The aria of warriors' cries hails all across the halls of the hold in Therinfal. Swords challenging the flesh of monstrous creatures attempting to push through and tear each and every templar on the battleground.

Defending himself against a claw to the head with a sword as his shield, Cullen braces himself at the lead of templars. He pushes with his sword against the arm of the wicked creature and swings it back around for its neck, cutting down another throat of a demon and it falls in defeat.

"Stand your ground Templars! Let none of them take this hold!" He yells, and the Templars shout in agreeing unison.

They align themselves as a barrier of steel while hordes of demons attempt to overrun them, slicing and cutting, each side enduring every attack. Ever since Envy's reveal, demons sprouted out from the green spirals of the portals into this reality, one after another. No end in sight.

The Inquisition's army head has never heard of demons being capable of opening portals such as this, perhaps taking advantage of the Breach's influence? Still, there is no use in pondering about the dreadful fact. The templars behind him are willing to fight to their very last breaths, take down as many enemies as they can, but Cullen fears it would not be enough. As he barely dodges a wide swipe to his left side, he finds himself praying to the Maker that Cassandra, Arturia, and the others will return in time.

He swiftly slices down another demon and pushes its limp body away before another demon launches itself upon him. He parries the claws with a spin of his sword and slices the chest right through, though its nails manage to create a gash on his left cheek. He only has a second to wince at the pain before already meeting another demon, this time blocking the incoming strike and held his position, pushing the power into his legs to keep himself from submitting under the pressure.

Had he some regular Lyrium on hand, perhaps he can help the Templars to hold their ground here longer but...no, there is no time, and he will not let himself be strung along by its influence again, or else he may never stop. He will prove himself more than capable to guard this ground, even at the cost of his own life.

And as soon as this thought came, the cavalry arrives.

With a roaring triumph from the throat of a fierce and determined girl, the Herald of Andraste tears through the hordes of demons with just her body alone, and powerful several swipes of her invisible sword. Magic came in assistance, her marked hand holding the staff in her other hand, and thrusting powerful green energy spells that burn through the demons, a strange glitter in Arturia's eyes Cullen catches before he hears the brave shouts that join her.

Tension lifts from Cullen's heart as he sees an armada of uncorrupted Templars flocking to the scene, ready to fight and jumping right into the thick of it. Beside them, a wave of freezing magic erupts from Vivienne's own staff, shattering the demons with a swift twirl of her staff. From the other side, Cassandra rushes in and takes a deep stab into a demon's torso, and arrows zipped over to pierce the heads of the monsters, flung expertly by Sera's bow.

The Inquisition members are covered in blood, battered armor, and clothing, sustaining injuries seen on the flesh, but as worn out as they all seem, they are still determined to bring all of this to an end. The ex-templar can only imagine though what kind of fighting they had to deal with, or what they've seen throughout the fortress before returning to this area with aid.

"Shit! Arse! Bosom! Shit!" The elf rogue is reasonably skittish at the sight and presence of so many demons, hailing several arrows at once with a swift hand.

Vivienne goes to stand close by the blonde, a storm of magic erupting that bashed away the monsters crawling for them.

"We shall hold them off! Start the ritual!" The enchanter shouts, exhaustion beginning to creep into her voice. Cullen spots Barris nodding, and together they rush for the center of the area, up the short stairs.

With a couple of templars beside him, they initiate their plan to draw out Envy as a wall of allies guarded them. Arturia makes haste to close the portals with her marked hand, abstracting the green energy essence and draining them into her palm. It is time consuming but her companions surround her as armor against any foes coming their way.

"Red Templars, coming through the barrier!" Cassandra yells from one side just as Arturia manages the last portal before bracing against the demon next to her, swinging her invisible sword to cut it down from its head to its waist.

Cullen separates himself from the working templars at the center to Arturia, holding his sword and shield as he joins her side, "They'll need some time before the ritual is complete!"

"Then we shall give it to them," Arturia replies roughly. With a quick scan with his eyes, the commander can spot that heave of exhaustion emanate from the girl's breath, but her face remains unwavering. "Can you still fight, Cullen?"

"Of course," Cullen answers with a huff, keeping hold of himself regardless of how much stamina he has lost. His eyes narrow at the sight of the approaching Red Templars, his heart heavy but made of steel, "I'll make true to our promise yet."

It is the faintest glimpse that if he hadn't look, he would have missed it, but there is a faint smile on her sweat-ridden and blood-dripping face. "So shall I, my friend."

There is something different about her, he couldn't help but notice. Those usually broad shoulders too big for the girl seems less heavy, and yet she stands even taller. Well, whatever it is, he'll be damned if he let her fall hereafter hearing her express that soft tone as if there is no doom to be worry of, but absolute certainty in their victory. In this hold of horrors, that faintest hope in her expression re-ignites Cullen with a new sense of determination.

They fight against the next wave of Red Templars, but there are fewer of them in numbers now. In a brief spare moment, Cullen looks back to see Barris lifting the granted flask that spilled a lighted smoke, planting a kiss at the tip, and holds it forth. The Templars around him raise their swords and pierce the blades into the ground, kneeling in immediate prayers as a golden glow rises from their weapons.

He returns his focus to battle. Guarding Arturia's right while she protects his left. The knight collides both her staff and sword together, spinning her entire form into a single, double-handed swing and a burst of energy sliced through the group of ten Red Templars, and all fall under a furious green fire mixed with blue light.

Solas' training certainly had done its wonders, Cullen has to admit. He thanks the Maker she is on their side.

At their final sprint, they swiftly take down the remaining Red Templars. Blood splatters all over their armor and weapon, the ground laying with the bodies of fellow arms, red crystal has grown out of their bleeding flesh. Nothing more came through the doors, but they have yet to let out a breath of relief. For a while, it seems they have handled the last of the Red Templars, there is still one threat remaining.

A reaction to the ritual behind the group. Gold energy dazzles into the air, and an unholy loud roar escapes into the hold.

"There! The Envy Demon is here!" Barris announces, holding his praying position, "They truly are powerful. We have to hold this ritual to keep them here!"

"We shall handle this," Arturia assures, her bloody grip of her sword's handle has yet to relent as she looks to Cullen. "Let us end this demon's game, once and for all."

Cullen wholeheartedly agrees as they heard Barris, "We'll push Envy onto the courtyard. Break that monster!"

With that, the Inquisition and remaining sound-minded Templars rushed up the steps, and onto the courtyard. The sky continues to rain, cleaning off the blood from themselves as they steadily dash across the yard. Arturia, Cullen, and Cassandra taking lead. Vivienne and Sera watching from the sides.

"For the first time, I've learned so much that I couldn't hold it." They hear the poisonous voice of Envy in the wind, surrounding them, "Knowledge burned through my fingers. I could have been the greatest! I could have been glorious! Now... I'm no one!"

From the earth before them, the pale large figure of the Envy Demon emerges. A high pitch shrill from the many mouths of the hideous being, its limbs sprawling as it continues to puke and bleed strange gold liquid. And for its many eyes, it stares hatefully at one person. Cullen and Cassandra etch closer and ahead of Arturia, the target of this demon's loathing, its source of envy.

"Dark and desperate. Dead, to make yourself alive!"

Arturia hears the words of a familiar voice, looking aside past Cassandra, who didn't seem to notice the presence of Cole, as he walks forth with purpose and no fear.

"I used to be like you. I'm not anymore, you shouldn't be either."

The Envy Demon coughs out, gold flakes fluttering, and it simply screams in response.

Arturia pulls her attention away from Cole, all eyes are on the demon and its pitiful horror, as she raises both her staff and invisible sword that quickly unsheathes its air-full transparency, Excalibur's golden brilliance is exposed.

"It is time for your ruse and robbery of identities to end, demon. You will not have mine, and no longer will you have others!"

In the name of those whose faces have been sullied by this creature of ceaseless hunger, she hails her golden sword, and the band of warriors, templars, archers, mages, and knight, ignite their fury to the beast and charge all at once.

They swarm the puking Envy Demon, cutting into its pale flesh as it fought back with its long limbs. With a heavy and quick swing of its spider-like arms, it knocks aside several templars, Arturia and Cassandra circle in a rush behind the Envy Demon, but its many eyes spot them, and it submerges into the ground, into a large red ring of some sort. No physical disturbance to the floor as it dove in. Arturia and Cassandra are wide-eyed as the end of their blades meets only the stone floor.

"It vanished!" Sera shouts in surprise.

"No! It is still here! Stay on guard!" Vivienne announces as she stands beside other templars, and the Envy Demon reemerges behind them. The enchanter feels the demonic presence and swings her staff around, striking ice against the demon's torso. At the same time, the Envy Demon hurls its fist and struck the waist of the enchanter.

"Vivi!" Sera screams as she sees the enchanter be hurtled aside. Sera yanks six arrows in one clutch and pulls them for the demon, but the demon slips into the ground yet again. "Oh son of a-"

Pale, tangled fingers slip back up and grasped the elf's ankle.

"Sera!" Arturia watches as the Envy Demon pulls Sera by the foot, and holds her upside down with the elf archer shrieking. The knight sprints across the area, holding her sword tight.

The other templar members closer to the demon starts beating it with their swords, Cullen joining the fight as he digs in his sword into the pale flesh. The Envy Demon throttles its limbs against them and forces them away, their screech almost concealing Sera's own panicked yelps before she is instinctively reminded of the arrows still in her clutch.

"Eat this then!"

Hanging upside, Sera pulls her arrows by the bowstring, aiming her bow at the impossible to miss head, and releases.

The Envy Demon screams at the impaling of arrows, and promptly tosses Sera away, sending her flying before Cassandra comes close and takes the hit of the agent's fall. They tumble together but hold on as they force themselves to part and rise from the blunt pain.

Arturia arrives and then takes to the front of the demon, deflecting each blow of its hands, feeling a cut against her shoulder armor that tears through the puffy blue fabric, and she swings up her sword, the blade cutting deep into the flesh, and with alight golden eyes, a small ounce of magic power goes into her blade, pushing by the head of her staff she smacks against the bottom of her blade, and the sword burns through, slicing off the demon's hand and the arm behind it.

"NO!" Envy howls.

Cassandra pushes the balls of her feet to dash in and adds on to Arturia's prowess, jabbing the end of her sword into the demon's side. Cullen then goes around and cuts into the demon's back.

The Envy Demon dips into the ground once more. It emerges behind Arturia, but the knight's instincts warned her ahead of time and she spins around to meet the demon head-on, the magic of her staff finding its head and blasting its face.

Envy hurtles back, eyes burning with magic and remaining gold tears, it tries to dip in again, but coldness stops them from diving any further, his body finding only ice beneath, his temporary exit frozen over.

Vivienne rises behind the demon, blood fell from the corner of her lips, but she remains standing, the bottom of her staff pressing against the ground and its swirling icy flakes.

She thrusts her staff, and a swarm of cold as sharp as a rain of daggers heads for Envy, taking them whole. Shards of its blood slits open all across its body as more daggers strike, careful to brace the ice attack, as they begin to overwhelm Envy.

"No! No!" Blood pours from wounds and a head full of arrows, more incoming by the archers aside. It loses support from its legs by knocks of sword from Cullen and Cassandra. "No!"

Arturia ignores its cries, as with the combined strength of her staff and sword, she reeled both weapons over her shoulder.

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

And swiftly chops them down into Envy's head, her fierce draconic eyes of gold fire forever embedding their mind, as their skull splits in half. Their face completely annihilated.

The blow continues down across its body and swallows the demon under a powerful white-gold blast. The knight's conclusive move a holy light at the end of a nightmare, reaching the very sky, and the clouds began to depart, rain ceasing over their heads.

The light fades, and there Arturia stands, staring at the dust and particles of what remains of Envy, and seeing it be blown away in the wind.

For a moment, it is quiet. It is finally quiet.

The templars lower their weapons.

The Inquisition lowers theirs.

All of the outcries of violence that once overtook this entire hold, all of the red templars and demons, are at last expelled.

The Templars and Inquisition stand victorious.

Heavy breaths garner their chests as templars shout over their shoulders, "ENVY IS DEAD!"

It should be a celebratory moment if they aren't all so utterly and completely exhausted. Arturia quickly jabs the blade of her sword into the stone below to keep herself standing, but the end of her staff slips on the remaining ice and she begins to lean, losing balance.

Cassandra looks over, and Cullen is the first to react. He rushes to Arturia's side and catches her from falling, holding her around the shoulders. Arturia breaths out, taking this chance to close her eyes for a moment.

"Well done."

She hears the commander's smile, and allows herself to smile as well. Her loosened expression is like a warm face mask, relief taking over as she opened her eyes and looked back to Cullen.

She stiffens the moment she sees his smile drop, and he releases her at once. Arturia quickly adjusts and found better footing, but her attention remains on Cullen and his surprise look.

"Your eyes. What happened?" The face he wears was a worrisome one, as Arturia catches a glimpse of his hand instinctively clutching his sword. Suspecting that he'll react the same way the others did and she is ready to brace herself for another bout.

"I'm not quite sure," Arturia admits, "Something had happened to me when Envy tried entering my mind. I was able to fight him off but... something occurred during the process."

"Vivienne examined her thoroughly," Cassandra interjects, quickly approaching her and Cullen. "It is unlike anything we have seen before. We are sure that it is not a possession. Or sickness. Or anything like it."

"Indeed," Vivienne supports, huffing a recuperating breath as she is aided by her staff to walk over to them. "Powerful and old magic is at work here. If I can give my personal input, I believe there is more to Arturia than we realized."

She offers a curious look at the knight before adding, "We'll have to look more into it. However, she is safe right now, that I'm sure."

Cullen still holds his caution, looking to Arturia with an internal struggle, honed by his years as a Templar but tempered by Cassandra and Vivienne's assurance. A deep mulling as he observed the knight. "...Alright, but it's better that we hope the other templars don't notice. Can't imagine how we'll be able to explain that."

"I think they got other things in mind right now," Sera ushers, her bruised arm gesturing to the awaiting templars. Barris breaks through the crowd, walking down the steps towards them. Arturia squares her shoulders as she prepares to meet with the man.

Cullen and Cassandra share a concerning look as if to trade secrets in their heads. How are they to explain Arturia's changed color gaze? They can pass it off as magic at the works, but with stories spreads about the knight's appearance, including her boasting beautiful eyes deep as every leaf in a beautiful forest, this is going to be difficult to cover something that they themselves don't know about, in the presence of a group whose mission is to exterminate anything they deemed a threat to all things natural.

Barris reaches them and stops in front of the group. He says nothing for a moment, the heaviness in his breath proof of his immense exertion from the ritual, "We're all that's left, those in the chapel behind me."

He turns to look back, members of the what remains of the order coming to a crowd, "Our officers have completely abandoned what we stood for. We're in shambles, left with no leaders."

"Then a new one must be found," Cullen says, although he could not help the unease at her gold eyes, he steps up to Arturia's side in ready support, for both her and the Templar in front of them, "There's someone who still held true to the templars belief. You stepped up, took charge. There's no one else I feel more assured to renew the order. I can personally attest to that, and considering that we still have all of the seated officials to question, I believe your men will have no arguments either."

"Not the way I would have liked for a promotion, but someone has to keep our group together - if there's still any hope."

"I know there is," Cullen says with certainty, looking back to Arturia. The knight slowly nods, and addresses Barris, hoping the blonde locks of her bangs would do well to guise her eyes.

"I believe there is just in your order's cause, and with the right head to lead, this body of well-intentioned warriors - protectors, will recover in time, and grow even stronger. However..."

The knight speaks upfront, without a waver in her voice as her gold eyes pierce with valor, "There was much harm done by that very same group, it is now up to what remains of your order to remedy it. Specifically, the fight against the Mages."

Barris' brows rise, "You're suggesting that we halt all our efforts in the war completely."

"Not simply a ceasefire, but a union," Arturia clarifies, "That we finish what Divine Justinia was trying to accomplish, and nearly succeeded."

Barris crosses his arms, a deep frown on his face, "I know that the mages are trying to achieve independence, absolute separation from the Circle and away from under our security. I sympathize with them, but I don't know if this is something that can be so easily accepted. The Templars and the Circle have a purpose, and I believe they can be amended, not dissolve. Furthermore, I can't be sure if they aren't responsible for what happened at the Conclave."

"We could have had the same thoughts with you fellas," Sera pipes up from behind, "And maybe we were close, but we're still here aren't we? It's bad enough that a demon snuck under your noses, who's to say that's all that's been done?"

Barris holds a conflicted expression, he can hardly deny the plausibility of that with what's happened here, even if it is something he just couldn't stomach. "If that's true, then the people of Thedas would lose all trust in the Templars utterly."

"Not if you prove to them that you will stop at nothing to put an end to the chaos that rains down over all of us, no matter how." Cassandra speaks up, walking up and standing by Arturia's side, "At the very least, the imposter who took Lucius' face had only encouraged further violence than necessary. The Breach should be our most concern, a priority everyone can agree on. We must combine all of our efforts to close it, for all of Thedas."

"But will the mages agree?" Barris asks. "I have my suspicions that they won't be so willing to trust us, not with all the deaths that have happened on both our sides."

Vivienne takes a sip of a healing potion, observing the discussion as her group tries to come to an agreement. They are all aware of the troubles this theoretical ceasefire will await, and yet here she sees her group still willing to try.

She sighs silently before walking up behind Arturia, "If you call off the Templars from pursuing the Mages, have them abstain from entering their territories, it'll be a step but perhaps not enough."

She repositions her staff to stick closer by her feet, swallowing a bit of her own pride before adding, "However, if we were to send the word out of the Templars acknowledging their cause, and have it spread, I'd say it'll be quite the surprise, if not confusing enough that the Mages may be willing to listen what we have to say."

She may not agree with this, but it would be rather beyond herself to let the Inquisition pave into a stone wall without Vivienne giving some bit of assistance, now that she is among them to give her aid, in any way she is able. Whether this may come to be an absolute union treaty as what Divine Justinia intended, that remains to be seen, but a ceasefire is certainly a start. The Breach is all that matters, and anything that comes before, between, and after, will eventually be dealt with accordingly, and she will have to do her part when it comes to it.

Barris still holds his frown but with a lot less scrutiny to the proposal. There is certainly no hostility as one would expect from the imposter Lucius, which is already better as the templar here holds the face of consideration. "I agree that our battles have been long and bloody, needless. I want this war to end more than anything, put out focus on saving this land and its people."

"Then will you ally with us?" Cullen asks.

Barris looks at them with the steadfast resolution, as if he already made up his mind long ago, "I can, but we'll have to convince the other men."

"You're in charge now, Ser Barris," Vivienne reminds the dark-skinned templar, "As the highest-ranking member of the Order left, your word should hold weight."

"True," Barris admits before adding, "but I don't want to parade my authority like some of the previous officers have done. I want to give my men a voice, and I want them to be willing to put in the effort with all their hearts, rather than half of it. A leader doesn't deserve to lead if he doesn't know to heed those who follow him."

He regards Arturia in memory of her speech, of a King serving the People. The Inquisition also share a look towards her direction, warm confidence in their expression at the understanding of it, and Arturia knows what must be done. "Then let us speak with them. Gather them, Ser Delrin Barris."

Barris does so, retreating to address the remaining templar group, and having them all gather to the courtyard.

Once all templars were aligned in a crowd, Barris speaks up first, standing aside close to the Inquisition, "Men, I want you all to hear what these people have to say."

Arturia and Cullen share a look, the latter then steps forward, "Templars. Today, we won against the treachery that infiltrated the order, and destroyed enemies within our own ranks who have tried to ruin our sacred beliefs, tainting our justice. It is clear, that if not for these devious actions from those we all believed to have been our allies, the order would not have been strayed so far off from what it should be originally intended."

He continues on, with his voice growing stronger, "Our mission had been obvious the moment we all witnessed the sky split open, but we have blinded ourselves in our war against the mages. I implore you all, to cease all strength in defeating the mages, and instead, resolve ourselves to a new goal and form an allegiance with them so that together we can all deal with the Breach."

The crowd startles with a surprise, one templar, Fletcher quickly takes forth, "But sir! The mages have taken the lives of our men! We can't just work with those animals!"

"He's right! My friends and brothers have died by their magic!" A female templar speaks out as well, angry evident in her face. "It's not possible to ally us with those Apostates! Please reconsider!"

A commotion breaks out from the templars, shouts of arguments, and loud distrust at the idea of allying with the Mages. Cassandra and Barris step up, trying to calm down the crowd.

A loud sharp jab of a blade's metal against stone silenced the crowd, and all eyes turn to the young blonde knight who stood with a gallant pose, hands crossed over the hand of her unconcealed Excalibur, and golden eyes shone stern.

"Animals. Is it? And yet, how many times have templars cut down civilians just at the idea that they were mages? Or hiding such?"

A cold silence falls over the group.

"Which group was it that took villages by storm, to indict the suspected, but had no proof for scrutiny or the just cause of your order? Which group actively ignored the pains and sorrows of those who were caught in the line of firing, and were not even mages?"

There is sharpness with her every word, "Animals would indeed be the correct phrase, as that is exactly how those civilians were treated by those who were supposed to be their protectors."

"Herald! You must understand! W-We were deceived! And desperate! We...We were just following orders."

Arturia answers to the templar Fletcher with patience, "While I cannot fault you for the demon's trickery that all of you have no doubt suffered for, it was more than planted in your hearts to believe that the mages were the only enemies in this world. Rather, the enemy only deluded and empowered that rage and hate you all carried. Because of this, our real foes were able to hide themselves so easily among your group. If you truly believe that the Mage Rebellion is still an enemy to fight, then grant me a reason why."

In the face of their confusion, she adds, "Not a reason for why this war began at all. What is it that you all wish to fight for? Vengeance? Family? Your homes? The order? For Andraste? What among these reasons gives you the will to fight? And upon thinking so, what have you been able to accomplish, aside from the death of your enemies? Tell me what purpose you held to swing your sword, and did you succeed in doing so?"

A moment of thought settles for the templars, yet, not one can come to a clear answer. What are they fighting for at this point? Vengeance? That is a simple answer, but was that really all? To protect their families? Their homes? Well, of course. But are they successful in doing so?

Not quite, or rather, they aren't even focusing on that at all. Having all their attention on fighting the mages, they have chosen to ignore the very damn thing that haunts their dreams hanging in the sky. So even if they won the war, they couldn't think that they are protecting their families, because they still haven't even set foot towards the very thing that threatens all of them.

They are so blinded by what is in front of them, that they actually forget to keep looking up.

"In my eyes, I believe we have all been fighting the wrong enemy all this time," Arturia continues. "The mages would no doubt think so as well. But in order to truly see what I mean, look to yourself. Your swords and yourself covered nothing but blood, set them down. Set down your swords and look up."

She raises her gaze to the Breach, "What we all end up seeing is a common goal, and a looming threat that if done half-heartedly, will mean that all of our vendetta and what we hold dearest will be for nothing. The war against the mages would mean nothing if everything we are fighting for will turn to ash. If you cannot see that, then I was right on my assessment in Val Royeaux. But if you believe me wrong, then answer me this."

She turns back to the group, "Will you be there this time, to answer the call? Will you set aside your animosity, and see the mages not only as allies, but the other halves of yourself fighting to survive. Was it not them that you once swore an oath to look over? Was it not the people you swore to protect? Not animals, but people whose lives have been ruined by this war, and now is owed more than service, but a promise of a better future where one cannot fear both sides any longer? A world where we may yet push aside our differences for the sake of their future and the future of Thedas!"

She finishes with an oomph, "Answer me: where are the templars now?"

A moment of lost pondering, then Fletcher speaks up, "...With you, Herald."

He bangs his fist against his armored chest, and soon, the other templars join in salute, "We are with you. If Barris says for us to follow you, then we are yours to command. You saved what remained of our order, we owe you more than just our allegiance. We will do whatever you ask of us, even putting aside our grudges, for Andraste's people."

"For Andraste's people!"

A reveal of a smile is worn by the knight as the templars all cheer in unison. Barris, Cassandra, and Cullen hold an amazed look, a sign of relief in their expressions.

Yet, as the recruitment of the Templars has been done, the Seeker shares a look with Vivienne and Sera, all glancing towards Arturia's direction, the knight who can not have become more fairytale-like than before, until now.

"Well, that's that then!" Sera announces in an almost forced optimism, although it did pique a bit of hope in her to see the templars willing to try for an allegiance with the mages, "now let us just hope nothing else goes horribly wrong."

Especially when it comes to their now golden-eyed Herald.


"All right. Can anyone explain what in the world happened at that fort?!"

This is the demand Josephine lays out to the returning party from Therinfal Redoubt. The Inquisition agents sent there have recently return to their main base after several days. Now, all of the advisers stood around the war table once again, though this time joined by the still recovering Sera and Vivienne. Bandages wrap over the scars of those who fought at Redoubt, as there weren't enough healing potions and spells to go around at the time, most of it spent on the surviving Templars. Even now, the soreness of that battle hangs over their haggard expressions.

"This was supposed to be a straightforward negotiation!" The Antivan adds, letting her vast disbelief slip in and be known to everyone in the room, "Then suddenly we receive reports of these Red Templars running rampant at the fort, and the discovery of their leader rotting in the Lord Seeker's office who turns out to be a demon in disguise!"

"And if that wasn't the end of it," Leliana includes much more coolly, a deep questioning in her blue eyes as she strides close to the table and peers each at member of the returning group. "There were reports of our Herald, with aid, having bested the demon with eyes burning gold, which continues to persist from what I hear."

"We have examiners observing Arturia at this very moment," Josephine reveals, a quiet sigh that tells her relief of this fact. "She will be monitored closely."

"Which I will also take part in the observation of our gallant knight as well," Vivienne sorely interjects, though not as pleased to be, knowing that it is not only her who is looking, thinking of Solas. She withholds any comment about it though as there are other pressing matters to discuss.

"To cover the basics," Cullen starts, the exhaustion evident in his voice for just having to hear the mess of a situation both Josephine and Leliana accurately described. "The Templars were being drugged with some kind of new Red Lyrium that had the most atrocious of side effects, given or overlooked by their superior officers. The murder of Knight-Vigilant Trentwatch was so that the Envy Demon disguised as Lord Seeker Lucius was able to charge of the Order and resume the Mage-Templar War, and Maker knows how many other officers knew the truth of their leader's fate. They're being rounded as we speak for interrogation, but I doubt they will be keeping their positions as templars. As for what happened with Arturia, I wish I knew more."

"Arturia accounts that when the imposter grabbed her, it pulled her into a realm of her own mind," Cassandra speaks of the experience Arturia endured and has told during the trip back to Haven, "It tried to take her identity, just as it did with Lord Seeker Lucius, but she was able to resist it, and forced Envy out."

"Did she explain how she accomplished that?" Josephine questions with keen interest and worry.

Cassandra's patched-up face scrunches, a tight expression of unclarity. "She has not been clear, but the battle has taken a toll on her, both mentally and physically. We are all exhausted, and I believe she is even more so. After she is rested, we can ask her for more information."

"We're all worried for her," Cullen states, a conflicted face that holds both concern and dread for the girl he fought alongside with, "But until we can figure out what happened to her exactly, we'll need to handle other official business in the meantime. Let's all be thankful that she's alright for now."

He approaches the table and places his unbandaged hand below the map, looking at the tiny new flag of the Inquisition stationed at Therinfal Redoubt, "The Templar Order agreed to end all plans of attack against the Mage Rebellion. They're willing to cooperate with them, and after a chance to discuss with their leader, they'll accept an official treaty that can extend beyond the years once the Breach has been closed."

He adds with certainty, "After what happened with the Lord Seeker, they're eager to prove themselves. Even if it meant working with the ones they were at war with. Arturia was able to convince them to do so, after the mistakes they made."

"They should not be accountable for the choices of their commanders," Cassandra vouches for the order she once looked over. "Careless, perhaps. But they are here to make amends, however possible."

Cullen withholds a grimace as he pulls back the short strands of his blonde hair, "I knew that there were parts of the Order that were corrupt, but Red Lyrium? What were they thinking?"

"I can bet everyone's arses that if we didn't go there," Sera speaks up, sounding more than a bit groggy from all the medicine she had to take, "There wouldn't be any templars left to pick up at all."

"Which leaves me the assumption that they were meant to be destroyed, or turn them into mindless weapons for ulterior motives, orchestrated by someone called the Elder One."

"So far, we've uncovered no figure under that name," Leliana informs, laying down a stack of worn-out papers onto the table, "But based on the evidence, whoever this Elder One is, they are tied to the Conclave's destruction, if not outright responsible for it. With the notes recovered at Therinfal, we know what their next plans are."

"The assassination plot of Empress Celene," Josephine struts nervously her pen against the board.

"And summoning an army of demons to take over the world," Cullen adds grimly.

"To instigate that much chaos, and yet, their ultimate goal is still beyond us," Cassandra joins the mull. "But regardless, they must be stopped."

"Thankfully, we managed to rescue what remained of the Templar Order from the Envy Demon's corruption," Josephine mentions positively before continuing on, "But now we must hurry and contact the Mage Rebellion. Not only to seal this treaty, but if the Elder One intends to have reign over the big players, they'll no doubt go after that group."

"If they haven't already," Leliana suggests, red-eyebrow furrowing in rumination, "The peculiar timing of the Venatori certainly makes it seem like it. If the Elder One was able to sneak an Envy Demon under the Templar Order's notice, it's possible that they have their hand around the Mage Rebellion's throat as well."

"Then we must rip it out from their grasp before they run out of breath." The commander responds determinedly. It is more than just the frightening thought of this Elder One controlling the mages. Cullen admits that he didn't think it possible for the Templars to truly agree with the treaty, now that it is shown to be so close to fulfilling, he'll be damned if he lets the chance to utterly end this war be taken from them.

"Agreed," The Spymaster nods, "We've also spread the word that the Inquisition has convinced the Templar Order to call for a peace talk, and no sooner than we did, Alexius sent a contact letter. He says he holds an interest in what the Inquisition is attempting to achieve and is willing to discuss completing the peace treaty. He wants Arturia there, desperately, ready to "negotiate" or as he calls it."

Sera rubs the back of her still bruised neck, evident worry in her expression as she meekly says, "How is Turi by the way? She doing alright? Y'know, all normal and not glowy?"

Vivienne answers with a cool expression, "Solas and I, along with Cullen, have been checking on her every several hours ever since we've returned from Therinfal. She seems stable, but none of us can figure out what exactly happened to her that caused her eyes to change that way, and she seems rather reluctant to give all the details of what exactly Envy put her through."

"Envy is documented as a crafty creature, they know how to push someone's buttons, get them to fall," Cullen states, recalling the lessons from his days studying when he was just starting out as a Templar recruit, "They'll do whatever and however it takes to get someone to bend the knee and be open for possession, using whatever weakness they can catch. If they were in her mind, they might have uncovered some deep personal issues he used to taunt her with. Maybe even used her past as leverage."

"If someone as upstanding and strong-willed as Lucius could fail under Envy's pressure..." Cassandra solemnly mentions, "...then I can't imagine what Arturia must have suffered through."

"We'll need her to open up about it," Josephine asserts decisively, ready to be there as not only an adviser for the Herald but as a concerned friend, "See what Envy brought up that could have altered her."

Leliana suddenly interjects, "Perhaps now is not the best time..."

"And why not?"

The red-haired woman pauses, her arms crossing behind her back as she considers her next choice of words, and she begins again with a more steady voice, "Those eyes on Arturia. I've seen that type of eyes before - twice over in fact."

The Spymaster of the Inquisition captures the attention of the entire room. Josephine's intelligent brown eyes widen in surprise at the admission, "From where?"

"Morrigan and her mother, Flemeth, the Witch of the Wilds."

A collective gasp escapes the group, a startling reaction that breaks through Josephine and even Vivienne's composed and collected expressions. The air around them tenses.

"One time, when I was visiting King Alistair in Ferelden as an emissary on Divine Justinia's behalf, he told me a story about his adventure in the Tellari Swamps of Antiva, where he met another daughter of Flemeth - Yavana. She too had burning, gold eyes with a dragon's slit just like Flemeth and Morrigan. Now, we see that Arturia has those very eyes. After seeing them for myself, it reminded me of what Alistair said and I went to Varric to see if this was true. He was there on the journey as well, and sure enough, he confirmed it."

"What are you getting at, Leliana?" Cullen asks warily. He knows that Leliana would not bring the names of those two figures from that well-known part of her past just for the sake of it.

Leliana pulls up her index finger, "We know Arturia had a father who was a farmer and possible veteran, but she never mentioned a mother."

A long pause hangs in the air, until Sera breaks it, "Soooo, what's that got to do with anything?"

"I think the implication is quite clear," Vivienne states slowly and carefully, turning to Leliana with serious, icy grey eyes that are dripping with an ounce of clarity, "You believe Arturia is a daughter of Flemeth."

Madame de Fer let several seconds pass for the sentence to sink in.

"Which, to be quite frank, makes a lot of sense," Vivienne goes on to admit, "With how sparse Arturia's history is, her mysterious yet powerful abilities, and why she is so secretive about her past, to begin with."

"But if Arturia is the daughter of Flemeth," Josephine mutters, grabbing her own chin as a serious deep pondering rested in her eyes, a sense of fear bubbling inside them, "What was she doing at the Conclave? Is Flemeth the one who sent her there in the first place?"

"Maybe Flemeth suspected something would happen?" Cassandra offers, her voice low, as if grasping at straws, "To stop this Elder One's plans?"

"Or gain power from the Breach," Cullen speculates before horrifying realization grows on his face. "Or she could be working with the Elder One."

"Whoa whoa whoa wait a minute!" Sera fumbles and waves her sore arms to put a halt in their accusatory sounding spoken thoughts, "There's no way that's true! That would mean Turi's some kind of spy or double-agent or whatever! She's too honest! I mean sure she ain't forthright but there's no way she's with the bad guys!"

The Red Jenny agent carries on, loud and firm in the defense of her friend, "She'd been doing too much good for the people all around her, there's no way she'd be putting her life on the line for others just for her to destroy it all! And even if it's true that she's Flemeth's daughter and was sent by her, maybe Turi doesn't even know!"

Hesitance remains in the air, and Sera has to push through it, beat with a bloody warhammer if she has to! "Come on! You all talked to her! Seen how she is! You can't think that after working with her for so long that she's been pulling wools right from your trousers and over your eyes! Think about it!"

They do. Long and hard.

Cassandra grips her arm with tightened lips, a turmoil riling inside her heart before she clutched her faith dearly, then steps forth, "She is right. From the times that we all fought together, I cannot see Arturia as a traitor. She may as well be an unknowing pawn, but I do not believe that she has done so much over these last several months to be an act. You have fought alongside her commander, what did you see in her?"

Cullen peers down at the war table, a moment of silence, "...I saw someone who is willing to give her life and body not just for a cause, but for the innocent people who has suffered through wars, as if she knew the pain of it so well. I've seen her protect men and women with her own body, and has shielded mine without hesitance as I had done for her."

"She has not been entirely truthful about herself," Vivienne starts, "But I know how to read someone, behind their bright clean smiles and glittering eyes while they shout every insult at you in their own head. I know a mask when I see one, and after being with Arturia for quite some time now, I can tell you that she knows how to guards her feelings well, except when it comes to directly speaking to others. The moments we have with her, the smile she held and the eyes that looks and listens to anyone who spoke to her, that every word she gives back is sincere."

Her experience with the grand game and all the plastered mannerisms and hidden agendas escaped through gossips that float down the halls, it is enough for Vivienne to tell a major contrast when she looks at Arturia. There is a little deceit, certainly, but the knight's values demonstrated by her actions and sword are never false. She thinks back to that moment when she first saw Arturia, how the girl couldn't keep her sword arm lowered when her pride was challenged. The girl knew how to keep a face but there was no holding back when she feels the need to act. Someone so brash wouldn't know how to truly lie - fake who she is as a person.

"I share that sentiment," Leliana agrees, looking to Josephine, and just by a glimpse of her best friend's eyes, she read her thoughts clearly.

Josephine does not add to what was spoken, but inside, she also does not see Arturia's friendship as a fraud. The joy and fun times they have together while Josephine taught Arturia about the history of Thedas, the mid-banter and snack time breaks, the political discussions, and debates. If all that had been a ruse, Josephine would honestly feel heartbroken. While no doubt Arturia has plenty of secrets, the one thing Josephine sees impossible to fake is how strongly the knight holds their friendships so close to her heart and drives her to open herself to others as well.

"I don't doubt either that our bond with Arturia had been nothing but genuine," Leliana's memory of Arturia's spoken fears of the Spymaster becoming so detach from her humanity, and the curled vehemence of the man name Kiritsugu who betrayed her. It was all too real to be fake. "Whether she knows or not about being a pawn for Flemeth. However, the question still remains."

Leliana grasps the edge of the table, "If she was in fact sent here by Flemeth, and indeed knows this, then what is Arturia Pendragon's true goal?"

What battle was she in before the knight was pulled into that Conclave?

What had she been fighting for?

And what is she aiming towards now?


Within her private home at Haven, Arturia sits on her bed very particularly bored.

She thought that the battle at Therinfal would have drained all her energy enough to sleep for days on end, but truthfully, she's more restless than ever since the aftermath. She and the Inquisition were able to achieve the Templar Order's alliance, their agreement to a new peace treaty, and their aid in closing the Breach, but now, a new player has their name revealed, one who no doubt must have a hand in causing that hole in the sky.

With such a figure at large, there is no time to rest, and she likely wouldn't be if not for the insistence of Cassandra and Vivienne and Leliana...practically all of her inner circle. Christ, sometimes she misses having the body of a Servant, given all the energy one needs through mana that she wouldn't even feel the need for sleep. Plus, the accommodations that have been made to have her be visited by multiple mages, including Solas, who had just came earlier and many times before as soon as he heard what happened.

The reason for this level of caution coming in pairs, which she currently stares at within a small mirror she held in her hand.

She has yet to tell anyone the details of what Envy put her through. Arturia has yet the confidence of explaining all of it without further pushing into skeptics, and worse, that they may have her lock up in a prison cell just like the one she woke to when she first came to this world. Furthermore, she doesn't even know the reason why her eyes have changed.

'These eyes I have are most certainly draconic.' Arturia thinks to herself. 'Think back, what did Merlin mention during the process of my birth?'

She recalls him saying something about the Element of the Red Dragon, a ritual involved, and some sort of transfusion? She should have paid more attention but at the time she was too busy with combating Britain's enemies. Apparently, it's what gives reason to her prowess, but she should have asked more questions.

She glances at the door where she knows at least two mages are posted outside, courtesies by her rightly worried advisers. She looks back at the mirror in her hand, staring at her eyes' reflection. She didn't know what to make of them, she is both disturbed yet cannot help but feel marveled by the pair.

"Do you have any thoughts to what could have happened to me?" Arturia communicates with her Excalibur, who answers after a huff.

"I do not know the exact story, but I believe that there is something inside you that had been kept locked until that deformed demon forced it out. It is no doubt draconic. I recall hearing the whispers of the fairies, as they were preparing me to be held rightfully by your hands, that you had the blood of a powerful beast."

"Then that can only mean one thing. Dammit Merlin!"

That old wizard is sly for keeping this to himself for as long as he did. Now she's worried that she might end up growing a tail and wings. She already has her marred scar on her chest, that can easily be mistaken as the scales. While the concept of having dragon's blood would be worrying on its own, she is even more concerned if she'll have to sleep outside as she might end up breathing fire as she did in her dream.

"I'd say there's no one else with a more noble blood who deserved it," Excalibur comments proudly, "And a no more noble knight to swing me as her blade!"

"It would have been promising if I had been more aware of it."

This also begs the question if it is really her who unleashed this new power, or the Mark in her hand. "I do not like surprises such as this, and I know that the others don't either."

"The dragon sleeps while the lion muse restless."

The sudden voice of someone in her room prompts her to sit up quickly. There at the end of the room, by the end of her golden gaze, she sees Cole sitting at the edge of a table. "It waits, eyes open wide as it snores, while the lion holds it reigns. Don't worry. You are in control, at least, until you can tame it."

She moves her legs over the edge of her bed as Cole adds, "It listens to you. It woke up when it felt your pain. Now it doesn't need to hide anymore. A part of it anyway."

"Cole-" Arturia looks back out the door then averts her gaze back to the strange spirit. "This is not a convenient time for you to be here. The others are greatly concerned about my state and with you, a spirit here, they'll suspect the worse and try to kill you."

"But I want to help!" Cole exclaims, removing himself from the table, hands fidgeting together. "I want to help you. You're still healing, and there are people out there who want to keep hurting still. I don't know where to start though, there's so much hurt all around..."

Arturia sees the sincerity in his lost-given eyes. She debated for a moment, then sighs. While it may not be a good idea, Arturia could tell that this spirit meant well, and for someone who rescued her from that nightmare with Envy, she is willing to offer him the benefit of the doubt, as well accept his offer. "Very well. If you would like to continue helping me...then maybe there's more that you can do."

Cole perks up and leans in to listen closely.

"You have a way of coming in and leaving without a trace or even a detection," It reminds her of the quality of an Assassin, though perhaps this boy seems far too caring for someone to be a stone-cold killer, and Arturia finds comfort in that. "I want you to go and look for any clues about this figure called: the Elder One, or any one of his subordinates. If you find any news, report them to me."

"I can do that. Yes, I'm very good at being places, and others not notice." Cole nods, a hidden eagerness in his soft voice. "Alright. I'll do it!"

"And one more thing Cole," Arturia adds seriously, looking directly to Cole. "I want you to not suddenly appear in front of me when others are around. I would rather not have them be startled. The Inquisition could use someone as elusive as you, Cole, and if you truly are here to help the people of Thedas, then I will trust that. You have helped me when I was at my lowest, for that, I will vouch for you and when the time is right, I will introduce you to everyone."

Cole nods, far more eager now, and approaches her. Arturia watches him in surprise when he brings up his hand, uncurling the pinky finger out for her.

Arturia looks at the extended pinky finger, utterly lost to its meaning. Cole, whether knowingly or literally, seems to read her mind.

"I...remember that this is what people do, when they make a promise. I promise you to help in any way I can, and also, not show up out of nowhere. Sometimes I forget people can be startled."

Comprehension settles in Arturia's eyes as she looks back to the pinky finger, slowly raising and extended her own.

They lock their smallest fingers over the other, and Cole shakes it slightly. "There. We made a promise, now we can't break it, I hear the punishment is harsh. Swallowing needles or something like that. I'd rather not do that."

Neither would Arturia, and had she known that, she would not have sealed such a promise with that at the end of it.

"Don't worry. It's me who has to keep this promise, I'll be the one who'll risk it. But I'll be keeping it. I swear it."

Well, that's good, though her point still stands. Arturia nods to Cole and the young man retreated to the end of the room, disappearing right in front of her eyes.

"Strange one." Arturia admits though a smile lets loose, "But his intention seems pure and just. Although, it'll probably take me some time getting used to his mind-reading capabilities."

"Think on the bright side. Now another will enjoy my magnificent voice! Huzzah! Excalibur~ Excali-!"

"I will throw you at the nearest barrel and tie you inside it again."

That promptly shut her sword up. Leaving Arturia with the desired peace of silence, as she continues to mull over the day, and the new alliance achieved.

Now to figure out how the hell she's going to explain her eyes...


Yes, yes, we know Morrigan nor Flemeth doesn't have a dragon's slit, but please bare with this change as the story is actually going somewhere with this.

As to where? Well, you all will have to wait and see!

On another note, College days are coming back this coming Monday for me! Now I know that for these past few months I've delayed chapters for not only this story but others as well. It's been one heck of a summer. No promises on when the next chapter will show up, but I hope you enjoyed this one. I hope everyone had a good break and praying for a better one this fall!