Everything felt rushed. Dorian was stressed, constantly battling the negative thoughts in his mind about Ozen. His friends stood beside him, attempting to get his mind off of things. He could only walk in silence with his head hung low. It wasn't like Dorian to be silent, non-alert. He was always looking for a fight or have a snarling comeback. Cassandra noticed how worried Dorian was and she felt sympathy towards him. If anything like this had happened to Colten, she would be worried as well. She wanted to tell Dorian that everything was going to be alright but given the conversation that she had with Solas, she grew deeply concerned for the Inquisitor.

"This damn blood mage," Dorian muttered, his hand gripping onto his staff.

"We are almost to the site—"

"I know that, Cassandra." Dorian snapped, "What if this elf doesn't know where Ozen is? What then?" He stopped to turn to Cassandra who looked shocked. Dorian noticed her hand slowly go to the handle of her sword. Dorian scoffed, wanting to flick his wrist and burn her hand. Instead, he stood there shaking his head. Solas nor Verric said anything. They stood there watching Dorian, making sure he didn't do anything stupid.

"We will find him," Cassandra said. Dorian didn't believe her. He just shook his head and turned away from her. Dorian walked up the grassy hill into the forest. They were heading back towards the group of Dalish. The same ones that they brought into the Inquisition. The same ones that started this mess. If they hadn't helped them, then Ozen's family wouldn't have found them. Then this blood mage wouldn't have ever found them. Dorian's stomach tightened the further they went into the forest. He saw Halla in the distance. He pictured Ozen walking up to a Halla, petting it, speaking to it as if it were a friend. Dorian thought it was beautiful, the sunlight pricing through the trees, letting a soft glow shine on the Halla. He saw the bright smile on Ozen's lips. Dorian was brought back to reality with a sudden movement to his right. He stopped dead in his tracks. He knelt down to hide himself in the bushes. The others followed suit. Dorian had his staff ready, the burning sensation readying at his palm. At any moment he could launch a fireball towards the enemy. Dorian noticed the tip of a blade along the treeline. The tip had a dancing flame. As he was about to launch a fireball, a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"It's my friend," Cassandra whispered.

Dorian nods as Cassandra walks past him.

"Culton?" She calls out. Dorian could hear the sword being placed back into its sheath. When the elf came around the corner, Dorian noticed that it wasn't a sword but a long sword. He was surprised that a little elf like him could carry one that size. The white-haired elf smiled when he saw Cassandra. Verric and Solas walked up towards Dorian, watching the excitement Cassandra had towards this elf. Verric had a smirk on his face when he noticed the two kissing. Dorian rolled his eyes, grumbling something bitter in Tavinter.

"It's been a while," Culton spoke softly to Cassandra. She blushed, knowing full well that Verric had seen.

"I-I know. I have been meaning to come see you."

"It's alright." Culton grinned, "I do have some good news regarding Ozen."

"What would that be?" Dorian asked with his arms crossed on his chest. He didn't like this elf. He didn't know him and knowing that there was an elf that could duel wield that massive sword made Dorian feel uncomfortable.

"One of my scouts saw him head towards the hills last night. He was alone and looked rather weak. I have someone following him as we speak."

Dorian swore under his breath.

"How about his family?" Verric asked.

"The only one that survived is his mother. She is resting in our camp."

Dorian's heart leaped to his throat. He was happy to hear that there was some decent news. He was happy to know that not all of Ozen's clan was dead. Dorian was eager to see Ozen's mother, to see if she had seen or heard anything. He wanted to know the whereabouts of this blood mage so he could kill it and find Ozen. Ozen was too weak for the blood mage. If Ozen did find him, the blood mage was going to to him. Maybe that is what his plan was all along. Get Ozen into a state of weakness, draw him to his presence, and kill him where he stood. Dorian still questioned the motives of the blood mage.

"I need to see her." Dorian took a step forward, only to hear the drawbacks of two bows. He had scouts watching them in the trees. Dorian glared at the elf. Culton glanced at Cassandra and raised his hand. Cassandra stood next to Colton, her eyes gleaming with happiness. Dorian could sense something off about Culton but couldn't put quite a finger on it.

"Follow me back to the camp."

Dorian nodded, Verric and Solas stood on either side of Dorian as Cassandra walked ahead alongside her companion. Solas was silent for the most part, examining his surroundings. He didn't like the thought of scouts watching his every move with their weapons ready to fire. Verric kept his crossbow ready in hand. He looked to Dorian.

"I don't trust this elf," Verric mutters in a hushed tone. Seeing Cassandra happy sent him shivers. He and Cassandra have had their fair share of moments and seeing her smile was unnatural. Maybe she really did find someone who could put up with her crazy antics or maybe this elf had put her under some sort of spell. Dorian glanced down at the dwarf, shaking his head in agreement. After what has been going on with the Dalish Elves, Dorian was finding himself not believing them. He was even struggling to trust Ozen in what he was doing to stop this blood mage. He was growing worried that somehow Ozen would team up with the blood mage or even die by the creature's hand. They followed the elf deeper into the woods. Dorian kept his eyes on the trees, watching the other two archers stalk through the trees with ease.

"How do you know Ozen?" Dorian found himself asking.

"We are Dalish. We helped each other's clans from time to time."

Dorian nods, trying to wrap his mind around this. There wasn't much that Ozen had told him about his personal life. They had only been together for a few months, Dorian didn't expect to know everything in his past. But if he knew about this then there is a chance that none of this would have happened. Dorian closed his hand into a fist, digging his nails into his palm. As Dorian walked with them, his mind became scattered, his heart started to ache for Ozen. All Dorian could hope was that Ozen was safe and sound.

***

"I can sense him..." Ozen muttered to himself. His hand covered the deep gash that the demon had brought to his side. He cursed the Maker under his breath, swearing to the gods that when he found this blood mage, he wouldn't hesitate to kill him. All Ozen could think about was digging his two beautiful daggers into the chest of that mage, ripping out his heart, and stabbing him for each death he had caused. The thought caused his stomach to churn and his blood to boil. Ever since Ozen had been possessed by the demon back at Skyhold, he could sense the blood mage.

"You shouldn't have hurt your friend."

Ozen growled when he heard the man in his head. This wasn't natural! Ozen started to question himself. Why did he have to give in to something this evil? He knew the consequences of his actions! He knew that the blood mage would bring nothing but pain to him! He wanted that human dead. He wanted revenge on the man who had killed his betrothed. Even now, after having countless nightmares about her death, he would trade anything in the world for that human to die. He would go as far as hurting the people that trusted him.

Ozen gripped the wound on his side, tears streaming down his face as he continued onto the rocky path. The blood mage was hiding deep in the woods at an old elven temple. One that had been destroyed a long time ago and is now overtaken by the forest. He had been here temporarily when traveling with Dorian. He sensed something off about the place. An evil nature he didn't want to endure. That was the beginning of all of this. The next day his family was killed and missing. He was possessed by a vengeful demon who wanted the lives of Dorian. Ozen winced at the thought of the mage. He was going to be upset hearing about what was happening. Ozen wondered if Dorian was out looking for him. If he was safe. If Skyhold was safe. He laid all of their lives on the line for something that happened years ago. Ozen wanted to make things right, even if it killed him in the end. As a leader, he would sacrifice himself for the greater good. Ozen knew that he was in trouble. Part of him was too proud to admit it. He also knew how messed up the situation was.

"You are a disgrace, Ozen. Even to your own clan."

"Shut up, demon!" Ozen growled. He was making his way up a steep hill, he was struggling to breathe. Every time he breathed in, his side would give him pain. Enough pain to cause the air to leave his lungs again. Ozen stumbled, using his left hand to catch himself before he fell onto the rocky path. He looked into the distance, the crumbled building of a temple wasn't far from him now. He could see a pillar being wrapped up by a tree. The entrance was next to it, a dark entrance being surrounded by moss and green veins. The dark entrance stared back at him, and an eery feeling washed over him. He quickly looked away, his eyes darting to a familiar plant next to him.

Elfroot.

He stumbled, attempting to catch his balance as he fumbled towards the plant. With this plant he could make a paste that would heal his wound and keep it from getting any more infected than it probably was. He just prayed that nothing of the demon would linger inside of himself. He didn't want to turn into a demon again. Ozen sat up against a nearby tree, taking her elfroot into his hands and crushing it. He placed the crushed-up elfroot onto a rock, grabbing the water cantine from his belt. He used another larger, more flat stone and poured some water on one side of it. He then used that stone to crush the elfroot to make the paste. When it was becoming the paste, he hesitated. He took a deep breath, knowing how painful it was going to be to move his clothing off of the wound. Parts of the wound had already begun to dry onto his clothing. He prepared himself mentally, grabbing the bottom of his shirt, and started to lift. He bit down on his bottom lip, trying to stop himself from screaming profanities. He didn't want enemies to know where he was. Once his shirt was lifted, he took the paste from the stone and applied it to the wound.

"Damnit!" He screamed, blood smearing onto his hand. His legs kicked as a throbbing, stinging sensation that ran throughout his body. Once the paste was onto his wounds, Ozen leaned back, sweat beading down his forehead. He never did well with pain. Usually after a wound, Dorian would use his mage abilities to take the pain away. Either by numbing it or by leaving his hand over the wound to make it warm. Ozen squeezed his eyes shut, Dorian flashing through his mind caused his heart to ache. He wishes he didn't bring Dorian into this mess. Ozen never meant for him to get hurt. Yes, Dorian was human. It took a while for Ozen to accept the fact that not all humans were rapists and murderers. Ozen felt warm tears trailing down his cheeks. He wasn't sure if it was from the pain or the thought of Dorian never caring about him again.

"Maker, I've messed up," Ozen whispered with his voice cracking.

With his eyes closed, Ozen found himself drawing weaker. Through the blood loss, his body fighting off an infection, and the cream numbing his pain, all he wanted to do was sleep. He knew it wasn't the best idea considering he was deep into the forest alone with no one else to watch him. But he couldn't fight it off. The wind blew softly. The familiar scent of the forest brought back memories of when he was home safe with his clan.

"Mom... dad..." Ozen felt like they were near him. He grinned, his deepest desires becoming a dream to him. His family is alive. Dorian is there along side him with his friends. His beloved Lilly standing behind all of them, an icy glare only seen by Ozen. Confused, Ozen stood. He moved past his parents and past Dorian. She was backing up into the darkness behind her. Ozen called out to her and reached for her, but all he could hear was the soft mutterings of their native tongue dancing onto her lips.

"If you love me at all... leave them all behind.... join me, Ozen."

Ozen stopped. He looked behind him, seeing blood on Dorian's body. His parents lay at Dorian's feet, dead. Dorian looked up from his blood-soaked hands with terror in his eyes. The same terror when Dorian found Ozen's parents dead. Dorian fell to his knees, begging the gods and to Ozen for forgiveness. Ozen turned back towards the dark forest, seeing the soft glowing eyes that belonged to Arwin.

"I miss you," Arwin whispered. She found it as if she was beside Ozen again. His heart skipped a beat as his throat went dry. He could smell her intoxicating scent. He swallowed hard, feeling her hands trail his body as she hovered over him. Ozen looked into her eyes again. The color of her eyes was different. They were darker than before. Was she a demon? Ozen toyed with the idea which made Lilly laugh.

"Could a demon do this?" She whispered, cupping Ozen's cheek, and kissing him. Ozen was hesitant to kiss her back. His mind was still thinking about Dorian. He wanted Dorian, not someone who had died years ago. He wasn't sure why he still craved her some nights. As she continued to kiss him, Ozen felt himself getting lost. Her touch, her warmth, her scent, all of it was drawing him in. He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her neck as he pulled her in closer.

Ozen sat against the tree in the middle of a now-dark forest. Asleep, dreaming of demons and wishes while his body sat there on the brink of death. He was lost in the desires of a demon who had a grip on him through his dreams. Dorian, on the other side of the Plains, could sense something was wrong. Solas could sense it too as he sat next to the fire with his eyes closed. Solas was going to use his time to dream of the Fade to see if he could find Ozen as Dorian talked to Ozen's mother.

All Dorian could do was mutter prayers to any god who would listen.