It had been an hour since they marched out of Haven. The weather did not seem to care that they had something to accomplish that day, for the winds threatened to take the tips of Nethra's ears. They rounded a corner, finally revealing what was left of the Temple of Sacred Ashes. A broken statue of Andraste greeted them, the rest of it having crumbled off before getting caught in the Breach's pull. Nethra looked at her glowing hand. Cassandra and Solas walked up beside her, nodding in encouragement. They walked into the temple. Rubble and red lyrium were scattered everywhere.
"Be careful not to touch it." Varric warned from behind her.
Cassandra turned back to the fleet of mages who decorated the sides of the temple.
"Mages!"
"Focus past the Herald!" Solas joined, "Let his will draw from you!"
Nethra walked up to the bottom of the Breach, raising her hand to connect the two, disrupting the rift. The mages concentrated their power to her. The rift glowed harder and harder until it burst, causing everyone in the vicinity to fall back. Nethra could hear Cassandra groan behind her. Nethra could not stand up no matter how much she tried. She looked up, but could no longer spot the powerful green glow of the Breach. She felt a hand on her back.
"You did it." Cassandra said. She grabbed the elf's arm, placing it around her shoulders to support her. "Let us get you back to Haven." Nethra nodded, shifting her weight onto Cassandra. She felt another person touching her marked hand. She turned to see Solas staring at her mark with deep concentration.
"It does not seem to be harmed in any way. Your body is safe from your mark, and your mark is safe from the Breach."
"Good to hear," Nethra smiled as she followed the mages out of the Temple.
She spotted the Commander running up the hill. He stopped when he saw her, letting out a sigh of relief. Even from far away, she could see his bloodshot eyes from the lack of sleep. She nodded to him, much to his surprise. He flinched, unsure if it was directed at her. Nethra shot him a small smile. He let out another small breath, smiling back.
"Now, is it just me, my elven friend, or was Commander Gorgeous giving you the sheep's eyes earlier?" Dorian walked up to his freckled friend with two jugs of ale in his hand. He passed one to her.
"It was just you." She said, smirking.
"Ah! Back to your usual self again, are we? I suppose saving the world could put anyone in a good mood. Except that poor Elder One, of course. However, I know that look when I see it, love. That Iron Bull has been giving me those eyes since I got here."
Nethra laughed. The Iron Bull could be seen sitting with his Chargers, his booming laugh echoing throughout the town.
"I never took you as one to ride the Bull."
"I am not. I'll be dipped if that monster of a man could find his way into my trousers."
"You can't help but wonder though," Nethra started, "If the rest of his body is that big, I can't even imagine how big his-"
"Stop! I do not want to think about that." Dorian grumbled, sipping his ale. They stood talking, leaning against the wall while they watched the townspeople dance and mingle.
While Dorian left to try to find townspeople who wouldn't spit at his feet, another friend of Nethra's visited her.
"And so, Thedas is saved by none other than a Dalish elf." Solas's bald head shone in the moonlight as he walked toward Nethra, "I must say, I would not rather have anyone else saving this town. I am glad you were not hurt."
"Of course. Who would you have to talk to about the Fade with if I died?"
Solas smiled. "No one quite as easy to gaze at, I'm sure." He looked at her, still smiling.
Nethra laughed nervously. Was that…a compliment? From Solas? "Thank you, Solas. I enjoy your company too." She spoke coolly, although on the inside she was very confused.
"There are still reports of lingering rifts, and – as I'm sure you know – we still have many questions, but our leaders are considering this a victory. I am positive that Ferelden and possibly all of Thedas will know your name soon."
"I wouldn't have been able to do this without everyone here – especially you, Solas. I'm sure Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine and Cullen appreciate your expertise."
"Yes – well, I do hope it stays that way." He smiled once more as he walked off. "Have a good evening, falon." Friend.
She watched as her friends interacted with the townsfolk. Dorian still remained unsuccessful at winning the town's favour, but he found a comfortable seat beside Varric, who was telling stories to the children.
"Ah, there you are." Nethra turned to see the tall blond Commander walking up to her with some hesitance. "I was hoping we could talk."
"What about?" Nethra tried to keep a neutral mood around him. She was in no position to be angry with him at the moment. He planned the attack, making sure there were at least three alternative plans in case something went wrong.
He let out a deep sigh. "Nethra, I-"
All of a sudden, the attack bell chimed, causing the happy crowd to stir in confusion.
"What is…" Cullen's lieutenant ran up to him.
"Ser! Enemies approaching from over the mountain. Our scouts have said that the majority of them are not even visible yet."
Cullen touched Nethra's arm softly. "I'm sorry." He ran to the center of the town. "Forces approaching! To arms!"
Nethra ran to her cabin to grab her staff. Citizens scattered, unsure of what to do. Cassandra ran up to Nethra, unsheathing her sword.
"We must get to the gates!"
Dorian joined them on their run. "Never a dull moment here, is it?"
"Get to Cullen. I'll help here." Cassandra said, breaking off to direct the confused townsfolk.
He was already informing everyone of the numbers.
"Under what banner?" Josephine asked.
"None."
"None?"
The closed gates rumbled.
"I can't come in unless you open!" A voice sounded from the other side.
Everyone looked at Nethra. She sighed, "Open the gates. Quickly!"
The guards opened them with hesitance, revealing a skinny blond boy in a large hat finishing off a bruiser soldier. Nethra walked up to him. Cullen followed.
"I'm Cole. I came to warn you. To help. People are coming to hurt you. You probably already know."
"What is this? What's going on? Who are they?" Nethra asked frantically, desperate for any answer.
"The Templars come to kill you."
"Templars!" Cullen growled, "Is this the Order's response to our talks with the mages? Attacking blindly?"
"The Red Templars went to the Elder One. You know him? He knows you. You took his mages. There." The strange boy pointed to what seemed to be a higher-ranked Red Templar standing on one of the bigger rocks of them mountain.
"I know that man…" Nethra turned to Cullen with her brows furrowed. "But this Elder One…"
A large, humanoid monster-looking man walked out from what appeared to be thin air, standing beside the Red Templar.
"He's very angry that you took his mages."
"Cullen! Give me a plan! Anything!" Nethra shouted through the noise. His eyes were glossy and he was frowning.
"Haven is no fortress. If we are to withstand this monster, we must control the battle. Get out there and hit that force. Use everything you can." He pulled out his sword, walking back to the town's gates. "Mages! You have sanction to engage them! That is Samson. He will not make this easy! Inquisition! With the Herald! For your lives! For all of us!"
The soldiers beat their shields with their swords and roared. The mages thrust their staves in the air, cheering.
Nethra ran to the trebuchets. It was their best bet to bring down as many enemies as possible in one blow. She, along with Solas, Varric, and Iron Bull, fought off Red Templars while their soldiers aimed their trebuchets. Blood covered Iron Bull's face, which made him fight even harder.
Nethra fired the last trebuchet, the boulder hitting a loose pocket of snow on the mountain above, causing an avalanche to wipe out a large portion of the enemy soldiers.
The Inquisition army cheered. All of a sudden, a black mass swept through the sky. The trebuchet exploded, sending Nethra flying across the blood-soaked battleground. An ear-piercing scream sounded through the mountain.
"Ah, shit. They have a fuckin' dragon!" Iron Bull growled.
"To the gates!" Solas shouted, ordering the army back inside the town. The quartet ran as fast as they could, picking up injured soldiers on the way.
"Everyone inside!" She could hear Cullen yell from the gates.
They ran in quickly.
"We need everyone back to the Chantry! It's the only building that might hold against…that beast!" He sighed, "At this point…just make them work for it."
The group cleared the town of the Red Templars while evacuating any burning buildings.
An injured Chancellor Roderick ushered them into the Chantry and closed the doors.
Cole grabbed his arm right before the Chancellor fell from exhaustion.
"He tried to stop a Templar. The blade went deep, He's going to die."
"What a charming boy…" The Chancellor spoke.
"Neth- Herald!" Cullen ran up to the elf. "Our position is not good. That dragon stole back any time you might have earned us."
"I've seen an archdemon. I was in the Fade, but it looked like that." Cole said.
"I don't care what it looks like. It has cut a path for that army. They'll kill everyone in Haven!"
"The Elder One doesn't care about the village. He only wants the Herald."
Nethra's eyes widened. These people are being slaughtered because of me.
"He wants to kill you. No one else matters but he'll crush them, kill them anyway. I don't like him."
"You don't like…" Cullen let out an exasperated sigh. "Herald, there are no tactics to make this survivable. The only thing that slowed them was the avalanche. We could turn the remaining trebuchets, cause one last slide."
"Cullen, to hit the enemy, we'd bury Haven." Nethra argued.
"We're dying, but we can decide now. Many don't get that choice."
"But-"
"Chancellor Roderick can help. He wants to say it before he dies." Cole spoke, turning to the Chancellor.
"There is a path. You wouldn't know it unless you'd made the summer pilgrimage, as I have. The People can escape. She must have shown me. Andraste must have shown me so I could… Tell you."
"Will it work, Cullen? I can distract them for a bit." Nethra turned to the Commander.
"Possibly. If he shows us the path. But…" Cullen reached out to grab Nethra's arm. "What of your escape?"
Nethra frowned, sucking in some air.
"Nethra, no. We can't let the Herald die. They need you. I…"
"I'll surprise it." She couldn't look him in the eye. "Inquisition!" She shouted. "Follow Chancellor Roderick through the Chantry!"
"Nethra-"
"Move!" She turned to Cullen, still unable to meet his eyes. "Signal me when the town has evacuated."
She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her shoulders. "Andraste guide you. May we meet again." He hugged hard. She needed to leave, but he wouldn't let her go.
"Cullen-" Her voice was muffled by his fur coat.
"Let that thing hear you." He almost whispered, before releasing her and running after the chancellor.
Nethra let out a deep sigh. Here I go.
She ran out of the Chantry, striking down the Templars that got in her way. She fought off the enemies trying to destroy the trebuchet. It was ready to fire, before a bolt shot out of the dragon flying overhead, the impact causing the inquisition soldiers to fall onto their backs.
Nethra opened her eyes. Her ribs felt creaky and one of her hands was swollen. A faint silhouette walked out of the fire left by the dragon. It was the man they called the Elder One. His face and body were deformed by red lyrium. His whole body looked sickly and warped. The dragon landed on the other side of Nethra. She was surrounded.
"Pretender." His voice was low and menacing. "You toy with forces beyond your ken, no more."
"I'm not afraid of you, you glorified junkie!"
"Words mortals often hurl at the darkness. Once they were mine. They are always lies. Know me. Know what you have pretended to be. Exalt the Elder One. The will that is Corypheus! You will kneel."
"What do you want from me?" Nethra yelled.
"I ask for nothing, because it is not in your power to give. But that will not stop me." He held a circular object that glowed red. "I am here for the Anchor. The process of removing it begins now." He stuck his hand out to Nethra, causing the mark on her hand to flare up. "It is your fault, 'herald.' You interrupted a ritual years in the planning, and instead of dying, you stole its purpose. I do not know how you survived, but what marks you as 'touched,' what you flail at rifts, I crafted to assault the very heavens." Her hand was beginning to hurt now. "You used the Anchor to undo my work! The Gall!" She fell to her knees. It felt as though her were removing the very bones in her body. She couldn't move from the immense pain.
"You killed the Divine! Why are you doing this?" She screamed.
"The 'chaos' will empower me, and ensure we no longer beg at the feet of the invisible."
He picked her up by the wrist. She forced herself to not scream.
"I once breached the Fade in the name of another, to serve the Old Gods of the Empire in person. I found only chaos and corruption. Dead whispers. For a thousand years I was confused. No more. I have gathered the will to return under no name but my own, to champion withered Tevinter and correct this blighted world. Beg that I succeed, for I have seen the throne of the Gods, and it was empty!"
He threw Nethra against the trebuchet, causing her to yell. The cracked rib was now broken.
"The Anchor is permanent. You have spoiled it with your stumbling." She gathered up the strength to stand, grabbing her staff shakily.
"So be it. I will begin again, find another way to give this world the nation – and god - it requires."
Nethra looked to her left, and spotted a signal fire.
They're safe.
"And you. I will not suffer even an unknowing rival. You must die."
"No doubt you're from Tevinter. You talk more than Dorian!" Nethra smiled as she kicked the trebuchet's trigger, causing it to fire.
The boulder slammed into the mountain, causing a rumble to run through the ground. Nethra began running. She wasn't sticking around to find out just how great the avalanche was going to be. A piece of wood caught her ankle, and as the wave of snow came closer, she fell into a large hole in the ground. Everything turned black.
DRAMAAAAAA. Thank you to TheDoctorsTimeLady for the review! It is much appreciated! Please favourite/follow if you are enjoying the story and feel free to leave a comment if you have any ideas or constructive criticism (or even if you want to tell me you reaction to things)! I really love them! Have a great night!