The 5th Blight Retold

by Zdrag0n

The Blight is stirring in the south of Ferelden. Several heroes from different walks of life, brought together by fate, stand against the encroaching darkness. They each will face their own trials which will push them to the brink. If they can not face them, then all of Thedas will fall.

6. Chapter 6

Circle Tower

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Dragon Age franchise. Excluding, of course, any OC characters and/or alterations to the story line.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Foreign Language translated into English"

Written Word

It has been two days since the Wardens left Redcliffe. They have been travelling to the Circle Tower and were a day out before they were to arrive. Annette had yet to give the letters she had found to Allistair, as she was unsure of how he would react.

During their trek they stumbled upon a hooded figure who was leaning on a tree next to the road. The figure was staring rite at the group, which made them tense. So, they, or more specifically Aiden, decided to confront this figure.

"Hello there. May I ask why you are staring at my companions and I on this fine day?" Aiden asked in an amical tone as he walked forth alone.

"You may ask that, as it a wonderful day, but I am also sorely hurt that you didn't recognize me my friend." The figure said in an accented voice before he pulled back his hood revealing an elf. This particular elf having tanned skin, facial tattoos reminiscent of Dalish design but clearly being not, and noticeably blond hair.

"Zevran!" Aiden shouted in shock before he began to laugh. "It is good to see you. I haven't seen you in, what? A couple years." Aiden asked to his obvious friend.

"Yes, quite so, but I am, sadly, not here on more pleasant matters." Zevran said in a serious tone as he got off from the tree and started walking to the giant human. "You remember the last update I sent you, the one for that lead I told you about. Well, I am here for both that matter and another."

Aiden, who was now wide eyed and no longer jovial, grabbed on to Zevran's shoulders and asked/demanded. "What have you found out?"

The others were somewhat shocked by this turn in their leader until they realized what it was about. They realized that this was most likely about Aiden's missing daughter.

"Before I get to that, it would probably be best to fill in some of the blanks for your friends there." Zevran said as he gestured towards the group before turning his head towards them. "First of all, for those of you who don't know me, I am Zevran Arainai, or just Zev to my friends. Second, up until recently, I was a member of the Antivan Crows. I met our strapping young friend here some years back when he was travelling the Free Marches with his future bride." Zevran introduced himself, being somewhat flirtatious to the giant human.

Aiden just sighed and turned towards his companions as said. "As you can see, Zev here is a bit of a talker and will flirt with anything that can think and walk on two legs. Which is actually how I met him. I stumbled upon him getting the shit beaten out him by some local thugs in a small village. I helped him and later asked what had happened while Kost patched him up. The tail he told me was that he had SOMEHOW managed to sweet talk his way into the sheets of the lead thug's wife and brother…at the same time." Aiden explained to the group.

"He he, yes, that was quite the experience. To bad that you and your lovely lady did not feel like having some fun with little me." Zevran said flirtatiously before going back to his more serious persona. "However, that is not why I am here now. The 'Lod Regent' hired the Crows, through his associate Howe, to kill all of you. My cell was the one that was hired, but the team that was sent is now dead, due to my poisoning of them plus staging it so it looked like a big fight took place. However, there is bound to be more of them to come down the line." This ended up catching the groups attention before Zevran continued, refocusing on Aiden. "That, though, is not why I have come all this way. As you know, Aiden, the Crows send an agent under cover for a few days to see if a prospective client is trustworthy, at least to an extent where they won't attempt a double cross with them. I was the one who was sent to look into this Howe character. I was especially thorough with him, knowing what he had done to your family and all, but I found something I never thought I would in his commandeered estate in Denerim. I found a six-year-old Qunari girl that looked remarkably like Kost with dark hair in the dungeon."

This news stunned all, with the exception of Shale, as to this revelation. However, it was the affect of this news on the Cousland twins that caught their attention. Annette, who had a steady control over her emotions before, was now feeling a cold and frigid hate that was having her powers go haywire, spreading frost from were she stood and having shilled wisp of air floating off her skin. Aiden, by contrast, was feeling an unrelenting inferno of wrath and fury at this news. So much so, that he marched over to the tree Zevran was leaning on earlier and slammed his fist into it. Causing the two-foot-thick trunk to not just crack and splinter, but to completely break in two.

"You're telling us, that void be damned bastard, not just attempted to have our entire House killed, but also that he kidnapped my niece, and has her locked up like an animal." Annette said in a deathly serious tone while Aiden was trying to rain in his emotions.

"Unfortunately, so," Zevran said as he pulled out a book that he was carrying in his satchel. "According to his diary, he had preformed the kidnapping and assignation of Kost as the first part of a multi staged plan to slowly kill the Cousland family and take their lands. Apparently, Aiden was supposed to die that night as well, but the Craws that were sent sorely underestimated your brothers' abilities. Which was supposed to set up events so that Howe could slowly eliminate your entire family and blame it on your sister-in-law and her family. However, Aiden surviving forced Howe to change tactics, and the Blight gave him his opportunity."

"Why did they kidnap the girl instead of killing her?" Michael asked.

"That has a bit of a disturbing answer…One that I am unsure is wise to bring up at the current time." Zevran said as he glanced at the still furious Aiden.

"Just…Just tell us." Annette said as she finally started getting a hold of her own emotions.

After a moment of contemplation, Zevran relented. "After studying the diary for the past few days, with a bit of inference from some of the wording, I believe that Howe was, and still does, plan to turn the poor girl into a…breeder. Howe apparently wants to have his own line of Qunari warriors that are raised and trained to be nothing but beast of war, and he sees the poor girl as the means of achieving this." Zevran revealed nervously.

At this, Aiden had reached his limit. He pulled his maul from his back and began angrily marching down the road.

"Should I go and tell him that there are bandits farther down that way?" Zevran absentmindedly asked.

"With how pissed off the big guy is, I actually pity the bandits." Natia said, which was soon followed by the sounds of bandits screaming in the distance.

"I just have one question before we start following our leader, Arainai. Why didn't you break the girl out if you had found her and knew her father was looking for her?" Theron asked, a sentiment that a few of the others shared.

"To put it simply, it would have only made the situation worse, and for three reasons. The first, being, if I did that then we would have been hunted by not just Howe's men, but also the Crows for betraying a client. Second, were could I have taken her or hid her. With the exception of mercenaries and your friend here," Zevran stated while gesturing to Sten, "there are no Qunari in Ferelden. So there was no chance of putting her some were that was both safe and reliable. Third, despite how she is treated, the girl is still safe for the time being. She is far to young for what Howe desirers her for, and he does not see her as a potential bargaining chip at the moment, which keeps her away from physical harm. In short, me breaking her out of her prison would more likely end up with both of us dead rather than a single life saved." Zevran explained to the group, and though many didn't like it, they at least understood and accepted it.

The group, now with an extra member, began following the road towards their leader and the still screaming bandits.

-Time Skip-

The group had pitched camp for the night, deciding to rest earlier than usual for the final trek do to them not being able to arrive at the tower until near sundown.

Ana, who had just finished maintaining her sword, noticed Sten was distracted by something. Mainly because He had an actual expression on his face instead of the emotionless mask he typically wore. Deciding to see what the usually unjolly giant was upset about, she got up and walked towards him.

"Hey, Sten, what's wrong?" Ana asked.

"Hm, this is near were me and my fellows were attacked. I was just contemplating if I should visit our old camp site or not to search for my Asala." Sten stated in his usual manner.

"That makes sense. I can help you look if you want. However, Aiden likely won't let us until we have dealt with the Circle." Ana replied.

Sten simply hmphed in acknowledgement to this before replying. "That is likely true. I don't like it, but I see it as necessary given the situation. We can not deal with the traitor without the Arl, and we cannot guarantee his survival without a mage. I can see the practicality of such a decision in putting such matters first."

"Yeah, though it does surprise me that he is keeping a level head at the moment, more or less." Ana said with some contemplation.

"True, it is both admirable, given the situation, but still confuse me given what I know of the south." Sten said.

"How so?" Ana asked.

"There is much that does not make sense to me. From what I know of nobles, they are typically fat, lazy, and care for not but themselves and grasping onto whatever form of control they can. Yet Aiden, who is a noble, is none of those things. Then you have his…sister, I believe the term is. She is a mage, but fights like a warrior. She is more than what she is supposed to be. Such a thing does not exist in the Qun. You are one thing, never more than that, yet Annette does not follow this. All of this makes no sense to me." Sten stated in frustration.

"Ok…I can see how that may be confusing for someone like you. From what Aiden's told us, in the Qun, you basically do and be what you are told. Just keep this in mind this is not the Qun. The moment that you stepped off that island of yours, that kind of philosophy lost its sway on those around you, and having things that just don't make sense is a part of life. The key to facing this, is to just accept it and let it wash off your back. The more you let it hang you up, the more it will cause problems." Ana said, which led to Sten gaining a thoughtful look, before turning away and saying. "Good night, Sten."

-Scene Change -

Over with Alistair, he is currently maintaining the fire. A little way behind him Annette is holding on to the box she took from the Arl's study. Deciding now is the best time to deal with the situation. So, she begins to approach the most senior Warden of the group.

"Hey, Alistair." Annette greats nervously.

"Oh, hey Annette." Alistair responds, oblivious to the tenseness of the situation before he looks around for someone else. "Were is Aiden? He is supposed to relieve me from watch soon." Alistair asked as most of the other Wardens are asleep.

"Over talking to Morrigan. He is to tense from the current revelation our new friend brought up to rest." Annette said as she gestured to the sleeping Zevran. "As for Morrigan, she is a bit of a night owl. Not to mention that I can tell she likes my brother, and that the attraction is mutual."

"Yeah, I can see why he wouldn't sleep. Though I do have to wonder if it is a bit to soon for him to be going after a new girl." Alistair wondered out loud.

"If it was a normal case, I would agree with your statement, but this is not that kind of situation. Over the past two years my brother has worn a charming smile as a mask to hide his hurt, which has only grown more intense since Howe attacked us. But with Morrigan, I can tell that he is letting his guard down, just a bit." Annette says before she gains a small smile and a retrospective look. "Though, now that I think of it, I think that is because Morrigan and Kost are a lot alike."

"Really!?" Alistair asked with a wide-eyed look of disbelief. "You're saying that our resident grumpy swamp witch has the same personality as a former Qunari priest."

"Oh yeah," Annette says while chuckling a bit, a mix of seeing Alistair's face and the realization of the similar qualities of the two aforementioned women. "Kost was standoffish, aloof, and completely certain of her own abilities, but was also quietly yearning for new experiences, the freedom of life, and companionship through this life. The same as Morrigan. I think that is what is fueling Aiden's desire to be with Morrigan, and I don't even think he fully realizes it. However, don't think for a moment that my brother is mistaking Morrigan for Cost, there are plenty of differences between them as well, but that the same thing that attracted my brother to Kost in the first place is what has caught my brothers eye."

"Huh, well, hopefully Aiden can get Ms. Spooky to lighten up some." Alistair said before he realized something. "Hey, from how you described Kost, you must have known her well."

Here Annette didn't respond rite away. Instead, she stared into the fire for a moment before responding. "Yeah, when my family received the letter that Kost was pregnant we all set off on a trip to Orlais. We arrived by the time she was about six months in. My parents were completely accepting of her, which made both Kost and Aiden happy, and I couldn't be more excited. When my family returned home a month after, I stayed behind to help Kost. As Aiden was forced to travel around Orlais to tourneys to earn coin to sustain themselves. I spent the next three years in Orlais, helping Kost through the pregnancy and helping to raise Hissera." Here Annette began to gain a small smile. "At first, me and Kost couldn't stand each other. She couldn't seem to get over her mistrust of me and I couldn't seem to get over just how overbearing and critical she was about everything. However, we eventually began to see eye to eye on certain things, and after two years of helping her raise Hissera, I began to see Kost as a sister."

"Sounds like she was difficult in more ways than one." Allistair said with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah, she was." Annette said with a soft smile before it slipped from her face. "But eventually, I had to leave. The local Templars were sniffing about, the locals were always suspicious of my brother and the rest of us. So, to protect them, I left, and I…I-I wasn't there to help them, to heal Kost, or to protect my niece." Annette says quietly, tears gleaming in her eyes.

"Its alright Annette," Allistair said as he leant over and gave her a one-armed hug. "I know it must be difficult for you, and I may not have the most experience when it comes to family, but I know that Kost wouldn't want you to blame yourself for what happened."

"You're right," Annette said with a sniffle, "but speaking of you and families, I wanted to give you this." Annette said as she handed over the box she took from Redcliff. "I found this in the Arl's study while looking for information about the Earn. I wanted to give it to you the past few days, but we have been busy trying to get to Circle that we haven't really had much of a chance to breath. I think it holds letteres from your parents and some kind of…"

"Amulet," Allistair said in a shocked tone. Opening the box and seeing the damaged amulet laying down on the two letters. "Arl Eamon gave this to me a few months after I started training to be a Templar. He said that it was important…but I didn't listen." Alistair said in a soft voice. "After I was sent away, I felt betrayed, abandoned. The Arl would visit every couple of months, but I would hardly speak a word to him. That day I was especially intolerant. When I was presented with the amulet, I picked it up and threw into the wall. I ran off afterwards…That was the last time I saw the Arl until Redcliff."

"I guess…" Annette paused as she looked at the damaged piece with a new light. "I guess you meant something to Eamon, more than just a duty to his king." Annette said as she paused to give Allistair a moment. "Anyways, I should probably go get my brother. We have a busy day tomorrow."

-Scene Change-

The group is scene cresting a hill a little after sundown. Seeing the Circle Tower up close and unobstructed for the first time.

"That's the Circle Tower.?" Thorin asked.

"Yeah, that's the Circle. It's an ancient structure that dates back to the Tevinter Imperium." Michael said to the group.

"If this thing is a standard thing for those Tevinter fucks, then I think that they were compensating for something." Natia said with a slight chuckle, also earning a number of laughs from the group.

"As immature as I find that comment, I must note that from my studies in my youth that the Tevinter's were noted to build the largest known structures in Thedas." Thorin said.

"That's very good and all, but how are we supposed to get to that giant eye sour of a prison?" Morrigan asked with a stern tone, despite the slight chuckle she had at Natia's comment.

"I must agree with the witch. The longer we tarry is time we could be placing towards defeating the Dark Spawn." Sten said in in his ever-present dour tone.

"Don't worry. There is a small barge down at the dock that can take us to the isle the tower is on." Michael said to the group. "However, I don't think it is big enough to take all of us at once. We will likely have to take two trips."

"That is fine. It may be a small inconvenience, but I don't see how it would affect us in any significant matter." Theron said in response.

"Either way, lets get going." Aiden said as he started walking towards the dock. Soon followed by the rest of the group.

As the group gets closer to the dock, they notice that a Templar is watching over it.

"That's not rite. The Templar's don't manage the barge. That's handled by an old man who lives in the near by hamlet. Something must have happened." Michael said in a low tone, but loud enough for the group to hear him.

"Halt!" The templar standing guard shouts out. "No one is allowed entry into the Circle Tower, Knight Commander's orders."

"That may be, but we have urgent business with the Knight Commander and the First Enchanter. Grey Warden business." Aiden said as he held out the treaty the Wardens have with the Circle of Magi.

"Oh, you have a piece of paper with some fancy writing on it. Well, I have one of those to, and it says I am the Queen of Nevarra. No entry!" The Templar said in a sarcastic tone before he barked out his orders once more.

Aiden, who is both tired from the trip and annoyed by the rude Templar, simply leans down and says in a quite threatening tone. "Hmph. Sir, me and my friends have been traveling all day. We are all tired, and some of us are a bit cranky. So, if you don't want ME or my Qunari friend here," Aiden gestures towards Sten, who simply growls a bit at the Templar, "to play a game of tug of war, with you as the rope. Then you are going to do the right thing and take us over. Do you understand me."

The, now very scared, templar quickly nods his head in understanding and says. "Right this way please. The trip won't take long."

Ana, who saw the mildly uncomfortable look on Sten's face, comes up with an idea. "Hey, Aiden." Ana yells out rite before said man stepped on the barge.

"Yes Ana?" Aiden asked the elvish young woman.

"Sten told me last night that he lost his sword near here. I was wondering if me and him can go looking for it." Ana asked.

Aiden took a moment to contemplate and way his options. He was inclined to have them wait until after arrangements with the Circle was done, but he also knew that that Sten would put his sword in higher regards, even if he would never admit it, than to the mission. On top of his people's general distrust of all things magic, Aiden came to his decision.

"Ok, you two can go, but I want you to take someone else with you." Aiden said before looking at the group. "Zevran, go with them."

"It would be my pleasure to help such a lovely young maiden find the lost property of a strapping individual like Sten here." Zevran said with his usual flirty flourish.

"Uh, fine. Let's go Sten." Ana said, a bit annoyed by Aiden's choice, despite the blush on her cheeks from Zevran's comment. Ana, Sten, and Zevran then walk off in the direction Sten indicated.

"We may be in the tower for a while. So, wait for us in that tavern when you're done." Aiden called out to the retreating trio.

"That elf is going to get a black eye before the night is out." Natia said once the trio were out of ear shot.

"Oh, no question about that." Aiden said in agreement before turning away.

Aiden, Annette, Michael, Leliana, Alistair, Theron, Brutus, and Nila then all get on the barge. The others staying behind to wait for the second trip. Aiden heads towards the front of the barge as the Templar pushes off. Leliana and Annette walk towards Aiden, Michael standing nearby and looking at the tower, and speaks with him quietly.

"You know, that wasn't really necessary." Leliana said to the group's leader.

"Maybe," Aiden sighs in tiredness, "but we are in a rush. Not to mention I know his type." Aiden says as he looks over his shoulder at the Templar.

"What type is that?" Leliana asked confusedly.

"The entitled type. People like him believe that just because they come from some minor noble house or that they have some fancy uniform that they can talk down and belittle those under them. Its clear that he is relatively new to the order, but if he was allowed to go unchecked, I guarantee that he would have become one of those types that would bully mages." Aiden said in a sour tone. "I ran into quite a few of them in Orlais. Local nobles who spat upon me because I was a 'Dog Lord' or something. Chevaliers who thought lesser of me because I didn't prance about like some dammed peacock in fancy armor. Guys like him only learn their lesson when they are stood up to and knocked down a peg."

"He's not wrong about that. The Knight Commander may not be the nicest of men, but he makes sure to keep his subordinates in line. However, that doesn't stop some of the newer ones from trying something in their first couple of months or so. I also concur about the Templar's time here, as I don't recognize him. My best guess is that he either just arrived or was assigned here rite before I left." Michael spoke up after overhearing the conversation.

"Not to mention, Leliana, that if Aiden didn't threaten him, he would have either tried to extort us for money or try and get in between one of our legs. Most likely either you, Ana, or me. As any of the other girls look like they are more willing to replace his eyeballs for his lower balls for even insinuating something like that." Annette spoke up in her brother's defense.

"Sigh. You are probably rite. I just don't like using violence as a means to barter with someone." Leliana said in mild sorrow.

"That's ok, Leliana." Aiden said as he placed his hand on the red head's shoulder. "No one expects you to, but you just have to understand that in situations like ours, certain choices have to be made. With Loghain trying to make us public enemies' number one, our resources are thin. So, trying to bribe him is out of the question, and I would never even think about using any of you as bartering chips for anything."

Leliana doesn't say anything else. She just walks over towards Michael, who puts his hand on her shoulder as reassurance, and watches the ever-growing closer tower.

"She still doesn't like what you did." Annette said in a soft tone.

"I know, but in times like these, we can't be cordial to everyone. At least now she understands that, at least to a degree." Aiden said in response, in an equally soft tone.

The group reaches the tower's dock and disembarks, but before they left, Aiden steps towards the Templar with his mabari.

"Ok, you got us over here, but I am still expecting you to go get the rest of our group. I also expect you to do so quickly. To ensure that you do this, I am leaving my mabari companions here to keep an eye on you." Aiden says to the Templar before he turns to the dogs, who are sitting down beside him. "Brutus, Nila, I expect you two to keep an eye on this guy. If he starts to slack off, or take a detour, be sure to tear a chunk out of his ass to get him back on track." Aiden says to the dogs.

The dogs simply bark and wag their tales in excitement at their master before calming down. Then they turn towards the confused Templar and growl at him. Scaring the man once more, both at the sharp teeth that he is seeing and the apparent intellect that the dogs have.

Aiden then steps off the barge and walks towards the tower, a little ways behind the others, until they reach the doors.

"Should we wait for the others to arrive before going in?" Annette asked as she looked at the barge leaving the docks and back towards the shore.

"Probably not. At the very least we should walk in and introduce ourselves. Besides, if anyone looks outside and sees us it will just make us look suspicious." Aiden said to his sister.

Aiden then pushes the doors open, and reveals a shocking sight. The proud and artistic stone arches that mark the entrance hall to the Circle Tower are smeared with blood at there base. All around Templar's are seen in various states of injury. Some that simply look tired, many that look like they were on deaths door, and most were sporting some kind of bandage or splint. It honestly looked like an army encampment rite after a terrible battle.

In the middle of the hall, coordinating everything, was an older man in Templar armor. He was lacking a helmet but had more detail in his armor, clearly marking him as the leader. He sees the group who are looking around in shock and marches over.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" He demanded.

"My name is Aiden Cousland, and we are the Grey Wardens. We came here to seek the assistance of the Circle with the Blight." Aiden said in a steadfast tone towards the man.

"I am Knight Commander Greagor, and you are to late." Greagor said to the group.

"What do you mean Knight Commander?" Michael asked if worry.

"Ah, Amell, I never thought I would see you again, but then again, I didn't think any of this would have happened." Greagor said in a tired voice. "Not to long after those that went to Ostagar returned, at least those that survived, everything went to shit." He then turns around and stairs at a set of barred doors at the back corner of the chamber. "One moment it's a day like any other, the next, the halls are being overrun with abominations and blood mages. They have completely over run the tower. I managed to gather the Templars I could and barred the doors to the upper levels. A few days ago, I sent word to Denerim to inform them about the situation, to ask for reinforcements…and to put in a request for the Right of Annulment." Greagoir finished his explanation.

"You can't!" Michael exclaimed in horror.

Everyone turned to Michael with a confused look on their faces.

"What is the Right of Annulment, Michael?" Leliana asked in worry.

"It is a Circle's worst fear. The Right of Annulment gives the Templar's the right to cleanse a Circle of any and all potential threats to greater world, as well as causing the Circle to cease to exist. Essentially, it gives the Templars the authority to commit genocide by killing every mage in the Circle, no matter their age or rank." Michael explained with hate in his voice.

"WHAT?!" Many of the group shouted in horror.

"Greagoir, you can't do this." Aiden said in controlled revulsion.

"What would you have me do? The Circle has fallen, and I have a duty to Ferelden to make sure that those monsters don't escape and take innocent lives, by any means necessary." Greagoir said, after turning back around, in a firm and controlled tone.

"Is there anything that can be done to change your mind about this course of action?" Annette asked in desperation.

Greagoir didn't answer immediately. He instead looked around at injured or dead men before sighing. "I would only consider that the Tower is safe if First Enchanter Irving told it to me himself."

Aiden, seeing this as an unspoken challenge, squared his shoulders and said. "Fine, then let us through and we will find him."

Greagoir looks at Aiden with wide eyes. "You can't be serious."

"I am. We came here to get the help of the Circle of Magi, and we aren't leaving without it. Besides, us going up there won't cost you anything. For even if we fail, we still be helping you by clearing out at least some of your enemies." Aiden said in a resolute tone. Most of the others (a.k.a. Morrigan) also agreed with this sentiment.

After a moment at staring at the group Greagoir relented. "Fine, I will let you pass, but once you go through those doors they won't open again without Irving." Greagoir warned, but saw no wavering in their eyes.

"Very well, we will leave when the rest of are people arrive. Also," Aiden said before he started digging through his satchel and pulls out the Grey Warden treaties, "could you hold on to these until we come back. In the scenario that we don't return, I would ask that you would deliver these to two of our number that will not be joining us. They will be staying in the near by inn, one will be a female elf, the other a Qunari." Aiden requested while holding out the papers. Greagoir nodded in understanding and took the documents.

-Time Skip-

The Wardens and co. decide to rest up as they wait for the rest of their companions. Some managed to broker some medical supplies and potions from the Quartermaster, others asked about possible clues about Irving's potential locations, and some asked about for pertinent information on how to deal with the abominations. Less than thirty minutes later the rest of the group arrived.

Aiden, who had decided that he needed to take a breather before heading up the tower, decided to wait outside the entry hall. So, as the others came walking up the path from the docks, he was able to see. Brutus and Nila run up to him, barking excitedly as Aiden stoops down and starts to pet them.

"What is with the long face big guy?" Natia called out, as she approached, in a joking manner as she saw the grim look on Aiden's face. "More of those tin plated nug lickers giving you a hard time."

"I wish…" Aiden said tiredly as he stands back up.

Noticing their leader's mood, Thorin asked. "Aiden, what's wrong?"

Aiden doesn't say anything at first, just simply stairs off into space before speaking. "The tower is infested with abominations. The Templars want to wipe them all out, mages included, but have given us a chance to correct their failure in their duty." Aiden growled out.

Thorin merely palmed his face in response before saying. "Of course they do…Sigh, nothing can be easy, can it."

"I hear you, my friend. Sometimes I feal that I should have just let myself die from the blight; it would at least have been less annoying than this." Theron said.

"So-o, what's the plan big man?" Natia asked.

"We go in, kill any abomination and/or blood mage we come across, and save as many mages trapped up on the upper levels as possible. To keep the Knight Commander from just executing everyone we need to save one life in particular, First Enchanter Irving, the leader of the Circle." Aiden said in a firm tone before something occurred to him. "By the way, what took you guys so long? It shouldn't have taken you this long to get here."

"That armored fool was week. He struggled to push us over the water." Shale said in annoyance.

"Well, in his defense, you are literally a ton of stone, Shale." Theron responded to the golem.

Are you calling me fat?" Shale asked in a deadly tone. Which earned a quick shake of everyone's heads, as they were very aware that despite what one would think, Shale was quite vain. Seeing this response, Shale returned her attention to Aiden. "Whatever the case, this ordeal sounds like fun, squishy one. Will these 'abominations' pop as well as those bandits from a while back. That was a most fun experience." Shale asked in slight excitement that made the others a bit nervous, knowing of her excitable fighting style and love of violence.

"Anyway…lets go in. The others should be ready to head up by now." Aiden said before turning around and heading back indoors.

-Scene Break-

After Aiden and the others came back inside the tower, they gathered the rest of the Wardens and went through the entrance to the rest of the structure. The Templars staring at the group in a mix of hope and sorrow, or just outright shock in the case of Shale. As soon as the last member of the party entered, the doors closed behind them and were resealed.

The party made their way slowly but surely down the first hall, but encountered nothing in either the hall or the rooms connected to it. However, as soon as the group passed through the door at the end of the hallway they saw a group of mages, mostly children, huddling farther back as an older mage was dealing with a demon, that resembled living lava, and that there was a magic barrier blocking the exit. The mage is an older woman. Not quite elderly but still up there in years. She has white hair, a paler complexion, and has a number of wrinkles and lines on her face, but they are only slight in appearance and seem to be more from smiling than age. She wears a red set of mages robes and wields a staff most commonly used by mages in the Circle, a metallic staff with a javelin like body and two intertwining pieces, resembling dragon heads, that meet at the top of the staff with a red jewel in the middle.

When the demon was defeated, the tired mage finally took note of the party. Before anyone could give their greetings, the mage raised her staff once more and took up a guarded stance. "Stay back!" She demanded.

"Wynne! Its me, Michael." Michael said as he stepped forward with his hands up in a placating manner towards his old teacher.

"Michael? What are…No, this is a trick. I won't let my guard down." Wynne said as she shook her head before returning to her previous stance. "I will not be tricked by you demon."

"Madame, you may know Michael, but you do not know the rest of us. If we were demons, why would we take up the form of armored figures that you have never met." Aiden speaks calmly from behind Michael, letting his familiarity with the mage to calm her down.

"You-You're right." Wynne admitted before calming down and lowering her weapon. "I…I am sorry with how I have acted."

"Its fine Wynne. With what we have heard has been going on its understandable for you to have this kind of reaction." Michael placated the older mage.

"Which leads to the question. What exactly DID happen here?" Annette spoke up from beside her brother.

"I am not too sure myself. We who had survived the battle at Ostagar had returned here. We were holding a meeting with all of the senior mages to figure out what we should do with the civil war brewing, but before we could really make any headway Uldred came in. He came in and started spouting on about how Loghain had promised him that he would free us from the Circle. That we would no longer be bound to the Templars and such. We would not hear any of it. We unanimously decided against siding with Loghain." Wynne explained before getting a far-off look. "The next thing I know blood mages and abominations came flooding into the room. In all of the chaos I got out of there and made my way here, gathering as many as I could on the way, but the doors were already sealed. We have been trapped here ever since."

"Uldred. Uldred. That name sounds familiar." Alistair says in thought for a moment before he snaps his fingers in realization. "Yes, now I remember. He was the mage next to Loghain back at the strategy meeting before the battle."

"And we all know that Loghain manages to get into contact with the worst sort of people. My best guess is that this Uldred is the one in charge of these blood mages, and that this whole fiasco was, at the very least, authorized by the traitor. Most likely to ensure that the mages would not side with whoever would oppose him." Theron spoke out against Loghain.

"Why would he do that?" Wynne asked in shock.

"Because he is a greedy, paranoid coward who would do anything to secure his authority. We already know that he had the Arl of Redcliff poisoned and sent assassins after us." Thorin stated to the shock of Wynne.

"We are getting off topic. Wynne, we need to know where the First Enchanter is." Aiden spoke up.

"Irving, last I saw of him he was still in the Harrowing Chamber. Were we had the meeting. Why do you need to find him?" Wynne asked.

"Because the oh so mighty Knight Commander has sent for something called a Right of Annulment, and then he's going to come in here and kill each every one of you magic people." Natia half yelled out in annoyance.

"So, Greagoir has given up on us." Wynne said in sorrow.

"Its not to late. We still have time." Michael said in comfort for his teacher.

"You're right." Wynne said as she got out of her funk. "I can help guide you and heal any of your injuries, but I ask that some of you to stay behind and protect those here. Most of the ranking mages with us are injured or exhausted, and the rest are just apprentices."

Aiden took a moment to contemplate their options until he came to a decision. "Hm, very well. We could use your expertise on our way up there."

"What? You don't very well mean to split us up in this mess, do you?" Morrigan exclaimed in a bit of haughty shock.

"In fact, I do. We will need to split up into three teams. One will stay here and protect the survivors, from both the abominations and, if need be, the Templars. The other two will make their way forward until this floor is cleared out and one of the teams will stay behind to prevent any abominations from getting closer to the survivors. The last team will need to make their way to the upper levels quickly. Which means that they will have to go on the direct root up." Aiden explained to the party.

"Who will be in these groups?" Thorin asked.

"You, Annette, Leliana, Brutus, and Nila will stay behind and watch over the survivors. Treat the wounded as best you can and make sure nothing happens to them." Aiden began before he was interrupted by the, somewhat, friendly golem.

"What about me? I want to be where I can crush the most of the pathetic fleshy ones." Shale asked towards the group's leader.

"That will likely be with the second team. It will likely see the most continual action due to the third team running through the various floors quickly, leaving a decent amount of our enemies undisturbed. They will likely sense when the barrier drops and will gradually make their way down." Aiden explained before shouting out the members of the second team. "Team two will consist of Shale, Natia, Theron, and Morrigan."

"Wait, that means Alistair will be with you and the rescue team. I don't mean to be skeptical, but wouldn't it make more sense to pick those that are quicker for this team, like Theron." Leliana asked the group's leader, getting a few looks from some of the others who were thinking the same.

"Normally, yes, but it is not just speed that is a factor here. We are dealing with magic, and despite Alistair never finishing his training, he still has skills that can help counter what we face. As for myself, I have read that the doors used in the various Circle's are enchanted to resist magic. So, if team three comes across any locked or barred doors, blasting it may not be a viable option. Brute force, however, was not put in place in the door's protections." Aiden explained, which assuaged those that had doubts about his decision.

"In either case, you lot need to get going. The longer we waste time talking about this, the more likely those Templars will arrive with that Right of theirs." Thorin spoke up, cutting off any further discussions.

"You are correct, Ser Dwarf, let us not tarry." Wynne said before she walked before the barrier and dispelled it.

Before the group walked through the door, Aiden called out behind him, saying. "If we find any further survivors, and we are not with them, listen for the phrase 'Warden's Mercy.' Anyone else is either a blood mage, possessed, or has not come across us. If they are the latter, keep them in the space between your team and Theron's."

The two teams then began to make their way forth. They began by going down a hallway, about the same size as the one they went through previously with rooms on the side, that opened up into a round central chamber which made up the center of the floor of the building. Almost immediately after the door was opened, the two teams were besieged by demons and abominations.

Aiden, who was leading the groups, charged ahead, maul at the ready, and bashed one of the abominations so hard it flew to the other side of the room and nocked down another of its kind. Both, however, were only disoriented and got back up, but the one that was hit was noticeably holding its side. The others soon followed Aiden's lead. Alistair came up beside Aiden and guarded his back to keep the giant man from being surrounded, blocking and slashing as he went. Wynne and Michael took places on either side of the door the group came through, giving support from a distance. Michael was using Arcane Bolts and ice spells to break down the supernatural enemies. Wynne, on the other hand, was only firing basic magic blast from her staff, preferring to boost the defenses or attacks of her allies and heal any wounds that she saw. Morrigan decides to use her skin changing ability to become a swarm of locust that enclose on a shade and drain it of its magic and power before moving on to another target. Theron decides to slash and stab at targets that are distracted by his fellows. Striking at the enemies and disrupting their own attacks which allows the others to strike them down.

Shale, who was last to come through the door, smiled when she saw the enemies. She then charged at a large rage demon who had appeared in the doorway at the other end of the room. As she charged forward, Natia quickly jumped and climbed onto Shale's back. As the golem ran through a trio of abominations, crushing one under foot and nocking another to the ground, Natia jumped off and brought her axes down into the still standing abomination's skull. Before the abomination that was nocked down could recover, Natia pushed off from the one she was on and quickly removed the head of the other before moving away as all three blew up. Shale, meanwhile, trades blows with the demon before grabbing the base of its semi-liquid body and started slamming it around like a rag doll. Finishing it off by slamming it into a nearby wall, leaving a sizeable indent.

Once the fighting ended, Wynne started looking around and noticed the damage Shale had made. "Could you please not destroy the tower? We still need to live here once this is all done."

"Don't complain to me, old fleshy one. Would you rather I just give that red jelly one a few love taps?" Shale responded in a combination of snark and condescension, earning some chuckles from Natia and Morrigan.

"Enough! We don't have time for this." Aiden yelled out to the others, getting some grumbling from the three females. "Wynne, are we close to the stairs?"

"Yes, they are just through that door." Wynne responded.

"Ok, those of you that are staying on this floor, go ahead and search those rooms we passed. They mite hold a few things that we don't want surprising us down the line. The rest of us are moving forward." Aiden called out before moving towards the door.

After the group made their way pass the door, closing it behind them, Alistair asked. "Are you sure it is ok to leave those three together with only Theron to watch them?"

"They will be fine, Alistair. Its Theron you should be worried about. With that trio's culmination of dark humor and rambunctious nature, he is likely to tear his hair out." Aiden responded with a wry smile on his face, getting laughs from the other men and a chuckle from Wynne.

-Time Skip-

Aiden's team made their way up to the second level. Having a quick conversation with a tranquil called Owain. The team found out that the abominations were leaving the tranquil alone, most likely due to them being sundered from the Fade. They were also informed by Owain that a mage called Niall had taken the Litany of Adralla, a mystic song that can cancel attempts to control another through blood magic, and made his way upstairs.

The team do not spend much time in this conversation, sending Owain back to his spot to wait out the mass as they continued forward. However, before they got to far, they encountered a group of blood mages. As soon as the mages saw the party they attacked.

Most were firing basic magic blast from their staffs while some were trying to draw in power from their blood for more powerful spells. The Wardens and Wynne jumped out of the way of the incoming attacks in opposite directions, Wynne and Aiden on the left while Michael and Alistair jumped to the rite. The Wardens made quick work of the mages after that.

Three on the left side of the room were grouped together, allowing Aiden to charge forth and slam one into a bookshelf fifteen feet away before bisecting another on the return swing. Before the final member of the trio could do anything, shocked as to how quickly his fellows were slain, Aiden grabbed him by the head, lifted him up, and slammed him down with enough force to splatter his head like an over ripe melon.

Wynne, who was dealing with a duo of mages on the far side of the room, used the spell Mana Clash on them. This spell drains its targets of mana and causes internal damage equal to the amount of mana taken. As these two blood mages were working together to release a devastating blast of magic at Aiden, they did not have much mana in them, and thus did not suffer to greatly from the attack itself. Rather, with their magic disrupted, the spell they were working on destabilized, and before they could launch it or jump away it detonated. The result was the two mages being blown into pieces.

Michael and Alistair were not having as good as easy a time as their counter parts. The four mages on their side of the room were at a distance, and were continually firing on the two. Michael was protecting himself with a magic barrier while Alistair used his Templar training to deflect the spells with his shield. The two Wardens looked at each other and came up with an unspoken plan. Alistair began to slowly march forward, turning the mages attention solely on to him. Michael, using this distraction, fired a light spell above Alistair, blinding the mages temporarily.

Using this opportunity, Alistair ran towards two of the mages who were close to each other. Slicing one down with his sword as he bashed the head of the other into a pillar with his shield. Then he noticed a mage, had recovered from the flare, preparing to launch a fireball at him. However, a precise Arcane Bolt from Michael removed the mages head. The final mage, terrified at seeing his fellows dead, decided to protect himself in a magic bubble.

In unspoken unison the two Wardens acted together to defeat this last enemy. Alistair quickly ran forward, the mage doing nothing in the belief that his protection will hold. As soon as the former Templar recruit was within striking range and had his sword drawn back, Michael used his magic to dispel the blood mages protection. Before said blood mage could even react, he found his head was sliced diagonally in half.

Once this was this done, there was only one mage left in the room. A young woman who was cowering in a corner between two bookshelves. She was the only one who didn't attack the Wardens.

As the group approached the young mage, weapons drawn, she cried out. "Wait! Please don't kill me!"

"Why should we? Look at what you and your fellow Maleficar have done." Aiden said as he gestured to a pile of bodies with his maul.

"I didn't want this, any of this. I just wanted to be free and…and Uldred promised me that no one was going to get hurt." She said in a heartbroken voice.

"What do you mean?" Aiden asked as he slightly lowered his weapon.

"Uldred came to me six months before he left for Ostagar and offered to train me in magics that could help me return to my family. After that, I began training with some others. However, as time went on I realized that those training us were acting staringly. That people that I have known for years were losing certain ticks or pieces of their personalities. Becoming more aggressive and secretive." Here the girl paused to gather her thoughts. "Then, a week before Uldred left, I saw him preform a ritual on one of the other trainees of his group. The apprentice was one of the more squeamish members of the group, but once the ritual was done, he was as ruthless as Uldred himself. I-I think he was put under a Ghast."

"A what?" Alistair asked as he looked towards the mages in their team.

"I have no idea. Its not something I have ever heard of." Michael said.

"I have, it is a highly complex piece of mind-based blood magic. It essentially replaces a piece of the casters mind and personality onto a target, while also making said target completely loyal and subservient to the caster." Wynne said with the rapt attention of the other two, Aiden still watching the mage. "It is a piece of magic that dates back to the ancient Imperium and has rarely been used since."

"Why? With an affect like that, you would think that the Magisters would use it to put down rebellious elements." Michael asked in confusion.

"Because it requires that the person that it is casted upon to trust the caster immensely. Something the Magisters have little of." Wynne explained.

"That would explain how this Uldred managed to have so many blood mages within the Circle itself. I also suspect that this Ghast also weakens the mind, which explains the abominations. However, I do wonder if Uldred had anything to due with Jowan." Aiden said while quickly glancing towards the others before returning his attention to the mage. "Tell us, did Uldred have anything to due with Jowan?"

"N-n-no," she began before pausing, "at least, not directly. Jowan was careful and wasn't actually discovered by the Templars but by Uldred himself. You see, the Templars had stumbled upon some of Uldred's blood magic text and materials, and he needed someone to take the heat for it. So, when he found out about Jowan, he set things up to make it worse than it actually was."

"Forcing Greagoir to take action against Jowan by making him seem like a bigger threat than just someone dabbling in blood magic. That bastard!" Michael shouted out at the end.

"Anyway, what should we do with her. Its obvious that she isn't truly apart of this group, and likely didn't take part in any of the killing, but she is still a blood mage." Alistair said in a serious tone.

"Please, don't kill me! I promise not to use any blood magic ever again. I just wanted to get out of here and return to my family in the Free Marches." The girl pleaded once more.

Aiden took a moment to contemplate his options. He stared at the mage, and after a moment he began to see his own sister and what she might have done to get back to her family. "Sigh…We will let you live, but if I ever even here a peep about blood magic and you again, I won't be so merciful. Go downstairs, and shout out 'Wardens Mercy' before entering the central room. Once you pass our fellows in there you will have to say the phrase again in the storage room."

Shocked by the mercy the giant Warden had shown her she didn't respond immediately. When she finally did, she scrambled to her feat and said. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She then began to make her way to the stairs before she remembered something. She returned to the group and took off a pendant and handed it to Aiden. "Here, Uldred passed these around to his subordinates before this all started. They block you from the sight of most of the abominations and demons. The others should have one as well, but be careful. They are fragile and will not work with any other mages." She then turned and ran back towards the stairs.

"Well, that's convenient." Alistair said in mild shock at the situation.

The other members of the team began to look for any more of the pendants. Luckily, there were three that were still intact. Allowing all of them to travel down the halls, being ignored by the demons and abominations. Most of said creatures were actually beginning to travel in the same direction they had come from. Proving that the assumption Aiden made was correct.

Aiden's group quickly moves through the rest of the second floor and the third. However, when they reach the fourth, they notice a flesh like substance is starting to cover the walls and floor. No one had a clue what it was, so they just paid it little mind.

When the group made it to the central chamber for the floor, they noticed a peculiar sight. There was a single abomination standing in the room. Surrounded by the bodies of several mages, but there were no wounds on any of them. When the group approached, fully expecting to be ignored like the others that they had passed, it turned to them.

"Well, hello there. You seem to be in a hurry. Why don't you lay down and take a rest." It said in a slow, almost lazy, tone to its deep voice.

Everyone was a bit surprised by this, but recovered quickly. "Let us pass demon. We don't have any time for your games." Aiden said forcefully while readying his weapon, fully expecting to have to fight the abomination.

"Why do you want to fight, when laying down is so much easier." The abomination said, but as it spoke its voice gained a hypnotic tone to it.

After the abomination spoke, all of the members to the team began to fall down unconscious. Aiden, being the last one standing, stumbled forth in an attempt to strike the abomination and break its spell. However, Aiden, despite his great strength and will, could not resist the sleep that came upon him, and thus he fell to the floor entering a deep slumber.

-Scene Change-

When Aiden came to, he was standing in a fortress. At first, he couldn't recognize where he was, but after a moment he realized that the place resembled Ostagar. Just that it was in a state of looking almost new in comparison to the ruin that it was before.

"What…What is going on here?" Aiden asked aloud.

Then he noticed the sound of approaching footsteps. Turning around, Aiden came upon the sight of Duncan. Looking as healthy and alive as could be.

"Aiden! What are you doing out here for? Everyone else is inside celebrating." Duncan said in a loud happy voice.

Scrutinizing the scene before him, Aiden asked. "Celebrating what?"

"The battle, of course. I guess you must have taken a blow to the head in all that mess. Don't you remember? We slew the Archdemon and pushed the Darkspawn back from Ostagar." Duncan said.

It was then that Aiden recalled the last moments in the Circle Tower. He quickly connected the dots that this was not Duncan, but rather a demon, most likely a Desire demon or something similar, and that he was currently in the Fade.

Playing along, Aiden began to approach 'Duncan' in a calm manner, slowly reaching his left hand to his side. "I guess your right, but I just have one thing to say before we go in." Aiden said as he now stood directly before 'Duncan.'

"What is that Aiden?" 'Duncan' said with mild confusion.

"If you really wanted to trick me into some fantasy, demon, you should have posed as my parents." Aiden said in a deathly calm voice before plunging his small hunting knife into 'Duncan's' throat.

Aiden then quickly stepped back as the demon fell to the ground. At first, its form held, but after a moment it began to fade away like a sped-up morning mist. Aiden then began to look around the area he was in properly. After a moment he realized that there was only one set of stairs leaving the patio he was on.

He then began to walk down the patio and came across a pedestal. The pedestal looks like what a Chantry Mother would use to hold the text when reading a sermon from the Chant of Light. Placing his hand upon the pedestal, Aiden's perspective of the surrounding area changed in an instant.

When the world came back into focus, the landscape had changed drastically. There were no longer any standing ruins, but rather an island of some sort just floating in a void. On the island was rocks, what appeared to be gnarled dead plants, and what looked like a dark swirling doorway. Around the island were others like it, but much larger and holding what appeared to be different structures. However, Aiden was not alone on the island.

In the middle of the island was a mage that Aiden did not recognize, who was sitting in what appeared to be a depressed slump. As such, Aiden assumed this was not a trick, but rather another victim to the demon that sent him into the Fade.

"Hello there. I take it you got trapped here as well." The mage enquired as Aiden walked up.

"Yes, me and my friends were making our way up the tower to face Uldred. But it seems that the demon inhabiting that abomination is far more powerful than anything else in the tower." Aiden responded.

"Then you better get comfortable because there is no way out of here. The demon that brought us here is a very powerful demon of the sin of sloth. He rules this section of the Fade, and as long as he is in control, we're his prisoners." The mage said with a sigh before following it up by halfheartedly saying, "I'm Niall, by the way."

"I'm Aiden, and if this demon is what's keeping me here, I guess I will just have to kill it." Aiden said confidently, but to himself admitting that he has no idea on how to achieve this.

"I would like to see you succeed, but even if you even had a chance its impossible to reach the island the Sloth Demon resides on. It has protected itself by enclosing a barrier around its personal isle that is held by four of its underlings. Making it impossible to reach." Niall said in a sorrowful tone.

"Then that just means that there's a few extra steps. By the way, are my friends on any of those other islands." Aiden asked.

"I am sure they are, and I wish you the best of luck on your endeavor." Niall said as he returned to sitting and contemplating.

Not paying the obviously depressed mage bother him, Aiden made his way on a little side path on the floating isle. Finding another pedestal, like the one that took him from those ruins. Knowing what to expect, Aiden activated the pedestal and traveled to what looked like a ruined castle.

From there Aiden began to fight through threats of many kinds, at least to his senses. Most of what he faced were demons, but he also fought what appeared to be Darkspawn and undead. His wonderings taking him into four prime areas of the Fade. Each one resembling either the Circle Tower or an old fortress. However, there were certain areas that he could not pass through. However, these did not stop him.

In his wanderings, Aiden came upon various helpful spirits that gave him the means to pass through these obstacles. He first gained the ability to turn into a rat which allowed him to pass through small crevices and even enshroud himself in darkness, making him practically invisible. He then gained the power to become a golem, which allowed him to break open strong doors and crush his enemies. The third ability Aiden gained gave him the visage of a burning corpse, allowing him to pass through mystic fire, that could burn even his golem skin, unharmed and even unleash devastating fire attacks on the spirits of the Fade. The last power that Aiden received in his travels was the power of a spectral equivalent to an Arcane Horror. This form allowed Aiden to interact with certain objects and portals that didn't exist on the same level of the Fade as the rest of the area while also providing some magic based attacks.

Eventually Aiden came upon and faced each of the Sloth Demon's lieutenants. Each one being a different type. One was a demon of wrath, another was of desire, the third of pride, and the last took on the form of an Arcane Horror, but Aiden later learned that it was most likely a greater despair demon.

It was during this hunt for the demons that Aiden also found his teammates. Alistair was trapped in an illusion of being accepted and praised by his father and brother. Michael though he was sitting around with other mages in the Circle, Aiden even recognized one as being Jowan. Wynne, however, was not trapped in a good fantasy like the others. She was crying her eyes out in anguish while being surrounded by dead youths. Some of which Aiden recognized as being in the storage chamber were he first met Wynne. After Aiden dispelled these illusions and defeated the demons meant to trap his companions, they all began to fade away, presumably returning to the real world.

Once Aiden had accomplished his task, he returned back to the island at which he met Niall. When he returned, he saw that the previously dark portal was now a much lighter color. Aiden then approached Niall to inform him of the development.

"I see you succeeded. I-I didn't actually think that you would succeed." Niall said in excitement once he noticed the large man approaching.

"That I did, and now I am going to crush that Sloth Demon's skull. Are you going to come with?" Aiden asked as he looked towards the center most island.

Here Niall's smile turned more somber. "Sorry to say, but I have been here to long. You see, the Sloth Demon has been feeding on our life force for as long as we have been in the Fade, and from what I have felt, it has been to long for me. I can feel that my body has failed me. Once the Sloth Demon's power over my body is released, I'll die." Niall said in a sab but accepting tone.

"I am sorry Niall." Aiden said sincerely yet sadly.

"It's fine, at least with you and the others surviving, you can accomplish what I could not. Stop Uldred, save the Circle." Niall said with determination in his eyes.

"We will Niall." Aiden said as he turned towards the portal that would take him to the central island, then Aiden became confused by something. "However, will the Sloth Demon even be there? I mean, it was controlling an abomination in the real world. Wouldn't it be there and not in here." Aiden asked in confusion on the matter. Him being so distracted by everything else going on he had neglected to ask about this certain topic.

"Normally you would be rite. However, the Sloth Demon is clever. The Circle Tower is thinner in the Veil then in most places due to all the magic that has been preformed there over the centuries. Allowing powerful demons to exist both in the Fade and our world at the same time by the use of a conduit, the abomination. The only true restriction to this is that the Sloth Demon can not stray from the heart of its power in the Fade or its point of entry in our world. Which is why the demon closed off its island from the everything else." Niall explained to the Warden.

Nodding his head in understanding, Aiden walked towards the portal. Passing through, Aiden came upon the central most island of the area. The island is larger than the one Aiden was on previously but just as baren. However, in the central part of the island stood a towering figure. Aiden recognized the Sloth Demon from the various statues of itself it has spread across its domain. Though they clearly were designed to be far more flattering than the Sloth Demon's true form.

The demon stood a head and half taller than Aiden himself. This is, of course, discounting the two massive antenna like horns on its head that are nearly as tall as the demon's own body and are colored a pale milky green. Unlike most demons, this one wears what appears to be what was once a fine single piece tunic that had degraded over the course of time, mis care, and lack of washing. A pair of boots of similar standing lie upon its feet. The demon did not have a true face. Instead, it was just a black space of filthy mucus green flesh, which was the same color as the rest of its body. Instead of arms the demon had two long tentacles that though were curled up, still looked powerful. Though the most eye-catching aspect of the demon was that its stomach distended so far that it sagged nearly six inches past its waist.

The demon, upon noticing Aiden, did not become angry or shocked, but rather spoke in its lazy tone that it spoke in when it first met Aiden. "A-ah, I see that you made it to my…sanctuary. I applaud you for your…tenacity. But I must ask…What do you plan too due now?" It asked.

"Yes, now let's end this." Aiden said in a calm voice as he readied his maul.

"Why? That just seems so…strenuous. Why not just leave?" The demon said in an attempt to convince Aiden to just leave.

"Not going to happen. You have ruined to many lives for me to just ignore it." Aiden said in a firm tone.

After a moment the demon began to chuckle. "Ha Ha. Do you really think that you can defeat me?" The demon mocked in his sleepy tone.

"Maybe not alone, but he is not alone. Is he?" Michael called out as he, Alistair, and Wynne appeared with their weapons at the ready on the island.

Before any other words could be said, Aiden slammed the axe blade of his maul into the demon's right arm. However, the demon's body was far denser than it appeared. The demon lazily nocked the maul away and began to expand. It soon swelled to be as tall as a pride demon.

Aiden quickly backpedaled to get some space. Wynne and Michael then began firing basic spells at the Sloth Demon. The demon then raised its right arm, now completely healed from its wound, which extended to the point that it could reach both mages, and slammed the tentacle down on them. However, before it could land, the two mages quickly dodged out of the way. Quick to recover, Wynne launched a Mana Clash and Michael fired a Frost spell at the Sloth Demon.

The Mana Clash hit first, and actually caused the creature to stumble, when the Frost spell hit a moment later. The ice-based spell began to creep across the demon, covering it in a thin frozen shell. Seizing the moment, Aiden turned himself into a golem, to the shock of his companions, and slammed his fist into the Sloth Demon's head. Knocking the massive sack of spoiled flesh onto its back before it retaliated by swiping its left arm at Aiden. Tossing him across the island and slamming into a rock.

The demon then struggled to get up, but due to its massive girth and natural laziness, it could not do so quickly. Taking the chance, Alistair fired a Holy Smite to further harm the demon. Resulting in the Sloth Demon, who was trying to use its arms to push itself back up. Alistair then charged in close to the demon and took aim with his sword. The blade slashed down into the Sloth Demon's neck, but like with the maul, only went part way through. It did, however, cause far more pain to the demon than the maul did.

However, before the Sloth Demon could properly reorient itself, it was hit in the groin by a controlled fire ball from Aiden, who was healed by Wynne, in his Burning Man form. The fire ball caused the writhe in pain even further. Alistair, who was still next to the demon but had taken a step back after his initial attack, readied another strike. This time however, Michael enhanced Alistair's sword with his magic. This allowed Alistair to stab his blade into the demon, aiming for the core of the demon. Were, if it were mortal, would be where it held its heart.

The blow struck true, cutting cleanly into the Sloth Demon, and causing it to explode in a terrible wail of agony and light. Everything around the Wardens disappearing into that light.

-Scene Change-

Aiden awoke with a start. Sitting up quickly he sees his companions doing the same, but the people that the Sloth Demon had captured previously were not moving. Aiden noticed that Niall was among this number, but also noticed that the body of the abomination that the Sloth Demon possessed was also prone on the ground.

"Uh, is anyone else's head spinning?" Alistair asked groggily.

"Yeah, I can't seem to see straight." Michael said, also slightly groggy.

"Don't worry, it is just a combination of the sleep and demon's hold on us. It will fade in a moment or two." Wynne said in a slightly tired voice.

"Wynne, how much time do you think has passed?" Aiden asked the elder mage.

"Not long I believe. Time tends to move much faster in the Fade than it does in our world without some kind of balancing matrix. So, despite the feeling of being in there for a few hours to days, I wouldn't describe our time there as being greater than an hour or two." Wynne explained, seemingly recovering quicker than the other two on the floor.

"Which reminds me. How were you able to break out of the demon's illusion, Aiden?" Alistair asked as he began to stand back up.

"The demon that was in charge of watching me didn't do a good job. He took the form of Duncan and was going on about how the Blight was over." Aiden explained to the senior Warden.

"So, you didn't have a feeling of fog on your mind at all?" Asked a slightly confused Michael, also now standing.

"No, my mind was perfectly clear." Aiden answered in confused tone as he stood up as well.

"Hm, I believe the Sloth Demon took extra precautions with the three of us, considering we have training in dealing with demons and seeing through there illusions." Wynne spoke towards the other two Wardens.

"In any case, we need to get going." Aiden said as he pulled out the amulet from earlier, seeing that it was undamaged. "My blood ward amulet is still intact. What about yours?" Aiden asked the others and saw that they gave confirming nods.

Aiden then turns towards Niall. He kneels down and takes the Litany of Adrella from him and sets Niall's body with respect. Aiden then stands back up and turns towards Wynne.

"Here Wynne, you have the most experience with this kind of thing." Aiden said as he handed the Litany over to her.

"I still don't understand how a song is going to have an affect of blood magic." Alistair said while scratching his head.

"Its less the song and more the paper it is written on. You see, the blood magic counter spell was imbued into the Litany in the papers creation, but the magics can only be activated when the song is sung." Wynne explained as she pocketed the Litany.

Aiden then marches towards the door leading towards the next floor. However, as soon as he opens the door and sticks his head through, he freezes and slowly pulls back inside the circular room and quietly closes the door.

"Uh, Wynne, do you possibly know why there is a DRAKE sleeping in the next room?!" Aiden asked quietly with alarm in his voice.

"A drake? Why would there be a…Oh, dear. The eggs?!" Wynne said in alarm.

"Eggs? What eggs?" Michael asked confused.

"A while back, the crown, I am not sure who precisely, asked for the Circle to do some research into dragons. The Circle received somewhere around fifteen eggs. Some were active, but magically preserved to prevent hatching, and others were old and dormant, presumed to be dead, and were, I assumed, kept as souvenirs or conversation starters by some nobles." Wynne paused and began to contemplate. "I assume with all of the chaotic magic going on the eggs began to hatch and caused rapid stimulation of growth."

"Great! Now, on top of a butt load of demons, we have to deal with fucking dragons! This can't possibly get worse." Alistair exclaimed, but kept his voice low to avoid being herd by the drake next door.

"Well, whatever we do, we still need to get past it and our amulets won't work on it." Michael said with worry.

After a moment Alistair came up with an idea. "Hey, do either of you know a spell to muffle sound?"

"There is the Sound Barrier spell. We use it for exceptionally loud snorers, mainly Enchanter Norton. He snores so loudly even the Templars complain." Wynne answered.

"What're you thinking?" Aiden asked Alistair, intrigued.

"If we can put this spell on you, then you can sneak up on the drake and kill it. I say you because you are the most likely to kill it in a single strike." Alistair explained to his leader.

"It's better than nothing, I guess." Aiden said after a moment of contemplating their options.

Wynne got into position to place the spell. "Now be careful. I have never placed this spell on a moving individual before. So I am unaware of how it will hold, and it will not prevent you from being seen or smelled." Wynne said and then casted the spell.

Aiden then turned and quickly re-exited the room. Slowly making his way to the sleeping draconoid. It being easily the size of a horse, which indicates that it is quite young since they can grow to nearly three times that. It had no wings, befitting its gender, and had a row of spines going from the base of its skull to the tip of its tail, the largest being along its back. The color of its hide was a deep blue and black with heavier than normal scales, almost looking like plates, on its shoulders and torso area. The claws were roughly the size of an entire human finger and looked as sharp as a dagger. The teeth, that Aiden could only catch quick glances of but new from books, were likely of similar length of the claws. The tail, packed tightly with muscle, being the same length of its body and the neck being half that. The head itself was like an elongated snake, with nostrils, that had a pair of straight horns coming out the back.

Aiden, taking slow and steady steps, got close to beast. When its sleeping snores caught the sent of the Warden, causing it to stir, Aiden acted quickly. Swinging the axe blade of his maul into its neck and nearly cutting completely through.

The others, who were watching from the doorway, quickly regrouped with their leader. Wynne removed the spell when they got nearby.

"That's taken care of, but we should…" Aiden said before he was cut off by the sound of multiple scratching feet sounds.

Turning around, he saw multiple dragonlings, looking similar to the grown drake but being slightly smaller than a mabari in size and having their heads much closer to the body, likely being drawn by the smell of blood from their kin.

Not needing to say anything on the matter of the dragonlings, the Wardens and Wynne entered combat with the reptiles. Alistair bashing two away with his shield when they got close and stabbing another as it jumped at him. Wynne used her magic to put several of the beast to sleep near Aiden, which allowed him to bash their skulls in with his maul's hammer head or cut into with the axe head. Michael, deciding to end the fight as quickly as possible, cast a localized Blizzard spell that covered everything in a fine layer of frost. The Wardens and co. were not affected overly much, but the young dragons instantly become drowsy and fall over. Within moments of the beast falling unconscious there breathing began to slow until they stopped breathing entirely.

However, before they could relax, another drake, equal to the size and appearance of the one slain by Aiden, burst into the hall. When it saw the Wardens, it reared back its head and fired a blast of flame at Alistair. Who managed to block it with his shield but was sent stumbling back from the force and heat. Aiden, who was focusing solely on the drake, dropped his maul and tackled the beast. Latching on to its head and pulling back, forcing the drake to look up and away from the others. Wynne saw that Aiden was in need of assistance, after checking on Alistair, used her magic to strengthen Aiden's body, but it was clear that Aiden was slowly losing his fight as the drake continued to buck around to dislodge the large human. Michael, who had just dropped the Blizzard after seeing that it was having little affect on the drake, charged forward.

As he got near the drake it reared back on its hind legs, allowing Michael to extend the head of his staff and fire a concentrated blast of Frost point blank at where the drake's heart was. The blast had its intended affect. Quickly ice began to form on top and inside the creature's chest, freezing its heart and likely part of its lungs. The last sound the drake made before it died was a strangled screech, and then promptly fell onto its side and finally knocking Aiden off.

After everyone caught their breaths, Aiden got up from the floor and retrieved his maul. Then he turned to Michael and asked. "Hey, how did you know that the ice would work?" As he flipped one of the frozen dragonlings with his foot.

"I may not be an expert on dragons…Huff…but I do know that reptiles don't like the cold. I figured that since the little ones were so small in comparison to the first one, they must of just hatched. Huff. That led me to conclude that they wouldn't be able to survive long in a cold environment." Michael said, still huffing a bit from the strain of the powerful magic.

"So, you put our lives on the line on a HUNCH?!" Alistair asked incredulously.

Before Michael could respond, Aiden cut in. "In battle, instinct and quick thinking is the key to survival, Alistair. It doesn't matter if Michael new if it would work or not, only that it did and it didn't put the rest of us at risk. If that was the case, then it would be a different story." Aiden explained to the hidden prince. "But enough of this, we need to get to the top."

Aiden then began to walk towards the stairs, the others following without a fuss. As they got near the base of the stairs Aiden called over his shoulder towards Wynne. "Get the Litany out Wynne. We will likely need it momentarily." However, the group then saw that there was a Templar trapped in a barrier next to the stairs.

"What is a Templar doing here?" Alistair asked as he saw him.

Michael took a look at him and recognized him. "Cullen, is that you?"

The Templar, now named Cullen, was a taller fellow of about six feet in height. He had strong physical features and blond hair. But the thing that caught most of their attention was the haunted and tormented look in his blue eyes.

"Get back. I will not fall for your tricks. I will stay firm. I will not be tempted by your illusions." Cullen cried out, backing away from the barrier.

"Cullen, we only want to…" Wynne began to say before Aiden held out his hand to hold her back from approaching the barrier.

"Wynne don't bother. From the looks of it, he has been put through a literal hell. If we try and free him, he will likely try to kill us, and if not us then everyone in the Harrowing Chamber. Uldred and victims all. We will check on him once we deal with Uldred." Aiden said before marching up the stairs, shortly followed by the others as they contemplated his words.

As they got to the top and entered the Harrowing Chamber, they saw a horrifying sight. Around the room several mages were tied up and looked like they had been to hell and back. At the far end of the room three abominations surrounded a mage who was being tortured with magic by another who held a mocking sort of smile upon his face. This mage being the one, as Alistair pointed out earlier, was at the strategy meeting at Ostagar, Uldred. Behind this ghastly group was an elderly man, presumed to be the First Enchanter, Irving. Within a moment of the Wardens seeing this, they are further shocked by Uldred encompassing the tortured mage in a red glow. When said glow receded it revealed that the mage was turned into an abomination.

Not needing any further encouragement to stop this, Aiden and Alistair charged forward. Their weapons being enhanced by Michael's magic, and Wynne began chanting from the Litany of Adrella. The power of the Litany causing the abominations to begin to have mild convulsions of pain.

Uldred, upon seeing this, turned around at the encroaching foes. He did not, however, lose his mocking smile. If anything, it only grew as he silently ordered the abominations to attack and said. "Ah, more sacrifices for our army. You will do well for…" Uldred began as he gathered the crimson energy, that Michael now realized was blood magic, from before but dissipated upon forming. Surprised into silence, Uldred looked further back, past the two warriors that had easily put down his abominations, and saw Wynne with the Litany. Realizing that his blood magic was currently useless, Uldred lost his smile and instead took on a far more malevolent look.

"YOU DARE TO CHALLENGE MY POWER!" Uldred said as his voice got progressively deeper and more primal. "I WILL SHOW YOU THE FOLLY OF YOUR INSIGNIFICSNT WAYS, PEST. YOU WILL KNOW PAIN AND FEAR UNIMAGINABLE BEFORE I AM DONE WITH YOU, AND ONLY THEN WILL I GIVE YOU THE RELEASE OF OBLIVION!" Uldred continued to speak as his body slowly transformed into a truly abominable form. Unlike other abominations, who looked more akin to a crude clay doll that was only half formed, Uldred was easily distinguishable.

His skin, at least what is exposed from his dark colored mage robes, took on a deep purplish hew. His hands grew black talons and spikes of similarly colored bone that took a form akin to finned vambraces. Upon his shoulders and around his neck spawned purple colored bone plates that resembled armor. It was his head, though, that had the biggest transformation. His mouth disappearing into dark purple series of plates that covered his skull like a bug's exoskeleton. A series of black horns covering his formerly bald head, and a series of seven glowing red eyes took the place around, and between, his two original. All the while he grew until he was one and a half times the size of Aiden himself.

All in all, Uldred no longer looked human or even demon. No, he now resembled some kind of horrid highbred of the two. Taking on the physical qualities of the most powerful breed of demons, a pride demon.

Aiden and Allister, who had delt with the last abomination a moment earlier, stood with a look of hooror on their faces at this new Uldred. They did not, however, slow themselves further in their reaction. They charged the now highbred Uldred, who simply swatted them aside.

Uldred began marching towards Wynne, who had stopped singing the Litany for the moment, to destroy her and the Litany of Adrella. However, before he could get close, Uldred found a blast of flame hitting him in the face. Stumbling back a bit, from surprise more than real damage, Wynne caught him in a Crushing Prison. But to the surprise of the two mages, Uldred merely exerted his power and broke the spell.

As he recovered though, Alistair had snuck up upon him and stabbed his blade firmly into the back of Uldred's right knee. The magic infused blade cutting clean through the flesh of the demonized mage, crippling him in a single stroke. Uldred, in retaliation, swung his arm back into Alistair. Sending him flying away once more and rending his armor terribly.

Aiden, who was slower on the recovery, saw this and became angry. Unknown to him, his skin began to have lines criss-crossing across his skin, almost like veins in a body or roads on a map. Each line held a distinctive color of either a warm red, a light grey, a muted gold, or a gentle blue. With all glowing at a similar intensity, Aiden charged at Uldred.

However, for some reason Uldred didn't notice him until Aiden was slamming his now blazing maul's hammer head into Uldred's face, despite the fact that Aiden was yelling the entire time he was running. The now stunned Uldred was unprepared as Aiden swung his maul's axe head into his left side in a return swing.

Letting out a pained grunt, and grasping his new wound, Uldred turned slightly and fired a burst of lightning into Aiden's chest. But instead of being hurled away, or even stumbling back, Aiden absorbed it like a burst of gentle wind. Seeing this, the demonized mage attempted to stumble back with his seven eyes open in fear. Aiden would not allow this, however,

With his left hand, Aiden grabbed Uldred's shoulder plate and pulled him forward with great force. With his bad leg, Uldred fell onto all fours before Aiden. Soon to be trapped in this position with a combination of Crushing Prison from Wynne and Winters Grasp from Michael. Aiden took this opportunity to raise his maul up with both hands to give a final blow.

In an act of desperation, Uldred attempted to impale Aiden's leg with a bone spike from his wrist, but the spike simply broke upon contact with Aiden's leg. A moment later, a blazing axe blade removed Uldred's head, eyes still wide with horror.

With a moment to breath, the combatants took a moment to recover. Only to jump back to attention when they heard stumbling steps being taken towards them. Looking towards the source, they see Alistair, armor tourn and all, stumbling towards them holding his ribs.

"What…in Andraste's name…was that?" Alistair stuttered out, wincing in pain as he did so.

Wynne rushed towards him to help deal with the wounds as Aiden looked at him confusion. "What do you mean?" Aiden asked.

"I think he is talking about the glowing lines that were going across your body." Michael replied.

"What lines?" Aiden asked now being even more confused than before.

"The lines you had when you were beating Uldred like he was a knotty pup." Alistair said as the pain from his wounds were being dealt with by Wynne.

"It might have something to do with those transformations you preformed while we were in the Fade." Wynne said as she continued to heal Alistair.

"It might be. I did receive those abilities from friendly spirits in the Fade. Who knows what kind of affects they may have on me in the real world, much less in the body of a non-mage." Aiden said.

"We can think about this later. Rite now we need to…" Michael began before remembering exactly why they were there for. "Irving!" Michael yelled as he ran towards the now fallen elderly mage.

Seeing this, Wynne joined Michael beside Irving, healing what she could.

"It's okay, Michael. I will be fine." Irving said in a weak voice.

Giving them a moment to deal with Irving, Alistair nervously states. "Not to ruin the moment, or anything, but we are kind of on a time crunch here."

"Alistair's right. We need to hurry back downstairs before the Templars get the Writ of Annulment." Aiden said in support.

Hearing this, Irving's eyes go wide, and he struggles to stand while saying. "Then let us not tarry." Wynne and Michael work together to get Irving on his feet. With Michael taking Irving's wait to help him walk down.

As they descend the stairs, they see that the barrier and the Templar, Cullen, was gone. They did not, however, pay much mind to this and just continued on their way. Going floor by floor and meeting no one on the way, all the while Irving looked around with great sadness in his eyes.

As they reach the senior mage quarters, they are forced to stop by Irving. "Hol-COUPH-hold it for a moment if you will. I need to rest." Irving said as Michael set him down for a moment in a near by chair that managed to survive.

"What's wrong Irving?" Wynne asked as she did some magic to see what was going on with her old friend.

"Uldred…he kept us and the others up for days. Starving us and periodically torturing us to break our spirits. Forcing us to watch as he turned more of us into abominations. I am afraid that the amount of damage I have accumulated has greatly weakened me, even beyond your limits, Wynne." Irving said in a exhausted voice.

Taking a moment to consider their options, Wynne turns towards Aiden and asked. "Aiden, Irving keeps a stash of health and stamina potions on hand in his office. It is only down the hall. Could you go get them?"

Aiden nodded in confirmation and turned to his fellow Wardens. "Alistair, Michael, stay here and watch over Irving. I will be right back." Aiden said before he began running towards the office.

Finding it quickly, Aiden began rummaging around for the potions. As he looked, he found a spare satchel that held some potions, but not the ones he sought. Finally, Aiden decided to look through a chest at the back of the office. Inside were the potions in question and an extremely old book. Opening it for a moment he noticed that it was written in some kind of combination dialect of Chansid and Elvish. Thinking it may be useful, he took it as well, putting it in the satchel.

Returning to the others, Aiden gave a stamina and health potion to Irving. The group continued on their way, at a much faster pace than before.

As they returned to the central chamber on the first floor, yelling out the passphrase as they entered, they quickly passed through. The team guarding the chamber, which was now covered in even more damage and bodies than before, remained behind just in case. They quickly passed through the storage area, while also passing Cullen in the hall in between, that held the other survivors and went to the door to the entry hall.

Knocking on the door Irving cried out. "Greagoir! It's Irving! The tower is secure!"

After a moment of hearing this, the doors were unbarred, and the party was allowed to enter. Upon seeing the Knight Commander, Irving let go of Michael and walked on his own feet towards the man.

"Irving, it is good to see you." Greagoir said with relief in his voice.

"The same here. I am just happy these young warriors managed to rescue me in time." Irving responded in kind.

"Now that you are here me and my knights can begin to secure the tower. But first, we need to make sure any of the surviving mages are alright." Greagoir said before seeing Cullen, who came marching into the room at the same time as hearing this.

"Knight Commander, you can't! Every mage in this tower needs to be killed. We can not risk any of them being abominations or maleficar." Cullen said in near hysteria.

"Cullen! No matter what some may have done, the tower is now back in our control. I cannot, in good conscience, allow more deaths to occur due to your insistence alone." Greagoir said firmly.

Cullen, with crazed eyes, started looking around until they landed on Aiden. "You! You saw what they can do. What they did and became. You know I am right in this!" Cullen exclaimed to the large man.

"My child, if you would only calm…" Irving began to say as he outstretched his hand in a placating manner before having it slapped away.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Cullen yelled stepping back. "I know what you are. What you can do. We should have had all of your kind exterminated years ago!"

"Knight Commander, this man has been through a terrible ordeal and is clearly troubled. Most likely suffering from paranoid delusions and battle sickness. I would not take anything he says at face value." Aiden began before taking off the blood pendant, which somehow miraculously survived, and handed it to Greagoir. "However, knowing that you and your men will likely need to check the mages anyway, look for these. They are blood pendants that Uldred's followers used to avoid the abominations and demons. They will likely still have them for the time being, but be sure to have any you find checked for mind magics. We discovered that many of them were put under something called a Ghast by Uldred." Aiden said and began turning away before remembering something. "Also, you may want to send your medics to the Harrowing Chamber before checking the other survivors in the storage room. They are in far worse condition than the others."

Aiden then walked back towards the storage room to gather the others.

-Scene Break-

The following hours went by in quick succession. Aiden, upon the rest of his companions, went about some last-minute goals. He sent Thorin, Natia, Morrigan, the mabari's, and Annette back to the shore to check on Sten and the others, as well as to set up some rooms at the local inn. Which Greagior kindly had paid for on the Templars coin as a form of compensation for the assistance given by the Wardens. That and a decent chunk of the supplies that were received along side the Right of Annulment, which he promptly tore in half.

Leliana remained at the tower to help with treating the injured for a time. Alistair managed to barter with the Quartermaster for a spare set of Templar armor to replace his mangled set. Wynne decided to come with the Wardens in their journey. After convincing both Greagoir and Irving, and receiving Aiden's approval, went to pack what was left of her things. Michael went to both assist her and watch her back incase of any remaining threats. Shale went about assisting the Templars, though she saw it as stealing her fun, in searching and killing any remaining hostiles in the tower. Aiden and Theron, upon receiving approval from the Knight Commander and First Enchanter, went upstairs and began to skin the two somewhat grown drakes.

By the time the entirety of the Warden party left the isle, the sun was beginning to rise. Aiden and the others may not have expected to face what they did, but in the end, they left with what they had come to achieve. The mages had sworn to help the Wardens in their fight against the Blight.

Ok, fist off you all may be wondering where I got the designs, and why I decided to change things up like that, for Uldred and the Sloth Demon. For the first, I simply Googled 'DAO Uldred' and looked under pictures. One of the first pictures, for me anyway, was of a bald mage becoming a creature like the one described.

Also, (Just so no one tries to call me out for image theft or any other kind of bull like that.) 'I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE AND/OR IMAGE!' There, consider that a secondary disclaimer.

The reason I did this was because Uldred becoming a pride demon for the battle was just so unimaginative. A possessed mage transforming into either an abomination or the demon that is possessing them is pretty typical, but you would think they would be at least a bit more unique with a boss fight. And if you are wondering why he looked so unique when compared to others, consider this. Uldred essentially became like Anders, from the end of DA2, a fusion of spirit and mortal soul. Uldred simply took on a more physical upgrade when calling upon his power.

For the Sloth Demon, that is much simpler. In the Fade section of this chapter, in game, you come across a couple of statues which are supposed to represent the Sloth Demon. But when you get to him, he just starts switching between the forms his lieutenants took. So, I instead used the statues as a general template for the redesign. If you want a clearer picture of what I am talking about Google 'DAO Sloth Demon Statue.' You may have to do some scrolling to find it, and if you're trying to imagine what its face looks like, think the Gravedigger from the Witcher 3.

As for Aiden's power up, that is also another disappointment I had with DAO. You go all around the Fade to collect these shape shifting powers only to lose them once you get out. With no kind of buff, special item, or unique skill tree as a form of compensation. So, I decided to give Aiden a sort of watered-down version of the powers in the human world.

The 'warm red' color, obviously, gives Aiden's attacks a fire elemental boost. The 'light grey' gives Aiden golem level endurance for a short time. The 'muted gold' allows Aiden to absorb magic based attacks and deal more damage to demons. Finally, the 'gentle blue' muffles Aiden's movements and makes him harder to notice for a few brief moments. It doesn't make him invisible, just a bit harder to see.

Normally, Aiden will not be able to use these abilities all at once, nor for as long as he did here, but you can explain it away as him being supercharged from being in the Fade not to long before. Since Aiden is not a mage, he does not have any mana reserves. Making these abilities only short lived in a drawn-out fight. The grey and red powers burning through the quickest due to them having direct outward affects. The gold doesn't due this really because the absorbed magic recharges the mana and is only practical in certain situations. The blue uses up the least mana, but also will be the least used due to Aiden's nature, fighting style, and just general physique. As he is the most noticeable of the Wardens.