A/N. So, after months of debate, I am finally back in the writing business, after losing interest in my old Star Wars/Mass Effect crossover (the idea is up for grabs), I started to lose a bit of faith in my own abilities as I writer. After some encouragement from a few good friends of mine here, I am back into writing, starting with a Dragon Age story. I tried writing a story for both Origins and DA2 but I didn't make it past the first page in writing. This one, I got two chapters written for it in a span of two days and currently writing the third. It feels so good to be back into writing good.

I admit, I'm not the best writer nor do I claim to be. I am not that great at writing environments especially. That's one of my main weaknesses as a writer and I am always taking advice and criticism to improve on my skills.

I got inspiration for this story from playing Assassin's Creed Rogue, and it gave me a flood of new possibilities and ideas to write. This story is an alternate reality, meaning, it won't be a direct novelization of the plot of Dragon Age Inquisition. There will be some changes, some for the better. There will be some original storylines, one of which I can't wait to write but I got to get done writing the damned Hinterlands chapter. Now, enough of my ranting, let's get on with the story.

Before I end this, I want to personally thank my friends Veyron722skyhook, Mandalore the Freedom, TerraKH, Assassin's Creed Master and my beta PoisonedChuugoku for helping me out a lot.

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age.

"We stand upon the precipice of change. The world fears the inevitable plummet into the abyss. Watch for that moment...and when it comes, do not hesitate to leap."-Flemeth, the Witch of the Wilds.

"There has been an Awakening. Have you felt it?"

It was cold. The freezing air breezed on the front side of his face. The frozen ice below him threatened to crumble if he walked fast enough. But he's slow. He has plenty of time for what he is about to do.

"Life's hardest are the ones that make you question your own moral code."

The man wore a dark, rogue outfit and a cloak covered most of his body. On his back was a cutlass and a small dagger on his hip.

"Once, I was a young man, filled with life and adventure. However, it was one day, one event that changed my life forever."

The man pulled the sword from his back, gripping it with both hands. The blade itself was covered in flames, flickering brightly with hues of red and gold. The man looked down in regret and saw a wounded man at the edge of the frozen lake, following a trail of blood.

"Everything I knew was wrong and I became a hunter. I finally reached the end of the trail, the air cold and still."

The man pulled out something from his pocket, a necklace. He held the sword in one hand, and the necklace in the other. The necklace bore the symbol of the Blade of Mercy, of the Templars of the Chantry.

"I was a young man then and the Mage-Templar War was just about to begin. I had no idea what the future had in store for me, or the cost of the choices I had to make, and an event was starting that would change my entire life, and the world's, forever."

The man looked down in sorrow at the necklace. He threw his sword down on the ice in rage. He gripped the necklace harder. He shouted in anger and threw the necklace as far as he could, hoping it would be forgotten in the icy seas below. He looked down at the blade before resolving to pick it up and gripped it with both of his hands once more and approached the fallen man.

"I have been called many names. Hero. Villain. Friend. Traitor. Brother. History may remember me as a traitor, as a heretic. It always reveres its heroes like King Maric the Savior, the Hero of Ferelden, the Champion of Kirkwall. Me, they won't remember a traitor like me."

The man hovered above the fallen man. The fallen man's armor bore the same symbol as the necklace, the symbol of the Templars. The fallen man reached out for him, pleading for mercy, begging forgiveness. How ironic as he raised his blade above him as he prepared to end his life, with the same Blade of Mercy.

"My name is Shay Trevelyan, and this is my story."

He was running, and he couldn't remember why. It was so dark and he was lost. He saw a bright light ahead and looked back and saw spider-like creatures chasing after him. He had to get away.

As he ran further, he saw a silhouette of a woman reaching out for him. He fell down and he couldn't get up. He saw the woman from before, reaching out to him. He reached out for her, but saw nothing but utter blackness.

Three Years Ago

It was cold. Winter had finally struck Ferelden. It was six years since the Hero of Ferelden ended the blight. I was a younger man then, still full of adventure and wanting to see the world.

But one day, it all changed.

POV changed to Third Person

A mysterious figure wearing a white outfit with the symbol of a cross stood perched at the edge of a tree branch. The figure watched another one not far from him. The other figure wore darker armor and had blonde hair. The figure in white jumped off of the branch and rolled into some bushes before hiding within the bushes and creeping up behind the dark figure.

The mysterious figure snuck up behind the dark figure, preparing to attack when the dark figure turned around and saw him. The mysterious figure looked shocked and worried, then heard a laugh. "Nice try Shay! You always try to sneak up on me but it never works out."

"Admit it, I was close Soren, I nearly had you," Shay laughed as he pointed at Soren.

"Yeah, you almost did. You need to practice your sneaking skills though," Soren said as he patted Shay on the shoulder. "For a rogue, you aren't very stealthy. Stealth is one of the key aspects of being a rogue, to sneak up on enemies before they detect you."

"You're right, I'll try harder."

"Good. Knight-Captain Grant wants to see us immediately. Says he has a mission for us from Knight-Commander Forvo."

"What, from the Knight-Commander? I thought he was with the others at Kirkwall?" Shay asked shocked.

Everyone heard what happened in Kirkwall, when the Mages led by the Champion Garret Hawke rebelled against the Kirkwall Templars and left, killing Knight-Commander Meredith. Knight-Captain Cullen was in charge.

"No, he isn't. He said he found something that could win us the war."

Shay woke up from the memory. It was so long ago and he always tried to forget it. It was when things had started to go downhill for him. He noticed that he wasn't in the Temple of Sacred Ashes. He was chained in a cell. Shay tried to move around but felt a pain in his right hand. He looked and saw in horror, a strange green glow on his hand. Shay Trevelyan was the son of the Bann of Ostwick, Kurt Trevelyan, head of the noble Trevelyan family of the Free Marches. He was sent off to become a Templar when he became of age, it was his dream to become, but something changed. He was betrayed, he became the prey. Now, he doesn't know what happened or why he was here. Shay wore a set of steel armor, with a green scarf hanging around his neck. Shay himself had black hair tied into a pony tail, blue eyes and a scar on the right side of his face.

"What the hell is this?" he asked himself. "Hello?" he called out. "Where am I? What happened?" he asked to the shadows.

Just then, the door in front of his cell slammed open. A woman with dark hair and a noticeable scar on her cheek approached him. Shay noticed she bored the armor of the Seekers of Truth. Another woman was with her, but she was covered in a robe and a hood covered part of her head. The dark haired woman walked behind him and started to whisper in his ear.

"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now," she said in anger.

What did he do? He couldn't remember.

"The Conclave is destroyed," she said, obviously distraught. "Everyone who attended is dead."

The Conclave? Yes, he remembered now, a peace gathering between the Mages and the Templars who broke from the Chantry and were at war with one another. He remembered he was there, but why?

"Except for you," she said harshly as she pointed at Shay.

He couldn't explain what happened, so he remained silent. He didn't want to make things worse than it already was for him. The dark haired woman roughly grabbed his left hand, the one where he saw the strange green glow before.

"Explain this," she yelled as the glow appeared again, causing seething pain within Shay's body.

"I...can't" Shay said.

"What do you mean you can't?" The dark haired woman asked in disbelief.

"I don't know what this is, or how it got there!"

The dark haired woman grabbed him on the shoulders and shook him violently "You're lying," she yelled.

"We need him, Cassandra." the hooded woman grabbed the dark haired woman, Cassandra, and pulled her back. She gave Cassandra a stern look before letting go and turning to Shay.

"I don't understand…" Shay said, shaking his head.

"Do you remember what happened?" The hooded woman asked. "How this all began?

"I remember running. Things were chasing me and then... a woman?"

"A woman?" the hooded woman gasped.

"She reached out to me, but then..." he tried to remember but nothing.

"Leliana," Cassandra interrupted, "Go to the forward camp. I will show him the Rift."

The Rift? What the hell are they talking about? Now Shay was confused. Cassandra leaned down and started to unlock Shay's cuffs, but kept some bindings on him. "What did happen?" he asked as Cassandra pulled him up.

"It...will be easier to show you," she said as she dragged him outside.

Shay felt a familiar cold breeze air. It was snowing. A loud roar came from the sky, grabbing his attention. He watched in horror as he saw a large green tear, and felt a familiar pain on his left hand. It had to be connected.

"We call it "the Breach." It's a massive rift into the world of demons. It grows larger with each passing hour," Cassandra said.

'So, it's a veil tear, an extremely large veil tear to the fade. How did this happen?' Shay thought to himself.

"It's not the only such rift, just the largest. All were caused by an explosion at the Conclave."

"An explosion can cause that?" he asked in disbelief.

"This one did. Unless we act, the Breach could grow until it swallows the world."

A fireball fell from the Breach, and Shay's hand started to pain once more as the green glow appeared on it.

"Each time the Breach expands, your Mark spreads and it is killing you. It may be the key to stopping this, but there isn't much time."

"I understand."

"Then..."

"I'll do whatever I can. Whatever it takes."

Cassandra grabbed Shay roughly on the shoulder and pushed him along through the village. Shay saw some of the citizens looking at him with fear. Some scowled and turned away, others spat at the very ground he walked on. They think he caused it. "They have already decided your guilt. They need it."

'Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty or a fair trial?' he sarcastically asked himself.

"The people of Haven mourn our Most Holy, Divine Justinia, head of the Chantry. This Conclave was hers. It was a chance of peace between Mages and Templars. She brought their leaders together. Now, they are dead."

He remember the Mage-Templar War of course, when Mages rebelled in Kirkwall over Knight-Commander Meredith's brutal tactics when dealing with mages, who also went insane and power hungry. Cassandra continued to speak, drawing Shay's attention once more.

"We lash out, like the sky. But we must think beyond ourselves, as she did. Until the Breach is sealed," Cassandra said as she let go of Shay and pulled out a dagger.

Shay expected her to gut him in the stomach, but instead she cut his bindings. "There will be a trial, I can promise no more."

'Well, that is comforting at least.'

"Come, it is not far."

"Where are you taking me?" Shay asked.

"Your Mark must be tested on something smaller than the Breach."

They approached another gate guarded by two guards. "Open the gate, we are heading towards the valley."

Shay and Cassandra started up a trail up the side of the mountain in order to head closer to the Breach. "Maker, it's the end of the world," Shay heard some passerby's say.

Another explosion from the Rift caused him to collapse again and clutch his hand in pain. Cassandra pulled him back up on his feet. "The pulses are coming faster now. The larger the Breach grows, the more Rifts appear, the more demons we face."

"How did I survive the blast?"

"They said that you...stepped out of a Rift, and then fell unconscious. They say a woman was in the Rift behind you. No one knew who she was."

Cassandra and Shay headed towards another bridge, but another explosion shattered the bridge. He and Cassandra fell onto the frozen lake. As he struggled to get up, he saw a shade demon appear in front of him and Cassandra. "Stay behind me," The warrior woman ordered as she pulled out her shield and sword.

Shay stayed behind Cassandra, but another shade demon and a rage demon appeared and one was heading right towards him. He quickly looked around for a weapon of any kind and saw a sword nearby. He ran for it as the demons started charging towards him. Cassandra killed one of them but watched in horror as they quickly approached Shay.

The Trevelyan managed to grab the sword and cut through the shade demon in time. "How do you like this?" he asked as the demon faded away.

He charged at the rage demon and cut off its arm and then thrust his sword onto its back. The demon roared in pain as it faded away. Two more demons appeared and were charging at them. "This never ends," he muttered to himself.

Shay's right hand started to glow bright as he summoned a powerful force. He sent the powerful force, a glowing bright light, at the demons. Shay smiled as he watched the demons fade away as well. Cassandra rushed towards Shay, with a visible angry look on her face. "What did you just do?" she demanded, with her sword still out.

"I used some old tricks I learned years ago," he said as he let out a laugh.

"You're a Templar," she bluntly said.

"Former Templar," he corrected. "The Order and I had a disagreement and I left two years before all of this began. I still remember my training. "

"Then you are Trevelyan. The Shay Trevelyan, the one who left the Order and killed Knight-Commander Forvo. The Heretic to the Chantry, the Deserter?" she asked.

"Guilty as charged, but that's not the full story. Forvo was driven mad with power, just like Meredith. Just like Lord Seeker Lambert. I killed him to prevent him from harming others, more so than he already did. He went against the very principles of what our Order stood for. Even if I was branded a Heretic to the Chantry. I am still a firm believer of Andraste and the Maker. I still stand by my beliefs," he said.

Cassandra narrowed down at Shay as she lowered her sword. "Fine. We will talk more of this later. Now, we need to find the others. I was going to ask you to remove your weapon, but you are capable, even without it."

"Fair enough," he said as Cassandra nodded.

"We need to head to the forward camp, there are others there that need our help."

Shay and Cassandra headed up the mountain trail.

"Where are all your soldiers?" Shay asked.

"At the forward camp, or fighting. We are on our own for now."

They found themselves on a ledge overlooking a frozen lake and saw two shade demons and two wisps on the trail above. Cassandra headed down to face the shade demons while Shay faced the wisps, they were a lesser threat and he didn't really want to die too soon.

Shay used stealth to sneak past the shade demons and snuck up on one wisp from behind and killed it. The other one fired a fireball at Shay, but he dodged it quickly. He used the twin fangs and thrust his sword on through it. Trevelyan saw Cassandra having trouble with the two shade demons so he flanked one of them and killed it.

"Thanks," Cassandra said.

"Don't mention it."

The duo continued up a trail on the left side of the lake. More explosions fell from the sky and landed in front of them. Shay saw in horror that they were demons.

"Ah," Cassandra screamed.

"They're falling from the breach," Shay pointed out.

'They're wisps so they should be easy to take care of.' Shay thought to himself as he flanked one of them and killed it from behind while Cassandra shield bashed the other and used a payback strike.

Cassandra and Shay moved forward. Shay could hear screams and the sounds of swords and magic. "We are getting close to the Rift," Cassandra said. "You can hear the fighting."

"Who's fighting?" Shay asked.

"You'll see soon, we must help them."

Shay saw a small camp and noticed a few soldiers fighting demons, as well as a bald elf mage and a dwarf using a crossbow. Shay also saw what looked like a small veil tear above them. Trevelyan flanked one of the demons and stabbed it from behind and threw a dagger at another one. The other demon roared in anger but did nothing as Cassandra stabbed it in the back. The elf mage killed the last demon with an ice spell.

Finally, the elf mage approached Shay and grabbed his left arm. "Quickly, before more come through!" the elf mage yelled as he shoved Shay's hand in front of the veil tear. 'No, it's a Rift, just a smaller one.'

The mark on his hand started to glow as it emitted a beam of energy to the Rift, and it disappeared for good. Shay stumbled back, clutching his arm as he turned to look at the bald mage.

"What did you do?" Shay asked the elf mage.

"I did nothing," he said bluntly. "The credit is yours."

Shay was a bit confused at that. Could the mark on his hand close the Rifts? "You mean this?" Shay asked as he looked at his left hand.

"Whatever magic that caused the Breach in the sky also placed that mark on your hand. I theorized that the mark might be able to close the Rifts that have opened in the Breach's wake, and it seems I was correct," The elf mage revealed.

"Meaning, it could also close the Breach itself?' Cassandra asked.

"Possibly," the elf said. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation," the mage revealed.

'Great, now they expect me to be some sort of messiah.'

"Good to know," the dwarf said. "Here I thought we would be ass deep in demons forever."

The dwarf himself carried a crossbow and wore a roguish outfit and had blonde hair. "Varric Tethras," The dwarf introduced himself, "Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally unwelcome tag along," Varric said the last part in a bit of contempt as he smiled and winked at Cassandra, who glared at the dwarf.

"Are you with the Chantry or...?" Shay started to ask as the elf let out a chuckle.

"Is that a serious question?" the elf asked.

"Technically I'm a prisoner, just like you," Varric said.

"I brought you here to give your story to the Divine," Cassandra said. "Clearly that is no longer necessary."

"Yet, here I am," the dwarf spat. "Lucky for you, considering current events."

"That's... a nice crossbow you got there," Shay asked.

"Ah isn't she? Bianca and I have been through a lot together," Varric said.

'Bianca? He named his crossbow Bianca? Sound like a name for a sword, not a crossbow.'

"You named your crossbow Bianca?" Shay said in disbelief.

"Of course, and she'll be great company in the valley."

"Absolutely not," Cassandra protested. "Your help is appreciated, Varric, but-"

"Have you been in the valley lately, Seeker? Your soldiers aren't in control anymore. You need me."

Cassandra let out a disgusted sigh as she walked away from the dwarf in defeat. The elf mage approached Shay.

"My name is Solas," he revealed. "If there is to be anymore introductions. I am pleased to see you still live."

"He means, "I kept that mark from killing you while you slept"," Varric interrupted.

"You seem to know a great deal about it all," Shay pointed out.

"Solas is an apostate, well versed in such matters," Cassandra revealed.

'That would make sense for Solas. He seems far too knowledgeable about this to have been a mage raised in a circle. Maybe he is Dalish…'

"Technically, all mages are now apostates, Cassandra," Solas corrected. "My travels have allowed me to learn much of the Fade. Far beyond the experience of any Circle Mage. I came to offer whatever help I can give with the Breach. If it is not closed, we are all doomed, regardless of origin."

"That's a commendable attitude," Shay said, thanking him.

"Merely a sensible one, although sense seems to be on a short supply," Solas said. "Cassandra, you should know that the magic involved here is unlike any that I have seen. Your prisoner is no mage. Indeed, I find it difficult for any mage having such power."

"Understood," Cassandra agreed. "We must get to the forward camp quickly."

"Well," Varric said from behind Shay. "Bianca's excited."

"This way, down the bank. The way ahead is blocked," Cassandra said.

Shay saw a fallen tree blocking there path and jumped over it, the rest of the group soon followed. They continued down the bank and saw demons blocking their way forward on another frozen lake.

Solas used an ice spell to freeze one of the wisp demons and continued attacking it with spirit magic. Varric fired a crippling shot from Bianca and stunned a wisp and continued firing at it. Cassandra and Shay tag teamed the two shade demons with Cassandra shield bashing one and Shay flanking it from behind. Solas then froze the other shade demon as Varric finished it off.

Shay and his group continued up the mountain path after defeating the demons. They saw a burning building along the trail, no survivors from the looks of it. "So, are you innocent?" Varric asked.

"I don't remember what happened," Shay said.

"That will get you every time. Should have spun a story," Varric joked.

"That's what you would have done," Cassandra countered.

"It's more believable, and less prone to result in premature execution."

More demons appeared and were dealt with.

"I hope Leliana made it through all of this," Cassandra said, worried for her friend.

"She's resourceful, Seeker," Varric reassured.

"We will see for ourselves at the forward camp. We are almost there," Solas pointed out.

They arrived at the gate of the forward camp, but found it blocked by a Rift. "Another Rift," Cassandra yelled.

"We must seal it, quickly," Solas ordered.

"They keep on coming, help us!" a soldier pleaded as shade demons appeared from the rift.

Shay flanked one of the shade demons from behind and used twin fangs with his sword and dagger. Solas froze one of the demons as Cassandra shield bashed it, breaking it into pieces. Shay then use the mark on his hand to close the Rift. The soldiers allowed them to enter the forward camp. Shay saw Leliana conversing with a man wearing Chantry clothing, talking about Shay.

"Ah, here they come," the Chantry man said as Leliana walked out towards them.

"You made it," Leliana said. "Chancellor Roderick, this is-"

"I know who he is," the Chancellor interrupted.

Shay recognized the man in an instant after hearing the name. He is second to the Divine and rules in her stead in case she was assassinated, until a new one is elected.

"As Grand Chancellor of the Chantry, I hereby order you to take criminal to Val Royeaux to face execution."

'Oh great, now this asshole wants me dead as well. Now the majority of the Chantry probably hates me, if they don't already.'

"Order me?" Cassandra said in disbelief. You are a glorified clerk, a bureaucrat."

'Wow, Cassandra has a lot of guts standing up to a man like Roderick.'

"And you are a thug," Roderick spat, "but a thug who supposedly serves the Chantry!"

"We serve the Most Holy, Chancellor, as you well know," Leliana said.

"JUSTINIA IS DEAD!" the Chancellor yelled out. "We must elect a replacement, and obey her orders on the matter."

"Isn't closing the Breach the more pressing issue?" Shay tried to reason with Roderick.

"YOU brought this upon us in the first place," the Chancellor accused. "Call a retreat, Seeker. Our position here is hopeless."

"We can stop this before it's too late," Cassandra assured.

"How? You won't survive long enough to reach the temple. Even with all your soldiers," the Chancellor countered.

"We must get to the temple, it's the quickest route."

"But not the safest," Leliana countered. "Our forces can charge as a distraction while we go through the mountains."

"We lost contact with an entire squad on that path," Cassandra said. "It's too risky."

"Listen to me," Roderick pleaded. "Abandon this now before more lives our lost."

Just then, more energy was spouting out of the Breach, causing Shay's hand to glow once more. The Chancellor eyed Trevelyan suspiciously as the others looked towards Shay for guidance. "How do you think we should proceed?" Cassandra asked.

'I can give orders now? This is more like it.'

"I say we charge with the soldiers," Shay said, with Cassandra nodding at him. "I won't survive long enough to wait for your trial. Whatever happens, happens now," he declared.

Cassandra walked towards Leliana. "Leliana, bring everyone left in the valley. Everyone," she ordered as Cassandra, Shay, Solas and Varric headed out of the forward camp.

"On your head be the consequences, Seeker," Roderick warned.

Shay, Solas, Cassandra and Varric headed up the mountain path in order to get to the Temple of Sacred Ashes. Shay heard about the Temple, about how it was discovered by the Hero of Ferelden during the past Blight. He was looking for the Ashes of Andraste, which is said to cure any ailment, in order to cure an unknown disease that struck the Arl of Redcliffe. The Temple was then re-discovered by the Chantry and used as a pilgrimage site for travelers, and later, the site of the Conclave.

The soldiers followed ahead of them. Shay saw large rocks the size of buildings spewing out of the Temple ruins. They were following a soldier, but he was blasted by an explosion from the Breach. Entering the ruins, they saw another Rift and cleared out the demons and sealed it.

"Sealed, as before. You are beginning to become quite proficient at this," Solas congratulated Shay.

"Let's hope it works on the big one," Varric quipped.

Shay saw Cassandra approaching a blonde haired man wearing Orlesian battle armor. "Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the Rift. Well done," the man thanked the Seeker.

"Do not congratulate me, Commander," Cassandra let out a sigh. "This is the prisoner's doing," she said, referring to Shay.

"Is it?" the Commander said with disbelief. "I hope they're right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here."

"I can't promise you anything but I'll try my best," Shay assured.

"That's all we can ask," the Commander said as he approached Cassandra. "The way to the Temple should be clear. Leliana will try to meet you there."

"Then we best move quickly," Cassandra suggested. "Give us time, Commander."

"Maker watch over you, for all our sakes," he said as he went with some soldiers to gather some of the civilians and take them to safety.

The group headed down to the ruins of the Temple and saw various bodies, frozen in stone.

"The Temple of Sacred Ashes," Solas said.

"What's left of it," Varric added.

"That is where you walked out of the Fade and our soldiers found you," Cassandra revealed. "They say a woman was in the Rift behind you. No one knows who she was."

They entered the ruins of the Temple and saw, in their horror at the center of it, a larger Rift, directly below the Breach. "The Breach is a long way up," Varric said.

"You're here," heard a voice behind him and turned around and saw Leliana with her soldiers. "Thank the Maker."

"Leliana, have your men take up position around the Temple." Cassandra ordered.

Leliana agreed and left with her soldiers. "This is your chance to end this. Are you ready?" the Seeker asked Shay.

"I'm assuming you have a plan to get me up there?"

"No," Solas said. "This Rift was the first, and it is the key. Seal it, and perhaps we seal the Breach."

"Then let'[s try to find a way down. And be careful," Cassandra warned.

They took to their right and jumped down to the sections below. Shay then heard something that shook him to his core.

"Now is the hour of victory," a deep, almost demonic voice echoed through the Temple.

"Bring forth the Sacrifice."

"What are we hearing?" Cassandra asked.

"If I had to guess, the person who created the Breach," Solas pointed out.

Shay saw strange, red magical rocks scattered about. "You know this is Red Lyrium, Seeker," Varric said.

"I know."

"But, what's it doing here? It wasn't here before."

'Red Lyrium? So, the stories about Meredith being driven insane with Red Lyrium are true.'

Shay and his group approached the large Rift. His left hand glowing in reaction to the Rift's activity.

"Someone, help me," a female voice pleaded. It sounded familiar to Shay.

"What's going on here?" he heard his own voice this time. Are these echoes of the past triggered by the Rift?

"That was your voice," Cassandra pointed out. "Most Holy called out to you,"

'So, it was the Divine? Why was I meeting the Divine?'

The Rift reacted once more, showing them a vision of sorts. Shay saw the Divine, being held in a magical prison by a shadowy, demonic creature of some sorts. The one he assumed caused the Breach.

"What's going on here," Shay said in the vision.

"Run while you can. Warn them!" the Divine pleaded.

"We have an intruder," the demonic creature responded to Shay's presence. "Kill him. Now!"

Then, the vision ended and nothing. He still can't remember what happened. "You were there. What happened?" Cassandra asked. "The Divine, is she...? Is this vision true? What are we seeing?"

"I don't remember," Shay said again.

"Echoes of what happened here," Solas started. "The Fade bleeds into this place. This Rift is not sealed, but it is closed. Albeit temporarily. I believe that with the mark, the Rift can be opened and sealed properly and safely. However, opening the Rift will likely attract attention from the other side."

"That means demons," Cassandra yelled out. "Stand ready."

Leliana and her soldiers arrived to help out with the impending battle. Archers stood on top of the Temple, arrows pointed at the Rift, ready to fight what will come out. Cassandra gave Shay a nod, giving a silent order to open the Rift. Shay's left hand emitted a green beam of energy at the Rift and it opened. They were expecting shade and rage demons to appear, but that is not what they saw.

A loud roar echoed through the ruins as a monstrous beast appeared out of the Rift, the mighty pride demon, towering above them all. The demon snarled as it summoned electrical whips and slashed at the soldiers.

Cassandra and Shay ordered Solas and Varric to move a little ways away from the pride demon as the Seeker and Trevelyan flanked the left and right leg of the demon. Solas and Varric distracted thedemon by firing magic and projectiles at it, along with the other soldiers. The demon then summoned a magical barrier with the help from the Rift.

"Try to seal the Rift or at least weaken it," Solas suggested. "It may damage the demon."

Shay did just that as Cassandra, Varric and Solas distracted it. He didn't close it. Only about a third way through, he thought. The demon collapsed to its knees, barrier gone as Cassandra and Shay continued to slash at it. Enraged, the demon roared and threw Cassandra to a wall, knocking her unconscious. "Cassandra!" Shay yelled and felt the urge to help his fallen comrade, but knew fighting the demon and sealing the Rift came first.

Some of the soldiers came in to help as the demon summoned another barrier. As before, Shay tried to close the Rift but it will take more time to fully close it with the demon at bay. It's weakened once more as it collapsed to its knees. Shay flanked the demon from behind and used twin fangs on it while Varric continued using crippling shot and Solas using ice magic.

The demon roared once more and got up and charged at Shay, grabbing him, forcing him to drop his sword. "Is this it?" he said to himself.

Before the demon could finish him off, a powerful fire spell hit the demon in the head, causing him to drop Shay. Shay saw Solas firing ice, lighting and magic spells at the demon. "Quickly, seal it now," Solas said. Shay gave a nod before picking up his fallen blade and running towards the Rift.

He used the mark's powers and emitted a beam of green light from his hand, sealing the Rift for good. The demon tried to charge at Shay but stopped in its tracks as it faded away into nothingness. The beam from the Breach to the Rift vanished. The Breach was still there, but any attempt for it to cause more damage than it already did has stopped.

"We did it," Solas said as he patted Shay on the back. "You did it."

"Yes, we did," Shay said as he walked towards the fallen Cassandra, seeing her getting up. He then felt a wave of exhaustion as he lunged forward and collapsed on the ground, seeing nothing but darkness.

Three Years ago

Shay and his friend, Soren, met with the other Templars. Grant was a Templar originated from Antiva and had tan skinned, blue eyes, and was bald. Forvo was an older man with dark, greying hair and black eyes. With him were Knight-Lieutenants Samson and Carrol from Kirkwall. Forvo looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"I am sure you all heard the rumors about what happened in Kirkwall?" Forvo asked, showing no emotion in his voice.

"Yes, the Champion of Kirkwall killed Knight-Commander Meredith in cold blood," Soren replied.

"That's only partially true," Forvo said as he pulled out a letter. "Knight-Commander Meredith went insane with power and caused the Mages there to rebel. Knight-Captain Cullen repelled the rebellion and restored order but Meredith was indeed killed by the Champion, an apostate mage, in combat."

Knight-Commander Forvo then set the letter on a table. "This letter, was a decree by Lord Seeker Lambert. The Seekers of Truth and the Templars are no longer part of the Chantry as they refuse to hunt down the rebel Mages,"

"Wait, we split from the Chantry?" Shay asked in disbelief. "Isn't that going against everything we stand for?"

"Yes and no," Forvo replied. "The Chantry refuses to bring the rebel Mages to justice. Someone has to, and it's up to us to restore order to this world. The Mage-Templar War has officially started as of a week ago after Mages rebelled in the White Spire and Lord Seeker Lambert was murdered, with Lucius taking his place."

"I have received word of something that may end the war in our favor," the Knight-Commander turned towards Shay. "Knight-Lieutenant Shay Trevelyan, you have been a humble servant of our Maker and of the Order. You are being sent to Hercina, of the Free Marches. There you will meet Knight-Colonel Cornelius Raxus. He will tell you more as this information cannot get out to the rebel Mages."

Shay saluted the Knight-Commander. "The Maker will be my guide in this quest, Knight-Commander. I will not fail."

"The fate of the world counts on us, Shay. Do us and the Maker proud," Forvo said as he, Samson and Carroll left. It was just him and Soren now.

"Well, going on your own solo mission, about time," Soren congratulated.

"Yeah, I just hope whatever I find in Hercina will end this bloody war."

"I hope so as well," Soren said as he patted his friend on the back. "Come, we'd best see Harrison. He will help you get to Hercina."

Shay awoke after experiencing the same dream over and over again, the vision from the Temple played in his head constantly. He found himself on a bed, wearing a more casual outfit and in a room. He was about to call out for someone when he saw the door open. A young, startled elf girl. "Ah," the elf said and dropped a box she was carrying.

"I didn't know you were awake, I swear," she pleaded at Shay.

"Don't worry about it," he tried to reassure the elf, "I only want-"

The elf then stared to knee in front of Shay. "I beg for your forgiveness and your blessing, I am but a humble servant," the elf pleaded.

'My worst fears are true, I am some sort of messiah. If only my family could see me now. They are probably laughing at me.'

"You are back in Haven, my Lord. They say you saved us. The Breach stopped growing, just like the mark on your hand."

As if on cue, the mark started to glow again. "It's all anyone has been talking about for the last three days."

'Three days? I've been out for three days?'

"So, a trial happens now, I suppose?" he grunted out.

"I don't know anything about that," the elf girl said as she got up. "I am certain that Lady Cassandra will want to know you have awaken. She said "At once"."

"Where is she?" Shay asked as he got up from his bed.

"In the Chantry, with the Lord Chancellor. "At once", she said," the elf girl said as she ran out of the room.

Shay saw his old armor on a dresser in the room. He grabbed it and quickly changed out of the outfit he was wearing. He quickly went out of the room and saw soldiers and citizens all lining up, saluting him.

"They say he was the one who sealed the Breach."

"They say he walked out of the Fade, with Andraste right behind him. The mark was a gift of Andraste. He is the Herald of Andraste."

That was what they all kept on saying, or similar things. He was referred to as the "Herald of Andraste" and they believe the woman that was behind him in the Rift was Andraste herself. He wasn't so sure about it himself. He made he was to the Chantry. The Chantry was one of the buildings that were still intact, thankfully. The refugees made Haven into a small base for the survivors.

"Have you gone completely mad?" Shay could hear the Chancellor yell out.

He entered a room and saw Chancellor Roderick arguing with Cassandra and Leliana. The trio stood around a table in the middle of the room, a huge map of Fereldan and Orlais spread out across the surface. Behind him, Shay noticed two guards on either side of the door. Chancellor Roderick glanced at him before whipping around and pointy a finger at him.

"Chain him," the Chancellor ordered. "I want him prepared for the Capital for trial."

"Disregard that," Cassandra countered. "Leave us," she said to the two guards stationed at the ordered. They saluted and left.

"You walk a dangerous line, Seeker," the Chancellor warned.

"The Breach is stable, but it is still a threat. I will not ignore it," the Seeker declared.

"I did everything I could to close the Breach. It almost killed me."

"Yet, you live," the Chancellor spat. "A convenient result, insofar as you are concerned."

"Have a care, Chancellor," Cassandra said. "The Breach is not the only threat we face."

"Someone was behind the explosion at the Conclave," Leliana revealed. "Someone Most Holy did not expect. Perhaps they died with the others. Or, have allies who yet live." At this, the red-haired woman turned a stern eye to the Chancellor.

"I am a suspect?" The Chancellor said in disbelief.

"You, and many others," Leliana accused.

"But not the prisoner," Roderick spat.

"I heard the voices in the Temple," Cassandra said. "The Divine called out to him for help."

"So, his survival, that thing on his hand, all a coincidence?" the Chancellor said in disbelief.

"Providence," the Seeker reassured. "The Maker sent him here in our darkest hour."

"Though all before me is shadow, yet shall the Maker be my guide," Shay quoted from the Chant of Light.

"We lost everything, then out of nowhere, you came," Cassandra said.

"The Breach remains, and your mark here is still our only hope of closing it," Leliana said.

"This not for you to decide," the Chancellor said.

Cassandra came forward with a book and slammed it on the table. "You know what this is, Chancellor?" she asked. The Chancellor looked at the book in disbelief. "A writ from the Divine. Granting us the authority to act. As of this moment, I declare the Inquisition reborn."

'The Inquisition? The Inquisition, the original one, is what led to the formation of the Templars and the basic foundation of the modern Chantry. Let's hope we don't end up like the Templars.'

"We will close the Breach, we will find those responsible, and we will restore order. With or without your approval," Cassandra declared.

The Chancellor said nothing as he stormed off. "This is the Divine's directive," Leliana said. "Rebuild the Inquisition of old. Find those that will stand against the Chaos. But we aren't ready. We have no leader, no numbers, and now no Chantry support."

"But, we have no choice," Cassandra assured. "We must act now. With you at our side."

"If you are truly trying to restore order…" Shay started.

"That is the plan."

"Help us fix this, before it's too late," Cassandra pleaded as she pulled out her hand.

Shay grabbed it and shook it, giving his approval.

Today marks the beginning of a new age.

The age of the Inquisition.

A/N. Well, here it is. The first chapter. Second one is almost done. The flashbacks are important to some of my changes. My Inquisitor of this story, Shay Trevelyan, is a former Templar who left due to some 'disagreements'. He still has the Templar powers and gotten over lyrium addiction. Expect flashback only chapters in the near future.

I am still not great at writing environments as you cans see here but I am getting better with battle scenes with practice I don't plan to write every enemy encounter from the game, that would just get boring. One of my main writing weaknesses is being descriptive but I hope to improve.

The next chapter is just mainly character interactions at Haven and no action. I may actually merge it with the third chapter. Please remember to leave a review when you can.