Chapter Text
Cullen swore, barely resisting the urge to throw something. He’d had the good sense to retreat to his tent before reading the letter handed to him by a grave looking scout, affording him the ability to react without scrutiny. He sighed deeply to himself, then shoved aside the flap of his tent, stalking towards the Chantry with his jaw set in a hard line.
“Have Sister Nightingale meet me in the War Room at once,” he barked to that same scout.
“She’s been notified already, ser. The Ambassador as well.”
Cullen nodded curtly.
“Good. Stay alert.”
When Cullen entered the War Room, Leliana and Josephine were already there. He didn’t like the way they looked at him—like someone had died.
“I assume we’ve all been briefed?” Josephine piped up, sounding a bit uncomfortable.
Cullen dragged a hand down his face, not answering.
“What’s our move?” he asked, unable to come up with anything else to say.
“Well,” Leliana began, “from what I can tell, there isn’t much we can do.”
Cullen stared at her incredulously.
“You want to do nothing?”
“That is not what I said, Commander. But sending several troops will only cause panic—we won’t make it in time to be helpful. It could provoke unnecessary conflict.”
“So, what, we just let her barge into the castle on her own? She could be killed!”
Leliana and Josephine shared a look. It didn’t go unnoticed—Cullen didn’t like it. It made him feel like some kind of melodramatic child pitching a fit.
“Cullen, it’s likely that she is already there. The Scouts travelled for days with their messages, and based on the reports, the Herald didn’t seem in a mood to wait,” Leliana explained, her tone gentle.
“I propose we send a small entourage,” Josephine interjected. “They’ll travel faster, and even if they don’t make it in time to assist, they can help in the aftermath. I am sure when the Herald returns, there will be mages coming with her.”
Cullen gave an exasperated sigh, clutching his forehead. He could feel an intense migraine forming behind his eyes.
“Why couldn’t she have just waited?” he asked, mostly to himself.
“Don’t you trust her?” Josephine asked, intending to reassure him. His eyes snapped to hers, flashing with anger.
“Of course, I—” He cut himself off, taking a deep breath. “Of course, I do, Ambassador,” he tried again, keeping his tone contained. This wasn't her fault. He turned to Leliana. “Fifteen of my best men and five of your Scouts. They’ll leave in an hour’s time.”
“We should prepare for…visitors,” Josephine said. “I will notify the relevant parties. We need space, shelter if we have it, supplies… Please excuse me.” She made towards the door. Cullen caught her arm gently.
“Thank you, Josephine,” he said. She smiled at him warmly, inclining her head to him before leaving the War Room. All seemed to be forgiven.
“Are you going to be all right?” Leliana asked, her tone less sympathetic than her words.
“I’m fine,” Cullen answered.
“She did what she thought was best. Now, all we can do is hope she succeeds.”
Cullen didn’t reply. Leliana waited a moment, then left the War Room.
Cullen picked up Elora’s piece from the map, turning it over carefully in his hands. He’d have to trust that she knew what she was doing.
***
When Elora finally came to, she had no time to think before two Venatori burst into whatever room she was in. After she threw her first freezing spell, it became apparent that Dorian was with her, fighting by her side. They made quick work of their two assailants, and Elora took a moment to breathe.
“What’s going on? Where did he send us?”
“Displacement?” Dorian spoke, seemingly mostly to himself. “Interesting! It’s probably not what Alexius intended…The rift must have moved us. To what? The closest confluence of arcane energy?”
Elora frowned, glancing distastefully at the large red lyrium crystal climbing its way up the wall.
“Last I remember, we were in the main hall.” She shook her head. “True Fade Walking isn’t unheard of, but to put us so far away?”
“Let’s see. If we’re still in the castle, it isn’t… Oh! It’s not simply where—it’s when! Alexius used the amulet as a focus. It moved us through time!”
Elora’s stomach dropped.
“That…doesn’t sound good.”
“It sounds terrible, depending on when we are and what happened while we were away. Let’s look around, see where the rift took us. Then we can figure out how to get back… if we can.”
“If we can?”
“Well, we’ll try our damnedest,” Dorian said with a charming smile.
“You said Alexius was intending something else. What was he trying to do?”
“I believe his original plan was to remove you from time completely. If that happened, you would never have been at the Temple of Sacred Ashes or mangled the Elder One’s plan. I think your surprise in the castle hall made him reckless. He tossed us into the rift before he was ready. I countered it, the magic went wild, and here we are. Make sense?”
Elora blinked.
“It’s just…it all seems so insane. Wouldn’t erasing a person from time have other consequences? Other effects on reality?”
“Ugh, I don’t even want to think about what this will do to the fabric of the world. We didn’t travel through time so much as punch a hole through it and toss it in the privy. But don’t worry. I’m here. I’ll protect you.”
Elora smiled, despite the situation. Dorian was knowledgeable and capable, and she had trained with Cullen and Solas for all sorts of situations. She was in good hands.
“I appreciate your help, Dorian. One last thing—everyone keeps talking about this ‘Elder One.’ Do you know who it is?”
Dorian shrugged.
“Leader of the Venatori, I suspect. Some magister aspiring to godhood. It’s the same old tune. ‘Let’s play with magic we don’t understand. It will make us incredibly powerful!’ Evidently, it doesn’t matter if you rip apart the fabric of time in the process.”
“We need to get back,” Elora resolved, moving towards the door.
“I’m right behind you.”
***
They left Fiona in her cell—there was no way to help her now. Elora felt sick; she frowned, trying to will away the acrid taste burning her throat.
“If red lyrium is an infection… why is it coming out of the walls?”
“I have a theory if you want to hear it,” Elora said flatly, pushing forward past several empty cells.
“If you’d be so kind.”
“I think red lyrium is alive. A living infection—a parasite, perhaps. Honestly, going based on the most recent research, I think regular lyrium is alive, too, but that’s beside the point. Red lyrium infects, spreads like bees with pollen. Infect a moving host and you go a lot farther. Until they crystallize completely, that is.”
“Interesting. What’s its purpose?”
“Same as any infection, to infect as much as possible. Survival.” She paused, looking at Dorian out of the corner of her eye. It was somewhat calming to speak with him like this—research, theories—it grounded her. “I’m working on a method to eradicate it. I’d love your opinion when we make it back to Haven.”
Dorian smiled to himself. He didn’t think she realized that she’d essentially just offered him a position with the Inquisition.
“Of course.”
They found Varric first.
“Andraste’s sacred knickers. You’re alive? Where were you? How did you escape?”
Elora’s voice left her at the sight of him. His eyes were the worst part, unfocused and tinged with a red haze. His voice echoed strangely, like it was coming from somewhere else.
“We didn’t escape. Alexius sent us into the future,” Dorian explained.
Varric blinked.
“Everything that happens to you is weird.”
Elora laughed, wiping away the tears streaming down her face.
“You might be right about that.”
“I’m always right. And when I’m not, I lie about it. So what are you doing here? Or did you come back just to trade quips with me?”
“We’re going after Alexius,” Elora said, inspecting the lock on Varric’s cell.
“You do know that’s crazy, right?”
“We get to Alexius, and I just might be able to send us back to our own time. Simple, really,” Dorian explained. “Oh, just melt it,” he said, turning to Elora impatiently. She nodded, focusing a wave of heat on the center of the lock.
“That…may not be as easy as you think,” Varric interjected.
“It’s just a simple fire spell—”
Varric cut Dorian off with a withering look.
“Alexius is just a servant. His ‘Elder One’ assassinated the empress and led a demon army in a huge invasion of the South. The Elder One rules everything—what’s left of it, anyway. Alexius…is really not the one you need to worry about.”
The lock finally melted away, and Elora pushed the door open.
“I promise you, Varric. We’ll make sure none of this happens.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re crazy. Or I’m crazy. Either way, it’s a nice thought. You want to take on Alexius? I’m in. Let’s go.”
“Good,” Dorian replied.
Elora’s smile quickly fell.
“What of the others?”
“I think the Seeker is in the next room.”
“Solas? Blackwall?”
Varric shook his head. Elora’s grip on her staff tightened.
“Nightingale is here somewhere. And…” he trailed off, frowning.
“What is it?”
He pointed to the cell furthest from them, saying nothing. Elora had previously thought the cell was empty, but she approached it anyway. She saw a figure slumped against the wall. They rose slightly as she approached.
“Maker, not again. Don’t do this to me again.”
“Cullen?” Elora’s voice broke as she clutched the bars of his cell. He looked defeated and sick—his eyes were glazed over, and his veins emitted a faint red glow. Varric began picking the lock.
“Please, leave me. I’ve suffered enough.”
Varric finally got the door open, and Elora resisted the urge to burst inside. She moved slowly, trying to keep Cullen from distrusting her even more. She knelt next to him, and he forced his eyes shut tightly.
“Cullen, it’s me. I’m going to fix this.”
“Blessed are they who stand before the corrupt and the wicked and do not falter…”
“Cullen, please,” she said, grasping his hand gently. “It’s Elora.”
“Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just…”
Elora pressed Cullen’s hand into her cheek, watching the pained expression on his face falter.
“Please, look at me. I’m real. I’m here.”
Cullen took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
“It’s you,” he whispered, and the reverence in his voice took Elora’s breath away. With some effort, he lifted his other hand to her face, wiping away a tear with his thumb. “How are you here?”
“Alexius sent us forward in time. What’s been a year for you has been only moments for me. Cullen, I’m so sorry.”
“As touching as this is, we really don’t have much time,” Dorian reminded her gently. Elora nodded, steeling herself.
“We’re going after Alexius. Can you stand?” Cullen took a shaky breath but nodded. Elora stood, offering him a hand, and he pulled himself up. She hated seeing him like this. He looked like a shell of himself—the Cullen she’d left behind in Haven no more than a week ago was strong, sturdy, and proud. This Cullen could barely breathe.
“There’s something you should know.”
“Tell me on the way,” Elora replied, grasping his hand to help him along.
“The red lyrium—it’s worse for templars,” he continued. “It doesn’t just turn them; it corrupts the mind. If you can go back, you must save them. They won’t last this long.”
“How did you survive?” Elora asked. Cullen shook his head.
“Promise me you’ll save them.”
“I’ll try, Cullen. I can promise you that.”
By the time they finally made it to the throne room, Elora was almost ready to explode. Everything she’d seen in this Maker-forsaken future sickened her.
“Look what you’ve done, Alexius! All this suffering, and for what?”
“For my country, for my son…but it means nothing now.” Alexius turned towards them. “I knew you would appear again. Not that it would be now, but I knew I hadn’t destroyed you. My final failure.”
“Was it worth it? Everything you did to the world? To yourself?” Dorian asked, sounding hurt. Elora felt for him—she knew what it was like to have the image of someone you looked up to shatter.
“It doesn’t matter now. All we can do is wait for the end.”
“It does matter,” Elora argued. “We can undo this.”
“How many times have I tried? The past cannot be undone. All that I fought for, all that I betrayed, and what have I wrought? Ruin and death. There is nothing else. The Elder One comes: for me, for you, for us all.”
Leliana, apparently tired of waiting, had managed to sneak around Alexius to hold a dagger to Felix’s throat.
“Felix!” Alexius cried, sounding genuinely terrified.
“That’s Felix?” Dorian asked incredulously. “Maker’s breath, Alexius, what have you done?”
“He would have died, Dorian! I saved him!” He turned to Leliana. “Please, don’t hurt my son. I’ll do anything you ask.”
Elora sighed, trying not to be angry. She knew this Leliana had been through an inordinate amount of pain and suffering, but if she’d waited a moment longer, they probably could have convinced Alexius to give up on their own.
“Leliana, let Felix go. He’s innocent.”
“No one is innocent,” she spat, holding the dagger tighter. Elora flinched as a trickle of blood dripped down Felix’s neck.
“Alexius, all we want is the amulet. Then, we can fix this.”
“Let him go, and I swear you’ll get what you want.”
“I want the world back,” Leliana seethed, dragging the dagger across Felix’s neck with a quick flick of her wrist.
“Leliana, no!”
Alexius’s form crackled with energy as he flung several spells across the hall, opening a massive rift.
“I gave the world for Felix! You will not take him from me!”
“f*cking void,” Elora hissed, readying her staff. “We didn’t need to fight him!” she yelled, throwing a freezing spell towards Alexius and cursing again when he seemed mostly immune to its effects. Leliana either didn’t hear Elora or didn’t care.
He ended up creating two rifts, meaning they had to take out several demons before they finally managed to take Alexius out. Elora didn’t take much pleasure in it. He had done plenty of evil, sure, but he was desperate. She’d seen it plenty of times before.
“He wanted to die, didn’t he? All those lies he told himself, the justifications… He lost Felix long ago and didn’t even notice. Oh, Alexius…”
Dorian knelt next to Alexius, shaking his head.
“I know you cared for him. I’m sorry,” Elora said.
“Once he was a man to whom I compared all others. Sad, isn’t it?”
“This Alexius was too far gone, but the Alexius in our time might still be reasoned with. We just have to get back home.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Dorian said, pulling the amulet from Alexius’s neck. “This is the same amulet he used before. I think it’s the same one we made in Minrathous; that’s a relief. Give me an hour to work out the spell he used, and I should be able to reopen the rift.”
“An hour?” Leliana interjected angrily. “That’s impossible! You must go now!” A massive screeching sound shook the castle, causing Elora to lose her footing. Cullen caught her, managing to pull her out of the way of a piece of falling rubble, and she smiled to him gratefully.
“The Elder One,” Cullen said.
“You have to hurry,” Varric warned. “This is…bad.”
“There is no way to win against the creature they serve.” Elora furrowed her eyebrows worriedly. To hear Cassandra say there was no hope… The Elder One must be an enormous threat. “We will hold the door.”
“Once they break through, it’s all you, Curly,” Varric said solemnly.
Elora shook her head helplessly.
“I can’t let you kill yourselves for me! There has to be another way.”
“The only way we live is if this day never comes,” Leliana argued. “Cast your spell. We will hold them off as long as we can.”
“I won’t let you down,” Elora promised, looking at each of them with resolve. “We’ll fix this.”
"None of this will happen. Andraste, please let that be true," Cassandra said, something resembling hope in her eyes.
“Go!” Leliana commanded. She stepped outside the door, pulling it closed with some effort.
Dorian began working on the amulet immediately, and Cullen and Elora began creating a makeshift barricade to buy them some extra time. Elora winced at the awful noises coming from outside the door, trying to remind herself that if they succeeded, none of it would have happened. She finished balancing a thick piece of wood over a bench and stepped aside, wiping the dust from her hands. She stared at their work with a frown. It wouldn’t hold much of anything for long. She felt eyes on her and turned to see Cullen staring at her intensely.
“Elora, I have to tell you—”
“A-ha!” Dorian’s voice broke out from behind the barricade, punctuated by a sizzle of magical energy. It caught Elora’s attention, pulling it away from Cullen’s attempted confession. Cullen shook his head and strode forward, taking Elora’s hands in his.
“The only reason I survived this long was because of you.”
“Me? But, I was gone. How could you have—”
“I waited every day hoping I would see you again. If you’ll indulge a dying man, there’s something I need you to do.”
“You’re not dying today,” Elora argued weakly, feeling her eyes well up with tears.
“You’re right. I was dead the moment you left.” Elora’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. “When you make it back to me—to your Cullen, I need you to give him a message. Tell him to flip a coin.” He was smiling slightly to himself, like there was a joke only he was in on.
Elora tilted her head in confusion. His expression didn’t match his intensity from the moment before.
“What?”
Suddenly, the door shook with a loud bang that rattled the hall.
“We’re out of time,” Cullen said. He placed a chaste kiss on Elora’s knuckles. “I’ll be waiting for you.” He dropped her hands and turned to the door.
“I could use your help back here!” Dorian shouted. A flash of green light reflected off of the wall behind him. Elora took one last look at Cullen, standing ready behind the door, and joined Dorian on the other side of the barricade. The door burst open, and the hall filled with a nasty mix of Venatori and demons.
“How’s it going?” Elora asked, looking nervously between the amulet and Cullen. He seemed to be holding his own decently well.
“I think I’ve got it mostly figured out, but it needs a spark, something to charge it.” Cullen cried out in pain, taking an arrow to the shoulder. Elora moved to grip her staff, but Dorian held her back. “You move and we all die!”
“Tell me what to do,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Your mark,” Dorian began. “I think it can interact like it does with the rifts.”
Elora nodded, holding up her hand at level with the amulet. It connected immediately, shooting a wave of pain up her arm. She winced but managed to steady herself. The connection severed suddenly, and the amulet began to vibrate as the green light around it grew in size.
“Did that do it?” Elora asked, looking to Dorian desperately.
“We just need a moment for it to build.”
A rift tore open, shaking the room with its force. It was enough of a distraction that a Venatori scout managed to restrain Cullen, pinning his arms behind him. Elora hesitated, glancing at him worriedly, but he only smiled. His expression was peaceful. There was a bright flash of white light, and he was gone.
Elora blinked, looking around to find that they were back in the throne room where they started. She had to pull herself together for now—she could deal with what happened later.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” Dorian stated matter-of-factly.
“Put aside all claim to Redcliffe, and we’ll let you live.”
“You won. There’s no point extending the charade.” Alexius turned to his son with a solemn expression. “Felix…”
“It’s going to be alright, Father.”
“You’ll die,” he said, voice cracking with sorrow.
“Everyone dies,” Felix answered. Elora bit the inside of her cheek to keep from bursting into tears.
Alexius was dragged away by Inquisition soldiers, and Elora turned to Dorian with a tired expression.
“Well, I’m glad that’s over with!” he said. The door flung open with a bang, revealing several Fereldan troops. Queen Anora stalked in after them, anger permeating her figure. “Or not.”
“Grand Enchanter Fiona,” Queen Anora greeted sternly.
“Queen Anora!” Fiona seemed surprised to see her.
“When I granted your mages sanctuary, I thought it was understood that they would not force my people from their homes.”
“Your majesty, let me assure you, we never intended any of this!”
“Your intentions ceased to matter when my people were threatened. I am rescinding my offer of sanctuary. You and your followers will leave Ferelden at once.”
“But…we have hundreds who need protection! Where will we go?”
“You’ll be leaving here with the Inquisition,” Elora stated, moving to stand beside Fiona in solidarity.
“And what are the terms of this arrangement?” Fiona asked. Elora was glad she seemed to want to consider her options a bit more thoroughly this time around.
“Hopefully better than what Alexius gave you. The Inquisition is better than that, yes?” Dorian asked, raising an eyebrow expectantly.
“I know you are a mage,” Cassandra interjected, “but consider how these rebels have acted. They must be conscripted, not coddled.”
“Hold on,” Varric argued. “I’ve known a lot of mages. They can be loyal friends if you let them. Friends who make bad decisions, but still, loyal.”
“We would be honored to have you fight as allies at the Inquisition’s side,” Elora said, her tone final.
“We’ll discuss this later,” Cassandra said tightly.
“I’ll pray that the rest of the Inquisition honors your promise, then,” Fiona answered with an uncomfortable smile.
“The Breach threatens all of Thedas. We cannot afford to be divided now. We can’t fight it without you—any chance of success requires your full support. But I want it to be on your terms.”
“Whether you accept this alliance or not, you will leave my kingdom,” Anora added. Elora smiled tersely, refusing to meet the Queen’s eyes just yet.
“We accept,” Fiona answered. “It would be madness not to. I will gather my people and ready them for the journey to Haven. The Breach will be closed. You will not regret giving us this chance.”
“We will send word ahead for Haven to start making the necessary preparations. Your majesty, I deeply apologize for the chaos caused by Magister Alexius. He was dabbling with extremely dangerous magic, and he will be held accountable. The Inquisition would like to offer an assemblage of soldiers to assist in the reconstruction of Redcliffe, if you’ll have them.”
Anora looked at her shrewdly, then nodded.
“Good. Put your Advisors in touch with Arl Teagan.” She turned and left, Fiona close behind her. Elora felt all the energy leave her as soon as the two were out of sight. She sighed, clutching her temple.
“Are you alright?” Dorian asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“What did Alexius do to you? We thought for a moment he had…” Cassandra trailed off, but the implication hung in the air between them.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like some time to collect myself,” Elora responded. “I will fill you all in best I can at camp this evening.”
“You got it, Herald,” Varric agreed, ushering Cassandra towards the exit. “We’ll take care of the preparations. You get some rest.”
Dorian stared after them, then looked back at Elora, who hadn’t moved.
“Are you going to tell them?”
“I think I have to,” Elora answered. “Too much happened—the Inquisition will need to know about the assassination attempt, and the red lyrium—”
“I know that. I meant are you going to tell them about them.”
“I don’t know,” she said quietly. “What would you do?”
Dorian whistled lowly, shaking his head.
“No idea. I don’t envy your position, really.”
Elora laughed, surprising herself.
“I wouldn’t envy me if I were you. What was it Varric said? Everything that happens to me is weird.” She began walking out of the castle, intending to go back towards camp. Dorian followed. “Would you want to know? If it was you?”
Dorian frowned.
“I think you can tell them you saw them. But…I wouldn’t mention the state they were in.”
“Yes, that’s probably best. Thank you, Dorian. I appreciate everything you’ve done, despite the fact that you don’t really know me.”
“Oh, please. We saw the future together! You watched my back during a life-or-death situation! I’d say I know you well enough.”
“I won’t argue with you there,” Elora agreed. “Will you and Felix be joining us in Haven?”
Dorian turned, glancing back at Felix, who was fiddling with something by the castle entrance.
“Actually, I should discuss it with him. See you at camp?”
“Of course. I’ll see you later, Dorian.”
“Don’t do anything fun without me!” he called, waving over his shoulder.
***
Elora was almost back at the camp when Connor ran into her.
“Is it true? You stopped him?” he asked, breathing heavily.
“Alexius is our prisoner,” Elora confirmed. “The Mages are now allied with the Inquisition. Did you run here?”
“Never mind that! Maker, I didn’t know if you could actually do it.”
Connor seemed far less reserved than he had been the day before.
“Can I be honest with you? Neither did I.”
“Well, either way, thank you, Herald.”
Elora held up her hands, shaking her head.
“No need for the title—please just call me Elora. Actually, I’ve been thinking—I might have a job for you if you’re up for it. Walk with me?”
Connor nodded, falling into step beside her.
“What is it?”
“I know that possession is a…sensitive subject for you, and I don’t want to push you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. But you and I both know how dangerous things can be for mages, and I think it might be beneficial for people to get advice from someone who has been through it and survived. Haven doesn’t exactly have the greatest living conditions, and I worry the sudden change may put some of the more sensitive mages at risk—especially the children, as much as I hate to say it.”
Connor was silent for a moment. Elora waited patiently for his response.
“What do you propose?”
“Big picture, I want to take all of the best parts of the Circle and recreate them. Learning from your peers, studying, practical training, et cetera. But obviously, the previous structure won’t work. Oversight is likely necessary, but not at the level it was before. I want to encourage a working relationship between the mages and the Inquisition’s templars, rather than the hierarchy we saw before.” Elora shook her head, keeping herself from getting too carried away. “But I'm getting ahead of myself—that will all come much later. What I’d like you to do is help mentor some of the younger children—keep an eye on them, teach them coping skills, prepare them for what it feels like to be tempted. You won’t have to do it alone, of course. I’ll be there to help you, if you’re willing.”
“Can I take some time to consider it?”
“Of course. We can speak about it again once everyone has settled in Haven. Regardless of what you decide, I want you to know that I appreciate your contributions. We couldn’t have done this without you. You’ll be welcome in Haven as a trusted friend.”
“I… Thank you. That means a lot,” Connor said quietly, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.
“Will I see you at camp this evening?” Elora asked, choosing not to comment on it.
“Sure. See you later.”
Elora entered camp itching for a quill and parchment. There was much to be done.
