AN: Sorry, I didn't have the time to edit. If there are any edits, please let me know.

The Trouble With Time Travel

"Nobody knows anything." – William Goldman

I woke to mind numbing, searing pain in my left hand. I tried to stand, but my vision doubled, and a throbbing ache began in the back of my head. I barely took a step before my stomach twisted sharply and vomit was expelled violently. My knees doubled over, too weak to hold me up.

"Did you hear that? There's someone down there!"

The fear of discovery had me moving blindly until my feet collided with something on the ground. I crashed hard onto something metallic, creating a bang that echoed.

"Hurry! I think they're getting away!"

As the sound of thundering footsteps drew closer, I crawled away on my knees the metallic thing. I cast a quick camouflage spell, hoping desperately that I'd gathered enough mana for the spell.

My mana convulsed erratically, but thankfully, the spell took and settled over my form. I stayed still, not even daring to breathe.

"Where did these two come from? Did they knock each other over? How did they even get in?"

I tilted my head towards the conversation and tried my best to focus on the voices talking. My double vision persisted and to make matters worse, the Mark gave my vision a greenish tint.

Useless. This was fucking useless!

"Should we tell someone about this? What if they're intruders? We need to let someone know!"

"You heard the vomiting, didn't you? Sounds like these two drank themselves into a stupor. Who can blame them?"

"You know the restrictions that have been put up. Everyone is a suspect."

"You're terrible. One day, you'll find yourself on the other side and wish someone had showed you some compassion. And I'll tell you, that won't be me."

The sounds of heavy breathing and a low metallic creaking filled the surrounding as the two voices dragged something away.

I remained in the same spot long after those two voices left, too afraid to remove my camouflage spell when I was this helpless. As time passed, my vision didn't improve and the pain in my left hand only worsened. No healing spell made a difference, though my headache did lessen.

Slowly, I got used to the unbearable pain reverberating through my body and gave up my vision as a lost cause; not only had the green increased, everything was a near indiscernible blur.

Realisation of where I was slowly creeped in. Was this the dark future? Was I in Redcliffe castle? Or was I still in the pub?

No!

How could I assume that this was that dark future? What if this was just some random day in the future? Even a decade?! What guarantee did I even have of anything?!

It was impossible to move from my corner. It was safe here. I was half blind. I was crippled. I didn't want to move.

The camouflage spell held even as small rays of light hit my corner, turning the greenish tint lighter. Hours passed and the light faded, then returned before I gathered the courage to move.

No matter when I was, I still had magic. The Breach should be open, which would explain why my spell still held when it should have faded out a long time ago. I still had my aura that I could use to receive sensory information.

I tried to extend my aura and experienced backlash from the Mark.

Fuck you, Anchor. Fuck you!

I persisted, pushing beyond the Mark only to feel a second backlash from something in the environment. I toppled to the floor, heaving desperately. It was one thing to work through the Mark; it was another to fight a war on two fronts.

Yet I couldn't return to my corner. I had to do something. I had to find someone. Fuck, even Maxwell was better than this nothingness.

I refreshed my camouflage spell as I tracked through the room, trying desperately to make out shapes with my impaired vision. By some insane stroke of luck, I managed to exit the premises without being discovered. My sense of foreboding rose; it was midday, but I couldn't spot any people in the area.

I moved quietly through Redcliffe, trying to find any signs of intelligent life, but found none. My feet scraped the edge of water and felt a heavy pressure settle on my shoulders. If I crossed the lake, I'd find the remnants of the Circle and, hopefully, someone who could explain what was going on. But Redcliffe Castle was the other way, on top of the hill. I'd heard voices my first day here, and by all reason, they would have gone there. That was where I'd find answers. Answers that I might already have.

Fear overwhelmed me and I stood frozen, unable to deal with what awaited me. Every step forward was difficult and filled with unbearable agony. My vision had been robbed by this accursed Mark and my aura sense couldn't compensate. It was foolish to think that I could sneak into Redcliffe Castle unnoticed when I was like this. I'd be caught immediately.

I forced my feet forward, towards Redcliffe Castle. One step, two. One step, two.

The climb up to the castle took a long time. A large hulking rock in the distance assured me I found the right place.

I observed the castle, trying to come up with a plan. With a magister in charge, the castle would be rigged up with both magical and physical protections; I wouldn't be able to sneak in.

I called out to my spirits for help, but there was only dead silence.

I had no idea how to get in. I didn't know where the secret tunnels were. I was fucking blind.

I headed closer, hoping inspiration would hit me. The closer I got to the castle, the colder it got, until my feet hit a very cold stream of water. I followed the stream until I heard voices.

"Did you hear about the two that got picked up a few days ago?"

"Yeah. That bastard couldn't keep his mouth shut. He ratted out the last two people left."

"They're not the last! You heard the magister, those townsfolk will serve a greater purpose! They'll restore Tevinter's glory!"

"Sure."

Suddenly, an idea hit me. I slowly stripped my armour off, pinning it to my back before draping my travelling cloak over me to hide the bulge. I picked a handful of mud and spread it liberally over myself. I ripped my pant leg for a long strip of cloth before tying it over my eyes.

Sometimes, embracing a bad situation was exactly what you needed to help you.

I made my way forward, stomping on the ground routinely to make sure I was headed the right way. The raised voices suddenly quietened as I approached them.

"Hello, kind sirs," I started quietly, "I heard you as I was making my way on the road. If it's not too much trouble, would you please tell me where I am?"

A deep voice swore, "Shit."

The lighter voice spoke over the deeper one, "This is Redcliffe castle, knife-ear."

The deep voice suddenly turned aggressive, "You aren't welcome here. Get out!"

I flinched and retreated.

"Hey, hey! No need to be so heartless!" The lighter voice was filled with hidden intentions, "Look at her, she's been on the road for so long! Would you like to rest here?"

"You shithead! Leave her be-!"

"Forgive me, gentlemen, it seems I have caused you trouble. I'll just be on my way," As I turned to leave, heavy footsteps filled the air before they stopped in front of me.

"No, no, what kind of monsters would we be, letting a helpless girl wander alone in these forests? I'm sure we can find a place for you in this big castle."

I made a big show of trembling, "Please, it's not necessary. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you. I'm looking for my friends, I'm sure I'll find them."

"Let her go. You need to let this one go."

"Do your job. Don't be such a coward."

The sound of a sword unsheathing filled the air, "Get inside the castle, knife-ear."

I made whimpering noises as I followed their footsteps.

"All these cells are full. Where were you going to put this girl?"

"Stop complaining and do your job! I'm sick of it! One more and I'm going to report you in!"

The tension in the air grew sharp.

"I'm going to give you one last chance. Lock this one up like the others. If she isn't here when I get back, I'm going straight to the magister." Footsteps retreated until it was just the man with the deep voice and me.

"Sorry. You ended up in the wrong place, and between my neck and yours, I'll save mine." His sword struck the wall, creating a screeching sound, "Follow this sound."

We went through many winding staircases before stopping. The sound of a metal door opening filled the air, "Get in."

As I moved, he grabbed my cloak, "No!"

"No belongings."

"Please, it's my last rations! I'm not a fool, you won't be feeding me. Let me keep this, please! Please!"

He gave a deep sigh before letting go, "Very well."

The door banged close and footsteps filled the air. I waited until the room quietened before pulling the blindfold out.

A large swath of red and green filled my vision.

Red lyrium. If I focused, I could hear a faint haunting melody in the background.

I backed away in fear and reached out for the door but it was locked shut. I felt around for the bolt and started the hottest fire spell I knew, one that I used to help my clan blacksmiths during their forging. I kept going until I heard heavy liquid oozing to the floor. Before it cooled, I used pieces of red lyrium to open the melting hot door.

"Hello? Is anyone else in here?"

"You're…alive. How? I…saw you…disappear into…a rift."

"Who is it? Name yourself!"

"I am Grand Enchanter Fiona. I am in the cell in front of you."

I moved closer to the sound of her voice, "I can't see. Where am I? What's the date?"

"It's Harvestmere, 9.42 Dragon. This is Redcliffe Castle and it's infested with red lyrium. It's growing on me now, and once it consumes me, they come down to mine some more before repeating the cycles. Thousands have died. Thousands more will die."

"Fiona-,"

"The Elder One, more terrible than the magister, more powerful than the Maker, Maker save us, forgive us, help us!"

She was rambling, delirious in her speech. I tried so hard to focus, to see, but I could make out nothing more than an amorphous form twitching in front of me, covered in red.

"I can help you, just tell me-,"

"No, you must find the others! It's too late for me! But members of your Inquisition are still here. Look for them!"

I forced myself to walk away, knowing that she was right; it was too late for her. I restarted my camouflage spell and walked through the door, feeling around for passageways and praying to every god, both imagined and real, that I went undiscovered.

I found another cell, but no one replied when I called out and the stink of dead bodies permeated the room. I ventured deeper into the dungeons, until finally someone replied,

"Maker's breath! Is it really you?"

"Name yourself!"

"Well, I'm a little disappointed you don't remember me, but considering the circumstances, I'll let this go," the voice mocked, "Dorian Pavus, a Tevinter mage that is absolutely on your side and not Alexius's."

Intense relief overcame me, "Dorian?! Is it really you?"

"Wasn't expecting that reaction, I must say, I've impressed myself."

"I can't see." My voice cracked, "I can only see green and red, nothing else."

"That might be a problem. Say, have you been here a year like everybody else?"

"No, I woke up in a bar a few days ago. You?"

"I woke up in a cell a few hours ago. This handsome fellow is still passed out."

"Handsome fellow? There's someone else with you?"

"Don't know his name, but he definitely came with your party."

Hope pushed me forward and I melted his cell door to reach him. As the door sprung open, I blinked hard, hoping desperately that I'd see something, and the darkness of the cell gave shape to two distinct forms.

I rubbed my eyes to be sure of what I was seeing. Dorian, in his expensive robes, was holding up Maxwell who was unconscious.

I could see them.

I rushed forward and ran diagnostics on Maxwell. It was no wonder that he hadn't woken up; he had a severe concussion. I tried my best to heal him before turning to Dorian. He held up his hands in refusal, "I'm good, I did the basics and I've recovered from the fatigue."

"Then we need to wait until he wakes up. We can't carry him around."

"That's good, because we need to talk. I don't think you understand what's happened."

"We've travelled a year into the future, where Alexius has decimated Redcliffe and red lyrium is feeding on everything. Have I missed anything?"

"He used the amulet to send us forward. The only chance we have to stop all this, is if we go back in time and stop it. To do that, we'll need the amulet."

"The Mark's fucked up my vision. The only thing I can see is you and Maxwell. You'll have to tell me what's going on."

"Alright, but only if you tell me how you managed to get from the bar into this castle, if you're that blind."

A little bit of the oppressive anxiety and dread eased as I slid down to the floor and started talking.

I wasn't alone anymore. I could do this.

When Maxwell woke up and was informed of the situation, he broke down.

"Magic! It's always magic!" He turned to me frantically, "Why are you blind?! Are you doing this on purpose? Do you want me to suffer? Is that it?! Isn't all this enough for you?! Stop pretending!"

I stayed quiet in the face of his hysterics. As much as I hated him, I understood. This situation was too much. We were gambling on the possibility that we'd get back. Their best chance at survival, me, was blind and they would have to feed me every instruction.

Dorian, however, had had enough, "As terrible as you feel, let's not forget that it's her who's blind. The best chance we have is by working together."

Maxwell covered his face with his hands and shook for a few minutes more before pulling himself together, "We need to get as much information about this future as we can before we leave. We can't let this happen."

"On this, we're all on the same page," I straightened, "In the interests of full disclosure, I'm not completely blind. I can see you and Dorian, and indistinct blurry shapes in green. The red lyrium is also very prominent."

Maxwell's face twisted in confusion, "In green? Is your Mark acting up again?"

I held up my gloved arm where the sparking of the Anchor was clearly visible, "It's worse than ever."

He stared, repulsed by the repeated pulses and sparking of the Mark, "Maker, have mercy."

"As much as I'd hate to interrupt this makeup session, we do have places we need to be."

I recoiled from Maxwell at Dorian's words, unable to hide my disgust at his implication.

"Shems." I couldn't help but grumble as they led me through multiple passages.

We found Blackwall, Sera, Iron Bull and Madame Vivienne, yet I could see none of them like I could Dorian and Maxwell. They remained indistinguishable blurs as we climbed the dungeons searching for the others.
Cassandra started weeping outright when she caught sight of me, broken from her prayers. "The Maker has acted, has shown mercy! I knew I was right about you! We must act, we must prevent this future from ever happening!"

More than anyone else, it was her words of faith that moved me. She was so distraught, yet so determined. Where did she get such strength? How could she retain such a strong strength of character? How could she remain so passionate?

She was inspiring.

In contrast, Varric dealt a healthy dose of reality to the situation. He spoke about the army that invaded, the assassination of Empress Celene and the ruination that followed.

I couldn't find Solas.

Every companion I asked said the same thing, somehow Solas managed to escape. Soon after, Cullen and his forces invaded, but were unsuccessful in killing the magister. Leliana had been captured and was being tortured underground. They hadn't heard from Solas since.

This deviation from what I had come to expect unsettled me. While nothing about this situation was easy, things had mostly gone as expected. This future was a year ahead, as expected. Most of my companions were still alive, as expected. Even the events that came to pass, was expected.

So why was this different?

I turned to look at Maxwell, who was walking next to three amorphous forms who were supposedly Vivienne, Cassandra and the Iron Bull.

He wasn't supposed to be here either.

Was that it? Had his absence somehow led to Solas abandoning the Inquisition? Why did that even matter? How were those two things even connected?

I couldn't help the stab of disappointment weighing me down. I had hoped reuniting with him would heal my vision. I had hoped, that perhaps, in these dire circumstances, I could have stolen a moment with him, one that he'd never remember. I had hoped, that if things went south, I could run away with him, fix the sky, find Valo-kas, just anything really, with him.

It was selfish, to be so devastated when Leliana was getting tortured by Tevinter scum.

Yet, Leliana found us before we found her. "The guards were talking about escaped prisoners. I expected them, but not you."

Maxwell's breath hitched, "Leliana, you-you,"

"We don't have time for dramatics. Erelani. What can you do?"

I shrank as I realized; she expected me to save them, not go back in time. I couldn't speak, not with the weight of expectation directed at me.

Luckily, Dorian intervened, "We're going to go back in time, stop all of this from ever happening."

The acid in Leliana's voice was impossible to ignore, "But it did happen. It is happening. Look around you! Don't you dare say this isn't real. Erelani, what are you going to do?"

I tried to look in the direction of where I expected her eyes to be, "I can help you now Leliana, but if I have the chance to go back and save the others, how could I not? Remember the Oath, Leliana."

Her voice filled with surprise, "Oath?"

I stared at her, befuddled, how could she forget? "You swore to protect the people of Thedas. We swore to protect them."

"Ah, yes," Her voice turned reflective, "Well, how am I to say no to such a bargain?"

Something wasn't right.

The next hour passed by in a blur. Amorphous forms attacked amorphous forms, and I refrained from attacking because I couldn't distinguish one from another. I only healed Dorian and Maxwell. I only cast protection spells on them.

We breached the Throne Room and found Alexius slumped defeatedly on the floor. Him, I could see.

As Dorian started talking, I couldn't help but notice how the surroundings started to shake. A thundering roar filled the sky.

Alexius looked me in the eye, "The Elder One, he knows. He's been warned. He's coming for you."

Dorian begged and pleaded with Alexius and kept pointing at another amorphous form, "Look at Felix! That isn't alive! Give me the amulet! Help me stop this! We can reverse this! Please!"

A tussle broke out and I lost my patience. I could see Alexius, and he was going to pay for every agony that this world went through. It was his fault. His greed. He couldn't bear to lose his son?! People died every day!

I fade-stepped, and it was so very easy, casting a mind blast that rammed him against a wall. I held him suspended, increasing the pressure with every second.

"Do you think you're the only one who's ever lost someone? Look around you! See what you've done! Are you satisfied?!"

The rage inside of me built. This entitled piece of human scum, who thought his pain was worse, as if his son being Blighted, was the worst thing that could happen!

He had to die slowly. Painfully. Physical pain wasn't enough. It had to be emotional. He had to learn real pain.

He had to learn real abuse. Experience every pain he brought onto the others.

I rammed him repeatedly against the wall, until the jostling loosened the amulet on his person. "Dorian, get the amulet."

No one came near.

I turned to find Dorian quaking in fear, the white of his eyes prominent on his face. Maxwell looked unmoved, even satisfied.

I dropped Alexius immediately. My rage receded enough to hear his desperate pleading, his ramblings that he would help, if only I stopped.

"Why did you stop?" Maxwell demanded, "He deserves it. After everything he's done, he deserves it!"

I ignored him and looked at Dorian, forcing my voice to be gentle, "Dorian, grab the amulet. We need to get back."

He nodded slowly, his shaking receding.

"I need an hour, even with his help."

"You can't trust him! Do you remember how we ended up here?!" Maxwell countered.

"I'll be careful, but we need his help. Otherwise, I'll be making shots in the dark."

"You don't have an hour," Leliana's voice intervened, "The Elder One's forces are coming."

"That's what we're here for," Cassandra's voice rang out, "We'll buy you time."

One by one, they all traipsed out the door, standing guard as I watched. It was in this moment I realised the sacrifice they were making for me, the amount of faith they had entrusted in me.

They were willing to die on the slim chance that I would save the world.

They were willing to die for me.

The door to the Throne room came crashing down, and suddenly I could see the horde of demons heading towards me.

I couldn't stand by and watch this. That wasn't me. I could not abandon those that entrusted their lives to me.

I zoomed forward and let my voice thunder into the sky, "RUN! This is my only warning! Run, or I will annihilate you!"

They paused for a moment, and I lifted my left hand into the air, letting the green light shine bright. A few ran away, but most pressed forward.

Finally, finally, the ever-present press of the Oath eased; I had to save the world and I'd warned them.

The frustrations that built up, long before travelling to this future, the rage, the fear, the sheer helplessness that I'd felt, I gathered them, and let them loose in torrent of fire.

The result was far worse than anything I expected. Maybe it was the Breach. Maybe it was my tumultuous mana. It may have been both.

A rain of fire began, hitting as hard as a meteor strike on the approaching army. It decimated many of them on the spot, while others fled in a desperate panic. The torrent continued, not discriminating between friend and foe.

It was a disaster.

The castle began to collapse, the towers crumbling to the ground. I turned around, desperate to see if I had harmed my companions, but they were all amorphous forms that I couldn't distinguish between.

Maxwell stared at me in undisguised horror.

A terrible voice filled the air, "Come face me, imposter! Do you imagine that this paltry trick would intimidate me? Come and face your true god!"

A heavy weight settled in my stomach. I stared at Maxwell in silent communication. One of us needed to get back and warn the others. The only one with any chance of winning was me.

I could already see where the future would lead with this. Maxwell, seeing the extent of danger from magic, would imprison the mages, become Inquisitor and save the world.

I hated that it was him. I hated that he was the last person I would see. I hated that he understood how I felt.

Why did it have to be him?

He walked towards me, the horror on his face easing into something gentle, "Not you, me. The world needs you. You are the only one who can close the Breach."

I stared at him, stunned.

"I hate you, Erelani. I hate the way you look. I hate the way you always yell at me. I hate how everything I do or say somehow triggers you. I hate how you always fight me. I hate how even when I try to help you, you spit at me. I hate that you're so different from me. I hate how despite all of this, I-," he stopped, his jaw locking shut, "I hate you. Remember that I hate you too."

What was happening?

What the fuck was happening?

He started to walk towards the decimated door when a terrible black rage enveloped me.

How dare he?

Did he think he could ever occupy a moral ground? Did he think I wanted anything from him? Even his life?

How dare he imply-?!

His words had hinted at an emotion I found so repulsive from him, that I would rather die than accept anything from him.

The screech of a dragon filled the air just as Dorian's voice rang out, "The rift's open! Quick!"

Just as Maxwell started racing towards the dragon, I caught up to him and tripped him. As he tumbled to the floor, I cast a mind blast at him, throwing him straight at the rift. His body collided with Dorian and Alexius, pushing them in, and with a sudden snap, the rift closed shut.

A terrible sinking feeling descended as the sound of great heaving wings filled the air.

What have I done? What was I going to do?

How was I going to get back?

With a great thud that shook the very foundations of the castle, the dragon landed.

I was doomed.

A terrible gritty voice filled the air, "Imposter."

Do not submit. Fight to the very end. Save what you can.

I forced myself to turn around.

Instead of Corypheus stood an enormous spider whose eight-eyed gaze was fixed on me.

"What."

"The magic on your hand does not belong to you."

"What."

"Dreamer, this realm is my territory. You are trespassing."

I stared, overwhelmed, unable to understand.

"Please, I do not understand. Where am I?"

"This is my territory, there is no way you came here unaware. I felt you and your ilk enter and tear apart the Veil."

"I'm in the Fade?" I breathed, "I'm standing in your territory. In the Fade."

The spider stared at me with a calculating glint, "You didn't know. Where did you think you were?"

"In the future. Redcliffe was overrun by demons after a magister took control."

The spider started laughing, "Is that so? No way you were mistaken then?"

"Who are you?"

"Nightmare."

I paled as I realised who was in front of me. Even beyond the knowledge of the game, I had heard of this spirit. It was one of the oldest spirits alive and few dared to cross it. It rarely did more than harvest nightmares, but when it took interest in something, it rarely ended well.

Still, nothing made sense.

I cautiously dared to look around and found, to my amazement, that the blurriness from before had disappeared, and only the barrenness of the raw Fade remained.

There were no amorphous forms, only different spirits frolicking around the Fadescape.

"There was a castle here. A magister named Gereon Alexius ruined the world," that was what happened. That was what was supposed to happen. That made sense.

"Ah, Gereon Alexius? He came looking for a way to travel through time, but really, he only wanted to travel long distances quickly. So, he and I struck a deal."

"You taught him to Fadestep?!"

"It's amazing what people will believe."

"But the amulet-!"

"Helped him accumulate enough power to fadestep long distances. Enough power to even create a small rift."

"But the visions!"

The spider stared at me, "This is the Fade. You are a Dreamer, how did you not know? What vision did you see?"

I opened my mouth but froze. I had seen nothing, only green. I had only ever heard voices and sound effects, something spirits enjoyed creating. All this had been nothing more than spirits creating a vision, a dream. The Fade shaped itself around expectations, reflected what you wanted to see, smell and experience. A dream so carefully crafted, could only be designed for one person.

"Who was this dream for?"

"Alexius, of course. His deal was with me, so his dreams were filled with his worst nightmares. It's amazing what a guilty conscious can dredge up."

"Was any of it real?"

"That's a matter up for debate."

"But all the things that were said, the assassination attempts, the invading army, was that all fake?"

The spider rolled his eyes, "You're a Dreamer, don't you already know?"

"The knowledge came from him. It was everything he knew. What he believed would happen if they should come to pass."

The spider was starting to lose interest.

"Why couldn't I see? Why did that stop me from seeing the vision like my comrades did?"

"The entity on your hand."

"One last question, why are you helping Corypheus?"

The spider's laser focus was back on me, "Am I helping him?"

I stared back, unsure of what to believe. The Call that the wardens supposedly heard had been created by this spirit, right? "Are you?"

"I have gained a lot of power through the ages, mostly without even trying. I know more than you could ever imagine."

"So, you are?"

The spider stared at me quietly, not responding.

"Why haven't you killed me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"I don't understand."

"I'm not killing you, because I believe leaving you alive will make me more powerful."

I paled at its words, "Why are you telling me this? Why are you helping me?"

The spider observed me for a long moment before responding, "Because even I am capable of pity. You are trespassing, get out. If you are too stupid to know how, look at your left hand."

With that, the spirit disappeared.

I stared at the Mark, its furious sparks generating its own light.

I raised my arm and released the entity within, and the green light tore a hole through the Veil.

I stepped through the rift and sealed it shut before fainting dead to the ground.

AN: I came close to ending it at the part where the rift closed but I couldn't do it, coz the next part was the thriller. Sorry if the writing is off, this is the only free time I had, and after this, time to edit would be scarce. If there are any improvements to be made, I'm happy to hear.