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k7l4d4 · 3 years

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Owl House AU Ideas, ZA THIRD!!

Once more, I AM HERE! WITH AN IDEA! (Man I love how hammy All Might is) This next one is bit lighter-tempered than my prior ideas, and is a crossover to boot! This AU crosses the Owl House with one of my favorite anime and game franchises, so I hope you all don’t think less of me for putting it out there... ANYWAY ON TO THE IDEA!

Basically, my idea is a Crossover with Arc-V, with Hexside being an elite Duel School that had been assimilated by the Leo Institute, causing a huge number of students and faculty to leave out of protest. Of those left behind were the Blight Siblings and Lilith, who is teacher at Hexside in this idea, with Amity rendered bitter and despondent over all her friends leaving. While most of those who left Hexside go their separate ways, Luz and her friends, along with Eda, transfer over to You Show and become friends with Yuya and the gang. Hexside's tracks are different in this AU, with each track representing a type of dueling or aspect of the duel/entertainment industry. The Abominations track is replaced with the Summoner's course, specializing in the Extra Deck summoning methods and experimentation, as well as attempts to create new summoning methods. The Oracle Track is replaced with Analytics course, where students study up on how to best research duelists and decks and how to apply it, as well as Ritual Summoning and deck manipulation. The Construction Track is switched with the Industrial course, which teaches students how to build, alter, and repair all the gear that goes into modern dueling, such as Duel Disks and the ARC system, they are often taught Boring But Sensible plays, with decks that prioritize an effective win over a flashy win. The Beast Keeping Track is now the Designer's course, where aspiring card designers learn the ins and out of the industry, they often possess unusual decks with an emphasis on combos and making use of difficult to play cards (Note, many of the students in the Designer course believe in Duel Spirits). The Bard track is now the Idol course, which teaches students how to be dueling idols along with the skills needed to work in that section of the industry, with decks prioritizing deck outs and burn damage. The Illusions track is the Dueltaining course, which teaches the students showmanship and acrobatics, the students of this course often use resource intensive decks with a lot of flash. The Healing Track here is the Recovery course, along with teaching students how to best recover and manage their life points and deck resources, they also teach students how to treat any injuries that might occur during an action duel along with psychology to aid those who suffer traumatic accidents while dueling on an action field. The Plant Track is known here as the Resource course, which teaches aspiring duelists how to make best use of their decks and the cards within, with many duelists in it playing a Defend The Castle play style, building their entire decks around bringing out a massively powerful monster and Keeping it there by any many means they can. The Potions Track is now the Implementation Course, which teaches students dueling formula and strategy, with many of the duelists employing multiple decks so that they have an answer to any situation (otherwise known as Bastion's dream class). Amity is considered one of the best duelists of her generation, knowing all the currently known Extra Deck Summons, and picking up Pendulum Summoning after seeing it ONCE, and is capable of performing all the summoning methods on the level of their respective dimensions, something which severely unnerved Sora during the School Duel. Amity was known as one of Hexside's twin Queens, specifically known as The Apex, alongside Luz, The Rainbow. Luz promised Amity that they would stick together throughout their careers, and Amity was left shocked and hurt when Luz withdrew from Hexside following Leo's takeover, something she herself couldn't do as a result of her parents backing the transaction; during their next duel, Amity kept a stoic face throughout, until Luz's peppy antics caused her to snap at her in frustration, with the subsequent information that Luz's mom had withdrawn her without her consent nearly breaking Amity, who realized her anger was for nothing. Amity's skill quickly earned her a place as one of Leo's best, and seeing her being dueled so evenly, when none of the present Leo students had been able to make her so much as sweat, as well as be defeated, were left extremely shaken, with Henrietta herself completely floored, as her research had shown Luz to have no better a win record than Yuya did at the start of Canon (To clarify, Luz deliberately plays at the same level of her opponent(s) at all times, so that she can better help them improve their skills, which severely skews all known data on her, as she is actually on the level of a Pro by the time of Canon). In this story, the rift between the Clawthornes is rather different; originally, they were a dueling Tag Team at the very start of Action Duels, but a mishap resulted in Eda being seriously injured, sparking a huge safety reform, resulting in action duels being playable at a level safe for kids in the form of the Junior division. While Eda eventually recovered, her career as a Pro was essentially ended, sparking a deep bitterness against the Leo Corporation, who she held responsible for her injury. She and Lilith later joined Hexside as faculty, with Eda leaving in protest when the school was bought out by Leo; when she learned that Lilith had stayed, she grew angry and cut ties, in spite of the urging against the act by her friends and loved ones. Due to not being cursed, Eda is significantly more youthful in appearance than in The Owl House, possessing vibrant red hair. As a result of her sparking the mass exodus from Hexside, the Leo Institute and Corporation both received a lot of negative publicity, with the scrutiny resulting in frigid hostility from Henrietta when she and Eda met in the School Duel. On Lilith's side of the feud, the day prior to Hexside being bought, Lilith was offered and gleefully accepted a promotion (note, she and Eda already had a significant difference in position within Hexside, but neither let it interfere with their relationship, as Eda was always happy when Lilith rose through the ranks), but one aspect of the promotion was a contract which prevented her from quitting, something that left her horrified when she learned what had happened to the school. After coming to terms with her position, Lilith decided to use her situation to learn what had become of Leo Akaba, who she blamed for her sister's suffering, along with herself, and, in her words, "remove that worthless speck of a man from the face of the Earth." Lilith's position at Hexside acts as a calming incident for those students who remained following the exodus, causing her to adopt a pseudo-maternal role for Amity as compared to their cooler relationship in canon. Oh, almost forgot to mention, during their duel, Luz maintained a perfectly even head the entire time, only to be shocked when Amity Ritual Summoned, something she had known how to do in theory but had never actually performed up until then.

As Always, feel free to ask questions, give comments, or use the idea as you see fit, not that I think this’ll attract a very big audience. Just throwing it out there.

#the owl house #owl house au #luz noceda #amity blight #gus porter #willow park #eda clawthorne #lilith clawthorne #yugioh arc v #yuya sakaki #sora perse #zuzu boyle #declan akaba #showtime magic! AU

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theramblingscribe · 7 years

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Warden Reborn

Chapter 1: Then It Was Over

Nyx had been told, when she awoke, of everything that had occurred. Of all that had happened on the rooftops of Fort Drakon. The darkspawn horde had nearly overwhelmed them, but she held her bow fierce and true, each new arrow sinking between dragon scales. Wynne healed every wound that struck Nyx. Alistair stayed close, ever the defender, shielding from the worst of the blows. Leliana ran circles around the darkspawn, felling them one after another, barely a flicker in the dark of the night.

The Archdemon, recognizing the growing threat of the two Grey Wardens, flew over to them, crashing in with a furious roar. It was weakening, slowing. A few more well placed arrows and Nyx could end it all, for good. She would let herself disappear, take the responsibility of the Wardens, the burden of death that came with ending the Blight, upon herself. She wouldn’t let it touch Alistair. Not when he needed to be king. Not when she loved him still.

Then, she felt a hand on her shoulder, something gentle to pull her away as the dragon’s head fell, a soft grumble in its throat the only proof that it still lived. Nyx turned to stare at her love, certain that he only meant to say goodbye. She knew he couldn’t love her anymore. She was nothing but a Dalish elf, risen to become a leader through circumstance alone. To think that she’d grown so attached, not only to one shem, but to many, proved she was no longer the Nyx that left her Keeper and clan behind.

She parted her lips, to tell him goodbye for himself, but Alistair stopped her.

“I know you told Riordan that you would do this, but I can’t let you,” Alistair said. His brow was set so firm, but the eyes beneath still showed the softness of a child. How he’d known so many cruelties yet remained so kind was nothing short of miraculous. He was her miracle.

“It’s my decision, Alistair. I have to do this,” Nyx said. She could barely look him in the eye, but stood firm.

“I know, you’ve always been so willful and brave, but I can’t lose you. Not to this,” Alistair said. “I love you too much to watch you throw your life away.”

Nyx couldn’t hide her surprise. That day, which seemed a lifetime ago now, he’d broken her heart. Alistair was going to be king and no heir could be born of an elf, especially one of the “savage” Dalish. None of the nobility would accept it, no matter how much they respected her as a Warden. Nyx thought that his willingness to give her up meant he felt for her no longer.

“You…” Nyx tried to speak, but her heart swelled before it sank again. Of course. He still loved her, despite everything, but he was a dutiful man. She should have seen that before. “And I love you,” she said, trying to steel herself. “So will all of Ferelden, when you are king. You can’t die, you’re too important. In comparison I’m—”

“Don’t,” Alistair warned. “You are more important than I could ever be. I don’t care about the throne, but I do care that you stay alive. I won’t let you do this.”

“Have you ever considered that maybe I don’t want you to die either?!” Nyx said. She was frantic. The darkspawn were still flooding in, even as their leader’s breath fell shallow. They couldn’t argue forever. One of them had to sink the blade into the monster’s head.

Alistair smiled, still charming even now. “I know,” he said. “That’s why you have to live. You’re better than I could ever be. You see the good in everyone, you’d do anything to see that everyone gets to live happily. They need you, Nyx.” Alistair raised a hand to his fellow Warden’s face, thumb brushing away a rebellious tear that had managed to escape her eye.

Nyx stood frozen as Alistair took up his blade and rushed at the dragon. Her fingers felt numb, her grip on her bow loosening. It fell to the ground, and she snapped back into focus. No, she thought, no, I just need to get to it before him.

A shaking hand took up one last arrow. She’d sink it into the Archdemon’s eye, before Alistair could reach it. She wouldn’t let him sacrifice himself.

Nyx lifted her bow to see Alistair raise his sword. She drew back her arrow. He brought the sharp steel of his blade sinking down into the skull of the Archdemon. Her arrow sailed, flying far to the right, striking the heart of a lingering genlock. Nyx, who prided herself in perfect aim, missed her target.

The rest was hazy, but Leliana had filled in most of the places where Nyx’s own memory failed. Light streamed from the final wound in the Archdemon’s skull. The light had looked as if it was filling Alistair, but he weakened as it surged through his body. He grimaced and pushed the sword deeper into the monster’s head. Then all that gathering light exploded around them, blowing everyone on the roof backwards.

“You hit your head,” Leliana said. “We were afraid that you were dead, but thankfully you were just unconscious. Wynne was one of the few people still able to move much, so she went to heal you when I called to her. It wasn’t long before reinforcements arrived, but most of the darkspawn started to flee as soon as the dragon was slain. They brought you here, to the palace, to rest.”

“And Alistair?” Nyx asked. It was pointless to hope, she knew, but the longer she waited to bring him up, the longer she would be able to hold on to that empty wish. Leliana’s face said it all. The way her lips tightened, gaze falling, Nyx knew.

“They brought his body here, too. To hold a funeral before putting him to the pyre. He will be sent off as a king,” Leliana explained. As if an honor in death made the dying any better.

Nyx brought her legs up to her chest, hugging them. She was still in the bed she’d woken up in. Wynne would be back soon with food and to check any lingering wounds. Nyx felt foolish for the thought, but wondered if the old woman could heal the pain inside her chest.

She was dressed as soon as she’d finished eating. Nyx was to look her best in the finest armor, her wild hair tamed as much as possible, then put on display with her new title as Hero of Ferelden. An empty title that she didn’t deserve. She stood in front of the gathered crowd as Anora was made Queen. Nyx tried to look brave. She wasn’t sure what heroes looked like, really, but she wanted to fool everyone she could into believing that she was one.

They cheered and Anora granted Nyx’s people land of their own, so they might never be made to fear by cruel shemlen ever again. That much, Nyx wanted to give. Then Anora asked what their hero would do next, and she just wasn’t sure what to say. The Blight was over. She had no goal any longer. Nyx would always be a Grey Warden. The memory of their call in the Deep Roads served as a reminder that there was no escaping that. Yet, the Wardens held no home for Nyx anymore.

“I’ll travel, for a time,” Nyx found herself saying. It seemed right. She’d find some goal, something to latch onto. Her mind was still muddled in the shock.

Nyx said her final goodbyes to the people she’d traveled with. None of them seemed appropriately broken up about the loss of Alistair. They already had plans, places to go. Their lives moved forward. Hers felt stuck.

“I heard you say you planned on traveling, is that correct?” Zevran asked her. “Perhaps you could use some companionship. Plus, you’ve already done a great job keeping the Crows from killing me horribly, I could use that kind of protection.”

“You’re welcome to come, if you wish,” Nyx said. “I’m not really sure where to go, though.”

Their lives moved forward, but there was nothing in the future for Nyx anymore. Nothing left that she wanted. There was only the past, which lay behind her in thousands of broken shards. It was a mirror that had started this all, wasn’t it? If she’d never gone there with Tamlen, if she’d only dragged him back to the keeper maybe she would be with her clan still. Nyx knew what she wanted, but it wasn’t ahead of her.

“Well, I will follow your lead regardless. Just so long as we don’t stay in one place for too long. Makes it easier to be found and that is the one thing I don’t want to be,” Zevran said.

Neither did Morrigan, Nyx thought. She’d thought over and over again of that night, how she’d kept Morrigan from Alistair and prevented the ritual from taking place. At the time, Nyx convinced herself it was selfless, protecting the world from dark magic Nyx couldn’t possibly understand, offering her life to the world as sacrifice instead. Now she knew the true selfishness behind her good intentions.

Maybe Morrigan would know a way to fix this. The witch was no stranger to dark magic. If there were a way to make everything better, make it all okay again, Morrigan would be the one to know how. Nyx exhaled, realizing that she had one mission left after all.

Despite her love for Alistair, and because of it, Nyx did not stay for the funeral. She asked Leliana to take her place, to make sure everyone knew just how wonderful of a man Alistair had been. Her friend promised her this much, though not without begging her to attend. With one look into Nyx’s eyes, Leliana could tell that Nyx needed to leave. She argued no further, but asked that Nyx stay and listen to the song Leliana had written in Alistair’s honor. It was the most beautiful thing Nyx had ever heard, and the most heartbreaking. The tune stayed in her head for days after she left Denerim.

In 9:32 Dragon, Nyx was alone again, with only her mabari hound at her side. She felt like she’d been endlessly chasing ghosts, hunting rumor after rumor of a witch with dark hair and bright eyes. Morrigan was not only elusive, but she was also busy. No doubt her plans had required a great change when she was denied her ritual.

Now Nyx found herself back in the Kocari Wilds, at the door of Flemeth’s hut. There was no sense of life in the wooden house anymore. Both Morrigan and her mysterious mother were long gone. A lingering sense of immense power remained in the air, but that was the only hint that either of the women had ever been there. Perseus, the mabari that Nyx had met back in Ostagar, howled softly.

“Shh, boy, I know,” Nyx said gently. “We’ll find Morrigan. I know we’re close now.” She gave the loyal dog a gentle pat on his head, then opened the door. It was unlocked, nothing left inside that required protecting. Nyx looked around the room of the small hut. It looked exactly the same as the last time she’d been here, when she retrieved Flemeth’s grimoire for Morrigan. She didn’t remember the moment fondly, as even in her hands she felt the weight and power behind the old tome. There was much of this place that frightened Nyx, but she couldn’t lose face.

A girl popped out from around the back corner of the house, wielding a blade. The two women froze, but Perseus was at the ready, growling a warning at the stranger to protect Nyx. Yet, it only took one look at the mysterious girl to know that she was a Dalish warrior.

“Wow, of all the people I would have thought to find here, I would not have believed it to be one of my kin. Andaran atishan, lethallan,” the elf woman said, putting back her sword. Nyx ran a hand over Perseus’ fur to calm him.

“Andaran atishan,” Nyx repeated the greeting. It felt almost foreign now, having spent so much time away from her clan in the world of humans. It was almost like she had lost the right to use her people’s language at all.

“Might I ask what you’re doing out here? You’re not from my clan, but perhaps the Witch of the Wilds has stolen from you, as well?” the elven woman said.

“No, I’ve other business with Morrigan,” Nyx said.

“Business?” the stranger pressed.

“She is…was, a friend. I need her help with something,” Nyx said.

“A friend? It is strange to hear someone describe the witch as such, though I suppose even someone like her must have friends. My name is Ariane. I need to find Morrigan because she stole something from our people. You know how precious our history is to us, don’t you? Well Morrigan took some of our oldest books. I need to see them returned, we Dalish have already lost so much to dirty shemlen, I couldn’t bear to see another piece of us lost,” Ariane said.

Nyx was reminded of lectures from her own Keeper about such things. Old secrets and magic and all that the Dalish had lost remained only in descriptions on paper. So much of their history was gone, but the wild elves held tight to every piece they could find. What Morrigan wanted with these secrets, Nyx did not know. Her memory of the woman was not of a common thief or someone who would take important things just for money. The books themselves probably held no worth to any but the Dalish. They had a wealth in information, but what could a shem – mage or not – do with information alone?

“Do you have any leads?” Nyx asked. It was obvious Morrigan wasn’t here and she probably hadn’t been for a very long time. Now Nyx’s sources were tapped, but perhaps Ariane still had an idea.

“Not really. All I knew is that she was said to have lived here, in the wilds. My best guess is that, if we try to figure out what she’s looking for, we could follow in her search and find where she’s hiding,” Ariane said, pacing as she thought. “I remember overhearing her and my Keeper speaking of eluvians. Some sort of old magic artifact of our people.”

“I’ve never heard of those,” Nyx admitted. She’d not taken as much of an interest as Tamlen and her other friends once had in Dalish history. When they’d discovered those ruins ages ago, Nyx just wanted to run back to the Keeper and stay far away from the giant spiders and hordes of undead that plagued the place. If only Tamlen hadn’t been so stubborn.

“I don’t really know much myself, but…” Ariane stopped pacing, looking up at Nyx. “I hear the Ferelden Circle has some ancient books like our own, on old elven magic. If we go there we could…no, they’d never let in two Dalish. Even if we’re looking for something that should belong to us and not a group of shemlen.”

“Actually,” Nyx said, “I should be able to enter without issue. I know both the First Enchanter and the Knight-Commander personally. It’s a long story but I know they’ll allow me access.”

Ariane perked up immediately. “Well what are we waiting for then? Let’s go!”

It had been ages since Nyx had set foot in the Circle Tower. Unfortunately, Wynne was off Maker-knows-where with Shale, trying to find some reversal to the golem making process. Even Irving and Greagoir were unavailable. Nyx was still welcomed in without trouble, recognized by Knight-Captain Hadley as the Hero of Ferelden. Ariane was aghast, as in their many days of traveling together Nyx had kept her true identity concealed.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ariane asked as they walked towards the Circle’s library.

“You didn’t ask?” Nyx said, trying for a smile. Her companion didn’t look pleased. Nyx sighed, saying, “Alright, honestly I didn’t want you to know. I’m tired of the way people change when they know who I am. They don’t know that I wasn’t really responsible for ending the Blight.”

“Then, who was?” Ariane asked, her voice just above a whisper. This felt like a secret to her.

“Another Grey Warden,” Nyx said. She hadn’t spoken his name since she’d left with Zevran a year ago. She didn’t dare. “He defeated the Archdemon.”

“But I was told you were the only Grey Warden to survive the siege on Denerim,” Ariane said. There was a lull of silence before a quiet, “Oh…” left Ariane’s lips. She understood. “I’m sorry, lethallan. By the look in your eyes, this other Warden must have meant a lot to you.”

Nyx didn’t answer. She hadn’t wanted to talk about this at all. It was a welcome distraction when she reunited with the odd dwarf, Sandal, and asked him to show off his enchanting skills for Ariane. Nyx knew this would be impressive for the Dalish woman, as most magic was done only by Keepers and their First in a Dalish clan. Enchantment was a rare sight, especially by a dwarven savant. The Dalish had no Tranquil.

They went along their way, finding the book they required as well as another on ancient elvish to assist with translating the old text. They poured over it for a while before a whining voice scolded them.

“Maker, be careful with that thing! Look at the spine, oh and the pages you’re bending the pages. Please be careful with that you have no clue how old it is!” the whiny mage cried. The two Dalish women stared at him, their brows raised in non-verbal sarcasm.

“Oh, or maybe you do,” the mage corrected himself. “Still, you should be careful with that.”

“I can’t make much sense of it, to be honest,” Nyx admitted. “Have you read this before?”

“Not…a lot, but I remember pieces. Anything particular you want to know?” the mage asked.

“Eluvians,” Ariane spat out before Nyx could even begin to say something. “We’re looking for information on eluvians. Do you know what they are?”

“Oh yeah, those. Yeah, eluvian. The literal translation is ‘mirror,’ but they’re supposed to hold great power. It’s unclear what they did exactly but they seemed to be a means of communication. No one knows if there are any left, though,” the mage said.

“A mirror? My clan heard of another group of Dalish who lost two young warriors to a mirror tainted by darkspawn. One disappeared and the other got sick, but I believe they found a cure,” Ariane said.

Nyx’s already pale face lost any lingering color. “There is only one cure for darkspawn taint, and that is to become a Warden,” she said, feeling breathless. “Tamlen is dead. He became a ghoul and I killed him.”

“I…it was you?” Ariane said. “You are just full of surprises, lethallan. I’m sorry for what happened. The clan spoke much of their love for you and Tamlen.”

“But the eluvian? What happened to it?” the mage asked.

“They destroyed it. Tainted it was too much of a danger to leave intact,” Ariane said.

Nyx remembered Duncan saving her. Remembered him destroying the mirror after they were unable to find Tamlen. That was the same day she’d left her clan behind forever. The same day that she swore she would never lose another like that, not if she could help it. Nyx wanted to scream.

“But that’s a precious, priceless artifact! Long before our time! It was probably the last of its kind…oh <i>no,</i>” the mage half-sobbed, hanging his head in defeat. Funny how he glossed over the rest of the story.

“That can’t be,” Ariane said. “We need to find one. A working one. Morrigan would be able to, I’m certain of it.”

“Any ideas, mage?” Nyx asked.

“It’s Finn. My name. And well, there is someone I could ask,” the mage, Finn, said, staring off into the distance. He snapped back into attention in an instant. “Come with me, I’ll show you.”

They found themselves leaving for the basement, to solve yet another issue with tears in the Veil. Nyx, having never had the talent of magic, could not understand why mages couldn’t just keep the Veil shut tight. It was under their command and control, but every time mages were involved in something, it seemed there was an issue with demons or the Veil being torn.

Once they had the situation under control, Finn lead them back to a room with a statue. Then, he started to talk to it. Nyx stared for a long moment until she heard a voice in her head, responding to Finn and introducing itself as the statue. Would magical wonders never cease?

“We’re trying to find an eluvian, a working one. Do you know where one could be found?” Finn asked the statue, apparently an artifact from Tevinter.

“Scry, and you shall find what you seek,” the statue said.

“Scry…with a piece of the broken mirror! Oh that is brilliant!” Finn said. “I read about scrying a bit, it requires...what else will we need?”

“Seek the light left by elven hands, in lands where dwarves once dwelled. There is a sanctuary in the deep halls of Cad’halash, now known by the name Cadash. There the Lights of Arlathan can be found,” the statue said. Both Ariane and Nyx perked up at this name.

“The Lights of Arlathan? They can be found?” Ariane asked. “Nyx, our people could regain some piece of our history! But what would they be doing in dwarven ruins?”

“When I first discovered the eluvian, it was underground in ruins that appeared to belong to humans,” Nyx said. “There is so much of elven history we don’t know, it’s possible that our artifacts remain in many odd places. Places you wouldn’t think to look.”

“It would explain why we have a hard time finding anything, other than them being simply destroyed by the Imperium,” Ariane said bitterly.

“Cadash must mean Cadash Thaig,” Finn said in an attempt to refocus the two women. “Perhaps I can find some maps while we’re here, to lead us to it.”

Nyx nodded and had Ariane help the both of them search. Once they found what was needed, they returned just once more to the statue, to thank it for its help. Finn insisted it wasn’t necessary, but Nyx knew better than to be impolite to something ancient and magical. She had, after all, dealt with Flemeth.

“Goodbye, Finn,” the statue said. “We will not speak again.”

Finn blanched. “Wh-what is that supposed to mean? Statue? Hey, statue!” he called, waving his hands in front of the stone. True to its word, the statue said no more. “Maker, you don’t think I’m going to die, do you?”

“It could mean any number of things,” Nyx said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions like that so quickly.”

“Though it wouldn’t hurt you to be a little extra careful from now on,” Ariane teased. Perseus barked, his way of telling her not to be so mean. “I’m only joking,” Araine said.

The group made their way back upstairs. As the Dalish women and the mabari approached the door, Finn paused. They would not have noticed that he stopped, save for the pathetic croaking noise that escaped his throat. They turned back to face him.

“What’s the matter?” Nyx asked.

“So, you’re leaving then?” Finn said.

“Yes. To find Morrigan. That was the whole point, wasn’t it?” Ariane said, crossing her arms. She seemed unable to dial down the intensity of her voice.

“Well, won’t you need some help? To scry?” Finn said sheepishly, gazing at his shoes.

“I...Finn, would you like to come along?” Nyx said. She’d always intended to have him join them. Though mages could often be trouble, in her experience, they were also of great aid. Finn in particular had specialized in creation magic, much like Wynne, which made him useful protection against the dangers they were sure to face.

“Could I?” Finn said with glee. His eyes lit up, and he hurried without a word over to Knight-Captain Hadley. Nyx heard the older man sigh loudly, but Finn ran back to them with the same enthusiasm. He’d gotten permission to assist them on their quest.

Since the Circle Tower was far closer to Orzammar than the Brecilian Forest, the group agreed that going to Cadash Thaig first was the best choice. Ariane walked with nervous excitement behind each step. She and Finn chatted most of the way, sharing what they knew of the Dalish. They would sometimes bicker, but Nyx watched as the two grew fond of each others company. If she mentioned this to Ariane, her fellow Dalish would be quick to deny it, but she knew the look. It wasn’t like Nyx would judge Ariane for falling for a shemlen.

Perseus whined and kept close to Nyx on their journey. The closer she got to Orzammar, the more she dreaded a return into the Deep Roads. The more she denied the Grey Warden blood within her, the more nightmares had plagued her. It had been worst when she travelled with Zevran, who would have to calm her every time she awoke screaming. There was no longer an archdemon to taunt Nyx, dare her to challenge it, but still she heard their voices. Nyx would never stop hearing the growling and crunching and tearing of flesh.

When they stopped and made camp, she was certain to sleep with Perseus’ weight on her. It kept her grounded, reminded her somewhat of the nights she spent in Alistair’s arms. She had slept so many years alone, it was hard to believe that now she had trouble falling asleep without the warmth of another body by her side. Nyx had not allowed herself to think of him this much in so long, but the ache in the pit of her stomach opened like a fresh wound. She covered her mouth to muffle a sob. This was all for him, this struggle to find Morrigan. Nyx had to undo her mistakes, one way or another. She wasn’t sure she could live with herself otherwise.

Nyx longed for the nights with Zevran. At first they had taken separate tents, respecting the boundaries Nyx needed. He would still flirt during the day, in his playful way, but never propositioned her for anything more. She’d told him once that she loved Alistair, and that was supposed to have been the end of it. There was no man between her and Zevran after the Blight.

It had started with gentle comforting, sharing a tent and sleeping side by side. Zevran would not touch Nyx unless she asked, but he admitted many times to the temptation. One night, Nyx simply could not sleep, and moved to lie face to face with her companion. She kissed Zevran with a need she had been unable to voice for so long. He returned the sentiment, and then some.

After that first night, it became almost routine. The two would play as if nothing had changed during their days together, but when the sun fell beneath the horizon they found themselves entangled. Sex with Zevran was nothing like it had ever been with Alistair. Nyx hadn’t minded the inexperience, as she had been unfamiliar with what two people were meant to do in bed together as well. But Zevran showed her things Alistair never could, kissing her in places Alistair would not have thought to place his lips.

Nyx was glad to enjoy the physical pleasures, even though there was no romantic attachment for either of them. It kept her from thinking of her loss, kept her from dwelling on pain, and helped her sleep even when nightmares of darkspawn threatened. If she awoke from a bad dream, Zevran would still be there, and she could kiss him and fall back into his arms until she was asleep again.

It had seemed like the perfect arrangement, but Zevran knew Nyx never stopped thinking of Alistair. He insisted it didn’t bother him, and it hadn’t, at first. Yet, as the time passed, Zevran wondered just how often another man was on her mind while Nyx slept with him. He had not fallen in love with Nyx, no. However, Zevran wanted those he took to bed to think only of him. He told Nyx this shortly before he left her. They could not travel as mere friends after they’d become so familiar with one another, and they couldn’t travel as lovers while Nyx still suffered her heartache. Nyx agreed with him on both counts.

Which made traveling with company again feel very strange. She had no desire to sleep with either Finn or Ariane, but she had forgotten what having company was like. Nyx would not have said so before they joined her, but traveling with no one beside her but Perseus had been rather lonely. The mabari snorted in his sleep, which she took as his agreement. Both of them liked having companions.

The next day, the group drew up on Orzammar. The gates were still impressively massive, even to Nyx who had spent a good amount of time there. She almost looked for Oghren, out of instinct. Nyx knew that he was a surfacer now, with no intent or desire to return to the life underground. With luck, he was with Felsi. Nyx wished every happiness for her friends, as she thought how well she knew what the loss of it was like.

“By the Ancestors, if it isn’t the Hero of Ferelden!” the dwarf guarding the gates said, opening his arms wide. “What brings you to Orzammar? Couldn’t resist the call of the Deep Roads? Wanted to check in with our King, bless his reign? Or just missed the fine taste of roast nug?”

“I’ve business in the Deep Roads again, I’m afraid,” Nyx said. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she had hated the taste of nug. Oghren had been deeply offended when she said so before, so she figured it was an unpopular opinion amongst Orzammar dwarves.

“Well, good luck in there. I will never understand why you Wardens keep going back,” the guard said.

“Where the darkspawn go, we go to kill them,” Nyx said simply. Of course everyone knew this basic information, but the bit they didn’t know was how the taint in all Grey Wardens made it so the darkspawn called to them. Nyx had heard from Riordan that one day, the voices became too strong to fight, and each Warden would go to the Deep Roads to fight until they were dead. It was a horrifying thought that Nyx never cared to entertain for long.

“Heh, alright,” the dwarf chuckled. “Just try not to get dead. Ferelden would miss their hero.”

Nyx once again restrained herself from correcting him. She was no hero. Not until she found a way to save Alistair would she accept that title willingly.

Finn’s maps lead them to the Thaig without trouble. Well, no trouble other than the darkspawn. Thankfully, given that the Blight had not been over for long, they were not quite as numerous, needing to replenish their numbers. Nyx did not mention that she had seen up close the disgusting creatures called Broodmothers, women taken and molded into a form of darkspawn meant to breed more of them. It sickened her to remember the story of how they were created. All darkspawn smelled foul, but within the Broodmother’s cavern the stench had been something far worse than the usual smell of taint.

This journey was not so deep, though the part they had to reach was unfamiliar to Nyx. She was simply glad when Finn declared that they’d arrived. He was working to prepare the spell to find the Lights of Arlathan. Ariane was reluctant when he told them he required blood of a descendant of Arlathan. Nyx’s blood, unfortunately, would not do. She was Dalish, yes, but her clan had no connection to the Arlathan elves. Ariane, on the other hand, was a perfect candidate.

“This isn’t blood magic, is it?” Nyx asked as Ariane offered her palm cautiously.

“It’s magic that involves blood, but it’s not like I’m dealing with demons or anything,” Finn said defensively. “I’m not stupid, you know.”

“I’m still not completely certain about that,” Ariane said, wincing as he brought a small blade close to her skin. He sliced quick, hoping to avoid more pain than necessary, but she still shrieked loudly as he cut her skin. “Ow!”

“Sorry! Sorry, I have all I need now. Please, let me mend that…” Finn said. He cupped his hands over hers, and Nyx watched the blush spread on Ariane’s face. Finn’s hands glowed with the green energy of healing magic. When he removed them, there wasn’t even the faintest hint of a cut.

“Thank you,” Ariane mumbled, looking away. “We’d best get going.”

Glowing orbs lead the group through the Thaig. They dispatched of any darkspawn in their path, then continued forward a few more paces before something else could appear and threaten their little group. The Lights of Arlathan were quite literally lights. In fact, they were lanterns. Ariane was impressed, saying she would need to take notes and sketches of the things back to her clan once all of this was over. Nyx agreed that it would be good to share the knowledge.

As they gathered each lantern, a guardian spirit would appear, meant to deter thieves. There was no reasoning with the elven spirits, as they were nothing but that. Ariane lamented over the knowledge the spirits probably possessed. If they weren’t so busy fighting them, there was even more they could learn from them. But the group had to keep moving, and defeated each spirit in turn.

“And that’s the last of them!” Finn cheered. “That went quicker than I expected. Though I suppose I should have known that would be easy with you around.”

He was gesturing to Nyx. He’d barely even watched her fight, and she knew it. Finn’s eyes were glued to Ariane the whole time, making sure to protect her as she got up close to the enemy. Nyx had stayed back from most of the fighting, clutching her bow and determined to keep her aim true. She would never miss another shot again.

Nyx nodded at the well-meaning compliment anyway, before insisting that they press on. There was no need to get comfortable in the Deep Roads. They’d already stayed long enough.

They left Orzammar and set up camp just on the outskirts of the surfacers’ trading community. Perseus could sense the anxiety that set in on his owner’s mind. Nyx spoke to the hound in hushed tones, patting his head gently as she did so. She didn’t want to wake the others, but she needed to talk to someone.

“Next we go back to where this whole mess began,” Nyx said, staring at the ceiling of the tent. “Where I lost Tamlen, where I became sick, where Duncan found me… If I had pulled him out, dragged him away before he could touch that stupid mirror…”

Nyx was crying. She’d held this all back too long. Alistair wasn’t the only hole left in her heart. But somehow she knew she couldn’t save them both. Nor could she save Duncan, as she knew the man would charge into battle beside his king regardless of warnings. At least Alistair, she could keep. Alistair she could, perhaps, truly save. But only if all this worked and Morrigan lead her to the right place.

The road to the Brecilian Forest was incredibly tiring. Nyx had insisted on taking side paths, knowing that the more main roads they stuck to, the more likely people were to recognize her. It ran more risk of small bandit groups jumping them as they traveled, but Nyx trusted in the strength of her allies enough to take that chance. Ariane was unbothered by the divergent paths. Being Dalish as Nyx was, she was used to these quieter, hidden roads that the aravels often took to avoid most shemlen. Finn would have been bothered either way, not at all the outdoorsy type, but he particularly claimed about the mud and thick roots of the trees on the back roads.

Nyx remembered the way to the cave as if Tamlen had lead her there only moments ago. Like she’d only just encountered those three trembling shems, who she spared out of kindness. Nyx wished she could take a few different turns, find Keeper Marethari and Ashalle, hugging both of them tightly.

She’d seen Ashalle at the celebration after the end of the Blight, but not since. Another clan had informed her, while she still traveled with Zevran, that her people had gone all the way to the Free Marches. Nyx tried to picture her friends packing themselves into a boat, but couldn’t imagine it no matter how hard she tried. Knowing the First, Merrill, she likely puked.

At the mouth of the cave into the ruins, Nyx froze. Ariane stood nearby, watching closely.

“Do you need a moment? I know this must be hard for you, after everything,” Ariane said.

Nyx shook her head. She would be strong. She was the Hero of Ferelden. Nothing should be able to stand in her way, not anymore. For once, she needed to believe in all the stories people spread about her.

“I’ll be alright. We have to do this,” Nyx said. She felt the ghosts follow her through the ruins, clinging to her back as they always did. One day, she’d manage to ignore the feeling and simply live.

There were loads of undead within the ruins, but worse yet, there were sick Dalish, likely taken by the lingering power of the mirror. Nyx could barely look as she shot them down, silently praying to the Creators to have mercy on them. “Mythal take your spirit, lethallan,” Nyx whispered.

She urged the others forward, though the squeamish Finn kept staring at the fallen bodies, wondering if they might simply get back up again. Ariane tugged on the mage’s robes to make sure he stayed with them as they reached the final chamber, a round room in which the eluvian once stood. Shattered pieces remained scattered on the floor, though it appeared as if someone had already gathered some of them. Nyx suspected Morrigan had been here as well.

“I’ll have to take a moment to scry properly. I’ve only tried it once before, and it’s not really an exact...it might take me a few tries,” Finn said, preparing the materials on the floor of the ruins. The two Dalish women stood guard while he worked. Perseus circled the area, curious about the scents that lingered in the air. It seemed like an hour before Finn had finished, and he knew the location of the witch.

#fanfiction #warden reborn

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