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Blood Song	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 1631 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 16
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- 18
In and Out

The Vigil was quiet, almost too quiet for Damien's liking. After being in the dungeon mines for what seemed like forever, Damien had gotten used to the noise the darkspawn made. The air was thick with it. Now here, back at the keep, the air was thin with little noise.
Damien stood in the courtyard, looking over everything. Lisha and the others had left immediately after their little meeting, leaving Damien in charge and Anders and Sigrun to go off and do whatever they pleased. In truth, Damien found himself bored. Keenan was still asleep, and he didn't wish to disturb his friend. He also found he didn't really want to be in that room at the moment. It was too painful. Damien wished he could have gone with Lisha and the others, instead of being stuck at the keep waiting for them to return. For there to be something to do.
“Oh, there you are, my lord!”
“Hmm?” Damien recognized Sergeant Maverlies as she walked briskly over to him. “What is it, Sergeant?”
“Ser, I don't mean to alarm you,” she bowed. “But there might be darkspawn still in the keep.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Aye, ser. We believe they're trapped in the cellar. We keep hearing banging sounds. That dwarf, Dworkin, when he set off some of his bombs during the attack, that made the cellars cave-in. I've had men clearing the rubble ever since.”
“And you just started 'earing zese banging sounds? What makes you zink they are coming from darkspawn?”
“Well... it could also be coming from people trapped down there as well. I know there are some who are still unaccounted for, and we also know people fled to the cellars, thinking they would be safe.”
“Why did zey think they would be safe? Zat's where the darkspawn came from.”
“It was?” Maverlies said surprised. “I didn't know that.”
“Indeed. Zat's where we Wardens were dragged when ze darkspawn took us. But... zere could be darkspawn trapped within. Hmm... Sergeant, 'ave ze men clear the rest of the rubble and I'll go retrieve my fellow Wardens and we'll investigate.”
“Of course, ser.” Sergeant Maverlies nodded her head before heading back to the cellars.
Damien made his way into the keep to locate Sigrun and Anders. He found Sigrun in the library, nose buried in a book. When he gestured for her to follow, she placed down the book and went with him without question. They found Anders in the kitchen, but he wasn't there to get food.
“I know there's some under there,” said one of the cooks pointing under a counter. “I always see them scurrying in and out.”
“Got it,” said Anders as he went over. “I'll just put my trap right... here.” He placed down a live-catch trap with cheese next to the counter and set it. “There. Just come find me when you see one trapped. Is there anywhere else?”
“Anders, what are you doing?” Sigrun asked.
“Catching rats. I need as many as I can get for my experiments.”
“Oh, for your spine healing?”
“That would be it.”
“You zink you can try and heal a spine?” Damien said.
“Hey, it's plausible,” said Anders. “And I'm going to do my best to figure it out without blood magic.”
“I respect what you are trying to do, mon ami, but you are one crazy mage.”
“I do my best.”
“Well, sorry to cut you short, but we 'ave work to do. Come, zere may be darkspawn to kill.”
“Ah, really?” Anders pouted. “Damn, and here I thought I was going to get a break. Alright, hang on.” He went over to the cook and handed her the rest of his traps. “Could you please place these for me? And again, just find me when they actually capture something.”
“Oh don't worry, ser mage, I will,” said the cook. “Those things give me the creeps. The sooner you can get them out of my kitchen the better!”
Damien lead Anders and Sigrun out of the keep and through the courtyard to the entrance of the cellars. There Sergeant Maverlies was standing outside the door, waiting for them.
“Ser, the men have cleared enough of the rubble to give you a path in,” she said. “Shall I take you?”
“Let's go ahead and get zis over with.”
They followed her down into the cellars where men stood still removing rubble from the hallway. There was a small path that lead to a door just down the hall. As soon as Damien stepped down into the cellars, he could start sensing darkspawn.
“Ah yes, zere are darkspawn beyond zat door. I can feel zem.”
“Damn it all,” Anders muttered.
“Ah, cheer up, Anders!” said Sigrun. “Maybe instead of rats, you can experiment on darkspawn.”
“Hey, I never thought about that. Hmm, that could work. Nobody likes darkspawn, so no one would mind.”
“Except where would you store zem?” Damien asked.
“Right here in these cellars! Or maybe the dungeon where we found Nathaniel.”
“Ah, so Nathaniel was the thief I 'elped to capture. I zought he looked familiar. Why did Lisha recruit 'im?”
“Not sure.”
“I guess it doesn't really matter. Come on, you two. Let's get going.”
Damien went through the rubble, Anders and Sigrun right behind him. He pushed the door open, revealing a room beyond destroyed and already showing signs of corruption. Slowly the three Wardens walked in and shut the door behind them. Damien took the lead, feeling the darkspawn were close. “Ze darkspawn are a little deeper. If we go fast, we should be able to catch zem off guard.”
Anders and Sigrun nodded as they grabbed their weapons. Damien grabbed his two blades as well and lead them through the room and down the stairs. In the next room they found three darkspawn that seemed surprised by their sudden appearance. Damien went after one, taking it down with no trouble as Sigrun and Anders were able to handle the other two. They continued on, taking care of the small groups of darkspawn they came across without any real problems. As they got deeper, Damien stopped and looked around.
“I zink we're almost to the bottom,” he said. “Zis area is beginning to look familiar.”
“This is where the darkspawn dragged you?” Sigrun asked.
“Yeah, down into ze Deep Roads. If zese cellars are connected to the Deep Roads, zen we will need to find a way to block it. Otherwise, ze darkspawn may be able to ambush us again.”
“That wouldn't be good,” said Anders.
“No, and I certainly wouldn't want something like zat to happen again. Zere's just one thing zat's bothering me: Maverlies mentioned zere might be people down 'ere as well, but all we've encountered are darkspawn. I hope zey're... No.”
The doorway ahead of them held a black silhouette. It crept, hands reaching out and a head popping up to reveal sunken, red eyes. The creature hissed, making Sigrun and Anders jump back.
“What is that?” cried Anders.
“Merde!” Damien cursed. “Zat would be a ghoul. Just kill it. Kill zem all!” Damien ran at the creature as it shrieked and went for him. His blades cut right through its tattered clothing, bringing it down fast. More ghouls then began to show themselves, screaming and running out the doorway.
Sigrun and Anders acted fast. Anders would freeze the ghouls and Sigrun would go and shatter them with her daggers. One ghoul managed to duck Anders's spell and went right for him. Seeing it coming, and not enough time to summon another spell, he took his staff and smashed it into the ghoul's side. The creature went flying, hitting the wall and leaving a trail of blood as it slide to the floor. Anders ran over to it, making sure it was really dead. Once he got to the wall, he looked at it horrified, finally able to get a good look at the creature.
“Holy Maker! That... that was a woman. I just killed a woman for no reason.”
“No, zere was a reason,” Damien said as he cleaned off his blades. “She tried to kill you.”
“But still...”
“Listen, zat used to be a woman, but now zere is nothing about it zat's human. It's what happens when you get corrupted and don't become a Grey Warden.”
“So there's no cure besides that?” Sigrun asked.
“None.”
“Hold on, I'm a little confused here,” said Anders. “You're saying this is what happens when you drink darkspawn blood?”
“Just becoming corrupted. Drinking ze blood or just getting it into your system somehow.”
“Then why didn't this happen to us? I mean, we drank darkspawn blood to become Grey Wardens. This could've happened to me?”
“No,” Damien said shaking his head. “Zere's more to becoming a Grey Warden zan just drinking straight darkspawn blood. Zere's other things mixed within. The main component, and what makes you a Grey Warden, or kills you outright, is a drop of blood from an archdemon.”
“An archdemon, really?” said Sigrun. “Wow.”
“Oui. And I'd say you two, along with your fellow recruits, probably are ze first to drink from ze blood of Urthemiel.”
“That would be the Old God Arawin and Zelda defeated, right?” Anders asked.
“Zat would be 'im. Nasty dragon too, despite him being ze Old God of Beauty. It was a tough fight, and seeing Belle and Chère take 'im down was simply remarkable. But enough, I zink for now. We need to move on. I believe I can feel the Deep Roads just beyond.”
After defeating all the ghouls, they were able to enter the room they came from. It would have been the end of the cellars, but the wall on the other side had a huge hole, which on further investigation, lead to the Deep Roads.
“I remember zis,” said Damien. “It's still a little fuzzy, but I do remember ze darkspawn dragging me zis way. Zey used the Deep Roads to gain entrance to the Vigil. Interesting.”
“Ah, the Deep Roads!” Anders moaned. “Did I ever mention how much I hate the Deep Roads? Especially after Kal'Hirol.”
“Hey, they're not that bad,” said Sigrun. “Sure there's darkspawn and they stink, but I find them kinda cozy.”
“Easy for you to say. You were born in the Deep Roads.”
“Actually, I was born in Orzammar. There is a difference.”
“Really? I didn't know Orzammar wasn't considered part of the Deep Roads.”
“Just because it's under a mountain doesn't make it a part. The Deep Roads consists of just the roads that lead from one thaig to another. But I guess I can understand why a surfacer would confuse such a thing. And... and what in the world is going on in your robes?” Sigrun had to stop and stare at Anders as he fidgeted a little. This made Damien stop and stare at him as well.
“It's Ser Pounce-A-Lot,” said Anders as he reached in and pulled the cat out. The orange tabby meowed and brought out his claws to attach to Anders's robes, not wanting to let go. “He got frightened when we started fighting. Ouch! Let go, please!”
“Why'd you bring your cat with you?” Sigrun asked.
“He likes sleeping in my robes and I didn't know we were going to fight darkspawn. I was under the impression Lisha left us here to relax.”
“Zere's no such thing for a Grey Warden,” Damien chuckled. “Now do whatever with zat cat and let's move.”
“Alright, Pounce, I think you're just gonna have to go back in.”
“Maybe you should let him out more,” said Sigrun. “Must get stuffy in those robes.”
“Yes, I'm going to let him out here to play with the darkspawn! What a wonderful place for a cat to be.”
“Alright, I see your point.”
They both settled behind Damien as he lead them through the hole and into a cavern that was unmistakably the Deep Roads. Anders closed his robes to allow Ser Pounce-A-Lot to settle as he looked around with insolence.
“Maker's breath! Is this... is this what I think it is?” Sergeant Maverlies had caught up with them, following them through the hole and looking around stunned.
“I'm afraid it is,” said Damien.
“So they really did come through the cellars. This isn't good. It could happen again. There are so many entrances from the cellars, it would be impossible to defend.”
“It would, so Sergeant, I need you to go and find Master Voldrick and bring 'im here. 'E may know a way to keep ze darkspawn from coming this way again.”
“Of course, ser.” Maverlies bowed before making her way back through the cellars to retrieve the dwarf.
“And what are we going to do?” Sigrun asked.
“We are going to investigate.”
“Oh... yeah!” Anders said with mock enthusiasm.
They made their way further in, seeing this part of the Deep Roads had been abandoned for some time. Sigrun also began to notice familiar things, certain symbols and statutes that had been in Kal'Hirol.
“I wonder if this was a trading route?” Sigrun said out loud. “It belonged to Kal'Hirol from these carvings. The dwarves here probably traded with the humans in Amaranthine. Or at least that's what it looked like they did.”
“Until they got over run with darkspawn,” Anders commented.
“Yes, thank you for reminding me.”
Damien stopped suddenly. “Merde...”
“What? What's going on?” Sigrun asked.
“Zey've sensed us.”
As soon as he said it, several darkspawn came running around a corner and straight at them. A giant hurlock collided with Damien as several genlocks raced for Sigrun. Anders went to take out one of the genlocks but had to quickly put up a shield to block the spell of an emissary. He stared down the darkspawn as it stared at him. At the same time they both released a spell, the magical projectiles connecting between them. The collision sent out a shockwave, making everyone in the vicinity fall to the ground.
“Anders!” Damien yelled as he pushed himself to his feet. “What was zat for?”
“Not my fault!” the mage cried. He went to grab the emissary with ice, but the darkspawn blocked it with a fire blast.
“Take care of it quickly, please!” Damien raised Veillée and sliced it across the hurlock's chest. Victoire then came around and implanted in the darkspawn's back. Damien then ripped his swords out and ran to help Sigrun.
Facing down the emissary again, Anders blocked another spell before summoning lightning that struck the emissary's staff. The darkspawn staggered for a bit before turning around and running down the tunnel.
“Oh no you don't!” Anders yelled as he chased after it.
“Anders, wait!” Sigrun yelled as she and Damien took care of the two remaining genlocks.
“Damn zat mage,” Damien cursed as they both ran after him.
Anders followed the emissary all the way to another large tunnel where laying in the middle of the road was the corpse of an ogre. The emissary stopped before it and summoning a black aura, cast it on the corpse. With a flash of black light, the corpse sprang to life.
“Ah, necromancy!” Anders said seeing the corpse rise. “I never thought of that before.”
“Think about it later!” Sigrun said running past him. “Right now, take down that emissary!” She ran right at the ogre corpse, cutting away at its already decaying flesh. Damien joined her, going on the opposite side and slicing his swords through the ogre's soft flesh. Even though it was easy to strike the ogre, since it was very slow compared to others, it would not go down. Damien jumped back to keep from getting grabbed as he looked to still seeing Anders fighting with the emissary.
“Sigrun, keep this thing distracted.”
“That should be easy.” Rolling under the ogre's legs, Sigrun stabbed its foot. The ogre turned and tried to grab her, but missed. This allowed Damien to get away as he ran at the emissary.
The darkspawn's back was turned to him as it was distracted by Anders. Driving both his swords forward, Damien thrust them through the emissary's back, making it choke. Anders was then able to finish it off with an arcane bolt before Damien removed his blades. With the emissary dead, the ogre collapsed.
“Thanks,” said Anders. “No matter what I did, I could never best him. He could always counteract me.”
“Yes, sometimes zey're tricky like zat,” said Damien. “Good work, zough. Even if I did 'ave to come and do your job for you.”
“Hey, I—Wow... what is that?” Anders said as he stared down the end of the tunnel at a large structure.
“That would be what we need to find, I think,” Sigrun answered.
“Holy Maker! I can't believe you three killed all those darkspawn.” Sergeant Maverlies came right behind them again, having found her way through the tunnel.
“So we impressed you, did we?” Anders smirked. “Yeah, I may not have been a Grey Warden for very long, but I do know how to kick some butt, don't I?”
“Please, you could barely take down that emissary,” Sigrun said playfully punching him in the back.
“Well, I think it's rather impressive,” said Maverlies. “I mean, I saw the other Grey Wardens fight darkspawn, but not like this.”
“Then maybe we could talk later?” Anders asked her with a broad smile. “I could truly dazzle you with some other things.”
Damien cleared his throat. “Anders, stop. Sergeant, did you bring Master Voldrick?”
Maverlies straightened, taking her eyes away from Anders. “Yes, ser. He's right here.”
“Now this is what I call proper engineering,” said the dwarf as he walked past Maverlies. “Greetings, Damien, glad to see you're well.”
“Yes, zank you, master dwarf. Do you zink you might be able to tell us what zis structure is?” Damien gestured to what was down the tunnel.
“Oh, of course, that would be the answer.” Voldrick made his way to the end of the tunnel and began looking the structure over. “This here is a barrier door. If we shut it then we won't have to worry about darkspawn coming from underneath us anymore for about a few decades or so.”
“Can you shut it?”
“Not quite yet. The mechanism is damaged. But if I work on it, then I should be able to close it. Just give me some time, and soon the Vigil will be darkspawn free. From below, at least.”
“Good, zen please do that. Anders, Sigrun, come on. We can go back up to the surface. Zere are no more darkspawn down 'ere.”
“Thank the Maker,” said Anders. “No more Deep Roads.”
“For now,” Damien corrected. “I never said we weren't coming back.”
Anders moaned, making Sigrun laugh at him.
***
Slowly Lisha began to push herself off the ground. She hadn't passed out, or at least she didn't think she had. There was a fuzziness on the outside of her vision, making things look tunneled as she peered at everything around her.
Something didn't feel right. Her senses were all over the place. Nothing made sense. The world around her looked different. There was light, which actually seemed to be coming from the objects themselves. The lake which had been to her right was much brighter. When she looked over to see it, the fuzziness still in her peripheral, she thought she saw a boat hanging in mid-air. “What is going on here?”
“Oh... Commander? What the sod...?” Oghren moaned.
The others began to stir next to her, all of them looking just as haggard as she felt. Velanna was really the only one who didn't seem affected. “Caun? Lisha! Can you hear me? Can all of you hear me?”
“Yes, Velanna,” Lisha said shaking her head, trying to get rid of the wooziness that didn't seem to want to let go. “What just happened?”
“That spell... I think we're--”
“No!” The loud yell caused everyone to suddenly look straight to see the First was still before them. He looked around the area, going in frantic circles. “We have come to the Fade as well? It cannot be!”
“Wait... what?” Lisha said trying to focus on him. “This is the... Fade? How did we get here?”
“That was a very powerful spell to have sent all of us here,” said Velanna. “Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—it was unstable. That's what happens when you give such a powerful spell to a non-mage to use.”
The First growled. “The Mother! She has deceived me!”
“I could never trust my mother, either,” said Oghren.
“Now I am being trapped in the Fade with you! Ah, I am the fool!”
“I couldn't say it better myself,” Lisha said as she stood straight. “And since you're here with us, I'll deal with you first, then I'll deal with the Mother.”
“I am thinking the Mother, she cares not what happens to the First so long as the commander is defeated!” The First turned away from them. “No, you will not deal with me. I shall go and take care of the Mother myself. You shall stay trapped here.” The darkspawn ran past them, easier than Lisha would have liked. She reached for him, but ended up falling against the wall of a building as the world around her began to spin.
“Easy, all of you,” Velanna said. Oghren and Nathaniel had also tried to grab the First as he ran by, but instead ended up staggering. “None of you are mages, so this isn't going to be easy for you. Your minds need to get used to it first.”
“Hold on, so this really is the Fade?” Oghren asked. “The place where humans and elves dream?”
“Yes, it is,” Velanna answered as she helped Nathaniel to the ground.
“Sodding nug-suckers! Dwarves aren't suppose to be here! We don't dream! We sleep like the stone!”
“But you've been having dreams, Oghren,” said Lisha. “Remember?”
“Darkspawn ones. Well... maybe some that might not be. But they still have darkspawn in 'em!”
“Is it a side effect, do you think?” Velanna asked Lisha. “I've never heard of a dwarf being able to enter the Fade before. I don't see how they could.”
“All I know is that when dwarves become Grey Wardens, they start to dream, and not just about darkspawn. Maybe because of that, they can be forced to enter the Fade.”
“That's just sodding great!” Oghren growled. “Someone's gonna be coughing out a kidney when I'm done with them.”
“I think we should figure out how to get out of here first,” said Nathaniel as he shook his head. “I feel like there's a vise around my head.”
“You've been forced asleep and out of your bodies,” Velanna explained. “So yes, it's not pleasant.”
“Why aren't you like this?”
“Because I'm a mage. And I've been to the Fade before.”
“Then can you figure out how to get us back to the real world?” Lisha asked.
“I'm afraid I can't. Or at least not without an incredible amount of lyrium. But I'm sure there's something around here that might be able to help us. The Veil is very thin. I can actually feel the real world through it. It's not enough to get us back, but it should be easier than if we were in a different location. In fact... there is something I'm feeling coming from where the village was. Maybe if we go there we might be able to find something that can help us.”
“Alright, then Velanna, you're going to have to lead the way,” Lisha said as she pushed herself off the wall. “You know the Fade. We'll just get lost.”
“Yeah, you will. But I don't... Last time I lead people, it turned into a disaster.”
“Velanna... it'll be a disaster if you don't.”
“Alright, I'll do what I can. Come on.” She helped Nathaniel to stand, and made sure they all could walk straight before taking them the way the First had ran. “Stick close. I can feel demons everywhere.”
“That's just wonderful,” Oghren grumbled.
“We're going to be useless if we have to fight,” said Nathaniel. “I may have a bow, but this place is messing with my senses.”
“The Fade does that,” Velanna explained. “It's not solid like the real world. It's constantly shifting and changing. Just stick close to me and I'll get us by the demons.”
Velanna took them through the swamp, or at least what looked like the swamp. It was warped, backwards, things were out of place. Lisha noticed where in the real world there was no path, in the Fade, a path presented itself. Velanna took them as fast as she could through, sometimes having to go back when she found no other way around a certain area that she knew contained demons. The Fade also seemed brighter, light coming from all directions. Velanna took them on a path that lined the lake. It was something that hadn't existed in the real world. The village as well seemed different, as if it were alive, not dead.
“No, mistress, please! No!”
The sudden scream made Velanna stop in the middle of the path to stare at a woman sitting next to the lake. She had her arms wrapped around her knees, rocking back and forth, crying.
“I swear to you, I didn't mean—please don't hurt me!”
“What's wrong with her?” asked Lisha.
“She's a soul trapped here,” Velanna answered. “It's what happens to people who don't realize they're in the Fade.”
“I'm sorry! No! No! Ah!”
“Come on, we need to keep moving.” Velanna took them past the screaming woman and to the docks in the back of the village. There they saw boats hanging in mid-air, some up-side-down. As Velanna took them around, they came to the opening of a crypt with another woman knelt next to a grave, praying. She jumped up scared when she heard them approach her.
“Oh! I thought you were one of them, trying to sneak up on me,” she startled.
“One of what?” Velanna asked.
“Those creatures that like to stalk this area. They're everywhere, especially at night. I really shouldn't be here alone, but I had to. My grandfather is buried here, and I like to visit him when I'm feeling sad.”
“Right...” Velanna said eying her.
The woman suddenly widened her eyes as she looked at something behind them. “Oh no! Come quickly into the crypt! Those creatures are coming!” She ran in, leaving them.
Velanna scuffed as she gestured for the others to follow her into the crypt as well. When they got deeper in, they saw the woman run down a path while Velanna took them down another.
“Velanna, I thought we were following her?” said Lisha.
“There is no way I'm following her,” Velanna said continuing on. “She's a demon in disguise.”
“What? You mean that innocent lookin' girl was a demon?” Oghren flipped.
“Demons are very deceptive. They play on our emotions, which is why you must be very careful when dealing with them. Or don't deal with them at all.”
Taking them as far away from the demon as possible, Velanna finally got them out of the crypt and into a graveyard that was within the village wall.
“Halt!” a guard yelled when he saw them come out of the crypt. “Who enters the Blackmarsh?”
“So we still are in the Blackmarsh,” said Velanna. “Are you a trapped soul, just as we are?”
“You are trapped as well in this endless nightmare?” the guard asked. He lowered his stance. “We've been here so long, I don't remember what anything feels like anymore.”
“Do you know a way back into the real world?”
“You're asking me? If I knew, then we wouldn't be here anymore. But maybe... There is a Fade spirit here that has come to help free us. He may be able to help you. But I'm not sure. Just make your way through the village to the gates that lead to the baroness's mansion. You should be able to hear the shouting.”
The village they passed through looked like any other village they may have encountered in the real world, even with the disorientation. They saw many other souls there, trapped just as they were, but these souls had been in the Fade for so long, they were used to how it felt. Lisha wondered how long that would have to be before she could begin to feel anything over than dizziness.
“Is this what happened to the village?” Nathaniel said as he looked around. “Then maybe the rumors were true.”
A crowd came into view standing and shouting in front of a gate. The mansion loomed over them, looking just as malicious as in the real world.
“The mansion will not protect you, fiend!” a warrior yelled within the crowd. “Come out and face your crimes!” As they got closer they noticed the warrior was see-through, whitish in appearance. He shined just like the rest of the world around him, sticking out of the crowd like a beacon.
“He's a spirit, benevolent,” said Velanna.
“That means good, right?” asked Oghren.
“Yes.”
“We aren't afraid of you any longer!” cried a woman next to him. She was a regular human, just as the rest of them were. “The witch hides! Break down the door!”
“Be cautious, my friends,” said the spirit, his voice echoing. “The baroness has power within her lair, and she well knows it. We rush in at our peril.” He had been facing the mansion, but then stopped and turned when he felt Lisha and the others approach. “And who comes now? More minions of the baroness? Or yet more hapless souls she has tormented?”
Velanna looked to Lisha and stepped back, allowing the archer to take back the lead.
“We do not even know this baroness,” Lisha stated. “Instead, we are Grey Wardens sent here against our will.”
The spirit stared at her puzzled. “I cannot say what a 'Grey Warden' is, but clearly you are a stranger. Yes, I can feel you haven't been in the Fade for long and are unaccustomed to its changing ways. Allow me to introduce myself... I am Justice. I have watched this place and seethed at the wrongs visited on these poor folk, and now I seek to aid them.”
“Once we lived in the real world,” said the woman. “And the baroness ruled over us. She took our children and used their blood to work dark and evil magic.” Her eyes began to water at her words and the man standing behind her squeezed her shoulders.
“When we burned down her mansion,” he continued for her. “She cast one final spell that brought our souls here. We have been trapped ever since, still under her rule.”
“That's horrible,” said Nathaniel. “To think the rumors about the baroness and the disappearance of the village are true. Lisha, we need to help them. Maybe after, this spirit... Justice, can help us.”
“What? Are you kidding?” Velanna nearly shrieked. “We have no quarrel with this baroness. I suggest we move on and find another way.”
“Wasn't it you who brought us here?”
“Yes, I thought I felt something that might help, but I guess I was wrong.”
“Were you sensing the baroness or Justice?”
“I... don't know.”
“Look,” Lisha said turning to Justice. “We need to find a way back to the real world. Is there anyway you might be able to help us?”
“I know nothing of such things,” said Justice. “So I might not be much help. But... I might be able to help you search for a way back to your world. Yes, what has happened to you is also an injustice, but at the moment it will have to wait. These poor folk's injustice needs to be dealt with first. Perhaps you could help?”
“Help? Oh... I don't know how much help we could provide,” said Lisha. “Besides our mage, the others and I do not have a clear sense of this place.”
“It was the same for us at first,” said the woman. “But eventually we became used to it.”
“You can do what you can,” Justice interjected. “Fight with us, and then I'll be able to help you find a way back to your world.”
Lisha steadied herself as she looked around. Nothing about this world was getting any better. She couldn't get a feel for anything: direction, space, distance. She knew Sulhigil was still on her back with a quiver full of arrows, but she didn't know how well they would aid the villagers.
“I still say we won't be much help,” she said. “But yes... we will do the best we can.”
“Good, then we will have the numbers to challenge the baroness directly!” Justice smiled, although it was hard to tell.
“Ooh, a direct challenge!” Oghren chuckled. “I like the sound of that. Less talking, more fightin'! Oh... maybe not until the room stops spinning.”
“I still don't like it,” said Velanna. “Why do we need to get ourselves involved with them?”
“Because we need their help, just as they need ours,” Lisha answered. “You did good, Velanna. And if Justice is wrong, then you can take over again.”
“Very well,” Velanna heaved.
“If it is all settled, then,” said Justice. “I suggest we move now. It is the best time before the baroness can rally her forces.” He turned back to the gate. “Good people, we take the battle directly to the witch! For too long have her crimes gone unpunished! Now is the time to reclaim your freedom!”
At his words, the crowd rallied. They stepped up to the gate and shook it, finally breaking it down and storming through. Other souls within the courtyard backed away from the crowd, scared. Justice made his way to a small balcony overlooking the courtyard. There, standing on it was a woman with blood red robes and black hair. She looked down on the crowd, shaking her head.
“My, my,” she stated. “All that shouting outside and now you've finally decided to barge in? Without even a proper invitation.”
“Foul sorceress!” Justice growled. “You will release these poor folk and submit yourself to justice!”
“Justice? Is that what you're calling it? What of their punishment, burning my home to the ground and me within it?”
“Because you were stealing our children!” one of the villagers yelled. “Using their blood to feed your vanity!”
“As was my due!” the baroness shouted back. “You lived on my land, I your rightful ruler! Your blood was mine just as your lives are now!”
“How can you say such a thing?” said Lisha. “Those were children you murdered!”
The baroness looked down from her perch curiously. “What's this? The pathetic fools have managed to recruit yet more sympathizers?”
“We are no longer alone, Baroness!” Justice cried. “Your reign ends here!”
The baroness smirked at him. “I don't think so. It just so happens I have some outside support as well.” She looked over smiling as behind her the First approached.
“Oh sod,” all the Wardens said at once.
“My path back across the Veil lies in victory over you and your new allies,” the First said glaring down at them. “I will gladly destroy you before next going after the Mother!”
“You're an idiot!” Lisha cried. “Do you really think the baroness is going to give you what you want?”
“And do you think this spirit is going to do the same for you?” said the baroness. “I can sense you want the same thing this creature does. I also know you do not have a grasp of the Fade. Do you really think you can defeat me in such a state?”
“We can certainly try.”
“I highly doubt it.”
“We must be ending this. Now!” the First interjected. “The commander, it is more dangerous than you know.”
“Oh, as you wish, creature,” the baroness said sounding bored and annoyed. “Slay them and you shall have the reward you requested. As for these ungrateful peons-”
“You will no longer harm them!” cried Justice. “Everyone, the battle is joined! I shall take care of the witch!” He sprang up on the balcony, facing the baroness down.
The First jumped down and went straight for Lisha, who barely seeing him coming leaped out of the way. The rest of the villagers went to attack the baroness's minions along with several demons that suddenly appeared. On the balcony, the baroness and Justice fought, although their struggle was hard for Lisha to comprehend. Their movements were fast and shaky, blurring together.
“All of you, get out of the way!” Velanna screamed. She knocked Nathaniel over who was trying to aim an arrow at the First, but missed by several feet. Locking her eyes with the darkspawn, she then began firing spells at him as he ran for her. His movements were sluggish, just as theirs was, which told Velanna he was just as unaccustomed to the Fade. This made her smile as the green of her magic completely engulfed the area and plants shot out from the ground and wrapped themselves around the First. An electric charge then passed through them to the First, making him howl.
The villagers continued their fighting, Nathaniel having gotten back up and tried to help them, but unable to aim properly. Oghren stood in the middle of the fight, swinging his axe wildly in a circle, but hitting nothing. Lisha grabbed Sulhigil but with so much chaos going on around her, she was unable to register any of it.
“Enough of this!” the baroness cried as she was pushed against the balcony railing by Justice. “I will not tolerate this any longer!”
“You will be brought in to answer for your crimes!” Justice said pointing his sword at her.
She growled at him before turning and seeing the First still locked within Velanna's vines. “You fool! Why haven't you defeated them?”
“They are too much!” the First yelled. “It must be sending me back through the Veil! Now, before it is too late!”
“Oh, I will sunder the Veil all right. I'll send them all back. But you—your life is going to provide the power!”
The First looked at her scared. “No! No!”
She stood and raised her hands. Black magic came from them, completely surrounding the area. Justice went to stop her, but was caught in the whirlwind of magic that made everyone stop and cover their eyes.
Oh no, not again! Lisha thought as that same feeling began to take over her as before. She could feel herself falling as everything around her became warped and blurred.
***
She took in a sharp breath. Her lungs gasping for air as if they had been unable to for a long time. Lisha put her hand on her chest as she stared at the wet ground, focusing on taking in air as the pain began to subside. Never did she want to go through something like that again. The Fade was no place for a non-mage. She was just relieved they were back in the real world as her senses began telling her that's where they were.
“Nug-sucking, sons of...” Oghren grumbled behind her. “If that stupid darkspawn hadn't been killed, I would kill him myself!”
Lisha went to her knees, trying to remember everything that happened. It all felt like a dream, her mind unable to accept it was real. The First, he had been killed by the baroness. She had used his life to bring them all back. In a way, she felt sorry for the First. He did not have to die that way. He was as much a victim as they were.
Something flashed beside her and Lisha looked to see Kristoff's body was still next to her. It then began to move, arms flipping forward to push its body off the ground. Lisha stood quickly and backed away from it, not sure what had just possessed the body.
“What... where am I?” the corpse spoke as it stood and looked around. Its voice very familiar. “What is happening? No! This is the world of mortals, beyond the Veil! And this... this is a mortal body of flesh. I am trapped within.” The corpse felt its hands across its face. The eyes both milky and scared. It looked over at Lisha with a frightened expression.
“You're the spirit of justice,” she said. “How did you get here?”
“That witch!” he growled. “When she sundered the Veil! I got caught in her spell and we were all pulled through. This is... this is not right. I'm not suppose to be here. I have no desire to enter the mortal realm.”
“Well, you're here now. And I'm not sure how you might be able to go back.”
“Just lope off his head,” said Oghren. “That should take care of it.”
“Not everything can be settled with violence, dwarf,” Velanna scolded. “Besides, I highly doubt that would kill him. The body he inhabits is already dead.”
“Yes...” Justice looked down at the body, his hands moving across the rusting armor. “But maybe there was a reason I came through the Veil. I can feel the baroness is here. She still needs to be dealt with.”
“The baroness came through the Veil as well?” Lisha asked.
“Yes, can you not feel her? She is nearby!”
“I don't understand. Isn't she dead, just like all the others?”
“The baroness, she is not a mortal as you are or as were the villagers she kept trapped. There was such a mortal once, but now... that is a demon of pride. She assumed that role long ago to feed from the mortals she trapped. But here in your world, here she will be quite something else.”
“And we need to deal with her?”
“We should, it's something that has to be dealt with. If not, then she will cause havoc in your world. Now come, I can feel she is this way.” Justice took off, back toward Kristoff's campsite and beyond to where the village was. Everyone looked at each other before following him.
“He sure became accustomed to that body real quick,” said Nathaniel. “What do you suppose we should do?”
“Follow him for now,” Lisha answered. “We'll fight the baroness and then see what happens next.” She sighed. “This trip has become far more complex than I would've liked.”
The Blackmarsh had not changed. It was still dark, keeping them from telling what time it was. They weren't sure how long they had been in the Fade. It felt like forever, or it could have been only mere minutes.
When they reached the village, Lisha recognized where many of the buildings had been. The gate to the mansion was where they had stormed in to confront the baroness. And within that gate stood the witch, looking just as she did in the Fade.
“So this is the world of mortals,” she said looking around, not realizing they were there behind her. “How very dull it seems, so immutable and unchanging. Yet... I am here! I have crossed the Veil! The spirits will watch in envy as the mortals of this realm bow down before me!”
“That will not happen, demon,” Justice growled.
The baroness sharply turned around, annoyed. “It seems I was not the only one drawn here. How very tiresome.”
“Do not think you will escape justice, demon. You will answer to it!”
“Oh really?” the baroness laughed. “You think you can defeat me in this world, spirit? You don't have the villagers anymore to back you up. You're in a body that is dead, decaying and will not last for very long. And if you think these mortals will be able to defeat me, then you don't know my full power.”
“You're a demon, and can easily be defeated!” Velanna shouted.
“You really think that? I have harnessed the power of those fool villagers for an eon. My true form has substance here and my power is great, beyond what I even thought possible. Soon I will rule over this world, and you—yes, all of you—will be my first subjects!”
The baroness stared at them with a wicked smile as her body began to glow. She became nothing but dark light that started to grow and shift. When it was done, and the light faded, what stood before them was a large demon of pride. It stared down at them with the same wicked smile.
Justice wasted no time as he let out a war cry and ran right at the demon. He had Kristoff's sword and shield out, slamming into the demon's leg and sticking the sword in its calf. He moved very quickly for a spirit in a corpse.
At his cry, everyone else acted as well. Velanna immediately backed away and began firing spells. The demon had started going after her, but when Justice struck it, it swiped down at him with its large hands. Oghren joined in with Justice, hitting the demon from the other side, making it spin to get at him. Lisha and Nathaniel had spread out, going on opposite sides of the demon as well. They were far away, aiming arrows and shooting them at sensitive spots. Most of the arrows just bounced off the demon's skin, but some made it in, making the demon growl.
They could see it was starting to get frustrated as it turned in all directions to get at either Oghren or Justice. Both warriors were able to outmaneuver the large demon, which seemed slow and was beginning to become slower.
“Now! Give this foul creature the final blow!” Justice cried. “We have it on the run!”
The demon growled at his words. An arrow hit it in the face, and turning toward the source, saw Nathaniel and ran for him.
Nathaniel went to get out of the way, but the demon caught him in midair as he leaped. Taking him in both hands, the demon brought him to its face and squeezed. Nathaniel screamed, and even more so when the demon opened its mouth and began sucking a strange light from Nathaniel's body.
“No! Stop it!” Velanna shouted.
Lisha looked on horrified as the demon sucked the life out of Nathaniel. She ran, jumping on to the decaying balcony and used the railing to land on the demon's back. Feeling her on it, the demon stopped what it was doing and threw Nathaniel's limp body to the ground. It went to grab at Lisha, but she made her way to its shoulders. Taking two arrows, she aimed down, right at its head, and fired. The two arrows embedded themselves right in the demon's skull, making it roar. She jumped off then backed away and aimed another arrow. The demon stared at her and roared, opening its mouth wide. She released the arrow and it went straight into the demon's mouth, choking it. The demon staggered, feeling the arrow shaft sticking out its mouth. Using the distraction, Justice went to its front, and drove his sword right into the demon's chest. He ripped a hole in its ribs. Light burst through and the demon exploded in a shower of sparks and gore.
“Nate!” Lisha cried when everything was done. She ran over to where he was laying. Velanna was already there, looking him over.
“He'll be fine, Caun. The demon didn't take all his life.”
“Thank the Creators,” Lisha said as she went to her knees to stare at him. “Nate... can you hear me?”
Slowly his eyes fluttered open. “Lisha...? That... was some nice shots.”
“Yeah...” Lisha smiled. “Don't ever do that again.”
“I'll try and remember. Oh...” Nathaniel moaned as he tried to sit up.
“Relax,” said Velanna. “You are hurt pretty bad. Let me heal you first.”
“Take care of him, Velanna,” Lisha said as she stood. “There's something else I need to see to.”
Justice stood where the demon had been destroyed, staring at the spot. When Lisha approached him, he slowly turned around and she could see his uncertainty. “And so... it is done. For what it's worth, thank you. I have fulfilled my vow. May the victim's of that woman's madness rest in peace, wherever they have gone to now.”
“May they be guided,” Lisha whispered. “So... what now? What do you plan on doing?”
“I... am not sure,” he said looking at his hands. “It appears I cannot return to the Fade on my own. I had hoped I would with the baroness's death, but yet I am still here in this body. Trapped, just as those poor souls were. And it is strange, I... I can see this man's thoughts. His... memories. He was a... Grey Warden? Is that what you called yourself? And he was... slain by a darkspawn? The one called the First. The creature the baroness killed.”
“Yes,” Lisha answered softly. “His name was Kristoff. He was a Grey Warden who came to the Blackmarsh to investigate the darkspawn. They are creatures Grey Wardens fight. The First was one that could speak. Apparently a new breed.”
“His memories are difficult to see,” Justice said shaking his head. “But they are starting to make sense now. It seems I am at a loss, though. I know nothing of this world, and I only have a few memories of this Grey Warden to draw from. What shall I do, mortal? You seem to be a creature of good character, and you are of this world. Can you advise me?”
This was something Lisha had never experienced before, even with all her experience in other matters. She wasn't sure she could advise him on the right thing to do. “I don't know if I can,” she said. “This is something new to me as well. You really can't find a way back?”
“There's possibly a way I could go back,” said Justice. “Just as when we were in the Fade, I did not know a way to get you back to the real world, but yet I said I would help you find a way. Could you do the same for me?”
“I can.”
“I suppose I could help you with your task... Hmm. There is still one injustice remaining. The mortal that I inhabit, he was murdered most ignobly by creatures of foul darkness. I could continue his mission... seek out the ones who ordered his death and avenge it. Yes, that could be my purpose. That is, of course, if you would have me.”
“We would be glad to have you... uh... What shall I call you? Kristoff?”
Justice shook his head. “No. That may have been the name of the soul who once inhabited this body, but that is not my name. I have no name, only a virtue to which I aspire. If I am to need a name, then use that. I am Justice. And for now I am pleased to travel at your side, Grey Warden.”
“We are all Grey Wardens here. My name is Lisha, and I am also the commander. The leader, for now. Come, I shall properly introduce you to the others. Then we will head out of the Blackmarsh and back to our base at Vigil's Keep.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins: Awakening
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