Scene Packs From Other Stories

④.②●DA:I

With the possibility of Cole's help, Gemma took a moment to collect herself before turning to her companions. "We won't sit idly by," she declared, her voice filled with resolve. "Cullen is out there, and we're going to find him. Together."

Her closest allies, Blackwall and Dorian, nodded in agreement, masking their concern with steely determination. Blackwall spoke first, his voice gruff but resolute. "We'll prepare the search party. We can't lose any more time."

Dorian added, "And we should inform the advisors. Josephine can marshal our resources for this mission."

Varric, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally chimed in, his trademark sarcasm returning. "Well, if anyone's gonna navigate this mess and get our dear commander back, it's you, Inquisitor."

As Gemma began to lay out a plan, she couldn't help but wonder who might have taken Cullen and why. The thought of an enemy seeking revenge for the Inquisition's victories weighed heavily on her mind. Or was it something more personal, an adversary from his past returning to haunt him? Or her?

In the days that followed, Gemma and her companions, accompanied by a team of skilled scouts, tirelessly searched for any trace of Cullen. The loss of their commander had galvanized the Inquisition, reminding them all of what wacompanions?

The search for him was relentless, leading Gemma and her team on a labyrinthine journey. They followed leads that sometimes amounted to nothing but dead ends, left with the bitter taste of frustration. The information they gathered from informants and investigations sometimes teetered on the edge of revelation but fell just short, like a mirage in the desert.

As days turned into more weeks, weeks they didn't have, exhaustion and hopelessness began to wear down Gemma and her friends. The weight of uncertainty bore down on them, like a ticking clock counting the moments lost. It was Varric, with his shrewd understanding of human nature, who broached the painful subject of potentially calling off the search. The Inquisition had other responsibilities, and they couldn't exhaust all their resources indefinitely.

Gemma's heart ached at the mere thought of it. To give up on Cullen, the man she loved more than anything, seemed inconceivable. Her fiery determination had carried her through countless trials, but she couldn't shake the relentless fear that time was running out. Her companions, friends who had become her second family, could see the emotional torment on her face. But none of them could provide the answers she so desperately sought.

Leliana and Josephine, two of the Inquisition's cunning advisors, knew that time was a resource they could ill afford to squander. They had been informed of the situation and brought their concerns to Gemma. Though it pained her to hear it, Gemma knew they were right. The Inquisition had a world to assist reform and many lives to protect. The agonizing choice of whether to continue the search or prioritize their other duties weighed heavily on her heart.

In the end, Gemma understood the necessity of their decision, but it didn't make it any easier. She couldn't bring herself to say the words aloud, instead opting for a strained nod. The conflicting emotions raged within her, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was giving up on the love of her life. The others, too, shared in her grief but remained steadfast in their support.

The journey to find Cullen, fraught with pain and uncertainty, had become an emotional crucible for them all. But as Gemma watched the fading horizon, the determination to bring him back and protect the world they had built together remained strong and true, even as the world continued to spin, seemingly indifferent to their anguish.

The main search party was comprised of Gemma, Blackwall, Dorian, and Varric, with the additional support of Leliana's intelligence network. Josephine's diplomatic skills ensured they had the cooperation of local militia. They moved from one lead to another, piecing together a puzzle that seemed to have too many missing parts.