Chapter Text
Hi I’m Ayla. Only Ayla. No surname is needed for I am an angel under punishment. I was punished to live a life of a mortal being in this planet called Earth when one day I was called by God Himself.
“I will be sending you to a world devoid of machines and conveniences you now have. I will ask you one more time. As an angel of love why hate these beings on Earth?” God asked her.
I’ve been asked this question so many times, that my answers became a cliche. So, in order to appease God’s unnerving question, I said.
“ I do not hate them, I just don’t like how they treat each other. How they sacrifice earth’s nature to live happily. Why they don’t care about poor people on the street? Why does they keep killing each other in order to have supremacy? That poor girl was innocent, why kill her?” I said without any pause. All of that, are the reasons why I don’t understand them. Why? So many whys? But if I will be sent to another world for this, why not? I just hope I’ll still be myself, an angel of love, after all the things and events that will happen to me.
“ I understand your reasons but do you have to bring judgment on your hands? And so you committed a crime and as an angel of love and your punishment, I will be sending you to a world that you already know. Thedas.” God proclaimed.
I know that world. Why that one. I have been playing this so-called Dragon Age Inquisition when I first arrived on the surface. And I am quite hooked in it. And I didn’t really know that that world really exists until now. Oh my god, I can’t really contain how excited I am. And God is smiling to me knowing my expressions are shown in my face.
“Do you have any objections?” God asked with a smirk on His face. “I will not remove all your powers as an angel of love but there will be a condition.” He added.
Condition?
“When you fell in love with a being in Thedas and that being decided to leave you, YOU WILL DIE” God said fiercely.
Die?
“No objections at all. But I will...DIE?” When I asked this, I was immediately thrown to a world I don’t know in reality and know of as a game. In a flick of God’s fingers, I was already there in front of the Temple of Sacred Ashes. I was shocked since I was high up in the sky with my four wings flapping happily. I missed this kind of surrounding. I said to myself. Although I know, mankind really does have the tendencies to war on each other, I still love them. But why did God said that I will die! I don’t understand. Then a whisper came to my ears saying. You will understand in time.
I guess I can go with that. I will die when I fall in love? Does He mean that kind of love? It is impossible. As an angel of love, I was intended to love everyone but to love a single person? I was already doubting myself but later for that.
Since I know what will happen in this world, that means I’m from their future. So, to stop events from happening, I decided to change some things. I know this will change the entire timeline I know but I don’t want someone that people love to die with the hands of an ancient Tevinter magister. So, I thought for a while. Then poof, I’ve got an idea.
I flew down the temple in which I know where the divine will be staying. Any moment now the magister will arrive, and all will be too late.
My plan. Appear like Andraste and tell the news to the divine.
Crazy plan but I hope it will work. So, I descended the sky. Thankfully, the courtyard near the entrance of the main temple is large so I can land. I look to myself and let myself appear like somewhat godlike...my face and body are of the elf’s stature, but I think I’m an elf here. Is there an elf angel? I asked myself and laughed inwardly.
“Here goes nothing” everyone stopped their work in the temple when they saw me descending the sky. Luckily, Leliana, Cassandra and Cullen were with the divine passing the courtyard so it’s not hard to look for them anymore.
Cullen looked up and saw me. He instantly drew his sword. While Cassandra blocked my view of the divine. Leliana was just standing there looking in awe of what she is seeing.
I landed without any problem, my wings stretch long and hard and closed it in my back and willed it to be gone. I walked to them nervously, but I will not be shaken on how people looked at me. Some were already kneeling. Saying that Andraste has descended. Funny. I am not Andraste. Just your neighborhood angel of love. I love these beings already. Without any modern devices and conveniences, they still live this kind of life. Of course, there are flaws in this world, but it will be fixed in time. Or I will fix it. That’s my goal.
When only a few steps away from them, I looked at the divine and I think she knows me. She smiled widely and appeased Cassandra and Cullen. Even Leliana was shocked on how the divine appeared in front of them. In awe, happy and loved. Oh, I love this people.
“ My lady, what brings you here?” The divine asked. She does know me. Oh God, thank you for this. “You know me? How?” I asked her curiously. I think God had something to do with this development but I’m still grateful to Him. Thank you. I said in a whisper.
“ I dreamt about you, descending from the sky just like what happened earlier.”
Cullen then interrupted saying, “Do you know this abomination, Divine Justinia?” I was hurt by that. And I think everyone just saw my expression changed from happy to sad and hurt. The divine then said, “she is not an abomination Commander Rutherford, she will help us with the meeting I just called” I mouthed a thank you to her and smiled sheepishly.
“ I believe you knew them already?” The divine said while glancing to the three. The three looked surprised and looked at each other, then they turned their gaze at me. The divine just smiled and walked to my side. As an angel of love, to bestow my blessing to a being I really love is very rare but this Divine deserves it so I will anoint her forehead with my symbol and draw it in the divine’s forehead. She gladly accepted it. And everyone watching was surprised since the divine glowed like a freaking bulb. A freaking bulb. Excuse me for my words but I just can’t help it. This is the first time this happened. I think God tweaked my abilities a bit, but I don’t feel the change maybe I will know in time. After the little commotion, I saw the people already kneeling in front of us. This is a bit unnerving, but I will endure this for the time being. The divine looked at me straight to my eyes and nodded. I think she knows my plan already. I smiled and turned to the advisers of the soon-to-be born Inquisition. I promised myself I will not let the divine die today. And I feel that the time is already short because he is here already waiting for a chance to grab the divine.
“Leliana, Nightingale of the Imperial Court, left hand of the divine. Seeker Cassandra Pentaghast, right hand of the divine and Commander Cullen Rutherford, Knight-Captain of Kirkwall, it is nice to finally meet you all! I am Ayla. But introductions later, I promise I will explain everything.” The three nodded then I looked at the divine and she told us to follow her.
In a secluded room, I informed them of my plan. I told them of everything I know about the magister that would likely kill the divine. They were shocked but the divine just smiled at me. That was a shock. I never find a being this very accepting of her fate. The plan is I will summon a copy of the divine and then she will be the one who will be present in the central chamber of the temple where the event will happen, I told them that the magister will open a breach in the fade but assured them that no one will die in the explosion that will happen. I’m already sensing Solas near the area so it must be happening soon. The sooner this happens, the sooner I can get my hands on that magister and the orb. But I guess I will just follow the timeline after this.
They agreed with my plan, and I told them that it’s necessary for the breach to happen so that we can know what the magister will do. The three reluctantly nodded on my plan and I see in their eyes that they really needed a long explanation on this. I can’t blame them. A strange flying elf/person just appeared in front of them and told them this kind of story. But thank you is what I told them when they believed me. Thanks also to the divine for the trust and faith she had given me. And I feel my powers rushing into me. And I looked to the divine and asked myself, do their trust and faith increase my power?
“It is time. Just. Stay back a little and don’t kill the lookalike of Justinia?” I looked at Cullen. “Please!” I mouthed to him. He just nodded. The three looked again to each other and they turned at the divine. The divine patted my arms for the go signal.
“Okay.” I readied myself and my wings opened wide. I glowed very brightly that they must shield their eyes from it. After a few minutes I’m finished creating a copy of the divine. And they looked amazed. I walked to the clone divine and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry” I cried for a while because I just created a being, but she will just die.
“Don’t cry. I know this should happen and I don’t regret being created just to die. You have a purpose for me and for that I am glad” the clone divine smiled at me and wiped my tears. The three was in awe of the likeness of the copy and the divine.
“Leliana and Cassandra please escort the divine to haven. And commander please come with me in the courtyard we have people saving.” The three nodded and so the divine went with Cassandra and Leliana. Cullen and I walked to the courtyard together with the clone divine. Cullen is still not comfortable with me and the clone, so we just walked behind him.
When we reached the courtyard, I told the clone divine to wait in the central chamber and kissed her forehead again. I let my gaze follow the back of her until she was gone. Cullen stepped forward and looked at me curiously.
“Questions, later Commander. I told you we have people to save. Come!”
He followed after me in the center of the courtyard. While walking I said to him, “You know I don’t like being kneeled upon by people!” He laughed at me. “With the show you just performed earlier, I think that’s a given. Anyways, how do we plan to save these people?”
“I will envelop each and one of them with a barrier. That barrier will shield them from being killed even by demons. It will not take time, but I will be indisposed for a while. I will be gone for a while after that. You will tell them that the divine asked them to go to Haven. Your soldiers will be safe Commander, don’t worry.” I explained to him. But I noticed he flinched with the word GONE and so to appease his worry I said, “I will be back. I will just rest away from here, but I will be back I promise. I can’t leave you guys now. Now I’m here I will be helping you as long as I can” This guy is very easy to persuade and so he earned my trust and love. I don’t know how but I think he already trusts me, because my powers are increasing. I’m an angel of love, right? Not of trust. Why does my power keep on increasing?
He nodded then I proceeded with the barriers. Everyone was stunned again, with my wings opened wide and the glowing. Oh my god. What’s with the glowing, really. I think Solas sensed my power. I will deal with him later. I’m a bit unnerved on how sensitive my senses are. How can I know where are the locations of people and how can I tell time? After a minute, I was exhausted. There are a lot of people. Not what I imagined in the game, but I guess this will be the norm. The number of people is different from the game.
“ Cullen, go tell them. He is near already, it will happen any minute now” Cullen just nodded and shouted to everyone. Everyone ran to Haven. But not all of them some merchants are still there. “I will stay with them as long as I can, go to Haven. They will need help organizing people there.” He nodded. I promise this guy is frustrating sometimes, always answering with a nod. What’s with the nodding.
I watched him ran towards the gate. And for me, I was seating on a bench near the central chamber. I know what will happen. Okay here’s the plan. I will make a copy of the orb of Solas with the same power that orb have. Since I’m already drained, I think this will be a bit hard. Making the copy of the orb is hard. Especially the power it needed should be the same with the original. I was surprised that my powers got back. It seems Cullen arrive in haven faster than I thought and their faith and trust in me gives me powers. What will happen if they don’t trust and have faith in me anymore? Surely, I will die. Maybe that’s what God’s condition is. Maybe the answers will come later.
The orb takes a lot of my magical powers. But at least I made a perfect copy. I was quite worried because I didn’t tell them about who will help them closing the breach.
“ Okay. Time to meet the herald of Andraste” I walked to the chamber. I cloaked myself from them. I watched my creation suffer in front of the magister. It takes a lot of me to stop myself from killing the magister right now. I looked away from the scene, and I am waiting for who is the herald that will appear by the door. And lo and behold a Trevelyan. Not bad. When clone divine, distracted the magister and before the orb came to the hands of him, I quickly switched it with the clone. I quickly run from there and it takes a lot of me to contain the explosion in one place. The event concluded with a few injured soldiers and merchants, but no one is dead this time. Thank god!
I was awfully exhausted, but I can’t stay here. I needed to go to place with full of magic to recuperate. And there’s one place I know. Tarasyl'an Te'las or Skyhold. I think that will be a good place to stay. Before leaving I made sure that all injured were healed. It takes a lot of time because a rift appeared already, but I managed to contain it with a barrier. I noticed a templar that’s familiar to me. Yes. She is Lysette. How is she here. Oh my god did I changed the timeline already? Panic rose in me and I started shaking and hyperventilating. After a few moments of breathing, my heartbeat started to slow down, and I walked towards Lysette who is helping a merchant to stand up.
“Lysette, right?” she jumped in surprise not knowing who is talking to her and then she turned around and saw me. She immediately bowed her head which I immediately stopped.
“No, don’t do that. I’m just helping too. We are the same here. Helping each other.” I can see her face in shock in what I have done. But really, I don’t want it to be like that. I wanted them to treat me as an equal like a normal person. Maybe that’s not going to happen right now, but I will try.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Uhm???”
“Ayla.”
“Lady Ayla, what can I do for you?”
“Just Ayla. Can you please give this letter to Commander Rutherford? You know him, right? Also, all the injured soldiers and merchants are healed, and I placed a barrier on that rift, but it will not stay long. I suggest you return to haven immediately and as fast as you can before demons came through that rift.”
“Yes, Lady--- I mean Ayla! And thank you!” she said, and she ran towards the soldiers and instructed them what I told her. And all that remains is Sir Trevelyan and Solas. I mentioned Trevelyan in the letter so, it will help them what they will do for now. Solas will be present when the herald is retrieved. Later. I will think on this later.
And thus, with the orb secured on my hand, I flew towards that place since everyone is safe that will be good for now. As for the matter of Solas, let’s just go with the flow. I will not divert from the timeline anymore. But I guess I’m still on the timeline, since the clone divine is dead, the orb is gone with the magister and the only thing that is different is no one died on this day. Thanks, God, for giving me these powers. I’m glad I helped this world. Maybe love will someday rule this world. Many things to do. Got a list already in my head but for now I will rest.
And so I flew to Skyhold. Since I’m an elf angel. Funny. Is there really an elf angel? Well, that will be just me. It’s a long travel from the temple to Skyhold even with me flying. But by doing this I can scout ahead of them and repair the stronghold as much as I can. And few more moments I can see his castle. I will say this is a beautiful castle.
“Amazing, the walls are reverberating with magic. Solas, you are such a wonder. Why leave this place?” I asked myself while touching the walls of the castle. I know what he did was necessary. The forming of the veil and all. But I think this world will be just like before his time with a little fix here and there. Maybe I can talk to the Evanuris and tell them don’t kill Solas or Fen’ Harel. Okay that will go to the to-do lists.
“Maybe I can travel the fade physically just like the inquisitor? Hmmm...I could go to the Evanuris and talk to them in restoring this world. Maybe remove the blight sickness too. That should help this people a lot. What do you think God?” I asked him but no one answered. “I guess I’m alone in this world for now, but not for long. Following the timeline of this world thru the game. And all the romances. Wait a minute. Romance options.” Oh my god. No. No. No. I will not fall in love with that elf. Not again he will break my heart and this time for sure I will die. Now I know what God’s condition is. What a dilemma I am in. it really is hard to stay away from him. Even here I can feel his magic.
On top of my list. DONT FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ELF. OR DONT LOVE SOMEONE ROMANTICALLY AT ALL.
And so sleep must be done, and sleep i shall.
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MEANWHILE IN HAVEN
Cullen ran fast to Haven together with the people from the temple. He saw how strange the events happened. An elf with wings descended from the sky, helped them with the disaster that will happen, saved the divine, saved a lot of people. It’s a bit unnerving to trust someone easily but the trust he gave to that woman came so easily.
When he ran thru the gate in haven, he saw how the sky turned to a swirling vortex of green hole. All the people in the village gasped and shocked with the state of their sky now.
“Maker, help us!” He was interrupted by a running Cassandra and Leliana.
“Cullen what happened? Where is Ayla?” Cassandra asked while gasping for air.
Cullen looked at Leliana. Silently asking about how was the divine.
“She is in the chantry, safe and sound. Thanks to her. Where is she, Commander?”
“She told me to gather the people in the temple here in haven. She made a barrier for each person in that temple so no one will die. And I think it worked. The only thing I know is, she was very exhausted after doing those barriers and she said that she will be gone for a while but will be back. She promised.” He explained to them how the explosion happened, but certain part of the temple was only destroyed.
“It must be her doing. She appeared to me in my dreams and told what will happen, but I said to her, that she didn’t have to change anything for this world to change. You know what she said to me?” They were surprised with the divine walking towards them. They looked very curious on what the Divine just said.
“Divine Justinia, why do you trust her like that?” Cassandra asked.
“Cassandra, she saved as all, is there anything left to doubt about her?” She bowed her head in deep thinking. The Divine sighed and to appease everyone’s uneasiness, she said to them.
“As I was saying, did you know what she said to me? She said and I quote, I can’t leave someone everyone loves and respect to die. This world will suffer. As an angel of love, I will not let this happen! she said that while crying in front me in my dream, though I don’t think she remembers the dream, but I am sure. She is that women.” And with that she left them deep in thoughts.
“An angel of love? She is an angel of love? Have you heard anything about something like that Leliana? And so that’s why she is crying earlier to the being she just created. For she loves everything and don’t want it to be destroyed.” Cassandra said looking to the Cullen and Leliana.
“I agree. And she promised that she will be explaining things when she is back, no? For the time being, we should deal with this breach. She gave us a chance to live and so we take this opportunity.” Leliana said with confidence and walked inside the village to plan for the coming days.
Cassandra and Cullen were left there standing in open. Cold breeze strikes their skin and a shiver came in their spine. They saw the people coming from the temple. The soldiers and the people that are going to attend the conclave are alive. They both thanked the maker, that nothing happened to the Divine.
“Cullen, do you think she will be back?” Cullen looked to the sky and is silently praying the she will be back soon.
“She promised, Cassandra. I think she will not go back with her words.” Cullen said in low voice. Looking at his soldiers, being a commander will take all his strength. He hopes he will survive this together with his lyrium withdrawal.
“I’m sure she will be back. The divine was saved because of her and we owe her that. We should expect her to be back soon. For now, let’s attend to the soldiers and the villagers. They needed help. We need to establish a place for both templars and mages. You know what to do Commander, and if you needed help, I will be over there by the training dummies.” She patted his shoulders and moved on to the training yard. He nodded and started working on rotations of soldiers and establishing a place where both templars and mages can stay.
“This will be a long day. Maker, help me!”