All Hail Cousland || Dragon Age Origins

The Realm of Dreams

Jenna gasped as she opened her eyes suddenly, finding herself standing alone. All memory of what happened prior to this moment completely erased from her mind.

She looked around her. None of her companions were there. She started walking in this mysterious empty place, a green stain flushing across the thick air and as she ventured forward, the fog preventing her from seeing started fading, revealing a long hall leading to what looked like a temple.

The place resembled greatly the ancient temple she took her Joining at Ostagar.

Looking up, the Black City could be seen in the far distance, tainted by the sins of the Maker's children.

Taking every step carefully, she started perceiving a man in the distance, with two others stationed at the entrance of the temple.
They looked to be guarding it.
Their armor was similar to hers, and she slowly started to recognize the man in the middle.

Dark hair and dark tan skin tone. Muscular shape, and bearded face in the Commander of the Grey armor. It was Duncan.

She stayed still and agape, blinking repeatedly to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
Although her memories were still blurry, something felt wrong.

She carefully got closer when he noticed her presence. The guards at the entrance crossed their arms against their chests and bowed before her in the traditional Grey Warden salute.
"Ah, there you are. I'm not disturbing you, am I?" he said with a wide smile on his face.

He never smiles, Jenna remembered, still troubled by what she was seeing.

"What is this place?" she uttered the first question that ran through her mind as she looked up and to the sides repeatedly, examining the place she didn't seem to recognize.

Duncan chuckled, "I'm sure you were simply deep in thought. You've been at Weisshaupt for some time now. Do you like it here?" he asked warmly as he crossed his arms, waiting for her answer.

"But the darkspawn horde at Ostagar. Why aren't we fighting it?" she asked confusedly.

Duncan grabbed her from her shoulders and shook her, to which she responded with rejection and frustration.

This is not the man I know.

"The darkspawn are gone, remember? You were there in that last great battle. It was a triumph for all of us, bringing down the Archdemon and setting the underground lairs ablaze." he reminded her, still grinning before he pulled away from her.

Images started rushing in her mind. Her family, Highever, the battle, the Witch of the Wilds, the Circle of Magi, the demons..

She was trapped in the Fade. The Realm of Dreams. Her spirit left her body, wandering aimlessly in the metaphysical world.

"Impostor." she insulted the man, who quickly furrowed his brows in anger.

"Foolish child. I have given you so much and you cast it back in my face. Can you not be content with the peace I offer?" he said.
"I will not fall into your trap." she raised her head in defiance as she pulled her sword and shield. Fear emerged as she thought of a way to bring him down.

How can I defeat my mentor?

"It seems only war and death will satisfy you. So be it! Have your war and your darkspawn! May they be your doom." the impostor finished before unsheathing his sword and dagger.

She charged before he could make any move and tried to plunge the sword in his chest, but the blade wouldn't pass through the metal.
His armor was too resistant.

He made a side grin before he sent her sword flying to the other side of the temple. She was left unarmed. As he raised his sword, she used her shield to protect herself from his strong blow and ran to grab her sword once again.
He ran after her, but his heavy armor slowed him while her light one helped her reach the blade in time and she slid across the floor, wounding his legs as he fell on the ground.