Hey there! Here is Chapter 22! Enjoy!
My eyes stared up at the black smoke blooming out from behind the dense trees. Nearly hidden by the gray storm clouds that loomed overhead. Horror passed through me like an icy wind as my mind jumped to the thought of Mia and Rose being caught in the middle of the assault. No. They were smart. They'd know if trouble was coming. They might not even be there. They might have run and this might be futile. Maker's shit they might not even live there anymore. I haven't seen them in nearly four years. My heart ached, however, at the thought that they might be stuck there. Trapped and helpless against the Red Templars, like so many had been in Haven. It took me a moment to realize that my body had already decided what I was going to do as I looked back at Barris. He looked terrified as his eyes flicked from the smoke to me in confusion.
"I'm going to need a horse." Was my reply, mostly to myself, as I moved towards the barn. He startled into motion and caught up. Quickening his pace to keep up as I moved towards the barn. Maybe they needed my help, or maybe they didn't. I just knew I needed to know. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't make sure. I looked to Barris next to me and frowned. His eyes were shockingly wide as his mouth attempted to form words.
"They'll be on us once they storm through South Reach. We won't stand a chance, we must flee." He said as he gripped my arm, wrenching me back towards him. I looked down at his arm, a glare fitting my eyes as they flicked up to him. "You'll never make it to the city in time to be of any use to anyone! You'll just get yourself killed!" I was deathly still as I glared up at him before ripping my arm from his grasp.
"I don't have time to listen to you whimper and cry like a scared child. There are people who need me in that city." I hissed as I moved into the barn and pulled the horses' saddle from the wall. He marched into the barn behind me.
"And what?! What happens if I'm right and you don't get there in time?! Just wind up in the ground like your friend?! For nothing!?" I twisted to him, my fist connecting with his jaw sending him reeling backwards.
"He did not die for nothing!" I shouted at him as he held his jaw in pain. Staring at me wide eyed as I turned and clipped the horses saddle in place. "Not yet." The words fell from my lips as I leapt onto the horse. I glared down at the man shortly before looking ahead. "If I do not return, head towards Ostagar. Stay off the main road. Carry only what you need." I was about to take off when I heard him shout at me.
"Are you not afraid!? Do you want to die?!" He asked and I paused unsure of what to say. There was nothing I could say, my voice sticking in my throat as I thought over that question. I took off on the horse rushing past him. I saw the man that had helped yesterday move out of the house looking at me as I sped off. I didn't stop as I ignored him and made for the city.
The cold dewy morning wind whipped past me as I rode towards the city. The sun on my right as I rode north. I tried not to think about anything, knowing my mind would falter and think of those I lost. I could deal with the pain later, I would mourn them all later. I felt the ache though. This hollowness deep in my chest that I knew would never be filled again. I could not dwell on it, on the knowledge that they died and for the first time in a long time, there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was torn from my thoughts when from the clearing in the trees I saw South Reach. Smoke billowing from the city as the North side seemed to be engulfed already. The horse skidded to a stop near the gates of the city. Nervously twisting its head away from the screams as the city burned. This portion of this gate appeared undamaged, but fighting echoed within its walls. Women and children fled past me, parting around the horse as they ran from their city. Bags and babes in hand. The only men I saw were children as they held tight to their mothers hip. I looked through the faces, looking for Rose or Mia, but I saw neither. I frowned and turned the horse around and sped it into the woods. Tying it up out of sight I ran back to the city gates, people trying to pull at me to turn back, crying out that the Templars were there to destroy the city. Ash covered faces streaked with tears whipped past me in a flurry, the cries of children and women filled the space around me. I burst through the gates noting mostly on the Southern side of the city the fire had yet to catch up with the buildings. Ahead of me however the Northern city gates were obscured by billowing black smoke that turned the sky to a murky blue. The sun just now peaking over the ramparts of the city nearly blotted out by the smoke. I could faintly hear the cries of battle. The air smelling of ash and death. My eyes scanned the area looking for any sight of them. It had been too long since I'd stepped foot in this city. It took me a moment to get my bearings as I tried to remember where their house was. It was to the left, I think, that is if they even still live there. It was the only place I knew to check other than the Tavern, which was near the center of town. I became all too aware of the anxious feeling squeezing my chest, a cold sweat on my forehead. Maker, you leave a city for 4 years and they change everything. I ran for a cluster of houses hearing the faint sounds of crashing and rattling around. I wound through the streets cloaked in shadow as the world seemed to come apart. It reminded me too much of Dumonde and it only added to the current edge. I felt the horrid, gut wrenching nostalgic feeling as for just a moment I could almost feel the chill of Dumonde, hearing the screams that would never leave me. I shook my head fighting my body's want to run. So much death and destruction… I kept on, sliding past a man with what looked like his every earthly possession in tow in a cart. The skinny man pulling the cart struggling to keep moving under the cart's weight. I came to a crossroads, my memory taking me to a building that no longer looked familiar, a Healers shack taking place of what used to be Mia and Rose's house. I twisted right and left trying to figure out where to go, my mind's trail stopping there. They had changed this road since I'd last been here. Fuck. I tried to focus, think Quinn, think!
"Mia! Mia where are you?!" My eyes snapped open and I looked towards the voice. My eyes caught his movements as he ducked between streets to different houses and shops shouting for her. I followed him. "MIA!" He stopped for a moment heaving a breath as he grabbed his knees. He looked a little worse for wares from what I could see. Both of our attentions caught slight movement in the corner of an alley. A quivering man whimpering to himself, his hands bloody and shaking man yelling for Mia ran to him, his breath coming in quick pants. I moved closer listening in making sure to stay hidden.
"You! Please! I'm looking for my wife!"-His Wife?! "Please, have you seen her? She'd be carrying around a small boy. He's three. She has blonde hair and-and-" The cowering man panicked as if just realizing Mia's husband was there and swiped at him with a small blade. The blade slicing across his forehead. He gasped and grabbed at it in pain and backed away from the man in shock. "Wh-"
"STAY AWAY FROM ME! STAY AWAY!" He screamed as he stood in fear and backed away. Mia's husband tried to hush him, warning him of the dangers, but the man wouldn't man backed away screaming when a Templar moved into view just behind the fearful man. The Templar snarled and drove it's blade through himwhis body immediately sagging, his eyes wide and lifeless. The Templar looked to the husband who backed away, his bloody hand moving to his sword as he glared at the Templar. I ran to the wall across from me and bounded off catching the Red Templar with my blade. My dagger slicing deep across it's chest and shoulder. It roared and turned to me in anger and ripped his sword through the air towards me, to which I dodged with ease and slashed my dagger across its neck. The Templar grabbed at its throat before hitting the ground in a heap of crystal and blood. I looked up at the man from my handiwork and saw him flinch away in shock.
"Who-Who are you!?"
"I am looking for her as well. Her sister too." He stumbled for a moment, not quite understanding for a moment before his eyes widened.
"Y-You are!? You know them!? Thank Andraste! Everyone I come across has either been too scared to help me or tried to attack me in fright! Are you well-armed?" He asked with eyes looking over me. I nodded and his head bobbed as he looked up at the sky, black smoke clouding the air smudging out the sun. "They're smart. They would have headed for the gates."
"I was just there, I did not see them." He paused for a moment before his eyes lit up. "The Tavern, did you happen to go past there?"
"No, how far?" I asked as he burst into a sprint.
"It's not far!" He called over his shoulder as I sped after him. We wound through the streets. Our boots padded hard against the stone of the soot covered streets. The ash raining down on us like snow. My heart thudded in my chest painfully when I heard the screams and pleas for help. I didn't stop though, my mind set on finding Mia and Rose. It appears my companion was also of similar mind as he barely flinched at the screams as we continued down a long alley. I silenced the tiny voice in my head telling me to go back and help, knowing that I could only save a few. Logically speaking, large groups are terrible to travel with, especially when you are needing to be as quiet and unseen as possible. I wasn't sure how far the army had spread. All I knew was Haven was destroyed, the Inquisition in the wind and now South Reach, just South of Denerim was now under siege. My thoughts halted for a moment, my steps faltering. Denerim… The Demons' words were fresh in my mind;"He has already taken over Denerim..." Alistair… My heart was in my throat, my blood pounding in my ears making it hard to concentrate. My mind was too distracted, feeling the world suddenly shift around me. Something heavy throwing me to the ground. I jerked in shock as I tumbled onto the hard cobblestone and saw it was the man I was with, Mia's husband. He looked around as a large crystal was jutted out of the place I was just standing. I looked towards where it had come from and saw a monster, nearly 15 meters tall. Bigger than the one in Haven. The monster took aim, it's distorted and misshapen eyes falling on the scurrying townspeople. Some getting lucky and dodging, some not being so lucky. I grabbed the man and we darted into an alleyway to escape his direct line of fire.
"We should go back and help them!" The man argued as he pulled away from me.
"Live today, fight tomorrow." I replied as I looked around the entrance to the alleyway. "We cannot take that thing head on you with only your sword and only my daggers. We have to be smart." I argued as I looked away, he seemingly saw sense in my argument as he quieted after that. He's a good man, honorable. Cullen flashed in my head and I shook him out. I couldn't think of him right now. I couldn't let him distract me. He's gone. He's go-'
"We need to go to the west two blocks and we should be at the Tavern. We need to hurry." I snapped out of it and ran with him. I shook my head to clear it again, but I couldn't get his image out of my head. Everytime I blinked I saw him. I came back to my senses when I heard the cries of men and women in front of me. My eyes widened as I looked around, an explosion rocking the ground. I nearly tripped as I stumbled into the corner of a building. I pushed my weight off of the building looking for where the explosion had gone off. I saw it, but I realized quickly it wasn't an explosion. It was an impact. The gigantic lyrium monster was getting closer, looking far more monstrous now than it did before. Dislodging its club like arm from the wreckage it caused, it let out something likened to a laugh as people screamed and pleaded for their lives underneath it. My heart was in my ears as rage and fear coursed through every vein of my body. It felt hot and uncomfortable, but everything heightened in me at once. Everything in my mind silenced, Cullen's face, his voice fading into the background as I grabbed at my daggers to attack the monster, but an arm grabbed mine.
"What are you doing?!" The man hissed at me. I glared over at him. "We have to find my family first! You can do whatever you were about to after that!" He reasoned. Maker I felt so foolish. I did nothing more than nod and he pulled me along towards the Tavern. "We're close! Only another street down and we-" He froze as he stared ahead of him. Everything was in flames in front of us. I heard a pained whisper come from him that sounded like 'no' as his hand on my wrist tightened. We ran forward in between two buildings and what was left of the Tavern was on fire. The sign with two mugs clinking together etched into the wood that used to hang right above the door now burning on the ground. I shook my head, my eyes wide when my attention was called to the screams of a young boy. I felt my heart tug in my chest when I saw Mia, her arms wrapped around a boy as they were surrounded by Red Templars. A taller Red Templar in front yelling at them as the group of people huddled in on each other. The man next to me suddenly took off. My head twisted towards him.
"Get away from them!" He screamed as he lifted his sword and swiped at a Red Templar chopping into it, but not doing that much damage. I stared at him, my eyes wide. Oh fu- my body moved faster than I thought it would. The Templar that Mia's husband had chopped at now pinning him down with his foot. Mia's screams for him as I leapt up and planted my feet on the Templars chest knocking him off balance and ripping the sword from his hand. He tumbled away from us as I held the blade up to stop the clash of another. Templars blade. The familiar burn of exertion paired with the nullifying bliss of the adrenaline surged through me fueling my movements as I blocked and parried their blows. A bigger Templar ran at me and brought down its sword with great force. The sword cracked under the weight of the blow and I quickly dispatched it. The Templar brought his sword down, continuing his assault. I skid my other dagger from its sheath and sliced at his wrist. My other dagger drove into the soft spot between its neck and shoulder earning a roar of pain from the beast. Its arm whirled around and smacked me away, my dagger stuck in its grotesque crystalline skin. It's sword ripped towards me and I shifted, twisting the sword from his hands. With the sword now in my possession I drove it up and in through the Templar before ripping it out as the Templar fell to its knees. I twisted with the blade in hand, swiping it through the air towards its previous owner. My snarl curled into a sadistic smile as the red lyrium sword sliced right through the Red Templar in front of me, his head lobbing to the ground. My blood was singing in my veins. The thrill of battle intoxicating me. The people that were huddled together looked to me and then fled towards the South gate. I felt their eyes on my back as I panted. The smile faded and I let out a sigh as I looked to the man as Mia rushed to him, a boy in her arms. I tossed the blade away from me bending down to the Templar's body and ripped my blade from him.
"Terrence! Terrence are you alright!?" He nodded as he pushed himself up looking over at me with a nod. I nodded back not fully turning to them. Mia eyed me suspiciously, but it was Rose who caught my attention. I realized now something that struck something deep in my core. My mind flashing to when I teased Cullen about having a duel with me.
"I, Quinn Thedran challenge you, Cullen…"
"Rutherford."
The woman….the woman that I remembered that was so familiar, but I couldn't quite make her out... My eyes went back to Mia as Rose smiled at me. She has his eyes. Both of them do. I felt my chest clench. There was no way this was possible. No. There was no way the Maker was this cruel. Rose smiled at me as she pulled off my hood gently. I attempted to mask my shock, but I felt my eyes still wide and confused.
"Hey, I know you." She said fondly. I stared at her as Mia's eyes widened.
"Quinn!?" Despite the overwhelming sadness that I felt bubbling in my chest I forced a smile onto my face. "How do you always manage to be in the wrong place at the right time?" She asked with a frown on her lips, her tone attempting to lighten the mood slightly. Same old Mia.
"Just lucky I guess." I deadpanned my eyes inspecting them for injuries when suddenly the ground shook. The red lyrium monster behind us slamming it's fist through a nearby building, splintering wood and scattering stone. It's leg slowly moving over the building in our direction. The townsfolk that were once trapped by the red templars now screaming as they saw the monster heading this way. I quickly scanned the area before nodding to Mia and Rose.
"We need to go. The North Gate was still clear when I came through. If we can make it there I have a plan." I said, but heard someone speak up behind me.
"Wait! Please! Take me with you! I'm a healer, I can be of use to you!" The woman cried as I felt a tug on my cloak. I looked to her and then to Rose and Mia.
"Do you know her?" I asked, to which Mia nodded and stepped forward.
"I do, yes. She's a talented healer." I looked from Mia for a moment, there was a pleading look in Mia's eyes as something crashed behind us. My gaze shifted to the healer with a firm nod.
"Fine, but if you're a burden or you endanger us, you're being left behind. Got it?" She stared for a moment before nodding.
"I promise." Nodding I looked to the husband as we started moving towards the Southern portion of the city.
"What is the quickest way to the Southern Gate?" I asked and he frowned, his eyes searching before he nodded towards the wall of the city.
"The ramparts. Assuming that we can get to them and that the walkway is still intact and not overrun with those monsters." I nodded quickly.
"Then that's where we're headed. Let's go." The way to the ramparts was fairly clear of Templars, the only obstacles being the townspeople stumbling through the streets and belongings which had been thrown from their houses. We ran past them all of us running towards the stairs to the ramparts. Finally, we got to the staircase. Soldiers and the city patrol running along the upper wall past us. We climbed upwards reaching the top and starting towards the Southern Gate. From up here you could see everything. The city being overcome by flame, smoke and the Elder Ones army, seeing from here that not only were Templars running through the broken Northern Gates of the city. Much to my horror I saw hordes of demons spilling through the streets like a thick smog. I pushed them along when my eyes caught movement. The monster from before, the one with the club-like fist. Similar to the one in Haven was staring right at us as we ran. It's club-like fist raising as it screamed. My eyes widened as something formed at the end of the fist.
"FASTER! MOVE!" I yelled when the extension of the fist dislodged and came speeding towards us. I leapt forward pulling the Healer with me, just barely dodging it. The rock blowing through the ramparts behind us. I pulled her to her feet and yanked her forward. "C'MON!" I shouted as I pulled her with me. We moved as fast as we could when suddenly we all skidded to a stop, my eyes widening when I saw the ramparts cut off in front of us. A large portion of the walkway is missing. I twisted looking behind me seeing Red Templars running down the ramparts heading right for us. The only way was to shimmy shimmy along the side. "Be careful! We'll hold them off!" I yelled as Mia's husband-Terrence, I believe his name was, moved next to me to protect them from the oncoming Templars. I nodded to him as we pulled our weapons, keeping the Templars at bay. It was proving difficult as more Templars started running at us. Their weapons raised as they attacked us. We couldn't keep this up for long. I twisted around when I heard the monster roar again, seeing it raise the fist again. This lump of crystal is much larger than the last. It felt like the world froze for a moment in horror as its horrid gaze trained on us. It reared back, but something at its feet caught its attention. My moment of relief cut short as a sword swung into view. I ducked and drove my dagger up through the Templars rib cage. It choked on death as I kicked it off my blade. I turned my head back as I heard Mia and Rose call for us. They were safely on the other side waving at us to hurry. I nodded to the husband as I backed away towards the walkway. "Move!" I backed away as Terrence moved quickly across the small walkway. A Templar ran at me and raised its weapon. I blocked and ground my teeth together, looking behind me briefly to see Terrence leap onto the other side of the rampart. Mia and Rose are shouting to me. I used the Templar's strength and twisted into him, grabbing his arm and popping him over the edge of the broken rampart watching as he tumbled down. I turned and moved along the walkway. My eyes wide when I saw a horde of Templars running up the staircase I looked to them and then back towards Mia and Rose noticing the healer staring at the monster before screaming. I looked to my right seeing the Monster forming a large crystalline cluster and threw it towards me. My eyes widened as I launched myself forward, my fingers gripping onto the edge as the lyrium cluster hit the rampart wall behind me. I gasped as the blast rocked the ground and my grip loosened. My arm was grabbed and I was pulled up, Terrence and Mia pulling me onto safer ground. I panted as I looked behind me, my eyes wide as I saw most of the wall gone. Templars on the other side recovering and looking for a way over. I was pulled along by my wrist, jerking me away from the massive gap in the ramparts.
"C'mon! The Gate is just up this way!" We ran to the gate, and despite everything in me screaming and clawing to not feel hope, I felt it swell in my chest. We were almost there. A sickly feeling in my stomach, like my gut twisting into a knot as the blood in my ears pounded. I knew this feeling. This sickening feeling that came shortly after I dared to hope. Maker please, no. I gasped as I turned, seeing something in the corner of my eye as I heard the roar from the monster far too late. My hand spluttered as fear coursed through my body disabling my ability to do anything but watch as debris and dust filled my vision. The impact of the stone being torn out from beneath and around us making my ears ring. I didn't remember hitting the ground, everything numb for a blissful moment. All too suddenly my world jarred around me and I stared wide eyed from the ground, trying to make something out from the hazy shapes and distorted cries. I tried to get back on my feet but everything hurt the bliss dissolving into splintering pain. My ears still ringing as I looked around, the dust settling. I heard cries of pain as my eyes found the Healer cradling her arm, her eyes wide and mouth agape. Panic set in as my mind leapt to Mia and Rose. My head twisted to the right hearing Mia and Rose calling out through the rubble. Mia as she pulled at her boy who grabbed onto her in fear. The husband pulled them both to their feet but hobbled, suffering a large gash across his thigh. Rose was the last to stand, blood running from her forehead as she grabbed ahold of the Healer and helped lift her. Her eyes widened at seeing her arm, which was mangled and bleeding profusely. I heard them calling for me, but my eyes went to the monster. Was it always going to be like this? I heard Flemeth's voice in my ear telling me I chose this. I chose to try and save them. To be a hero. Was it worth it? Was any of this worth it? I ground my teeth together and picked myself up feeling a twinge of pain in my shoulder and side. But, I'm not a hero. My eyes lifted to the monster as I was pulled on. Heroes die. Heroes like those people at Haven who fought for complete strangers. Heroes are good to the end. I was pulled all the way to the stairs down to the gate. Guards waving their hands frantically beckoning us in. There were precious few guards on the walls who were holding the Templars back. Too many were coming from the opposite rampart. I looked to Mia as she yanked on my arm, watching her face twist into confusion as I stopped. The worry in her eyes seeing the resolve in my own. There really is no doubt she's his sister.
"Mia. Go." I said, just loud enough for her to hear. "Take your family towards the black forest, make it up the coast to the ocean. Stay clear of the roads and do not let anyone see you. If you can make it to the West Coast near Denerim you can make it to Kirkwall. I will cover your retreat."
"Wait, no. We need you! Don't be foolish!" She looked so conflicted as she looked back at her family as her boy cried in his Father's arms.
"You are smart and resourceful, if anyone can lead them to safety, you can." I said as I pushed her towards the exit. "Go, Mia. Protect your family." I urged and she nodded.
"Maker be with you and may he guide you swiftly back to us." I nodded back to her as they took off. Rose lingered, fear in her eyes, but she was pulled away. The monster was approaching me. One eye was larger than the other, practically bugging out of his socket as it watched me. I felt my palm sparking like mad. I heard cries next to me as Templars ran at me. My daggers ready in my palms as I defended the walkway to the gate. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I looked over as the monster reared its arm back and then forward. I ran, my hand flashing me out of the way. I tumbled onto the ground roughly seeing the top of the gate missing. Cries of people below echoing. My eyes widened as I tried to make for the edge of the walkway to see if they made it through when I felt an arrow whistle past my waist. My body convulsed in pain and I stumbled, hitting the ground hard again. I felt my already bruised body ache as I struggled to lift myself again. I looked around me seeing some of the guards attacking the Red Templars, my mind flashing to Haven. Those soldiers that told me to run before they were slaughtered. I pushed myself up, but my arms could barely support me. My fear inhibits me more than anything. My fingers seemed to be useless, gripping at the cold stone. Numbly looking for something to keep me grounded as sweat beaded on my forehead. I heard the cries of the guards. We're losing this fight. My heart in my throat as I felt blood dribble from my lips. Not that this was ever going to be a win for us. I closed my eyes, heaving air from my lungs as my nails bit into the stone. Maker I'm so tired. I heard a cry as someone grabbed for me.
"Lady! Lady we must go!" They pulled me to my feet and I looked over at them, getting small glimpses of them as they pulled me along. I was pushed towards another guard. "Here another survivor! Get her with the other-" An arrow protruded from his chest and he collapsed in front of me and the guard standing behind me. I felt dizzy, realizing I had been breathing in short, heavy pants on the verge of hyperventilating. The person behind me pulled me along.
"Now is not the time for panic, woman!" He yelled in my ear as I was pulled down a winding stairwell. Panic? Was this panic? I don't believe I've ever felt like this before. The guard had me by my wrist as we ran through a door leading out into countless people rushing the gates of South Reach. How I even made it down those winding steps I'll never know. I barely saw any of the people rushing past me clearly, just colors and screams. I was thrown to the side, the guard losing grip of my wrist. People pushing against me relentlessly. I was pressed against the wall, nearly collapsing. I heard the guard cry out for me, but his voice was drowned out by the screams of the people around me. Everyone started pushing more as I saw the towering monster move straight towards the gate. People scattering in the street trying to get away from the monster that was moving straight for the gate. Its roar echoing around us. I watched it, my heart in my throat as my limbs only got heavier. This haunting voice in my head telling me to just give up. It's not worth the struggle. It's not worth the pain. I wanted to turn away and run too, my mind screaming at me to go back and find Mia and Rose. Help them, not die here. Why care about people who trample over you? Why try to save them? Flemeth's voice in my head. Her words however were dulled out as I heard a woman screaming above the rest. My eyes found her as she was being pushed backwards through the crowd. Desperately trying to get to someone. I looked forward and saw five men standing there with swords ready to die for the people escaping behind them. Too much like Haven. This is too much. My mind betrayed me and I saw my companions whom I watched die in front of me standing there instead of the men. The screams of people in Haven, the echoed last words of my companions in my head and before I knew what I was doing, my body was moving through the crowd. The people who had run nearly trampled me now moving around me trying to rush through the gates. I glared up at the monster as it stomped forward, the ground rumbling and quaking with every monstrous step. Demons and Templars spilling into the streets around it bursting forward towards us. I'm so tired. So tired of being useless. I had lived while my friends had died. They gave their lives for what?! FOR WHAT!? My anger grew in me like an ember burning hotter and hotter by the second. To have to watch so many people die without being able to help them. I lifted my eyes to the monster as it reared its arm back a huge boulder being formed from its crystalline body. I'm not a hero, you were right Flemeth. My arm snapped up to the monster, my hand burning brightly, my glove disintegrating into the air as my palm sparked as I moved in front of the five men. They yelled at me to get back as the power from my hand blew my hood off. I felt the world around me go silent and I felt a small smile come to my lips. I'm not a hero at all, but I've known heroes. My eyes snapped open as I felt my rage, my pain, my loss empowering my mark. I snarled at the monster as I felt a rift tear open a hole. Like a piece of paper being ripped in half. But I will try to be. The monster and the army at its feet roared as a tear in the world opened, the Fade opening before me, a huge rift in between us and the army.
My hand sparked madly as I let out a roar of my own. For Blackwall, and Vivienne. For those soldiers that died protecting me, for Jim. I felt the energy pulse outward around my mark, my scream lifting into the air. For Cullen, I will be one or I will die trying. My marked hand punched forward like it was the most natural motion I've ever made. There was a sound, like a clap of thunder, that echoed as the city buildings in between me and the army collapsed. Stone thrown against stone toppling onto the monsters below. The Red Lyrium beast stumbled and fell as the buildings crumbled over its feet. I felt a soft smile come to my lips as I teetered. I felt my mark reacting, but I was numb. I felt myself fall as the world darkens around me. A silhouette hovered over me checking my pulse.
"She's alive."
"Who is she?! Did you see what she did?"
"No idea, but we cannot leave her here! Come on!" My body was too tired to move, but I felt myself being carried as cries echoed around me. I was turned and saw the gate as it slammed shut and moments later screams and pleas for help erupted around us. Creatures and sounds of gore and death. Inaudible screeches of demons behind us trying to get free of the gate. The person holding me running as my vision went dark and my body succumbed to its exhaustion.
Thanks for reading! Have a great rest of your day!
-BatCat