The Conclave

"Every great war has its heroes. I'm just curious what kind you'll be." – Solas, Dragon Age: Inquisition

Haven.

I shuddered in muted dread as my gaze swept through the quaint village buried under a large sheet of snow. Tents decorated the edge of the village as numerous people passed through on their way to the Temple of Sacred Ashes.

The world was going to end any day now.

"You alright?" Kaari stretched an arm across my shoulder as we entered the village, "It's full of Chantry zealots, but that's nothing new. Just another job."

I nodded distractedly, unable to look away from Kaari's determined gaze. Even though years had passed since a spirit of Faith had returned Kaari's emotions, it still jarred me to see her display her emotions so freely.

It hadn't always been so easy. Right after the Tranquillity had been reversed, Kaari had cycled through emotions senselessly, raging with no source, crying without cause and laughing without reason. Kaari lost control multiple times, raging at clients, laughing madly at corpses and crying at attackers.

She learned control though, eventually, but it required her to think carefully about each emotion she felt and why she felt it. It was a depth of introspection that people normally didn't employ, and she had needed constant reminders of what was appropriate.

All that, and she'd only been Tranquil for a handful of months.

It had taken a lot out of me, caring for her. In a way, I had been grateful for having such singular focus, especially since we were stuck in Ostwick, alienated by the populace by our pariah status.

In the end, the addition of Kaari's reputation as a wild card had forced us to move on.

"Look, Eldric's up ahead!" Kaari's voice jolted me out of my mood and she dragged me along, pushing past the others in our mercenary group, "Erelani, get your head out of the clouds! Eldric, tell her!"

I smiled, addressing the handsome dark-skinned dwarf, "Eldric Cadash, hello authentic member of Valo-kas mercenary group," I teased, a mischievous glint appearing in my eye as he elbowed me in my side as reproach.

"Be discreet, kiddo." Eldric swept his gaze quickly over me, evaluating, "What has you on edge? Hear something?"

I shook my head, desperately trying to forget what awaited us at the Conclave, "Just the usual. Chantry, Templars, Mages, even Grey Wardens in the same place. Feels like something's going to happen."

Eldric let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah, don't know what the Divine is thinking, getting them all together like this. Unless she's just going to kill them all." He massaged his forehead, "And Valo-kas is in charge of keeping the peace among the factions. As long as we do our job right-" Eldric stopped midway, losing steam as he caught sight of my incredulous expression, "Yeah, I know, it's going to be a losing battle."

A vague sense of guilt set in seeing his downtrodden expression.

Eldric wasn't your typical cynical dwarf. Eldric Cadash was a merciless, greedy, opportunistic rogue. He was a lyrium smuggler that took advantage of every opportunity that came his way. He was ruthless and charismatic; he had the ability to rob you blind, and you'd walk away smiling.

But somehow, Eldric was still kind. If you could do something beneficial for him, he was willing to overlook anything; race, nationality, even a criminal record. He paid the elves in his employ well. He set up safe contacts for the Lavellan clan to trade with. He even sabotaged slave traders and gave refuge to apostates.

He was as fair as could be in his line of business.

I still don't know what Eldric had seen in us in those early days. He'd been kind enough to rehire us after one of Kaari's episodes and even sponsored our relocation to Wycome after things went bad in Ostwick.

Though, occasionally, Eldric had moments of extreme cruelty. He revelled in making brutal examples of those who crossed him, especially those inside his network. Sometimes, I suspected he aided us, so he could gain a potential asset for his Carta business: external agents that would carry out his assignments discreetly and without question. And we had, unrepentantly.

That was the funny thing about gratitude. When you feel overwhelmingly grateful for someone's kindness, you gave them a little leeway in terms of bad behaviour, for better or for worse.

"We should check in and find our assigned squads," Kaari pointed towards the crowd of Valo-kas mercenaries crowded near the tents next to the bar, "He should be there."

Eldric gave me a quick once-over, caution in his gaze, "You don't have to come with, if you don't want to. We'll report you in."

A rock settled in my throat at the reminder and I swallowed, "No, it's okay. This is one of the most difficult jobs we've ever done. I can," I swallowed again, "I can set it aside."

Kaari and Eldric both sighed.

I trudged slowly towards the tent, ignoring the details of Haven as I climbed up the stairs. A grown Pulai stood to the side with the other rookies of the mercenary, while the more experienced fighters congregated around the leaders.

"Erelani, what took you so long?!" Ellana rebuked, her angry green eyes only serving to enhance the beauty of her ethereal face, "Thranduil has held up most of the assignments waiting for you!"

I ignored her tone, searching the crowd around me, "Have Aslad and Okad reported in yet?"

"Yes," Ellana's expression smoothed into cool neutrality, "But Thranduil wants to see you first."

I nodded and turned to Eldric and Adaar, "I'll sign you guys in, can you guys try to get a layout of the area or a map before we head out?"

They nodded and dismissed me with a wave, heading towards the rambunctious bar up ahead. Ellana tapped me on the shoulder and gestured towards the tent where our colleagues had gathered.

My heart thudded in anticipation despite everything.

Thranduil.

Life had a way of reuniting people when they least expected it.

Wycome had been a different breed of city then I was used to. Traditional Andrastians thought of it as "Sin City", because you could find almost all races mingling there, indulging in all the vices you could think of.

But Kaari and I had resolved to start anew in Wycome and I had a budding hope that I could reach out to the Lavellan clan when they stopped by, letting me return to my people. Kaari had wanted to sign up with Valo-kas mercenary again, confident that her connections with the Vashoth that ran it would rehire her.

With Eldric's help and Kaari's connections, we managed to locate both the Commander and his lieutenant. The Commander had been a seven-foot-tall, platinum blonde Tal-Vashoth with no horns and the lieutenant beside him; Thranduil.

One look at him, and I had burst into uncontrollable tears, only managing to gasp his name as I collapsed, weak-kneed, to the floor, sobbing.

Thranduil hadn't fared any better.

We'd clung desperately to each other, tears soaking our clothes as we both rambled at each other.

Needless to say, we'd gotten the job almost immediately.

"Erelani, there you are," I snapped out of my daydream, nearly melting at the warm smile Thranduil directed at me, "Ellana, thank you. You're in the tent next to mine, so please set up. I'll have Erelani inform you when your squad is assigned."

I tried to ignore the jealousy that burned my stomach as Thranduil's eyes shined at Ellana. I grit my teeth as Ellana returned a glowing smile before leaving.

It was not supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be mine.

"Erelani," Thranduil gestured to the seat next to him, "There are a few things we need to sort out before Aslad, Okad and Max join us."

My blood boiled hearing that shem's name. I pressed two fingers in the space between my eyes, struggling to remain professional and maintain control.

I took a deep breath, then exhaled, "What is it?"

"I'm making you Lieutenant, for the duration of this job," I looked up at him in surprise, "I've informed Leliana about the extra manpower we had commissioned from Eldric and his terms of agreement. Since they're here for information gathering, like Ellana, she was amenable to their presence."

I waited apprehensively, because he wasn't telling me anything new. Thranduil wasn't in the habit of wasting his words.

Thranduil's eyes reflected his inner conflict for a moment before steeling, "But Leliana has conditions of her own: all rogue elements can operate as long as they are outside the Temple. So, you're in charge of Eldric, his team, and Ellana. And Kaari too, since she won't leave your side. You're in charge of surveillance in the area and maintaining order. You'll be working with Leliana's agents."

"You're keeping me out of the action," I stared, dumbfounded, "Is this some foolish attempt to protect me?" My stomach dropped in relief despite my words.

If I wasn't at the Conclave…

"No, Erelani," Thranduil chastised, "You're well acquainted with Eldric and his team. You understand them and their troop dynamics better. And these weren't my conditions, but those of the Right Hand of the Divine."

"You're still secretly happy," I accused, unable to keep from pointing out the obvious, "Ellana and I are out of range of immediate danger."

Thranduil's eyebrows rose condescendingly, "And? Am I supposed to pretend to be angry that my vhenan and sister will be safe?"

I ignored the stab to my heart at his words. I had no illusions about who was which.

"Where will you be?"

"Where the Commander should; at the Conclave."

My mind raced as I tried to find an alternative. When the previous Commander had fallen in combat, there had been no question as to who his successor would be. Thranduil had survived fighting the Fifth Blight, had connections to the Warden and his companions, and demonstrated a wisdom that far exceeded others.

It was Thranduil who had increased the reputation of Valo-kas until even the Chantry employed its services. Our reputation had grown so great that Divine Justinia trusted us, rather than Grey Wardens, to mediate between the Templars and Mages.

If the events of the game held the slightest consistency, which the incidents at Kirkwall had shown that it did, then Thranduil would make the best leader among us. The best Inquisitor.

But he was not a playable character.

It was a disconcerting thought, because neither was I.

But still, only the playable characters had survived the explosion at the Conclave and sending Thranduil there was a guaranteed death sentence.

"Thranduil, you…" I took a deep breath again, "You're a good leader. But ever since the previous Commander died, you haven't thought about the other Tal-Vashoth," Thranduil frowned in confusion at my words, "This mercenary group was founded by them and for them. They were generous enough to take in others, and you've done an amazing job, but you still need to acknowledge them."

Thranduil tilted his head and gazed at me intently, "I don't know where you're going with this. What do you want me to do? Resign as the Commander?"

"Let Aslad and Okad take the lead at the Conclave."

Thranduil sighed, "Do you think I don't know what you're doing?"

"Let her finish," Aslad's deep voice rumbled out as he entered the tent, "You were saying?"

"Leliana is aware that Ellana is here on behalf of the Lavellan clan, and both you and I are 'beloved' guests of the same clan. If you go out to the Conclave, they'll think you have some Dalish ulterior motives. But if Aslad and Okad are stationed at the Conclave, it'll be what they expect. And both of them are experienced veterans of Valo-kas. I believe they should receive the honour of heading this assignment."

"What a load of bull," Okad scoffed, his large curved horns casting a shadow onto me, "Erelani, you're terrible at lying. You just want to keep Thranduil away from that human cesspit."

"But there's sense in that," Aslad contradicted, and I sighed in relief at his support, "Thranduil can manage the situation better at the Forward Camp and still be safe. If something goes wrong, we can't afford to lose him."

Maxwell strolled in, having caught traces of the conversation as he approached, "That sounds like a good idea," Maxwell caught my gaze and froze, "What's she doing in here?"

"Need another lieutenant for Eldric and his team," Thranduil waved casually in my direction, dispelling the tension between us as he directed the attention towards him, "No offense, Max, but sending two Vashoth into the Conclave full of Chantry zealots, even with our reputation, is just stupid."

"I'll go with," Maxwell shrugged, "The Trevelyan name will reassure most people."

"And it has nothing to do with your power grabbing tendencies," I taunted, "Thranduil will do the hard work but you'll get all the credit. Isn't that what being a human noble is all about?"

Maxwell stiffened at the provocation but ignored me, "Aslad is right. If something goes wrong, you'll be able to help better if you can coordinate with the Nightingale and the Left Hand."

Thranduil sighed before nodding reluctantly, "The idea has merit. Now, your squad assignments,"

As Thranduil distributed the soldiers, I watched Maxwell intently. If this played out as expected, then he would be the Inquisitor.

I clenched my fists at the fury that the thought incited.

Maxwell wasn't even half as capable as Thranduil was. He had joined the Templars in Ostwick but had resigned when the Mage-Templar war erupted. Thranduil said he'd been disillusioned with what he'd seen and wanted to find another way of life.

I thought otherwise.

He was a selfish power-grabbing coward. He'd only thought to join Valo-kas when we attained Chantry recognition. The worst part of it was that Thranduil had promoted him quickly through the ranks, to Lieutenant in two years, which was the fastest turnover in our ranks ever.

Maxwell didn't fight better than me, he didn't even have a better reputation among our clients and yet he was still promoted.

Only because he was a human noble.

Maybe I was the problem. Maybe I made Maxwell the target of all my hatred because I couldn't express my disdain to my abusive human clients. But when I had tracked Maxwell down to discuss my issues with him, especially under Thranduil's encouragement, he turned a deaf ear.

Why?

Because Colen and a few others had died fighting the darkspawn in Gwaren, biding time for the others to escape.

One good deed doesn't redeem a man of his bad deeds.

But he wouldn't hear a world against Colen. Suddenly, I became the unreasonable woman who couldn't let her grudge go. What was one woman's grudge compared to a hundred lives, he'd argued.

I turned around and never tried again.

But something lit Maxwell up because he never stopped. He started tracking me down, telling me I was reaching above my station, that my grudges were unladylike and only Andraste could show me the way.

He was the living embodiment of human ignorance and arrogance, of everything that was wrong with humans.

Saying I loathed Maxwell was an understatement. But bringing my concerns to Thranduil changed nothing. Telling him about Maxwell's criminal negligence and superiority complex changed nothing.

The tent emptied until it was just Thranduil and me, "Did you see the way Maxwell talked to me?"

Thranduil only sighed, "No one is perfect. He's not bad, Erelani. And people change."

No. No, they don't Thranduil. Especially not humans.

That night the tension in the Dreaming was nearly tangible due to the anticipation and dread rampant in the Waking. The spirits were restless.

Desire sashayed in, the gleeful anticipation in its aura transforming its form to a soft lilac hue.

"Exciting days are up ahead!"

I disengaged my aura, unwilling to divulge anything more than necessary, "Care to share?"

"And ruin the surprise? Why, I never!" Desire giggled gleefully.

"I didn't think you cared so much about the Mage-Templar war," I offered, being deliberately obtuse.

"Shows what you know." I pretended that I didn't hear any undertones. "In the interests of preserving my property, stay away from the Conclave."

I blinked my surprise, but only smiled in return, "Desire, I'm touched. I didn't know you cared!"

Desire grinned, the sheer joy of it reaching me despite being disconnected, "I'll tell you a bit more, just so you never forget. Your desire to rebuild your peoples' empire, the ambition that formed after seeing the Eluvian," I tensed in anticipation, "they will bear fruit soon."

The Eluvian. The bright blue ornate mirror that had bewitched me.

The memory swam into being before me.

"Why is this here?" I turned to Fenris, hoping he'd have the answers.

"This is a merchant ship run by the Merchant's Guild. They transport all kinds of goods across borders. Why, is the mirror special?"

"It's an enchanted mirror."

"Get away from there, Erelani!" Fenris stood suddenly and dragged me back, "Don't play with enchanted items."

I listened, only because he was right. I had no clue if this was working or broken, or if it had the Blight, like the one that the Sabrae clan had encountered.

Still, I couldn't keep away.

The memory swirled quickly into the next.

The two weeks spent on the ship was hard. The ship was run by a dwarf captain named Clegane. His crew contained a diverse range of people. But food was sparse, especially since the ship had been unable to restock at Gwaren. Fenris and Adaar spent most of the journey making large fishing nets to harvest food while I was given cleaning duty.

When I wasn't on cleaning duty, I was in front of the Eluvian.

What I felt standing in front of the Eluvian was difficult to describe.

This mirror was a dimensional portal that made roads completely redundant. Roads.

Here stood irrefutable proof that this world was nothing like Earth. This, right here, was proof that the civilization of the ancient elves far exceeded the one I had been in before.

I couldn't imagine that. I couldn't even comprehend it.

I was an elf. A remnant of that fallen civilization.

What did we have now? A few scraps off the table or the bits that fell to the floor?

Not even that much.

My heart ached. My people were suffering, squished under the boots of every other race.

My head dropped into my hands in defeat.

What could I possibly do?

It was simple, in the end. If the ancient elves weren't going to do anything, then I was.

So, I spent countless hours in front of that Eluvian, enough that Fenris believed I was bewitched.

Maybe I was.

I could not decode the password. I didn't know how to overwrite it. I didn't even know how it worked. No spirit in the Fade would help me either. All I managed to understand was that the portal needed a keystone gem to activate. One that I didn't have.

When the ship docked at Ostwick, I begged the captain to tell me who the buyer was. It was a noble, but the captain refused to tell me who.

I even offered indentured servitude to the household, but Fenris forcefully dragged me away from the ship, an indifferent Adaar following behind him.

I failed my people again.

How was I supposed to restore my people? How?

It was the first time I realised how powerless I really was. I didn't even have the power to change my own fate, let alone those of others.

But the determination Fenris had shown while single-handedly supporting a Tranquil and a minor had shown me the fault in my thoughts.

We might be all that remained, but that didn't mean we had to suffer. Ancient elves might have had incredible magic, but they still died out. We had endured.

We could learn from their mistakes. Even from our own mistakes. We just needed to take the first step. Restoration was still possible.

It would be a long arduous path, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

But until I reunited with my people, I would leave no stone unturned regarding magic. I would learn anything that could ease their suffering.

My heart wilted in shame at the naivety that I had displayed back then. Nothing is that easy.

I finally understood that there was no such thing as a first step, not for elves, not in Thedas. Fenris had run away evading slavers, leaving Kaari and I destitute. The only occupation that had been open to us was mercenary life, yet the same occupation had exiled us from the alienage.

I recognized that there's no way out of poverty except violence and crime. What else could you do when society asserted your race was worthless and cut off all paths of improvement? Any protests to the status quo would only be met with human brutality. The elven massacre at the hands of Empress Celene had shown that much.

Knowing that, how could I warn others about the Conclave, Corypheus and Fen'Harel? With what evidence would I warn the others? Why would they ever take the word of an apostate elf seriously? What if they massacred my people as a deterrent? Any warnings would only be useless and once the events came to pass, I'd be the first in line to be executed, either at the hands of the Chantry, or by Fen'Harel himself.

It was futile. I'd always known that, deep inside.

But those damn memories of a life lived long ago both heartened and doomed me.

If only I had the right opportunity. Except Briala had failed.

If only I had power. Except Briala had failed.

If only I had the connections. Except Briala had failed.

If only I had ancient magic. Except Briala had failed.

What could I possibly do?!

I was a lowly elf, and nothing was going to change that.

But. Desire.

I still waited doggedly for any opportunity to further my people.

"I admit, while I hadn't expected you to break out dancing," Desire taunted playfully, "I did expect some measure of joy at my news, especially after that rerun of your memories. Can't you even manage a smile?"

I smiled, practised at the games Desire loved to play. I wasn't surprised that Desire was unable to read my emotions. As a Dreamer, my thoughts were my own, at least until Desire extended its aura.

And I had finally learned the error in extending auras. Nothing remained private; every feeling and every thought unfiltered between the afflicted parties.

Which meant leverage blindly handed over.

Desire had been extremely put out when Knowledge had shared that information. After seeing its disappointment, I had resolved to never be so careless with my aura again.

"Where are the others?" I asked, surprised at Valour's absence, "Doesn't Valour usually spend all its time correcting the way you address me? What I wouldn't do for some proper respect." I mock sighed, watching as Desire twitched in irritation.

"Wisdom went around advising spirits to leave the Frostback Mountains."

I jolted in surprise at that, "What? Why?"

"These are dangerous times, Erelani," Desire's smirk returned twofold, "Focus, Valour, Knowledge, Fear and a few others cleared out, but many stayed, especially for the Avvar Tribes."

"Why are you still here?" I asked, puzzled.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be!" Desire twirled in joy, "Remember, stay away from the Conclave!"

I woke to Ellana's face hovering over me. I smacked her, "Don't do that Ellana!"

Ellana rubbed her cheek with a frown on her face, "You'd think you'd be used to it by now."

I sighed and got up, rolling up my blankets and deactivating all the runes and charms along the way, "Sleep, Ellana, will always be important to me," I motioned her closer, "Show me the morning cleansing spells."

I monitored her as she carefully cast a mouth cleansing spell followed by a small Aguamenti.

Ellana Lavellan.

The boon and bane of my life.

When the Lavellan clan had sojourned at Wycome, Thranduil and I had rushed to them, carrying carts full of necessities, like food, metals and herbs to them, hoping desperately that they'd adopt us into their clan.

The problem was, they were among the few clans that traded with outsiders. While they appreciated the extra supplies, they weren't interested in adopting two additional mages into the clan, not when they were already at full capacity.

Thranduil and I were gently rejected, only welcome into the clan as 'beloved guests'. It had been a terrible blow, no matter how kindly given.

Until Ellana, as First, had showed up at our doorstep, asking for help in setting up reliable contacts and merchants for them to trade with. After Thranduil and Eldric had helped the clan establish trade, Ellana had nagged at Keeper Deshanna until she offered us temporary refuge within the clan which gradually evolved to permanent residence.

In retrospect, it wasn't all that surprising that Thranduil had fallen head over heels in love with Ellana. And Ellana with him. Ellana was the quintessential heroine. Beautiful to a fault. Kind. Assertive but easily amenable to a strong opinion.

A match made in heaven.

A match that took away the one person that I loved with all my being. My best friend, my family, my leader, and my salvation all rolled into one, taken away by a sheltered girl with a pretty face.

He was supposed to be mine. We grew up together. We endured the Fade together. The Warden, the Blight and the world separated us, but we still found our way back to each other.

I could never love anyone like I love Thranduil.

I wanted to hate her.

But if Ellana loved Thranduil, she idolized me. Me. The average looking muscular elf with permanently pursed lips framed by a masculine jawline. Despite being five years younger than her, she called me Hahren.

Hahren. That was a title of respect that could never be taken lightly. It was a sign of trust, respect and an acknowledgement of learning and experience. It was a promise between the hahren and dalen, a promise of security, a promise of knowledge.

She followed me like a little girl when Thranduil was busy, demanding tales from the Fade, training in Dirth'ena Enasalin and coaching in spells.

It was flattering, but mostly overwhelming. Kaari and Eldric understood my predicament and ran interference when they could, because I was hurting.

Perhaps the most puzzling part was that she didn't care that I loved Thranduil. It was obvious; I had never been skilled in any artifice outside of the Fade. But it didn't faze her at all.

That shattered my heart all over again. I didn't even have a chance.

Nevertheless, Thranduil was happy with her.

And that was that.

Ellana shook my shoulders to snap me out of my daze, "All done, Hahren."

"Stop that Ellana," I chastised, "Don't be so frivolous with that title. I'm not an elf of great age or learning."

"You sound exactly like one, that's good enough for me," Ellana winked.

"Ellana, I don't like it. Stop." I scolded as I went through my own morning routine. This was a long standing argument that neither of us conceded.

"Never," Ellana sang as she walked towards the exit flap of the tent, "Hurry up Hahren, I want to get some training in before we have to meet with the scouts."

I groaned, feeling every inch like an annoyed Hahren as I followed her out.

I circled the perimeter we'd been assigned, doing routine checks with each of my squad members to ensure there were no problems.

It was so cold.

I'd already drawn heating runes onto my team's ensemble and taken extra care to energise my own, but the mountain winds were so sharp, easily penetrating my bubble of warmth and making me shiver.

As I approached the Eastern perimeter, I spotted Eldric returning to his post, "Why did you abandon post?" I demanded, trying not to snap at his negligence.

Eldric looked to the side and ran a hand through his black hair, conflicted, "This isn't my business, so I really don't have the right to speak. But I don't like this."

I frowned, puzzled, "Eldric, what are you talking about?"

"One of the Chantry aides was harassing one of you-ours." Eldric clenched his jaw but refused to make eye contact.

"Harassing?"

"I caught the aide cornering Pulai."'

Outraged, I stalked towards him, "Tell me you protected him!"

"I did and reported the incident to Maxwell. But-"

"But he believed the Chantry aide."

"No, in return, the aide accused Pulai of assaulting her. Max had to dismiss Pulai."

"He dismissed Pulai? Even after your testimony?" I shook in barely suppressed fury. That bastard was going to pay, "I'm going to have a word with Maxwell."

Eldric put a restraining around my waist, "Wait, Erelani, it's not-,"

"Don't leave your post. There have been reports of unusual activity," I forcefully removed his arm as I spoke, "I'll return in an hour."

Who could believe that Pulai had assaulted a Chantry member?! He was the most devout Andrastian I knew.

But I knew why. It was because he was an elf.

I stormed towards the Temple of Sacred Ashes, fuming at the injustice of it all.

I opened my eyes, feeling my vision split in two as I stood. My vision started spinning and nausea washed over me.

Copy. Paste. Rewrite. Copy. Paste. Rewrite. Copy, paste, rewrite. Rewrite. Copy. Paste. Rewrite. Rewrite. Rewrite. Rewrite.

Run.

Nonsense words swam through my consciousness. I felt concussed, I could barely see, and everything was a green blur.

I stilled, feeling the hair at the back of my neck stand up.

Run. I needed to run. Something was after me.

Adrenaline spurred me forward, and I looked back as I ran. Giant spiders were trailing me, snapping their pincers viciously as they closed the gap.

"Here, this way!"

Something golden was waving at a bright green light behind it.

It was too far away.

Location. Intent. Fadestep.

The golden entity caught me as I stumbled and spoke again, "You have to! Do it!"

Do what? What do I have to do?

I was pushed. I fell through the hole and debilitating pain reverberated through my body as I sprawled onto the ground.

I surrendered to the pain, and closed my eyes.