The Protégé

Chapter 8

Seranni and Utha helped me put on my armor. They also brought me my knight-enchanter sword hilt and staff. Together, we walked down to meet the master and Ortan. He was waiting for us in the tunnel with a massive force of darkspawn. They bowed as we walked out.

"A pleasure to meet you, my lady," one of them said in a guttural voice.

"The Seeker has told us much about you," another mentioned.

"It will be an honor to fight alongside of you."

I smiled at the group. "The feeling is mutual. Take care of me, and I'll take care of you."

I was answered by the clanking of armor and hollers. With that, we started down the tunnel. The master held out his hand and murmured a spell. The enchantments activated and teleported us to another tunnel that was likely in the north. After walking a bit further down, we could see a collapse where the ceiling had opened up, revealing the forest. Rather than going to the surface, we continued down the tunnel. Eventually, the dwarven pillars morphed into elven archways. The tunnel soon led to a bricked-up dead end.

"Shall we knock," Seranni asked.

The master motioned for us to continue. I cast a fireball spell, blowing apart the weak structure with a thunderous sound. Rubble was still falling as we entered. Archers quickly handled the guards that came running into the room. We appeared to be in an armory. The master ordered some of the darkspawn to clear it out. Seranni, Utha, Ortan, and I continued to the upper level with a chunk of our force. We dispatched the elves who came at us before moving on.

After clearing several rooms, we came to what looked like a main area where a ritual was taking place. I smirked when I saw Solas look up in surprise before smirking back. His guards rushed forward to meet us as he continued the ritual. I drew out my blade of magic and carved a bloody path to him. I had the blade to his neck as he finished his incantation.

He reached out and touched my cheek with a sad smile. "You're too late. I really wish you didn't have to see this."

There was a flash of green light as Regret came into our realm. Solas's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Regret, you were to take my body and use my lifeforce to rip open the Veil."

Regret didn't answer and looked to me instead. "Actually," I replied, as I looked back at Regret with a smile. "I'm right on time." I withdrew my blade.

I turned to the massive beast. "Greetings, little wolf."

"Salutations, little goddess. Having second thoughts?"

"Not at all," I told it as I walked up to the feet of the beast. "Extract your price."

Regret seemed to hesitate. It lowered its head to me. I reached out and pet its snout. "Maybe I'm the one who'll truly regret this," it confided in me.

I smiled sadly. "You're just doing what I asked of you. If that isn't enough," I trailed off as I pressed my head to its muzzle. "Then, I forgive you."

I drew back my head to look at it. A tear slid from one of its red eyes. I brushed it away with my metal thumb.

"Do not be sad, little wolf. I'm sure we'll meet again in another life. One where I really will be a little goddess. Maybe it'll be kinder to us both. Of course, you'll need to be kinder to yourself. I can forgive you as much as I want, but you need to forgive yourself."

The huge beast let out a sniff. "I truly am sorry for this."

"I know," I said sadly as its eyes began to turn red. "And I truly do forgive you."

I felt myself getting weaker, and exhaustion pulled on my bones like stone weights. I heard Solas calling for me as my hand slipped from Regret's soft snout, and my hilt fell out of my fingertips. Arms wrapped around me as I sank to the ground.

"You always knew this had a price," I managed to get out. "If you're going to recreate a world, you may as well get to enjoy it. So I paid it for you." I looked up at Regret. "It was a pleasure."

My vision tunneled around those bright red eyes. I vaguely wondered if the corruption of spirits was like the blight-corruption of a physical creature. My eyes moved back to Solas's face, and I saw tears running down his sharp cheekbones. "Love you," I told him, weakly. My lids couldn't stay open, and not long after, my heart couldn't keep beating. I slipped away in a breath.