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Chapter 5~~
Ella, Cassandra, and Solas traveled the path for a bit longer. They followed the stone workings and arrived at what looked like freshly broken down buildings of rock and metal. As they walked Ella saw the charred remains of people who were trapped in the explosion. They glowed strangely, like hot embers, and their faces were forever frozen in horror.
‘These people...how could anyone do this?’ She looked at them for a long moment before closing her eyes softly. ‘I’m so sorry’
They came to a slightly collapsed passage and Cassandra spoke, “This will lead us to the center of the ruined temple, right below the breach.”
“Ok, we should hurry than. I want to stop this nightmare as quickly as I can,” Says Ella as she lightly runs her fingertips on the small etchings on stone wall.
Cassandra heads into the passage first, followed by Ella, than Solas brings up the rear...well he does have a nice one…
When they exit on the other side the first thing Ella notices in the crumbing pieces of marble and stone that she knew was once beautifully shaped arches and pillars….
Then she noticed the bright red stones that pulse like a heartbeat every few moments at even intervals, “What is this?” She asks as she reaches a hand out to touch them.
Cassandra snaps her hands over her wrist, “Don’t Touch It! This is red lyrium, it will drive you to do reckless and horrible things you would never have done before.”
Ella pulls her hand back slowly and Cassandra releases her before they continue on. They walk down in a spiral, and as they are rounding the last corner, Ella spots a familiar figure.
She takes off in a run, “Brother! You made it here before me,” She pouts as she stops her sprint right before him.
Jarad just rolls his violet eyes slightly before swinging one of his arms around her tightly, hugging her to him, and she hugs him back with just as much strength, “I’m happy you survived.”
“I am too.”
Liliana then appears by their side, “You made it,” She states with a small upturn of her lips.
Ella mock gasps, “You doubted us!? I feel offended!”
“Of course not, sis,” Jarad soothes, “...but we did beat you here. What’s my prize?”
She smacks him lightly in the shoulder, “There is no prize! Well, unless you count seeing me a prize, and it is. A really good prize too, wouldn’t you say Varric?”
Varric gives a wink and a large smile, “Right you are, Bright. Right you are. You are definitely a gift worth more than all the stars in the sky. You shine brighter too.”
Ella appears at Varric’s side and gives him a one armed hug, “Thanks Varric...Hey, think Bianca would share such a lovely dwarf like yourself?”
“Naw, I’m a one lady kind of dwarf.”
“As you say,” Ella smirks widely, “I’m sure Bianca can be...persuaded to share a handsome dwarf with someone who is worthy of him.”
Varric slips out of her hold, “She wouldn’t, she can get very jealous you know? Got to keep her happy.”
Jarad tips his head in acknowledgment, “Leave the poor crossbow and dwarf alone, Ella. We have to close this thing now. You know, before this all goes to hell.”
Cassandra looks around briefly then turns to Liliana, “Have our men take up a defensive position around the rift.”
Liliana nods sharply before spinning on her heel and going to talk to a small group of soldiers, who turns to her immediately when they hear her soft footsteps.
Cassandra then turns to Ella and Jarad, “This is our chance to end this. Are you ready?”
Jarad stares determinedly down at her, “As ready as I could ever be, I suppose.”
Ella nodded and looked towards the bright green rift for a moment before sighing softly, thinking of all the people that died because of this.
Solas steps up the stand beside them, “This rift is the first, seal it and perhaps we seal the breach.”
They all walk to the edge and Jarad jumps down first, followed by Ella who tells him to catch her. He doesn’t and she ends up on her ass pouting at him, “Ass.” The rest quickly follow after Ella scrambles up onto to her feet.
Then they hear loud booming voices and a shadowy image appears in front of them. Everything is obscured by shadow and all you can really see are bright red eyes swirling with madness and the figures of a three people.
“Now! Is the hour of our victory! Bring forth the sacrifice,” a crackling male’s voice rings out, commanding attention.
Then an earth shattering, well Thedas shattering, bang is heard, the sound of strong sturdy wood against hard, cold stone.
“What’s going on here?” A familiar female voice sounds out. Ella looks up in surprise. ‘I don’t remember this.’
“Run while you can! Warn them!” A loud female voice full of pain and desperation.
Cassandra lets out a shocked breath, “Most Holy…”
The male’s voice sounds detached, “We have an intruder. Slay the elf.”
Then they hear the pounding of footsteps that stop quickly and a male voice gasps out, “Ella, don’t go so fast! I’m bigger than you, so it's harder for me to move around as fast as you,” a pause, and shocked inhale of breath, and “ELLA!” sounding anguished.
Then the scene bursts apart in a shower of black and green.
Cassandra rounds on Ella and Jarad, “You were there! What happened? What are we seeing? Most holy called out to you, but then…Is what we are seeing true?”
Ella steps up to stand directly in front of her, “I, no, WE don’t know. We can’t remember.”
Jarad shakes his head slowly, “Why did I scream you name, sister?”
She looks at him then shrugs, “I don’t know. Maybe I was hurt?”
Solas interrupts whatever Jarad was going to say by walking up to stand before the rift, “Echos of what happened here. The fade bleeds into this place.” He turns to glance over the group before stopping on Ella and Jarad, “The breach is not sealed, but it is closed...albeit temporarily. I believe that with your marks the rift can be opened again, and then sealed safely,“ He looks straight at the seeker, “However, Opening the rift will most likely attract attention from the other side.”
Cassandra’s eyes widen slightly before she nods with determination, “That means demons! Stand ready!”
All the soldiers line up to make a human wall behind them, holding their swords high and shields out in front of them. The archers take up residence on the crumbling pillars and pull their bows as far back as they can. Varric find a nice spot as he takes out Bianca and loads her up with bolts. Solas stand slightly farther back and starts setting glyphs on the floor, and placing barriers over the people. Cassandra stands in front of the human wall, a look of determination on her face.
Ella and Jarad share a look, then as one both walk up to the rift They glance back once they get there and with a sharp nod from Cassandra they open their hands, stretch their fingers wide...and rip the rift open.
Out pops a giant ogre looking thing colored in shades of purple and black with lightning arching over it. Huge horns for battle adorn it’s head and it laughs, a deep evil sound, that bounces of the walls and resound in the helmets of all warriors and rogues alike.
Then it brings two cracking whips of pure, angry purple lightning down on Ella and Jarad.