Chapter Text
It's one thing to dream about fantasy worlds, but to actually be in one is a whole other story. Waking up chained to the ground was not the way I imagined my day starting out. But weirder things have happened, like that one time my friend's cat coughed up half a mouse leg…. Well, actually I take that back, this is the weirdest thing to happen to me, ever.
Okay, let's take a step back here, I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Kara Virmani, and I'm obsessed with Dragon Age Inquisition. I have probably completed it more times than I can count, and most times I'll have played a female elven mage to romance Solas, only to have my heart shattered again and again.
You may as well get to know me a bit before this tale hits the road because this is going to be a long one. I'm probably one of the most stubborn people you will ever meet, right down to the bone. I dislike talking or being around people as I have huge social anxiety issues going on, and on top of that a naturally shy person. My parents died when I was 7. It's just been me and my baby sister ever since. Being 3 years younger than me, it was difficult to bring her up, but I managed. I’m not going to give you the whole long sappy story, because we've all heard enough of them.
Video games quickly became an escape from everyday life for me just as it had so many others. I was under no illusion that I was the only one who had problems, and that I needed help but sometimes it felt like the world just didn't care. As such I immersed myself into worlds where I actually felt like I was worth more than a sack of potatoes.
This particular day started off as absolutely normal. I sat in the living room of my studio apartment reading a book. It was one I had picked up on sale at my favourite book store. I read for hours until lunch time surfaced and I got up to poke around in the kitchen, as usual there was next to nothing I was up for eating which was usually the case when it came to eating food in general, I wasn't a picky eater but my mood for food was something that greatly varied depending on the day.
After lunch, I sat down at my computer to start yet another playthrough of Dragon Age Inquisition. My love for that game was an endless ocean and I was always drowning in it. I loved reading fan theories and headcanons on tumblr but my most favourite thing? Fanfiction.
I had a huge weakness for Modern Girl In Thedas Solavellan fanfic's. It was getting out of hand really. I would refresh the AO3 tag at least 10 times in 2 hours to see if anything updated or if anything new popped up. I just loved the whole idea of a modern girl like me, your everyday person suddenly being thrown into their fave fantasy world. It just appealed to me on so many levels.
After several hours (it was 8pm, missed dinner as usual) playing Dragon Age I stood up and stretched out like a cat. I trailed back to the kitchen and whipped up something to eat and sat down in front of my tv to watch one of my favourite tv show's. If I had to ever pick which world to land in, it would be between Supernatural or Dragon Age. I was such a sucker for a good tv show like Supernatural or a video game like the Dragon Age or Mass Effect series.
After having watched the latest episode I had recorded, I trailed into my room at a snail pace and picked up my phone off my desk. I phoned my sister Lucy, to check up on her. Her final exams were coming up, and I wanted to make sure she was studying enough. I hadn't even realized I had fallen asleep on my bed until I was yanked into wakefulness in a world I had come to love so much over the last year.
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I really wasn't expecting to wake up in a video game that's for sure. I opened my eyes to a room I had seen countless times before, and at first I thought it was a dream. A very lucid one at that, but no dream could ever replicate the feeling this gave off. It felt solid and real and there. How I got here was a whole line of thinking that I would rather not walk down right now. Not until I had a better footing under me. Looking around the dungeon it felt more alive than in the game. Dark and suffocating is the best way I could explain it. I noticed a few boxes were to the left of me in the corner, while 5 armed guards stood around me pointing their swords at me. How I could have missed them at first glance was beyond me.
The air it's self felt tingly making the hair's on my arms stand up. It was as if it was a living, breathing thing. My eyesight surprised me a lot. I didn't have the best vision before and I had to wear glasses, but now everything appeared to be so much sharper and alive.
The clank of metal boots could be heard just outside the door and suddenly with force it swung open. ‘Damn, if she swung that any more violently there'd be no door left.’ I absently thought as the guard's sheathed their swords and a figure stalked towards me with purpose. As soon as the figure came into focus I could tell it was Cassandra. She was much more terrifying in person. I could almost feel her presence wrapping around my neck getting ready to strangle me. She appeared to be taller than in the game which came as no surprise and her eyes bore into me like she could see into my soul. It was a little nerve-racking, and I felt a shiver go straight up my spine.
“Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now? The conclave is destroyed, everyone who attended is dead.” She stalked around me like a lion hunting it's prey. “Except for you!”
Staring at her I scrunched up my eyebrows. “What do you mean everyone's dead?” Trying to play the part as the one who didn’t have a clue was a little more difficult than expected. Typical that you always forget the script when you need it.
My left arm was swiftly grabbed and brought up to eye level. There sat an ominous glowing green scar embedded into the palm of my hand but I didn't want to think about it too much. I was going to rip that bald egg a new one.
“Explain this!”
“I.. I can't! I don't know what that is or how it even got onto my hand!” Hastily pulling my arm back down as the mark flickered, I scrunched my hand into a tight fist waiting for the slight twinge of pain to pass.
“You're lying!” She suddenly shouted, making me flinch back as she was right in my face now. This was one experience I didn't want to repeat.
Leliana came out of the shadows, putting a hand on Cassandra's shoulder “We need her.”
Turning away, Cassandra made a noise of disgust, just as Leliana stepped forward. “Do you remember what happened? Before this?”
“I remember….running… things were chasing me and then...a woman?” Looking up to Leliana like a good confused main character. Leliana's differences were quite noticeable to say the least. Her cheeks were more rounded and her eyes even more fierce than Cassandra's were, it felt as if she was ripping a path straight to the truth and there was nothing I could do to stop her. She was a little shorter that Cassandra and her hair was a bit longer than in the game, she had it braided so it was hanging over her shoulder slightly and I have to say it really did suit her.
“A woman?”
“She reached out to me but...I'm sorry… that's all I can remember.” Shaking my head slightly, it was weird, even though I was reciting from memory I could actually remember what I had just told Leliana. I saw Cassandra and Leliana huddle near the door for a moment. Blocking them out, I tried to think. 'Okay...breathe….how in the world did I get here? I mean there's so many possibilities but they're endless. Maybe I should ask Solas?… No I can't let anyone know about this. Letting them know could change things for better or for worse. I won’t take that risk.'
I was suddenly ripped out of my thoughts by Cassandra who approached me and knelt down in front of me, bringing out a key and unlocking my bindings only to replace them with tightly wrapped rope. It was nice to be out of the bulk of the restraints at least. She hooked one hand under my right arm and dragged me up to stand. I was a little wobbly at first as I was most likely sitting there for a while thus my legs have turned to jelly. I really wasn't looking forward to the next little while as the weapon I'd be using would be determined and I'd meet Solas for the first time. Ugh, that's one conversation I'm really not looking forward to.
Cassandra led me out of the prison and into a long hallway. The walls were stone just like the prison which was really no surprise, as the whole building was made out of stone. Cassandra dragged me right to the end of the passage where a set of stairs to the left led up to a door. It took us into the main Chantry but I didn't have much time to look around as the huge doors were swung open and I was shoved through them. The sudden brightness hurt my eyes. I had to raise my arms to shield them and I was pretty sure I knew where that huge light source was coming from.
I looked to the left and it suddenly felt like a boulder was dropped into my stomach. I felt severely unnerved by the sight and feeling that the breach was giving off. It felt almost slimy and made me feel sick, I really didn't like it.
“We call it the breach.” Cass looked over her shoulder at me and motioned me to stand next to her. I sure wasn't going to go against her right now, at least not at this early stage. I’m sure we would butt head's eventually. “It is a massive rift into the world of demons that grows larger with every passing hour. It's not the only such rift but it is the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the conclave.”
“Wait, you're saying an explosion did that? Is that even possible?”
“This one did, if we do not seal it soon it could swallow the world at the rate it is expanding”
There was a sudden pulse from the breach, it felt like my hand was both on fire and someone was repeatedly stabbing a dagger into it. Not the nicest of feelings that's for sure. I scrunched up my eyes and gritted my teeth at the feeling. This wasn't going to be a walk in the park. I hadn't realized that I was on my knees until I opened my eyes and Cass was crouched down in front of me staring into my eyes.
“Each time the breach expands so does the mark on your hand… and it is killing you.” She had some form of pity in her eyes which made me feel like she wasn't a total wall at this point. It was nice to see the familiar Cass, even if it was just cracks of it. “It may be the key to stopping all this, but there isn't much time. The longer we wait the more the breach will expand.” There was hope in her voice but also her words were rushed, and to be honest I really didn't feel like dying to this stupid mark.
“If there's a way to stop this then count me in.” Even if this was a really vivid dream, it wouldn't feel right to just let these people suffer from the breach. I was going to do everything in my power to stop this. I may be stubborn and sometimes I can be insensitive but most of the time I really do care about people, as much as I dislike being around them.
“Then you…. You'll help us?”
“Yes.”
A slight smile spread across her face as she helped me to stand. She turned around and begun to walk towards the gates. Haven looked so much bigger than on the screen. There was a depth to this place that just couldn't be captured by the game. The air around here felt light but there was also this dark undertone surrounding everything which I assumed was caused by the breach. I followed Cass slowly making sure not to make eye contact with the people around us. It made me nervous when people looked into my eyes.
“They have decided your guilt and they need it. They mourn The Most Holy Divine Justinia, Head of the Chantry and the Conclave. It was her's. Peace talks to try and bring Thedas back together once again.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice, and I could understand why. “She brought the mage and templar leaders together and now they are all dead.”
We had reached the bridge that crosses over the lake, I couldn't help but look around. The game did not do the scale and beauty of this place justice at all. We stopped as we just passed the first set of gates. Cass turned around and looked at me again pulling a dagger from the back of her belt that was hidden by her shield. Grabbing my arms she pulled them forward slightly and cut the rope.
“After this? I can promise a fair trial and no more.”
I sighed and wriggled my wrist's around a little, I had noticed people looking at my ears so I subtly reached up to tuck a hair behind my ear feeling the point that was distinctly an elf's. 'Holy shit, I’m an elf?! I probably have vallaslin too. I wonder which one's it will be.' I shook my hand's again as having them tied or chained constantly made them hurt a little and that's not counting the pain from the mark. It had died down to a dull throbbing feeling which while uncomfortable was much more preferable to the stabbing feeling I had earlier.
“What exactly happened?”
“They say you walked out of a rift…. And then fell unconscious. They say there was a woman behind you. Some believe that it was Andraste.”
Unfortunately, I knew where this was going. We walked along the path and I was so thankful that the wood was there. I was practically clinging to the right of the path. We got half way along the path before my mark flared up again. That was going to take some getting used to. It kept reminding me that if this was a dream, pain would not feel this real and alive. I found myself on the dirt path but a really snowy part so it was very cold. I just now noticed that I wasn't even wearing the armor that you start in.
I was wearing a very thin long sleeved t-shirt and very loose fitting jeans with a belt and my little black boots. It was one of my favourite outfits to wear and I was now just noticing the cold setting in. Cass looked down at me and held her hand out to me, which I promptly grabbed.
“The pulses are coming faster now, we should hurry up.”
I wiped the dirt off my jeans and shook my hand trying to rid it of the numb feeling that was setting in, the pain from the mark flaring up appeared to be muting my nerve endings causing it to feel numb which while I was thankful for it really couldn't be good. We made it halfway across the second bridge when I remembered the explosion, but it was too late as the next second I felt the rumble and break of the stone beneath my feet then falling. Cass landed as gracefully as a warrior could in bulky armor but I wasn't so lucky. I landed on my back and had the wind knocked out of me.
“Stay behind me!”
There was a bubble of green on the ground in front of us and as I rolled onto my stomach to raise myself onto my elbows I saw a demon rise from it and I shivered. Just as I started to stand up another of the green blast's hit the ice in front of me and I frantically looked behind me for a weapon. I didn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't a staff I expected to see poking out from underneath the rubble. I slid over to it and grabbed it, holding it awkwardly in front of me hoping that at least it would shield me from the incoming attack. The demon rose from the green and black bubbles and stalked towards me. The closer it got the more scared I became. I had never hurt a fly, never mind having ever fought anything remotely this size. I had no combat experience and let alone knew how to cast a spell.
The demon swung at me, it's claws digging through the staff leaving behind hideous claw marks. I had been backed into the corner under the bridge. 'Death by demon, not the nicest way, but better than this damn mark killing me I suppose.' Just as I had made my peace with death, a sword pierced through the demon's stomach and the scream that it made would haunt me for a long time yet. It was high pitched and it almost sounded muffled as if it was in water but not quite. It crumpled to the ground and I let out a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding in, lowering the staff I looked at Cass, who suddenly had the sharp end of her sword pointed at me.
“Drop. Your. Weapon. Now.”
“You can't be serious right?” I looked baffled from her to the staff and back again. “I just picked it up to shield myself from the attack!” Feeling a little defensive all of a sudden my voice raised to match the anger that was bubbling in my chest.
Cass sighed and lowered her sword, placing it back into the sheath on her back, and sighing. “Keep it, I cannot protect you the entire time. Although why you did not cast a spell is beyond me.”
The surprise must have shown on my face because her eyebrows scrunched up. “You mean like… magic? I assure you I'm no mage.” Shaking my head I held the staff awkwardly in front of me. 'I couldn't be a mage could I? Is that even possible??'
Shaking her head Cass turned around and shrugged her shoulders. “Come, we still have a little ways to go, also you may need those.” She pointed to a dead body where a pouch sat, picking it up I peeked inside it held 3 red vials and 2 blue ones that I assumed to be elfroot potions and lyrium potions. I tied the pouch to my belt for now, it would have to do until I got a proper belt to hold this stuff. Sighing I followed Cass through the valley, we had to fend off quite a few demons on the way. Before I knew it we were nearing a set of stairs and from the front I heard Cass shouting over her shoulder.
“We are nearing the fighting! We must help them!”
“Wait, who's fighting??”
“You will see when we get there.” She had a slight frown on her face.
I was trying my hardest to stick to the script and so far it seemed okay, but I had a feeling things would derail very quickly once things got moving. I still couldn't believe I was here, I mean was it really possible to end up in another world?
In another world, another time…..a fantasy that shouldn't be real and yet.
We got to the top of the stairs and just ahead I could hear who I assumed was Varric and Solas. I was so not ready for this. Cass jumped off the wall and into the battle while I hung back, scanning the battle. I saw several soldiers go down and Varric with Bianca, hearing a shout from the left my eyes fell on Solas and… hoo boy.
Seeing him in person was something completely different than seeing him on a screen. The way he held himself in battle was so much more than in the game, the grace with which he moved was enthralling no game nor story could ever do him justice. He looked like he was in his element. Almost like he enjoyed the battle, and I would assume that maybe he did after having been asleep for so long it would probably be some form of exercise to him.
The last of the demon's fell and I hopped down landing not so gracefully but before I could recover my wrist was grabbed and I was all but dragged over to the rift and my hand shoved at the rift. As soon as the mark connected it felt as if something was trying to drag me in, like I had my head just above water with a whirlpool beneath me. There was a very strong tingling feeling, nothing like when the breach decided it would expand a little. It was more subtle almost soft but not quite. I heard the tell tale sign that the rift was about to close and with a snap I stumbled back a bit as a tiny shockwave hit me, looking at my hand and then to where the rift used to be…. It was weird to think I actually did that.
Looking over to Solas my mind failed me and all I could get out was a tiny breath of words.
“What did you do?”
“I did nothing, the credit is surely yours.” A slight smile tugging at his lips made me internally sigh, why did he have to be a beautiful egg who stole my heart and then crushed it… multiple times.
“But I...I couldn't have done that… It's not...”
Chuckling slightly and looking me in the eyes, it felt as if everything was slowing down. He was studying me. I could see it in his eyes and how he held himself. “You have a mark that happens to share the same magic as the breach. I theorised that it could maybe close the rifts, and it appears I was correct.”
Smug was the word I would use to describe him and he bloody well knew it too.
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, I couldn’t help but stare at his eyes as they were such a beautiful stormy grey colour and I really wasn't one for looking at people's eyes but his were so hypnotic I couldn't help but stare. It was so strange to look him in the face. I never usually had dreams about video games so this was a whole new experience for me although part of me wanted to believe this was real. Solas silently tilted his head and stared at me. He had a tiny frown on his face, for what reason I couldn't say as he's a pretty hard person to read.
“Meaning it could also close the breach itself?” Cass asked, I could see her out the corner of my eye and she seemed to be a little more than eager to get the thing closed.
“Possibly. It seems you hold the key to our salvation.”
Honestly, that voice was the smoothest thing I had ever heard. It was like cold water on a hot summers day. I saw something shift out the corner of my eye and then a voice I could never mistake spoke up.
“And here I thought we'd be ass deep in demons forever.” Holstering his crossbow he approached the group. “Varric Tethras. Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally, unwelcome tagalong.” He smirked up at me and I smiled back.
“That's some fine looking crossbow on your back.”
“Ah, isn’t she? Bianca and I have been through a lot together.”
“You named your crossbow Bianca?” I replied with a slight bit of humor in my voice and a raised eyebrow.
“She'll be great company in the valley.”
Cass suddenly stood in front of me, getting in Varric's face. “Absolutely not! Your help is appreciated Varric but….”
“Have you been down there Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore, everything's a mess down there. You need me.”
Solas suddenly stepped into my view again grabbing my attention. “My name is Solas if there are to be introductions. I am pleased to see you still live.”
“He means 'I kept that mark from killing you while you slept.'”
“Ma serannas Solas. I appreciate it” I pondered for a few moments about my name, whether I should give my real name or not. Finally making my mind up I smiled a bit sheepishly and stared just to the left of his head. If he noticed me not making eye contact he didn’t give any hint. “My name is Telahn of Clan Fenmyelan, it's a pleasure to meet you all.” Bowing my head slightly, I saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes at my name.
“Do you realize that your clan name directly translates to ‘follower of the wolf’?” he asked, clearly finding it amusing and yet he had raw curiosity etched into his face.
“Yes, I am aware.” Short but sweet reply. I needed to avoid mentioning anything about my so called 'clan' as they didn't actually exist which if Leliana looked into it, and she would, I'd need to come up with a cover story for that and quickly. The only reason I used those names was the fact my latest Inquisitor was called Telahn and I pulled the clan name out of thin air, which may or may not dig me into a hole when the time comes.
“Cassandra you should know, the magic involved is unlike anything I have ever seen before. Your prisoner is a mage...but I find it hard to believe any mage has such power.”
“Understood, let us head into the valley.” Walking off she hopped over the wooden fence with Solas closely following, I heard Varric walk up next to me.
“Well, Bianca's excited!”
We took off down the hill into the valley. The path was a lot more narrow than in the game, so I found myself more than once, in close proximity to either Solas or Varric as the path was a bit windy and had sharp turns. Finally making it out to the bottom there was a tiny ice lake we had to cross and in the middle a crap ton of demons.
I held back as Solas, Varric and Cass went to fight. I couldn't get over seeing magic for the first time, as subtle as I was trying to be I’m pretty sure Solas noticed me watching him. Which I felt a little embarrassed about. There was a demon flanking Cass but before I could say a thing a bolt sent it stumbling away and zeroing in on Varric who quickly sent two more bolts through it, killing it.
After the last demon was dispatched I poked around the body's to see if they dropped anything but sadly there was nothing of value. The things kinda smelled like burnt flesh which is something I really didn’t want to smell ever again, although I knew I would have to come up against it again.
We moved to cross the frozen ice, which I quite ungracefully fell on several times. Cass suggested we search the cabins but the only thing's of use was some gold which I added to the tiny pouch on my belt. Just as we exited the cabin, Solas spoke up.
“You are Dalish, but clearly away from the rest of your clan. Did they send you here?”
I looked over my shoulder at him with a suspicious look on my face. “Not exactly, no..why do you ask?”
“I have wandered many roads in my time and I have crossed paths with your people on more than one occasion.”
Raising an eyebrow at his wording I turned fully towards him and crossed my arms. “What do you mean 'crossed paths'?”
“I mean that I offered to share knowledge, only to be attacked for no greater reason than their superstition.”
Sighing, I rubbed my palm across my forehead “Ir abelas Solas, I'm sorry if the Dalish have reacted to you with unnecessary violence.”
He was clearly not expecting that to be my reply as I saw a bit of surprise flick across his eyes, but he quickly schooled his features back to the blank indifferent mask he wore so well. “You are not like the rest of the Dalish I have met...it is refreshing...But come, let us not stand around any longer, the breach must be closed as soon as possible.” Heading towards the stairs, everyone else followed without complaint. It surprised me at how easily people fell into line behind him.
We were nearing another group of demons when Varric piped up out of nowhere. And I totally didn't flinch at the sudden voice…
“So… are you innocent?”
“I don't really remember what happened...”
“Hah, that'll get you every time…. Should have spun a story, Sparky.”
I raised my eyebrow at Varric. Apparently my nickname was already decided.
“That's what you would have done, Varric.” I could almost feel Cass glaring at him.
“It's more believable that way...less prone to premature execution.”
As we moved forward I swear I heard Solas chuckling behind us which put a smirk on my face. The next set of demons we came across were wiped out pretty quickly thanks to Solas casting a fire mine that wiped out 4 at once, and I admit I was really impressed although not at all surprised that he managed to pull it off. We moved forward up another set of stairs, why were there so many goddamn stairs??
Oh yeah, I forgot about this rift. Shit. Cass charged into the sudden battle, I found myself in the middle of, suddenly feeling as if a really warm blanket was wrapped around me I looked down to find a light shimmer was covering my entire body, I assumed this was a barrier which went up just in the nick of time as a demon swiped at me but the claws just bounced straight off, raising my left hand to the rift it begun to tug at me again, it didn't feel as bad as it did the first time which was nice. Seeing the rift go pop and snap in on itself sent a wave of relief over me. No more demons for the moment.
“Open the gates!” Cass shouted at the men who stood near them.
I watched them swing open as we stepped through onto yet another bridge, I clocked a potion box to my left just inside the gate, strolling over to the box I knelt down and grabbed a few more lyrium and elfroot potions. We sure were going to need them later. The rest of the group stocked up on potions too. Apparently Solas had already used a lyrium, and Cass had used 2 elfroot one.
Noticing an argument ahead of us I quickly realized it was Leliana and who I assumed to be Roderick. Oh boy, this was going to get nasty real quick. As I strode towards them I could hear the argument a little but before I got too close Roderick spoke up.
“Ah, here they come!”
Leliana stepped forward to greet us. “You made it, I'm glad you got through it all. Chancellor Roderick this is-”
“I know who she is, as Grand Chancellor of the chantry, I hereby command you to take this criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution immediately!”
I saw Cass tense up and I never thought to see the day when I heard one of the first hilarious moments in the game, in person.
“Order me? You are a glorified clerk, a bureaucrat!”
“And you are a thug! But one who supposedly serves the chantry!”
I tried to hold the snort in but from the glare Roderick sent my way I wasn't as subtle as I thought, still though. This still felt so unreal and yet so real, as if you were dreaming but awake at the same time, off putting was certainly one way to describe it.
Leliana looked down right offended at Roderick's words. “We serve the Most Holy, as you well know, chancellor.”
He suddenly threw up his arms and I flinched back. I hadn't even noticed that Solas had stood just in front of me. “Justinia is dead! We must elect a replacement and follow her orders on the matter!”
“You do realize I’m standing right here?” I asked cautiously, almost timidly. Did I mention I hated being around people? Because I was starting to feel nauseous with the amount of them around.
“Call a retreat seeker, Our position here is very much useless and pointless.”
“We can stop this before it is truly too late.”
“You won't survive long enough to get to the temple, even with all your soldiers.”
“We must get to the temple. We have to close the breach and this is the quickest route.” Cass sighed, I had already made my mind up which route we were taking.
Leliana put her hands on the table and looked over a map that was sitting there, one that I completely overlooked. “There is a safer route, a mountain pass. It will safer in the long run although a little bit longer.”
“But we lost contact with an entire squad on that path, it is too risky.”
“You do not know that Cassandra.”
Roderick sighed, fidgeting with his sleeves before he spoke up again. “Listen, abandon this now, before more lives are lost.”
Another pulse came from the rift, and holy shit was it unexpected. I bent over clutching at my wrist tears began to form at the edge of my eyes. I felt a hand on my shoulder and suddenly the pain was a lot more bearable. Looking up through blurry eyes and clenched teeth I saw the arm which connected to a very concerned looking bald egg.
Taking a deep shaky breath I slowly righted myself again. “I'm….I'm okay...”
“How do you think we should proceed, Telahn?”
“You're asking me? But I'm just….me.”
I felt Solas' breath ghost over my cheek as I tried to suppress a shiver. I forgot how close he was standing. “You have the mark.”
“And you are the one we must protect, since we cannot seem to agree on our own...”
Looking around from face to face, I had already made up my mind but I needed to make it out like I was thinking about it. I looked down and begun to fidget with my little pouch that was attached to my belt, standing there for a moment before I answered.
“The...The mountain path? I mean...maybe the soldiers are still there? Maybe we can save them?”
Striding up to Leliana she said something I couldn’t quite hear as we had moved ahead already. She quickly caught up and we made our way up the mountain. Heights….why did I have to pick the path that had all the damn height's.
We eventually came to a set of ladders, I gulped suddenly really nervous, what if I fell? That was a hell of a long way down. Varric patted me on the back as he passed, I must have shown hesitation as concern was clearly on his face. Solas came up to my left and looked at me for a few moments before he softly spoke. I would have never heard him if I didn't have such good hearing.
“Do not worry, if you fall, I will catch you. I promise.”
Somehow at those few words all my fears disappeared. How I could even trust him was beyond me but I couldn't help it even if I wanted to. The heart trusts what the heart trusts and mine's decided Solas was the best person to trust.
I started to climb the first set of ladders with Solas who followed closely behind me, after a good 5 minutes of me trying to get myself up the ladders I pretty much clung to the wall once I reached the top.
“I. Hate. Heights.” Taking in a few shaky breaths we moved our way into the temple, I hung back so as not to get in the way. We moved our way through what Cass told us was part of a mining operation. What they were mining for I have no idea. We reached the exit when Solas pulled me back behind the others a little. I turned to look at him but I couldn't quite make out his expression.
“Da'len, after we get through this, we need to teach you how to fight. I think it best that you learn some form of defence. It is always good to know in case you find yourself in battle.”
“If..we get through this.” I avoided eye contact with him for as long as possible but I caught his brow wrinkling. Turning around, I gently shook his hand off my arm and continued down along the path. Varric was giving me an odd look as I passed him as well, and I all but ignored it for the time being. We had to get to the temple as soon as possible. There was some conversation between Varric and Cass going on behind me and I assumed it was about the dead soldiers we just passed. But I knew the rest needed help with the rift and I subtly picked up the pace.
Turning a corner, we finally came across the missing soldiers, and I watched as everyone charged into battle. I stayed far enough away that the demons wouldn't attack me directly. After a few tense seconds of battle an opening to the rift showed itself. Dashing towards it, I all but skimmed a demon's claws, throwing up my hand and ignoring the sting coming from my right arm. After a few moments I felt the tug of the rift closing and stumbled back slightly with the aftershock. I needed to remember not to stand so close, those tiny shockwaves could direct me into something pointy if I wasn't careful. Looking around I saw piles of goop everywhere as one of the soldiers approached Cass.
I felt a wave of healing magic flow over my body and I looked over towards solas, nodding at him in thanks as I felt the tiny wound on my arm stitch up.
“Thank you for saving us, I don't think we could have held out much longer.”
“Do not thank me, thank the prisoner.”
Cass motioned towards me and I shifted about suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.
“Then you..?”
I glanced away, avoiding eye contact.
“It was nothing… really. I'm glad we could help.”
“The pass behind us is clear, you should go ahead while you still can.” Cass pointed back in the direction we just came from and the scouts nodded and limped back in that direction.
Turning from where the rift used to be, I started off down the path again, wringing my hands a little. I was starting to get really nervous. We were going to go up against a pride demon after all. The irony of that being the big first fight in the game was not lost on me. I still couldn't believe I was here, in Thedas, with the freaking Dread Wolf walking next to me. That’s not something your average Dragon Age geek could say. And part of me was pretty damn happy about it, not gonna lie. Even though this is most likely just a dream, I had never had such a vivid dream before and I had a tendency to forget my dreams when I woke up.
Reaching another set of ladders, I swallowed my panic and pretty much crawled off the ledge onto the ladder, Solas going before me so that if I fell he could catch me. Did I mention that the fact I found being in Thedas really disconcerting? Even if this was a dream I was determined to see this through. Saving these people was the priority at the moment.
As soon as my feet hit solid ground I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding in. Varric quietly chucked into his gloved hand, trying to hide it but failing miserably. I glared at him without any real anger. We finally made it to the temple and boy did that take longer than I expected. The mark flared slightly, but it didn't really hurt. I covered my mouth and nose trying to abate the smell of burning flesh which was causing my stomach to turn, not to mention seeing all the bodies. They weren't frozen in poses of torment the way they were in the game, instead they lay scattered around the temple.
“That,” Cass said grabbing my attention and pointing to an area near the archway. “Is where you fell out of the fade. They say a woman was behind you… some believe it to have been Andraste herself.”
I sighed moving forward to the entrance, just inside there was a group of charred corpses huddled up which I quickly realized was a family. There were 2 adult figures and 3 smaller ones. “I think I’m gonna be sick.” I could feel the churning in my stomach and made to turn away, but stopped, feeling a hand rest on my back and the sudden spread of warmth I quickly realized it was Solas. “Th-thanks.” I wheezed out, even the spell hadn't smothered the sick feeling completely.
“We should get this over with quickly and get out of here.” There was concern written so clearly on his face. I was surprised he was showing this concern for me. Although even this could be a mask, another lie. I nodded and moved away from him, avoiding looking at the corpses around us.
I moved into the temple and stood at the stone wall and placed my hand's on top of it taking several deep breaths as I looked at the huge rift hovering high above us. “That's a long way up...”
“This rift was the first. If we close this, it may close the breach itself.” He scanned the surrounding area, probably looking for a way down.
Leliana came around the corner behind us, and looked at us all with relief in her eyes. “You're here. I hope the mountain pass wasn't too much trouble.”
Cass turned to her and sighed, rubbing her palm over her forehead “We ran into some demons but nothing we could not handle. Leliana have your men take up positions around the temple.”
Leliana signaled her men to do just that, as we moved forward through the temple I saw them running around and pulling out their weapons, preparing to fight. Saying this was going to be tough was an understatement, I pulled my staff out from where I had managed to loop it through my belt and held it in front of me.
“Now is the hour of our victory, bring forth the sacrifice.”
Looking around frantically for the source, Cass was ready to put a sword through whatever it was “What are we hearing??”
“At a guess? I would say the person who is responsible for the explosion.”
'Of course you would say that Solas. You're the one who gave him your stupid orb in the first place.' Sighing, I kept walking down the path, and soon enough we came across red lyrium growing in ominous crystals from the ground. I gave that shit a wide berth almost attaching myself to the stone railings around the temple.
“You know this stuff is red lyrium Seeker?!”
“I see it, Varric.”
“But what's it doing here??”
“Magic could have drawn on the lyrium beneath the temple, warping it into what we see before us.” Solas always had to get his word in on anything magic related.
“Bah! It's evil! Whatever you do don't touch it!” Glaring at the lyrium as we passed it, I found it kind of amusing.
Cass raised an eyebrow at Varric’s antics, clearly amused herself. “Varric if you glare any harder you're going to shred that rock by just looking at it.”
“Yeah, that's kinda what I was hoping for.” He grouched, moving forward, taking the lead.
“Keep the sacrifice still!”
“Someone, help me!”
It was very unnerving to hear this. It was almost as if it was in my head but not quite. I really didn't like the feeling of it that's for sure.
“That was Divine Justinia's voice!” Cass suddenly took lead, determination etched into her face.
Finally we got to the floor directly below the rift, and it was even more ominous up close. I patted my pouch checking to see if the potions were still there, taking comfort in that small security. As we got closer a sudden pain shot through my head and a vision filled my eyes.
“Someone help me!”
“Now is the time, Keep the sacrifice still.”
“Please help!”
“No one can save you now, you will die and my plans will be set into motion.”
The giant doors swung open and there I stood, looking at the scene before me. “Divine Justinia??”
“Help!” She tried to wrestle against the restraints she was in, some sort of magical shackles by the looks of it.
“Arg! How did you get in here?! Slay the elf!”
Suddenly everything came back into view and Cass was bearing down on me quickly. I couldn’t help but back up a few steps at her anger. “You were there! Tell me, what happened to the Divine!”
“I don't remember! I swear!” A little panic rose in my throat, I wasn't used to having so much stress on me, I'm surprised I hadn't already cracked under the pressure. Solas took a step forward with his hands folded behind his back. He looked so much in his element it was almost scary.
“It is an echo, an imprint in the fade. The fade bleeds into the world here and thus results in what we just saw. It is a memory and nothing more.” He walked around a little and then turned to us. Cass had thankfully backed down at Solas' explanation. “The rift appears to be dormant but not completely closed. If we pry it open then we should be able to seal it properly.”
“That means demons! Get ready!” She rose her sword as I took a step towards the rift, my mark flaring again at the idea of being attached to another rift. I raised my hand and let the magic from the mark flow into the rift, it felt like ripping through very tough fabric with your fingers, but there's only like a slight hole in it for you to rip from. As soon as I felt the tell tale feeling of the rift caving I took a step back and suddenly there was a giant pride demon near me. I won't lie… I nearly shit myself when it popped out, even though I was expecting it.
It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be and that laugh had fear running straight through me. Solas pulled me back to a safe area putting a barrier over us and the group. I watched as Cass hacked away at the demon's legs, slowly wearing it down. Suddenly having a thought I tapped Solas' shoulder and waited till I had his attention.
“Cover me??”
“What?” He looked at me with confusion in his eyes.
“I'm going to try and disrupt the rift but I'm going to need you to cover me.”
He nodded and I felt the barrier being renewed, I took a run at the rift and raised my hand trying to disrupt it. The shockwave only seemed to affect the demon this time as it was knocked to it's knees and Cass all but climbed it like a tree to hack at it's neck. It quickly shook the effects of the rift off and threw Cass off his back, a ball of electricity aimed at her. Solas quickly putting a barrier over her, and started sending fire and ice its way.
We were there for what felt like over an hour. I was down to 1 elfroot potion and all the lyrium potions were used by Solas. Finally the demon went down, which was a huge relief and even if I hadn't done much I felt exhausted, but that was probably due to the amount of times I disrupted the rift while dodging around the fighting.
“Quickly! Seal it now!”
I all but threw my arm at the rift and tried to close it. It was a lot more resistant than the smaller ones and I felt that if I were a few pounds lighter it would have sucked me right in. After a few tense moments passed, the rift snapped shut very violently and a green energy ball went from the rift all the way up to the breach. The sound it made was hypnotizing but the wave knocked me off my feet and I landed on my back. My head hit a rock hard when I landed and everything instantly became blurry, the edges of my vision going black.
'A goddamn rock...that's the reason I pass out for several days? Amazing.'
The last thing I saw before passing out was a very concerned Cassandra and an unhappy Solas running towards me. I had a feeling that this was only going to get worse from here on out.
Well…..Shit.