//------------------------------// // Mark of the Guilty // Story: Dragon of The Inquisition // by Jack of Tales //------------------------------// Darkness. 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.