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Blood pooled below Athlan as he lay on the ground. He still heard the magisters over him talking but their voices were muffled at this point. He always thought that he’ll be afraid when he died. However, right now he did not feel afraid...he felt just anger. Rage towards them...anger at being weak and able to do nothing. He wanted revenge on them...on all those like them. On those who caused suffering like this, he wanted to make them pay. However, he was just a dying slave being used in a blood magic ritual. How can he do anything except die and watch them try to use more blood of fellow slaves?
In his vision though as it contiued to fade he saw what looked like a figure before him. It seemed to almost be transparent. It walked to him and a voice spoke in the back of his mind.
“You still have fire in your eyes. Tell me. Do you wish to die here?”
“No...I do not want to die. Not here...not like this.”
“Then I can help you. I can give you a chance at vengeance. At finding those who are like them and making them pay. Do you want that? Do you want to be a Harbinger of Vengeance? Even if it means giving up what you are. Stepping into the unknown?”
“Yes. I do not care what I become. I just want them to pay.”
“Good. Rest young one. I will give these men what they deserve. When you awake I will explain everything. We will complete your wish of vengeance.”
Athlan’s eyes closed and he did not know if this was a dream or not. However, as his mind faded to white he heard the magisters start to scream.
When Athlan woke up he blinked slowly, his mind still was in a heavy daze. He slowly sat up and blinked as he looked down at his body. The wounds were healed and only a scar was left in their place. He looked around and saw he was on a bend in a room he saw before.
“You are awake. Good.” A voice said. He turned to where the voice came from and saw a man there seated by the window.
“Who are you?” Athlan asked.
“What would be a better question but I am the one that saved you. Do you not remember?” they asked.
“That...that was real?” He asked and the man nodded. “Alright...what are you?”
“I am an ancient creature of the Fade.” He replied.
“You are a demon?” Athlan asked.
“What I truly am is far more complex. I am far stronger than those demons and spirits. Far stronger and older. But if to make it simple you can consider me a Spirit of Vengeance or Justice. Those two are very similar at times.” He explained. “Now, I can give you what you wished. I can give you the power, knowledge, and training you want to become a Harbinger of Vengeance. Unleashing that rage you feel on those who are deserving.”
“How? I...I do not know anything about the Fade. Except for what the Chantry has said.” Athlan said.
“That is fine. What they know and most of your world knows are next to nothing.” He replied. “You see I said I was an ancient being. The last time I stepped out of my area of the Fade was a very long time ago. Those like me in the Fade are rare and normally choose to have nothing to do with this world.”
“Why choose to come and save me then? I am just a slave...a-” He asked.
The spirit cut him off and said, “That is those who what your former masters said you are. You are more. Tell me do you have a name?”
“Yes. Athlan.” He replied.
“You are Athlan then. You have chosen what you are and that not is a slave.” They said. “Now. You did ask how I will help you did you not?”
“Yes. But why choose me?” He asked.
“I will answer that later. For now, let me answer the first question. I will give you all you require while on this path. I will share my knowledge of both the ancient worlds and this one. I will give power in aspects of your physical body and in magic. However. Doing this will change what you are. It already has slightly. But continuing on with this will fully change you. You will no longer be an elf or human. You will be something different.” The spirit said to him. “So tell me do you still wish to go down this path.”
“I said I do not care what I become,” Athlan said.
“Then I shall continue explaining. I will become bound to you and by doing so you’ll become different. You will be stronger, faster, more agile, smarter, and more attuned to the world around you. You will be an unstoppable force.” He said. “However, being bound to me will change your vision will change a bit. You will see the world in a different way. You will feel different since you will be able to feel the Vile and the Fade. In short, we will share a connection. Do you understand this?”
“Yes….I think so.” He replied.
“Good. It will become clearer with time. I do have one thing for you to keep in mind. Although you will be stronger you will no longer feel pain and you will be given a far longer life. However, you will have to be careful with your body. Although you will not feel pain or die easily the pain will still be there. It will take a toll on your strength.” The spirit explained. “Also, you will still die at some point. Death is not something that can be changed. But your death will after your wish is complete.”
“I am not afraid of death...I just do not want to die on the floor like that.” Athlan said.
“Dying on the floor like that will no longer be your fate. You will die a worthy death. Do not fear that. Do you have any other questions?” He asked.
“How will you do all this?” Athlan asked. “Create this bound to allow me to do all you say.”
“We will have to travel to a place where the Vile is weaker. There you will go to sleep and I will bring you into the Fade. There you will agree to this deal and I will possess your body.” He said. “In doing that the connection will be established and you will be given access to my power. As well as all I have to offer you.”
“Will you always have control over my body?” He asked.
“No. Only either when you ask or when you are too weak to continue. I will take over than in those moments. Since when I take over you can just sleep and get the rest you need.” The spirit said.
“Is that what you did to get me here?” He asked.
“In a manner of speaking that is right.” The spirit said. “Any other questions.”
“How are you here. If you are a spirit...I mean I thought their forms were not human.” Athlan said.
“I am here in a slightly physical form. I am powerful enough to conjure a form like this for periods of time. However, I can do this when I wish but when we make the bound I will be able to travel in your conscious. We will still be able to speak and you can still see me but I will be in the void. As for this, yes it is true spirits do not have a form like this. Well, most spirits and beings of the Fade have inhuman forms. Yet, there are those who can take human forms which is what I did. My true form is hidden away.” He said. “I know all this is complex but it’ll slowly make sense or as enough sense the world of the Fade can be. Do you have any other questions?”
“None right now...no wait. I do have one.” Athlan said.
“Ask,” The spirit replied.
“Do you have a name?” He asked. That caused the spirit to blink and look at him with slight surprise and confusion on his face. The spirit laughed in amusement and shook its head.
“No. I hold no name.” He replied.
“What should I call you then?” Athlan asked.
“Call me whatever you wish.” He replied.
“I’ll call you Azur then,” Athlan replied.
“Fine. If that is what you wish. Now, how do you feel? We should move to the spot where the Vile is thinner.” Azur said to him.
“I am fine to go but where are we?” He asked.
“In an Inn,” Azur replied as he moved to hand him a cloak. Athlan took the cloak and put it on putting the hood over his head. It covered his ears so it hid the fact he was an elf and the clothes he wore now looked normal. He then took a pack that Azur handed him. Athlan looked in the pack and was surprised to see new clothes as well as what seemed to be a large sum of money. There were also some other needed supplies that he would need.
“How did you get this?” He asked.
“I took some of the things where you were as well as their money. I sold the things I took and got you the things you will need.” Azur replied. Athlan nodded and put the pack on and swallows a bit as he bowed his head letting the hood fall low over his head.
“Just follow me.” He said and left the room. Athlan followed him as he kept low trying to avoid people’s gaze. He felt like he was walking in a dream. He was not a slave...he was free...his head was filled with questions. However, he did not feel afraid he just wondered what this life will bring. A part of him wondered if he did die then...since he felt as if he should have more reaction.
“You still are in shock,” Azur said to him as he looked over his shoulder at him. “It will settle in.”
“Right…thank you.” He said softly. Azur nodded and contiued walking with Athlan following behind him.
It took them a few months to reach the spot where Azur needed. It was a very old ruin that had been blocked by a rockslide. Azur said it was very old and it was the spot they needed as well as had what they needed inside.
“A tomb?” He asked and Azur nodded.
“Yes. History has long forgotten his name,” Azur said. “All that you have to know is he once made the same deal with me. Although his deal was a bit different than yours either way still it was a deal.”
“We are here to complete the deal?” He asked.
“Yes and get the armor, weapons, and mask I gifted him. They belong to you know.” Azur said gesturing to the center of the room. “Put on the armor. We will begin then.”
Athlan nodded and after a bit of trouble he placed the armor on. The last was the mask and the hid slid over. He looked down at himself...this felt wrong. Why should not be wearing this kind of armor or have a sword like this at his side?
“I am a slave...I should not be wearing this.” He said.
“You asked me earlier why I choose you. You still wonder this?” Azur asked.
“Yes,” Athlan said.
“Despite knowing slavery your whole life. In your last moments, you had no fear. Your thought was not of death or what it means or even waiting for it. It was of revenge. The look in your eyes is a rare one and rarer to find those who actually mean it. Often times when people get saved from death like that they make impossible promises. However, you are keeping yours.” He answered. “Besides. It has been a long time since I have seen one with the spirit you have.”
“You think I can actually do this?” Athlan asked.
“Yes. Look at it like this. The slave who you were is dead. He died in that sacrifice those magisters tried.” Azur said.
“Athlan is dead…” He said thinking.
“Yes and once we finish this deal he can rest in peace,” Azur added.
“Alright.” Athlan replied nodded. “Let’s do this.”
The inquisitor stepped outside leaving Dorian and his father to talk in private. However, he looked up after a moment and he heard a crash coming from inside. He looked up and moved inside quickly hoping that Dorian did not do anything foolish. However, when he got inside he instantly made a grab for his staff. Dorian was standing in front of his father a shield up protecting them from the figure that stood hidden in the shadows. They were just an outline but the small glint that their bow gave off enough to know the danger.
The assassin dodged as Dorian sent a spell at them and they rolled to the side sliding their bow away. Then lashed a dagger out sending it flying at an open spot by Dorain and his father. Solas sent his own protection spell and turned quickly to the assassin who was on his feet moving at them.
“Hold on! What is going on here?” Solas asked. Surprisingly the masked assassin stopped and looked at Solas. They drew a dagger and pointed it Dorian’s father and gesture to Solas and Dorian then pointed to the door.
“Of perfect! Not only do we have our lovely reunion you brought an assassin with you. This is just like home.” Dorian said keeping his staff ready.
“One chance. Leave.” The assassin said coldly flicking a wrist to the door.
“Aside from my personal feelings on this matter, I will not be letting you assassinate my father today,” Dorian replied. Solas took this moment to move between everyone. Perhaps they can talk this out before resulting in fighting.
“We are not here to fight. Magister Pavus is only here to talk to his son and we are only here to talk to him.” Solas said. “Perhaps we-”
“No.” The assassin said and slid two daggers out seemingly out of thin air and charged at Solas. The inquisitor sent a spell at them but they just dodged to the side ignoring the fact it did hit their arm. They launched both daggers at Solas, he did manage to dodge only one of them but the other one did slide his upper arm. The assassin used that momentary opening to run at Solas bringing their leg to his side causing Solas to fall to the side. They raised a dagger but were blasted into a wall by Dorian.
“You alright there?” Dorian asked concerned.
“Fine,” Solas said as he got to his feet feeling a bit dazed. The assassin shook his head some as they moved away from the wall. They did a small movement with their hand and they were surrounded by a cloud of green mist. As well as the holes in the mask for their eyes gave off an eerie green glow now. They snapped their fingers and the mist dispersed from around them and spread through the whole room. It was impossible to see a thing now but noises of fighting sounded through the room. The fighting did not last long as the assassin’s skills were inhuman at this point. They fought like a demon and the only thing deadly spells did was slow them down and give them a few more moments to think.
The smoke cleared after a few more moments and the assassin had Halward pinned against the wall with a dagger at his neck. They ignored the spell that was sent into their side. Dorian and Solas were a bit injured and tried to get to their feet. Dorian looked up and sent a spell at the assassin.
The assassin turned their head and the glow from where their eyes glowed stronger for a moment and the spell went off course and hit the wall. The assassin turned back to Halward and raised the dagger. “Last words?”
“Not in front of my son,” Halward replied. The assassin tilted their head to the side a bit and did not move. However, after a moment they stepped back letting the Magister fall to the ground.
“My hand may not bring your death but it will come to you one day.” They said. A quick flick of the wrist caused the dagger to slash his cheek. With that, the assassin seemed to vanish as a swirl of green mist surrounded them. Once the assassin was gone Dorian hurried over to his father. Solas got to his feet and grabbed his staff. He looked around the room but the assassin was gone not a trace of him was found. He turned around to Dorian and Magister Pavus.
“Are you two alright?” He asked.
“I am fine but you better have Leliana see if she can not find who that assassin was,” Dorian said.
“I may have an answer,” Halward said.
“Who?” Dorian asked him.
“I did not think they were real but for the past year, there have been rumors in Tevinter of an assassin. According to rumors they have taken out Magisters, Slavers, and a few other high classes of people. Yet, there were only a few claims of seeing the assassin but they seemed impossible. They also came from those who were injured or frightened by something.” He said. “These people described the assassin as being able to do almost impossible tasks. Similar to what we saw.”
“These rumors were pretty real considering what just happened,” Sorel sighed. “Do you know why this assassin went after them or maybe after you?”
“I do not know,” Halward said. Sorel nodded some and sighed some. “Perhaps I can talk to Leliana and maybe she can see what she can find out.”
“Good!” Dorian said before Halward said anything.
Sorel nodded and looked to Dorian and said, “I will leave you here with your father. I will see you back at Skyhold.”
“Alright,” Dorian said with a nod. Solas nodded and turned and left them. He walked out of the room and returned to Skyhold. However, on his way back he came across a camp that was tucked away in an area away from everything. He would never have found it if he was not taking a shortcut.
He looked around some and called out, “Is everyone alright?”
Sorel turned quickly seeing as he heard someone behind him. An elf stood there with folded arms. They wore the armor of the assassin from before. They had one blue eye and one green one. His face was just cold and held little emotion in their face. “You followed me.” He said.
“You are the assassin. From before.” Sorel said reaching for his staff.
“If I wanted you dead. You would be Inquisitor.” He replied as he walked past him to the fire pit. “Why did you follow me?”
“I did not. This was chance...why go after Dorian’s father?” He asked.
“I go after those who deserve vengeance,” The assassin said as he knelt down to tend to the fire that was glowing brightly.
“Why does he deserve vengeance? I know those of Tevinter are not the greatest but-” Sorel was cut off when the assassin stood up and turned to face him.
“I do not care he’s of Tevinter. I go after anyone who deserves vengeance,” He said.
“So only you decided who deserves vengeance?” Sorel asked him.
“Yes.” He replied.
“How can you decide that? That kind of decision-”
“Do you not make similar choices as well? You are a judge as the Inquisitor.” He said cutting him off sharply.
“Yes. That is true. However, I am not doing whatever you are. Look...I want to help you. You do not have to use these talents of yours for this. You can use it to help us take care of the real issues.” Sorel sighed. This seemed to take him by surprise he stared at him for a long.
“No. I am on this path and we will stay on it. You do have a kind heart though,” He said as he turned and sat back in front of the fire. “Perhaps if things were different we would have followed you. That is not the case now though.”
“We?” Sorel asked.
“Yes...I am a host to a Spirit. Demon. Whatever you wish to call them, I am a host either way.” He replied.
“What? You willingly let a Spirit take over your body?” Sorel asked.
“That is correct. Because of him, I am alive and because of him I can do what I have what I wish.” He replied to him. Sorel looked at him and nodded slowly. He then turned to him again and asked, “What will you do with this now?”
Sorel was silent and looked at him for a long time. He then sighed and said, “Answer me this first. Why do you choose not to kill Dorian’s father.”
“In death, one can often see one’s true nature. The Magister only mentioned his son. Nothing else. That is why,” He replied.
“I see...I can not say what I think of this or what or who you are. Although I think I disagree I can only just let you go. If we fight here you will win as well. Just you leave the Inquisition and anyone involved alone.” Sorel replied to him. He turned around and started to leave but he was stopped as the assassin stood up and called to him.
“Wait. You and I may not have the same goals but I shall return you this favor. When you need us, we shall help.” He said to him. Sorel nodded and turned away leaving the assassin alone. Once he was gone the assassin return to his spot by the fire. That inquisitor did have a good heart and was smart. He was going to bring a true change.