THIS STORY IS TRANSLATED WITH THE HELP OF EXTERNAL SOFTWARE. TRANSLATION ERRORS MAY OCCUR.
Notes:
THIS STORY IS TRANSLATED WITH THE HELP OF EXTERNAL SOFTWARE. TRANSLATION ERRORS MAY OCCUR.
Rook
After the battle, Rook sheathed her daggers with a flourish. Varric raised his eyebrows, surprised, looking her up and down as if there were something that didn't add up.
—Not a hint of magic, Rook?— he asked, astonished by her apparent indifference.
—It wasn't necessary. I was fine with the daggers— commented Rook simply as she brushed a fluff from her sleeve, as if it were nothing.
Harding looked at them alternately, one eyebrow raised.
—I have many doubts, but I'll save them for later. Let's go.
They set off in silence. Rook seized the moment of unexpected calm to ask one of the questions that had been gnawing at her since they began the mission. She frowned and moved alongside her companions in two strides.
—There's something I don't understand. Why does Solas want to destroy the Veil if he knows it will simultaneously destroy the world?— she asked, genuinely confused, her face fully expressing her opinion on such an apparently stupid idea.
Harding sighed deeply, looking down for a moment.
—Solas always spoke of how beautiful the Ancient World was— he murmured, his expression somber. Varric nodded, agreeing with the dwarf.
—That world existed before the Veil, and he wants to reclaim it at all costs— Varric continued, looking at Rook—. Even if it destroys us in the process— he said through clenched teeth, angry towards his elven friend.
A heavy silence fell between them once again. Quickly, they followed Harding where he guided them, like hounds in search of their prey. A few minutes later, they heard a voice above the din, startling them for a moment.
—You are violating imperial orders! Stop!— they shouted from a loudspeaker. It seemed to come from the Archon's Palace, which was getting closer to them.
The team headed towards a building, shielding themselves from prying eyes. Then, they looked ahead, from where the voice came.
A huge dome, made of magic, was defending itself from the magical blasts directed at it by the palace, effectively. Harding flinched, covering his mouth when he saw where the dome was located.
—Oh no! I think that's the Plaza of Dumat!— he murmured, turning to them. Varric and Rook exchanged glances and nodded at the same time.
Time to get back into action.
Swiftly, they made their way toward the dome, followed by Harding. Along the way, they took down the Venatori who dared to cross their path, brave as ever.
What they didn't know was how deadly the combination of a crossbow, a bow, and daggers could be when combined with a resolute determination to reach their goal. They destroyed a Venatori crystal, a gem made from blood magic, which blocked their way with a barrier, and in just a few steps, they were already in the plaza. More Venatori blocked their path, cracking their knuckles as they looked at them. Rook smiled cruelly at them, but before she could draw her daggers, both were taken down by magical projectiles that came from nowhere. She jumped back, defending herself with the daggers, confused and looking around.
What had that been? she wondered, not changing her stance.
Beside her, Varric frowned, holding Bianca high as well.
—Could it have been Neve?— he murmured, equally baffled.
But they didn't have time to even consider it. The dome disappeared at that moment, opening up in its entirety and vanishing as the Palace moved away, focused on another danger.
Rook heard a faint metallic step echoing against the cobblestones. A figure approached them lazily.
Neve Gallus, with all her magical bearing, observed them one by one, locking her dark gaze on them. Her black hair, covered by a strange hat, glimmered in the rain as she took a slow drag from a pipe.
—Is someone looking for me?— she asked, her voice slightly hoarse as she exhaled smoke in thick circles.
Harding smiled widely upon seeing her, relieved. She slung her bow across her back while placing a hand on her chest, taking a breath.
—Neve! You're okay! We thought the Venatori had captured you— she commented, somewhat uncertain but with concern.
Neve effortlessly retrieved her staff lodged in one of the nearby Venatori she had defeated and turned, putting away the pipe and taking a few steps while gesturing with her head.
—They thought the same— she said, indifferent to the bodies in front of her.
Rook looked at them, with a small whistle. Look at the detective. She knew how to defend herself very well, she thought while analyzing the wounds of the dead Venatori.
Each and every one of them inflicted at fatal points. Wonderful.
Then, the team headed toward where the detective was going, following her.
—I know there are many Venatori who wouldn't mind settling scores with me, so I took advantage of that to see who was responsible this time— Neve commented lightly as they walked through the streets, soaked by the falling rain, accompanied by the furious, screaming demons—. Then, demons started falling from the sky— she said, pointing to them. After that, she shrugged—. So, back to work.
—Perfect— Varric nodded, satisfied. Then, he extended his hand, pointing at the detective as he fixed his gaze on the elf—. Rook, this is Neve Gallus, our local human expert. She's going to help us find Solas— Varric introduced them enthusiastically.
Rook inclined her head toward the detective in respect while smiling kindly.
—Rook De Riva, from the Antivan Crows. A pleasure.
—Oh, a Crow and a De Riva, no less— Neve purred, looking at her from the corner of her eye while playing with her staff—. You're very far from home, Crow.
—It's… a long story to tell. Let's just say I didn't please the bosses over a little something— she pointed out, scrunching her face and raising her hand, bringing her fingers together. Neve looked at her curiously for a few seconds.
—You'll have to tell me about that later, Rook— she commented, smiling.
Rook nodded amicably. After all, it wasn't a secret her little break from the crows. And she didn't mind saying it, honestly.
Neve then turned to the others, changing the subject.
—I haven't seen Solas directly, but I found traces of ancient magic, similar to what is found in elven ruins. It's definitely him— she pointed to a large statue in the background, towering impressively—. The trail leads to a building beneath Our Lady of Victory. That's where our man is.
Varric clenched his fists, looking toward where the detective was pointing. Then he took a breath, gathering courage or seeking a calm he needed.
Rook thought it was more of the latter.
—Then let's head there before the ritual gets worse— she commented, her voice stern, lost in thought.
Neve let out a mocking laugh, unable to help herself, at the dwarf's words.
—Get worse?— she asked incredulously—. This ritual already has more power than a dozen mages combined, Varric. You told me he was working alone— she emphasized the last word with sarcasm and accusation.
He shrugged, indifferent to the ice mage's tone.
—But I also told you he was an ancient elven god— he said, responding to her accusation with typical dwarven eloquence.
Neve inhaled, closing her eyes for a moment. She rubbed between her brows, tense.
—An elven god. Got it. Come on, this god has already caused too much havoc in my city!
Without delay, they quickly made their way toward the statue. Neve led them ahead, urgently. Then, without looking at them, she addressed them, nervously moving her staff while pretending to be calm.
—Alright then, if we catch Solas… or the Terrible Wolf, whatever he wants to be called, what's the plan?
—Hopefully, he'll be focused enough on the ritual not to notice us— Harding replied—. There, we can confront him without issues.
Varric adjusted Bianca nervously.
—There's only one person in this world (and in any world, really) who could face him, and she's not here— Varric continued—. A direct fight will get us killed.
Rook raised an eyebrow at the dwarf's words. She didn't have that information, she thought, frowning.
—And who is that person?— Rook asked, curious, unable to skip that part.
Varric and Harding exchanged a sad glance. Neve was still following the conversation in the background, curious as well, wanting to know the answer.
—Inquisitor Lavellan— Harding replied after a few seconds of silence.
Ah, Rook thought. Maybe she should have had that information. But she hadn't linked it correctly, she told herself, placing a hand on her daggers, thoughtful.
Then, Varric growled, clenching his fists and frowning.
—But not even she will change his mind. We've seen that proven.
Rook observed him but chose not to ask further, no matter how much she wished to counter the information. On their faces was a shared, old pain that they seemed unwilling to resurface, and she wasn't going to be the one to force them to speak, she thought, empathizing.
Not when Rook herself held many secrets. It wasn't fair.
Sliding down a zipline, they quickly reached the building, guarded by a magical barrier, undulating under the night.
—I'll handle this.
Neve approached the barrier, ready to deactivate it, as she began to make some gestures, concentrated.
At that moment, Rook got a chill. A little voice inside her began to shout, alarmed. She looked around suspiciously until her gaze fixed to her right, at a dark building.
There was something there. Or someone.
Someone very powerful.
—Is something wrong, kid?— Varric asked, seeing her unease.
Rook frowned, trying to separate her emotions to identify them. She rubbed her chest without taking her gaze away.
—I feel like someone is following us. It's like… an itch. Their magic feels like a constant itch— she replied quietly, with a subtle threat in her voice.
Harding raised her eyebrows, surprised.
—Can you also detect magic this easily?
Rook shook her head.
—Not always and not as reliably as Neve does. I can only tell because of the chaos going on in the beyond right now, thanks to the rift— Rook glanced away, struggling to look at them—. This feeling is strange. It's as if something is lurking. Something ancient.
Varric also looked around, resting a hand on Bianca.
—Should we investigate it?— he asked, lowering his tone.
Rook shook her head while trying to ease the itch.
—It's curious, but I don't think it's evil. Let's not pay it any mind— she commented casually.
Because that was what the little voice, so familiar to her in her head, told her.
It wasn't a danger. It wasn't going to harm her.
And, as always, Rook trusted her particular little voice.
—Ready— At that moment, Neve deactivated the barrier, which fell with a soft hum. They quickly entered, although Rook couldn't help but glance back one last time before stepping inside.