59 Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Pride Demon.

Entering the temple there was a pungent smell that lingered, one that was all too familiar, bringing with it memories of a battlefield. The ground was no longer covered in the snow, now all one could see was the Aftermath left by the eruption. The smell of burned human flesh was always a unique one. The 'Temple of Sacred Ashes' was just that now. Ashes. Seems the name was rather appropriate.

"The breach is a long way up", said Varric.

I nodded slightly, not really paying attention to his words, recalling a time long past. Memories of a battlefield and faces of brothers now six feet under. Their deaths caused by the orders of a naive Second Lieutenant. On that day I had sentenced more than half my platoon to death...

I was brought out of my daze by the sound of many footsteps coming from our rear. The soldiers had finally caught up it seems. I felt three pairs of eyes locked onto me, turning my head to meet their gazes I gave my usual fake smile.

It seems I had released an aura while spaced out, if my Reiatsu wasn't sealed the results may have been disastrous, at least for everyone else that is. Clearing my thoughts, I finally looked up towards the massive rift that was before me. Green streaks were flowing around the rift. I could feel every cell in my elven body vibrate in excitement. My lips curled upwards as it was the very reason I had bought this system in the first place, pure magic.

"You're here! Thank the Maker!" came the voice of Leliana from behind.

This seemed to snap out Cassandra from her daze as she addressed the former. "Leliana, have your men take up positions around the temple."

Facing me she continued, "This is your chance to end this, are you ready?"

"I'll give it a shot." I responded.

A look of confusion made its way onto the Seeker's face. After some confusion it finally hit me. Language. It seems I would have to use formal speach.

Letting out a sigh I explained, "I'll try."

"This rift was the first, and it is the key. We seal it, and perhaps we seal the breach." Solas said from the side.

"Then let's find a way down, and be careful." the Seeker said.

Afterward, we quickly made our way down.

As we moved closer to the rift, a deep voice boomed out.

"Now is the hour of our victory. Bring forth the sacrifice."

Right after the anchor came to life resonating with the massive rift.

Then came the voice of a woman, "Someone, help me!"

"What's going on here?!" responded a voice that was much too familiar.

I wasn't the only one who noticed as the Seeker immediately spoke, "That was your voice. Most Holy called out to you. But..."

Before she could continue her sentence, the rift lit up, the space around it fluctuated showing phantom images of past events.

The memory that was shown was that of a tall shadow with red aura coming from his two eyes. The figure couldn't be made out at all as it simply looked like a shadow. Across from was an old woman in chantry robes, being held up by magic. Soon after I entered. The woman told me to run and warn her people. And the figure across from her ordered his subordinates to kill me. The image dissapeard.

"YOU WERE THERE! Who attacked? And the Devine, is she...? Was this vision true? What are we seeing?" Came the words from Cassandra's mouth like a flood.

Waiting for her to stop talking I simply held out my palmes, shrugged my shoulders and said, "I don't know, can't remember."

She seemed annoyed at my lack of care, but before she could do anything Solas's serious voice sounded, "Echoes of what happened here. The fade bleeds into this place."

After a moment with a much less serious tone he continued, "This rift is not sealed, but it is closed... Albeit temporarily.

I believe that with the mark, the rift can be opened, and then sealed properly and safely.

However, opening the rift will likely attract attention from the other side."

After some thought Cassandra looked around before addressing everyone, "That means demons. Stand ready!"

Everyone quickly got into a formation, archer's found the high ground, and one after another warriors lined up pulling out their swords and shields. After sometime when everyone had gotten into position, I pointed the anchor towards the rift.

A Figure instantly jumped out of the rift. As the huge monster that I recognized as the pride Demon let out a Earth shaking Roar, my instincts immediately flared up in advance. This was the first time that I had felt such pressure since my reincarnation. It was the feeling I truly hated. The only two times I had felt this was, during my previous life being pointed at by the barrel of a tank, the second being in the pressance of the being who had reincarnated me. This was a feeling of powerlessness.

After it's Roar, it extended its giant hand forward and a orb of lightning formed and was shot out towards a group of soldiers, reducing them to nothing. This caused a massive drop in morale amongst the soldiers. As if to drive in the final nail into the coffin, the booming laughter of the pride Demon reverberated.

I saw as some of the soldiers fall into despair. The once proud soldiers were reduced to nothing but a shivering mess. They couldn't be blamed either. Over the years, Pride demons were acknowledged as one of the strongest demons of the fade and are rare to come across under normal circumstances.

Just as things seemed to turn for the worst, the Seekers order to charge sounded. Her Roar sent a strange energy through everyone as they all regained their composure, and a strong fighting spirit arose from within.

'Could this be the war cry ability.' I thought to myself.

The soldiers charged, as they moved, a wave of arrows accompanied them in their assault. Their attacks however, didn't even leave a scratch as a faint stream of electricity could be seen appearing and blocking all attacks that came close.

Seeing this my sight immediately moved towards the massive rift, recalling the trick to winning this fight. I no longer wasted any time and moved. I could hear a clap of thunder and turning my head, I saw the behemoth wave a lightning wip, instantly obliterating a large number of soldiers. Lifting my hand towards the rift, I disrupted it, sending a magical charged Shockwave in all directions.

The wave spread, stripping the behemoth of its protective shield, going on to stun the creature, forcing it to take a knee. Using this chance, I immediately pulled out my bow. Taking aim, an arrow flew out. In a blatant display of my marksmanship, the arrow inserted itself into one of its eyes, causing it to let out a loud howl of pain.

Looking at this, I frowned slightly. It seems I still had ways to go, as I had hoped that arrow would penetrate its brain.

'No matter if one arrow won't do, then I'll make it two.'

My figure began dimming before dissapearing. Just as I vanished, the Demon stood up once more, letting out another Roar. This Roar seemed to make its way through the rift calling forth demons from the fade. The presence of demons caused a commotion amongst the ranks.

I hid myself sneaking around the battlefield. Waiting for an opportunity. I didn't have to wait long as all the demons chose an opponent and my presence was quickly forgotten. Stretching my hand out once more I planned to repeat the process.

As the Shockwave spread, I knocked another arrow, however the moment I turned I knew I had fucked up. The pride Demon had created distance between itself and the rift, weakening the effects of the Shockwave. I had severely underestimated the interlect of the behemoth. I managed to strip it of its defence once again, but this time it didn't fall.

Knowing that I would pay dearly for this mistake, I fired the arrow. With my aim true, it perfectly struck the rear of the first arrow, pushing it in deeper penetrating the brain of my target.

At the same time the orb of lightning that was being charged by the behemoth hit its mark. Like a leaf in a storm, my body was sent flying in the opposite direction. Darkness consuming both sides.