Desire For Power- Cullen Rutherford x Dorian Pavus

Chapter Five

Days past by where Dorian would hardly leave his study, and wouldn't speak to anyone. His thoughts were corrupting his mind and he was losing lack of sleep, food, and water. Cullen began to worry for the man. Yet he couldn't talk to him, for he wouldn't listen to anyone. Every time he tried to speak, the mage wouldn't listen. Both of them looked awful, dark bags underneath their still sparkling eyes, a weak structure when they walk or stood. Cullen walked around Skyhold, running into Dorian at the garden. He took in a deep breath and walked up to him. "Dorian?" He asked gently.

Dorian perked up and looked behind him to see Cullen, with a small smile upon his tired face. "I don't usually ask this," He began shyly. "But would you like to play a game of chess with me?" Dorian could see a small hint of red on the man's cheeks in such cold weather and lack of sleep. A smirk appeared on his own and he laughed. "I could beat your ass in five minutes." he spoke deeply, letting his confidence flow back to him. Cullen led him to the table and set up the game. They played until nightfall had crossed the sky, then stood up. "I must admit, you were quite the competitor." Cullen smiled and he shook hands with the mage. The two made their ways to their rooms, laying in the beds with smiles bright as the sun. Both fell asleep quickly, for the first time in days.

As the sun had begun to rise, Dorian strode through Solas's study, noticing a glowing orb on a stand. It made him stop in his tracks. "Why would Solas need this?" He stepped closer, and watched as it glew the same glow as the fade and anchor. He quickly grabbed it and wrapped it in a piece of cloth and shoved it into his pocket, headed toward the garden. The orb started to glow brighter in his pocket as he walked past the stairs. "It's.. leading me to something." he mumbled. As he began to tour around Skyhold, he watched as it was glowing it's brightest by the stairway leading out of the castle. He followed what it's careless and dangerous whispers fed to him.

Snow tugged at his body, ripping through his face and hitting his bone deeply. The mage continued to listen to the whispering orb, even though the howling wind ripped at his every move. He made his way into a cave and stopped when the orb stopped glowing. Staring up, his eyes led him to a rift nearly the size of the breach! Fear and anger welled into his chest. With triumph, he stormed his way into the fade, squeezing his eyes shut. He felt something hard and opened his eyes to see a rock, spiders around it. They stared and licked their fangs hungrily.

"Damn spiders!" He shouted and threw a spell at them, watching as they all fell. He smirked and continued to make his way through the damned land, filled of demons, despair, and anger. He looked around, trying to choose a path to go down. At that moment, a familiar voice caught his attention. "Dorian!" Cullen's voice echoed throughout the fade. "Cullen!" Dorian called out, running towards the sound. His chest heaved with regret as he stood on top of a ledge, exactly where the voice came from. No Cullen. No anything. It was just him by himself. His eyes darted around the terrain, finding nothing.

"Ah, The Magister of Teventer." A crooked, deep whisper spoke to him. He turned and was straight face to face with the Archdemon Corypheus himself! Dorian growled. "Corypheus," He stared, more of his anger started to show. Purple flames rose from his hands. "What do you want?" His words came out like a hiss, filled with venom. "I believe it is you who is on my land," Corypheus kept his gaze fixated into Dorian's. "I don't bite in my own lands unless I must. Now, I must ask you, why are you here and how did you get here?" The demon moved not, yet his gaze kept Dorian paralyzed. "I have no right to tell you my story." He spoke gravely. Corypheus had a small green light glow around him, as he changed forms. This form looked familiar to Dorian. Piercing eyes, soft pink lips, scars, and dirty blond hair.. Then, it hit him.

"It was you!" Dorian spoke in a gasp. "You were the impostor!" He watched in horror as the demon licked his lips and moved closer, pressing his body into the mage's. "Clever you are," He smirked widely. "You know he'll never love you, Dorian. But I can love you. I will be your Cullen." He licked Dorian's neck, making the male shiver with fear and pleasure. "Why would I trust you, Demon?" He growled as the Impostor bit into his shoulder, earning a moan. "Because, I'm all you've got. I won't hurt you. I promise~" He let go of Dorian quickly, and strode a bit away. "Leave now," He kept his back turned to Dorian. "They are searching for you, Dorian. If you ever need me... you have my tarot." He pointed to the glowing orb in Dorian's pocket. Dorian gave a firm nod and ran as fast as his legs could carry him out of the fade. As he hit the cold stone of the cavern floor, he raised his head and panted. "What have I done?.." He whispered.