"Good morning, Inquisitor."

Alex looked up as she lowered the flap of her tent to see Solas smiling at her, robed and ready for their adventures, the bag where he usually kept their supplies on his back. She smiled back at him as she started walking, reaching up to her hair to secure it into a bun as she looked at the camp. "Is everyone ready?"

"We are, Inquisitor." Cassandra said as she appeared beside her, her armor shining against the light as she sheathed her sword and her shield, with Sera running up behind them, stuffing as much arrows as her quiver could hold, "Commander Cullen led the charge, and our other allies have gone ahead. We will likely see them as we make our way to the temple."

"Right." Alex said as they continued to walk, and she had met with one of the Cullen's captains, who saluted at her. "Inquisitor."

"How goes the battle, captain?" She asked the woman as they walked through the camp.

"We're holding, barely." She said, "The red templars are fighting harder than ever with their master nearby. Our scouts saw Corypheus traveling towards an elven ruin to the north. We can clear you a path through his armies."

She smirked a little, "So all you have to do is fend off Corypheus' worst zealots until I've returned."

The captain didn't seem to be in a joking mood, merely raising an eyebrow at her, before saluting again, "We shall not flinch, Your Worship. Not a one of us. Andraste guide you, Inquisitor." She bowed down a little at her before moving away, just as Alex heard Morrigan approach.

"I wonder…" Morrigan said as she stood beside her, watching the captain walk away, "Is it Andraste your soldiers invoke during battle, or does a more immediate name come to their lips?"

Alex grinned a little at the witch, "Another way to let people down if I falter. Thank you for the reminder."

Morrigan smirked back at her, " 'Twas not I who raised an army of faithful to storm this land, Inquisitor… but I digress. If your scouts report accurately, I believe these ruins to be the Temple of Mythal."

"Which is?"

"A place of worship out of elven legend." Morrigan explained, "If Corypheus seeks it, then the eluvian he covets lies within…"

Alex flinched when she heard explosions, and she turned around, looking past the trees, to see puffs of smoke and fire exploding at a distance. She also heard the yells of exaltation coming Iron Bull in the direction, and she surmised that the explosions were probable set off by Rocky, the Charger's resident trapper and sapper.

Morrigan huffed, "Let us hope we reach this temple before the entire forest is reduced to ash."

Alex nodded and walked a little further, and she blinked when she saw Josephine talking to someone, who turned out to be Empress Celene. Her ambassador turned around to look at her, curtsying a little, "Inquisitor, I hear this 'eluvian' lies in a temple nearby. That's where the fighting will be worse. Andraste keep you safe."

She grinned at the woman, "Are you sure you don't want to grab a sword and wade in?"

Josephine blinked at her, before she giggled, "I shall remain where I am of some use, Your Worship, if it's all the same. Good luck."

Alex nodded at her as Josephine moved away, and she turned her attention to Celene, giving the empress a polite bow, "We are gladdened to see you, Herald." Celene said as she smiled at her elegantly, "This day will be recalled for ages. We are privileged to witness the fulfillment of the Inquisition's purpose."

"The sight of our Orlesian allies risking their lives here humbles me." Alex said politely, and Celene smiled again.

"Your worthy cause would have friends. Even if we did not will it." Celene said, "Men and women of faith serve you. Their favor is no less than our own, their service no less dear." Her face became determined as she held out her hand to Alex, making her blink, but she took the woman's hand into hers, "With Orlais at your side, we will see you victorious against Corypheus. May you walk in the light."

Alex bowed to her again, before nodding at her companions, who followed her as she walked through the camp. She heard Cassandra growl a little, "Listen to how close the fighting has gotten. It would be worse ahead."

Solas nodded in agreement, "If the soldiers aren't careful with their fires, they'll do Corypheus' work for him."

But Morrigan seemed to tremble as she looked around, "Do you sense the magic crackling? Something more powerful than the red templars stirs."

Alex scowled, "It's probably Corypheus."

Sera scoffed and pushed Alex's arm, making her look down at the precarious elf, who had already drawn out her bow, "Well, what're you waiting for then, Inky? Come on! Let's plug some arseholes."

Alex blinked at her, and from a corner of her eye, she saw Solas shake his head in exasperation at his fellow elf, but he was smiling. She grinned as she unsheathed her staff, "Right, you are, Sera. Come on… theire plenty of red templars worth beheading."

She ran ahead, charging through the forest, and she heard Sera let out a jubilant hoot as she faded into a thick fog of smoke. From behind her, she felt the magic of both Solas and Morrigan, and Cassandra's sword sang from its sheath as they ran, heading towards the fighting.

Alex and her party ran on, killing red templars along away, with the Orlesian soldiers cheering on her as she passed. She thought she heard Iron Bull a few paces from their route, yelling jubilantly as he hewed red templars. She also heard Varric's crossbow, Bianca, sounding as well, the machinations of the weapon quite audible from a distance. She saw one of her new allies, Michel de Chevin, among the soldiers, and he gave her a salute as they continued on. Soon they got to a river… the first blockade of her army against Corypheus' forces, where she noticed a few Grey Wardens fighting, as well as some demons. Her allies finished them all, killing them easily, and Alex looked down at one of the corpses.

"Those were Grey Wardens. They must be the last of those enslaved at Adamant." She said as she stood up, and Cassandra came up beside her as she sheathed her sword.

"If they are forced to obey him, death will be a blessing." Cassandra told her as they headed further into the forest, "It is fortunate that your sister is not here to witness such a desecration to her order."

"Yes. I'm glad she's safe from this." Alex agreed, "Come on, we have to get to that temple."

They headed further into the forest, saving a group of Leliana's scouts along the way, but soon they came upon a small camp. Alex bent over at the foliage as she surveyed the camp, and Cassandra kneeled beside her.

"There… ahead. An entire camp of red templars." Alex told the Seeker beside her, and she nodded back, before pointing at one of the ancient, crumbling walls. "Watch out. They've posted archers on the wall."

Alex nodded and she looked back at her companions, smirking at Sera, "You know what to do, Sera."

The little elf looked positively delighted as she faded into a puff of smoke, disappearing against the foliage, only to appear behind the archers, and shooting them with a barrage of arrows. Alex and Cassandra charged afterwards, with Solas casting a barrier on them, as Morrigan froze the templars for the Seeker to decimate. The battle, for her, was relatively easy, as the red templars panicked, but soon she saw something.

"SERA!" Alex cried out as another form… an elf… appeared behind her friend, and Sera deftly jumped away before he could sink his daggers into her. The elf was rather hardy and quick, and it took them a while to defeat them, only to find another one attacking Solas.

"Elves!" Cassandra shouted as she raised her shield against the elf before he could injure Solas, "But where do they come from?!"

"It seems this temple of Mythal is not deserted after all." Solas commented as he froze the elf with a spell, and Cassandra smashed him with her shield, causing their unknown assailant to break into pieces and die.

Alex huffed as they battle ended, and Morrigan looked around, "Perhaps these creatures are the reason few return from the Arbor Wilds."

"Well, I think I would've liked them better if their daggers were pointed against the templars." She said as she patted Solas on the shoulder, "Are you injured, Solas?"

The bald elf shook his head, "It is but a scratch." He said as gulped down a potion, "I will be fine, Inquisitor. We must continue forward."

Alex nodded as they continued forward, killing more red templars and saving more scouts. They eventually met with Grand Enchanter Fiona along the way, casting spells against a couple of Red Templar Behemoths, alongside Grand Enchanter Vivienne and Blackwall, who seemed a little too preoccupied at smashing his shield against the enemies. The Grand Enchanter nodded to her, "Inquisitor! The Circle of Magi stands with you!"

She saluted the elven woman and her ally before pressing forward, and meeting a few more red templars and elves. She reached an area that had a scouting camp again, and she moved up towards a wall to see a better view as Cassandra charged, only to find Leliana, with Cole fighting below them, disappearing in puffs of smoke as he battled what seemed to be a red templar soldier.

"Good hunting, Inquisitor!" The spymaster said as she pulled arrow after arrow, shooting at the red templars to protect her scouts as her companions fought, "We are keeping them at bay! Follow the river to the temple!"

"I will!" Alex said as she finished the last of the templars, and the bard gave her curt nod before turning around to look after a scout who had fallen prey against an elven assassin.

They continued on, killing a few more red templars, and soon Alex came upon what looked like the last of the blockade, and a large group of their enemy. Familiar faces met her gaze, and she unsheathed her staff. "Cullen!"

The man she called looked back at her, "Alexandra!" He shouted as he raised his shield against a red templar, blocking a blow intended for Alex. The red templar promptly turned to ice, and she looked behind the enemy to see Dorian, Maxwell and Daylen in the back ranks, casting spells against the enemy.

"Look out!" Maxwell shouted, casting a barrier, just as another elven assassin appeared behind them, his blades drawn against Dorian. He raised his staff to stop the daggers from ascending on his paramour and shielding him, as Dorian knocked the elf back with a lightning spell, making it tumble backwards before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"Where is he?!" Alex shouted as she burned the attacking red templars with fire, while Cassandra and Cullen protected them with their shields, stabbing the hardy templars with their swords as Sera fired her arrows one after the other. She looked around frantically for the elven assassin, seeing nothing.

But something must've moved near them, as Daylen started frantically running. "CASSANDRA!" He yelled, diving in mid air behind the Seeker, just as the elven assassin appeared. His blades met with Daylen's shoulders, making him scream out loud, as he pushed Cassandra out of the way. Cullen reacted, his sword shining in the sunlight as he stabbed the elf through the neck, killing him instantly.

"Daylen!" Cassandra, Alex and Maxwell cried out, running towards the man as the Seeker lifted his head, her face crumpled with worry. Daylen was pale, his blood flowing from two wounds on his upper shoulders and staining Cassandra's breeches as she nestled him on her nap, before coloring the water of the river red.

"You fool!" Cassandra shouted at him as Maxwell bent over his twin, his face pale with fear, as he quickly casted a spell over his brother's body. Alex and her companions gave them room, "You didn't have to take the blade for me!"

Daylen had the strength to smile at her, "That's what love does, yes? Makes people do idiotic things."

Cassandra blinked, and Alex watched as the Seeker's gray eyes watered with tears, her face softening with adoration as she stroked his cheek, "You've been an idiot since you started loving me."

Daylen laughed a little, but he grimaced as Maxwell continued to work on his wounds, "Well, as long as I'm your idiotic, love-struck fool, I'll be perfectly happy with it."

Cassandra let out a small laugh as Maxwell lowered his hands, and she looked up at her lover's twin. "I've closed his wounds, but he would still need some rest." Maxwell said as he touched Daylen's shoulder, "We'll take care of him."

Dorian sheathed his staff and nodded at Alex, "I fear Corypheus is already inside, Inquisitor. He's got Samson and a few red templars with him. You must hurry."

Alex nodded as she bent over Daylen and ran a hand through her brother's hair, "Makes sure you rest, Dale. Remember what I told you."

Daylen grinned up at her, "I got Max and Dorian with me. I'll be fine. Take care of yourself… and Cassandra."

The Seeker blushed a little as Alex kissed her brother's forehead and moved away a little so that she could say her farewells to her brother. Cassandra blinked down at Daylen as Alex pulled Maxwell, Dorian and Cullen aside to speak with them, and Sera, Morrigan and Solas moved a little further away to give them room. "You'd better make sure that you will be alive when I come back." Cassandra's accented voice spoke, although it seemed like her throat was tight with emotion, "I will wring your neck if you are not."

Daylen chuckled a little, "If you wring my neck when I'm dead, it'll be a blessing… I won't be able feel anything." But he silenced as he raised his hand to touch Cassandra's face, making her blink in surprise, "Be careful in there, my lady."

Cassandra's face softened again, and Alex grinned when the woman bent down, kissing Daylen fervently on the lips as she touched his face, her brother's hands twining against the Seeker's short hair. "Get well soon."

Daylen nodded, and he grasped Cassandra's hand as Alex turned towards the three men. "I've cleared the path backwards, to Leliana's camp. Cole is there, too. You should take Daylen there so he could rest."

Dorian nodded, "Maxwell and I can carry him there, since my amatus can hold off those elves, it seems." Maxwell blushed faintly, but he looked proud at the name his Tevinter paramour gave him. "Corypheus had a rather large contingeancy of soldiers with him."

"I'll stay behind with the soldiers." Cullen told her as he sheathed his sword, "But you must get inside, and quickly. We will hold off as much of the enemy's forces here."

Alex nodded as Maxwell and Dorian moved away towards Daylen, with Cassandra moving back to give the men some room. "Come on, brother…" Maxwell said as he gingerly lifted up his twin, with Dorian moving to Daylen's other side, "Let's get you well again. I don't want to get beheaded by the Seeker."

She could hear Daylen chuckle at his twin's jest, and Cassandra looked determined as she strode up towards the entrance of the temple, with Solas and Sera following at her heels. Alex looked back at Cullen, who looked at her softly. "Be careful out here, Cullen."

The man nodded, and after looking around to make sure his soldiers weren't looking, he reached out for her hand and kissed it, "And you as well, Alexandra."

Alex smiled at him, "I have luck, remember?" she said, bearing open her neck, and Cullen blinked when he realized that the coin he gave her was nestled on her chest, an intricate metal locket holding it like a pendant on a gold chain. He smiled at her as she winked at him, before heading up the stairs towards the temple entrance.

"Took you long enough." Sera complained, when she caught up with them, "I thought you two were going to friggin' snog like Cassandra did."

The Seeker blushed hotly, "I… that is… if it disgusts you so much, you should have turned away."

Solas smiled a little, "We were afraid you were going to faint from shock at seeing Master Daylen wounded, Seeker."

Cassandra looked appaled as she turned at the bald elf, "I don't swoon."

Morrigan chuckled from behind them, before coughing, "'Tis an unfortunate time to be discussing your love lives, yes? A madman is currently ahead of us, close to his goal."

"Right. Let's get moving." Alex said as she jogged, "We'll talk about Cassandra's adorable, love-struck kissy face later."

Sera let out a loud snort of laughter as Solas and Morrigan chuckled, as Cassandra blushed a deeper shade of red, opting to remain silent, and they ran on towards a darkened corridor towards the Temple of Mythal.