Thick black clouds blocked out the moon and stars above, casting Kirkwall and its Chantry into darkness. Inside the Chantry, Anders removed a dagger from a sheath on his belt and stabbed the gray-haired mage in front of him. Tears appeared in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks as a red circle blossomed on Karl's chest. The gray-haired mage crumpled to the ground, and Anders bent down beside Karl.

"I'm so sorry, Karl," Anders whispered.

Maker, why did it have to be this way, he thought.

He moved to cradle Karl's head in his lap as he watched blood gush from the wound. The brightness in Karl's silver eyes dimmed as he reached for Anders.

"You, have nothing to be sorry about," Karl said, before erupting into a coughing fit. "Thank you."

Anders gently brushed his thumb against Karl's cheek, before gently placing Karl's hand on his chest. He then slid his other hand above the first, before closing Karl's eyes for the last time.

I truly am sorry, my love, thought Anders. It didn't have to be this way.

With a shuddering breath, he lowered Karl's head to the blood-soaked floor and slowly stood up.

"We should probably leave before more Templars arrive," he said.

"Agreed," Maxine replied.

Anders, Maxine Hawke, Varric, and Bethany walked downstairs and to the double doors of the Kirkwall Chantry. The only sound within the building came from their collective footsteps. As they approached the giant statue of Knight-Commander Meredith, Anders felt a deep-seated rage fill him.

I still can't believe they made him Tranquil, he thought. And it's all her fault.

He'd tried for years to return to Karl. And when he'd finally found him, the Templars had made him Tranquil. The worst fate that could happen to a mage.

What did you think would happen? These Templars care nothing for personal connections or the mages in their care, Justice said. They are only concerned with maintaining their power.

When their group finally left the Chantry, a breeze blew through Anders's hair and cloak. As Anders and his companions made their way to the stairs, he stopped walking.

"Is everything all right?" Maxine asked, as she too paused walking and partly turned to look at him.

"As much as it can be, given the circumstances," he replied, as Bethany and Varric also shifted in his direction. "However, I wish to remain here, by myself."

"Are you sure?" Maxine asked. He noticed that her brows lowered and a slight frown marred her otherwise beautiful face.

She doesn't even know me very well, and she's worried about me, thought Anders.

Truthfully, he hadn't expected Maxine to agree to help him, let alone care so much. Despite recent events, it filled his heart with warmth.

I don't know if I could've done this without her help, he thought.

"I am," Anders replied with a nod. "I need some time alone."

"Is that wise, given what just transpired?" Bethany asked, her thoughtful blue eyes searching Anders's face.

Just like her older sister, she cares about others, thought Anders. Probably even more than Maxine.

"I appreciate the thought, but I can more than take care of myself," he reassured them. "Thank you all again for your help."

"You're welcome and I'm sorry again about your friend," Maxine said.

"Thank you," Anders replied. "Truly."

"Just be careful, blondie," Varric added.

"You as well," Anders replied.

He watched as Maxine, Bethany, and Varric turned around and walked downstairs. Once they were out of sight, he leaned against the side of a nearby building and slid to the ground. He then placed his head in his hands as grief warred with rage inside him.

Maker, this should never have happened, he thought as a light rain began falling. He was the reason I came to Kirkwall, my one true love.

Anders's hands shook as thunder and lightning marred the sky above. He could feel Justice simmering just beneath the surface as his skin began glowing bright blue.

"We will make them all pay," he shouted, standing up and raising his fists into the air.

We will ensure the Templars pay for this egregious act, said Justice. Even if we have to burn their seat of power to the ground!

Greetings, Loyal Readers! I know there may be some of you expecting updates to "Independence at Last", and I promise those will come, this is one of those side projects that I've wanted to finish for a while now.

If you liked this story, please feel free to like, follow, or leave a comment. Your constructive criticism is the best paycheck I have and I hope to see you next time!