Do not own Dragon Age
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The Raw Fade
The group lands softly, each a little apart from the other. Clarel and Solona land close together near a rock outcropping. Solona cut her leg on a piece of rubble from the walkway coming down. She begins healing the injury.
"So it is true. Your healing magic was rumored to be different." Clarel remarks solemnly, feeling the affects of the healing aura.
"I hope that's a good thing?" Solona queries, a crooked smile on her face.
"I very good thing." Clarel reassures warmly.
"Are you two alright?" Ellana inquires as she approaches, watching Solona finish.
Solona stands with a groan, "Yes, but I don't think my body will thank me tomorrow." she ends chuckling.
"Now that's an understatement." Ellana returns, smirking.
"How did we get here? Where exactly are we?" Cassandra questions, coming from around a corner.
"This is wrong. I shouldn't be here. I can't be here." Cole rambles, distressed. Walking from behind another outcropping.
"Repeat after me." Solona orders Cole gently. "Compassion is calm and understanding." she starts, Cole repeating, slowly, "It sees the hurt and suffering," she continues, "and lets it pass over," Cole says, "for hope and healing," Solona tells him, "are within me." Cole finishes, his mood lifted.
"Thank you, L..." Cole starts, but Solona stops him, and winks.
"Where's Bull?" Ellana turns her head, searching for the Qunari.
"Shit, that hurt." they hear him, seeing him a moment later, limping around a rock wall.
Solona steps up to him, and asks if she may heal his injury. Bull nods, before feeling the greatest sensation all over his body. He exhales an expletive softly, although it just causes Solona to giggle. She does decline the offer. He tells her he understands now why the Arishok considers her an honored friend. Hawke and Stroud join the group, Solona casts a group heal, taking care of any injuries. Everyone feels the magical affect, their worries soothed away.
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A vision of Divine Justinia appears, the group is stunned, save for Cole and Solona they take it in stride. Cole and Solona know what she is, but do not say anything. The Divine explains where they are, and how to navigate the area ahead, she will clear the way forward. The group fights off demons and shades, and some other creature that each person sees differently. For the Inquisitor it is spider like creatures, for Hawke, it is large rat like creatures.
They meet the Divine yet again, who gives them a little more information and directs them toward the ruler of this part of the Fade. A demon by name of Nightmare. It has made a deal with Corypheus, it was what caused the false Calling, so it could grow fat and powerful from the Wardens terror. Corypheus will continue to offer it an endless supply of food, while it provides the means to help control the Wardens.
"Now, that is an interesting choice of words." Solona comments, thinking of something, but keeping it to herself.
"What is it?" Ellana inquires, concerned.
"I'm not sure yet, but I promise to share, when I am certain." Solona offers.
The Inquisitor accepts that for the time being. The Divine departs, getting the way ahead ready.
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The group is resting after traveling over the many paths of the Fade. They are almost to an open Rift, but Nightmare itself guards it. There are demons of all types waiting for them in an open area below. The Divine has visited them two more times, and Ellana has regained more of her memories about what happened at the Temple. Solona is mournful towards the Wardens that fell under Corypheus's influence and apologizes to Ellana on their behalf. The Inquisitor accepts the heartfelt condolences, but asks that Solona not take the matter so personally. They panicked, and in their madness they took a path that led them astray. Solona laments that she should have been able to help them, to help the Divine. The spirit, in said woman's form, drifts closer, she wraps the Commander in her arms.
"A mother always worries for her children, but we can not protect them from life and all the pitfalls they may stumble upon. The best we can do is guide them, and hope some of our wisdom sticks." the Divine reassures her.
Solona nods, and wipes a few tears away. Only Cole sees a tiny little wisp seep out of the Divine into Solona, but he says nothing, just smiles.
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The group is running up an incline, the Divine sacrificed herself to buy them time to escape, but the creature is recovering fast. The group runs hard and fast.
"This is the Wardens fault. If they hadn't given into temptation, then none of this would have happened!" Hawke accuses.
"Oh, as if the mages and templars are totally blameless." Stroud retorts angry.
"This can be argued later. We have to keep moving." Ellana interjects, panting.
"We're not going to make it." Cassandra observes, the creature recovering, moving towards them quickly.
"One of us needs to stay behind, buy the others the time they need to escape." Hawke states, mournfully.
Solona looks to the Nightmare, then back at the others, "Ellana? Tell Cullen something for me, please?" she requests, almost pleading. At the Inquisitors nod she continues, "Always and forever." she finishes, before turning towards the demon and walking towards it.
She makes it two steps, before Clarel swings her staff hard, knocking Solona out.
"You can tell him yourself, Commander." Clarel whispers, "Stroud, grab her." stepping towards the Nightmare, "She is the best of us. She didn't hesitate. I started this, I need to end it. I owe her and everyone this much at least. I'll hold it off. Redeem us. Redeem us for her." Clarel states, before running towards the demon, sending spell after spell, pushing the Nightmare back.
Iron Bull takes Solona from Stroud, the group runs faster than ever. Ellana waits for everyone to make it through the portal, watching as Clarel is swallowed up by the creatures body. The Inquisitor steps through the portal, appearing back in Adamant Fortress's courtyard. Using the Anchor, Ellana closes the Rift, sealing Nightmare away.
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Cullen and Leliana are gathered near the Rift in the courtyard, it pulses ever so often, but nothing has emerged since the pride demon. Suddenly, Cassandra appears, followed by Hawke, then Iron Bull, carrying Solona like a child. Cole and Stroud come next, followed by Ellana. She stares out into the courtyard, then brings her hand up with the Mark on it. She squeezes, the Rift closes behind her. Cullen and Leliana rush forward, both going to Iron Bull, checking on Solona.
"Give her to me. I'll take her to a healer." Cullen pleads, waiting.
"She said something. One of us needed to stay behind. She didn't hesitate, but Clarel knocked her out and took her place. Solona asked the Inquisitor to tell you, 'Always and forever'" Iron Bull explains at a whisper, handing the mage over to Cullen.
Cullen is astounded, as Solona is handed to him, staring at the beautiful woman. He nods and turns with Solona in his arms, the other Wardens move to let him pass. Leliana watches them leave, then turns to look at Bull and shakes her head no. Although they speak no words, Bull understands, he will send no information about this and will never tell anyone of it again. No one hears Cullen as he walks, whispering to the mage in elven, 'Ar lath ma, vhenan'.
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Stroud takes over as Warden-Commander of Orlais. He immediately decrees blood magic forbidden within the order from now on. Anyone caught practicing will be sent to the Deep Roads. He quotes Solona's words to him at Crestwood. It rallies the Wardens behind the new mandate. Hawke volunteers to deliver the news to Weisshaupt, maybe give the First Warden a piece of her mind while there. Ellana says to tell the man that he is an asshole, smirking.
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