Spike must defend a world he finds himself in, with the help of the one who will save it
Twilight has received a letter from Sunset Shimmer that Canterlot High is almost taken over by Sirens. She and Spike enter the mirror to help out her friend. However, something went wrong. Spike is separated from Twilight and finds himself in a different world called Thedas.
Spike must set aside his own fears and innocents to save a world in peril, with the help of one that will save it.
Second fan fiction story, set during Rainbow Rocks.
Cassandra has faced many obstacles in her lifetime. Unlike most, she didn't become Seeker just from siting around the Chantry and look pretty. She earned her position when she exposed a dangerous conspiracy in the Chantry that could have teared the world of Thedas apart. Since then, she served them without question. Some had called her a thug while others call her a 'penniless, thugish whore'. She has dealt with cultist, blood magic, demons, even Darkspawn. Yes, she faced a lot in her time in the Chantry.
But a hole in the sky was something entirely different.
It had been an hour since the explosion at the Temple of Sacred Ashes, where a meeting was taking place between Templars and Mages in hopes of ending the civil war. This wasn't just any normal explosion that Cassandra has seen. This one was magical in nature, as Cassandra had concluded, and torn a gap in the sky. What was once a temple was now a chasm of rippling green light with a twisting green spire descending below. Pieces of the temple can be seen floating in the sky beside the spire. The once fertile landscape near the temple was now scorched, destroyed by the thing in the sky. The situation was soon worse when miniature rifts started spouting out demons from the Fade.
To make matters even more complicated, the hole in the sky was expanding every hour.
It was total chaos.
"Seeker Cassandra." She was interrupted from her thoughts when a soldier came up to her.The soldier had no helmet on, allowing her to see his light blonde hair and green eyes, along with his young face. He saluted to her by putting his right hand to his chest. "Leliana has requested your presence in the Chantry building."
"I will be there." She said. The young man once again saluted before he left her alone once again. Cassandra took one last look to the sky before she made her way to the Chantry building at the end of the town, snow crunched beneath her boots. She was currently in Haven, a little village nestled in the Frostbacks. The village was busy as every due to what was going on. Civilians were either locking up inside their homes or praying to the Maker for their salvation. Soldiers, either from the Chantry or Fereldan, were helping with the wounded who were unfortunate enough to near the blast or were foolish enough to engage the demons. A priest was standing on a large rock outside the village, some citizens kneeling down to him while he recite the Chant of Light. Two soldiers were helping a man, who had lost his left leg during a fight with a demon, carry him to a nearby infirmary that was set up.
A couple of citizens were coming to her, asking her about the rift in the sky. She ignored them, she had more important things to worry about.
She arrived at the Chantry building, the sound of soldiers and civilians filled the air. She looked to where Leliana was and found her near the building. She was currently inspecting a group of soldiers who volunteered to go with Cassandra to the temple. Cassandra made her way toward Leliana. Leliana must have heard her come for she turned around, allowing Cassandra to get a good look at her. She was wearing a light chain mail armor with a hood on, hiding her short ginger hair. Her light blue eyes watched Cassandra as she walked towards her.
"How are we doing?" Cassandra said as she approached her, the soldiers standing at attention to their commanding officer.
"We have several who would volunteer to go with you to the temple." Leliana said. Cassandra was pleased to hear this, seeing as this was the first good news since this whole this started. She wanted to lead an expedition to the temple. Whatever had done this, it must have left something behind for Cassandra to inspect. There was also a possibility that Divine Justinia was alive somewhere in the temple.
"I thank you for doing this." Cassandra said. With everything that was going on, she was surprised to see some volunteers who would go with her through demon-infested mountains to find out what had happen.
Leliana nodded. "I'm just doing what I can to help. However, you know that Chancellor Rodrick would protest against this."
"I know." She said. She didn't give a damn about the bureaucrat. Roderick just wanted to come to the Conclave so he can boast about how he was in the greatest historical event of the century.
"Just be careful out there." Leliana continued. "These rifts are sprouting out demons all over the valley, making it hard for our men to maneuver."
"I will. I will found out who did this and they will face justice." Cassandra said, with as much wrath in her voice. She composed herself. "Maker watch over you."
"And may Andraste's light guide you." Leliana left Cassandra to her own duties, disappearing into a crowd of people that were gathered around the Chantry.
Cassandra look at her volunteers. With the shortage of Ferelden soldiers in the area, some of the villagers were forced to take up arms when the rifts started appearing and demons were coming out of the Fade. Although the armor they wore was weak and out of date, it did well to hold out against the weaker demons.
"Soldiers," She started saying in a commanding tone. In response, the soldiers stood at attention. "You have all fought hard and well, but our work here is not done. We are going back to the temple and finding out what happened at the temple. I know that you are all tired of the fight and would rather sit it out, but we must not give up now. If we can found out who had attacked the temple, I promise you that they will serve justice." She narrowed her eyes to another soldier, who was in his early 20's, shaking like a leaf. "But if there are those of you who wish to stay behind and help Haven, then that is fine."
"We are with you, Seeker." One of the soldiers said. "I would follow you to the Fade if it means keeping my family and country safe."
Cassandra nodded. "That is good to hear. Any objections?" The volunteers were silence, meaning that they had made their minds. "Good. Lets move out." She watched as they started marching out of Haven and into the path to the mountains. Cassandra followed behind them as they made there way to the temple.
She will find out who did this, and she will make them pay.
Celestia's sun rose over the horizan as ponies and creatures alike were preparing for another day. From the settlements in the San Palomino Desert to the Frozen North, ponies were rising up from their beds to another glorious day of peace in Equestria. Ponies greeted one another as they hurried to get to places they need to go. Shops and stalls opened up as they sell their wares to anypony willing to buy. Fillies and colts hurried along to school as they talk among friends at the school yard. Yes, it was another glorious day in Equestria
In a small village called Ponyville, a castle made of crystal stood, shining its rays all over Ponyville. It was once a library before Tirek destroyed it in a massive 'battle of the gods' type of battle. Now the crystal-style tree is the new home of Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. Inside the castle, the throne room was a mess as boxes and books were spread out. Fluttershy and Applejack were pushing a very large box with their hands. The princess sits in the center of the throne room with a stack of books and envelopes as she is reading a document in her hands while her magic guided the books in piles. Rarity was laying on her stomach on her throne as she is telekinetically polishing her left hand with a piece of cloth. Spike was siting on a smaller throne while reading a Daring Do book. A stallion is hauling a cart filled with books over to the center where Twilight is at. "Excuse me, princess." The stallion draws Twilight's attention. "Where do you want all these books from Princess Celestia?"
"The library. Third door to the left." The stallion nodded at Twilight. Before he left, he glancing up at one of the books at the top, which was now glowing and vibrating.
"Umm.......even this one that's glowin' and vibratin'?" Twilight looks up in alarm, dropping the papers and books she has before. She grabbed the book with her magic and sets it on the floor. The book had the seal of Celestia's cutie mark on it. Her six friends, including Rainbow Dash, who was helping with Twilight's decorations, noticed what was going and gathered around Twilight. After several seconds, the book quiets down once Twilight opens the book and skims through the pages.
"What is it, Twilight?" Fluttershy notices her friends alarming state. Pinkie Pie was peeking behind Fluttershy while Rainbow see's from above.
"It looks like........" Twilight stops at one of the pages. She read the top and her eyes were wide. ".....a message to Princess Celestia from my friends at Canterlot High."
All five friends gasped. "How is that even possible?" Rarity questioned.
"I have no idea, but..........." She now gasped. "....it sounds like they need my help."
After the long explanation of what the girls Sunset is referring to, which are called Sirens, Twilight Sparkle prepares to go back to the human world to assist her friends. Of course, it was impossible since the mirror only activates every thirty moons. However, Pinkie Pie, somehow, explained who Sunset was able to get her message to Twilight. With some careful calculation and some magic energies, she was able to get the mirror back in working order.
"Don't suppose we could join you this time around?" Applejack said, voicing her concern for her friend.
"Better not. It could make things pretty confusing if Canterlot High all of a sudden had two of all of you." Twilight explained.
The mares all voice their agreement, expect for Spike. "But I still get to go, right?" Spike said, eager to go back to the human world. "There isn't another one of me at Canterlot High, and you never know when you might need your trusty assistant."
Twilight smiled at her assistant and nodded. "We won't be gone long."
"Yes!" He exclaimed. Both of them made their way to the mirror, which was swirling with vibrant colors. Before they went through, they were caught up in a six-way hug and warm goodbyes from her friends. Soon they all broke off, the last being Pinkie Pie with a big grin on her face.
She steps over to her number-one assistant. "Ready, Spike?"
Spike cracked his knuckles and blow his breath. He dropped to a three-pointed stance, stretching his legs out before answering her. "Ready."
The princess hunches down determinedly, and they both rush toward the mirror. Spike plunges in first through the swirling aura, then Twilight. A flare of light was their for a brief second, before it died down.
The side of the statue at Canterlot High flared white as the girls stopped what they were doing and looked with interest. The watched as a violet skinned girl came flying out as if shot out a cannon and landed on the ground. "TWILIGHT!!!!!" The girls came rushing at her, including Sunset Shimmer.
Twilight got up and rubbed her head. "Ooh......" She said weakly and turns around to see her friends. "........I'm back." A yellow hand extended to her, revealing to be Sunset's hand. She looks at with suspicion and after a small argument, a small smile graced her face and accepted the hand. The girls all swarmed her and hugged their friend. "It's good to see you girls again, but I have some bad news about those new girls."
"Ooh, Ooh, can we go to my place? I can make milkshakes!!!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly. Twilight nodded and all of them went to the desire location.
However, Rarity looked back at the base of the statue. "Umm...........is Spike coming???"
Twilight looked base at the statue with a worried expression. "S-s-spike?" The statue had done nothing and Twilight rushed over to it, banging on it. "SPIKE!!!!"
Cassandra and company made it to the temple. It was a hard trek up due to the conditions of the mountains. The demons and rifts made it even harder for them. Thankfully, they made it without any casualties and sustained minor injuries. Added to the fact that no demons were nearby or they would have never made it.
What they saw, however, would make even the bravest of souls weep.
The temple was in ruins. The once great statues depicting Andraste in her heavenly light were crumbled or floating. A big hole was in the center of the pieces that were floating in the sky. Red Lyrium was growing around the temple. A large hole was made in the center, the larger rift dominating the spire. They saw corpses littered the ground. They had been petrified exactly how they perished, mouth agape in agony, boney hands reaching the sky for a savoir that never came. There must have been hundreds scattered around the temple, little flames were flickering off the mangled bodies
'By the Maker, the explosion did this?' Cassandra thought. She would expect some ruined bodies or ashes, but this was something she was not prepared for. She steeled herself and turned to face her soldiers, who were all terrified of what happened here. "Spread out and search the area. If you find something, call for me." The soldiers did as they were told and spread out to different parts of the temple, carefully navigating through the bodies. Cassandra searched the area she was in, which yield no results. Everywhere she looked, only smoked bodies and ash meet her.
Minutes have past and Cassandra had found nothing. She was just about to call it off when a soldier came running up to her. "Lady Seeker, we found someone alive."
"Where?!?!" Cassandra was surprised that someone was alive, considering the state in which this temple was in.
"Down the hall, Milady." She followed the trooper to the once marble steps and down the open hallways. She and the trooper found themselves in the center of the blast, the large rift pulsating and twisting. Soldiers had there swords drawn to the figure lying face first to the ground. She approached the figure and kneeled down. She turned it over, looking at its face.
She had tattoos on her face and knife-like ears, indicating that she is a Dalish elf. Her long hair was light brown. She had soft, red lips and a lithe face. She has a slender body, as is a feature of the elves. Her armor was scorched in some places. Her body was reeking with magic, which means that she is an apostate mage. Her chest was moving up and down, indicating that she is alive.
"A rift open where we we're at." The soldier said, recounting what he had seen. "At first, we thought demons were coming out. But she came out of the rift and fell unconscious."
Cassandra was surprised. No living soul can walk through the Fade and live to tell it. The last time someone had done that was over a thousand years ago, when Tevinter magisters attempted to invade the Golden City and take the throne of the Maker. In responds, He transformed them into hideous creature known as the Darkspawn and cast them down to the darkness of Thedas, thus starting the Blights.
What she couldn't understand was what was a Dalish elf doing in the temple. The Dalish were a rarity in Ferelden, especially since the last group left Ferelden after the Battle of Denerium. They were nomadic, never settling down in one place for too long. They had a grudge against humans after they took their lands promised by Andraste. Added to the fact that she is a mage..........
'Did she do all of this?!?!?!' Cassandra was now glaring at the body before her. This elf had probably caused the explosion and killed the Divine. She stood back up and turned to one of the troopers. "Take this elf to Haven and have her chained up. I will question her soon." The soldier nodded and ordered two men to pick up the elf. Cassandra turned around and began walking back to Haven.......
.......Only for bright flash of light to illuminate the area. Everyone present had to cover their eyes. The light faded after a minute, Cassandra and the rest of the men looked at what had came out of that light.
The naked body before them looked like a human, a male at that. It's chest and arms were leaner and muscular, it's hair was green and spikey and it's ears were pointy, like an elves. It was unconscious as well, his chest rising and falling.
"By the Maker, what is that thing?!?!?!" One of the soldiers said. "It looks like a human, but it came out of the Fade, just like the other survivor!"
"It's probably a demon." Another one said. His accent was different from the others, indicating he was probably from Orlais. He withdrew his sword from his belt. "It's unconscious, maybe I can get a jump on-------"
"No" Cassandra said, placing a hand on the soldiers chest, stopping him. "This one looks different from the others. Take it with us and chain it." The soldier sheathed his sword and did as he was told. Three other men helped him lift the body off the ground.
Cassandra looked at the elf and the thing as they are dragged back to Haven. She will have answers, even if she must kill them for it.
That was all Lydi'aleera can see. Nothing but the dark abyss for miles on end, nothing existing except for her.
She tried to remember what happened, but all that did was hurt her brain. She can feel something hard and cold beneath her. She wanted to reach out and touch it, to feel something besides this abyss. But her arms were not responding, as if something was preventing them. 'So....this is the Beyond.' She thought. 'I thought it would be a little more..............colorful.' She didn't know how long she was like this. She felt like she was floating for days, or even years.
Then she felt something wet hit her forehead. Another hit her not long after. This continued for sometime, until she was forced to open her eyes.
She was in some dark, dank dungeon with lines of cells to the side. The light from the fires on the walls illuminated the armored guards that were point swords at her the moment she woke up. She found herself on her knees, her hands bound together at the front. She felt something in her left hand and looked at it. A green, pulsing scar was throbbing in her hand. It lit up for a second, making Lydi'aleera grit her teeth in pain.
'This isn't real! This has to be a dream!' The mark pulsed again and Lydi'aleera cried out in pain.
She hear the metal doors open and opened her, revealing two figures in the darkness. They walked over to her, the guards sheathed their swords. The light from the fires soon revealed who the two figure are. The first one was a woman with short cropped black hair and deep brown eyes that glared at her. Another one was a woman with short ginger hair and light blue eyes under a grey hood, giving her the coldest glare. Lydi'aleera's aquamarine eyes glared back at them. She didn't want to show any fear to the shemlen, even if the pulsing thing in her hand is hurting her.
"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now?" The warmadien spat at her as she circled the elf. "The Conclave is destroyed. Everyone who attended is dead. Except for you and that..........thing".
'Wait........what?' She though. 'Everyone's...........dead?'. She didn't know what happened. She felt like someone had drilled her brain open and plucked it out piece by piece. She knows that she was born and raised in the Lavellan Clan, always traveling north within the Free Marches. She remember being born with magic and training to become the next Keeper. She remember her Keeper telling her to travel to Ferelden for an important meeting between shemlen Templars and Mages. She remembers stealing an outfit from a mercenary and infiltrating the meeting.
After that, nothing.
"You honestly think I did this?" She tried, her voice was hoarse and dry. "I had nothing against you shems until you threw me in this prison!!"
"Explain this!" The women snarled, lifting Lydi'aleera's left hand. The mark pulsed again, filling Lydi'aleera will pain. She pressed her lips together to muffle her own scream, momentarily squinting her eyes. "Explain all of it!" She threw her shackled hands to the ground.
"I.......can't" Lydi'aleera said, hanging her head in defeat.
"What do you mean you can't?!?!?" The dark hair women snapped, her glare burned with righteous fury.
"I don't know what that is, or how it got there." Lydi'aleera tried to reason with them.
"YOUR LYING!!!" The women yelled, taking Lydi'aleera by the shoulders and giving her a violent shake, as if ready to attack her.
The redhead grabbed the woman's arm and forced her away from Lydi'aleera. "We need her, Cassandra." She said to 'Cassandra'.
Lydi'aleera was now both confused and terrified. Here she was, in a shemlen prison for a crime she can't remember doing. Sure, she hated humans as much as any Dalish elf, for taking their lands and calling them savages. But she would never kill anyone. "I can't believe it. All those people.........dead?" She looked up at the red haired woman, a pleading look in her eyes. "Please........I didn't do anything. You have to believe me."
"Do you remember what happened, how all this began?" The woman said.
Lydi'aleera closed eyes and searched her memories for anything, trying not to watch Cassandra as she is pacing between them. Little flickers came back to Lydi'aleera, brushing around in her mind like a bad dream. She recounted the memories before she forgets. "I remember running. Things were chasing me. Tried to climb up a slope. My hand burning, and...........a woman?"
"A woman?"
"She tried to reach out to me, and then............" She opened her eyes. "Nothing."
Cassandra intercepted them, backing the red hair away from Lydi'aleera. "Go to the forward camp, Leliana. I will take her to the rift." The women, 'Leliana', left the room without a word. Cassandra came over and kneeled in front of her, unlocking the shackle before tying her hands together.
"Please," Lydi'aleera choked out, hoping that Cassandra would see her innocents. "I haven't done anything wrong. I don't even know what's going on."
Cassandra looked at her, her expression softened. "It would be easier to show you. Perhaps seeing the rift would help jog your memory." Cassandra helped the Dalish off her feet and began leading her.
Before they were half way through the metal door, Lydi'aleera stopped. "Wait." Cassandra stopped as well. "You said there was someone with me, correct?"
Cassandra nodded. "Yes. Like you, he fell out of the rift. He looked human when we found him, but for all we know, he could be a demon in disguised."
"Then take me to him."
Cassandra looked at her. "I don't think it would be--------"
"He may be innocent like me." Lydri'aleera snapped back at her. "I think that he could help us."
Cassandra sighed, knowing that there was no arguing right now. She motion for a guard to come to her. "Release the other prisoner." The guard saluted before going to another set of metal doors behind them. She turned back to the elf. "If it does something I do not like, anything, I will not hesitate to kill him."
Lydi'aleera nodded, wondering if she made the right choose
Moments Before......
Spike groaned as he was forced to open his eyes. Being unconscious was something that never happened when he first visited the human world. Then again, it has been a while since then, and all those wires and Twilight's magic might have something to do with that.
"At least we made it in one piece. Right, Twilight?" Spike said to lighten the mood.
No answer.
"Twilight?" Spike forced his eyes open and look behind him, hoping Twilight was there. All that greeted him was a stone wall.
"Twilight?!?!" Spike's voice was now different, being masculine and light, like he just grown up. He put his hands over his muzzle to--------
'Wait, hands!?!?!??'
Spike looked at his hands for a second. His own hands! Spike wanted to just jump up and shout it out to the world. But that would have to wait as Spike inspected the rest of his new body. He had some rags on, but he had everything that the humans have. Arms, hands, legs and his body was lean and muscular. A puddle was next to him, looking at it to get a clear look at his face. His eyes still had slits, which mean he still had some draconic traits. His ears were the same size as human ears, but pointy, which was strange since humans only had round ears. His skin was smooth and lightly colored. He had a spiky green hair and not a fin on his head. He looked at his behind and found that he has no tail, dog or dragon.
'At less I'm not a dog anymore.' Spike was relieved of that. He did sometime wonder what would it be like as human ever since he and Twilight stopped Sunset Shimmer and returned to Equestria.
Spike looked around the place he was in. The cells reminded him of the time he went exploring in the dungeons under Canterlot Castle. The dark stones and metal bars that could hold even the strongest person was presented before him. The light illuminated some barrels next to some pillars. A metal door was on the side of the room, as well as some chairs. Spike tried to move to get a closer look, but heard a rattling of chains next to him. Looking doing, he found that he his left leg was chained to the ground. Spike tried to tug on the chain, hoping to break it. He gave up after five excruciating minutes of pulling.
Spike slowly slumped down to a wall, hugging his legs as if they would be taken. 'Where am I?!!??! Where's Twilight?!?!?! Why am I here?!?!' All of these questions swarmed around Spike's brain as he tries to find an answer, tears flooded his vision. He just wanted to just sit here and cry, hoping that Twilight would come and find him.
He was like this for some time, losing track of time even as he sobbed. The metal doors opened and Spike wipe a tear away and composed himself. The person before him was wearing some sort of armor, not unlike the royal guards. Another one was right next to him, a female by the looks of it. Both of them approached the cell he was in and opened it. "Get up." He said in a gruff voice. Spike did what he said and stood up. The guard approached him, a cuff was in his hands. "Arms out." Spike put his wrist out, allowing the human guard to cuff them. Spike felt the cold metal pressed against his wrists. He kneeled to Spike's chain and started to unlock it.
The women that was leaning against one of the beams glared at him. "I can't believe we're keeping this.........demon.....alive. I say we kill the thing before it has a chance to kill us all."
The man grunted. "I would agree with you there. After what had happen to the Divine, I'd say we kill the elf and the demon. But the Seeker wanted it alive, along with the elf. Who are we to argue?"
Spike was more confused at this point, but he kept his mouth shut. The last thing they want was some 'demon' talking to them. A clicking sound was heard and Spike's chains were open. The guard withdrew his sword and pointed it at him. "Do anything funny and I'll gut you like a pig."
Spike nodded as he was dragged outside his cell. The women opened the metal door and soon returned to his side. Both guards flanked him as he marched out. He was lead into another room where two people were waiting for him. The first one was a female with short black hair and black eyes that glared at him. Her armor was different from the ones that were escorting him, which he came to the conclusion that this must be the 'Seeker' the guards were talking about. Another female was there as well. She was much slimmer than the guards or the Seeker. She had light brown hair and wide emerald green eyes, like his, with a tattoo over her left eye. Her ears were pointier than his and her hands were cuffed as well.
"Leave us." The female said with a commanding tone. The guards saluted and walked away. The dark hair female went over to Spike, her dark eyes glaring back at him. "The elf thinks you can be of use to us. While I am inclined to agree, I will watch both of you. Try to escape, and I will hunt both you down. Do you understand?"
Spike meekly nodded. The women signaled for them to follow her, going through the metal door that lead to a hallway. Spike looked at the brown hair girl, her eyes matching his. She nodded for him to go. Spike did just that.
Whatever was going on, Spike has to try and help them.
The double wooden doors opened, allowing light to pour through Lydi'aleera's eyes. She covered her eyes from the suns glare. Once she adjusted her eyes, she can see what was there.
A village greeted her, the wooden houses were a sight to her eyes. She had never seen a house before, with her clan always being on the move in the Free Marches. The houses gave off a radiant of safety and warmth. She saw people helping other people with things, like a soldier helping a old man into a house.
That moment of joy ended with what see saw next.
High above the clouds, a tear was visible, a chasm of green light floating down from it. Chunks from the temple floated around, spitting flares of greenish light every few seconds.
Next to her, the strange man looked up with awe.
She was expecting a shemlen to be captured like her. But this one was different from the others. His hair was spiky and green, which was a uncommon color. His ears were the same as an elf's, except it was the same size as the humans. Although she was smaller than most humans, reaching only up to their chins, he was not as intimidating as she thought.
Whether he is a demon or not, she felt like she was safe when he is around.
"We call it the Breach." Cassandra said, interrupting her thoughts. "It's a massive rift into the world of demons that grows with each passing hour." She looked at her. "It's not the only such rift. Just the largest. All were caused by the explosion at the Conclave."
"An explosion can do that?" The strange man asked, his voice was filled with awe and confusion.
Cassandra looked at him and nodded. "This one did." She now stood in front of him. "I don't know if your a demon or not, but unless we act, the Breach may grow until it swallows the world."
"I'm not a demon." He growled, apparently annoyed with her calling him that.
"Then prove it."
As if on cue, a column of light sizzled below the Breach, briefly touching the ground. Lydi'aleera screamed as her hand flared, falling to her knees as her hand exploded in pain. Tears were forming in her eyes as she shut them. She pressed her hand to her stomach in a desperate attempt to smother the mark. The man tried to catch her, but failed when she wouldn't let him.
Cassandra kneeled in front of her. "Each time the Breach expands, your mark spreads........And it is killing you."
The man soon looked at her, determination in his eyes. "You wanted to prove we're innocent, then tell us what we need to do." He stood up in front of her. "I won't let anyone get hurt, not ever again."
She was surprised by his determination to protect everyone, even if he was captured by them. "Her mark may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time. If you can help us with the Breach, then I can promise you a fair trial."
"And her?" He asked.
"Her as well."
Lydi'aleera was still clutching her hand, a whimper escaped from her. The man looked down at her, then back at the Seeker. "Can you give us a minute?"
"Make it quick." Cassandra said, moving behind them and letting them have their space.
The man kneeled beside Lydi'aleera, trying his best calm her. "Everything is going to be ok, alright?"
"It hurts." She crooked. "It hurts so much."
"I know it hurts, but you have to be strong about it. She said that you might close this 'Breach.' If you do this, then she will give us a fair trial. I know you can do it. Think about your friends or family back home. They're all counting on you." She looked at him, her gaze matching his emerald green eyes, which she realized that they had slits, like that of a dragon or a deepstalker. It frightened her for a second, but when she looked, she saw something that she did not expect.
An aura of kindness and............something. She couldn't put her finger on it.
"My name is Spike, by the way." He got up and offered her a hand. She was hesitant at first, but soon accepted the hand. She was pulled onto her feet.
"My name is Lydi'aleera. Lydi'aleera Lavellan."
'Spike' frowned. "Lydi......Lydile."
"Lydi'aleera."
"Lydi........Lyera."
She sighed. "Just call me Lily if the name confuses you."
Spike smiled. "Sure. Sorry if I can't get your name right."
"It's alright." She chuckled. She turned her eyes to the sky and saw the 'Breach', as the shemlen Seeker called it. "I guess we should get moving."
"Yeah." Spike said. He nodded to the Seeker, which she forced them to move and started walking. Lydi'aleera moved a little closer to Spike, his body protecting her from the harsh winds.
She was scared. She was afraid. But now she knew what was at stake here. Not only the world, but her friends and family.
She is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them. Even if the mark kills her.
Spike slashed through another demon with his greatsword, the demon disintegrated into the ground. Another one came up from behind him. He didn't see it until the sound of ice was heard. The demon was frozen solid, its claws outstretched, ready to strike him. Spike gazed up, seeing Lily casting magic at the green floating demons and the dark hair women, Cassandra, plunging her sword deep into another demon. Spike looked back at the frozen demon and bashed it with his sword, shattering it. Lily finished with the floating demons while Cassandra killed the lasted one. With the demons gone, Spike let out a breather. It won't be long before they move out again.
He didn't know how long they were going. Cassandra lead them down the village toward the valley where the 'Breach' originated from. While on the way down, they received glares from the people around them. Cassandra explained that the people of 'Haven' mourned for Divine Justinia, the head of the 'Conclave', that they expect justice for the ones that did it. While a few did give looks at Spike, most were directed to Lily, a 'Dalish elf'. She also explained how Lily survived the blast by stepping out of the rift, and that she also found him next to her. Her plan was to go a 'rift' on the otherside of the brigde and seal it.
Of course, nothing goes as planned.
Just as they were crossing the bridge, a green fire ball headed their way, destroying the bridge completely. They tumbled down the bridge and into a frozen lake. No one was hurt. The green fire ball that came out of the Breach came crashing into the lake, revealing to be some sort of creature. It reminded him of those robed figures in the Temple of Mitra back when he and Twilight visited Aqualonia, land of the Griffins. It's face was messed up, it's claws were sharp and it was slugging towards them. Cassandra order them to get back as she drew her sword and engage the beast. Of course, another one materialized under them. With Cassandra engaging with the other demon, the were forced to fend for themselves. Luckily, a crate of weapons was near them. Spike had managed to procure a greatsword while Lily grabbed a staff with a mace on the top. The sword almost weighted nothing to Spike, guessing that dragons were probably stronger that way. They made short work of the demon before it could even strike. She used ice magic from her staff to freeze the demon before Spike destroyed it. He cringed when the demon screamed and crushed into nothing. He didn't like violence, since he was raised by ponies his whole life. But that didn't mean he would crawl into a small corner and hoped that the 'big, scary monsters' would go away. With the demons gone, Cassandra joined them and ordered them to drop their weapons. Spike managed to convince her that they won't survive long out there if they were unarmed. Cassandra was convinced, and the party continued their journey throught the demon-infested valley.
"We are clear, for the moment." Cassandra said, interrupting his own thoughts. She sheathed her sword and motioned for them toward some stone steps. "We're almost to the rift. You can hear the fighting ahead." Spike did hear some fighting above them, swords slashing and a sound of a crossbow firing. Both he and Lily wasted no time as the climbed the stairs.
"Who's fighting?" Spike nearly had to yell through the sound of battle.
"You'll see soon. We must help them." Cassandra answered his question as they ascended the steps. Spike saw what she was referring to. A ruined sites stood before them, with men and women fighting those lesser demons. In the middle of the ruin, a green crystal floated, its jagged edges were either growing or shrinking back.
Spike guessed that is was the rift they were talking about and wasted no time in joining the action. Lily threw fire bolts at the demons while Spike and Cassandra drew their swords and engaged them. He slashed through the first demon while it was engaging with a soldier, killing it instantly. Another was trying to get the drop on him, but Spike managed to spin around and block the incoming attack with the blade with one hand. The demon roared as it was on fire. Lily twisted her hand and column of fire came up from the ground. The demon was disintegrated, its body dragged to the ground.
Spike felt something in his stomach. It was as if he............enjoyed the battle.
"Quickly, before more come through!" A bald elf with stormy blue eyes took Lily's left hand and held her palm directly at the rift. Her hand was pulsing as it was held to the rift. Green energy funneled from her hand to the rift...........
........and it exploded, resulting in a popping noise.
Lily pulled her hand from his and glared at him. "What did you do?"
The elf looked at her with a neutral expression. "I did nothing. The credit is yours."
Lily looked confused. "I.......did that?" The mark on her hand dimmed down a bit.
The elf nodded. "Whatever magic opened the Breach in the sky also placed that mark upon your hand. I theorized the mark might be able to close the rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake. It seems I was correct."
Spike moved beside them. "So, what your saying is that she can.....end all of this?"
"Yes. That is correct." She looked at the Dalish elf once more. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."
Out of the corner of his eye, Spike saw Lily frown, and he could understand why. The fate of the entire world was now resting on her shoulders, whether she realized it or not. He did understand her situation. Back in the pony world, before Twilight became a princess, she and her friends were sent on a mission to the Frozen North to protect the Crystal Empire from King Sombra. Spike came with them to the north. When Twilight found the Crystal Heart, the source of the Empire's energy, Sombra broke through Shining and Cadance's shield. Twilight was trapped in a ring of black crystals. In a last desperate attempt, she threw the Heart to Spike, but he missed it and went out of the tower. Without thinking, he went out the window after it and caught the Crystal Heart at the last second. He would have plummeted to his death if it wasn't for Cadance. To this day, the crystal ponies hailed him as a hero.
"Good to know. Here I though we would be ass-deep in demons forever." Spike turned his head and saw a strange site before his eyes. A short human with a blond hair tied to a pony tail and brown eyes. A smile was on his face. "Varric Tethras, at your service. Rouge, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tagalong." He winked at Cassandra, which she just glared at him.
"Lydi'aleera." She introduced herself. Before Varric could say anything, she interrupted him. "Just call me Lily."
"I'm Spike." He introduced as well to the short human.
"Funny. I was just going to call you that." Varric said. He squinted his eyes as he looked at his. "Nice eyes. A little creepy, but nice."
Lily looked down at him. "I'm curious. Are you with the Chantry?"
The bald elf chuckled. "Was that a serious question?"
"Technically, I'm a prisoner, like you two." Varric began, eyeing Cassandra briefly. "Except I'm not thrown in a prison underneath a Chantry building."
"I brought you here to tell your story to the Divine." Cassandra sighed. "Clearly, that is no longer an option."
"Yet, here I am, still tumbling into the weirdest shit possible." He looked at Spike. "No offence."
"None.......taken?" Spike said, ignoring the fact that he probably just insulted him for being a dragon.
Well, half-dragon now.
"Your help is appreciated, Varric," Cassandra began to say. "But-"
"Ha!" Varric laughed. "Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't even in control anymore. You need me."
Cassandra made a disgusted noise and strode away.
"It is good to see you alive and well, Lydi'aleera." The bald elf said, breaking the silence. "My name is Solas, if there are to be any introductions. I am pleased to see you still live."
"He means, I kept that mark from killing you while you slept." Varric filled in.
Lydi'aleera smiled. "Thanks, Solas. I really wasn't ready to die so young."
Spike gave him a questioning look. "You seemed to know a great deal about...........everything that's going on."
"Unlike your friend," Cassandra informed them from where she stood, already annoyed that the introductions lasted more than two seconds. "Solas is an apostate."
"Technically, all mages are now apostates, Cassandra." He said. He looked at Spike. "My travels have allowed me to learn much about the Fade, far beyond the experience of any Circle mage. I came to offer whatever help I can with the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed, regardless of origin." He turned to Cassandra. "Cassandra, you should know that this magic is unlike any I have ever seen. Lydi'aleera maybe a mage, but I find it very difficult to believe any mage would have enough power to cause this. They are not responsible for this. I can assure you that much."
"Understood." Cassandra said. She motioned for the group to follow her. "We must go to the forward camp. Leliana will be there." With that, the group followed her.
Spike managed to stay behind, shaking off the feeling from earlier. "Well, Bianca's excited." Varric said as he strode past Spike. He soon joined the group as the may their way to the camp.
A rift was outside a wooden door as demons were clawing or banging at it. The group quickly dispatched them, with Varric, Solas and Lydi'aleera focusing their fire on the mist demons, while Spike and Cassandra fought the rest of them. While the demons were distracted, Lydi'aleera lifted her hand like before, feeling the energy reaching out to the rift. Pulling her hand, the rift exploded into nothingness. Her hand stung for a moment before the pain faded away.
"The rift is gone! Open the gate." Cassandra yelled to the people on the other side. The door opened to them and the group entered the forward camp. Well, calling it a camp was a bit of an understatement. It was set up at the bridge that lead to the temple. It was undamaged, save for a few cracks here and there. Soldiers and priests were moving to and fro, helping out anyone. A tent was set up in the middle of the bridge, along with a table with two people talking over something. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could tell that it wasn't friendly conversation. Cassandra murmured something under her breath as the group approached the two individuals. The first one, a women who she meet before, was talking to a man in white robes.
"Ah, here they come now." He said, his voice sounded like he was not happy to see them.
Leliana looked up form the table and saw them. "You made it. Chancellor Roderick, this is-"
"I know who they are." Roderick looked at them, a glare leveled at her and Spike. "As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take these criminals to Val Royeaux to face execution."
"Order me?!!?" Cassandra spat out. "You are a glorified clerk, a bureaucrat!"
"And you are a thug," Roderick countered. "A thug that supposedly serves the Chantry!"
"We serve the Most Holy, Chancellor, as you well know." Leliana said, hoping to defuse the situation.
"Justinia is dead!" He exclaimed. "We must elect a replacement, and obey her orders on the matter!"
Lydi'aleera frowned. "Is there anyone that is in charge of the matter?"
"YOU KILLED EVERYONE THAT WAS IN CHARGE!" He yelled, pointing an accusing finger at them. "YOU AND THAT.......DEMON!" Roderick ignored the growl that emitted from Spike and looked at Cassandra. "Call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless."
"We can stop this before it's too late." Cassandra said.
"How?" He countered. "You won't survive long enough to reach the temple, even with your ragtag team, which is consisted of an elven apostate, the criminal and the demon, and the dwarf that made the most obscured books I've ever read!"
"Good to see your a fan." Varric said next to Spike, which Spike just raised an eyebrow at him.
"We must get to the temple. The elf may close the Breach before it destroys us." Cassandra continued, ignoring the comment Varric made.
"But the route to the temple is not the safest." Leliana pointed to a mountain. "Our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains." Lydi'aleera looked at where she pointed at. Indeed, there was a path to the mountain itself.
"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path. It's too risky." Cassandra pointed out.
"Listen to me." Roderick began. "Abandon this now before more lives are lost!"
As if on cue, the sky rumbled and lit up, spatting out a couple of meteorites of green fire. Lydi'aleera's hand lit up, jolting pain through her hand. She stumbled and clutched her left hand to her belly. Spike managed to support her by cupping a hand under her elbow, trying to hold her steady. "Thanks." Spike nodded and supported her up.
Cassandra walked up to her. "How do you think we should proceed?"
"Why are you asking for my opinion?" Lydi'aleera was now confused at her. A shemlen was asking for an elf's opinion?
"You have the mark." Solas pointed out.
"And you are the one we must keep alive," Cassandra said. "Since we cannot agree on our own."
Lydi'aleera weighted her opinions. They could go and support the soldiers so that they can get to the temple quicker. But the demons could provide a problem for them. Sure, Spike and Cassandra could take the blunt of the assault, but even they have limits. A Dalish does not go out and charge head first into danger. She may not be a hunter like the rest of her clan, but she knows whats best for everyone present. With that course in mind, she looked up at the mountains. "I say we head up the mountains. It may take long for us to get to the temple, but at least we'll be out of danger."
Cassandra didn't like it, but nodded in approval to her plans. She looked a Leliana. "Leliana, bring everyone left in the valley. Everyone."
Lydi'aleera could feel the Chancellor's glare at the back of her head. "On your head be the consequences, Seeker." Glancing at Cassandra, she could see the human women with a cold gaze as they went across the bridge and into the mountain. She never expected a human to stand up for her against the human religious leader. But why? She will have a trial, as Cassandra has said, but the human managed to protect her through those cold stares.
'The world has truly gone mad.' With that thought in mind, she continued to the mountain path that lay before her.
That was Spike's first reaction when he saw the so-called 'Breach'.
They climbed the mountain so that they can get to the temple faster. The entered a cave that was once a mine that was long abandoned for reasons yet unknown. Groups of demons were occupying the place, but nothing to serious. The real problem was that both Solas and Lily can't use there magic at such close quarters, epically in an old mine. Spike and Cassandra had to go to the front of the group to protect them, while Varric used his crossbow to dispatched the demons from the back. They made it out of the mine in one piece. Along the way, they encountered the missing scouts, who were fighting a bunch of demons coming out of the rift. They quickly killed the demons while Lily sealed the rift. The scouts were grateful for the act and went on their way. They continued down the mountain and into the temple where the Breach originated from.
Spike had to stomach his vomit when he saw the burnt bodies of the people at the temple.
Right now, they were inside the temple, overlooking the green pulsing rift in the center of the room. The massive, spiraling rift in the center of what was once a great temple surged with energy. Spike had never seen this type of magic before in his life. Living with Twilight had improved his knowledge of magic. It would take a lot of focus from a very skilled unicorn, like Twilight or Star Swirl the Bearded.
"This was where we found you two." Cassandra interrupted his thoughts. He glanced at her as her eyes scanning the damage before her. "They say a women was in the rift behind her. No one knows who she was."
Spike saw Lily staring at the rift with a hint of pain and sadness in her eyes.
"You made it. Thank the Maker." Spike turned around and saw Leliana logging towards them, bow at the ready.
"Barely." Varric said. "We were greeted by more rifts, demons, and generally unpleasant things down the mountain that didn't bother with a cheery hello."
Spike raised an eyebrow at Varric. "Are you always this cheerful in a situation?" Among the company so far, Varric, the 'dwarf', was an odd fellow to Spike.
Varric chuckled. "Trust me, Spike. With half the shit I've seen in my life, you'd be surprise."
Out of the corner of his eye, Spike saw Cassandra ordering Leliana. "Take your men and position them around the temple." She nodded and motioned for them to ready themselves. Cassandra turned to Lily. "This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?"
Spike saw Lily look down at her glowing hand for a moment before looking at Cassandra. Spike could tell she was scared, and, in truth, he is as well. He placed a hand on her slender shoulders and Lily turned around to look at him. He smiled. "You can do this. I know you can." Spike reasserted her.
She smiled at Spike and nodded her head. She looked at Cassandra once again. "I..I think I'm ready."
"Then lets find a way down. And be careful." Cassandra lead the way downstairs, and made their was around the rim of the flat field where the explosion was created. Before they were even half-way to the Breach, a weird ringing filled Spike's pointy ears. He tried to cover his ears, but had done nothing to stop the ringing. Then, a voice filled the air around them, his voice was cold and gravel, vast and cold. A chill ran down his spine as he heard it.
"Now is the hour of our victory."
"Bring forth the sacrifice."
Spike wasn't the only one that heard it. Cassandra stopped and looked around, trying to find where the voice came from. "What are we hearing? Who was that?"
"If I had a guess," Solas said. "I say it is the person who created the Breach."
They continued to walked, despite what was going on. Spike managed to glace at a weird rock that was glowing red sprouting out of the ground.
"Don't touch it, Spike. It's Red Lyrium." Varric said. "That shit will mess with your head."
Spike did as he was told and avoided any 'Red Lyrium'. He overhead Varric questioning Cassandra how the Red Lyrium got here, and Solas answering his question. They continued on toward the green spire, the voice from before can be heard.
"Keep the sacrifice still."
They jumped down from a short ledge and into the charred remains of the room, the rift in the middle of what was once a great room. Spike saw Lily's hand suddenly started lighting up, but she didn't notice it. It was as if she was in a trance of sorts. Translucent shapes soon manifested themselves at the rift, like that of a film projector back in Equestria. He saw an elderly women in robes being suspended in mid-air with her arms spread out. She was held in place with red energy in her arms. In front of her was a dark smoking figure with glowing red eyes.
"Someone help me!"
"That was the Most Holy!" Cassandra stopped and looked at the rift in surprised. They saw another person enter the room.
"What's going on here?"
Lily.
"Run while you can! Warn them!" The elder lady yelled.
"We have an intruder." The misty figure pointed what looks like a finger right at her. "Slay the elf."
A bright flash from the rift and the group, except Lily, covered their eyes. When it was safe to look, the images disappeared. Lily sucked in a breath, as if she was holding her breath all along. Cassandra was the first to recover. "You were there! Who attacked? And the Divine, is she.....?" She grabbed her shoulder and jerked her body to face her. "Was this vision true? What are we seeing?"
"I don't know?!?!!?" Lily nearly yelled at her. "I can't remember anything!" She was scared, and Spike knew it.
"There just echoes, Cassandra. Echoes of what happened here." Solas said. "The Fade bleeds into this place."
"So now we know what happened to the place, and the Divine." Spike said. A thousand questions entered his mind, a few to the strange fog holding the 'Divine' in the image. He could be dead, for all he knew. Spike turned his head to Solas. "I assume you have a plan to close the Breach?"
"Indeed." He said. "This rift is not sealed, but it is closed......albeit temporarily. Lydi'aleera's mark can open the rift and seal it properly and safely. However, opening the rift will likely attract demons from the other side."
"That means demons. Stand ready!" Cassandra announced. By the time the order was given, they prepared. Spike drew his sword from his back, his group followed suit. The men on the ground withdrew their swords while the ones on the balcony withdrew their arrows and aimed them at the rift. Lily murmured something under her breath, clutching her staff as if it would be the last thing she will feel. Spike couldn't hear what she was saying, but he could tell that she was praying to someone.
With a breath, she extended her hand toward the rift. Green light sucked from the scar in her hand and funneled to her hand and, with a tremendous boom, opened the rift. Spike could see a painful expression on her, her slender knees nearly bucked from under her. Before he could help her, a spike of energy suddenly thrust past Lily, materializing something out of thin air.
The something, was a massive demon that can oversize a minotaur. It's skin was grey and spikey, hard muscle rippling beneath it. It's nine eyes scanned its surroundings before it let out a deep, demonic roar.
"Pride Demon." Cassandra cried. "Take it down!"
The archers from up top fired their arrows at the demon and Solas hurled ice shards from his staff, but it shrugged them off as if they were nothing. Spike and Cassandra charged at the demon, a war cry emitting from Cassandra. The demon swung its massive arm at Cassandra, but she dodged to the right side. While Cassandra distracted it, Spike had managed to get in close to the demon, striking its clawed legs. However, his blade bounced off the demons hide like a rubber band. The demon noticed this and turned its attention off of Cassandra. The demon stomped his arm downward, but Spike looked up at the last minute and rolled out of the way. He landed just a few feet from the demon. Before he could get back up, the demon was already on him. It swung its massive arm right at him. Spike felt a familiar tingle on his skin as the Pride's arm bounced off of him. He knew that Solas had created a barrier around Spike to protect him. The demon staggered for a bit. It was all the time Spike needed, as he was already on his feet again and dodged out of the way once again, right when the demons left arm almost grazed him.
Spike heard a sharp pop next to him and saw the demon fell to one knee, it's head hung low.
Arrows, bolts and magic sank into the demon, making a squish noise as they punctured the demons skin. Spike charged into the demon, his sword high above his head as he closed the distance between him and the demon. The barrier shimmered around Spike's skin as he thrust his sword into the demons gut. He could see Cassandra and the soldiers doing the same thing as well.
It soon stood back up to its full height, lighting forming around its clawed hands. Like a whip, the lighting arc through several soldiers unlucky enough to get in its way. Their armor wasn't enough to absorb the lighting and they fell like flies, electricity withering out of their burnt bodies. It soon turned to the archers on the balcony. With its arm outstretched, he released an electric ball towards them. A few unlucky ones were blasted away from the battlefield.
Spike needed to do something. The demon was now exposed, but it was madder than every, killing anything in its way. While it was distracted, he charged at the demon, feeling Solas's barrier spell forming around his skin. Once he was at base of its leg, he struck again, though it didn't bounce out like last time. It sank deep into its skin. The demon roared in pain, turning its attention to Spike. The raised his arm, an electric whip in his hand, and brought it down on him. It sent him flying a few feet, his sword was knocked out of his hand.
Spike slammed into a wall. Solas's barrier spell had given out during the fight, his back felt like a giant hammer has struck him. He fell to the ground with a thud.
He laid there, helpless as a deer petrified by a cockatrice. He wanted to scream for help, but his breath was ragged and hoarse, a few of his ribs were cracked, threatening to poke at his stomach. He coughed up some blood. He tried to get up, but his arms and legs were too weak to lift on his own.
I........need.........to..........get........up. Several times he tried, but he failed. He soon laid on his back, looking at the greenish hole in the sky. The voices on the battlefield became nothing but a distance sound. I.......can't......die...........now. His eye lids became heavy, blinking a few times. Maybe........I........should.........rest up............a bit. Maybe it was all a dream. Yeah, that sounds right. It was all a dream, none of it was real. He would wake up on his own bed in Twilight's castle. He would make her breakfast as usual and have a good laugh about Spike's dream.
He closed his eyes, smiling as he entered a dreamless sleep. Just a dream. Just a dream. Just a dream..........
"SPIKE!!!!"
He opened his eyes when he heard a familiar voice. He turned his head to the side.
Lily was fighting the thing before her, the already weakened demon roaring in pain from her magic spells. She aimed her staff downwards, pulled back, and fired a fireball at the demon. It did little than just hinder him. The demon roared in rage as it closed the gap between her. Once it was close, the demon smacked her with it's blade-like arm. She was sent flying a few feet from the rift. She laid there, unmoving.
Spike felt something in his stomach. His heart beat twice as fast. All his thoughts were nothing to him now. It was a feeling he had not felt in a while.
That was when Spike's world turned red.
Lydi'aleera's efforts in closing the rift were meet with resistance as the Pride Demon rampaged across the battlefield. Her companions did all they can to distract the thing while she started closing the rift. It was a hard, watching as the ones that helped her get to the temple were being ravaged by a beast twice their size. However, every time she disrupt the rift, the demon was vulnerable, allowing her companions to attack it. Solas uses his magic spells to hurt the demon, Varric fired his crossbow, Bianca, and Cassandra and Spike engaged it head on. She watched as they took a beating from the electric attacks, but never backed down.
At least, until Spike foolishly charged in and the demon hit him, sending him toward a wall.
Lydi'aleera watched as Spike was fledged towards the wall, his body flailing about like a rag doll. His back hit the wall and he slide off the wall. She saw him, laying limp on the ground. She called out his name, praying to the Creators that he was still alive. She wanted him to be alive, needed him to be alive. Ever since this whole crazy thing began, Spike had been nothing but supportive to her, regardless that she is a Dalish elf. Most, if not all humans, would run from them or foolishly fight them.
See cast a fireball from her staff onto the demon, which only just slyly pissed it off. The demon turned its attention towards her. Cassandra started to advance on the demon, but the demon was smart, and smacked Cassandra, sending her flying a few feet before colliding to the ground. Luckily, she had her shield raised at the last second, started coming towards her, the ground quaked with every step. She started casting spells at the demon, using elemental magic to slow it down. It done little than just piss it off more. Varric and Solas tried to get the demons attention away from her, but the demon shrugged it off. Once it was close enough, it smacked it's fist into her. The demon almost killed her, had she not thrown a barrier spell on her during the last moment.
Lydi'aleera grunted as she got up, her side hurt as she tried to get up. Her hand that held the mark sizzled once again, gritting her teeth as she felt her hand burn a little. Her head was pounding a little due to all the magic she casted at the demon.
A shadow casted over her form. She looked up and saw the demon towering over her. She tried to move out of the way, but her body refused to move. The demon have sensed this, and gave a demonic chuckle. It raised one of its arms in the air, the electricity ready to strike her. There was so much to do, even closing the rift that threatened to destroy everything she hold dear. She wasn't ready to die. But what can she do? Her body refused to move due to all the mana she wasted on the demon. So she waited for the inevitable, glaring at the demon in her final moments of defiance.
She heard a roar, and something that collided with the demon.
She saw the demon get tackled by a green blur, falling to the ground. With the last of her remaining streanght, she forced herself up. Once she was standing again, she looked over to her right side to see what had attacked the demon.
The Pride Demon that came out of the Beyond, or 'The Fade' as the humans called it, was staggering against a new foe. She couldn't see it's face, but it had scales that were purple, with green fins coming out of its head and all the way to its back. It's tail was long with a spade-like tip at the end. It's claws were dug into the demons chest as it struggled to get them, and it, off. It climbed up to the head of the demon and started to slash its face. The demon roared in agony as it tried to swat it out of its face. The beast ignored the scratches the demon gave it and continued the assault.
"Lily!" Someone from behind her said. She turned around and saw Cassandra running up to her. "Thank the Maker your still alive." She looked behind her and gasped. "By the Maker, what is that thing?"
"I don't know." Lydia'leera said. She looked back at the beast as it tackled the Pride demon again. "But it isn't attacking us, for the moment." She looked at Cassandra. "Where's Spike?"
"I don't know." Cassandra said. "But I'm sure he's fine. We must focus on the rift."
She nodded. She would check on Spike later. She knew in her gut that he is still alive. With great effort, she lifted her hand at the rift, the green energy shot out of her hand once again. She could feel the energy trying to leave the mark on her hand. She pulled her hand back, and the rift once again exploded. She heard the demon roared in pain as she saw the other demon swap at its guts. The demon staggered back and fell to its knees once again. The thing that attacked it didn't waste any time as it charged the demon again on all fours, an predatory roar filled the air.
"Look out! Demons!" Cassandra shouted. Lydi'aleera saw what she was saying. Demons were coming out of the Beyond, a desire to kill. It wasn't just Shades that attacked them. Long, stick-like demons, which she learn were called Lesser Terrors, were pouring out of the Beyond as well. A Shade was coming after her, claws outstretched. Lydi'aleera stepped aside and slammed the mace-like tip on the demon. Summoning some mana she has left in her, she set her right hand on fire and struck the demon. It went down in a pained wail as it was disintegrated.
She saw Cassandra dealing with the other Shades, while Solas and Varric fired everything they have on the Terrors. She looked at where the two other demons that are fighting each other.
The demon swat its left claw at the beast, but it sense the attack coming and jumped to the left. Like an arrow, it thrust forward and slammed into the demon with great ferocity, causing it to fall over. The demon wailed in pain, trying in vain to swat the beast off of its stomach. It started climbing towards where the heart would be. With it's claws, it shank into the demons left shoulder and with a twist of its arm, it looked like it pierced the heart. With a final cry, the demon lay limped, sinking fully to the ground. The beast roared in victory.
She watched as the demon shattered like grass and pulled back into the Beyond. The thing that killed it jumped down from it before it was pulled to the rift. She was able to get a clear look at it. It's chest is slightly green and muscular. It's face and jaws were narrowed, sharp teeth propping out of the mouth. Lyid'aleera was scared as it looked at her, but she was focused on something else. Something that seemed all to familiar to her.
It's eyes had slits, with emerald green eyes.
"S-s-Spike?"
Spike roared once again and charged right at her. Time seemed to slow down as Spike came towards her. Her breath became ragged. Lydi'aleera was to terrified to even move, seeing her.............friend, charging at her. She wanted to yell. To scream. To fight back. Anything!
'Is......is this it?' She thought. 'Killed by someone that looked out for me?'
Time resumed to normal as Spike continued coming at her on all fours. Once he was close enough, he jumped, claws aimed right at her.
She watched as the beast she once considered a friend jumped right towards her............
......and right past her.
She looked behind her and was surprised to see him tackle one of those Terror demons that managed to snuck in from behind her. The demon screamed at Spike. She had to cover her sensitive ears just to block out the high screech. Spike is not effective by this and slashed one of his claws across the demon. It dissolved into dust like before, and Spike moved onto the next demon he sees.
She stood there, petrified as a deer, under what had transpired. Lydi'aleera shuttered, looking at the creature in front of her. The one that supported her, the one that protected her through this crazy event, was no longer there.
Instead, there is a beast.
A beast filled with fury.
She shook her head, snapping out of her train of thought. 'I can't think about this now. I have to close the Breach.' Breathing in a sigh, she focused on the rift that was in front of a large statue of what she assumed to be 'Andraste'. Once again, she raised her marked hand on the rift. She felt the power from the mark into the rift. A stinging pain is felt through her hand, forcing her to clench her teeth. 'Just a few more----'
She screamed as her hand felt like it was on fire. Tears rolled down her face as she was forced to her knees. She wanted to pull her hand back, but it was glued to the rift she is closing. The swirling green energy around the Breach was disorientating, her hand continued to funneled the energy from her hand.
The rift was getting brighter and brighter, until it exploded, sending a shockwave throughout the land and sky.
Lydi'aleera blinked a few times as she started to wake up. Her vision was a little hazy, but she could see that she was somewhere else instead of the temple. Her head was a little foggy as she tried to remember what happened. Her head is also contently pounding, which didn't help the situation at all.
Let's see...............I remember lifting my hand to the Breach, the demons popping out, and Spike--. Like a dam breaking, everything came back to her.
The explosion at the Conclave.
Being capture by humans.
Blamed for something she didn't do
Closing some rifts.
The battle at the temple.
Her hand hurting.
And Spike....
A gasped and something falling to the floor interrupted her train of thought. She immediately shot up, her vision becoming clear once again. She was, indeed, in some kind of wooden building. A house, if she is correct. She could see some details, like a small bird cage holding a crow in the right corner of the room, a bookshelf in the right side and a line of furs to the side of the window. She smelled some herbs in the room as well. A single candle was burning next to her, along with several torches that illuminated the walls. She wasn't wearing the same armor as before. She is in some regular clothes that hugged her body a little. An elven servant is standing near the entrance, her mouth agape like she had just saw a spirit. "I-I'm sorry." She finally spoke, shaking like a leaf. "I didn't know you were awake, I swear!"
"No. It's alright." Lydi'aleera said, trying to calm the servant. "I only just--"
She didn't even finish her sentence as the servant got on her knees and..........bowed. "I beg your forgiveness and your blessing. I am but a humble servant."
Lydi'aleera blinked as she saw the person bowing before her, as if she was one of the elven gods. "It's......alright." She said. She looked around the room before she spoke again. "Can you tell me where I am."
"Your in Haven, my lord." The servant said, still bowing before her. "They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand."
She had completely forgot about that. Lifting her hand, she saw the mark spark for a second before dying down to a dim. It didn't hurt as much anymore, though it did sting a little bit.
"It's all everyone has talked about for the last three days." The elf continued.
"So they're.........pleased?" Lydi'aleera was confused. She didn't think anyone would care for her, especially since they think that she did the explosion at the temple.
"That's only what I heard." The servant got up. "I'm certain Lady Cassandra would want to know you've awaken. She said, 'At once.'"
"Where is she?" Lydi'aleera questioned.
"In the Chantry, with the Lord Chancellor. 'At once', She said." The elven servant left the house, leaving her alone once again.
She sighed. 'Might as well see what's happening.' With that in mind, she started pulling the covers off of her. She then turned and sat at the foot of the bed. She started to stand, but her legs were weak, nearly letting her fall. She quickly leaned near a wall for support, slumping down until she was in a sitting position. Looking around the room once more, she saw that her staff is lean close to her. She immediately grabbed, felling the soft wood and the smooth handle. It wasn't like her usual staff she had made in the clan. It was the first staff she made when she became the Keeper's apprentice. Throughout her life, she keep it close to her, like a child clinging onto a doll. For all she knew, it was probably destroyed when the temple exploded, or in the Beyond somewhere.
Taking a few breaths, she started to use her staff to climb back up, leaning on the wall for support. Once she got back up, she took some careful steps, using her staff as a walking stick.
Then another.
Then another.
Then another.
'So far, so good.' She continued walking to the door. There were some moments when she started to fall, but she quickly regained her footing as she used her staff.
She soon stood at the doorway. Taking a few deep breaths, she opened the door, the sun glared down at her as she held her hand out, shielding some of the sunlight from her as she took her first steps outside.
Like the servant had said, she is back at the human town of Haven. The wooden buildings looked cozy enough to live in as she saw them. The town itself is separated by a wooden wall with a stone gateway. Large statues of what she assumed to be wolves dominated the steps to the other portion of the town. Up in the sky, the Breach swirled and danced, like a artistic painting coming to life.
But that wasn't what she was focusing on.
Rows of people were staring right at her the moment she got outside. She felt her heart skip a beat as they all looked at her. Two soldiers were standing guard over a small stone step that led down to the crowed of people. They stood there, saluting to her as she hobbled down the steps. As she got down from the steps, she saw the people gazing back at her with................admiration, respect? Whispers can be heard amongst themselves as she walked. She can hear faint conversation by some.
"That's her. That's the Herald of Andraste."
"They said when she came out of the Fade, Andraste herself was watching over her."
"Why would Andraste send an elf, a Dalish elf, to save us?"
"Hush, she could hear you."
She felt her cheeks lit up in embarrassment as they watched her, though her long brown hair hid it well. She didn't like getting attention. That much was certain. She was always the shy one in the Lavellan clan, never speaking to anyone because of her constant studying of magic and to become the next Keeper. The only person she ever considered a friend was her big brother, Aesar, head of the hunting parties in her clan.
Once she acended some steps that lead to another portion of the town, she started to think of some of the things they said.
'Hearld of Andraste? But I don't believe in their religion!' It was ridiculous. She is Dalish, a true The Dalish elves always worshiped their own gods, even after the Fall of the Dales to the humans. Elgar'nan, the Eldest of the Sun and He who overthrew his father. Mythal, The Protector. Fen'harel, the Dread Wolf. Andruil, the Huntress. Falon'din, the Friend of the Dead. Dirthamen, the Keeper of Secrets. Ghilan'nain, the Mother of Halla. June, the Master of Crafts. And Sylaise the Hearthkeeper.
Besides, she didn't believe in the 'Maker' or his prophet.
Before she even knew it, she is at the large wooden door to the 'Chantry'. The door itself had a large symbol of the sun on it's frame. The priests and sisters bowed to her, like she was a queen of a far-off land. She pushed the doors aside as they opened, taking in the scenery in the room.
It was big. With chandeliers hanging from the celling, pillars with torches lighting the room, and candles on the floor to give it a homely feeling. She pressed on, her shadow ever shifting to one side or the other. A banner with the sun embezzled in it hung over a door at the end of the hall. As she got there, she heard voices coming out of the room. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she knew that they were talking about her.
She stood right at the door, the voices becoming clearer now. She recognized the voices of Cassandra and the Chancellor known as Rodrick. Taking a slow, deep breath, she opened it.
The room she is in is relatively small, compared to the room she woke up in. A long wooden table is set up in the middle of the room, complete with various objects like a few books and two mugs. A steel shield was hanging on the wall next to a bookshelf. A statue of the humans god is standing near a wall. Two guards, who are Templars, stood guard near the door she entered in. She recognized Cassandra and Leliana, as well as the human cleric that wants to kill her without a second thought.
The cleric, 'Rodrick', she remembers, pointed a finger at her. "Chain her. I want her and that thing prepared for travel to the capital for trial."
"Disregard that, and leave us." Cassandra ordered. The guards saluted and filed out of the room. Lydi'aleera let out a shuttered breath once they left the room. She heard stories of what the Templars do to anyone that had magic. She always feared what they would do if they find her clan and take her away, locking her in a tower they call a 'Circle' and under Templar watch.
Rodrick glared at Cassandra. "You walk a dangerous line, Seeker."
"The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat. I will not ignore it."
"I'm still a suspect, even after what I did?" Lydi'aleera is a little pissed off that she is still a prisoner, even after what they had witness at the temple.
"Apparently, you are, elf." Rodrick scoffed. Lydi'aleera attempted to put on a brave face and glared at him. She maybe a small, timid elf, but she can at least stand up for herself.
"No, she is not." Cassandra rebutted. Lydi'aleera was surprised, and glad, that she is siding with her. Days ago, she was screaming for her and Spike's head on a pike.
"And for good reason." Leliana said. " Someone was behind the explosion at the Conclave. Someone Most Holy did not expect. Perhaps they died with the others," She then looked at him. "Or have allies who still live."
"I am a suspect?!?!" Rodrick exclaimed.
"You, and many others."
"But not the prisoner."
"We heard the voices in the temple. The Divine called to her for help." Cassandra said.
"So her survival, that thing in her hand----All a coincidence?" He folded his arms as he finished.
"Providence. The Maker sent her to us in our darkest hour."
What?!?!?! She nearly yelled when they mentioned this. She blushed as she looked down at her feet, to avoid all the eyes that were on her. "I-I'm not some 'chosen one' sent by your god. I'm Dalish. I don't believe in your 'Maker'."
"I have not forgotten. Regardless of what you are, or what you believe in, your are exactly what we needed, when we needed it."
"The Breach remains, and your Mark is still our only hope of stopping it." Lydi'aleera perked up at Leliana's statement.
"This is an outrage!!!" Rodrick slammed his fist down at the table. "I will not let this stand."
Cassandra, having gone to the bookshelf during their discussion, returned with a book in her hand. She slammed the book down at the table. The book was thick as a brick, filled with pages and notes, with frames that had metal to reinforce the structure. The cover had a strange symbol of an eye inside the sun itself.
"Do you know what this is, Chancellor?" Cassandra said, pointing to the book on the table. "This is a writ of the Divine, granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn." Rodrick was walking backwards as Cassandra approached him an accusing finger lashing out at his chest. "We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order, with or without your approval."
Rodrick opened his mouth to say something, but promptly closed it as he made his way to the door. He bumped right into Lydi'aleera, which she returned a glare as he left. She didn't like, and would happily burn his arse to the Beyond, if she had the chance.
..........Creators, this entire thing is changing her.
"This is the Divine's directive:" Leliana's soft tone interrupted her thoughts. "Rebuild the Inquisition of Old, find those who will stand against the chaos." She sighed. "We aren't ready for this. We have no leader, no numbers, and now, no Chantry support."
"But we have no choice." Cassandra said. "We must act, with you at our side."
"Me?" Lydi'aleera said, pointing to herself. "But I'm just an Dalish elf."
"You are the only one that can close the Breach." Cassnadra pointed out. "What you saw at the temple, even if you don't remember, could prove to be very dangerous to the world."
She sighed. "Your right. I can do that." See looked at Leliana. "But what is the 'Inquisition of Old.'"
"It was created by the Chantry after the Fall of the Tevinter Imperium." Leliana explained, like she was teaching a class. "They are people who banded together to restore order in a world gone mad."
"After, they laid down their banners and formed the Templar Order. But they have lost their way." Cassandra finished for Leliana. "We need those who can do what must be done united under a single banner."
"What if I refuse to join?" She questioned.
"We are not forcing you into this." Cassandra answered. "You can leave if you want."
"But whoever have started this whole thing could still be out there, plotting to kill you." Leliana said. "Added to the fact that some people are calling you, a Dalish Elf, a savoir, some of them would hunt you down until your are captured, or killed."
Lydi'aleera weighted her options carefully. She didn't want to be wrapped up in all of this. She was supposed to spy on the meeting because her Keeper told her that it would affect elves everywhere. Now she part of something she didn't want to be in. She could just leave and return to her clan, to live out the rest of her days as any other Dalish elf would.
However...
If what Leliana said was true, people would be after her, screaming for her blood. Even if she did leave, they would hunt her down and kill her before she could say anything.
And suppose that she made it back safe to her clan? What then? The Breach in the sky was sprouting out demons like there's no tomorrow. The demons would destroy everything in their path, including her clan, if they could be careful.
Added to the fact that the people, or person, that made it was still out there. They could still have allies among the populace, like the Templars.
She sighed. "If your trying to restore order..."
"That is the plan." Leliana said.
"Help us fix this, before it is too late." Cassandra extended her hand in a friendly manner. Lydi'aleera knew the gesture as she took a step forward and grasped it in her hand, shaking in agreement.
She knew that things will never be the same again.
While I really, really, reeeeally want to work on it, I just can't. When I first started out the story, I though I had a lot of ideas. Now with college classes to go to and a job, plus my two famous stories I'm working on this site, I've lost my written inspiration for this story.
