Cullen restlessly moved outside the training yard. His feet strained as he walked, he was impatient and on edge since his dream from last night. He felt now the greatest sense of want and need coursing through him. He was getting nervous, waiting for the familiar figure of Anara to pass by. He watched as she left the small house she remained in after she closed the breach, if not temporarily.

He watched her move across the snow, her arms filled with supplies as she walked across the camp. Cullen knew she accepted the trap that Alexius had laid, but she had to make her way, and in time release the mages from the Magisters control.

His feet moved in nervousness as he walked forward, wishing to meet up with Anara, wishing to talk to her finally, the stress and tension finally getting to him. His dreams have been slowly wearing on him, making his need grow, regardless of what The Maker intended.

He watched her move about, gathering enough to set forth on their mission, he knew that there was nothing he could do to sway her. But he wished to say his piece, even if it was the last that he would speak. He gained distance quickly, his body no longer in control to his inner self. He only wished to be within her presence, to speak the few words that he knew inside without fear.

"Curly." His feet stopped in their tracks as he heard the familiar words of Varric, his nickname still mocking to Cullen's ears.

"Varric." He spoke back, his hands felt clammy and itchy, wishing to leave the presence of the dwarf quickly. He had an uncanny ability to see through the bullshit that people put on the surface.

"You look tired Commander, you've been sleeping alright?" Cullen hadn't seen a looking glass in some time, but he knew he felt different than his usual self. He'd been fighting his lyrium addiction in his nights and in his sleep. Met with only a few dreams of fervid passion that lead him away from his languishing memories from so long ago. He knew it had been awhile since his face had met with a blade, the stubble on his face beginning to become rough.

His hand reflexively reached up to the bridge of his nose. Rubbing it in between his fingers as he tried to think about what Varric said. He was in no condition to talk to Anara, his mind was still in his dream last night. The thought of her lips upon his, her body quaking under his as he felt himself break, reaching his end with her.

"Should I leave you alone to your thoughts Curly? You seem….Preoccupied." Varric seemed to turn, his eyes looking over the preparations ahead of the three mages and Cassandra. "That is unless Curly, you wish to tell me what's on your mind." Cullen looked down at the dwarf.

"I don't think Varric, you are quite qualified to hear about my problems." Cullen's tone sounded too serious, but it was his best attempt at a joke.

Varric laughed his arm raising in the air waving the man's concerns away. "I'm a writer Curly, whatever you don't tell me I'll just make it up myself. Makes for some interesting material for the readers out there."

Cullen could feel an eyebrow cock at the Dwarf, not knowing if he was joking or speaking the truth. It was hard to tell with his roguish self, always keeping secrets and writing his books. Cullen didn't want to give him anything more to write about in his blasted novels. "Do you have a name picked out for it yet?" Cullen looked back over Varric, who looked as if his pride was wounded.

" You wound me Curly, as if I would write about you." He felt his eyebrow uncontrollably cock again at the Dwarf, he was truly lying. Varric knew too that he was caught in a lie, his arms coming back up in defense. "Alright, alright you got me. No I haven't got a name. Name's always the hardest part, so I save it till last."

Cullen didn't know what to take of the dwarfs words, he could still be lying, or he could be speaking the truth now for all he knew. "What kind of book?"

Varric moved his head to one side, his mind still trying to decide on the details. "Honestly Curly, I've only got one line, 'He stared at her from across the encampment like an eternal gnawing clawed at him."

"That's it?" Cullen seemed insulted and confused at the same time.

Varric scoffed, "That's it...pfah! Why does everyone think that just words fly out my ass and onto a page?" Varric looked back at Cullen, his eyes saying different, "Scratch that..Words do fly out of my ass.."

Cullen felt vaguely satisfied with the conversation, knowing that there was nowhere to hide now in the town. He could continue to poke and prod the devilish imp until the story was truly revealed, regardless of Varrics protests of his hatred of romance novels.

"Ah speaking of the story line…" Cullen turned about, looking towards the familiar figure of Anara walking towards them. Varric took the silence between them as the best opportunity to flee. "Well then Curly, I'll leave you to it." Varric took a step backwards as Cullen spoke.

"I swear if I hear you muttering a story line behind me…" Cullen tried to make due on the threat, trying to make it seem like more than an empty threat.

"I promise nothing Curly." Varric walked away, his arms above his head as he waved off Cullen's attempt at intimidation.

"Lady….Anara.." He spoke, suddenly his words leaving him as she approached a smile spreading across her lips.

"Commander. It is good to see you before we headed out. She motioned over to the group, Cullen's eyes looking over the Tevinter mage that stood with them.

"Are you sure you can trust him?" Cullen sounded more concerned than he should have, but it only served to cause a wider smile to come across her lips.

"Are you concerned for my safety Commander? I figure I am more than capable of defending myself, and if not I won't be alone." Cullen tried to save the situation, his mouth opening trying to find words to speak, but was instead stopped by Anara's gentle laugh. "He's of no threat Commander. I sought to it myself and if so, do not worry."

She tried to turn away, Cullen's hand reached for her shoulder, beckoning her attention to come back. "My lady...I mean.." He shook his head, his face becoming flustered as he tried to find his words. "I will always worry for you…" His hand moved over her shoulder, his hand curling up in her braid, his eyes shifting away as he spoke, "Anara...I would like to speak to you about something...Alone.."

Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked into Cullen's eyes, her head nodding, "Of course." Her hand motioned towards the house, trying not to get the attention of those around her. Trying to shrug off any concern coming from Solas. They walked, making it seem like they were talking about the mission. Cullen seemed to stumble with his words as he turned towards her, comfortable with where they were.

"I have been thinking...About.." His eyes looked into hers, "You've been…" He kept stumbling with his words, not knowing what to say to her, until finally the words slipped from his mouth without thought. "You have bewitched me, both body and soul. I have thought about.."

"Sex?" She spoke so bluntly that it startled Cullen, his back straightening as he looked around.

"I..What? I..Anara..I mean…" His hand pressed against his face as he let out an exasperated sigh, "Maker's Breath…It was easier in my head.."

Anara laughed as she punched his arm, "Commander…You're too hard on yourself. Just say what you want."

"Yes Commander, say what you want." Cullen looked over to see Solas walk over, bracing himself on his staff as he looked at him as Cullen tried to find his words.

Anara pushed at Solas, "Tell you what Commander.." She looked him over, " When we get back, after sealing the breach. We'll talk about this." She bit her lip, smiling at him as Solas watched over. Cullen looked uncomfortably at Solas's presence. "Don't mind him Commander, he's more than accepting. We already know this."

Solas leaned in closely, speaking to them both, "Anara...it's time for us to leave." He looked towards Cassandra, who stood there impatiently with the Tevinter.

"Until next time Commander." She cocked an eyebrow, a coy smile leaving her lips as they both turned away, leaving Cullen to Haven. They left Haven, a group within their wake, walking through the snow and ice. They made their way through the mountains, splitting off from the Scouts, making themselves decoys for the magister's amusement.

She looked at Scout Harding, nodding as they all separated before Redcliffe. Allowing themselves to move forward. Walked through the gates, their movement uninterrupted, as they stepped into the castle. Any reminders of Ferelden abandoned to the tapestry of Tevinter. The reminder of the Old gods ever present in the hall ahead of them. Anara looked ahead, her eyes falling upon the mages that stood ahead of them. Her face became stern as she looked at them, knowing full well the part that she was to play in all of this.

"Announce us." She looked over the men, watching another approach them, his voice trying to be commanding.

" The magister's invitation was for Mistress Trevelyan and no one else. You lot wait here." She felt her mouth twitch in annoyance as she looked at him.

"Where I go, they go." Putting her foot down, ensuring that this trap wasn't either well played, or well baited. Solas looked up at Anara, the man looking over the group with suspicion as she stood there defiant still. He allowed them in, only to have them be watching and followed at every turn.

There they stood among the Magister, his seat perched in front of the raging fire, Fiona standing in uncomfortable silence as Felix watched on.

He had called her friend, when in reality she knew it was not as thus. His magic was intrusive as usual, reaching out for her like an unwanted touch. She could feel herself recoiling against the magic, trying to hold herself back and not push against him.

Fiona argued, wanting only what was best for herself and her people. Anara looked over her previous Grand Enchanter, pity coming to her mind as she looked the elf over. She had wished for so much, but in the grand scheme she made her decisions too soon, and in turn doomed her people, and mages everywhere.

Anara grew tired of the chit chat, wishing only to pull Alexius's mind from what surrounded him, long enough to ensure the security of the castle. He sat back into his chair, still trying to be imposing to them, the fire behind him burning a little brighter than it did normally. She knew his magic was toying around, trying to showcase himself and his power the the mages and the Seeker in his presence.

"Don't bother. I know that you invited me here to kill me." She was fed up with discussions and with the Magister's attempt at intimidation. His words would mean nothing, and she wanted to free the mages to a decision that was better than aligning with Tevinter.

She smugly chuckled, " If you believe that, I marvel that you chose to come here anyway."

Felix shook his head, turning towards the Magister, "She knows everything, father." Alexius looked at him, confusion coming to his face as he spoke.

"Felix, what have you done?"

Anara appreciated the moment in which everything came full circle and the Magisters actions would be met with retribution. He pushed himself from the chair, almost curses upon his lips as he spoke to her. Saying her mark was a stolen gift, that she was not in control. But Anara knew within time that it would be within her grasp, she only needed to stall him longer.

Dorian walked in, looking at the Magister as he stepped closer to the group, joining their ranks. Three mages and a Seeker. It looked as if the Inquisition brought the best trump cards to the match.

Alexius's face soured as he looked at Dorian, his name rolling from his mouth disdain. Alexius began to ramble, speaking of Tevinters rise once again from it's ashes. Making the world bow to the mages once again, ruling from one end to the other.

Anara heard an arrow rush behind her, her spine straightening to the sound as the Magister was distracted by both Felix and Dorian. Anara looked at Solas, show in turn nodded to her, Cassandra's hand was on the hilt of her sword, her shield still in hand.

She felt her jaw clench as Alexius commanded the Venatori to seize her. Expecting them to move against her, but instead she heard the sounds of metal unsheathing and daggers brandishing as his men were cut down. " Your men are dead, Alexius."

He was like a cornered animal, biting and lashing out against her. He shouted at her, repeating to her that she was a mistake as his hand pulled out an Amulet. Dorian shouted, his magic lashing out against it, sending them backwards as a green abyss appeared, their world turning to black.

Anara hit the water, the world turned on it's side to her as she looked at the castle, red lyrium sprouting out of everything. Two men came through, their helmets spiked as they brandished their swords. "Blood of the elder one! Where'd they come from?"

Dorian reached out with his staff, setting them aflame as they howled in pain. Anara struggled to get up from the water, her body bracing her staff as she tried to support herself. Her mind trying to come around, trying to catch up with her physical self. She heard Dorian muttering to himself nearby, "Displacement? Interesting!" His words were too large for her mind to understand now. She was too lost in her surroundings and the silence that now filled her mind. She could no longer feel Solas within her mind, aiding and guiding her with his knowledge. She had to instead rely on the Tevinter in front of her.

" The last thing I remember, we were in the castle hall." She struggled to pull herself up, her body still weak from the experience.

"Let's see. If we're still in the castle, it isn't...Oh? Of course! It's not simply where, it's when!" Dorian had a proud look spread across his face as she smugly smiled. He knew more of strange magic then she, and she had to rely upon his knowledge now more than ever.

They looked around the castle, in what Anara only assumed to be the dungeons. Water and red Lyrium filling the place, a tinge of green surrounded them. Reminding her of her time in between life and death, as she reached out to the golden figure that pulled her from it's grasp. Yes, this place felt like something had touched this reality, changed it, corrupted it into what it was today. Future or not, these actions had to be stopped.

Their steps were light as they walked through the dungeon. The cells filled with chunks of red lyrium and at times poor souls caught within it's influence. Anara had heard to the tales of what happened to Meredith and the red lyrium idol. She had heard what happened to Bartrand too, how they both were driven mad by it's influence. She feared what happened to these people being so close to the source.

"Andraste guide me…" She heard the elven mage hum to himself. The singing became unsettling, this is what happens, she could feel herself recoil from the red lyrium, avoiding it's touch.

They wandered the halls, eager to seek out those more familiar to them. The rushing of water at their feet as they looked through the cells, the man still signing his tune in the distance. Anara looked upon the frame of Fiona within her cell, her body braced against the wall as red lyrium surrounded her. "Fiona?"

Her voice was weak, her words unintelligible as she rambled on. The lyrium coursing through her, growing from her, soon to leave her to her unexpected fate. Her voice meekly spoke, "942 Dragon…"

" 942!? Then we've missed an entire year! " Dorian looked at Anara in disbelief, time displacement of not, they lost an entire year, to a new world that they knew nothing about.

" We have to get out of here! Go back in time..." Anara looked at Dorian, looking for some reassurance in him. He seemed to silently agree with her stance, as did Fiona with her words as they struggled to escape.

" Our only hope is to find the amulet that Alexius used to send us here."

"You must try, your spymaster, Leliana is here. Find her.. Quickly.."

Anara looked at Fiona, watching the words struggle from her as the lyrium slowly consumed her. It was only a matter of time, that much she knew. But watching her struggle against it was worse than she could've ever imagined. This world had to be stopped from coming to fruition. A year lost, and the world has become different, with an Elder one calling himself a god. She had to find Leliana, she had to find those she knew. She had to know what happened to Solas…

She could feel a knot in her chest as she thought about the elf. A year, what could've happened to him in a year. Could he have died in the battle with Alexius? Did he flee into the world, trying to escape it? Or did he meet the fate that Fiona was meeting? She didn't want to think of it, but her mind was filled with the worst, making her sick.

Dorian and her walked, meeting resistance in the dungeon but it was nothing of concern. The venatori were many, but weak it seemed in light of the mages. It seemed this perfect world for mages didn't have any mages left within it, leaving the fighters weak to their opposition.

Anara stood there over a body, her hand glowing and sparking. The pain was much more substantial than it was in the past. What had changed? Was it all Alexius? Or was it this, Elder one? She couldn't tell, but instead pushed her mind and body to fight the mark within her, to stop itself from spreading.

Her eyes shifted around the room, the water pouring down like a waterfall, the noise calming her, reminding her of her time with him in the Hinterlands.

She heard a noise, nothing audible, something she could only feel in her mind, like a song forever stuck within it. As they moved the hum became more familiar, it's tune not aimless like she had heard in the cells before. But instead the tune she once sang as a child. A tune that only one person knew of.

Solas

Her heart began to race at the thought, the hum becoming more prominent. She could feel her magic reach out, wishing to find him in the darkness of the dungeon. She could fight any resistance, stop any Venatori and tear Alexius apart if it meant she found him. Her feet moved, her body no longer willing to stop and think. She was acting without a second thought, instead running on pure emotion. She was getting closer.

Ma Vhenan…

Her hand threw the door open, his voice was different, effected by the lyrium around him. He sounded corrupt and she could feel his magic wane. "Is someone there?"

Her hand touched the cell door, her staff thrown on the floor as she grabbed the door, "Solas.." Her hand pressed against the lock, her magic burning through the metal. "Ma Vhenan.." The words leaving her lips seemed like a trick to his mind as he turned.

Solas felt himself jolt away from her, his back hitting the wall as he looked upon her.

Anara.

"Vhenan.." He spoke looking at her as she threw the door open. Her arms reaching around his shoulders, pulling him closer into an embrace, "I feared that I had lost you Vhenan." He whispered into her ear, feeling the connection between them join again. He pulled her away to look at her face. It was no trick of the fade, no illusion from the lyrium that haunted him. She was there, in front of him, her hands rested on his face as she pressed her forehead against his.

The simplest touch reminded him of the emptiness that he felt for the past year. How his mind and heart felt so empty when he could no longer sense her presence. How many nights he had wished for her to return once again, just as she had now. He could feel her hands touch him, but no recoil even though his has exposed to the red lyrium. Dorian stood behind them as he cleared his throat, pulling them both back to the reality of the situation.

" We saw you die." Solas spoke over her shoulder at Dorian, Anara heard Dorian speak, but was more focused on Solas in front of her.

" Solas, you look bad.." She looked at him in silent concern.

"I am dying, but no matter. If you can undo this then they can all be saved. But you know nothing of this world." Solas's head lowered as he looked at the ground. "Alexius served a master, The Elder one. His minions assassinated Empress Celine and used the chaos to invade the south. He commands an army of demons, after you stop Alexius be prepared." Dorian looked around, his mind trying to process the past year as Anara stood there, the concern on her face rising to the surface.

" We can't do this without you, Solas.." Dorian turned, looking at them, trying to keep his attentions away from them.

" My life is yours." Was the only thing that left his lips as he looked at her, confident in her as hope began to flourish within him once again.

Solas braced himself on the staff, as he walked making their way to the neighboring cells. She heard a familiar voice, and a familiar chant from their lips.

"Transfiguration's…" She whispered to herself as she listened through the door to the familiar sound of Cassandra.

" The light shall lead her safely, Through the paths of this world, and into the next. For she who trusts in the maker…"

Anara looked at her in the cell, the words leaving both of their mouths at the same time, "Fire is her water…"

Cassandra looked up from the floor, her eyes trying to determine what was in front of her, "You've returned, has Andraste given us another chance?"

Anara looked at Cassandra, her hand reaching out for the blade set aside, long abandoned like the warrior within her cage. She held the weapon in her hand, the blade clasped in her palm as she opened the door, the hilt extended to the Seeker.

" We're going after Alexius...Will you join us?"

Her hand grabbed the hilt as Anara let go, she sat up looking at Solas in the background as he hovered over the two mages.

"I will join you. Maker guide us all." Anara turned, allowing the Seeker to move through, leading them forward as she spoke. "I've heard that Alexius has barricaded himself in the throne room."

Anara nodded as they moved, "We must find Leliana first."

"Leliana.." Cassandra spoke, almost as if she had forgotten about the Spymaster's presence. "Of course. Quickly."

She looked at the two behind her, Solas was dying from the lyrium and Cassandra knew that she was dying as well. But they both fought for her, to stop these events from happening Anara knew that they had to join her. She could still heard Cassandra chant behind her quietly, her words lending them courage.

" O maker hear my cry: Guide my through the blackest nights. Steel my heart against the temptations of the wicked. Make me to rest in the warmest places." Anara held her hand up, silencing Cassandra with a single movement as they heard a man shout nearby.

Followed by the words of Leliana, her resolve and defiance the same as it always had been. It had seemed that this world had changed her perhaps, but her mouth was a locked trap.

"Leliana…" Anara whispered as they knelt low, avoiding conflict until they opened the door, keeping their movements silent.

"I will die first…" Leliana spoke as Anara tore through the door, surprising the interrogator as he spun, blade in hand. Leliana looked at Anara, her eyes widening as if she saw a ghost, her body becoming rigid as she looked back at the man, "Or you will.."

Her legs came up and wrapped around his neck as he struggled, His hands fighting, gripping against her armor as he tried to fight his way out. To no avail Leliana made sure to end it before the fight drew any attention. With the quick movement of her legs there was a snap as his body went limp falling to the floor.

"You're alive." She whispered as Anara fought with the chains, trying to break the woman free. The past year had not been kind to her it seemed, but she did not break no matter what happened. Her face was scarred and her cheeks were pallid, she looked as if she lived only on spite and determination. As if the only strength she had, left her in her final attack against her jailer. She began to slump as her body looked as if it had finally given up, but her anger seemed to spur her on as she moved grabbing her supplies.

"You aren't curious how we got here?" Dorian seemed confused by the Spymasters lack of curiosity, everyone wondered, but why not her.

"No." She spoke as she opened the chest, pulling a fletch of arrows from it.

"Alexius sent us into the future, this was never meant to be.."

Leliana's face became serious, her eyes pierced through Dorian as if they were daggers. The tension that was between them all began to escalate. " We should move, Alexius must be nearby.."

Leliana moved from the back, keeping her distance between Dorian and her. She didn't like how he spoke, how he prodded and wished to know of a future that he denied. She silenced him at every turn, keeping his inquisitive thoughts to himself, for he didn't truly want to know what happened. No one should know what happened, even as the world suffered.

They moved against any tide that sprung forth from the castle. Solas in tow with Anara, knowing well that this was his last moments of life it felt as if he abandoned his secluded bliss and let himself be known to the world. Damning himself in the eyes of all, regardless of their concern or opinions.

As they stood there, staring at the door that would in turn lead them to Alexius, Solas came close to Anara, speaking gently to her, "Although I know I will die here Vhenan, please know that my thoughts, and heart have always been with you. This past year without your presence has been worse than any torture. Than any lyrium's taint growing within me, worse than blades and brands. For I thought I had lost you forever, and I do not wish to lose you ever again." His hands came out, grabbing her fingers into his as his head bowed, pressing against hers, "Save this world Vhenan, for I am yours, and you are mine."

Dorian pressed his hand against the door, feeling the magic that braced itself from them, "I think my lady you need to take a look at this.." Anara turned her head from Solas, looking at the door, she slowly pulled away, a sad smile spreading across her lips, fearful of what laid ahead.

"What is it?" She looked over at Dorian, feeling his magic trying to push against the door, but nothing happened despite his attempts.

"This door, it won't budge to any kind of magic. Perhaps...The Mark, perhaps that's the key."She looked down at her hand, her mind still not understanding the power that was dormant within her, but she had to try.

Her hands left Solas's as she walked towards the door, her hand pressing against the seal that locked them out. There was a hum as the green light flowed from her, breaking the seal between them, allowing them to finally end it here.

Alexius would meet his end.