Alex entered the War Room, determined to finish off Corypheus after speaking with Leliana. She had expressed her support for the spymaster, much to Daylen's delight, as it would mean that he and Cassandra would now stay with her and the Inquisition. She had expressed that she wished to rebuild the Seekers of Truth, a sentiment that Daylen did not agree with, but he had let her, in support of his lover. After discussing the particulars with them, she had sent a raven to the Orlesian Chantry, expressing her support for Leliana's candidacy as Divine.

At her entrance, the spymaster turned to her, "We were not able to discuss it, but… did you… find what you need, Inquisitor?"

Alex nodded, "I can match the dragon. Corypheus is another story."

"Then all that remains is to find Corypheus before he comes to us." Cullen said as he looked at her.

Leliana shrugged as she turned to him, looking a little distressed, "We've been looking for his base since all this began, with no success."

Cullen shook his head as he leaned over the table, looking at the map, "His dragon must come and go from somewhere."

Josephine rifled through her clip board, searching through the various letters attached to it, "What about the Deep Roads? We could send word to Orzammar, hire envoys to…"

But Alex flinched when her hand painfully glowed, while the room became flooded with green light. The familiar sound of a rift opening rang through their ears as they still, and they turned around to look at the gigantic windows of the room. The sky outside once again swirled with clouds, a bright green light emitting from the Breach, once again opened and spewing out demons, making their eyes widen.

"Corypheus." Alex muttered out angrily as she lowered her hand.

Leliana blinked in surprise, "He did that? But why?"

"Either I close the Breach again, or it swallows the world." Alex told her, and Josephine shook her head, "But that's madness! Wouldn't it kill him as well?"

The three advisors looked at each other, realizing the situation and Cullen looked over at Alex worriedly, "Inquisitor, we have no forces to send with you… we must wait for them to return from the Arbor Wilds."

"Just as Corypheus planned, I suppose." Alex said as she determinedly looked out the window. "Then… I face him alone."

Cullen's face froze with fear, and her heart grew afraid at the battle to come, but she shook her head and instead turned to the two women. "Josephine, alert everyone in the castle. All civilians must get inside the Throne Room. If Corypheus decides to attack us here, they must be kept safe. Leliana, withdraw your scouts from the Frostback Mountains, and call on my Inner Circle. They'll contain the demons while Solas, Varric, Cassandra and I deal with Corypheus. Cullen…" She looked at her lover, keeping a brave face, even though she felt tingles of fear running down her spine, "There are a few patrols over at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Send a raven with Leliana, tell them to keep up a small defensive while the others and I get there."

"I… yes, Inquisitor." Cullen said, and the three of them bowed at her, with Leliana and Josephine running of to do their bidding. Alex turned around intending to run to the armory to get her equipment, but Cullen rushed towards her, grasping her arm and making her turn to him. His face was pale as he grasped both of her arms, the fear evident on his face, "Alexandra, I…"

Alex put a finger on his lip, silencing him, and she smiled at him lovingly as she came forward and wrapped her arms around him. He sighed heavily as he returned her embrace, burying his face against her hair, and Alex felt him tense up, his breathing becoming labored in fear, "Alexandra… promise me… promise me that you will come back…"

She bit her lip in an effort not to cry, as her throat constricted with emotion, "I…" She said, her voice breaking, "I can't promise that, Cullen. But I'll fight… I'll fight my hardest to come back to you. Of that, you can be sure." She drew back from him, and he lowered his head so that their foreheads touched, and Cullen saw her emerald eyes sparkle with unshed tears. "Whatever happens, I want you to know I love you. I will always and forever love you."

Cullen breathed out heavily, grasping her head with both hands, and Alex saw a single tear roll down his eye, "And I love you."

Alex smiled sadly, and she felt her own tears run down her eyes, as she raised herself up and kissed his mouth, her arms almost painfully hugging around his neck. Cullen returned it by hugging her to his chest, his arms tightening, showing that he didn't want to let her go and fight the magister alone. But Alex drew away from him, and he heard her sniff, as she pushed away from him and almost ran towards the door.

Cullen remained standing in the War Room, distraught and worried beyond description, and he breathed out and he swallowed hard, before he looked down at his hand… and at the velvet box which had contained Alex's engagement ring.