Dragon Age: Coexist

Angst in Paralysis

Darkness had claimed me, silence profound in the midst of my psyche. I frowned, elven eyes struggling to find any hidden, distant light; they found nothing.

Breath hitched and inaudible, I desperately tried to reach into the air before me, yearning to touch, to grasp, to hold anything that could lure me out of the darkness; the attempt was futile.

My arms would not move.

They defied their owner's command, continuing to drift in midair, devoid of feeling. In panic, I attempted to move my legs, but to no avail. A thick, dull sound disturbed the silence, sound echoing throughout the void and dancing around my ears.

Thump, thump, thump.

My breathing suddenly became audible, visible, coming out in thin silver wisps; the void had grown cold.

The pigmentation in my skin began to pale, the blood in my veins slowing, succumbing to the void's illusion of winter. Neck refusing to turn, I brought my eyes to the sight, anxiety rising at the intensity of the frozen flesh, the thick, dull sound quickening, rising above my frantic breathing.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.

Calmer breathing joined the orchestration of desperate exhaling; a sigh, and a chuckle.

"Foolish blood mage," Taunted the crude, familiar croaking, "So reckless is she who abuses her powers, ignorant of the knowledge that she seduces demons with every forbidden spell she casts. Did you think your actions in Lothering grew unnoticed?"

My eyes, the only morsel of my body that would obey me, darted frantically around the void, searching for the owner of the voice; failure.

"He is nameless, much like I. But I know him, nevertheless. I lead him to you. He knows not of my betrayal, but his fall will only benefit you and myself. You shall defeat him, child. And I will aid you,"

A few moments passed; she received no response, not from I.

"Speak, child. You are free now."

A pressure was lifted off of me, one that I'd not even known existed. I opened my lips, sighed when the realization came upon me that I'd actually moved a part of myself, then spoke.

"Flemeth," That one word was spat at the darkness before me, tainted with resentment, anger. It was an accusation, laced with disdain, disgust. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

I heard a cackle, and I saw her face in my mind's eye, skin creased together as she laughed, wrinkles more defined. Her mouth is opened wide, decayed teeth exposed. "Such rudeness to the one who saved your life! What short memories!"

"Where are you?" I demanded.

Another chuckle. "Can't you see me, girl? I am standing before you, surrounded by light."

I searched again, seeing nothing but the frost that showed itself whenever I exhaled. "You know I can't see anything." I sneered through clenched teeth, "Show yourself!"

She hummed, then said, "You need not see me. You need only see darkness. This is where you will return, should you fail. I will not come to your aid if you do."

She paused, awaiting a response; it never came.

"Do you not hear your heart calling to you? 'Tis a warning. Your soul was nearly claimed tonight. I have saved you once again, blood mage."

I shook my head in disbelief. "This makes no sense. You make no sense. Why did you sic a Pride Demon on me?"

"I have already explained that. 'Tis up to you to accept my answer or not."