Chapter One: The Survivor

Author's notes:

Hello readers and welcome. I just started playing Dragon Age Inquisition, but was already inspired to write a fanfic for it. We shall see how my idea plays out since I'm writing this story as I play the game. For now, I hope you will enjoy the story!

Warning! {Rated T for now due to language and sexually suggestive material later on. Rating may be elevated, but warning will be given beforehand in that case.}

"Evelyn...Evelyn...Evy!"

A faint feminine voice called out to the young woman sprawled on the floor with increasing urgency. The unconscious lass murmured incoherently back to the echoing voice. Her cheek rested on hot dusty earth, and as she breathed in deeply, the dust made her cough violently. The rattling cough and sudden stench of sulfur woke Evelyn up with an alarmed start. Honey brown eyes tried to focus, but her head felt oddly dizzy. As she carefully rose to her feet, she gritted her teeth for she could feel each of her joints ache within her body. The young woman's long dark chestnut hair was a complete mess. Evelyn had to brush strands out of her mouth and olive skinned face before she could get a better view of her...unusual surroundings.

This was certainly not the Chantry conclave! Jagged black rocks jutted out of swirling plumes of noxious looking green gas and smoke. The entire world about her seemed intimidating as it was dark and ashen; save for a glowing green light upon the highest peak before her. The green light formed into a luminescent feminine figure, whose bright glow lit a stairway etched into the stone. Like a moth tantalized by candlelight, Evelyn felt herself drawn to the green glowing figure. The young woman could only hope that she wouldn't get burned.

"Go to the light! Hurry!" Urged a faint, yet familiar voice that the lass's brain just couldn't place. Though she obeyed as she carefully made her way to the stairs. But, soon Evelyn realized she had no other choice for as she began her climb up the smooth stone steps, a cacophony of echoing hissing and scratching noises came from the bottom steps that made the hairs on her arm stand. Taking a brief look down only made Evelyn's eyes widen in fear as a hoard of large black eyed spiders were hot on her trail. "Oh no...no no no! Huge bloody spiders!?" What kind of nightmare was she lost in? Evelyn wasn't armed with any weapon, let alone a nice rolled up piece of parchment...though, like that would have done her any good against these beasts!

Heart pounding in her chest, Evelyn whipped around to rush up the stairs, when her foot slipped and her right knee smashed painfully with the hard cold stone. "Argh!" The young woman hissed between gritted teeth as she fell upon the solid staircase. "Get up! Get up Evelyn!" Cried out the echoing voice in alarm. Head swimming from her painfully throbbing knee, the lass could only shake her head in defeat. She was worn out, in pain, and tired...maybe it was just her time.

"Evelyn get up! You have to, survive!" Thundered the feminine voice. "Survive?" Evelyn repeated to herself under her breath. A shrieking hiss cried out from behind her and the woman rolled herself over just in time to see a large spider bearing down upon her, with two fanged pinchers clicking. "Not today!" Evelyn roared as she pulled in her leg and kicked the heavy spider in the thorax with all her might. It shrieked in pain and stumbled back, smashing into its companions behind it.

The angry spiders became entangled, buying the lass a few extra seconds of time for her to scramble to her feet and climb up the remaining stairs. Soon she could her the spiders scratching the stone steps as they renewed their chase after her. Ahead, the glowing figure leaned forward, her hand outstretched to Evelyn. Close! So close! The young woman's hand just barely reached the glowing fingers, before Evelyn pushed off with her legs to jump towards the luminescent figure and...

...the figure exploded into brilliantly blinding green light that engulfed the lass. Evelyn gasped, and fresh air filled her tortured lungs. As the blinding light faded, the young woman could see through her bleary eyes, the blurry lines of men rushing towards her. "Help..." The young woman wheezed before collapsing onto the ground. Her cheek once again resting upon the hot dusty earth as she gave in to the darkness.

"Commander!" Cried one of the three soldiers searching the ruins. "Commander Cullen we have a survivor!" The soldier shouted in a mixture of bewilderment and relief as one of his comrades signaled that the woman still had a pulse. Through the dust and smoke, walked out a fair haired man wearing golden heavy armor mixed with black and dark red. A collection of regal raven feathers decorated the collar around his neck. Cullen's blue eyes widened at the news. The Commander couldn't believe his ears when one of his soldiers exclaimed that a survivor had been found! Among all this burnt crumbling ruins and charred bodies, there was someone alive? How was it even possible to survive this destruction without being torn into bits! It would have to be a miracle! Cullen quickened his heavy footsteps towards his soldiers, who hovered over the body.

But, the Commander then halted dead in his tracks when the soldiers jumped away from the survivor. A woman, laying upon the ground with her clothes dusty from the ash and slightly torn. It was her slim olive face and dark chestnut hair that grabbed his attention...could it be? "Evangeline?!" Cullen breathed in shock as he stared down at the dust smeared woman. "It can't be!" The Commander could barely whisper. Daft to his soldiers questions and perplexed looks, Cullen pushed them aside and quickly bent down to carefully pick up the woman into his arms. She was warm in his arms, and he could feel her heartbeat as she rested against his chest. His own heart was racing as he delicately...almost with a trembling hand, brushed the long hair from her face only to see...that it was not Evangeline. Of course it wasn't, how could it have been? But, this young woman's face looked so familiar, soft and peaceful that Cullen was still holding in his breath. She was alive, a survivor whose heart kept beating against the odds.

"Evangeline?" Came the sharp accented voice of Seeker Cassandra. A tall slim woman with short pixie cut raven hair, which had a braided crown, swiftly strode towards Cullen with her chin lifted. Her sudden strong voice nearly made the Commander jump in surprise. "Cullen, what is going on? Soldiers are shouting about a survivor and...by the Maker!" The Seekers voice gasped as Cullen turned around to reveal the woman he cradled in his arms. "She...she is unharmed? How can that be? How...what is wrong with her hand?!" Cassandra stated in shock.

Confused, Cullen followed the Seeker's pointing finger, only to stare open mouthed at the swirling green glow under the skin of the woman's left hand. It was the same green glow...that now tore a hole in the sky. "No...no. It's impossible Cassandra," Cullen remarked once he finally tore his eyes away from the woman's hand. "Is it Cullen? The lone survivor?" Cassandra sneered as her hazel eyes narrowed at the unconscious woman's face. "I want her brought to the dungeons and secured. I want to interrogate her as soon as her eyes open." The Seeker ordered in a determined voice.

"Cassandra, no!" Cullen stated more sharply than he meant to as he held the woman protectively in his arms. The Seeker tore her gaze away from the woman to look dangerously up at Cullen. She had recruited him after all. But, the Commander stood his ground and he remarked in his deep voice, "She needs medical attention and rest before your questioning. Give her some time to recover from the trauma she had no doubt endured." Cullen could see that Cassandra was still unswayed by his words so he skillfully added, "And with rest, her mind will be clear and sharp for your questions."

The Commander's words seemed to appease the Seeker. Cassandra huffed through her nose, but nodded as she agreed to Cullen's terms. "Very well," The strong woman remarked as she turned away from the pair and looked up at the swirling clouds in the sky above, as a ray of brilliant green light pierced through the eye of the storming clouds. "But, she better have answers." Cassandra added sharply as she looked back at the unconscious woman with a frown.

"I hope so too," Cullen added, though in a softer tone as he looked down again at the sleeping lass tucked in his arms.

More rambling notes from the Author:

So, my take on the first part of the introduction for the game with my character. I hope you liked it so far. If so, please let me know with a follow, favorite, and if you can, please leave a review letting me know what you think. Likes, dislikes, and other opinions so far?

I have fully played DAI, but just a little of DAII. Also, I didn't upload the characters for the Inquisition game. However, I thought it would be an interesting spin and challenge to write by having sisters in the story. Not only as Evelyn and Cullen develop their relationship. But, for the unfinished business between Evelyn and her sister, who may be waiting in the fade.

Thank you for reading and hopefully I'll have another chapter up soon!

(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Dragon Age Franchise and Bioware's work. It is from the team's own brilliance…though my original characters are from my own madness.