Alex landed on solid ground, and as predicted, she found herself at the courtyard of Adamant Fortress, with her Inquisition soldiers and the Grey Wardens fighting off demons. At her entrance, they all looked at her, and she raised her left hand, her Mark glowing green, as she forced the Rift closed, causing the demons around them to die.

At the death of their enemies, the soldiers cheered, and Hawke came forward to her. "She was right. Without the Nightmare to control them, the mages are free, and Corypheus loses his demon army." She said as she looked at her, "Though as far as they're all concerned, the Inquisitor broke the spell with the blessing of the Maker."

Alex scowled a little, "Once they understand what really happened…"

But Hawke shook her head, "No, let them have this."

One of Leliana's scouts rushed towards her, "Inquisitor, the Archdemon flew off as soon as you disappeared. The Venatori magister is unconscious but alive. Cullen thought you might wish to deal with him yourself. As for the Wardens, those who weren't corrupted helped us fight the demons."

One of the Wardens came forward and put a hand on his chest, "We stand ready to help make up for Clarel's… tragic mistake." And he lowered his hand as he looked around, "Where is Alistair?"

At the mention of his name, Hawke looked down sadly, and anger coursed through Alex's veins that she growled, pointing accusingly at the Wardens, "Warden Alistair is dead, thanks to all of you. He alone stood against Clarel's madness. If not for him, you'd all be dead… or slaves to a servant of the Blight." She sneered at the Wardens a bit, "And you repaid that by branding him a traitor."

The Wardens looked around at each other, ashamed beyond description, but soon the Warden in front of her spoke, "Inquisitor, we have no one left of any significant rank. What do we do now?"

Alex looked down at her cousin only to see her looking back at her and shrugging. Alex's scowl grew darker, "You stay and do whatever you can to help."

The Wardens blinked as they looked back at her, and Varric and Blackwall nodded in agreement, although Cole looked rather disapproving of her choice. She looked back at the Wardens, "Alistair died believing that the Wardens were a force for good. I am willing to give the rest of you one final chance to prove it. You're still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing."

"But they hurt people." Cole muttered out.

Hawke nodded, "While they do that, I'll inform the Wardens at Weisshaupt what's happened. Best they not get caught off-guard."

Alex nodded at her and the Warden bowed down a little at her, "Thank you, your worship. We will not fail you."

The scout and the Warden walked away from them, and Hawke came nearer to her. "I'll send the letter to Weisshaupt first, and then I'll follow within the week. I think I said I still owe you a pint, so I'll keep that promise. Varric will be upset too if I don't say goodbye to him properly." She looked down at her, "You look tired, cousin. You should rest."

Alex nodded numbly, walking away from her cousin and through the crowd, with Varric, Cole and Blackwall looking sadly at her. As she passed, Cole reached out to take her hand, but Varric stopped the boy and she heard him speak, "Leave her for the moment, Kid. I know you want to help her, but let her grieve for the moment."

Cole nodded silently, and as she turned to watch them, the boy headed to the wounded Inquisition soldiers that littered the area and Blackwall started talking to the Wardens. She watched Varric headed to Hawke, and she bent down at him, hugging him tightly as he did to her.

"Alexandra."

Alex looked up to see Cullen looking worriedly at her, before putting a hand on her shoulder in comfort. At the sight of him, seeing him safe and the look of grief on his face, Alex's eyes watered, "Alistair's gone."

Cullen nodded sadly, before wrapping his arms around her. At the feeling of him, Alex's control broke, and she began weep fervently, her whole body shaking as she grasped at Cullen's armor. He didn't try to stop her, or to shush her, instead letting her cry in earnest. She grew weak from fatigue and grief, and he felt it, and he bent over to carry her in his arms.

She continued to cry as Cullen carried her through the Fortress, the soldiers and the Wardens bowing at her in sadness, and he headed to the desert outside, where some Inquisition camps were set up. The soldiers gave them a wide berth as he entered one of the tents, placing Alex on a cot before heading back to the flap to close it as best as he could. With surprising gentleness and silence, he helped Alex out of her armor, leaving her with just her usual leather shirt and breeches, cleaning the blood of her wounds and wrapping bandages on her bruises. When she was clean, he removed his own armor so that he stood in a shirt and pants, before heading to her and pushing her down the bed, and lying beside her as she continued to cry.

Cullen lay beside her throughout her grief, not saying anything, not moving except for his hand rubbing her back and running through her hair in comfort. He sent out a silent prayer to the Maker at the loss of a friend and Alex's family, and he held her until they both finally fell asleep.