Hello Everyone! I hope you all had a Happy Holidays! Thanks so much for sticking around and I hope you all like it! ❤

The sky was darkening by the minute. All of us were on edge as we tried to avoid looking up, but the way my mark was tingling in my palm; the way it was reacting to something beyond my emotions worried me. Pain rippled through my arm, but thanks to Red the mark was suppressed. I walked closest to the woods to stay close to his silence. The others sticking close, but not too close to the woodline. We were walking south taking notice of the sporadic wrecked boats lining the shore. Some were busted up by the waves and the rocks of the beach, minor damage to the actual boat itself. Some looked as if they had been splintered to pieces. Driftwood littering the shoreline along with some water logged supplies and rations long molded. Roland nodded to me.

"Perhaps we could salvage one of these. Use some broken parts to mend it." I nodded, but frowned.

"Look at them though." I shook my head. Something was wrong. I moved to a washed up broken boat. The bow was the only thing intact. Scorch marks and arrow tips stuck in the busted up hull. I frowned as I touched my chin.

"If I had to guess. I'd say that they don't want people leaving." My voice was quiet enough so only Roland could hear me. "Even if we managed to scab a ship together that could hold everyone who's to say whatever or whoever did this won't do the same to us-?" I grimaced as my palm shot a pulse of fire up my arm. I grabbed at my arm and bit my lip. He took notice, but didn't say anything. I examined the scorch marks, the hum of magic still in the air.

"Magic?" Roland asked next to me. I nodded, but crossed my arms in confusion.

"Yes…but why?" He shook his head.

"We should continue on. Maybe we'll find answers." I frowned.

"Or we'll find those who did this." He frowned.

"I guess that in itself is still an answer." I grunted at him as my palm burnt. I moved back to the woodline, feeling the cool of the silence wash over my palm. We continued on, our little group being careful to not make too much noise. The rain was helping cover the noise of us traveling, all of us moving under the canopy of the trees. The rain was seeping into my bones. The cold of the wind and the constant wetness of my skin made my body feel heavier by the minute. How miserable. We moved up a hill, we'd need to camp soon. Regain some strength. We moved to the top of the hill and I did a quick inspection, but saw no signs of danger.

"We'll set camp here. Rest for a few hours." I said as I looked at Roland and nodded.

"We'll inspect the area. We won't be but a few minutes."

"Wait. Quinn is still injured. Perhaps-" I held up my hand.

"I'm alright for now. Thank you for your concern, but I've had more time to rest than any of you. We will be back shortly." We moved back into the woods. Roland moving to the left and I straight. Red was closeby, somewhere to my right. The trees got a bit sparse here, so he seemed to be sticking a little further away than usual. I suddenly skidded to a stop feeling the pull of the Fade. My mind flashed to when I'd been around rifts with the Herald. My eyes widened as I pulled away and hid behind the nearest tree. A demon, one I'd not really seen before. It's hunched over figure and hooded face concealing some kind of hissing and snarling horror beneath. It's body floating above the ground as a chill filled the air around me. My breath coming out in fluffy white puffs of air. It passed me and I stayed hidden for a few more moments, waiting for it to leave the area. It seemed to just be wandering about. I waited till it was farther away and I sent two whistles up. The sound echoing through the woods. I heard something shift next to me and I stilled, my eyes shifting over as I saw a demon's clawed hand touch the tree I was at. I bit my lip as I watched the hand, making no movements. I heard another whistle from the woods to the left. One whistle. Location. I couldn't send one back. My lungs burned as I struggled to hold my breath. The demon moved forward and I slid opposite of it as it made a clicking noise. It moved around towards the camp and I pulled a dagger as I took a deep breath. I remembered these, their screeches acting like a call for other demons. If it went any further I'd have to kill it, but if it managed to get a screech off we're done. It was then that I noticed another demon had joined it. Another whistle went off, closer. I barely saw Roland's body slide behind a tree ahead of me. Red was also close. I peeked over and saw his body clad in black disappear behind a tree across from me. I turned around the trunk as it walked towards Roland, Red just across from me, the 2 demons in the middle. I saw a flash of Red's blade as he nodded to me. I spun the dagger in my palm and nodded back. One swift motion. One final whistle and I burst forward, Red moving at the same time. Our blades sliced through the air, their heads dropping onto the ground as Red and I switched spots. I gripped at my side as pain splintered from my back. The demons evaporated into dust and ichor as I slid around the opposite side of the tree. Roland joined me in the next tree over.

"You okay?" He called over quietly to which I nodded as I leant heavily against the bark. He looked and then moved closer. "We cannot stay here long. That floaty one is coming back this way." I bit my lip and looked towards Red who had retreated back into the shadows. With a nod we moved back up the hill enough to be covered by the shrubbery.

"I have other bad news." I rolled my eyes.

"Great."

"I saw crates of those red crystals. The lyrium stuff." He said with a frown. "Not far to the South. Like a campsite, but I only saw one or two there. They didn't see me. They were far out on the beach." My eyes drifted towards the beach.

"Do you think we could sneak around?" I asked as Red's shadow drifted just around me. It was interesting, when there was the total darkness of the forest he hid extremely well. I was hardly able to track his movements, but now that the darkness was lessened he looked almost a bit awkward. It was almost a bit relieving, having a form to associate with the eyes.

"I…I can't be sure. If we did then we might be in trouble with the demons." His frown deepened. "You are the only one who has really fought them off. I barely saw any actual action in South Reach. I don't really know what we're up against." I looked to Red who peeked at me from the shadows. "I hope they're not all as strong as your friend." I titled my head realizing something. He was right, Red was stronger than the rest. I'd killed them in Haven and I'd killed some in South Reach. With a shake of my head I pulled my attention back to the top of the hill where they were setting up camp.

"I think Red's special. Not that he has told me otherwise." I replied as I thought for a moment. "I've found using their own weapons against them works best. I used a dagger from one of them and it cut through them like a hot knife through butter. If I can get my hands on another one of their weapons, it might help us ward off attacks easier." Red startled, but I felt no disturbance around us. His eyes on me as if to caution me, a shake of his head. He doesn't seem to like that idea. I folded my arms over my chest.

"Perhaps we shouldn't mess with the stuff. Wasn't there some Knight Commander in Kirkwall who went nuts after using a sword made of the red stuff?" Roland asked. "Turned to stone, I think?"

"I believe the story is that she went mad long before she used the sword." I said as I recalled Varric's story on the matter. "Some kind of idol that was brought back from the deep roads drove her halfway to crazy town." I sighed. "But if I find one, I'll make a point not to pray to it too often." He huffed at my sarcasm.

"Either way, seems your friend believes it to be a cautionary tale. I say we stay away from it completely. If you find one of their weapons, just leave it be. Nothing good can come from it." I frowned.

"We could, but to be honest I don't see a downside. I mean I might go batshit crazy, or I might get super cool powers that help us survive."

"How is batshit crazy not a downside?"

"I don't know. I once knew a wonderful lady named Isna. She tried to sell me ear rings made of bugs to ward off evil. She seemed perfectly content." Roland huffed at me as I felt Red press his silence down harder and I cringed as my eyes flicked to him. He shook his head adamantly. Rage and fear swirling in those ruby eyes. "Fine. We stay away from the stuff until we have no other option. I mean really, it seems you just want to make my life harder." I grumbled as I soothed my hand noticing Red nod, pleased with himself and something about it annoyed me. "However, if it comes down to it, I'm ready to pay any price for those I care for to survive." I said as I shot a look back at Red. "And no one is going to stop me." He gave me a look back that was a little hard to discern. His arms were crossed though and he just emanated disapproval. I felt a chuckle pass through my lips, surprising me. I blinked and looked away, confusion and embarrassment bringing a slight blush to my cheeks. Why was that so funny to me? Roland stared for a moment, staring in confusion before shaking his head

"On second thought, fuck around and see what happens. I don't think you could get crazier." I lifted an eyebrow at him, trying to avoid Red's gaze. I shook my head at Roland and continued up the hill with him. "There is something that's worrying me." I lifted my eyes to him, nodding. "It's…have you felt like something is…off?" I frowned as I looked back at Red and then back ahead of us.

"Everything seems off." I said. "It's a bit too calm. We've only seen what, 3 demons? When we just ran from a horde not 2 days ago. And what, only a handful or Red Templars at that camp, you said?" I frowned as I looked away. "We might just be in the wake of their destruction. They might already be at the port town. If I've learned anything from Red, Templars don't seem to need as much rest as everyone else. Meaning they can move much faster than us. It wouldn't surprise me if that town has already been obliterated by them and the demons…well i'm fairly certain they just go wherever there's carnage." My voice trembled a bit.

"What do we do then? If…if the town is already taken." I ran a hand over my neck, a headache starting to beat at the base of my skull.

"I do not know." I whispered. "I'll be completely honest…it's not looking good." I said with a frown pulling at my lips. He shifted his eyes down to me and huffed.

"Was it ever looking good?" I tilted my head up to him.

"It was…and then my friends died." I said, my voice inexplicably hollow. He paused and looked down at me.

"I-"

"It doesn't matter. I wouldn't want them here anyway. As horrible as this reality is, I'm glad they don't have to deal with it." He stared at me for a moment before nodding. "If some of the Inquisition survived till now they'd more than likely be petitioning for aid from Orlais, seeing as Fereldan is royally screwed. Not that it does us much good, but maybe, just maybe if we can get across the water we can get this family to safety. Maybe even survive this. They're good people, they'll be able to help." He nodded as he looked away. "We might just have to look at other means of finding a boat then. Seeing as the port town might just be a bust." I nodded as we continued up the hill.

"So… the Inquisition." I frowned up at him.

"Ask your question."

"They asked not to say anything."

"They?" I felt a chill run down my spine. My lips twisting into a confused sneer. "Why?" I asked stupidly. I knew why and I knew who.

"We heard what happened, how the Inquisition was decimated and that only very few had survived. Didn't want to be insensitive." I frowned at that, my heart in my throat. That's…not what I thought the reason was. "That…and well I think they're scared to ask, but Rose and Mias brother had joined the Inquisition. He was their General I think they said." Commander, but fine. I stayed neutral, but I felt Red near. Did my hand flicker? I didn't even notice. I paused in my steps to look up at him.

"What do they know?" I asked and he took a moment to weigh my question before nodding.

"They know you knew him. Personally, it would seem. They don't know what happened to him, but they have an inkling." I felt my heart clench, my throat closed up and I felt like I couldn't breathe. He looked back at me, he found his answer in my reaction and I hated myself for it. So much for all that training on controlling my emotions. "I was going to ask, but your face says it all." I stared at the ground cursing myself. He sighed and looked away. "Would it be easier on you if I told them?" He asked me, confusing me. Why would he ask that?

"How considerate of you." I didn't mean for it to sound as venomous as it did. I took a deep breath, cooling myself. "No. They…deserve to hear it from me." I said as I looked away. My heart was in my throat just thinking of telling them. Maker knows I'll be nearly trembling telling them that it was my fault their brother was killed. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I froze. It felt like he was trying to comfort me.

"It wasn't your fault."

"You don't know that." I retorted immediately, spurning his efforts to console me. He didn't budge.

"You're rude and reckless, but I have seen the way you fight for his family." I felt my eyes sting. This is ridiculous. I wanted to walk away. I didn't want to hear any of this. "If you cared for him half as much as you care for them I know that you did all you could." I bit my cheek to stop myself from snapping at him. He was just trying to be kind. I pushed past him, my eyes on the ground.

"You know most people say thank you when someone tries to cheer them up." I didn't turn as I continued on without a word. "Or not." He muttered as I made towards the camp, favoring my hurt side. I looked around and saw Mia's head pop up and she moved to me quickly.

"Quinn, Maker's Breath, did you hurt yourself again?!" She whispered worriedly. I almost flinched, but I kept myself still. "Where's Asa? Asa." She called out quietly. Asa popped up and ran over to me with supplies already in her arms.

"If you've gotten another injury I'm letting you bleed out this time." She muttered as she knelt down next to me. Mia helped me to a seated position on a dead tree stump.

"No new ones, but I think I opened an old one.

"What happened?"

"Demons were close by. We took care of them." I grunted as she rewrapped my wound. "Thanks." I said quietly as I moved my arm out of the way so she could work. She nodded in response as she continued. "Where's Rose?" I asked, but out of the corner of my eye I saw her at the edge of camp. Her eyes puffy and red. Has she been crying? I sent an accusatory glare at Roland who looked at me incredulously as if to ask how that could have been his fault.

"Apologies. I just needed a moment." Mia also noticed and she moved towards her, but Rose shied away slightly. "I'm alright, no need to worry." She said with a smile. There was so much pain in her eyes though. She was trying so hard not to show it. Her eyes lingered on me for a moment and she looked like she wanted to say something. "Are you okay?" She asked me. On the surface it seemed like just a question about my health, but there was a deeper meaning to it.

"Just a little wound, nothing to worry yourself over." I replied, not acknowledging what I thought she actually meant. Asa handed me a potion and I sucked it down, nearly gagging at the taste.

"Oh Hush, it's not that bad." I waved her off.

"As long as it works." I choked out. She nodded and stood collecting her supplies and moving back to her bedroll to organize her bag again. I looked to Roland as he moved over to Rose, checking on her. My eyes drifted to Rose who looked at me with a sadness I couldn't fathom.

"Mia." I said, knowing I should tell her. Maybe she could break it to Rose easier than I could. Mia looked down at me and I felt my heart stutter. "Do you think she'll be okay?" I asked, noticing Mia frown.

"She'll have to be. That's the only option we have right now." I didn't look at Mia, but I could tell she had that hard set look in her eyes. Her jaw clenched. I wanted to tell her. I wanted so badly to, but my throat was clenching. Mia patted my shoulder and she hummed quietly to herself.

"Go get some rest. Your wounds won't heal unless you relax. We'll keep watch." I frowned and nodded. You're such a fucking coward, Quinn. You should have told them. It's only going to get harder. I leant against a tree out of view and I shrunk down and curled into myself.

"Fucking coward." I murmured at myself.

Behind me I heard them talking quietly among themselves. Roland kept watch, Red pacing about somewhere along the woodline. Roland and Terrence swapped and I heard him shuffle next to Rose, his hand coming to her shoulder and she nodded following him.

"We'll only be a moment." I looked at Mia who nodded to me and I shifted into the darkness. I followed them and I heard her lightly sniffling. "Are you…are you okay?" She paused looking up at him and shook her head.

"I want to ask her. I want to ask her so bad. I just want to know…I just want to know what happened." Her hiccups interrupted her sentences. He gently touched the top of her hair, patting it gently. "My brother was one of the strongest people I know! How did he-why did he-?" She cried, sobbing her heart out. Clinging to Roland as he tried to console her. I felt my hand come to my lips as I felt a tear drip down my face. I stayed hidden as I watched them. She'd overhead us. I'd hoped I'd misread it earlier. Maybe I could spare her feelings a bit longer, but she knew now. Her sobs made my chest feel hollow.

"I'm so sorry, love. I'm sorry you had to find out that way." She shook her head against his chest.

"No, I'm glad I did. She might have never told us herself and…and I can't blame her." She pulled away tears falling down her face as she tried to wipe them away. "She had really bad dreams when we first found her. Or…well when she found us. She'd call out to him and…and she always sounded so sad." Her words made my heart sink and my pulse shoot up at the same time.

"If it helps at all, from what you've told me about him. He seemed like a remarkable person." She nodded, tears coming back to her eyes.

"Should I…should I ask her what happened? Do you think she'd tell me?" He frowned and looked away.

"I think sometimes knowing isn't always better." He touched her cheek as he gave her a sympathetic half smile. She stared up at him, a soft sniffle filling the silence.

"You've been through something like this before?" She asked and he nodded. He gently pulled her in, muffling her apologies for what happened to him.

"Don't." He sighed as he pulled her back. "If everything in my life led to this, meeting you, then I'd suffer it again." My eyes widened as I suddenly felt bad for watching. I spun around the tree to give them some space. Hearing them quietly confess that they cared for each other. I looked over to see Red watching them as well. A look of slight disapproval in his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. I chuckled to myself and shook my head.

"You shouldn't stare. What are you, her dad or something?" I called out to him quietly. His eyes snapped to mine and he stared for a moment as if just realizing I was there. "What? I think they're a good match." I shrugged as I looked away and down at my feet. "I'm giving them some space." I shook my head as I pushed off the tree. "Don't stare at them. It's creepy." He looked at me accusingly, eyes widened as if to say I'd just been staring too. Pointing at himself in confusion. "You're the scary red eyed figure who looms around in the darkness, not me. Of course you're the creepy one." He rolled his eyes at me, annoyed. I felt a small smile come to my lips, but I felt it fall thinking of Rose. Thinking of Cullen. I shook my head. Not now. You've been doing well. Don't think of him now. I felt my heart tug a bit when I thought of the Inquisition. My mind leaping to Leliana. I stared up at the canopy as I leant my head back. She's a resourceful woman, but Maker I hope she's alright. I'd told Roland that what remains of the Inquisition might have made it to Orlais by now. Maybe. Hopefully.

"Quinn." My eyes widened as I woke up. Whose voice was that.

"Quinn." A different voice this time. "Help me." The voice called out quietly. My feet carried me forward. A door just in front of me.

"Don't, Quinn. Stay away." I heard another voice cry out. My name was coming from all over, people screaming for me to help them. It was overwhelming. I grabbed the door and shoved it open quickly just trying to get away. I stumbled into my Fathers mansion and I spun, not knowing the room I was in. Odd. I knew every room in my old home…this one though… I heard my Fathers voice as I moved through the darkness. His voice felt so strange in my mind. Like a song you haven't heard in years, but know every word too. Familiar, but not.

"My wife is dying. This wasn't part of the deal." He yelled.

"It was a life for a life. You knew that when you made the deal." Another voice hissed.

"And I paid it!"

"Some poor bastard's life is not what I wanted, and was not what was part of the deal." It said louder. "I said in order to save her life you must pay it with someone else's you care for. Unfortunately for you it is a short list." I got a bit closer trying to see what was going on. "You foolish human."

"I cared for the man I gave you. He was like family." My Fathers voice was gruff with a snarl on his lips.

"If you wish to save your wife, you'll have to do better than that."

"Fine. Give me a week."

"You have a day, Aliterus." The voice hissed as I got closer. The stairs suddenly creaked and I froze when suddenly I was grabbed and pulled backwards. I gasped out as the world fell away and I was back in the woods. My eyes fixed on the person who grabbed me.

"Hello Lady Protector." My eyes widened when I saw Solas staring at me. I tilted my head and looked around.

"Solas?" I asked in confusion. "What are you…what are you doing here?" I asked when suddenly everything fell away. "I'm in the Fade?" I asked with a frown as I turned in a circle.

"You are remarkable, I'll give you that." I tilted my head in confusion. "I've been trying to contact you for days now. To warn you, but something's been blocking me." I frowned as I looked around.

"Warn me about what?" I asked, but paused. "Wait, Solas! The Inquisition, are they safe?" I asked as I moved closer to him. "Are they alive? Leliana, Varric-?" He frowned and looked away. I felt my heart sink. "No...no, they got out though…"

"They were found by a demon. The same one that is coming after you now." He said as he waved his hand. A demon that looked dangerously close to the thing that was in my nightmare not long ago. He was watching me. "I take it by your reaction you've already seen it?" I nodded and looked away.

"So…Leli and Varric they…"

"They were killed by the demon. Yes." I could barely breathe for a moment.

"I am sorry." He whispered. I shook my head as I gripped my chest, pulling at my shirt. My collar suddenly suffocating me. I felt nauseous. There's no chance now. Everyone that could have saved anyone is gone. There's nothing left. "That's not true. You're still here. You can fight." I looked up at him in shock, I hadn't realized I'd said anything. "The Breach. It is inevitable that it will be opened up. The Elder One can open it without your mark, it is just harder. With the power of the Venatori in his hands he'll have it open and you'll be out of time. It is still weak now, you can close it."

"I can't. My mark only opens, remember?" He gave me a short smirk and a nod and held out this orb that looked strangely familiar.

"I know, but I can change that. You can close the Breach. You can save this world." My eyes widened and I looked down at my mark. "The Herald…he isn't coming back. This new world must be saved by a different hero now. By you." I looked back up at him.

"What do I have to do?" He gave me a frown and nodded.

"It's going to hurt." I nodded and handed him my arm. He gently held onto my hand and I couldn't help but notice he looked different. His attire looked more…distinguished. Elven armor I'd never seen before and a pelt across his shoulder.

"Breathe. It'll be over soon." I felt a cry tear through my throat as my arm burned. My veins lit on fire, spreading through my body. My heart felt like it'd explode in my chest. I heard my name being called, but I saw no one. I collapsed onto the ground unceremoniously. Solas above me looking around. "Ah. So that's how you've been hiding yourself." A smirk in his voice. "Clever." He nodded to me. "Good luck." I choked out a cry for him to wait as he retreated. I had so many questions. I heard my name called again as someone shook me.

I suddenly jumped. My eyes wide open. Red was above me shaking me. The weight of a silence heavy on me. I looked in between his eyes and around me.

"Where'd he go?" I asked as I looked around us. "Solas. He was here. A friend of mine. He-he said I could stop the Breach." I said as I spun. Where had he gone? I looked down at my mark and saw it flaring. I choked as I grabbed onto Red. He pressed down on the silence even more. It had never been so crushing before, but finally the mark stopped flaring. I was curled into him, heaving breaths. He held onto me gently as he looked around. I faltered, however, when a screech lifted into the air followed by screams. My eyes widened and I sprang up, ignoring the pain from my wounds. I nodded to Red and we took off moving towards the group. Roland turned to me and ran up.

"Thank the Maker, we couldn't find you! We thought-" I shook my head.

"Those screams-they sounded like demons." He nodded and looked over.

"Are you able to fight? We might have to." I nodded and touched the daggers on my hips.

"Let's go." I ordered. He turned to the group behind him and nodded.

"We'll go check out those sounds. If we are not back by morning assume the worst and leave. Head towards the town." Rose stood and shook her head, but didn't say anything. Her eyes locked on Roland. I looked away as she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Be careful." He nodded. She looked at me and moved forward grabbing my wrist. "You too, Quinn." She whispered. I nodded to her, giving her an encouraging nod. We moved through the woods, Red suddenly close to me.

"Red. Scout ahead." He nodded and ran ahead, disappearing completely into the darkness. I heard clicks and I paused. I held my hand up to stop Roland as I heard more. "Demons." I whispered as the clicks turned to a low rumble. Roland paused next to me, his eyes scanning around us.

"This is close to where that Red Templar camp was." He said as we approached. The dark canopy of the woods nearly shrouding the view of the low torch lights glinting off the stark red tents. I felt my heart rate pick up, hearing a quiet whimper coming from the camp. Someone pleading before a scream was cut off by a sickly squelch sound. Roland was frozen for a moment.

"Go back to the group." I ordered. He looked down at me.

"I'm not leaving you here." He said with a glare in his eyes.

"I'm not asking. Go back. If something bad happens I'd rather one of us is still alive to protect them." He nodded.

"Neither of us are dying. At least not right now." I sighed, but nodded. Without another word we moved just outside the camp. A demon that looked similar to the lanky ones sniffing around the tents. Gore and blood scattered around the camp.

"These fools were lying. The Fadewalker is not here." I paused, my eyes widening as I watched it walk to another Templar and grab him. "Where is the woman?"

"We-we don't know. She's traveling with a family! One of their own confirmed it! We're scouring the area, we'll find them soon!" The Templar quivered in fear. "You can't do this! We work for the Elder One! General Samson will-!" He was quickly silenced with a resounding snap of his neck and tossed aside. "Where is this informant?" I could barely move. My calm nearly faltering. Roland's eyes widened even more as more demons dragged the 'informant" in.

"Bran…" He whispered as he looked at me in shock. Branson was beaten and bruised as he was held up towards the demon who could speak.

"Where is the woman?" Branson could barely lift his head.

"I've already told-" He paused, seeing all the Templars dead around him. His face turned impossibly pale. "W-what?"

"Quinn. It'll kill him. We have to do something."

"Speak, human. Where is the Fadewalker?"

"I don't know. She was with my family. I scouted ahead and-"

"Useless." It hissed as it raised a claw. Branson stared in horror. Tears falling from his eyes as he watched his demise. I pushed Roland back and moved into the center, pulling my dagger back. Releasing the dagger it zipped through the air, slicing through the thin wrist of the demon. It's hand lobbed to the ground as the dagger lodged into the head of the demon holding onto Branson. My second dagger immediately hit the second demon in its head, Branson slumping to the ground now that the two demons weren't holding him up. The horned demon wheeled around to me as I ran forward, grabbing my dagger. It brought down its claws towards me snarling monstrously at me.

"Hello there, little Fadewalker." It grinned as I snarled.

"You rang?" I pushed against the demon, before kicking it a few feet back to make space. My body blocking the demon from a now slumped over Branson.

"You'd protect this human? Have you no idea what he's done?" The demon laughed at me as it reared its head back. I went to kill it, but it grabbed my wrist and lifted me. "My master very much wants you alive. Consider yourself lucky." I snarled.

"Tell the Elder One he can kiss my ass." The demon laughed in my face.

"I wasn't talking about the Elder One." My eyes widened and I was about to ask when a sword ran through its chest. It looked to me and screeched as it grabbed at its back turning to Roland. Raising its claws it barely clipped him as he dodged. I grabbed the sword, ripping it from the monster's back, but he flailed. Its arm hitting me in the chest and flinging me backward into a tent. I choked on pain as I scrambled for the sword as the Demon threw Roland to the side. I grabbed a weapon close to me, hearing this hum of life from the object. This distorted song whispered its tune through the air around me. With a burst of speed I dragged the sword along the ground and torqued my body through the air bringing the blade around. A clean slice through the Demons neck made its head hit the ground as its body flew over Roland's form. I panted, looking around seeing Red's eyes from the darkness. He stepped forward covered in ichor like he'd fought off a whole fleet. I gave him a worried look.

"Are you alright?" I asked to which he nodded. Roland stood looking around. My eyes were still on the demon's form as it turned to ichor and ash. Who else was after me? Or what? I highly doubt he'd refer to Samson as his master… I frowned as Roland touched my shoulder. I looked to his chest. He shook his head.

"I'm fine. It barely nicked me." I let out a quiet sigh of relief before looking at Branson. He was struggling to stand. His hand gripping my dagger. I walked towards him.

"It's alright, Bran. You're safe now." Roland said as he walked forward. "Come. Let's go see your family-" He suddenly ran at me, gripping my throat. The blade barely missed my abdomen.

"YOU! YOU DID THIS! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! LAURA IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU! MY BROTHER IS DEAD-!" He screamed in my face as he shook relentlessly.

"I'm sorry-" He laughed, a loud sharp sound. He looked crazed.

"OH, YOU'RE SORRY?" He laughed incredulously in my face. "THAT'LL FIX EVERYTHING YOU BROKE!" He bit out sarcastically. Roland tried to pull him off of me, but Branson threw me to the ground, swiftly punching Roland in the face. "I wish I'd left you to die! Maybe my wife would still be alive I had." I grabbed at my waist in pain. The wound that had just been re-wrapped opened again. He snarled as he advanced on me, the blade in my hand begging to be used. I lowered it, I couldn't take another brother away from them. I wouldn't.

"Bran WAIT!" Roland yelled from behind him as he tried to get in between us. I saw the hate in Bransons eyes as he got near and for a split moment I hoped he didn't miss. A shadow suddenly darted from the darkness grabbing Branson by his collar and holding him up against the tree. His feet dangling off the ground. My eyes were wide as Branson stared in shock at the figure holding him up, whispering something I couldn't hear.

"Red, don't hurt him." I called out quietly. Roland moved next to me as Red looked at us and dropped Bran. He still looked hateful, but something he said struck me.

"Branson. What did you mean that she'd still be alive if it weren't for me?" I asked him, noticing his eyes spark with a whole new hatred.

"Was that not clear enough for you?! They wanted you. Laura wouldn't give you up. She didn't even know you!" My eyes widened when I looked at Red's eyes.

"We have to move."

"It's too late. Samson is on his way here now. It's too late for everything now."

"Your family is still alive! They still have a chance! It's not too late for them!" He choked, looking despondent. Red was staring at him angrily. Seething at the smaller man's form.

"There's no way out of here. The Red Templars…now the demons. They've already taken Orlais."

"How do you know?"

"I overheard it. Empress Celene is dead. Everything's in ruin." I felt my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

"Regardless, we must have hope. If Orlais is taken, perhaps Antiva can still hold strong. Or shit maybe try to sneak into Tevinter. That much Mage power could be enough-"

"This is YOUR FAULT!" He screamed at me, but calmed for a moment. "You can't fix it. You'll never be able to take back what you've done." My eyes widened as I looked down at my palm remembering what Solas had said. My eyes settled on Branson and I grabbed him by his shirt.

"If you're even half the man your brother was, I'm going to need you to channel that just for a little while, got it? I need you to keep your family safe. I know you hate me, I'd hate me too. For right now though, they are more important than your hate." He stared at me as I released him and straightened his shirt. "No matter what you've done, act as if we just found you wandering about. You were lucky."

"What-? I…I just tried to kill you."

"Yeah, well, if you were the first I might be upset." I said with a huff.

"So you're just going to keep this from them? Just like my brother's death?" I shrugged.

"Would you prefer I told them you're a traitorous wretch?"

"They should know what's coming." I scoffed.

"You don't get to make the calls here, kid." I said with a growl in my voice. I looked at Roland and Red. "Does that work with you both?" I asked. Red nodded hesitantly as Roland sighed and gripped the bridge of the nose. I'd never really seen him look mad, he honestly looked more annoyed than mad.

"Keeping this from them is probably for the best." He said with a frown on his lips. A haunted look in his eyes as he looked towards the camp. I nodded to them and then looked at Branson.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry about your wife. She was a good person." He sneered at me, scoffing.

"Don't patronize me." I nodded as I looked up at Roland.

"I need to make preparations. I'll inspect the camp for materials. Anything we can use. Get them ready to move." He nodded to me and grabbed Bran by the arm.

"Wait! What-What happened to my brother. Please. I was told he died because of you. Please just tell me." I paused in step. I looked back at him.

"Does it really matter?" I asked. "He's gone and you can blame me all you like for that if it makes you feel better." He stared for a moment before Roland pulled him away. I stood in their wake trying to regain my composure. I could feel myself trembling. Samson himself was coming here? I'd never fought him personally, but I remember when he'd been stabbed and the armor just pushed it out. I felt my heart leap when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Reds eyes staring down at me. I grabbed the hand on my shoulder shakily. He seemed to notice the tremble in my fingers. His hand turned me and I was gently pulled into him. I felt my eyes lull shut. He was so warm. I curled into him, his body responding as he held me a bit tighter. His hand on the back of my head. I gripped his shirt and nodded.

"I won't let anything happen to them, I promise." I whispered to him. Samson was coming for me, but as of the other demon tracking me…I don't know enough about what's going on. I needed answers and fast. A thought popped into my head making me frown and pause. This…this was a stupid idea. Red shifted back to look at me and for a moment the red bled away from his irises and I saw a gold fleck behind them. I stared intently at them, but pulled away quietly. "R-red. I need you to leave me be for a while. Go help the family pack. I'll try not to be more than an hour. Keep everyone away from here. Do this for me, please." He stared in confusion. "I'll be safe, I promise." He looked resolute after that and nodded, albeit a bit hesitant. He turned and moved swiftly through the darkness until he was completely out of sight. With a deep sigh I got to work drawing the same pentagram from Haven. My eyes went to the bodies around me as I dragged them into place. I stood back appraising my work, waiting for something to happen. Something was wrong. There weren't any flames like last time. "Hello?" I called out. "This thing on?" A huff puffed past my lips. Perhaps I need more? I grabbed my dagger and sliced my palm open, letting the blood drip onto the ground below me. For a moment everything was quiet around me, the air suddenly thick and stale around me. I was about to turn away when suddenly fire lit the edges of the circle.

"My, my, my. Now isn't this a surprise." I looked back seeing Tayens form with hollow black eyes gazing back at me. A crooked smile on his lips.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I stood straight, my mind made up. I faced the demon and nodded. Too late to back out now anyway.

"I'm here to make a deal."

Thanks so much for reading! Love you all!