The door slowly opened, the room dank and cold, Alexius stood there in front of the fire, his back turned to them. Anara walked slowly like a silent wind was at her back as she grabbed her staff, twirling it behind her, prepared for an attack.
Her rage began to fill her as she looked at her companions, their eyes red from the lyrium, bodies distorted, voices no longer their own. It would only be a matter of time until they shared the same fate as Fiona, and that burned within her heart like a smiths forge. What things she had learned in hushed whispers between her companions, of the plans that filled this reality. Of the plans that she must stop from ever coming to fruition.
Dorian seemed to understand her anger, taking a step back as she approached through the long hall. "ALEXIUS!" She shouted, her staff clenched tight within her hand. His head only turned slightly as she spoke, authority and rage within her voice. She could feel her magic flare, like a great leviathan it washed over her. Rage and pride, were her greatest sins within the eyes of The Maker and the Templar's. But she would not hear their judgement now.
" It's time to answer for your crimes!" She spoke again, approaching the man with group in tow, their blades and staves braced for battle.
Her eyes looked over the cowering body near the fire. Looking upon the frail and deformed figure of Felix, hunched and shaken into the corner.
" And here you are, finally. My final failure.." Dorian pushed aside, his words leaving him with no restraint, questioning the man that was once his mentor.
"Was it worth it? Everything you did to the world? To yourself?" Dorian's face twisted in disgust as he looked upon Alexius and in turn Felix. His stomach tied in knots as he saw his friend, no longer a man but instead a creature.
Alexius's attention never waned from the fire, taking all words with his back turned, awaiting a silent dagger within his back, "it does not matter now. All we can do is wait for the end."
Anara stepped forward, his finger pointing accusingly, "It does matter. I will undo this." Alexius knew from her words how steeped in her resolve she was. There was no swaying her, no convincing, no kind words or favored touch would change her.
" The past cannot be undone. All that I fought for, all that I betrayed, and what have I wrought?" He turned to look upon Felix, they could see his heart sink as he looked at the faded shadow of his son, "Ruin and death. There is nothing else. The elder one comes; for me, for you, for us all."
He turned away, still trying to hide himself from their faces and their judgement.
Leliana stepped from the shadows, her movement quick. It had seemed all that she had gone through only strengthened her resolve, and her movement as she grabbed Felix by the back of his robes, pulling him up towards a blade.
There was a cry of alarm as he moved back into her body, the blade bared against his throat as Alexius held out his arm, his staff in hand, prepared to fight for his son's life.
"Please, don't hurt my son. I'll do anything you ask." Panic filled his face as he looked at the blade, sharp and true in it's intent.
" Hand over the amulet and we let him go." Anara stood there, her eyes darting between Leliana and Alexius. Deciphering the Spymasters face as she gritted her teeth in anger, the past year wasn't kind in any way.
"Let him go and I swear you will get what you want. " Leliana's eyes locked with Alexius, fear was no longer present within her.
Anara looked at her face and knew her intentions. The year she had spent locked away, her blood drawn, flesh scared, all of it to produce this man whose life held in her hands. "I want the world back." She spoke as her eyebrows furrowed drawing the blade across his throat. For the briefest moment she looked upon her Spymaster and remembered the young woman who traveled with the Hero of Ferelden. In that moment of memory she looked upon her now and saw a stranger with her voice and skin.
Felix fell to the floor, his body heavy and limp as it hit the stone ground. Alexius stood over his son, "No...No!" he shouted as his magic flared against Leliana, sending her back as her body hit the ground.
His magic flared in green as his magic pulled forth a rift into the realm, demons clawing their way through the ground.
"Cassandra!" She shouted as the warrior braced her abilities, giving the mages enough time to brace themselves against her.
In a brilliant flash of blue, they could all feel her spell purge echo across the battlefield, drawing the demons back into their hole, waiting for them to claw their way back to reality.
She looked over at Alexius, his magic waning for only a few moments, but Cassandra charged him, shield in hand, blade bared.
She felt the mark burn as she turned to the rift. Hearing the screeches and howls of the demons that waited within. Her hand twitched and responded to their call, sealing them shut forever. In a grand flash of green and the shattering of the fade the rift closed, silence outside of battle.
She turned back towards the group, watching as Dorian and Solas fought in response to Alexius's magic. Cassandra brandished her sword, swinging fast and cutting deep as she purged his spells from battle. Anara could feel as if time had slowed, if just for a moment as she walked. Feeling her hand clench tightly on her staff as she walked closer.
Solas could feel it first, he heard it in his mind, felt it within his body. The slightest tingle, the hairs on the back of his neck raised at the feeling. He turned to see Anara stride forward, her staff braced behind her back, determination and anger within her eyes. Duality, in the guise of his Vheanan, and unbridled power within her body.
Soon after everyone else began to feel it, Solas moved from her path, feeling her magic disrupt their abilities. Dorian stood there in shock as he felt his magic wain in her presence. Cassandra was last as Anara moved forward, looking over the warrior.
"Alexius!" She shouted once again, the mark on her arm flaring, reminding Solas of when she ahd first awakened, when veilfire almost consumed them all under the Chantry.
Cassandra pulled back, her head turned towards the mage as she stepped forward. He looked upon her mark as she lifted her hand, looking at the man on the ground. His knees were weak, his body was almost done, but his spirit was strong.
She looked at him, her hand pulling his hood backwards. He gave a startled sound as Anara's hand moved closer to his temple. She could see the panic on his face as he struggled to move he was kept in place by Cassandra.
Her hand pressed against his temple, the panic in his face replaced by fear as he felt her magic against his. "May your Elder one find you mercy Alexius. For you will find none here." She felt the magic within her pour into her mark, casting out as Alexius screamed in agony.
Alexius could feel himself burning from within, the pain, and the magic that he tried to gauge a year ago coming through, tearing him apart, burning him up from within.
Solas braced himself as he looked upon Anara, her magic tearing through the man before them. There glowed green light through him, his eyes shining like fade rifts his mouth silently screaming now as his voice was burned within. It was a horrifying sight, one that Solas did not know how to take.
Her eyes looked down upon Alexius as she felt the last moments of life leave him. Leaving only a burnt shell in it's wake, Her hand left his temple as Cassandra stepped back, her eyes adjusting after the blinding light.
They looked upon his body as it fell to the ground, a charred man turning into dust as he touched the floor. The mark within her arm still twitched and surged as she clenched her hand, trying to drive the magic back, to calm it down.
" Oh Alexius.." Dorian spoke as he looked over the body of his mentor. A man now lost to his choices and judged accordingly. His hands sifted through the ash, his fingers wrapping around the amulet as he pulled it from the ash. "Give me an hour to work out the spell he used and we should be able to reopen the rift." Dorian looked up, to see Anara's back turned, she was stoic and cold like the stone around them. She was too lost in her own thoughts and concerns now to be fully here.
"Ah hour? That's impossible, you must go now!" Leliana ran towards Dorian, stopping in front of Anara, showing her concern with them all. With it the ground shook, and the castle moved. The loud howls of something unknown about them, coming towards them, hunting them.
"The Elder One.." Leliana spoke, watching the stones move in response to the howls and shrieks.
"You cannot stay here.." Solas spoke looking at Anara, his face twisted in concern as he looked at her. Anara's face softened as she looked at him. " We'll hold the door, once they get past us, it'll be your turn."
" I won't let you die!" She shouted, her body betraying her as she looked upon Solas, his face knowing full well of the defeat they would have.
"Vhenan.." He spoke looking at her , "Ma Emma Lath.. Ma'arlath."
She gritted her teeth, knowing that this was farewell. She could feel the tears in her eyes begin to form as she tried not to cry. "Ma'arlath.." She spoke back, as she watched Cassandra and him nod to each other, both bracing their weapons as they walked towards the door. What better death than that of sacrifice? What better death than that of battle.
"Cast your spell, you have as much time as I have arrows." Leliana spoke, watching the door close behind Cassandra and Solas, all prepared, all wishing that this day would never come.
Should could hear the battle ensue, hearing Solas's spells, feeling his fear and regret within her mind. She was connected to him, and she would be until the very end.
"Though darkness closes. I am shielded by flame." Anara could feel her heart wrench and her stomach knot as she felt Solas pass, his fear, his regret and his love leaving her empty and void once again.
The door opened to a group begin to flood them, she watched as Cassandra's body was carelessly flung into the room. Like a rag doll, her stomach clenched as she resisted the urge to burn them all.
"Andraste guide me." Arrows were let loose upon the group that moved towards them. This was it, this was now or never and Dorian had to provide, or else everything would stop here.
" Maker, take me at your side." Arrows released hitting man, mage and demon as she recited her words, the words she memorized in The Chantry. An arrow pierced her shoulder as she yelled in pain. Anara moved forward, her magic wanting to help, but Dorian stopped her, his hand grabbing her wrist in mid motion,.
" You move and we all die!" He shook his head at her, trying to pull her back, but Anara couldn't watch without action. Leliana held herself strong with just her bow, taking on the masses that began to flood them.
Dorian and her looked back, seeing the magic pull itself forth from the amulet. She heard Leliana struggle, and in the final moments before they were met with green light she watch Leliana die. Anara shouted something, what not even she knew. But it was lost in the time they had gained as they felt the stone floors under them again.
She looked at Alexius as she walked forward, the shock on his face present and open for all to see as he staggered backwards.
She was back in their present state, but the rage she felt then carried over into what she felt now.
" You'll have to do better than that." Dorian spoke with a smug look upon his face. He was gauging her still, knowing full well the scale her magic could harm Alexius.
He fell to his knees as he gave into defeat, but Anara felt it wasn't enough. She had watched her friends die, her colleagues die, her love die. She was left void and empty filled with only pain and rage.
" You're finished Alexius." She spoke, her hands twitching as she tried to hold herself back.
"You've won.." He spoke under breath, defeated and broken finally.
She watched as her men took him away, feeling the brunt of Templar abilities as one suppressed his magic, making him inert.
She looked around the hall, her eyes falling upon Solas, the pain she felt was lifted as she felt him speak to her again, "Vhenan." His voice was gentle and relieved as he closed in, "I thought we had lost you." Her face softened, the hard line smoothing out.
" I'm not that easy to get rid of it seems." She smiled at him, the void she felt no longer present within his company. She feared to lose him, even more so after his sacrifice.
" Well, I'm glad that's over." Dorian spoke as he moved closer. They were interrupted by the stomping of metal armor upon the floor. Men clamored in, marching towards them. Positioning themselves like sentries overlooking their moves. "Or not.." Dorian's smug look disappeared with their sudden appearance. Not expecting anything of this caliber.
Anara looked from Solas to see a figure step into the room. His voice spoke, and it sent a chill through her heart. King Alistair, she remembered him from the memories that Solas had lead her through, quietly behind she saw a familiar figure as well. Following in tow was a woman with red hair and green eyes, eyes the pierced through them all, and looked for intent. Queen Ellandra, The Hero of Ferelden.
" Grand Enchanter, we'd like to discuss your abuse of our hospitality." She watched as Fiona moved slowly and respectfully towards them .
"Your majesties." Fiona seemed to grovel to the king and queen as Anara looked them over.
Her voice was gentle, reassuring, but authoritative. She was indeed of noble blood and birth in her words and ways. "When we offered the mages sanctuary, we did not give them the right to drive our people from their homes." She spoke with concern to Fiona, placing her on the same level as them.
" King Alistair, Queen Ellandra, I assure you, we never intended.." Fiona's words were still shaky as she tried to keep tensions from escalating.
" Good intentions, are no longer enough.." Ellandra spoke, knowing full well where this decision would lead them.
Alistair shook his head looking at Fiona in disappointment, "You and your followers are no longer welcome in Ferelden."
Fiona looked at them in shock, seeing the decision weighed on them both hard. "We have to think about the good of our people Fiona..You understand.." Ellandra spoke kindly to the woman before her, knowing the situation it put them all in.
Fiona shook her head, dismissing her attempt at sympathy, knowing her husband wouldn't take kindly to it. "We have hundreds who need protection. Where will we go?"
Anara stepped forward, walking close to Fiona, but staying her distance from the king and queen. " I should point out that we did come here for mages to close The Breach."
Alistair and Ellandra looked at Anara, the sudden spotlight made her uncomfortable. " And what are the terms of this arrangement?" Fiona looked them over, trying to decide if this was best.
" Hopefully better than what Alexius gave you. The inquisition is better than that yes?" Dorian spoke, turning towards the group as Fiona mulled it over.
" We would be honored to have you fight as allies on the Inquisitions side." Alistair looked relieved to the decision as Ellandra looked amused by the words. " The Breach threatens all of Thedas. We cannot afford to be divided now. We can't fight it without you, any chance of success requires your full support."
" I'd take it if I were you." Ellandra spoke gently to her words, not to threaten the mage, "One way or another Fiona, you will leave our kingdom."
Fiona bowed her head, accepting the manner of her actions and how they reflected. " We accept, it would be madness not to.. I will gather my people, and ready them for the journey to Haven. The Breach will be closed, you will not regret giving us this chance. "
Ellandra smiled gently towards Alistair, watching as Fiona left, "Remind you of the old times?" She spoke gently to her husband.
"Everything reminds me of the old times. Sign this, stamp that, oh someone help me my sheep are missing." Ellandra laughed gently, pulling Alistair's arm to hers as they turned, allowing the group to leave the Castle and make their way to Haven.
Their trek was long and tedious, the group of mages following in their footsteps. Haven was going to get new residents, and they would be one step closer to closing The Breach.
They crested the hill, days of marching finally coming to an end as they looked upon the small town. It's wooden gates fortified as they approached, they were greeted with mixed reactions. Applause by some and silence by others. The few Templar's that remained stood in silent vigil as the mages entered the town. Anara could feel the tensions begin already.
Cassandra had spent the time talking her ear off about mages and conscription. As a mage she knew that they would fight for no master, but instead welcome as allies.
It felt as if there was no end until they walked into the Chantry. As Cullen talked about abominations and mages, it was a sore subject to any mage, and none different to her. It was a blight that all mages had to endure, but that was why they had The Harrowing, to test resolve and strength against a demon.
" What were you thinking, turning mages loose with no oversight? The veil is torn open!" Cullen had seemed to become worse in the time she had left. The kind and amorous man that she left was instead replaced with someone who only reminded her of the memory of Kinloch Hold.
" If you haven't realized Commander I'm a mage and I have yet to become an abomination. We need their cooperation, we need to close The Breach, how are we to do that with a gilded cage?"
" I know we need them for The Breach, but they could as much damage as the demons themselves." Cullen began to spin wildly out of control, this man was not the same as before.
" Cullen!" She shouted at him, drawing his attention from rambling. " I. Am. A. Mage. If you cannot trust them, then you cannot trust me."
" Closing The Breach is all that matters." Cassandra spoke, their conversation no longer private as Dorian weighed his thoughts to the conversation.
" The sooner, the better." Anara spoke looking at Cullen, her mind no longer set on him as he seemed to fade in and out of reasonableness.
" We will not fail." Cassandra looked to Leliana, who stood in her silent composure, weighing each outcome.
" We should look into the things you saw in this' dark future'. The assassination of Empress Celene? A demon army? "
" One battle at a time, It's going to take time to organize our troops and the mage recruits. Let's take this to the war room." Cullen looked over Dorian, his eyes judging towards the Tevinter. " Join us, none of this matters without your mark, after all."
Anara's eyebrows furrowed at the Commander, not knowing of what kind of game he was playing now. " Of course.." She spoke suspiciously as she looked at the Commander.
" I would like to see this 'breach' up close if you don't mind." Dorian spoke again, leaning against a beam.
" Then you're staying?" Anara spoke Confused, thinking he had nothing left to keep him here after Alexius and Felix.
" Oh, didn't I mention? The South is so charming and rustic. I adore it to little pieces." She couldn't tell if he was being serious or sarcastic, but she took it as some false bravado.
" I'll admit I'm surprised." She smiled anyways, Dorian was a different type of mage, different from her or Solas. It seemed he didn't take anything seriously, something she envied.
" We both saw what could happen. Not everything from Tevinter is terrible. That future will not come to pass."
She smiled, Cullen took notice to her words, making him question his motives, "There's no one I would rather be stranded in time with. Future or present." He could feel a wave of jealousy was over him. His addiction had made him moody as of lately, and his dreams were constant between nightmare or rapture.
"I'll begin preparations to march on the summit. Maker willing the mages will be enough to grant us victory." Cullen suppressed his now sour mood as they silently agreed. Preparing their move to the summit.
Anara followed Cullen into the war room, silence straining between them like the tensions between the mages and Templar's. Letting the doors close behind them before only they talked.
She looked over the map, trying to rid herself of the anger that she felt. He was being difficult to the plight and ways of the mages. Thinking them all lawless beasts without the guidance of The Chantry or Templar's.
" Anara I…" Cullen braced the table next to her, trying to clear his mind long enough for a proper apology. " I didn't mean to say.."
"What?" She turned her face to look at Cullen, a look of obvious hurt within her eyes. " That we could do as much damage as demons? Do you think we're all lawless creatures bound to the will of man?" She pushed herself from the table, her arms reaching out in exasperation. " Or do all Templar's think that of us?"
" I didn't mean it like that!" Cullen tried to backpedal, trying to salvage something from what he said.
"Then what did you mean!?" She began to shout, as she closed distance, her magic flaring within her as she grew angry with him. Cullen wasn't feeling any better as he grew just as frustrated, his jaw clenching as they both looked into each others eyes. Feeling the anger and disappointment within in each other. Anara could feel her heart beat faster, like it would burst forth from her chest as she felt the heat between their bodies grow.
Cullen was angered, his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her, his mouth impossibly dry, his hands clammy and twitching. He couldn't find his words anything, instead based on action.
"Well Commander? What did you me…." His hands seized her as he pulled into a rough kiss. Feeling her lips against his finally, he was not gentle in the slightest. The weeks of waiting, of wanting, and needing had torn away at his reserves. She was like an addiction, like honeysuckle in the summer sun. She was like a harbor in which he could draw shelter to. She was all encompassing with her emotions, with her words, with her actions and she haunted him like a ghost.
Cullen pushed forward, until he felt her bump against the war table. His hands grabbing her backside, pulling her up onto the wooden surface. Her hands punched him in the armor, anger still present in her body. But Cullen quelled her slowly as his tongue stroked her bottom lip. his body aching against hers.
He felt her hands stop as her heard a soft moan escape her lips as they opened up to him. Their anger and frustration pouring out into their kiss. Cullen pulled his lips away from her, hearing a soft whine from her lips as he left them. He could still feel their frustration, Cullen's tension was high as he felt his manhood harden at the feel of just a kiss.
She heard him growl, like he had when he took her in the fade. Like that of a lion stalking it's prey. His hands grabbed her hips, pulling them forward making contact with the hardened manhood. He groaned, his teeth biting gently into her shoulder, causing a yelp to escape her lips. His could feel his hips thrust mindlessly against her, the feel of her body giving him pleasure.
With another growl he pushed her down onto the table, his hips rocking against hers as he felt himself become abandoned to passion. "Anara.." He whispered on his lips the feeling too good to give up.
She began to fight with the passion she felt well within her, this wasn't how this was supposed to happen. She had a plan, THEY had a plan and this doesn't fall into it.
She felt Cullen's hands pull apart the lacing in her tunic, his lips following the path his fingers traveled.
"Cullen.." She moaned loudly, her back arching off the table. Her head shaking, "No.." She said, reminding herself that this wasn't the plan, after the breach was closed. She told him that, and he needed to be reminded of that.
Her hand flared outwards, her magic sending Cullen back against the wall, giving her enough time and space to recover as Cullen stood there his mouth open in stunned silence.
She pushed herself up from the table, her tunic opened and hanging off one shoulder as she spoke, " This was not the plan we talked about."
She slid off the table, her hand wiping her mouth as she gathered herself up. "After the breach is closed Commander. AFTER."
She looked at him against the wall as she tied up her clothing, hiding the now obvious red mark on her shoulder.
" Ready the troops to march mid afternoon. We shall have The Breach closed by night fall. " She leaned in close the Cullen, as he still stood there against the wall. " Then, you can do whatever you want to me.." She whispered in his ear. Leaving only want and desire in it's wake as he shifted, his breeches uncomfortable and wishing release. "Tomorrow, Commander."
She buttoned up her coat, opening the door to the silence of the world outside and Cullen to himself. To ponder his actions and in turn desires until the morning light.