The Templar Outpost-Present Day

"So that is my story Inquisitor Trevelyan, the story of a man driven desperate, and the story of a man changed by the experiences." Marcus finished.

"My condolences on Mellissa," Benjamin replied, "but I am unsure what this has to do with the Inquisition. I assume you are the leader of this cabal, why attack Inquisition patrols?"

"Because the Inquisition is part of the problem. Or you became part of the problem. The Inquisition could have been so much more…instead…" Marcus shook his head.

Ben watched him start to pace around, back and forth quite…eager. It seemed. Energetic. His passions were aroused.

"You know the man had a girlfriend, she was made Tranquil for some minor slight, some offense to her overlords. It broke him. Made him turn to Blood Magic."

"He made the choice, turning to Blood magic and perpetrating a vile evil is still wrong." Benjamin spat.

"Ha, what have you lost?" Durnham, former Templar Knight Captain, turned towards the Inquisitor.

"A great deal." Ben murmured.

"And what have you done about it? What has the Inquisition done about it? Given in on every single turn." Marcus accused.

"I have done what I can," Benjamin countered, "no more."

"It hasn't been enough, can't you see that? That is why this fortress has been set up. That is why I drew you out of hiding. Drew you here. Ambushing Inquisition patrols. To explain it to you, to show you this world needed to change."

"You think killing members of the Inquisition will make us listen to you? You think this…charade…will get us to back down?" Cassandra snapped, sounding aghast. Joining the fray.

"I have to admit that does sound kind of crazy," Varric murmured.

"Charade? These are real events. People are suffering. And all the Inquisition does is have tea with the people who are perpetrating the problem."

"If you believe that, then you have not been paying attention," Benjamin snarled.

Marcus shook his head sadly, "I gave you one chance, one chance to change your mind. Sadly, you are a threat to Thedas. The Inquisition must be stopped if the world is going to change. You stand in the way of that change."

The former Templar stepped back, and twirled around. Benjamin's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward as well as his group of companions. Marcus drew his sword and swung into action. Benjamin activated his Spirit Blade, bringing it to hand, Cassandra's sword grinding out of its sheath, Bianca clicked into Varric's shoulder, and Dorian's staff hummed behind him.

Marcus's eyes darted between the four of them, and while Benjamin appreciated the eerie irony, he smiled wolfishly at the group.

"Take them!" He shouted.

"What-?" Benjamin grunted.

A rush of air and a buzzing sound greeted his ears.

He looked around and Cassandra was gone grey smoke hovering over the ground.

It happened again, another head turn, and Varric was gone. Then finally, one more time, and Dorian was gone.

Benjamin spun back to the Templar whose eyes were glinting with hidden malice. "What have you done?" He punctuated every word, sounding each one out slowly.

"I have done nothing, and your companions are perfectly safe. Well, for now." Marcus grinned.

Benjamin centered himself. Expecting the man to charge now that it was an even fight. And he would be on the defensive to open up.

Marcus did not disappoint though as he came in, swinging his blade from low, threatening to scour the Inquisitor alive.

Benjamin was ready though. A flash of magical energy generated along the shaft of the blade as he parried from left to right, slamming the blade out of the way. Confident that with the magic of his blade, his guard would be more effective. His barriers stronger for his experiences and spell casting.

The two of them traded cautious blows. Benjamin was not that much of a sword fighter per se, preferring to batter his opponents aside, yet he was good on the guard. The two of them were testing each other, a preamble before the real dance began.

…

Dorian landed face down on cool stone, his hands just barely cushioning his fall, his staff flying out of his hand. He got up quickly, expecting, demanding danger, scooping his staff up in one hand.

He was not disappointed as three Templars rushed into the room, off to one side. He clutched his staff with renewed purpose.

"Well, this should be fun," He said cheerily.

The Templar in front of him grunted and he laid down a fire mine, in front of the entrance. The Templar on the left pointed his sword at it which dispelled the effect, but Dorian had a surprise waiting for them. He raised his hands, palm up and a wall of fire sprung up between the Templars and him, they screamed, but they were not out of the fight yet…

…

Varric Tethras, Deshyr to the Merchants Guild in Kirkwall blinked slowly, hoping that whatever magic affected him temporarily blinded him, and he could adjust. But no, it was dark. Though slowly his eyes got used to the dim light, it was dim.

He heard squealing and hissing, grinding and tearing. Shapes moved in the darkness. Skeletal figures rose. Undead…great. The Dwarf thought to himself.

They scrambled in, slowly, but with gathering speed and purpose. As if they were coming to the realization he was there, and alone.

"Well not alone, lets show our guests a proper reception, eh Bianca?" He said patting his cross bow confidently.

He pointed it at the lead group of skeletons, and fired. Fire bolts from his crossbow rapidly exploded towards them, and just like a scythe of death the first four skeletons fell, but there were more of them where those came from…

…

Cassandra Pentaghast twirled around in place, her sword in one of her hands in a relaxed though ready position. Her eyes scanning for any possible threat, or any way out and to rejoin the Inquisitor in whatever battle he was sure to be facing himself.

Tap tap tap.

The noise drew her attention, it was coming from behind her and Cassandra slowly glanced over her shoulder.

A woman was approaching Cassandra from behind. And the Seeker turned to meet her.

As the woman stepped closer the Seeker could make out more of her features.

"You are an elf," Cassandra said, her eyebrow arching, "And a mage…I might've known."

"Yes, why wouldn't I? Marcus Durnham will see us to a new age…for all of us."

"Ugh," Cassandra groaned, "Maybe, but what kind of age will you want?"

The Elf smirked at her, "I am not here to debate philosophy with you, that was Marcus's job…and he failed."

With that the mage began spinning and twirling her staff in a great arc. The air around Cassandra crackled, she clenched her sword in both of her hands and began twisting on the two balls of her feet. Getting warmed up for the fight ahead.

The mage came in, quicker than Cassandra was expecting, almost before she could react the woman's staff was coming down. Cassandra brought the sword up with a howl and the two came together.

Cassandra channeled her talents and energies into her blade. Her own 'magical' talents and Seeker training hummed along the blade, as the air positively crackled around them.

The former Seeker gritted her teeth from the onslaught and settled in for the long haul…

…

Benjamin Trevelyan's Knight Enchanter Spirit Blade blazed out again, and again as the two combatants were now dancing the dance of death. The two of them were in the thick of it. The green of the Spirit Blade playing off the walls with each time he used it to attack.

The Templar, despite having a two handled blade, was maintaining a furious pace. Sweat was breathing off his brow.

But Benjamin was feeling just as hot, as his guard was engaged, and his blade was twirling and slicing through the air.

The tight confines of the crossroads didn't leave much room for either contestant to retreat under the pressure. They could not afford to give any ground into their opponents, at least, not in the close round.

Benjamin, out of slight desperation but also in the interests of continuing to test the Templar's talents flew into a Fade Step, he rushed to the other end of the room, and phased out. When he did he fired a barrage of electric energy at Durnham. The balls of energy exploded against his sword and magical shield as he was able to bring it up in time, before charging forward once again. Quickly entering range.

The magical blade flashed again to intercept the blade, the two of them met with a spark of energy. In theory with enough exposure the Spirit Blade should snap most swords, but, this was a Templar, with his own little abilities to keep his blade safe from harm as well as his person.

The Templar grinned at the display. Enjoying himself. I wonder why exactly, has he grown to love battle this much? Or is he just over confident? Whatever the case Ben felt himself loosing. He was winded. Most opponents he could just batter aside with great ease. But this one, he was having to work for it.

"Come on, the mighty Inquisitor, the mighty Inquisition. I guess the Maker is with me after all."

Ben's eyes widened, though he was still secretly unsure about his role in world events, the contrast did sting.

Ben rose his saber up in a great arc, plowing and battering aside his, but instead the Templar gritted his teeth and held his in a perfect guard position, absorbing the blow and pushing Benjamin off of him. The Knight Enchanter grunted and again the Templar came in.

He channeled more magic to the Spirit Blade, but even then he was beginning to tire, even with its magical defenses he was losing the battle. Channeling so much magic and mana into his blade was draining him. Something he was not experienced with except for perhaps the most desperate and bitter Dragon engagements. And the flailing around with it was causing him to become fatigued as well.

He had just one more hope.

Channeling energy to the Mark it flared on his hand, he shot his hand straight out, intending to open a fade rift to at least suck in, or immobilize the Templar, but…a shooting pain caused him to yelp. The Knight Captain was holding some sort of magical rune in his hand. It glowed a malevolent red color and Ben's entire arm felt as though it had caught on fire.

His eyes watered, he blinked the tears aside to see Marcus Durnham charging with his sword raised high. Benjamin brought up the spirit blade again and it was slammed aside, pitifully scouring his defenses. Though he lurching back may have saved his life.

The Knight Captain came forward again and slashed at the Inquisitor, the sword bit into his side, the Inquisitor howled again in pain, the Spirit Blade briefly falling from his hands as he was pushed back.

Benjamin fell on his ass, Durnham towered over him. Sword held at his side.

"You will die here Inquisitor, the Inquisition will fall. And we, will rise." He said, raising his blade…

…

Cassandra Pentaghast braced herself as a bolt of flame slammed into her sword causing it to glow red hot. The battle was supposed to be over by now, and it couldn't have lasted much longer. One way or another, win, lose, or draw, it would end.

The mage elf was not looking labored in the least. Impressive Cassandra thought to herself. The constant barrage of fire attacks followed up by quick lightning strikes up close with her staff. The blade on the end whipping dangerously close to Cassandra's face.

The Seeker wished she could divine a pattern but it seemed entirely random. Or so perfect in its execution that she could not react.

The Elf warrior came again, and Cassandra blocked the strike up low, and then swung her blade to parry low as the mage tried to anticipate a potential danger.

"You are well trained in your craft Seeker," The woman complemented.

Cassandra grinned, because that is when she knew, knew.

She pushed off aggressively with her two handed sword with a grimace. She slammed it around. And then vanished. She appeared on the other side of the Elf, came in low, and the mage just barely brought her staff in to intercept her blow.

But it wasn't good enough as Cassandra brought her sword up and slammed the pommel down across her face. The Elf flew back, and landed on her backside, bouncing off the cobblestones.

"Ow."

Before Cassandra could press her advantage, the Elf disappeared.

She grunted her disapproval, before turning to the side, a bright light flashed in front of her…

…

Durnham lunged with his blade, Benjamin sat there. Waiting. His chest was too painful to make much of a show or bring more of his magic to hand. Whatever the Knight Captain did to the Mark was certainly…debilitating

Suddenly a blade thrust from the darkness and the two met in midair, the blade from Marcus was diverted, sparking dramatically.

Benjamin swiveled his eyes around and saw Cassandra there, may have been over extended, but, she had saved his life. He brought up a small grateful smile, but even that felt like the labors of a Dragon.

Two more rushes of air, and the way Durnham's eyes darted around Benjamin assumed Varric and Dorian had now arrived on the scene.

"Well, seems I underestimated the Inquisition, it matters not." Marcus muttered glaring at the four of them.

With that he quickly withdrew his blade and stepped back, darkness swallowed him.

Benjamin then felt Darkness swallow him…

Cassandra's concerned, and very warm, hands were soon on his arm and cheek. But soon, he faced oblivion.