Notes: This is my first fanfiction for Dragon Age: Inquisition.

I'm fairly new to the world of Dragon Age, but after playing I found different scenarios occurring in my head for some time. So I decided to write my own story. The first chapter follows pretty closely to how the game starts. Slowly I will be adding my own into it. My goal is to do a slow burn between our dashing Commander and sassy Inquisitor. I named mine Lara. It's a name I love and is very different to the usual names I find for the Inquisitor. She is a human mage compared to the elf mage I usually see. Nothing wrong but I like doing things differently. Lara is sassy, has an attitude, and curses. Much like me.

I hope you all enjoy so far :) Please let me know any feedback & be nice please! I haven't written in a while so I may be a bit rusty.

Chapter 1:

Lara awoke from a burning sensation in her left hand and a glowing green hue. She gasped at the sudden feeling and at the unknown hue. She looked around her. Her mind foggy and her head threatening to split in two. Where am I? A dungeon? Her hands were chained to a wooden plank. Templars? No way. Men in armor pointed their swords at her in a circle. Clearly she was being held prisoner but had no idea what was going on, how she ended up here, or where she was.

At that moment, the door swung open and two figures walked in. She hoped it would be someone she knew, but she was disappointed. One figure was a female with red hair covered with a hood, looking at her almost scowling but unsure. The other female had short black hair and was covered in armor. Definitely a warrior. The warrior walked around her as if to frighten her and was behind her.

"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you right now. The conclave is destroyed. Everyone is dead. Except you." She continued circling around her.

Lara remained silent. Her usual response was sarcasm but right now her odds aren't favorable.

Without warning the warrior roughly grabbed her left arm and demanded, "Explain this!"

Her hand flared green again and the warrior let go of her arm.

"Well since you saw everything, why don't you tell me what this is? You'll have a better explanation than me since I have no idea what is going on." Lara couldn't bite her tongue any longer.

"What do you mean you have no idea?" The warrior was not amused.

"It means what it means. I don't know what it is or how it got there. Last time I checked my hand never glowed green before. I don't even know how I got here…"

"You're lying!" The warrior was now in her face grabbing her by her clothes. The redhead immediately stepped in and pulled the warrior off of her.

"We need her, Cassandra." The red head warned.

Okay, the warrior is Cassandra. That's a start but not a name I know…Lara thought trying to piece this together.

"Seeing as you're the more reasonable one than Cassandra here, can you please give me something? I don't understand what you want from me or why I'm even here." Lara spoke up.

"Do you remember anything that happened? How this started?"The redhead turned to her.

Lara lowered her head and tried to think. She hoped something would come to mind to help her figure out this mess. The last I remember I had no idea where I was ... .again ... .this seems to be a theme. Lara sighed. It was dark. Almost like another existence. I was running…running where though? There were noises. Something was chasing me…and then a light. I was running to the light…how pathetic. Lara let out a frustrated sigh.

"Listen, I don't remember everything and that's the truth. I didn't know where I was, much like now. It was dark but it felt like I was in another realm. I was running, trying to escape. There were noises and I felt like I was being chased or hunted. There was a light almost like a figure… I ran towards her and that's the last I remember."

"Her? A woman?" The redhead asked curiously.

"I believe so…it looked like a woman anyways…" Lara started but Cassandra cut her off.

"Go to the forward camp Leliana. I will take the prisoner to the rift," She demanded.

The redhead is Leliana. Not a name I know either. My name is prisoner apparently…

Leliana nodded and took one last look at Lara, the scowl gone from her face and departed. Lara wished she didn't leave. She was the nicer of the two. Cassandra walked over to her and freed her wrists from the wooden plank but was now tying her wrists together. Did I honestly think she was going to let me free? Ha…

"So are you going to be nice now and tell me what did happen?" Lara wasn't going to back down.

Cassandra didn't fight her. She helped her up to stand and sighed.

"It would be easier to show you," She responded.

Cassandra guided her out of the dungeon. Relieved, Lara started looking around eagerly to try and figure out if this place was familiar or look for any key clues. Nothing…of course, why am I even surprised…Lara thought annoyed. How was she going to get out of this mess or this place wherever the hell it was? The place looked old but also small, almost like half of a castle. Or a cathedral. Or a chantry. Not a bad place to be imprisoned I suppose…

Soon she was led outside and was greeted by a quaint village covered in snow and surrounded by mountains. The sky however was not welcoming. Lara adjusted her eyes from the dim dungeon to the outdoors till an unwelcome familiar green hue caught her eyes. A large threatening green circle was present in the sky. A large green tear or hole, however you want to look at it. Lara stared at it stunned but battling a sinking feeling in her stomach. This couldn't possibly mean anything good. It was starting to make sense why she was interrogated but also fuck them at the same time.

"We call it 'The Breach'. It is a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with each hour," Cassandra started, breaking her train of thought.

Shit…definitely not good.

"It is not the only rift. This one is just the largest one. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave," Cassandra continued.

"Wait, you're telling me an explosion can cause multiple rifts?" Lara asked bewildered.

"This one did," Cassandra answered. "If we don't act, the Breach may grow until it swallows the world"

Suddenly the rift in the sky started to rumble, crackling with what seemed like electricity. In an instant, Lara's hand glowed a painful green and made the same sound almost as if they were connected. Lara let out a scream as the pain coursed through her hand and up her arm in a shock. She fell to the ground clutching her hand trying to curse the pain away. "What the fuck…" she spit out.

"Each time it expands, your mark spreads…and it is killing you," Cassandra reached down to her level.

"Are you fucking serious right now?" Lara gritted her teeth. It's killing me…fucking fantastic.

"Your mark may be the key to stopping this but there isn't much time," she continued.

"You really think I did this? To myself? Surely you're smarter than that," Lara responded.

"Not intentionally. Something clearly went wrong."

Fuck you…Lara thought but figured best to keep that one to herself.

"And if I'm not responsible?" Lara eyed her, waiting to see what answer she'd get.

"Someone is, but you are our only suspect. If you want to prove you are innocent, now is your chance," Cassandra offered.

"Fine…I'll prove it then if it will keep you all quiet," Lara rolled her eyes.

Cassandra smirked and helped Lara on her feet. She escorted her through the small village. Lara felt all eyes on her and not in a good way. They stared at her unsure and scared. No one dared get too close to her as if she were contagious. Good.

"They have decided your guilt. They need it," As if Cassandra read her mind. "The people of Haven mourn our most Holy, Divine Justinia, Head of the Chantry. The conclave was hers. It was a chance for peace between mages and templars. She brought their leaders together. Now they are dead. We lash out, but we must think beyond ourselves. Until the Breach is sealed."

People of Haven. Okay so we're in Haven, wherever that is. Also, ugh, templars. I get it…nothing good will come from always being enemies but it is impossible to forgive what templars do especially after what mages go through in the Circle. If they honestly think I'm going to bring them together and be the peacemaker…they've got the wrong person.

Lara felt Cassandra's arm stop her steps. She looked around and realized they were standing on a bridge. The cold air felt like such a relief to her skin, to her body. Too much was happening at once, Lara was struggling to keep up. She didn't know her next move or what these people were going to do to her. So many questions, so much unknown, it agitated her. Cassandra stood in front of her and cut the rope from her wrists. Lara looked at her confused.

"There will be a trial. I can promise no more. Follow me," She said calmly.

If this was her key to proving her innocence so she can leave here as quickly as possible then she was going to bite her tongue and not spoil her chances. She's wild, not stupid. Together they crossed the bridge and another set of large wooden doors opened for them, continuing the trail. Broken items set on fire, injured soldiers, and destruction followed their journey as they ascended closer to the green tornado in the sky, although a tornado seems more favorable than a rift allowing demons to take over.

Lara let out another scream as the rift pulsed and the same unwanted shock of pain coursed through her arm. She fell instantly to her knees trying to catch her breath. Cassandra was soon next to her holding onto her and helping her to her feet.

"Can you at least tell me how I survived? How you found me?" Lara gritted through clenched teeth hoping the pain would go.

"They said you…stepped out of a rift…and then fell unconscious. They said there was a woman in the rift behind you. Everything is destroyed, including the Temple of Sacred Ashes. You will soon see for yourself," She answered with a troubled look on her face.

I just casually stepped out of a rift…then passed out? I amaze myself more everyday…

They continued on till they reached another bridge. Without warning, the bridge exploded and collapsed leading them to roll down onto the ice underneath. Another explosion followed this time on the ground covered in green revealing a demon.

Double fuck…

"Stay behind me!" Cassandra called, her sword and shield at the ready.

Lara stayed behind looking around trying to find something she can use. She was not going to test out her left hand just yet with any magic. Last thing she needs is for her to call demons and they put her back in prison. Almost as if the Maker was on her side, there was a mage's staff discarded amongst the items. Not her personal taste, but now was not the time to be picky with a huge ass demon nearby. She used what magic she could think of at the moment that would get rid of the demons and aid Cassandra. Helping save her should surely prove her innocence. Once the demons were gone, Cassandra turned to her and not in a friendly way.

"Drop your weapon! NOW!" Cassandra pointed her sword at her.

"You honestly think I need a staff to be dangerous?" Lara bit back.

"Is that supposed to reassure me?"

"I haven't used magic on you. Yet. I just helped save you…"

"Your right," Cassandra sighed and lowered her sword. "Keep the staff. You may need it in case I cannot protect you. Here…take this potion. You may need it in case you get injured."

Lara took the potion and pocketed it, hoping she wouldn't need it. How many more demons could there be? Lara followed Cassandra upwards and apparently she was wrong. There were a hell of a lot more demons. Together the mage and the warrior fought on through the demons making it out unscathed. While Lara did not care too much for the warrior, she had to admit the woman knew how to bloody well use that sword and shield. She admired that she could fight and hold her own.

They continued to ascend upwards and Lara could hear voices, cries, and clashes of swords. A battle was nearby and Lara would never admit it, but she was nervous to find out what they would walk into.

"Quick! We must help them…they are one of us," Cassandra shouted running over to the two figures fighting off demons and a small green rift hanging above them. Lara grabbed her staff and got to work, hoping to win these people over as well onto her side.

Once the demons disappeared, a male elf grabbed her left wrist looking at her hand.

"Quickly, before more come through!" He yelled and pointed her hand towards the small rift. A line of green connected her hand to the rift. She could feel the connection through her arm as if it were going into it from the sky. The rift shrunk until it dispersed leaving Lara grabbing at her arm, confused.

"What did you just do? Way to ask for my consent first…" Lara eyed him suspiciously.

The elf smiled. "My apologies. We needed to act quickly. I did nothing. The credit is yours."

"So you're saying I can close the rifts? How?"

"Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark on your hand. I had a theory that the mark may be able to close the rifts that have been opened. Seems I was right."

"Meaning it can also close the Breach?" Cassandra asked.

"Possibly. It seems you hold the key to our salvation," The elf smiled at her.

"Good to know. Here I thought we'd be ass-deep in demons forever," The dwarf piped up walking over.

Lara let out a chuckle. Okay I like this guy…

"Varric Tethras: Rogue, story-teller, and occasionally unwanted tagalong," The dwarf winked at Cassandra.

"Well Varric. I like you already. You're a wanted tagalong by me," Lara smirked.

"Don't encourage him," Cassandra glared at the dwarf.

"My name is Solas, if there are to be introductions. I am pleased to see you are still alive," The elf came closer.

"He means 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept' if you were confused," Varric said.

Lara turned to the elf, "Wait, you did that? You seem to know more than me about this."

"Unlike you, Solas is an apostate…" Cassandra started.

"Technically all mages are now apostates, Cassandra. My travels have allowed me to learn much of the Fade, far beyond the experience of any Circle Mage. I came to offer whatever help I can give with the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed, regardless of origin."

"I can respect that. Thank you," Lara nodded towards Solas. She found him rather kind.

"Just being sensible. Although, sense seems to be in short supply at the moment. Cassandra, you should know: the magic here is unlike any I have seen before," The elf commented.

"Understood. We must get to the forward camp immediately."

"Well, Bianca's excited," The dwarf smiled, holding his crossbow.

"You named your crossbow?" Lara held back a laugh.

"Of course I did. Bianca and I have been through a lot together. She'll be wonderful company," The dwarf walked on leaving Lara chuckling.

At least someone here is friendly…

The four carried on fighting the demons that never seemed to end on their path. Lara had to admit that four was better than two and having another mage and a rogue helped with adding to their skills. Although the rogue and the warrior tended to bicker a lot, Lara couldn't help but think there must be some sexual tension between the two. Clearly there's history and she was curious to find out after this bloody mess was dealt with. Surely the camp must be near. They came across another rift which meant she got to practice her hand again. Yay…

It was a weird pulling sensation in her arm when she closed the rift. She couldn't quite put her finger on it and was unsure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. It was depleting her energy but was it destroying her arm? Did each rift she close bring her closer to death or take her away from it? Was she even ready to die for this fight? She was trying to prove her innocence but now it seems she somehow was getting roped into being a hero and she couldn't stop it.

Alas, they were through the doors and Lara felt relieved that Leliana was there waiting for them. She made it after all.

"You made it. I'm glad. Chancellor Roderick, this is -"

"I know who she is," The Chancellor looked bored.

Charming…

"As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take the criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution!"

Double fucking charming…

"Order me? You are a glorified clerk! A bureaucrat!" Cassandra spoke up, shocking Lara.

"And you are a thug, but a thug who supposedly serves the Chantry!" He retorted.

Seriously. Fuck this guy.

"We serve the most Holy, Chancellor, as you well know," Leliana responded.

"Justinia is dead! We must elect a replacement and obey her orders on the matter!"

"Okay can we stop talking about me like I'm not here? I'm right here…" Lara glared at the Chancellor.

"You shouldn't even be here!" He glared back at her.

"Well tough. I am here," She wasn't going to back down.

"Call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless," He looked at Cassandra.

"We can stop this before it's too late," She fought back.

"Our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains,"offered Leliana.

"Abandon this now! Before more lives are lost!" The Chancellor yelled.

Cassandra looked over at Lara, "How do you think we should proceed?"

"Me? Seriously? You're asking the prisoner?" Lara eyed her suspiciously.

"Yes, you. I think you've proven yourself. We need you," Cassandra replied.

"Through the mountain path we go then," Lara agreed with Leliana although she was unsure what other options she had. They were running out of time.

—-

After saving a few soldiers and closing another rift, a male figure in armor, a feathered coat, and blonde unruly hair approached them. Something about him Lara didn't like the look of, but couldn't stop staring.

"Lady Cassandra. You managed to close the rift. Well done," He spoke with a clear Fereldan accent.

"Don't thank me Commander. This is the prisoner's doing," She turned towards Lara.

The Commander eyed her up and down. Lara narrowed her eyes at him wondering who he thought he was to look at her that way.

"Is it? I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here," He continued.

"Is that so? Well, wait in the queue because you're not the only one hoping that apparently," Lara glared at him but heard Solas smiling behind her. He was already testing her patience and she only just met the guy.

"Well we'll see soon enough, won't we?" He responded, moving to Cassandra discussing the next steps.

What the hell is it with some of the men on this side of town? Ugh.

The Commander soon left helping one of the injured soldiers to walk while the others followed them. Lara couldn't help but stare after him. She couldn't look away still but he made her blood boil. She secretly wished she could have pushed him in the rift and sealed him in there to shut him up but that would spoil her chances of proving she's innocent.

—-

They arrived at the Temple of Sacred Ashes. What was left of it anyways. Lara took it in and felt numb. She was a part of this destruction but had no knowledge of how. This was not something she ever would have done or wanted yet she was involved. Scorched bodies lay on the ground, innocent lives lost and for what? Lara became angrier the further she went in the temple. This wasn't fair. How did she get caught up in this?

Before she realized, she was staring eye to eye with the Breach. She could hear the whispers, feel the electricity tingling through it, feel the same tingle through her hand and her arm. Almost as if she were a part of it. What magic could have done this? Lara had always been rebellious and reckless, but this was an area way out of her comfort zone. She would've never done anything or even be a part of anything like this. Mages already had a bad reputation and she never wanted to add to it.

"This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?" Cassandra snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I want this over with but I don't even know if I can reach that," Lara answered.

"This rift was the first and it is the key. Seal the rift and perhaps we seal the Breach," Solas added.

"Then let's get down there. Be careful," Cassandra started to lead the way.

They made their way down to the bottom. Voices started echoing and a scene lightly played out in front of them. The Divine Justinia, captured by an unknown dark figure and Lara herself intruding. Why would she be there? Was this real or made up?

"So you were there? Who attacked? Is this vision true?" Cassandra was in her view now.

"I said I don't remember. That hasn't changed!" Lara defended herself.

"The Fade bleeds into this place. The rift isn't sealed but it is closed temporarily. I believe with the mark, the rift can be opened and then closed and sealed properly. However, opening the rift will likely attract attention from the other side,'' Solas said.

Everyone agreed and took position with the soldiers there waiting for their order. They had numbers but did they have the power for whatever would come once she opened the rift. Once everyone was ready, Lara took a deep breath and raised her hand. Closing her eyes, she began to open the rift, hoping nothing too challenging would appear.

Wrong.

A large demon appeared, scaly and monster looking with electricity coursing through it. Everyone was at the ready attacking it with everything they had. More demons came through the rift. Lara discovered that if she disrupted the rift, it weakened the demons allowing them a small window to do some damage. They fought endlessly to the point of exhaustion. Lara didn't know how long they had been going at it and how long they had left. She didn't want to touch the potion. Not yet.

Finally it seemed the end was there. Lara felt depleted. Her mana was barely there and she still had to close the rift and seal it for good.

"NOW!" Cassandra shouted.

Lara stumbled and gave a loud groan as she raised her hand toward the rift and a green line connected her hand with the rift. That same pulling sensation took over and she now regretted not taking the potion but it was too late. Time seemed suspended like they were frozen in time and it would never seal.

Until…

She felt the pull stop abruptly and the rift disappeared causing a pulse through the sky. Lara couldn't even collect herself and felt herself slipping. She could hear voices calling out to her in the background. Footsteps surrounding her. She fought to hang on, searched for the potion on her to try and stop it but she lost consciousness and everything turned to darkness.

That is the end of Chapter 1.
Please let me know your thoughts!