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Chapter 4

Everyone left in the valley was fighting. She closed a couple more rifts. She turned a corner where they heard more fighting in time to see a green light hit a man. She didn't know if he was dead or alive, the blast having hit him directly.

They attacked the demons, helping the soldiers who were being bombarded. She blasted one that was about to attack a blond soldier from behind. He turned, gave her a nod of acknowledgment, and targeted another demon.

She knew they were in the middle of a battle, but she thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall, a good foot taller than her. His hair was a curly mess, which made him look really familiar to her. He was fighting with a power that spoke of his strength. There was something familiar about his fighting. She couldn't pinpoint it, but it was something she had seen many times before.

He turned to look at her again, as if he could feel her staring at him. His eyes widened, and he looked ready to charge. She had already sensed the demon behind her, and without thinking, she flicked her fingers, causing him to explode.

His look turned into one of horror, and she winced when she realized what she'd done. Mages didn't command magic with their hands in this time, especially magic that caused things to explode. She had been warned that blood magic was forbidden in this time. She didn't know why she'd forgotten. Now, this familiar looking man looked like he wanted to get as far away as possible from her.

She returned to the fighting, careful to use her staff this time. As far as she knew, he was the only one who'd seen her slip up. She didn't want anyone else to know. As it was, she was going to regret making sure this guy had never seen her.

He really was handsome.

She closed the rift, the power struggle easier for her to control. Solas congratulated her, while Varric hoped it worked on the big one.

The blond walked up to Cassandra and said, "Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift? Well done."

Cassandra sighed, "Do not congratulate me, Commander. This is the prisoner's doing."

The Commander looked at her, and his face didn't look surprised. She wanted to groan. He probably thought she was responsible for all this. Especially after that little finger display. He said, "Is it? I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here."

She blew out a breath, "You're not the only one hoping that."

He said, "We'll see soon enough, won't we? The way to the temple should be clear. Leliana will try to meet you there."

Cassandra said, "Then we best move quickly. Give us time, Commander."

He nodded, "Maker watch over you, for all our sakes."

He ran with his men, helping the injured leave the battlefield. They made it to the breach, Leliana joining up with them. It was bigger than she imagined, definitely not one of those little rifts she'd been closing. She knew she had to close the rift that was directly beneath it, but it was a big rift. Who knew what it was going to spit out.

As they made their way down to the rift, she saw piles of red lyrium. A very bad effect of red lyrium was that it was very potent, against mages. Just being near the stuff was starting to take a toll on her. If she wasn't careful, the red lyrium would zap her strength and magic before she could blink.

She could hear the Elder One's voice. It talked about a sacrifice. She knew everyone else heard it to, but he wasn't here. She heard the Divine call out for help; the panic in the old woman's voice far too real. Cassandra said with a pained voice, "That is Divine Justinia!"

They reached the rift. Her mark flared. The Divine's voice called out again, and Mia realized it was just remnants of what must have happened. She heard her own voice asking what was going on. Cassandra was very confused, for the Divine had called out to her.

Then, the rift caused images to appear in the sky. Divine Justinia was tied up by magic, her capture hidden in the shadows. She saw herself come forward, asking what was going on. The look on her face was one of panic when she realized what was going on. The Divine told her to run, and warn the others.

Then the voice came on again, and she knew it really was the Elder One. No one else would ever out such a panicked look on her face. He was the only thing that she truly feared. He bid his servants to slay her, and then the scene faded.

Cassandra peppered her with questions, but Mia could not answer them. The Elder One had seen her. This mark was sure to have been a weapon, and she now had it. There was no doubt she had come into possession of it while in his presence.

Solas explained that the fade was very strong in this place. They were seeing echoes of what happened here. The rift was apparently closed for now. They wanted her to open it, and then close it again. Hopefully this would seal the breach.

She opened it, and a Pride Demon came through. Everyone distracted it while she tried to close the rift. It was huge though, and she only partially closed it before she had to pull back. She shot the demon with fire bolts, and then made another attempt at the rift. It closed a little bit more, and then blasted her back. The blasted thing was fighting back against her.

The demon started to come towards her, and she had to dodge and close. Cassandra frustrated it enough to take its attention off her, and she found a position under the rift. She poured all her power into the rift. The struggle for control nearly overwhelmed her. This was a power she would be able to control easily. Even now, as she fought to control the rift, the mark on her hand tried to kill her.

It was a battle on three fronts, and it hurt like hell. Her willpower was strong though, refusing to give up. Her world depended on Mia defeating the Elder One. Never again would he take one of her family. Never again would Samson slay her people.

She felt herself win, just for a moment, and then fell unconscious.

AN: I know this is shorter than the two previous chapters, I apologize. Good news though, the problem I had with the app is fixed!

I hope everyone enjoys this super short chapter!