Tears of Fate

by Word of War

"I am the sorrow that weeps over loss and the happiness that cries out of joy. I am the daughter of those tears." Twists in fate carry a Dalish elf to the Inquisition where she becomes a hero that is needed, all in the name of saving those she can from chaos and destruction that weeps from the sky. Solas x Lavellan fic.

5. Chapter 5

Delay the Future

Numina was stalling fiercely. Shook would take on every mission, every single task that most would overlook on their path of becoming a hero of sorts. Yet Numina relished these little tasks, savouring them. They bought her time to figure what to do next. Who to side with. How do they expect me to make a good decision? Both the Mages and Templars have done terrible things during this war, and both of them do deserve a second chance. I just don't understand why I can't get the two factions to cooperate with one another for the greater good.

The Inquisition's advisors were torn. Cullen fiercely supported the Templars, believing that The Order had been in a situation similar to the mages with lack of freedom and such. Cassandra was surprisingly inclined to seek the mages out because of their raw power alone. Leliana agreed with Cassandra. And Josephine had no real opinion on the matter, though she did mention that having the Templar order backing the Inquisition would do wonders for its reputation and credibility. They were of no use or help to Numina in deciding which group to approach.

Numina's new companion Vivienne was a bit more helpful. She was the First Enchanter of the Circle in Orlais. Her advice was to seek out the Templars because the rebel mages were a forest fire, and if anyone got too close, they would inevitably burn. Others of her group could not get over the fact that the Lord Seeker, who had taken over the order, had seemingly gone mad when he left Orlais after he struck one of the clerics, declared everyone as fools, and vowed that Orlais would no longer have the Templars aid. The Lord Seeker had gone mad with power and only added to the desperation of the situation.

Now there were two options: meet with Grand Enchanter Fiona in Redcliffe to discuss the mages helping the Inquisition as Fiona had all but implored Numina to do when they met in Orlais, or she could travel to Therinfall Redoubt with the noble houses the Inquisition had acquired as allies and all but force the Lord Seeker Lucius to give his support through sheer diplomacy. Neither of which sounded like particularly good plans, the invitation to Redcliffe being a trap or Lord Seeker Lucius simply killing them as intruders, but it was all the Inquisition could do.

But Numina, out of her stubbornness, had created a third option to delay the inevitable. She took care of every little task that she could, every slight that some of the refugees had in the Hinterlands. The advisors clearly saw what she was doing, but said nothing on the matter. She continued to increase the Inquisition's influence and power with each task she completed, bolstering their reputation.

It went on like this for roughly a month. Finally, Numina had run out of things to stall with, so when she returned to Haven, everyone waiting on her decision; she went back to the advisors to see if they had finally made up their mind on the issue.

She didn't hold her breath, and rightfully so. The Inquisition's advisors were still torn and could not make a decision on who to appeal to. They were severely unhelpful and had left the decision completely up to Numina. And she had no idea what the right course of action would be.

Speaking with the rest of her companions had offered no help. Varric was inclined towards the mages, though you had read in between the words he said. Sera hated both and offered no opinion. Vivienne despised the rebel mages. Cassandra was neutral. The Iron Bull was favoring the Templars because they had the most benefits on the battle field. Blackwall had said that mages were as equals in the Wardens and that perhaps they should be equal in all of Thedas as well. It was the most sound piece of advice that she had heard on the issue so far.

There was one other person she had yet to ask for an opinion from. Solas. She had been putting it off for a while, because she assumed that he would side with the mages for obvious reasons, but Numina realized that he was far too wise for that. He would pick a side for logical reasons, and it was for those reasons Numina sought him out.

The door to his quarters by the apothecary was shut. Her hand knocked lightly against the rough wooden door. "It is unlocked," his voice called from inside, muffled. Opening the door gently, Numina entered. The room was nearly bare aside from the simple furnishings of a bed and such. Herbs hung from the rafters, drying, giving off a pleasant smell.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Solas said with a small, subtle smile as he turned from the desk he was leaning over to greet her.

"I wished to speak with you," she answered, returning his smile with one of her own. "And perhaps ask you a question or two."

"I would be happy to answer," he motioned for her to sit on the bench in front of the fire, the flames warming up her back, as he sat in a chair of his own across from her.

Numina though for a moment, not quite sure where to begin. No doubt Solas knew exactly why she was here, but she didn't want a simple question on who to pick, she wanted a way to decide who to pick. "Say you were caught in the middle of two options," she started. "Both of which have the same benefits and the same level of difficulty to get those benefits. How would you go about choosing?"

"I can see how that would be difficult decision to make," Solas agreed. "A few additional details might be necessary to make the decision, though."

"Both of your options are warring with one another, one is seen as more benevolent than the other, which is usually viewed with fear," she supplied, making it blatantly obvious what she was asking about.

"Hmm," Solas hummed thinking for a moment. He was pleased that Numina had sought him out for counsel on the matter at hand, but what impressed him greatly was that she wanted to remove the opinions of her own and the masses to see which was logically the better option. It was a very wise thing for her to do. He enjoyed seeing her wisdom and watching it have lasting effects on the things she did. "One could quickly make the assumption that the right thing to do is to go with the option that is seen as more benevolent," he began, "but some information about the one making the choice should be applied as well. If, for instance, she is in a position to make a change, perhaps she should do that. Change things. Go with the option that most people find fearful out of lack of understanding and change it so that there is understanding and less fear. If she belongs to a group that is an instrument of change, perhaps on the path of fixing one thing, she can fix things that have been wrong for centuries." Solas smiled at her. "Of course, that is my opinion." Numina nodded. "The world is changing, however. The hole in the sky proves that. Perhaps you should be the one to help it change for the better, if you can."

Numina looked into his eyes and smiled at him, her features bringing light into the room. The burden that was once etched into her eyes was gone and there was true beauty reflected there now. "Thank you, Solas," she breathed musically. "You have reminded me that not all change is bad, and you have helped me a great deal with your answer."

Solas felt genuinely happy knowing that he had been able to put her mind at ease. "I am happy to help," he said honestly. "Is there anything else I can do to aid you?"

"Yes," she said, rising to her feet, "you could prepare to travel to Redcliffe with me, if you would like."

"Of course," he said with a smile.

Numina left to inform Varric and Cassandra that they would be leaving for Redcliffe tomorrow morning. After that she was going to the advisors to inform them that she had made their decision for them since they could not agree, seemingly on anything.

Preparations were made. Supplies were packed and readied. And mounts were chosen from Master Dennet's magnificent horses. Everything was ready for the journey. They had delayed long enough.

~~.O.~~

"Andraste's flaming tits! What was that!?" Varric exclaimed once the rift had been sealed.

"A rift," Numina supplied, teasingly. "Think of it as a mini version of the Breach."

"Yes, I know what those are," Varric grumbled. "But what was the other stuff? Everything seemed to pick up speed or come to a near standstill."

"Oh, that. I have no idea."

"Time seemed to speed up and slow down in certain areas," Cassandra added. "But it only affected us, not your arrows or Solas' magic as they passed through."

"There is no known magic that can manipulate time," Solas said. "Present or past. It was more likely something similar to magic used to hasten things."

"And what about the slowness?" Numina asked

"Do you not move slower when you are chilled by a mage's magic?" Solas responded. "It could be something similar."

"Whatever it was," Varric interrupted, "I hope that they all don't start doing that."

"Agreed," Numina said, walking towards the gate that was now open since the rift had been closed. Words of thanks came down from the ramparts as they passed underneath. Clearly they had not expected the rift, least of all someone to come and close it for them.

An Inquisition scout arrived from the path leading to Redcliffe village. He looked worried. "You should know that no one was expecting us here," he said. "We have set up a meeting in the tavern for negotiations."

"What do you mean?" Numina asked. The whole situation was getting weirder and weirder. "The Grand Enchanter invited us here personally."

Before the Inquisition scoute could answer, however, a mage walked towards them with a plastered smile on his face for politeness. "Members of the Inquisition, welcome to Redcliffe! We were not expecting you, to be honest," he said admittingly. "And as such, Magister Alexius apologizes that he will be late for the negotiations. Former Grand Enchanter Fiona, however, is there and you can speak with her if you wish."

"Former?" Cassandra whispered behind Numina, voicing her own question. The mage did not hear, however.

"Thank you," Numina said politely. The mage offered a nod of respect before leaving them.

Numina turned to the others, almost questioning what to do next. The only answer they gave her was a slight shrug from each. They had no idea where to go from here either. Why can't anything ever be simple? she sighed before heading for the village.

Everything seemed off about this place. And it wasn't just the fact that there were more mages here than there were humans or elves. The whole atmosphere seemed...strange. Numina couldn't exactly say how, though. And that was just the atmosphere. What the people here spoke and whispered about was also completely off. The way they spoke about the Tevinter Magister arriving, it sounded as if he had been here for several months, not the weeks it took Numina to accept Grand Enchanter Fiona's invitation. There were also a lot of mixed signals coming from the mages. Few actually condoned the allegiance to Tevinter. Few actually wholeheartedly supported the rebellion. And most of the mages were only here because they had no where else to go since the Circles were disbanded.

There was one mage who did offer a few answers about the situation. Connor. The same Connor who, as a young boy, made a deal with a desire demon to save his father's life during the Civil War and the Fifth Blight. It was only because of the Hero of Fereldan's intervention and the help of the Feredan's Circle that Redcliffe and Connor were saved from the demon. Connor explained that out desperation and fear, Grand Enchanter Fiona had pledged the mage rebellion to Tevinter. She had done this a few days after the Conclave was destroyed, and Magister Alexius had thrown out Bann Teagan, Connor's Uncle.

"But that's impossible!" Numina exclaimed.

Connor looked confused. "How?"

"Grand Enchanter Fiona..." she stopped herself, realizing just how crazy she would sound if she continued with what she was saying, "would never lower herself or the mages to the likes of Tevinter," she stumbled.

"Fear and desperation can make you do things common sense screams against," he said. "And I should know."

Numina nodded. "I should go. Thank you for your time, Connor."

"Hopefully you can restore order here," he said, before turning to leave.

"Why would Grand Enchanter Fiona invite us here if she was already allied with this Magister Alexius?" Cassandra asked.

"I don't know. This whole place seems off," Numina said.

Varric hummed in agreement. "By the way, nice save. You actually managed to convince Connor that's what you meant."

"Thanks," she said flatly, before continuing towards the tavern. Hopefully the Grand Enchanter will have some answers.

~~.O.~~

"Come to the Chantry. You are in Danger." Numina read quietly to her companions as the entourage brought by the Magister left the tavern.

"A trap does always make for a good plot twist," Varric smirked. "Of course, if it is a trap, that is."

"It undoubtedly is," Cassandra added dryly.

"I don't see any other options available," Solas said, softly chastising. He hadn't said anything in a while. Numina found it a little unnerving. It meant he did not even have any idea as to what was going on. "And expecting it to be a trap does give a slight advantage."

"Good," Numina said with dry humor, heading for the door. "My day would be incomplete without an ambush."

The Chantry was on a hill that overlooked Redcliffe village. It looked rather ominous with its darkened windows and the cold stone exterior. As they made their way towards it, they found that the mages were a bit more willing to speak with them. Magister Alexius would not be coming to the village soon, so they did not need to worry about him overhearing their words. As suspected previously, many of them did not approve of the alliance with Tevinter. In fact, it sounded as though Grand Enchanter Fiona had made the decision without consulting the rest of the rebellion. Many commented on how odd it was. At the admission of their displeasure and fear, Numina would subtly suggest that they join the Inquisition. Those that weren't too fearful enthusiastically agreed. A few Tranquil even asked her if they might join. They were afraid that Magister Alexius would kill them since they were viewed as abominations now with their magic was cut off. Though maybe afraid isn't the appropriate word. They could not feel afraid, however they did not wish to die.

It was still and silent outside of the Chantry. There was a sign on the door saying that it was closed down "due to troubles with the foundation that may endanger the faithful." There was a loud explosion from inside. The doors and windows shook and rattled. Dust fell from the roof and old stone walls, dislodged by the force.

Numina and Cassandra kicked open the doors and rushed in, Varric and Solas following close behind, everyone's weapons drawn and at the ready. The mark on her hand ached and shimmered green. A rift in here! The green miasma poured from the rift, casting everything in a corrupted light. Beyond them was a man, he was fighting off several demons. He would strike them with his staff before finishing them off with his magic.

"Good! You're finally here," he said lightly and enthusiastically, despite the demons pouring from the rift. "Now be a good girl and close this, would you?" His voice had a bit of humor in it.

She released her arrow. His eyes largening in fear was payback enough for his teasing taunt. The arrow flew past him, the mage would later swear that he felt the feathers graze his cheek, and sank into the demon that had appeared behind this mysterious mage. Numina followed her first arrow with two more in rapid fire.

"Oh!" the mage exclaimed, as he saw Numina's intended target and watched it die. "I didn't see him coming."

More demons appeared and they all focused on attacking the creatures rather than figuring out what was going on. Pockets that distorted speed in certain areas appeared once more with each wave caused by the rift, just like the one they had encountered at the gates earlier.

The mage watched closely as Numina closed the rift, green channels of energy surging from the rift to the mark on her hand. She could feel it growing. With an explosion of emerald smoke, the rift was sealed.

"Fascinating," the mage said in wonder, approaching Numina. "How does that work, exactly?" Numina could only shrug. Despite her many attempts at guessing. None of her theories ever fit. The mage chuckled, amused. "You don't even know, do you? You just wiggle your fingers, and boom! Rift closes."

"Who are you?" Numina asked a bit defensively.

"Ah, getting ahead of myself again, I see." The mage offered Numina a small bow. "Dorian of Hous Pavis, most recently of Minrathous. How do you do?"

"Another Tevinter," Cassandra sneered. "Be cautious with this one."

"Suspicious friends you have here," Dorian laughed, brushing Cassandra's comment and the shaded dirty looks coming from the others. "Magister Alexius was once my mentor. so my assistance should be valuable- as I'm sure you can imagine."

"Are you a magister, then?" Varric asked. As Cassandra shot him a dirty look he added, "What? It's not the stupidest question to ask."

"Alright," Dorian sighed, "let's say this once: I am a mage from Tevinter, but not a member of the Magisterium. I know southerners use the terms interchangeably, but that only makes you sound like barbarians."

Cassandra let out a disgusted snort. She is really wound up by all this, Numina noted. "I was expecting Felix to be here, or was he not completely pretending to be faint?"

"Felix should be around shortly," he answered. "He'll meet us here once he's ditched his father, who no doubt is playing mother hen since Felix has had a lingering illness for some time now."

Numina nodded. "Why is it you are betraying your mentor-?"

"Former mentor," he interrupted. "Meaning he's not any longer, not for some time." Dorian almost sounded as though the idea that Alexius as his current mentor was repulsive. "Look, I get that you're suspicious, but you must know there's danger. That should be obvious even without the note."

"She throws herself at rifts that spew demons," Cassandra bit out coldly. "You're going to have to state something rather than the obvious to be convincing."

"Yes, yes," Dorian brushed her off. "I'm going to have to do better than that, I know. And I will." his gaze shifted from Cassandra back to Numina. "Let's start with Alexius claiming the allegiance of the mage rebels out from under you. As if by magic, yes? Which is exactly right. To reach Redcliffe before the Inquisition, Alexius distorted time itself."

Numina easily caught on. Even though it was crazy to think that magic could be used to alter time, it did explain all the other crazy things that had been happening in Redcliffe. "He arranged it so he could arrive here just after the Divine died?"

"You catch on quick."

"That is fascinating if true," Solas remarked, "and almost certainly dangerous."

"The rift you closed here," Dorian continued. "You saw how it twisted time around itself, sped somethings up and slowed others down? Soon there will be more like it, and they'll appear further and further away from Redcliffe."

"As if they weren't already a pain in the ass," Varric groaned.

"The magic Alexius is using is wildly unstable, and it's unraveling the world."

"How is it that you know so much about it?" Cassandra accused.

"Is she always like this?" Dorian asked.

"Consider yourself lucky," Numina joked. "She held her sword to my throat and asked me to tell her a truth I couldn't remember. This is her being nice, I think."

Dorian narrowed his eyes, but he appreciated the joke. "I know what I'm talking about. I helped develop this magic. When I was his apprentice, it was pure theory. Alexius could never get it to work." He shook his head. "What I don't understand is why he's doing it. Ripping time to shreds just to gain a few hundred lackeys?"

"He didn't do it for them," came a voice from the side of the Chantry. It was Felix.

"Took you long enough!" Dorian joked. "Is he getting suspicious?"

"No, but I shouldn't have played the illness card. I thought he'd be fussing over me all day." Felix turned to Numina. "My father's joined a cult," he explained. "Tevinter supremacists. They call themselves the Venatori. And I can tell you one thing: whatever he's done for them, he's done it to get to you."

Numina sighed loudly, shaking her head. "Just once. Just once could someone go after the sarcastic dwarf, the angry warrior, or the knowledgeable mage?"

Varric let out a throaty laugh. "You had glows green. If that doesn't paint you the main character of this tragedy, then I don't know what does."

"Maybe if I had vibrantly pink or orange hair?"

"That's so ridiculous, of course it's true," he chuckled.

"They are obsessed with you," Felix added. "But I don't know why. Perhaps because you survived the Temple of Sacred Ashes?"

"You can close the rifts," Doriad said as another possible answer. "Maybe there's a connection. Or they see you as a threat?"

"If the Venatori are behind the rifts or the Breach in the sky, they're worse than I thought. And for my father's sake, he must be stopped."

Dorian smiled, he had a trick up his sleeve it seemed. "You know you're his target. Expecting the trap is the first step in turning it to your advantage. I can't stay in Redcliffe. Alexius doesn't know I'm here, and I want to keep it that way. But whenever you want to spring the trap on Alexius, I want to be there. I'll be in touch." Dorian turned to leave out of the back door of the Chantry. Before he left though, he looked over his shoulder one last time. "Oh and Felix? Try not to get yourself killed." he added jokingly.

"There are worse things than dying, Dorian," Felix said, before he too left.

Only Numina and her companions remained in the Chantry. After a few seconds of silence Numina spoke. "Well that was…"

"Interesting," Solas finished for her.

"I do not like this," Cassandra said.

"Oh, we were all well aware, Seeker," Varric added dryly. "You could have made it much more obvious, though."

Cassandra rolled her eyes at him. "Whether or not you truly wish to pursue the mages," she continued, "we should return to Haven and explore our options."

"Magister Alexius also said he would send word to us when we could continue our negotiations, as well," Numina agreed.

As for making up her mind on whether or not she was going to pursue the aid of the mages, Numina already made her choice. Once she learned that the Magister had claimed Redcliffe and that the mages were pledged to them, she knew that she had no choice. Tevinter did not belong in Fereldan. It did not belong anywhere outside of the Imperium. They could not leave this foreign power unchecked and with full control of the mages. And we will not.

~~.O.~~

The path to Redcliffe castle was well worn by hooves, wheels, and travelers. And it felt as though every inch of it was occupied with a Tevinter soldier. They stood on either side of the road. Hands ready on their weapons, metal masks ominous and violent. Numina was uneasy. If they were to attack now, Numina, even with the aid of Cassandra and Solas, would only be able to put up a fight for so long before she was overwhelmed. I hope Dorian was able to get the Inquisition's soldiers in. She silently offered the Creators a prayer. Numina had never really been one for praying often to the gods, yet as she continued to work for the Inquisition, she found herself doing it more often. Perhaps I need to find a new line of work…

The castle was dim and depressing. The dark blue light that flickered from the candles, clearly from magic, seemed to smother everything in shadows. In these shadows, Numina could hear the words of her advisors echoing mockingly.

"It's an obvious trap," Josephine whispered.

"We are certain he wants to kill you," Lelianna hissed.

"If you go in there, you'll die," Cullen growled.

A man with two Venatori soldiers stood before them in the main hall. "Announce us," Numina growled when he remained there quietly.

"The magister's invitation was for Mistress Lavellan alone. The others must wait here."

Numina bristled. She couldn't believe how blatant Alexius was being with his instructions. At least have some finesse when you're going to try and kill me via trap. "Where I go, they go," she said in her most polite voice.

The man surveyed who Numina was going to take with her: a fierce looking warrior and mage. But he finally nodded his consent before leading the way to the throne room. All the while, the Tevinter soldiers would turn to watch before following. Their armor rustling and their metal greaves rapping against the ground.

As they were walking, Solas brushed against her arm lightly. "Do not let your guard down," he breathed lightly, his soft words slicing through the silence.

"I never do," Numina replied equally as quiet.

Magister Alexius was seated on Arl Teagan's throne. Felix was at his side, his equal. And Fiona was almost cowering off to the side. The soldiers that had been following Numina and her friends lined themselves along the carpet leading to the throne, joining those that were already there. Even if Felix and Fiona helped should there be a fight, they would not be able to win.

"My lord magister, the agents of the inquisition have arrived."

"My friend!" Alexius said graciously, rising to his feet. "It's so good to see you again. And your...associates, of course." Try as he might. The magister could not keep the displeasure from his voice. "I'm sure we can work out some arrangement that is equitable to all parties."

"Are we mages to have no voice in deciding our fate?" Fiona spoke up.

"Fiona, you would not have turned your followers over to my care if you did not trust me with their lives." Alexius sounded as though he were scolding a child.

Numina saw her chance to gain at least one ally against the magister. "If the grand enchanter wants to be part of these talks, then I welcome her as a guest of the Inquisition."

"Thank you," she said earnestly.

Alexius seemed rather displeased once more. He returned to the throne and sat down, almost as if to remind them that he had power and authority and they did not. "The Inquisition needs mages to close the Breach, and I have them. So, what shall you offer in exchange?"

Solas coughed slightly, and Numina quickly cast her eyes to the side. She saw Dorian and several soldiers sneaking into position out of the Magister's sight. I'm going to have fun with this. "Absolutely nothing," she said with a smile. "I plan on simply taking them and leaving."

"And how do you think you'll do that."

She let her smile drop and said politely, "Through you."

"She knows everything, Father," Felix said.

"Felix. What have you done?"

"He was concerned about you," Numina answered.

How Alexius managed to keep his rage contained so well was an impressive feat. He rose once more, angrily. "You walk into my stronghold with your stolen mark- a gift you don't even understand- and think you're in control?" He growled. "You're nothing but a mistake."

Numina felt a little bit of anger stir. "If you're so knowledgeable on the subject, then enlighten me: tell me what this mark on my hand is."

"It is a tool to bring Tevinter back from the brink," he hissed, "and a weapon to take control of this world."

"Father, listen to yourself! Do you know what you sound like?" Felix exclaimed.

"He sounds exactly like every villainous cliché everyone expects us to be." Dorian approached from behind one of the pillars that decorated the throne room. He walked cautiously, making his way to Numina's side.

"Dorian," Alexius said flatly. "I gave you a chance to be a part of this. You turned it down. The Elder One has power you would not believe. He will rise the Imperium from its own ashes."

"That's who you serve? The one who killed the Divine?" Numina asked, hoping the magister's pride would continue to give up bits of information.

"Soon he will become a god!" Alexius proclaimed. He was beginning to sound insane. "He will make the world bow to mags once more. We will rule from the Boeric Ocean to the Frozen Seas."

"You can't involve my people in this!" Fiona exclaimed.

"Alexius, this is exactly what you and I talked about never wanting to happen," Dorian pleaded. "Why would you support this?" His voice muffled the sounds of arrows striking the Tevinter soldiers. Alexius had turned his back on Dorian. He didn't see his soldiers falling quietly to the ground.

"Stop it, Father!" Felix begged, and for a moment Numina thought that they had a chance of convincing Alexius. "Give up the Venatori. Let the southern mages fight the Breach, and let's go home."

"No! It's the only way, Felix. He can save you!"

"Save me?"

"There is a way," Alexius explained. "The Elder One promised. If I undo the mistake at the Temple."

"I'm going to die," Felix said bravely, his voice catching slightly. "You need to accept that."

Alexius shook his head. "Seize them, Venatori! The Elder One demand this elf's life!"

It was then that the Inquisition's soldiers killed the rest of the Venatori. The groans and cut off cries echoed in the throne room. Alexius looked shocked and taken aback. He still expected the upper hand.

"Your men are dead Alesius," Numina said sternly.

"You...are a mistake!" He hissed as though he were a snake. " You never should have existed!"

Alexius held out his hand, and an amulet began to levitate, strange green magic flickering like tiny lightning bolts coming off of it. "No!" Dorian cried, wielding his own magic as if to counter it. Alexius was thrown back slightly, but it did not stop what happened next.

A cloud of blue and green magic enveloped Numina and Dorian, choking them. "Numina!" she heard Solas cry as he reached out to her. Numina did the same, but their hands never met. Solas could not pull her from the magic Alexius had cast. Solas couldn't save her.

~~.O.~~

She was falling. Terror surged through her. Am I dead? She was too afraid to know the answer. Then it hit her. Or she hit it. Water. She gasped at the cold and breathed in some of the water. Rising to her feet, she coughed fiercely. Beside her, Dorian was doing the same.

Numina did not have time to figure out what had happened or where they were. "Blood of the Elder one!" someone cried. She looked up and found two soldiers whose twisted helmets identified them as Venatori.

"Where'd they come from!?" the other shouted. The question apparently did not need an answer, though. They attacked without receiving one. And they were killed without receiving one.

Dazed, confused. Hurting from muscles strained. Head throbbing. Numina saw them attacking and reached for her magic as if by instinct. She engulfed them in a column of flame; the inferno reduced them to ash.

Numina was gasping for breath. Dorian was not faring any better than her, but something needed to be said. They needed to figure out what happened and what to do next. "Displacement? Interesting," he mused. "It's safe to say that this isn't what Alexius intended. The rift must have moved us...to what?" He rose to his feet.

"The last thing I remember, we were in the castle hall." Numina was having a rough time recovering.

"Let's see: if we're still in the castle it isn't simply where we are...it's when." The cheery man she had seen earlier in the Chantry and latter at Haven was now very grim. There was no light in his eyes. Numina imaged that she looked the same way. "Alexius used the amulet as a focus; it moved us through time."

"Through time?" Numina's voice cracked. "We have to get back Dorian."

"I know. Our best bet is that we find that amulet and reverse the spell. To do that, we must look around, see where that rift took us."

The two found themselves in a cell. They were in a part of the dungeon that was flooded. Upon exiting and traversing stairs upwards, Numina began to feel a strain. It wasn't physical, it was like this knot in her stomach that continued to get larger and larger.. Her breathing was shallowed. She was absolutely terrified. Not even the Breach had scared her when she faced it. Yet fear overwhelmed her and it only continued to grow as she and Dorian continued onwards and with their surroundings.

It smelled of death and rot. Even with the light of the torches, it was always dark. There were always shadows. It was inescapable. And that wasn't even the worst of it. Red Lyrium. It littered the walls and sprouted from the ground. It was taking this place over as if it were a weed in a garden. It ran rampant, corrupting all. Though it glowed as though you were shining a light through blood, it did not chase away the darkness that seeped everywhere.

They continued on, passing through different holding chambers and cells that were in no better shape than the rest of their surroundings. The whole place was dismal and depressing. It was broken down and battered. Whatever time had passed for this place, it had not been kind.

Numina had walked through a door that opened up to another set of cells. They were seemingly empty. No sounds were coming from inside. She turned to leaved, accidentally sending a loose piece of stone wall that had crumbled ricocheting across the ground. It's scraps and clangs echoed fiercely in the deathly still atmosphere.

"Is someone there? Reveal yourself!"

I know that voice... It's twisted and warped, but I know it. It had come from the last cell on the right. Numina ran to it, desperate to find out if it was in fact him.

"Wait!" Dorian called out to her, but she did not listen.

She stopped in front of the cell door. "Solas," she breathed, almost like a prayer.

"You...You're alive!" Solas said, disbelieving. "But how? We saw you die. I couldn't- we couldn't save you."

Had she not been a part of this mess, she would not believe that she was here either. But what shocked Numina even more was the state Solas was in. He was thin, ghastly so. A red fog hung about his head, and his irises were red as well. He was alive, though it looked as if he was barely so. And his voice, it echoed. That is why sounded warped to her. What has happened? What have they done to him?

Dorian had finally approached as Numina threw open Solas' cell door. "The spell Alexius cast displaced us in time. We just got here, so to speak."

"Can you reverse the process?" Solas asked, desperation creeping into his voice. "You could return and obviate the events of the last year. It may not be too late..."

"It's been a year?" Numina asked in a small voice. "What happened? You..." She couldn't finish her sentence.

"I am dying," he said bluntly. "Red lyrium is an infection that kills slowly, painfully... But you know nothing of this world. It is far worse than you could hope to understand." Numina took in a sharp breath. How could it get worse than what it already was. "Alexius served a master, The Elder One. He reigns now, unchallenged. His minions assassinated Empress Celen and used the chaos to invade the south. This Elder One commands an army of demons. After you stop Alexius, you must be prepared."

"We cannot hope to do this without you," Numina said, her eyes looking into his apologetically.

"If there is any hope. Any way to save them...my life is yours," Solas said earnestly, sorrowfully. "This world is an abomination. It must never come to pass."

"What happened to the others," Numina asked, almost too fearful to know.

"Cassandra is here. That much I know because we both nearly died trying to avenge you. Not that it did us much good. Alexius' reinforcements were overwhelming. He imprisoned us here along with Fiona." Solas paused. "As for the others... They died fighting alongside the Inquisition."

"All of them?" Numina's voice was shaking. Overwhelming sorrow and crippling guilt washed over her. "I can't-"

"Think about it," Solas finished for her firmly. "You must not dwell on it. Only focus on going back. We will all be alive then." Numina nodded. He was right. He was almost always right.

"Come on," Dorian said. "We should try to find Cassandra and Fiona.

Numina let Dorian lead the way. This place sickened her. It brought her nothing but despair. This will come to pass if I fail. So much relies on me, and here I failed. What are the odds that I will succeed? It was a crippling thought. One that she kept to herself as she fought through this nightmare of a future.

Locating Cassandra had been easy. She had been loudly reciting the Chant of Light when they approached. And she was dying in the same way Solas was. It tore at her heart to see people that she considered to be friends in such a state. And it was all on her. It was and still could be all her fault that they were like this.

Solas had said that red lyrium was an infection. Nothing proved it quite so well and horribly like Fiona did though. It was growing from her. Red lyrium encased the lower have of her body, thick chunks sprouting from her. She was contorted in such a way that she had to lean forward against the lyrium that had taken hold of her. A cruel insult to a unimaginably cruel fate.

Numina was mortified. Words could not explain the horror and disgust that gripped her as she looked at Fiona. The knot that had been growing in her stomach wound tighter, and the flickering in her chest beat faster. Solas had been vastly understating things when he said this world was an abomination. It was worse. Far worse.

Though Fiona was in immeasurable pain, she was able to pass on a bit of information. Leliana, the Inquisition's spymaster, was here still alive. With gasped, croaking words she begged Numina and the others to find Leliana and to end this nightmare. And to end it first for her.

"Ma nuvenin," Numina said in a whisper, before slitting Fiona's throat, ending her suffering. The blood splashed against the angry red lyrium which glowed hungrily as the thick liquid covered it. It was as if the lyrium craved flesh and sinew and blood. As if it were an evil thing, alive and nourished by suffering.

It was repulsive. The castle stank of rotting flesh and death. It oozed from the cracks from the walls and burned against the lyrium growing, glowing from every corner it seemed. It was overwhelming. Numina found herself choking on it. The grotesque smell scorched her throat and burned a hole through her stomach. And she was weak. No person should have to endure such a place or such circumstances. She could not.

Numina braced herself against one of the crumbling walls as her body convulsed, retching and regurgitating everything in her stomach. Had it been anywhere else but this place she would have been embarrassed and disgusted with herself. Here, in the nightmare, this hateful, vengeful, disgusting place; it was an appropriate response. And none of her companions thought less of her for it.

Dorian had only been surprised she managed to regain her composure for so long. Tevinter had hardened him. This place was an atrocity on a grand scale, but small atrocities of a similar nature were commonplace back in his homeland. He believed Numina's issue was that she cared too much. The thoughts and ideas and scenarios she concocted about her surroundings, what happened, what people had to endure clouded and affected her as though she had been there. Dorian did not think ill of her because of it, her kindness and caring nature were endearing, but he new that in this circumstance it would cripple her, if she allowed it to. As it would Dorian if he did not actively push it back with sarcastic wit and humor he buried everything with.

Cassandra did not look. She did not stare. She knew it would only harm. The despair Numina was feeling was similar to the despair she had felt being locked in a tiny cell with walls that closed in as the voices draped in red grew louder. It was the same despair she felt as the Venatori soldiers goaded her with death tolls and taunts about how those she knew had died. If Cassandra were to give Numina any advice, it would be to let that ocean of despair drown her quickly so that it could turn to the fires of rage that would drive her forward as it did for Cassandra now. But she did not say anything. Numina needed to let it burn through her before any words could help.

And Solas was the one there to help her. He rested a hand lightly on her back. She was shaking. He wanted to bring light to the darkness that was drowning her, but knew that it was self inflicted. Blame. Numina was blaming herself in the same way that he had. But she could not know that it was his fault. It would not help their situation. Instead, all he could offer her was a comforting presence for the moment.

"I'm sorry," she coughed quietly.

"Don't be," he reassured her. "None of us blame you. For anything. You had no control over anything that happened here."

"But it still could happen," she argued softly. "If we fix things here, what is to stop this future coming to pass later with something else."

Numina turned to him, wiping her face roughly. He offered her a handkerchief, white satin that seemed to glow, with the small outline of a wolf's head in the corner. She had read of such things. Nobles kept them and gave them to those they were trying to woe, or so the romance stories stated. Numina claimed it graciously, taking care not to dirty it too much

"You are." Solas finally answered. "You are the one who will stop this from happening. All of this…" he continued motioning to the surroundings, "is because you were removed from the timeline. Had you been here, your wisdom, courage, and that small bit of stubbornness you have would not have allowed this to come to pass." There was a subtle smile pressing on his features. "You are the key to our salvation, and while it may be a great burden, seemingly unfair, there is no one else who could carry it a well or far as you could."

His words shook life in Numina again. This nightmare of a future had only come to pass because she had not been there to chase it away. "You are right," she admitted. "I am sorry." She straightened, strength returning to her. It still gnawed at her that her friends endured such torment, but she needed to shoulder that, carry it and make sure it didn't happen. Light returned to her in this dismal place, and she held on to it tightly. She could not save her friends from this fate if she fell to the despair that pressed against her. "Thank you," she added to Solas, returning his handkerchief.

"Keep it," he told her. "As a memento of remembrance. Let it remind you of what you are, and what you can do. That you are constantly changing things, the future included."

She nodded, tucking his token of memory into the vambrace she wore on her left arm. It was out of sight, protected by the leather, but she could still feel it pressed against her. She would not forget.

"Let's find Leliana, and end this," Numina said strongly, taking the lead with Dorian. The crushing weight of this place felt, but tempered with resolve. She was going to get out of this and keep it from happening. There is the stubbornness Solas mentioned, Numina thought quietly, acknowledging the new resolve she forced upon herself. Let it be a tool and not a crutch.

The higher they climbed up in Redcliffe castle, the worse things got. There were more bodies littering the passageways, rotting carrion that not even a starving scavenger would touch. That was, of course, if the ever growing amount of red lyrium did not ward them off first.

They had found the torture chambers. Twisted, grotesque metal protruding from lyrium. A table with an assortment of common tools manipulated for a darker purpose. Piles of bodies were a common sight in these rooms. None of the others could hide their disgust at this area of the castle.

"And I thought I had it bad," Cassandra said dryly. "Has Leliana truly been able to survive all this?"

"We will find out soon enough," Dorian answered lightly. He was trying to keep the humor and light in his voice. He was almost succeeding.

"How did the Herald know to interrupt the ritual at the Conclave?" came a sinister voice. It was coming from the door in front of them.

"You will get nothing from me!" It was Leliana's voice, muffled by the door. "Ah!" she cried out as she was struck by her torturer.

"You have done well to survive this long, but the Elder One will have his answers!"

They were almost there.

"I will die first!"

Numina kicked the door opened. The torturer spun around to face the intruder, metal mask hiding his surprise. He was standing in front of Leliana, who was hanging, chained from a metal rampart that hung from the ceiling.

"Or you will!" Leliana snarled as she wrapped her legs around his neck. The Venatori soldier thrashed about, but Leliana's grip was too strong. The metal pliers that he brandished fell to the floor as Leliana snapped his neck. His body crumpled, and Numina ran over, retrieving his keys and releasing Leliana from the shackles that held her.

"You're alive!" the spymaster breathed, slouching from the freedom her limbs now had. Numina could not believe that this was Leliana. Her voice was the same, but as for everything else… Her skin was a sickly grey that clung to her bones tightly, sucked in with malnourishment among other things. Her eyes were haunted and dead. Though Numina cursed herself for thinking it, Leliana looked like a ghoul. A body reanimated.

"Well that was impressive," Dorian said from behind Numina, still trying to keep his humor.

"Anger is stronger than any pain," Leliana growled. It was her new tone it seemed. One of perpetual anger and venom that growled and hissed. "Do you have weapons?" She asked Numina, who offered her a nod for an answer. "Good. The magister is probably in his chambers." Leliana strode past Numina to a corner of the torture cell, retrieving a bow and quiver from a chest.

"You aren't curious how we got here?" Dorian asked, rather disbelieving of Leliana's complete lack of caring about anything other than getting to Alexius.

"No."

He told her anyway. "Alexius sent us to the future. This. His victory, his Elder One- it was never meant to happen."

"I am so sorry for everything you suffered," Numina apologized, though she knew it would mean nothing to her. An apology can't fix the things you go through.

"We have to reverse his spell," Dorian continued. "If we can get back to our present time, we can prevent this future from ever happening."

"And mages wonder why people fear them," she sneered. "No one should have this power."

"It's dangerous and unpredictable," Dorian agreed, "but before the Breach nothing we did-"

"Enough!" Leliana spat. "This is all just pretend to you, some future you hope will never exist. I suffered," she hissed. "We suffered," she added motioning to Solas and Cassandra. "The whole world suffered. It was real!"

"And we can suffer it a little while longer and help them prevent it," Cassandra responded. Leliana gazed at her former friend and comrade before nodding her agreement.

"Let's end this," she hissed before leading the way to the Alexius' chambers.

Numina and Dorian could only get an idea of how bad the world was from the current surroundings. Images of demons, rifts, and lyrium running rampant flashed through their minds. They would picture places they had been, their homes, and add a splash of red glow, destroyed buildings and forests with demons running amok. It was only when the reached Redcliffe castle's courtyard that they could paint a more accurate picture of what their world had been turned into because of Magister Alexius and his Elder One.

"The Breach!" Numina cried out in alarm. "It's...everywhere!"

"The Veil is shattered. There is no boundary now between the world and the Fade," Solas explained flatly.

It was unbelievable. The sky was an angry vortex of green. Stones and chunks of land hovered in the air, creating a broken pathway to the sky. Green lightning flickered and the whole world shook with the Breach. Numina's hand hummed angrily, flashing a bright green. It did not bring her pain, but she felt a slight pull as if it wanted to get closer to the Breach, the sky.

Rifts were everywhere. They would clear one of them only to have another sprout with a bolt of lightning from the sky. Numina could no longer rely on her arrows as her only method of attacking. She switched to her daggers, dancing around demons and slicing them apart, casting magic hastily to keep a second enemy off of herself or her companions. It may have been a more effective way of fighting, given the increasing number of demons, but it did leave her in close contact with them.

After cutting down a lesser shade, Numina was violently thrown by an enemy she had not seen approaching. She slammed into the old fountain that had been a centerpiece in the courtyard, head cracking loudly against the stone. Black stars darted through her vision as she tried to shake off the dizziness. Warm blood trickled from where the skin had split on her forehead, above her right eye.

"Numina!" Cassandra shouted in warning. The demon was still on top of her, and the others were busy with monsters of their own.

Numina wiped the blood that had ran into her eye, irritating and a hindering her vision worse than the dizziness was. The demon towered above where she had fallen. She was finding it easier and easier to pull on her magic to fight, though not in ability. She found it easier to justify using it.

With an outstretched hand, lightning arced from her palm and burrowed its way through the demon. It wailed as flesh was incinerated, leaving a gaping hole in its torso. The screams echoed as Numina rose quickly rose to feet, recklessly so as her dizziness nearly sent her falling once more. She reached for the rift and pulled, draining and sealing it faster than she usually did.

Blood continued to rain from the deep gash on her forehead where it had made contact with the stone of the fountain. It burned angrily as the warm blood started to dry on her face and in her starlight gold hair. The right side of her face was streaked with small rivers of blood that trickled and caked to her skin. Solas tried to get Numina to allow him to clean the wound and stem the bleeding, but she refused.

"We must keep going," she said, leading the group back inside the castle. They found themselves in the room that lead to the throne. On their right and left, there were doors that lead to the chambers of those that lived here. The door to the throne room was sealed, and there was no doubt that Alexius had sealed himself inside.

After many bloody encounters with Venatori soldiers and mages, they finally had the last shard that could be used to remove the elaborate lock on the throne room door. Though they were worse for the ware. Cassandra had several deep gashes on her arms. Solas had a wound on his shoulder where he had deflected a sword from a killing blow with his staff. Dorian had a slash across his left cheek from a rogue's dagger. He had whined saying that it would make him less handsome in the long run. Leliana was kept to the back and didn't receive any wounds, but there was no doubt that she was exhausted, having suffered the worst treatment at the hands of the Venatori. And Numina, in addition to the wound on her forehead that had finally stopped bleeding, though she did not bother to wipe away the blood that dried, had a large burn on her right leg where a Venatori mage's flames had caught her off guard. Thankfully the heat had created and sealed the wound, making it bloodless.

Wounded, but not defeated, the entered the throne room, doors booming like thunder on the walls as they were thrown open. Numina drew her bow and fitted an arrow onto the string while walking towards Alexius. He had his back turned to them, facing the blue flames in the fireplace.

"I was worried I would have to search the whole castle for you, Alexius," Numina sneered. She drew her bow fully and stared him down.

"There's no longer anywhere to run," Alexius said, defeated. "I knew you would appear again. Not that it would be now. But I knew I hadn't destroyed you. My final failure."

"Was it worth it?" Dorian asked breathlessly. "Everything you did to the world? To yourself?"

"It doesn't matter now. All we can do is wait for the end."

"What do you mean?" Numina demanded, not lessening her grip or stance. "What's ending?"

Alexius chuckled cynically. "The irony that you should appear now of all possibilities." He shook his head. "All that I fought for, all that I betrayed, and what have I wrought? Ruin and death. There is nothing else," he answered. "The Elder One comes: for me, for you, for us all."

Leliana appeared from the shadows and seized the man that had been crouched before the fire. He let out a cry and could now be recognized, his face lit by the eerie light. Leliana placed a dagger across his throat as she hauled him up. And Alexius recoiled away, reaching out a hand to show he was not a threat and that he would do anything.

"Felix!" he gasped.

"That's Felix!" Dorian said in disbelief. "Maker's breath, Alexius. What have you done!?" Dorian was all but yelling by the end of his question.

"He would have died, Dorian. I saved him!" Alexius pleaded. "Please, don't hurt my son. I'll do anything you ask."

Numina could not believe that Alexius still believed he had done right by his son. Anyone with eyes could see that he had failed. "You didn't save him, Alexius. No one should live like that."

"I want the world back!" Leliana growled before dragging her dagger across Felix's throat.

Alexius watched his son's body fall to the ground in horror. "No!" he wailed, tossing Leliana aside with a spell, his rage fueling him.

He turned to face Numina. "You will not survive this!" he spat. "A pity, you would have made for a unique slave."

It drew out Numina's anger. It burned and raged. She had never felt such an inferno inside of herself before. She never felt such rage. It was a fire that gave her strength, that had been fueled by the atrocities of this world. Alexius deserved no mercy or sympathy for what he had done to all the people who suffered and died in this future.

She lost control, letting her magic spill out from her, a flood of destruction and will that she directed at Alexius. Her arrows flew with lightning chasing them. She dodged with flames erupting from where she had been. Ice froze those that struck at her. Numina became a force of nature. A whirlwind of elemental energy chasing Alexius and the demons he pulled forth with his rifts in the veil and in time.

Solas and Dorian were shocked by her strength of will and her repertoire of spells she had kept hidden for so long. There were in awe of her force as one who wielded magic. Yet she was no mage. She fought like a rogue, small, calculated moves that dealt severe damage in as little movement as possible. Numina had the grace and skill of a rogue, and the strength of a warrior, sending her foes backwards with her daggers and arrows. And her magic, it served as an augmentation of her blows, elaborating them with deadly willpower that amplified the destruction.

Numina was angry. And blow after deadly blow only empowered her more. She danced, daggers spinning. She danced, arrows flying. She danced, magic swirling.

And then she saw it. An opening. Opening rifts, casting magic, taking on Numina and her companions had weakened him over time. Alexius' defenses were faltering, barriers flickering in and out of existence. It was on one such pulse that Numina rushed forward, her magic creating echos of where her form had been, as she propelled her steps with strength drawn from the Fade. She was there, catching Alexius on her daggers in a surge of faint blue light.

Alexius' gasp turned into a soft gurgle as his lungs were flooded with his own blood. Numina and her daggers were the only reason he was standing. As she slid them out of his body, he collapsed onto the ground. Dorian approached, sorrow lingering in his eyes for his former mentor.

"He wanted to die, didn't he? All those lies he told himself, the justifications… He lost Felix long ago and didn't even notice. Oh, Alexius..." he sighed before bending over and retrieving the amulet that had been used to send them to this future. "This is the same amulet we crafted in Minrathous. That's a relief. Give me an hour to work out the spell he used, and I should be able to reopen the rift."

"An hour!?" Leliana asked, alarmed. "That's impossible! You must go NOW!"

With her last word, the entire castle shook with an unearthly screech that rung through the air. Leliana and the others looked panic cowering slightly as loose stone fell from the walls and ceiling. The roar sounded out once more, thunderous against the walls.

"What was that!?" Numina shouted.

"The Elder One!" Solas answered. "You cannot stay here!" The desperation in his voice was almost tanable. He turned to Cassandra, and the two of them made a decision. Nodding their acknowledgement of the choice they made. "We'll hold the outer door," Solas told Leliana. "When they get past us, it will be your turn." They turned to leave, determination being the only thing keeping them from hesitating.

"Wait!" Numina cried. "There must be another way." Her voice cracked slightly. "If you go out there you'll die."

"We are already dead, lethallan." Solas said quietly. "The only way we live is if this day never comes." Cassandra reopened the throne doors and walked through. Solas followed her, but turned back once more. "Remember Numina," he added, touching his fingers to his heart. "Remember who you are and what you can do." Solas slammed the doors shut, sealing the throne room once more. Numina felt her heart stop, becoming a painful ache. Unconsciously, she clutched the area his token of memory was beneath her armor.

"Cast your spell," Leliana said, taking position in front of the doors. "You have as much time as I have arrows."

Dorian and Numina retreated to the back. Dorian began casting his spell. Almost cautiously at first, magic flickering tentatively as he worked out what Alexius had same blue-green glow that had brought them here began to emanate off of the amulet once more. Numina nocked an arrow, aiming for the door.

The sounds of battle came from the door, muffled but no less violent.

"Though darkness closes, I am shielded by flame."

There was a cry from Cassandra, cut off abruptly as a loud crash sounded against the walls. Solas roared angrily followed by a destructive explosion. Leliana had her bow drawn, standing ready.

The door burst open explosively. A demon, one of the taller ones covered in sickly green was dragging Solas' body. Upon entering the room, it threw him to the side as if he were nothing.

Numina let out a startled cry, moving forward as if to attack.

"No!" Dorian shouted, pulling her back to her senses. She stayed where she was, though every fiber in her being told her not to.

"Andraste guide me. Maker, take me to your side." Each word that Leliana said was punctuated with arrows as she downed demons and Venatori soldiers alike. She was taking down their numbers, but one of the Venatori's arrows reached her. Leliana cried out in pain, and Numina found herself moving forward, arrow ready to be released once more.

"You move, we all die!" Dorian shouted, grabbing arm and dragging her back.

Leliana kept fighting. Striking enemies with her bow and killing them with arrows she wielded. She kept fighting.

A rift began to open. Dorian's magic was working. Magic began to wisp around their ankles, pulling them to the rift. Numina looked back at Leliana once more. In time to see her eyes hopeful as a demon cut her down.

And then everything went white with blinding light.

In the distance, Numina could see the throne room as it had been before. She could see Solas and Cassandra, alive. She saw the Inquisition soldiers up in arms. And she could see Alexius. Her bow was still drawn, and as she and Dorian exited the rift, Numina trained the arrow on Alexius.

"Give me a reason. I implore you!" she growled menacingly. Her anger resurfacing. That future started with him. All that suffering started with him. What she had to endure started with him.

She was a fierce sight. Her armor was covered in gore from the enemies she had slaughtered to get back. The wound on her leg brought by flame was an angry mess. Blood was dried on the side of her face from her head wound and had gotten into her pure starlight hair, tainting it. Numina's eyes burned with rage and pain. Solas and Cassandra were taken aback by her. She had not been in such a state only moments earlier. And she had never been angry before, much less as furious as she was now.

They had arrived the exact moment after they had disappeared. "You'll have to do better than that." Dorian taunted, blood stained robes and wound on his cheek adding to the mystery of what had happened to them.

Alexius stared at them in shock, before finally sinking to his knees in defeat.

"Put aside all claims to Redcliffe and the mage rebellion, and I won't kill you again," Numina said, the anger slowly melting from her voice. Slowly.

"You won. There is no point in extending this charade."

Charde! Numina fumed. That's what you think all of that was? Some elaborate game you played. Had she not had enough strength in will or control over herself, she might have killed him right there anyways. But she was better than that. She slowly released tension on her bowstring and placed the arrow back in her quiver.

"Felix…" Alexius said apologetically to his son.

Felix approached his father and kneeled before him. "It's going to be alright, Father."

"You'll die..."

"Everyone dies."

~~.O.~~

Authors Note:

Well, I finally finished this chapter. Took me long enough.

I apologize if it seems a bit choppy, I didn't want to linger in certain areas for too long lest it get boring and repetitive.

Anywho, feel free to let me know what you think. I enjoy feedback and am not afraid to receive pointers or criticism on my work.

Thank you for reading!