New chapter, yay...Oh the title?...I'll never tell... :-p

I never liked the Gallows courtyard. Each time I visited, it felt more unnatural; more ominous. I guess my perceptions were right. It's funny; I never thought I'd die here…

"So, is this how it's going to end?" The Templar asks through heavy breaths. He's halfway leaning on his on his greatsword. His armor is badly singed but there's hardly any damage done to his body minus a few scrapes and bruises. I however have taken a knee, the only support I have is my staff. I'm so tired, my energy is nearly spent, but for some reason I laugh.
"Well, we're not frolicking around singing about love and sunshine. So, I suppose it was always meant to end like this." I reply as I fix the hair clinging to my cheek. I feel something running down my forehead into my eye. Irritated, I wipe it away. I look down at my hand and grimace.

More blood, shit.

I glare at the Templar, my blood is boiling. He notices the wound and looks down on me with sorrow in his eyes.
"Sister…"
"Don't!" I can't stand to hear him anymore. Every word feel like another punch to the face, and I grow sick of it. "Don't start feeling remorseful now Templar. You choose your side as did I, so don't you dare feel sorry for me!" I attempt to stand in defiance of his moment of regret. In spite of the pain coursing through my body and my heart, I stand. The pain only feeds my resolve.
"You've wanted this for a long time, so don't deny it now. You keep saying want to be out of my shadow; then step out of it! I never asked for any this, but Maker help me Caver stop blaming me for your weaknesses!"
His jaw tightens, his glare becomes more intense, and I'm only fueling the fire. Good, I want him like this. So blind by anger that it confuses him, hinders him. I see his fists clench on the sword's hilt and his body tenses as I continue.
"You want to be your own person? Then stand up and be one; because I for one am sick and tired of your whiny bullshit!"
There is my catalyst. He yells, blindly charging towards me. I only have to wait for the right moment before I trip him with my staff. He falls hard. I hear the shoulder snap as well as his cry after. I cringe at the pain I've afflicted upon my blood, but I press on. While he's down I take the time to regain mana and to maintain distance. But it is for naught. He gets up quicker than I thought, and halts my attempt with his cleansing aura.

Shit! I guess it's the direct approach.

He charges again but my guard is up, ready to block with my staff. He brings the sword down hard but I'm able to stand my ground. The blade catches the metal guard in the staff, stopping it from completely splitting. Frustrated he leans in more, putting his whole body into his sword, compiling more pressure to the attack. I have to take a knee again as he adds additional force behind the weapon. It is here I can my brother's twisted face. His hair is wild, he growls bearing his teeth at me like a wild animal. His eyes are what scare me the most; full of so much anger and hatred.

Bloody Void, he really wants to kill me.

My heart breaks as does my nose when his forehead connects to it. I'm knocked back, dizzy, surprised but still try to regain my footing and fight; horribly I might add. He notices my setback and he strikes out again. He swiftly lunges at me, shoulder striking my chest. I feel bones shatter and the air is taken from my body. My eyes fly open as I fall; my mind vibrates as my head raps the ground.
I shut my eyes to escape from the pain and find myself in another world. I see mother, father, Bethany, and Carver. We're all here; a smiling happy family. No fear of being ripped apart from each other. No jealousy or spite; just peace and comfort. I want to stay, however I know it cannot be.
My eyes finally snap open to witness the final blow. Seemingly in slow motion, I see him draw his sword upward. I sense enough power in me for one last attack. I lift my hand up and concentrate as his strike draws near. A single tear rolls down my face as I realize what I must do. A blinding light envelops us; all I can see is his face when I finally release my spell.

Maker…is he crying?

"Forgive me...Carver." My weak voice utters one last whisper before the light slowly fades away. Nothing remains but empty darkness.

"Luna? Luna!"
I feel hands shaking me. I wake a bit hostile but I stop myself once I see who it is.
"Fenris? Wha…?"
He looks over me confused and concerned. "A bad dream. You were tossing and mumbling in your sleep."
I tightly close my eyes and bring a hand to my forehead. "A dream?"

Sodding Maker, it was only a dream. Why would I dream something like that?

I quickly jump out of bed and look over my body, just to make sure everything's real and as it should be. Fenris looks at me with more worry. "Luna?"
"I just have to make sure." I run my hands through my hair, eyes wildly dancing about the room. "It just felt too real."
Fenris sits up on the edge of the bed and takes my hand. With delicate fingers, he traces little circles on the back of my hand.
He tilts his head as if studying it. "Does this feel real?" he asks.
"Quite." I state between soft giggles.
"And this?" He brings my hand to his mouth and gently kisses it.
"Very much so." I sigh.
He smiles and pulls me to him. He places his hands behind my neck and brings me into a loving kiss.
"And that?" he asks.
My eyes dart away as I take time to think about it. "Now that, that I'm not sure of; I may need more convincing." I fake a very studious look which is instantly broken by a smile.
He does well and plays along. "I can do that." he smirks.
I smile gliding my fingers up his arms to his hair, leaning in closer. I'm so lost in him I nearly forget my grim dream.
"Carver!" I pull myself away and reach for my robe.
Fenris's brow tenses in complete confusion. "Carver?"
I shake my head, trying to clarify further while walking towards the bedroom door. "Was in the dream. We were fighting..." my voice drifts off.
Reading my troubled body language, he walks over to me and takes my hand. "And?"
I look away. "And we kill each other." I look at him and I feel my eyes start to water. There are only a few times in my life where I've been this upset, or this scared. One by one, I've witnessed my family die around me. And regardless of how much as we fight, I really don't know what I would do if Carver were to leave this world.
Before Fenris has time to comfort me I hear the door. Instinctively, I rush out my room to the balcony. Bodahn spots me from the foyer. "Ah mistress Hawke, your brother is..."
I barely hear him as I run down the stairs and surprise Carver with an unexpected hug.
His eyes are wide, uncertain about what to do. "Luna?" he's rightfully baffled by the whole thing. I pull away, about to explain but Fenris does it for me.
"She had a dream. Apparently you two kill each other." His voice is surprisingly casual as he leans forward on the banister.
Carver's look towards me is odd to say the least. "That's sweet...I guess." I'm unsure if it's actual curiosity or sarcasm behind his voice. But the feeling is short lived as his voice takes a worried tone.
"Look, you have to get to the Chantry, Meredith and Orsino are at each other's throats again."
I wave the matter away, thinking nothing of it. "They're always like that. I think they just need to fu-"
He grabs my shoulders and shakes me. "Luna I'm serious, this is not like before!" I'm a bit shocked by his attitude. I've never seen him like this before, this really must be bad. I take a moment to think on the situation before eventually nodding in consent and walk back to my room.
"Just give me a moment to get ready. Let's hope we can stop this mess before anything crazy happens."
It doesn't take long before I'm prepared, and together we leave the estate hopeful for a resolution, praying it's not the final straw.