It had been a busy first few months since the Inquisition's upstart. Nethra and her companions had travelled to multiple places in Ferelden, gaining supporters along the way. She even made her way to Val Royeaux to address the Chantry who sought to destroy the Inquisition. It was there that she gained the attention of a peculiar city elf and a powerful circle mage. She also managed to hire a band of mercenaries known as The Bull's Chargers, led by none other than the Qunari spy by the name of Iron Bull. They even were able to find a Grey Warden in the Hinterlands, who was more than eager to join their ranks. It had been a successful first few months, and the citizens of Haven hoped that their luck would continue.
After rigorously mending the Hinterlands back together following a rather violent civil war, Nethra and her companions had managed to get the gates to Redcliffe Village opened. With the help of an inside man by the name of Dorian. They discovered that a Tevinter mage by the name of Alexius had been manipulating time. Before they knew it, Dorian and Nethra were sucked into a portal, and everything went black.
Nethra landed in a pool of musty water. Dorian groaned beside her.
"Blood of the Elder One!" She peered up to see to armed guards staring at her.
"Where did they come from?"
The elf mage quickly grabbed her staff and began shooting elemental attacks at the to until they sloped over in defeat.
"Hmm… Interesting." Dorian mumbled, "This was not what Alexius intended. It seems he moved us to the closest confluence of arcane energy."
"The last thing I remember was when we were in the castle hall…" Nethra spoke in an almost whisper.
"Lets see…" Dorian began talking to himself, mulling over any hypothoses quickly, "Ah! Of course – the question is not where, but when! Alexius used the amulet as a focus! He moved us through time!"
"W-what?"
"Let's look around – see where the rift took us. Then we can figure out how to get back. If we can."
They wandered through what looked like the prison cells of Redcliffe castle. They passed a mage mumbling repetitive prayers to himself. Everywhere they went, the glow of red lyrium was present. Nethra did not know much about it, but from what Varric had told her, she didn't want to. It was red lyrium that drove his brother Bartrand into madness. She couldn't blame Varric for hating the stuff.
Dorian nudged Nethra out of her thoughts. He pointed to a familiar elf-mage.
"Enchanter Fiona? I-Is that red lyrium…growing through you?"
"The longer you're near it, eventually…you become this. Then they mine your corpse for more." Her voice was weak and croaky.
"Can you tell us the date?" Dorian spoke, "It's very important."
"Harvestmere. 9:42, Dragon."
"9:42? Then we've missed an entire years!"
"We have to get out of here – go back in time." Nethra whispered.
"Please, stop this from happening. Alexius serves the Elder One - more powerful than the Maker. No one who challenges him lives."
"Our only hope is to find the amulet Alexius used to send us here. If it still exists, I can use it to reopen the rift at the exact spot we left…Maybe."
"…Good…" Fiona muttered.
"I said, maybe."
"Dorian, now is not the time for sassing." Nethra huffed.
"You must try. Your Spymaster, Leliana, is here. Find her. Quickly, before the Elder One learns you're here."
The two rushed up the prison stairs to a second level. There, they could hear Andrastian prayers echo through the halls coming from a familiar Nevarran warrior. They walked down the hall, following her voice until they reached another room full of cells.
"Maker, forgive me. I failed you. I failed everyone. The end must truly be upon us if the dead have come back to life." The red lyrium was seeping through the corner of Cassandra's cell. Her eyes were blood red, and her body pale.
"I'm not back from the dead, Cassandra. Dorian and I were pushed forward in time. We just got here."
"Forward in time…Can you go back? Can you make it so that all of this is replaced."
"Yes, and I'll make sure Alexius suffers for his crimes."
"Maker…After you disappeared, the Empress of Orlais was murdered. The Elder One came with an army of demons…we never stood a chance."
"This time we will defeat him, Cassandra. I promise." Nethra casted a charm to unlock the cell door, "Let's go find the others."
They wandered through the halls once more. After defeating another round of guards, Nethra noticed her bald friend standing in his prison cell, his back turned from them. He slowly turned his head, jumping back at the sight of them.
"You're alive." His voice was quick, his eyes wide, "We saw you die!"
"The spell Alexius cast threw us forward in time. We just got here, so to speak." Dorian explained.
"Can you reverse the process? You can return and alter the events over the past year! It may not be too late!"
"I'm glad you understood that," Nethra let out an exasperated laugh, "Because I'm not sure I do."
"You would think such understanding would stop me from making such terrible mistakes. You would be wrong." He almost whispered. His hazel eyes looked up to match Nethra's, "This world is an abomination. It must never come to pass." Nethra began working on the unlock charm. "We'll have to go up. I heard the guards say that Alexius barricaded himself in the throne room."
The crew gathered Solas' belongings before heading up the steps of the castle. They could hear moans and screams coming from what Nethra could only assume were the torture chambers. Chills ran down her neck as a loud whap sounded from the other side of a door to the left of Nethra, followed by a groan.
"How did you know to attack the Temple? ANSWER!" another whap sounded, followed by a groan.
"Never!" More groaning.
"There's no use to this defiance, little bird. There's no one left for you to protect."
"You're wasting your breath." Whap. "Agh!"
"Talk!"
Nethra quietly creaked the door open, waiting for her chance to attack the torturer.
"You will break…" The Venatori mage hissed, as he drew a blade to the woman's neck.
Nethra had to cover her mouth to avoid making an audible gasp.
It was Leliana.
Her wrists were shackled to the ceiling. Her skin was scarred and bruised, and her eyes were hollow and dead.
"I will die first." She growled back at the man. Cassandra's armour squeaked, causing the Venatori to turn toward the quadruplet. "Or you will…"
Leliana's legs swiftly wrapped around the mage's neck, causing him to fumble. In an instant, his neck turned and cracked under her strength.
Nethra instantly ran toward the dead man's body to grab his keys.
"You're all alive…" It was barely a whisper that came out of Leliana's mouth as Nethra unchained her.
"I'm so sorry this happened. I'm glad you're alive."
"Anger is stronger than any pain. Do you have weapons?" Nethra flinched at Leliana's words before slowly nodding. She was hollow inside, the freckled elf could tell. "Good. The Magister is probably in his chambers."
"You aren't curious how we got here?" Dorian asked tiredly,
"No."
"Alexius sent us into the future. This, his victory, the Elder One – It was never meant to be."
"If we get to the chambers, and stop him, we can prevent all of this."
"This is all pretend to you - some future you hope will never exist. I suffered. The whole world suffered. It was real. I will follow, but do not expect me to play 'nice' with that man."
"I only ask for your bow, Leliana. Nothing more."
"Good."
"What…" Nethra closed her eyes, and let out a sigh. "What became of Cullen?"
"He perished fighting alongside his soldiers when the demon army invaded. He dedicated the battle to you."
"He didn't…nevermind."
"He never even looked at the red lyrium. You give him less credit than he deserves, Herald."
The five spent the next hour and a half killing Venatori while trying to find a way to open the door to the throne room. Dorian had figured out that collecting certain gems that fit inside the door's keyholes would be the easiest way to unlock it. Soon enough, the door to the chamber room burst open, revealing the back of Alexius.
"Look at what you've done Alexius. All this suffering, and for what?"
"For my country, for my son! But it means nothing now. I knew you would appear again – not that it would be now, but I knew I hadn't destroyed you. My final failure." His voice was tired and rocky.
"Was it worth it?" Dorian frowned, "Everything you did to the world – to yourself?"
"It doesn't matter now. All we can do is wait for the end."
"I will undo this, if it's the last thing I do."
"It may very well be. How many ties have I tried? The past cannot be undone. All that I fought for, all that I betrayed, and what have I wrought? Ruin and death; that is nothing else. The Elder One comes for me, for you, and for us all."
Leliana was quick to grab the limp body of Felix, raising a knife to his throat.
"Felix!"
"That's Felix…?" Dorian whispered before his brows wrinkled, "Maker's breath, Alexius, what have you done?"
"He would have died, Dorian. I saved him. Please, don't hurt my son! I'll do anything you ask!"
"Hand over the amulet, and we'll let him go." Nethra demanded.
"Let him go and I swear I'll get you what you want!"
"I want the world back." Leliana croaked before she slit the young man's throat without delay.
Alexius fell over the bleeding shell of a man, screaming. He picked up his staff and knocked Leliana back with a lightning strike.
He tried his hardest, but the Tevinter Magister was no match for the quintet. Dorian grabbed the amulet off of Alexius' dead body.
"This is the same one we made in Minrathus. 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? That's impossible!" Leliana yelled. "You must go now!"
The floors began to shake. Rubble around the room began to clatter as a screech sounded from outside.
"The Elder One."
"You cannot stay here!" Solas swiftly walked up to Nethra, grabbing her arm. "We will hold the outer door. Once they get past us, it will be your turn."
"I won't let you all commit suicide!" Nethra's voice cracked.
"Look at us. We're already dead. The only way we live is if this day never comes." Leliana's voice was hoarse, but her eyes were determined. "Cast your spell. You have as much time as I have arrows."
Booms sounded through the castle walls for several minutes, until the door slammed open, revealing monsters upon soldiers upon monsters.
Leliana drew her bow, "Though darkness closes, I am shielded by flame. Andraste, guide me. Maker, take me to your side." She shot an arrow with each verse, eliminating every monster that came at her. Suddenly, an arrow hit Leliana in the chest. She continued on, striking and bashing the monsters with her bow alone.
Dorian tugged at Nethra's sleeve.
"We must go! Now!" He pressed the amulet, and a blue-green rift appeared to his right. The two ran toward it. The screams and booms of the castle fell silent as the two arrived back where they were before they got lost in time.
"Now," Dorian grinned at Alexius, who was standing with his brows furled and his lips in a frown, "You'll have to do better than that."
Alexius fell to his knees. "You won. There is no point in extending this charade." He turned to his son. "Felix…"
"It's going to be alright, father."
"You'll die."
"Everyone dies."
Alexius and Felix slowly stood up together before exiting the room.
"Well." Dorian perked up, crossing his arms, "Im glad that's overwith!"
All of a sudden, knights bearing the sigil of Denerim marched in line and lined the walls. A strawberry blonde man marched in slowly after them with a smirk on his face.
"Grand Enchanter! Imagine my joy when I hear you have handed over Redcliffe Castle to a Tevinter Magister!"
"King Alistair-" Fiona began.
"Especially since I'm fairly sure Redcliffe belongs to Arl Taegan."
"Your majesty, we never intended-"
"I know what you intended. I wanted to help you, but you've made it impossible. You and your followers are no longer welcome in Ferelden."
"But…we still have hundreds who need protection. Where will we go?"
Nethra stepped forward, "I should point out that we did come here to find mages to close the breach."
Fiona hesitated. "And what are the terms of this arrangement?"
"Hopefully better than what Alexius gave you. The Inquisition is better than that, yes?" Dorian pointed out.
"I suggest conscriptions them. They've already proven what they will do when given too much freedom." Cassandra added in.
"They have lost all possible supporters. The Inquisition is their only remaining chance for freedom." Solas chimed.
"It seems we have little choice but to accept whatever you offer." The Grand Enchanter said through gritted teeth.
"The Inquisition will welcome you as our allies." Nethra stated. She could hear Cassandra scoff behind her.
"I'd take that offer if I were you." King Alistair spoke. "One way or another, you're leaving my kingdom."
"We accept. We would be mad not to. I will gather my people and ready them for the journey to Haven. The Breach will be closed. You will not regret giving us this chance."
The King turned to Nethra. "Thank you for taking care of this…erm…?"
"Nethra…is my name, your highness."
"Nethra…have I met you before? You seem awfully familiar." His eyes squinted in an attempt to jog his memory.
"I don't believe so, your highness."
"Ah. Well, in the meantime, my soldiers will take care of rehabilitating this castle back to its former glory. You'd best prepare for your visitors, Nethra."
"Yes, sir." She nodded, turning to Cassandra, Dorian, and Solas. They all nodded, exiting the building.
"I can't imagine the Cullen will be very happy about this." Cassandra muttered.
"Well, he's not exactly on my good side, I'd might as well make it even." Nethra held a stern expression as she walked.
"He cannot be angry at you for doing your job. The task was to recruit Redcliffe's mages, and that is what you did." Solas chimed in.
"Someone has a little pep in his step." Dorian sniffed at the balled elf in amusement.
"Is it wrong to enjoy seeing my fellow mages break their chains?"
Cassandra scoffed. "We will see."
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