Chapter Text
Nazar slashes another demon, causing black acidic blood to stain her clothes. With a disgusted grunt, she pulls her battle ax out of the dead body of the demon, and made her way towards the forest, leaving a trail of dark blood in her wake. She could still smell the vile stench of burning flesh lingering on her clothes, her stomach churning from the memory of waking up, covered in ash and surrounded by burning bodies. She couldn’t remember how she had ended up on the ground, but she knew she had to get out of there, fast. Nazar tracked through the knee-deep snow, her body heavy from fatigue, aches, and pains making it more difficult. With one last look over her shoulder, Nazar sheathed her huge battle ax onto her back and struggled through the snow.
“I didn’t get paid enough for this shit,” Nazar growled as she shoved another low hanging branch. All she was meant to do was escort some chantry members to the Temple, make sure no Templars or mages attacked their golden shinny asses, get paid and leave. Being a member of a small mercenary band, you didn’t get many high paying jobs or exciting ones. The leader of her band wasn’t that amazing either, never going out of his way in finding jobs and being picky about the ones he does get. He was human, so he wasn’t intimidating in any way. In fact, he was a chubby pop belly human, who was actually from a wealthy noble family and was only doing this for fun. He hasn’t told any of this, but being a former Ben-Hassrah, Nazar picked up on these things, it just came with the job - doesn’t mean she liked it though. The scar across her eye burned remembering why she was in Thadas, and why she chose to be in a small group instead of a large well-known organization.
A sharp pain stabbing her hand breaks her from her thoughts. With a gasp, Nazar clenches her hand to her chest, green light bursting forth. Groaning in pain, Nazar fell to her knees, her head twisting and turning in agony. She hit her large horns against the tree as if the sensation would overshadow the blaring pain in her hand. Nazar hissed through her clenched teeth, scanning the area around her with heavy tired eyes. Seeing no caves or buildings in her line of sight, she looks up at the tree she had fallen under. All the trees in this part of the forest were big, old and magnificent, with thick branches that could hold Nazar’s large frame. With a grunt, Nazar climbed up the large tree, using her tired muscles to heave her heavy body upwards. Nazar’s muscles screamed in protest, but she finally got to a strong looking branch and heaved up and over it. With a sigh of relief, Nazar wiggled into the indent where the branch and tree trunk met. After scanning the area one last time, she passed out, oblivious to the world around her.
Nazar jolted awake to the sound of aggressive snoring, disturbing the otherwise peaceful forest. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Nazar peered down to the snow covered ground below her. Her eyes widen as her jaw drops open because just five feet below her were her closest friends. Even though the band was small, Nazar had been able to make a few close friends; two elves and a dwarf. Marie was the small dwarf who had been the first one to welcome her with open arms and was also the one who convinced the Band leader to let her join. Evelyn was a tall slim brown haired elf, who was skilled with her daggers and could sneak up on an enemy, and her lesbian lover Esta was a small, curvy elf mage. They had taken a while to warm up to her, but once they found out that Nazar was bisexual, and had slept with both sexes, they finally let her in. It wasn’t surprising, after studying their behavior that they had been abused for their sexuality. The way they would hide in the middle of the group as they moved through a village or past a Chantry was a big hint, but Nazar didn’t ask. The couple also invited her to have a fun tumble with them, which Nazar agreed too, just to scratch an itch, and to pleasure her new best friends. All three of them had her back when she needed it, and Vis versa.
Nazar quickly made her way down the tree, a smile splitting her face. Once her feet had touched the ground, Evelyn quickly sat up and grabbed her daggers. They stared at each other for a while, the others slowly waking up to the sudden commotion. After a few long, torturous seconds, they all squealed and leaped towards her, knocking her large body to the ground with a heavy thud. They covered Nazar’s face with wet kisses, and Esta groped her breasts and ass as if she couldn’t believe she was touching her again. Nazar nuzzles their heads, enjoying the weight of their familiar bodies against her.
“Where have you been Nazar!? We thought you had died when the Conclave exploded. I knew we shouldn’t have let you go in, but your stubborn, horned, round ass went anyways!” Exclaimed Marie, her small dwarf fists hitting Nazar’s chest repeatedly. With a chuckle, Nazar heaved their bodies up, so they were all sitting up straight.
“I actually don’t remember, I just woke up surrounded by burning bodies and demons, and I just had to get out of there,” Nazar said with a mournful voice. All those who had died, why wasn’t she ashes scattered across the Conclaves floor? Why was she still alive and breathing? Nazar starts to rub her left hand, the pain still lingering from the flashes of pain zipping through her every so often.
“Nazar, why is your hand glowing?” Asked Evelyn, her curious green eyes glued to the green light emitting from Nazar’s left hand. Hesitantly, Nazar let Evelyn inspect her hand, running her tinny fingers along Nazar’s huge palm, over the mark, and around her wrists. As Evelyn pulls away, the mark flares again, catching everyone by surprise. Growling in pain and anger, Nazar grips her hand to her chest, cursing in her mother tongue and Andrastian.
“Nazar! What’s happening?” Marie whimpered as if sharing Nazar’s pain. Nazar back away, unsure what to do, and if they would get hurt.
“Ah, shit. Everything’s fine, it’ll be over in a few seconds. Ah, fuck me!” Nazar screams as the mark moves further up her arm, splitting her think grey skin. Her thick, red blood dripped down, splattering onto the snow. It all happened in a split second, but it felt like hours of agonizing pain. Nazar falls to her knees, panting heavily. The soft touch of Esta’s small elf hand broke Nazar out of her pain-induced daze.
“Just hold on a little long Nazar, I can fix this for the time being,” Esta whispered, mumbling a spell under her breath. A dull green light emitted from Esta’s hand, the light seemed to be caressing Nazar’s hand softly, slowly healing the newly torn skin. Nazar stared in wonder, as she watched the skin stitch back together, her thick cloudy grey skin looking unharmed and untarnished.
“Esta, what did you do?” Nazar asked, her voice full of awe, turning her hand over, examining Esta’s handy work. Esta has always been a talented healer, but this was just beyond comprehensible. Evelyn didn’t seem that surprised, so maybe it’s an elf thing, Nazar was too shocked to care at the moment.
“I just stopped that… mark on your hand from spreading and killing you.” Esta said nonchalantly, leaning back against Evelyn, seeming drained and exhausted. Evelyn wrapped her arms around Esta’s tinny waist, kisses her neck softly. Nazar felt a pang in her chest, and jealousies lifted its green head. Nazar could never have the love that Evelyn and Esta shared, not after everything had happened to her, and what she had done. Looking back at Esta, Nazar shook her head, trying to clear her gloomy thoughts.
“Thank you, Esta, I honestly don’t want to know how you did it.” Nazar let out a wheezy chuckle, rubbing her now healed hand. Everything was still one giant mess in Nazar’s head, too many questions and not enough answers.
“Now that no one is dying anymore, let’s pack up camp. We’re the only ones left, Nazar. We were thinking of leaving anyway because ex-boss man wasn’t getting us enough work for us to even live, and Esta and I ...” Evelyn trails off, her eyes glazing over. Ah, they’re finally taking that step, Nazar mused, looking over the two elves again, noticing how the two look softer, less violent and dangerous. Nazar felt a warm smile curl her lips, happy for the two of them because they deserved to be happy.
“Where are you planning to go?” Nazar asked as she picked up her small pack over her shoulder, and swung her battle ax up and over her other shoulder, the comforting weight grounding her to the situation. Nazar was ready to get out of this damn cold forest, so somewhere there was a warm place to sleep, and she could make some nice soup.
“We were thinking of joining the mercenary band, Val-Kos. You know the one in Orlais, the one run by Qunari.” Evelyn said as she helped Esta to her feet. Marie had already rolled up the furs they were sleeping on and put them over their horses that had been tied to a tree a few meters away, their bodies rippling with thick muscles, Nazar knew they wouldn’t be able to carry her. Nazar’s brain took a moment to register what Evelyn said, but once she did all the blood rushed out of her face. I can’t go to them, someone might know who I am.
“We have been seeing Chantry soldiers taking refugees away from the Conclave. Everyone seems to be in a rough shape, some even looking like they had been attacked.” Maria said, her face pulled in an emotional mask. Maria also hadn’t had a good experience with humans being a land-dwelling dwarf. Hidden from view there was a long angry scar across her broad shoulders, clearly left by something sharp and hot.
“Those would be from the demons that have been appearing ever since the Conclave blew up. Have you seen any around?” Nazar asked, worry creeping across her skin. Nazar’s body was still sore from the non-stop fighting she had done yesterday, and her body could only last for so long. Thinking back to her Ben-Hassarah training, her body was trained to last in combat for weeks on end, but only as a last resort. Nazar could feel something in her stir, reminding her of things she wished she could forget.
“There have been signs of them, and we stumbled on a mass grave of those demon things on the way here. It didn’t look like it physically could have been done by one person, but they all had the same type of wounds: missing limbs, cut in half or beheaded. It seems that the demons are the only thing we have to fear out here.” Marie mused, lifting her small body onto her old warhorse. Nazar felt her heart stop a beat, glancing at her battle ax that was still covered in the demons thick black blood. Nazar hadn’t been careful yesterday, leaving evidence of her wrath scattered throughout the forest. She didn’t think she had done that much damage, but she had forgotten her own strength after years of holding back.
“I saw a few, but not enough to describe what you saw,” Nazar said, lying easily. She knew she couldn’t travel with them anymore, it wouldn’t be safe for other girls to be around her. Nazar clenched her fist and glanced towards the sky, but the trees were obstructing her view.
“I’m going to scout the treetops, see what’s happened since I passed out in the tree.” Nazar quickly made her way up the trunk, her long claw-like nails digging into the bark. Her size didn’t slow her down but it actually made her faster, her long arms reaching otherwise impossible holds, her muscles allowing her to launch herself up the tree. Soon enough she popped out from the canopy and was hit by the stench of death and smoke. The fire had spread into the forest but must have been put out before it could ravage the village nearby. Listening closely, Nazar could hear shouts and cry from the stronghold. Making her way back down the tree, Nazar’s worn-out boots crunched in the snow.
“There’s a stronghold up ahead, but it looks like it is in bad shape. If you guys want to leave here safely, head back east. I’m going to see if I can help and try not to get myself arrested.” Nazar said, a smirk curling her lips as she tapped her horns.
“Are you sure, Nazar? That thing on your hand won’t be stable for much longer, and I doubt you will meet an elite mage out here.” Esta said, pushing her wild red hair behind her pointed ear, but Nazar only shook her head. Without a word, they all came together for a group hug, their final good-bye.
“You girls keep each other safe now. You won’t have a big scary Qunari scarring all the mice away.” Nazar said teasingly, squeezing them one last time before pulling away. Both elves hit my shoulders with fake annoyance, while Marie chuckled loudly.
“Sure going to miss that lovely ass of your Nazar. You will always have our support whenever you need us.” Evelyn said, the others nodding in agreement. Warmth filled Nazar’s heart at this, making her nuzzle and kiss the elven women and giving the small dwarf a bear hug, lifting her off the ground.
“If you need me, you know how to reach me. Promise me you all with stay safe, and name your children after me.” Nazar said, winking at the blushing couple. Nazar knew it would be years before she would see her friends again, but if they were safe, that’s all that matters. Lifting her pack off the ground, Nazar swung her battle ax a few times before sheathing it on her back. Waving goodbye to her friends with a smile on her face, she made her way towards the battlefield, feeling the familiar rush of blood; the bloodlust. Usually, she would resist the notaries Qunari trait: the high we get from battle. No one has gone out of their way to find out the reason for it, but at the moment she wasn’t going to question it. She felt the dark feelings from before bubble to the surface and Nazar wasn’t going to stop it this time
“It’s time to play, little mice.” Nazar cooed as she made her way slowly towards the bloody battle, her hips swaying.
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Cullen staggered across the muddy ground, the injured soldier’s weight causing his sore bones to strain and creak. With a grunt, he lowers the soldier softly onto the cot, trying not to cause the poor boy any more pain. Cullen had been helping forces hold back the demons that had fallen from a giant green portal that appeared after the Conclave had exploded, hundreds of people burnt to a crisp, including the Most Holly.
“Cullen, how is the front line holding.” A deep accented woman’s voice shouted over Cullen’s shoulder, where Cassandra was marching towards him. Her armor asserting her authority, and her short black hair made her all the more intimidating. But the thick scar on her cheek symbolized the hard battles she had fought and that she had earned her position.
“We have stopped the Demons from getting any further in, but we are losing too many men,” Cullen said, glancing down at the young soldier. None of these young men were ready for this, and Cullen didn’t even think he was ready for this, but he didn’t have a choice.
“Try and last a little longer Cullen. We still haven’t found any living survivors, but there were signs that someone had fought their way out of there. There were a dozen dead demons leading towards the forest, and whoever had killed them was strong because most of the corpses were in pieces.” Cassandra said, her hard stare moving towards the blackened forest.
Cullen turned his head in the same direction, trying to see what could possibly be in the dead forest. He turned his head to ask Cassandra what she was looking for when a scout came rushing towards them, pure panic on his face.
“Commander, the breach opened again.” The young scout spewed out in a rush. Cassandra and Cullen had left the tent, rushing towards to burning battlefield. Their worst fear was real, the Breach had opened and the endless nightmare had begun.
“Soldiers, to arms!” Cullen bellowed as he and Cassandra ran towards the ruins of the Conclave, avoiding the burnt bodies of the dead. The relatively small army funneled information behind them.
“How bad do you think this will be Cullen?” Cassandra questioned, her voice shaking slightly. It was rare to hear Cassandra so unsure of herself, and so afraid. Cullen pressed his lips together, knowing his answer isn’t going to ease anyone’s mind. He shakes his head, refusing to answer as they drew closer. Cassandra opens her mouth once more, put her eyes locked on to something in the distance. Her mouth hung open, shock freezing her face.
The sight of them was unbelievable, and their greatest fear. A giant, grey skin demon stood in the middle of the ruins of the Conclave. Lightning crackled in the air around the eight-foot-tall monster, light glinting off of its deadly horns. The only sound in the air was the heavy breathing of the demon as if it was waiting for something.
“Cassandra, step away from the Pride Demon before it smells you!” A rich male voice called from the ranks, a bald head rushing towards them. Solus, an elf mage that was willing to help Cassandra, pushed out of the cluster. He was breathing hard, his skin damps with sweat. Wordlessly, we slowly backed away from the demon. As we got out of the demons range, there was a collective sigh. Cullen was about to ask Solus what they had to do when the silence was broken by a load, throaty roar. Everyone whipped their heads towards the sound and saw an astonishing sight. The Giant women stood on the balcony across the courtyard, her black lips stretched into a horrifying smile. Her glowing blue eyes were locked on the pride demon, her smile seemed to grow wider. The woman tilted her head, drawing attention to her thick set of horns that curled backward behind her ear, the sharp points looks deadly but beautiful.
“I found you.” The woman said in a sing-song voice, drawing attention back to her face, and the slick steal of her battle ax, dripping with dark fresh blood. The woman’s, or Qunari’s, eyes locked on Cullen. She flicked her head to the side as if telling him to back away. Not knowing what else to do, the signals for the soldiers behind him, Cullen moved everyone back into safety. Seeming satisfied, the female qunari locks her eyes back on the Pride demon, and Cullen was glad he wasn’t the demon because he had seen the same look in the eyes of a wolf, hunting its prey.
“Well you’re a big boy aren’t you? Ready to play with me?” The female cackled loudly, swinging her battle ax off her back and held the deadly weapon in her hands expertly. The female placed her foot on the railing and launched herself into the air. She landed softly on her toes and seemed to pause for a moment. Cullen couldn’t read her eyes, but he had a feeling she was trying to pick the best way to kill the demon, from slowly and bloody to quick and clean. Suddenly, the head of the battle ax swung, sinking onto the Demon. The Pride demon let out an ear-splitting screech, wailing in pain. Just as quickly, the ax was ripped out of the demon. The woman ran around the demon, avoiding its swinging arms and lightning spells, her ax slicing and chopping away. Feeling useless, Cullen turned to his soldiers, running different opinions through his head.
“Archers, provide support for the female Qunari. Cassandra do you think you can help her-“Before he could finish his sentence, Cassandra had already rushed forward, lifting her sword. Solas and a red-haired dwarf rushed up behind her.
“Varric, stay back!” Cassandra hissed at the dwarf, who just shrugged.
“It’s not every day that you get the chance to fight beside a Qunari, even rarer a female one,” Varric said, glancing back at the female Quanri. It almost appeared that she was playing with the demon, only moving out of the way at the last second, and also the fact she had a wide happy smile on her face.
“Let’s just kill the demon, before it kills us,” Solus said frostily, as he cast ice spells at the Pride demon, but its attention was still firmly on the women, who had just hit the demon’s face with the flat side of her ax as if she slapped it.
“Eyes on my big boy, don’t lose me now. This is started to get fun.” The woman cooed at the demon, slicing the back of its calf, enraging the demon further. The demon uses a lightning spell, but it didn’t seem to affect anyone.
“I would really love it if you could hit him for me real quick.” The women said, whirling behind the demon to position under the rift, the demon blocking Cullen’s view. Suddenly the rift pulsed, knocking everyone to the ground. The demon keeled over, obviously affected as well. The women didn’t miss the opportunity and leaped on the demons back.
“Did you miss me, big boy? Don’t worry baby, I got a big gift for you!” The women said just before she brought down her ax, hard. The Demon reels back, shrieking in pain. The women squeals, seeming to enjoy the demons pain. The demon frantically tries to grab the woman, but she had already jumped off its back and was back to cutting and slicing the beast’s arms and legs. Working together, Solus, Varric, Cassandra and the female qunari slain the Pride demon, with a final pulse of the rift, the demon was taken back to the fade.
“Well, that went well.” The qunari women said as she walked towards us. Suddenly all the archers were aiming at her, and Cassandra had her sword up. To women’s smile disappeared and was replaced by a scowl.
“Are you fucking kidding me? I just saved your human asses, and now I’m the one having arrows aimed at my head? Oh, this is rich!” The women snarled, stepping towards the archers. The look in her eyes was terrifying compared to the look she gave the demon. She wasn’t just angry, she was enraged.
“Do not take another step forward,” Cassandra said, holding her sword. Both women stared at each other, and Cullen knew that Cassandra was no match for the powerful Qunari women. Cassandra herself was the strongest woman he knew until he saw the eyes of the qunari women, eyes that he only saw once from one other person, an old Templar that had fought his lyrium addition for nearly 50 years.
“I suggest you tell your archers to lower their bows and put away your sword before I slice you in half.” The qunari woman snarled, glaring at Cassandra. After a long stiff silence, Cassandra lowered her sword and nodded. Cullen signaled for the archers to lower their bows, and Cullen felt the tension to leak out of his bones.
“That was impressive, twinkle toes,” Varric said, walking towards the woman, offering his hand. She slowly reached forward and gave it a firm shake.
“Nice… crossbow you have there.” The woman said, her blue eyes glancing at said bow before glancing at everyone around her. Cullen knew she didn’t feel safe, there wasn’t anyone here that wouldn’t shot or stab her if she made a wrong move.
“Ah isn’t she? Bianca and I have been through a lot together.” Varric said, his voice filled with longing, an almost sad tone.
“You names your crossbow Bianca?” The woman said, sounding impressed. “I name my battle ax too, but if I told you her name I would have to kill you.” The woman said playfully, winking at him.
“Your fighting was quite impressive,” Solus said, stepping out behind Cassandra and introduced himself to the woman. Cullen stayed back, waiting for the rest of the team to introduce one another before he did.
“Come on Curly, don’t be shy,” Varric said, waving at Cullen. Consciously, Cullen walked towards the group, feeling the qunari’s eyes burn into him. He looked into her blue eyes once more, only feeling respect for the woman.
“On behalf of my soldiers and myself, I would like to thank you for saving us,” Cullen said, holding out his hand to the female qunari. She didn’t hesitate and shock it, giving him a warm smile. Her large grey hand engulfed his small human one, and Cullen had never felt so small.
“I had my own bone to pick with that Demon, but saving cute little humans is a nice bonus.” The qunari said, winking at him. Cullen felt a blush crawl up his neck, feeling intimated by the giant woman. “I should introduce myself, I’m Naz- AHH!” The qunari woman’s face crumpled as she helps her left hand to her chest. The green light shone brightly, her face draining of colour, turning her vibrant grey skin to a greenish grey. She was passed out on the ground within a matter of seconds, leaving everyone stunned, mesmerized by the green light emitting from her hand.
“It couldn’t be,” Solus muttered, rushing over to kneel beside the qunari and grabbed her hand. Varric also kneeled next to her, checking her pulse and squeezing her hand.
“Solus, what happened?” Cassandra spat her hand on the hilt of her sword, clearly more afraid than ever. Solus didn’t answer, focusing on the glowing hand in front of him.
“Cassandra, she’s not in a good way. Her hands are cold and her heartbeat is faint. She needs a healer right now, so let’s keep the whole glowy hand thing on the back burner for now.” Varric said, never taking his eyes off of the quanri’s face. “We owe her that after saving our hides.”
Reluctantly, Cassandra turned and barked orders at the soldiers to gather healing potions, lyrium potions, and a giant sling to get the passed out women to Haven. Cullen took it upon himself to help the soldiers move the massive woman, knowing that the soldiers wouldn’t be able to handle it themselves due to their fatigue.
“Keep her steady Cullen, she is in a great deal of pain. I’m surprised she was able to stand, but how was she able to fight a Pride demon, I will never be able to comprehend.” Solus mussed as he kept his eye on the now pale hand.
“She is no ordinary soldier, but thank the Maker she’s here.” Varric sighed, unable to help carry the women due to his lack of height. Cullen couldn’t agree more, knowing that it was the Makers blessing that she had turned up when she had.
“She was also the one who escaped from here after the explosion. She’s the only one I think is physically capable of defeating so many demons and live.” Solus mussed, tending to the quanri’s hand, seeming satisfied with his work before downing a lyrium potion. Cullen nodded in agreement and Cassandra grunted, still sulking for losing against the Quanri woman.
The small group made their way back to heaven, leading the remaining army behind them. The snow was bitter, covering the land in a pale white carpet. Cullen grunted as he adjusted his grip on the stretcher, his breath fogging his vision.
“What does this girl eat, shes as heavy as a male ox.” Grumbled one of the soldiers behind him, causing Cullen to turn and glare at the man. Of course, she was heavy, she's the biggest female Quanri he had ever seen, and qunari’s are big on average.
“I suggest you respect the package you’re carrying, she just saved you, maybe even all of Thedas,” Cullen told the boy sternly, causing the soldier to duck his head in shame. Solus was checking her over, but suddenly stops and turns his head to Cullen.
“The damage is more serious than I first thought. She has severed bruising around her torso and back, three broken ribs and possibly a broken foot. I need to treat her at Haven as soon as possible.” Solus said in a grave tone, glancing back at the Quanri woman and her heaving breaths. Cullen quickened his steps, as did the rest of them. Cullen didn’t want their savior to die when they had just got her.
“We won’t let her die Curly, we need her too much.” Varric murmured next to him, carrying the Quanri’s battle-ax, holding it with a kind of respect. The metal gleamed in the sun, looking as deadly as the one who wielded it. Cullen prayed he was right.