Evelyn stabbed both daggers into the last wraith standing between her and the only way forward. It was impossible to know if they were going the right way. At times the rift above them loomed close enough to touch and others, it felt a if she could spend a lifetime wandering the crisscrossed paths and never draw any nearer than she was right now. It was taking everything in her power to not run ahead, to not seek out the Nightmare so that they could end this orchestrated game of hide, seek, fight and die. She was tired of battling demon after demon, tired of hearing the sinister voice overhead that sought to sow dissention and fear. She studied the bright figure that moved ahead of them in an attempt to distract her from the impatience that rushed through her. Evelyn refused to believe that the spirit helping them was that of Divine Justinia. Though her own faith was… fractured at best, non-existent at worst, she could not fathom that a woman whose sure faith had won her the Sunburst throne, would be abandoned by the Maker she so lovingly worshipped only to wander aimlessly within the imagined realm of a demon gone out of control. As if sensing her thoughts, the Inquisitor watched as the spirit stopped and turned it's pale watery eyes upon her, the Orlesian lilted speech heavier than before.

"I know what thoughts are plaguing your mind Inquisitor. I truly cannot tell you if I am Divine Justinia or just a part of her that once was. All I know is that I feel compelled to help you; to risk what little existence I have left in order to aid your cause. Saving the seeker Cassandra, restoring the both of you to Thedas; and your companions too of course, is fundamental in stopping Corypheus and ridding the world of the corruption he has thrust upon it."

Evelyn frowned and nodded once; the kind words both soothed and grated her nerves. "If that is true then why is it taking so long to reach her? It feels as though we have faced and destroyed a third of this so called army and there is seems to be no end in sight. I don't know about spirits but we humans can still tire, can still become fatigued…"

"It will not matter how close we draw if you have not decided upon a course of action Inquisitor. The time for indecisiveness has passed. We are very close now and the Nightmare will not wait for a decision. It wants you, not Cassandra and it will use all its power to convince you to stay here in the Void."

Solas's quiet voice cut over hers and the rogue turned to glare at the elf, her previous vexation with the apostate unforgotten as her anger at his earlier actions flared briefly, abating only when she saw the sadness in his eyes. Though she had not asked, he had remained quiet throughout the journey, relinquishing his task of leading without argument; assisting her in battle as he always had. Evelyn thought of her earlier threat of handing him over to the demon, of his quiet acceptance of even that fate and shook her head, mouth set in a grim line. Sighing, the Inquisitor forced herself to let her resentment go; she needed allies not enemies here. She stared the mage down, her voice clear in the crisp silence, "I will not leave her here Solas, nor will I choose to remain in her stead. I will find a way to win and see us all safely home."

The stubborn arrogance in the noble's tone made the elf's mouth twitch with brief amusement and he found himself glad that the endless fighting had not dampened the young woman's spirit, even if such a thing blinded her to the real danger they were preparing to plunge within. He hesitated to jerk her back to the reality that it was unlikely that this was a battle they could win, that someone would have to stay behind, that a sacrifice would have to be made in the end but the rebuttal died on his lips as he saw the unsaid knowledge lurking behind the conviction in her eyes; he didn't have to say it, the young woman already knew. Instead the apostate watched as slim shoulders squared and the Inquisitor turned back to the spirit leading them.

"Let's get this over with."

Evelyn tried to put as much brightness as she could in her tone but faltered, grateful for the Nightmare's abnormal silence in this one moment. She heard Varric chuckle and watched as the dwarf ran a careful hand along the recurve of his crossbow, wiping away the demon blood that had splattered upon it. She looked at each of them; the qunari, the two mages, and the dwarf and knew one of them would have to be sacrificed, to be left in the Fade to battle the monster while the rest of them escaped… but who... The Inquisitor shook away the thought from her mind, startling as a warm touch bled through her blood stained armor and soft words spoke within the confines of her own mind, its owner's dulcet accent unmistakable.

When the time comes I will be the sacrifice that buys your escape.

The noble flicked her eyes up to look at the Divine, brow furrowed as her mind fought the surge of relief the words brought her. She wanted to argue, to insist that it be one of them but the words hung in her throat as she watched the spirit nod and turn once more to the path forward its form fading, burning brightly till only a glowing essence remained.

Come, the way ahead is clear and the demon knows you are here.

Evelyn surged forward, following the spirit quickly as it led. With every turn the rogue tensed with equal parts hope and trepidation, searching for a glimpse of her enemy and for the seeker in its grasp. Her pace quickened as the breach above her drew her near; her hand flexing from the surge of power that seemed to course through her every vein. Evelyn shook the tingling sensation away as she rounded the next bend in the long path, halting as a meaty hand gripped her shoulder stilling all movement. She looked in the direction she had been turned by the qunari, her mouth falling open in horror. Spiders dripped from every dark fissure as demons dragged their bodies back into existence from the ground up. The Free Marcher watched as a huge shadow shifted into the light, revealing a spider as tall as the sky itself led by none other than the corrupted figure of the Nightmare.

Welcome Inquisitor

Evelyn tensed as that hissed greeting revererated around her mind; her eyes darting around the scene as she tried to pinpoint where the seeker had been placed inside the macabre reception. Her eye spotted the wavering forcefield and she allowed relief to shatter within her for the briefest of moments before allowing aggression settle back in it's place. She pointed a double bladed dagger at the aspect and snarled, "You have what you wanted…. I have come to take back what is mine. Release her demon!"

"Boss!"

Evelyn felt herself thrown to the side as a huge axe swung down at her feet, splicing open the head of a pride demon that had started to rise beneath her. She flashed the Iron Bull a wry grateful smile and accepted the hand that hoisted her back on her feet. Her thank you died on her lips as the mob of demons crowded closer, pushing all of them towards the raised platform upon which the Nightmare stood, it's minatory voice echoing all around.

So Inquisitor… a decision been made then? Have you decided which of the two of you will remain whole and which will spend it's eternity here with me? Who shall be free and who enslaved to my will?

Evelyn drove her daggers into the demon closest to her, blades flashing as she wove a complicated dance of maneuvers that left only death in their wake. She watched as her companions did the same, attacking the first wave of enemies. She studied the corpses as they faded only to be replaced anew with fresh soldiers who cried out to rip, kill, and burn. Evelyn stilled her movements as a thought raced across her mind and she found herself backing up towards Dorian, her voice low as she bumped into the handsome mage.

"There will be no end to them and and we will break long before they do . Do you recognize what magic has trapped her there? Can you break the field that is holding Cassandra? I have a distraction in mind... if we can free her, we can run."

Dorian slanted his eyes towards the hovering ball, magic prickling as he studied the threads of power that had been used to bring such a thing into existence. Strangely enough it reminded him of his time with Alexis, of the experiments they used to do, of the boundaries they would push in pursuit of the magister's goal of saving his son. It was old magic; Tevinter magic from a time before modern day Thedas had truly formed... but did he have the power to dispel such a thing without harming the seeker it held? He glanced at the young woman he had chosen to follow before sending a wave of lighting into the horde before them.

"I honestly do not know. Are you sure about this? There is a chance I could miscalculate, a chance I could hurt the seeker within…"

Evelyn closed her eyes for a brief moment as she weighed the possible risks of such action and nodded once, her voice harsh in her resolve. "That is a chance I must be willing to take here and now. The greater the risk the greater the reward; I have to believe in that Dorian. I cannot leave her here and I refuse to sacrifice anyone else in her place. No. This ends now. We cannot stay here and we cannot fight an entire demon army. Pull away from the battlefield, gather yourself and give me your best. The rest of us will continue our attack. Slam your staff against the ground as a signal and I will attack the Nightmare head on."

Dorian frowned, his brow furrowing in concern. "I do not like this but I cannot argue that your plan is not a good one. Indeed it may be our only chance to set things right." He reached up and stroked the tip of his mustache in thought, watching as the large qunari cleaved into another pride demon left frozen by a blast of ice from the elven mage. "Very well. I will do all I can to free your seeker." He felt his lips curl in amusement at the visible relief on the redhead's face and nudged her with his elbow. "But you'll owe me one Inquisitor."

Evelyn let herself smile for the first time since they had fallen into the demon's lair, letting laughter creep into her voice. "Dorian, if you manage to free Seeker Pentaghast from that unholy circle, I'll pay whatever price you deem fit."

The mage laughed as he threw fire into the horde. "Be careful promising such things to a man like me Trevelyan, for I will take you up on that." He watched as the rogue flashed him a crooked smile before disappearing into the fray, daggers flashing once more. Dorian watched for a moment as he sent another mind blast into the fray before turning his attention back to the floating sphere, studying it and the spider guarding it. Memories of a spell he and Alexis had once created niggled at the edge of his mind, taunting him with it's similarities to the magical sphere, making him wary of the unseen differences. He caught the questioning look his fellow mage threw him as he slipped away from the center of the group, shifting slowly in the direction of the trapped seeker.

Evelyn threw herself into battle, slicing into demon after demon and ignoring the Nightmare's voice whispering in her head. Why the creature had not attacked was beyond her, but she felt glad for it's indolence. Her emotions spiraled, changing with every demon she faced; anger spiking as she cut down a rage demon, her limbs fighting lethargy when pitted against a sloth. She fought memories of dusky toned skin and soft moans when facing a desire demon as well as the flood of arrogance only a pride demon could bring forth. The rogue let the emotions take her, consume her being as she fought to end as many of the horde as she could; keeping just enough of herself back as she waited for Dorian's signal. She glanced at the Tevinter, noting his position and moved to the Iron Bull's side.

"Bull, cover me."

The quiet voice edged through the berserker rage, dousing it. The Iron Bull blinked as the red mist cleared his eyes, surveying the pile of bodies that littered the rocky terrain on all sides of him. He chuckled in amusement at the sight, for all their power demons were disgustingly easy to kill. He turned his head, eyeing the giant spider. Now that was an enemy worth pursing. The qunari looked at the slight woman at his side and grinned.

"Not sure where you're going or what you have planned but if it includes me attacking the big one Boss, I'm in!"

Evelyn glanced at the looming spider that guarded her seeker. It did present a problem. Even if Dorian managed to break Cassandra's prison with his first attempt the seeker would be left vulnerable to the giant monster's attack. She quickly assessed the situation, motioning to Varric since he was the closer of her remaining companions. The Inquisitor watched as her fellow rogue let loose a barrage of arrows before joining her and the Iron Bull at the edge of battle.

"So this IS a party. I knew it. Don't suppose they have any drinks here do you? All this fighting has built up quite a thirst"

Evelyn shook her head, flinging two knives at a pair of shades that were slithering too close for her liking. She watched as Solas froze the others closest to the group, noting the pensive look on the elf's face before turning her attention back to the dwarf.

"I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to drink anything they offered in this place. The poisonous swill of your infamous "Hanged Man" had got to be better than here."

Varric laughed and sent another wave of arrows towards their enemies. "Touché Inquisitor. So what's this meeting about then?"

Evelyn nodded towards Solas, "Dorian is going to try and free Cassandra, while Bull and I attack the Nightmare and it's giant fucking spider. I will need you and Solas to hold the horde at bay." She paused as the dwarf looked at her with an incredulous expression.

"You really ARE crazy!"

The rogue laughed and felt her lips curl into a smirk, "Well I can't say sanity has ever been my strongest trait but," she paused her gaze falling on the unconscious seeker for a moment before looking back at the stout archer. "This is the only plan I can think of that holds any chance of all of us escaping this demon's hell."

Varric studied the reluctant hero. She had always reminded him a little of Hawke, but never so much as in this moment. They shared the same grim determination to save the world and the ones they loved at the risk of their own fragile existence. Just as Hawke had risked her life to defeat the Arishok to save Isabela so was the Inquisitor prepared to take on a powerful demon to save her seeker. Such deeds inspired and befuddled but he could do naught but respect it and take good notes of course.

"You really must love her then… Very well, me and Chuckles over there will do our best to unleash hell and leave the real baddies for you and our Qunari friend here."

The Inquisitor let go of the breath she hadn't realized she was holding and nodded as she flung another knife into the crowd of demons before clapping the dwarf on the shoulder. "Thank you Varric. Go let Solas know and if you can get closer to the breach. Once we free Cassandra we are going to have to make a run for it. I can distract this demon but I am not fool enough to believe that I cannot defeat it by myself."

Varric nodded before throwing a miasmic flask towards a rage demon to his left watching for a moment as the demon's course faltered. He glanced at his fellow rogue and smirked, "if anyone stands a chance it's you just don't overdo it. I'd hate to have to come to your rescue again."

Evelyn quirked an eyebrow and rolled her eyes before tapping the Iron Bull on the back. "Ready?" The large warrior rolled his shoulders and readied his axe, eyeing the large arachnoid with a pleased predatory grin. "Ready boss."

Dorian eyed his companions, noting how they had paired off and smiled at the tactival approach. For a woman who had never had any military training the Inquisitor certainly had a natural flair for it. He smiled at the thought, feeling an odd sort of familial pride in the redhead wondering if he had he ever told her they were very distant cousins? It hardly mattered now, there were far more important matters at work, but the mage made a note to remind himself to do just that once they escaped this hell. The Tevinter shrugged aside the errant thought and prepared to unleash the spell he had worked on so long ago with Alexis, bringing his staff down hard on the ground, watching as the world around him exploded into action.

As the crack of the staff reverberated Evelyn darted through the horde, vanishing and reappearing as she twisted her way towards the center ignoring the snarls, the hiss of enraged demons - her eyes set only on the Nightmare in front of her. Adrenaline flooded the rogue as she reached the center and she gave a shout of triumph as she swung her daggers down, gasping as the demon's image faded and a deadly voice whispered from behind her ear.

I see a decision has indeed been made Inquisitor. Good. I disliked waiting.

Quickly the Inquisitor pivoted out of the way as she pushed her daggers behind her, feeling the metal sink into something solid as an outraged roar shook the very Fade. She threw down a smoke bomb to conceal her next movements as she circled the demon, stabbing at its shadowy form as rapidly as she could, a surge of hope pushing her muscles past their fatigued state before being thrown back by a loud explosion.

Evelyn grunted as she slammed hard into the rock floor, her breath knocked from her as she fought to look past the smoke and debris. She could see the outline of the qunari warrior and hear his deep laughter as he hacked into and at the monstrous spider that loomed above them all, dodging both the beast's fangs and webbing. The continual flashes of fire, ice and arrows told her that Varric and Solas were still attacking the demonic horde. She looked towards the last spot she had seen the Tevinter; her heart beating rapidly when the mage was nowhere to be seen. She swallowed, stomach churning as she struggled to get to her feet. Fire raced along her back as she felt the curve of talons tearing through steel, leather, muscle and flesh. Refusing to cry out the rogue fell forward as she reached back, feeling the uneven edges of her torn flesh.

Clever, clever girl but I will not relinquish my prize so easily

The voice dripped with amusement, the sound enraged her and Evelyn struggled to her feet amidst the sinister laughter that beat a war drum in her head. The smoke around them was clearing and the Inquisitor thought she saw a familiar robed form slipping away at the edge of it. She chanced a look towards the spherical prison that held the seeker, eyes widening when she realized that it was no longer there. Chest hammering, blood rushing the noble looked for a sign, any sign that could tell her that her foolhardy plan had worked, that Cassandra had escaped. She frowned as a strange warmth bled into her and a familiar calming voice drove away the Nightmare's vexing cackle.

You have done well Inquisitor. It is time. Run and do not look back. Run and take your friends with you and if you could… pass along a message from me. Tell Leliana that I am sorry I failed her too.

Evelyn looked around for the spirit, her thoughts shattering in a hundred different directions as she saw demons slowly ressurecting all around her.

Go. Now.

She heeded the command and ran; ran without thinking, ran without looking, ran for the opening in the sky vaguely aware of the companions that were following closely at her heels. She stumbled, almost falling as a robed figure came into view ahead of her holding the still unconcious seeker in his arms. A howl of rage drew her attention from the welcome sight and Evelyn looked back to see the Nightmare advancing on them. The strange warmth from earlier seeped from her body as pain returned and the Inquisitor fell, only to be bourn back up and tossed over the shoulder of the Iron Bull. She watched as the bright light expanded across the Nightmare's path, obstructing the demon from view. Evelyn wanted to watch, wanted to witness, to honor the sacrifice being made in her stead but there was no time.

"Boss, do your thing."

Evelyn turned, raising her marked arm to the sky, ignoring the flash of pain to summon the last of her strength to break open up the rift. With a shout she unleashed the mark's power, watching as the tear opened to reveal a starlit sky. She felt a familiar pull; the feeling of her body leaving the earth and thought she heard a soft voice telling her to lie back before she succumbed to the pains that wracked her body. Evelyn turned to see the seeker lying beside her, dead wardens all around and she reached towards the welcome sight, unsure if the vision was real. Tentatively she tangling her fingers with the other woman's as a flood of emotion swept through her. The Inquisitor felt her lips twitch in a slow smile before giving into enervation, her eyes closing with the finality that Cassandra was safe once more.