There and Back Again Ch. 134

I nodded jerkily. "I will. I promise. I...Faren? Faren!"

The dwarf didn't respond, head dropping onto his chest, breath rasping, chest heaving. I turned away, too distraught to watch, and curled up, kneeling on the floor. Go back, I willed myself. Go back to Earth. I don't want to stay here and watch this. Go back, go back. I covered my head with my arms, bawling, trying not to fall asleep. Go back!

I don't know how long I knelt there, despondent and afraid; I didn't stir even when I felt a new mana signature come near. No! A new emissary! Without opening my eyes, without even moving, I reached out desperately, grabbing for the mana. I felt my nose begin to bleed again, my unique templar abilities already overworked and overwhelmed. I couldn't even summon the energy to wipe away the blood.

I sobbed when I felt another, and then another new mana signature. I knew there was no way I'd be able to hold their mana, and I was too exhausted for my large smite, or whatever it should be called. I tried, I really did, but it was no use. So that's the Architect's new plan: get enough emissaries in one place, so I can't take all of their mana. What is he going to do to me? I curled in on myself tighter. Go back! Now, Sierra! Before it's too late!

I heard a noise at the door, and finally worked up the energy to look. I started crying harder when I realised I was having another waking dream. Imaginary Alistair, followed by Aedan, Bel, Jowan, even Loghain came through the door, weapons drawn. I must be in bad shape if I'm imagining Loghain as an avenging angel, sword raised high and eyes flashing.

"No! No," I sobbed. "No more. I can't take more dreams." I closed my eyes resolutely as imaginary Anders and Solona showed up, and imaginary Zevran picked the lock to my cell. "Go back! Go back, go back, go back..."

Imaginary Alistair was talking; I put my hands over my ears and continued my mantra. Imaginary hands stroked my back, and cold fingers brushed my forehead.

The world went black.