What is Justice? chp.37

Chapter 37: Night Terrors.

The Qunari mess with the delegates had been dealt with and it made Anders sick to see Thera handling the situation better then the man running the entire city. Honestly, they should just make her the Viscount so she can run the city, then she could get rid of Meredith. Anders looked at the sleeping bodies in his clinic. He let out a deep and heavy sigh. He was also right about Thera and their argument about whether or not throwing one's life away for a cause was worth it. Though she had been acting like nothing had happened, he could see it in her eyes, and heard it in her voice. Everything she had been doing had been empty. It was driving him and Justice mad. Silence would be better than the false words she would speak that sound loving. Maker, they would even let her pummel them if it meant things would go back to normal.

You need to talk to her.

About what? I am not even fully sure I know why she is mad at me.

Fully? You know damn well why is mad at you. You are not that daft.

She took what I was saying wrong, clearly.

Our haste has caused much confusion, we need to try and fix this.

Is that why you have been so quiet lately?

…Yes.

There it was again, that awkward feeling that swept over him every now and again. Anders was really wondering what was bothering Justice, to make him become so still.

"Anders."

Anders came out of his thoughts to see one of his nurses standing in front of him. "Yes?"

"Go home. I can stay here and look at them and send them off until morning," she said.

Anders didn't want to go back to the estate. He didn't want to go back to false smile and happiness; but he was tired and an actual bed did seem nice no matter how cold it might seem. Anders nodded and took his leave.

It was as he expected. Food was left for him and a candle burning for his return; this act pretending that nothing was wrong. Anders ate and went up to his and Thera's room. Even with things how they were now, he couldn't stop the feeling of happiness and hope when he thought of their bedroom. There she lay, fast asleep and peaceful, so different from the person she was when she was awake. He disrobed and climbed into bed. He laid there for a bit and watched her sleep.

I wish she would just vocalize her anger.

I know.

He loved Thera with all his heart, but by the Maker, she was killing him with this kindness. What he wouldn't give for a scream of rage.

Another quiet day from the Viscount's office, it had Thera a bit worried to be honest, but she wasn't going to curse her luck. She looked in the study to see Anders writing away on his manifesto. She wasn't mad at him for what he said, hurt seemed more appropriate. That he could say he loved her and his cause, but he was so willing to just lie down and die. He said she didn't stand for anything, that stung too.

As much as she wanted to try and argue with Anders on whether or not she stood for something, she knew there was no point. Fighting with Anders was like fighting with a wall. She turned to go back to their room and finish folding their clothes when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and expected Anders but instead stared at Justice.

"Justice?"

"Hit us," he said simply.

"What?" Thera wasn't sure how she should take such a request from the spirit.

"Yell at us, beat us. Swear at us, just…just stop this." He pleaded, she could see it in his eyes, the want for the demand he was making.

Don't tell her to beat us! The woman hits like the side of a mountain. Why am I letting you have control right now, anyhow?

Because someone needs to fix this.

"Justice, I have no clue what you are talking about."

"After what was said with the Qunari delegates, you should have been raging at me and Anders, but instead… Please voice your anger. This facade is maddening."

Thera gave the spirit a small half smile, and placed a hand on his cheek, "Justice, I am not mad. Hurt? Yes, but not mad."

"Then how do Anders and I fix this?"

Thera shook her head. "Don't worry about it, why are you so concerned, anyhow? I mean this is between Anders and I; you didn't say anything."

Before Anders knew it, he was thrusted back into control of his body and Justice had retreated as far back as he could. Anders stumbled forward a bit from the sudden change.

Thera caught him in her arms.

"Well, hello there." Thera said to Anders, a little surprised to see Justice retreating so quickly.

"What was that all about?" Anders asked, standing back up and shaking himself a little.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

Thera and Anders heard the front door open.

"Thera! Thera!" Merrill came running into the main room like the Dread Wolf was on her heels.

Thera ran over to her. "Merrill, what is it? Is it Templars?"

"No, it's the boy, Feynriel. The mage you helped a few years back. He is stuck in the Fade," Merrill said so hastily, Thera almost didn't catch it.

"Stuck how?" Thera asked, looking back at Anders.

"Is he being attacked by demons?" Anders asked, now interested.

"Yes, I believe so. I don't know the details, but the Keeper is coming to help. His mother asked if we would assist again."

"Of course Merrill, I will help in any way I can. Anders?"

"Of course I am coming; if this ends up sending you to the Fade you will need someone with experience there." He grabbed his coat off its hanger in the study.

"Justice's help would be fantastic!" Merrill said excitedly.

Anders paused and looked at Merrill with a slight glare. "I was talking about me."

"Oh." Merrill suddenly lookeda bit awkward. "I am sure you can be of help too."

Justice let out a small snicker inside Anders head.

Oh, shut it, you!

"I have experience in the Fade, outside my Harrowing, you know."

"You do?" Thera asked.

"I will regale you with how I met Justice on the way to the Alienage." Anders smiled and offered his arm to Thera.

"I have always wondered how your two exactly met." Merrill added.

Well, as it would turn out they were going into the Fade. Apparently Feynriel had a powerful ability to control the Fade and dreams, because of which demons were besieging him, trying to win control over him. Thera was worried hope was lost when she heard this; as the only way she knew into the Fade was to one, be a mage. Thankfully, the Dalish had a way to send non-mages people in without lyrium. Something Thera found both amazing and frightening; she didn't know what kind of affect actually being in the Fade will do to her.

"I can't thank you enough," Feynriel's mother sobbed.

"Don't worry. I am glad I can help. Now let's get this ritual going, we shouldn't wait."

Thera only remembered the Keeper chanting and the next thing she knew she was someplace else. It resembled the Gallows. The feeling she got from lyrium potions was coursing through her; she was breathing it in. This was the Fade. It took her a moment to catch herself. She could feel this place pulling her in. An unspoken voice lulling her to stay and she wanted to heed it. Merrill and Anders, or rather Justice adapted to the change quickly.

"Thera, are you alright?" Justice asked her, walking up behind her and placing a hand on one of her shoulders.

Thera nodded, "Yeah, just wow… you lived here before you were trapped in my realm? How could bear to part with it? I can't even describe how…how much I want this. I feel like I am breathing in dreams, magic…"

Justice smiled at the question, "Yes. There are wonders here in the Fade to be sure, but I have found many more in your world." I am looking at one right now.

"How can you not miss this? Maker…I don't know if I want to leave."

Justice was going to say something but decided against it. "We should move quickly, I can feel the boy's mind straining."

Thera nodded and proceeded forward. Justice stayed close to both her and Merrill, Thera because of how the Fade seemed to affect her and Merrill because he didn't trust her. As they walked down the stairs Justice pulled Thera and Merrill behind him quickly.

"Justice what the…" Thera started to speak, but then she saw another spirit manifest and approach.

"Well now, isn't this lovely. Two rare things I haven't seen so close together." It said looked the group over.

"You are one of the demons attacking the boy?" Thera asked from behind Justice.

"Me, attack? No, my dear lady, you are mistaken. I am too weak. The ones you speak of are of desire and pride. Far more powerful then little ol' me." The spirit spoke casually.

"If you are not attacking the boy, then why are you here?" Thera continued.

"We should not waste any more time with this one. He is a creature of sloth." Justice interjected.

"What's wrong, spirit? Surly you are not so hypocritical that you think you are the only who can interact with mortals? My name is Torpor."Torpor said.

Justice snarled and bared his teeth at the sloth demon. "Enough demon! Let us kill this thing and move on to the ones that are hurting the boy."

"Wait! Let's not be so hasty, we can help one another," Torpor said quickly, hoping one of the women would stop Justice from ending him.

"We should hear what he has to say," Merrill said interjected.

Justice turned to face Merrill with a cold glare. "You of all people would say that."

Thera sighed. "I am going to regret this. So you know it never works out when demons try to barter with me: they either get punched or I try and devour them."

The sloth demon paused for a moment and slithered back a bit. "Is that so? Well I alone am too weak to fight the other spirits here, but should you agree to help me and let me have the boy, I will lend my power to weaken them."

"Have the boy," Thera repeated, not fully believing the demon would be so bold as to come out and ask.

"Yes. I want to see what the world of mortals is like. I promise you, I will not harm the boy."

Justice stepped up to Thera, putting himself slightly between her and the demon. "You can't be considering this! He is a demon; he will destroy the boy's mind."

Merrill huffed, "I don't think you get much room to talk on that subject."

Justice turned and looked at the elf, his face casting her a scowl.

"What do you mean I don't? I am not some demon trying to devour some poor souls mind. Like the one you have had dealings with." Justice snapped.

"Oh no, you just live inside Anders, and use his body to serve your justice." Merrill retorted.

Justice wanted to strangle her, "Do not speak of things you do not understand!"

Justice… please stay calm. Anders pleaded. Though he, himself, was angered by Merrill's words, this wasn't the place or time for him and Justice to go on a rampage.

You are suggesting I just let this slight slide?

I am not asking you. I am telling you. You need to trust Thera, and the boy is in great danger his well being needs to come first to our fight with Merrill.

Justice refrained from getting physical with Merrill, but the two quickly forgot the demon and started arguing.

Thera looked at her companions and back at the Sloth demon, who was waiting patiently.

"Quite the stick in the mud isn't he?" The demon said casually, as the two fought.

Thera ignored the comment and rubbed her temples. How her lover and friend could just degrade into children at a time like this was beyond comprehension.

"I have my answer for you demon," Thera said calmly.

"Oh?"

Before the Sloth demon could finish asking, Thera swung her sword down into the Sloth demon's head.

Merrill and Justice stopped and looked to see what was happening when they heard Thera's sword hit the ground from the demon disappearing. She allowed it to continue its downward swing allowing the noise to bring her companions back to the task at hand.

"We don't have time for this, what has gotten into you two?" Thera chastised them.

Neither answered, they only followed Thera as she turned to start exploring the place. She moved through winding corridors listening for screams or anything that would give away where the boy and the demons were. There was nothing at first and with each moment of silence that passed, Thera picked up pace until she was almost in a full run. The white halls all looked to same in this place of dreams; finally though, coming through a door she could make out sounds of people speaking.

Thera flung the door open. As she walked into the room she felt shift, she couldn't find words for it. She turned around to ask Justice but there was no one there and the door was closed. The two people occupying the room looked up to see her. It looked like a young Feynriel with his father. She looked down at herself and noticed she looked different.

"Mother, father came home and wants to take me traveling with him."Feynriel asked.

So she was to play his mother? That's fine, "Feynriel, that man isn't your father," Thera responded.

"Excuse me? What do you mean I am not his father?" Feynriel's father asked, giving Thera a sharp glare.

"Don't listen to him, Feynriel. Your father left you alone, remember? Why would he come back all the sudden?" Thera questioned moving further into the room.

"Don't listen to her, Feynriel!" Feynriel's father said with urgency.

"Your father never loved you. You know he ran away. He wouldn't even help you when he found out you were a mage."Thera countered.

Feynriel remained quiet, listening to everything that was being said and trying to spot the liar. There was something in Thera's words that gave him pause. Things began to click together like pieces of a puzzle.

"She is right… you left me and her. I don't know who you are, but you are not my father." Feynriel stood and backed away from his father.

"It's a demon, Feynriel. This is the Fade," Thera said coolly.

"Yes… that's right. I remember!" As Feynriel said, that he started to disappear.

Thera looked back behind her to see her companions were now with her again. Justice could feel some of strain leave. He let out a small quiet sigh of relief. One demon's hold was broken but how many more?

Vincento's body shifted until a demon of desire stood before them. "You took my dreamer," she said calmly, looking out at everyone.

"Am I supposed be sorry?" Thera retorted, readying her weapon.

"You took my dreamer so I will replace him with you!" The desire demon said, with more anger to her words.

Justice was about call out to Thera to be careful, but it was too late. Thera's eyes were already glazing over. Her weakness for this place, the feeling it gave; it made her easy prey. Merrill wasn't far behind. Justice groaned, he didn't want to face off against desire alone. However, it wasn't the first time he would have had to face down a demon alone. It was a rage demon. One of demons that despite how weak they are, are dangerous to justice spirits. Anger and desire affect them the easiest. It was a rough battle and Justice almost lost control a few times. When the battle was done Justice was severely weakened. He always felt like part of the demon was always with him. If this was a Sloth demon or one of Pride, he wouldn't even flinch…but this was desire. Unlike before, he has desire now.

"Pre…"Justice stopped. He felt weird inside, like something was calling him, calling Anders to just give in to everything they ever wanted. Was he being affected by the demon? No, impossible, he had to be stronger than this, to give in so easily.

Damn it, Anders! Resist! We have to help Thera and Merrill.

There was no response from Anders.

Anders!

"I see your desires, spirit. You cannot hide them from me, especially ones as strong as these. I might just keep you and kill the others." The desire demon said with a sly smile on her face.

"I have no… desires," Justice gritted through his teeth. Trying to call on all his strength to resist; he felt like he was on fire. His desires starting to burn deep within him.

The desire demon laughed. "Oh, but you do, deep ones, ones you keep hidden. So delicious. Now give in to them."

Justice fought as hard as he could, but slowly everything around him became dark. He had been with Anders for too long, and the demon could affect him like everyone else.

Thera…