumbled, trotting over to lean against her leg. "Desire Demons bother me. Are you ready to move on?"

"Yes," she said, carefully resting her hand on his head and stroking his ears. They left the room after checking for anything worthwhile, Jimmy and Fen hanging back to walk behind the group. "I'm not going to ask what happened back there but we are going to talk when this is all over. I think you owe me some answers buddy."

"I'm not going to promise anything," he warned. "You aren't ready to learn everything yet."

"Are they secrets about me?"

"A few but not all."

"Very mysterious," Morrigan drawled. The witch had slowed while they had been talking and walked next to Jimmy. "That demon called you an Old One. What does that mean exactly?"

"Nothing important," he huffed, glaring at the witch. "I could call your mother an Old One. It's just a title, nothing more."

Morrigan sniffed but left the questions alone. Jimmy studied Fen for a few moments until they had to hurry after the others. There were more enemies, Templars again, and they couldn't leave all the fighting to the others. It was a hassle but they finally made it to the end of the floor. She eyed the last room, not really wanting to fight anymore Templars.

"Can we just go around?' she grumbled. "I'm getting tired of fighting crazy people and monsters."

"There maybe survivors hiding in there," Leliana said, patting her on the back. "That's part of our mission, to find survivors."

"We have yet to find Niall as well," Wynne commented. "He could be in there with the Litany. We are going to need it if we are to save the First Enchanter."

"Alright," she grumbled, shifting her shield to a more comfortable position. "Everyone ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Alistair sighed while Sten grunted. Zevran grinned at her and Morrigan nodded. "Alright. Let's check it out."

They burst into the room, ready to fight anything that attack. Instead, there were bodies laying about the room. The strange flesh stuff clung to almost every part of the room. A bizarre looking figure stood in the middle of the room. Slowly it turned to watch their approach.

"More guests," it droned. "So tiring. It's much more fun to rest."

"What is that thing?" Jimmy asked. "It's grosser than the Desire Demon."

"Sloth Demon," Fen and Wynne said in unison. They looked at each other, nodding, and Fen continued. "Don't let it get to you. They are more dangerous than Rage and Desire demons."

"Oh an Old One," the Sloth Demon sighed. "You are going to fight me aren't you? That's just too much effort. Why don't you all sleep instead? You look so tired."

"Why am I yawning?" Alistair said around a yawn, his eyes drooping. "I feel so sleepy."

"I want to just lay down," Leliana murmured, her eyes closed and her body swaying. "Just for a moment. No! I will not listen to you Demon, the Maker watches over me."

"Fight it," Fen growled as their companions slowly succumbed to the Demon. "Don't let it take control. Just fight it."

"Hush Old One," the Demon said. "Rest. You must all be so tired. Just rest for all of eternity."

"Fen," Jimmy said drowsily. "I'm getting sleepy. Oh, everyone's sleeping. I guess I'm the only one left." Slowly she sank to her knees and laid onto the floor, curling up into a ball.

"Jimmy no!" She heard Fen shout but she was too tired. A voice cooed to her to sleep, to rest and stop fighting. She struggled half heartedly but slowly sank into sleep.

Fen snarled, whirling around to face the Demon. How dare it touch his charge, the one he had protected for so long. His eyes glowed slightly as he stalked forward. His fur stood from his rage that he could barely control.

"Let them go," he growled, his voice deep. "I will kill you if I must but you will let them go."

"I wouldn't do that," the Demon taunted. "If I die while they sleep you will never get them back. It would be bad if your charge died, wouldn't it Old One? You should just sleep and join them in the Fade."

A bright light flashed from Fen, causing the Demon to cry out in pain. Instead of a wolf, a ball of light consumed where Fen stood while glowing gold eyes. The Demon cowered slightly. That made Fen feel pleased, the rat should know his place.

"I will get her back," he rumbled as the ball of light began to shrink. "Then I will come back and tear your body apart until you are pieces in the Fade as well."

The ball of light disappeared and Fen was gone. The Demon stared at the spot he had been, the floor cleared on the corrupt flesh. Instead a strange symbol had been burned into the stone and it glowed dangerously. The Demon growled unhappily. This was not going to end well for it.

Notes:

Greetings everyone! Finally working on the dreaded Broken Circle chapters! Have I mentioned how much I hate that quest? I apologize in advance if the chapters feel rushed, I really just want to get it over with ugh.

Poor Jimmy, being used as bait. And go Fen! Got an awesome fighter there! I wonder what he is hehe.

helenGet: I'm glad you like it! I hope I can live up to your praise!

Shannyrox101: I'm glad you enjoy my humor :) I do spend a lot of time growling at my game, acting as if they can understand me haha! Some of the banter I have made up because, well, things have changed so not everything is the same has the game heh. Now I'm not going to spoil anything but who do you think should be paired together? That goes for all of you readers, who do you see pairing up?

IsraUl'Attia-Theron: YAY FOR UPDATES! I do love Sten and his anger at the Templar :) I feel like he is more of a father around Jimmy so he wouldn't enjoy someone bothering his little girl, like that over protective dad who threatens his baby girl's boyfriends and guy friends haha!

As always, I own Jimmy, Fen, and the chaos they cause. The rest go to Bioware and their amazing game!