The Consort's Elevation
Instead of reappearing on the brick road, Ardyn and Seraphis appeared in Varric's war room. The vast obsidian cavern was quiet. The obsidian rock was veined with the purest white ore. He stood at his huge map table, and behind him sat massive thrones—one obsidian and silver, and the other amethyst and gold.
His eyes were tired and sunken, and a pang of worry ignited within Ardyn's chest. She froze next to Seraphis and allowed her eyes to roam over the cavern. Ardyn was a violet shadow, and Seraphis was a deeper shadow highlighting her. Ardyn's eyes began to thoroughly examine the maps. She stepped forward with a deep frown on her face, understanding dawning within her.
Serpentia is once again at war. Her battle robes sang as she moved to stand beside Varric at the maps. Her spirit wanted to dive into battle and protect her people and her friends.
"Someone is attacking the Bear Clan?"
"Yes."
Ardyn's amethyst eyes analyzed the map and understood the current strategy. Varric did not turn to her, but his soul reached out to her in a warm embrace. She smiled as she continued looking at the map.
"Teacher is already there?"
"She is. Our troops will march there later today."
Ardyn nodded. "Seraphis, go and help."
"Yes, Mistress." Seraphis bowed to Ardyn and disappeared from their sight. Varric watched him go and nodded in appreciation and satisfaction.
Ardyn's new battle robes hummed a bit louder, and amethyst crystals dropped to the floor around her. She took several strands of Varric's shadow magic and sat in her throne, weaving as Varric continued with his war council. The magic made thin black strands of braided obsidian. She placed the amethyst crystals onto the different strands.
In the end, it was three strands of obsidian with five spaced amethyst crystals each. The crystals resonated with Ardyn's battle robes and her magic. She used her magic to put it onto Varric, and she instantly felt the exhaustion that he had been hiding from her. She frowned and began sending him life energy through their bond with [Song of Tree] magic.
"Varric, you are always helping me. You have to allow me to help you."
He didn't respond as he felt his body rejuvenate. Then, slowly, he felt himself evolving. His silken black scales became obsidian glass. Power flowed over him like cool waters and his eyes were steel grey with flecks of violet. Magic welled up within him and he felt something ancient wake within him.
[Dragon Well]
Power flowed forth in vast waves. Ardyn and Varric's power met like an ocean meeting a mountain river at the end of its journey. Their magic moved around each other as if they were looking for the best routes to nowhere. Ardyn felt his magic evolve and change. As it did, his body became stronger, taller, and more defined. She felt the exhaustion melt from him as Varric was revitalized.
He turned to her with a wide smile and moved to her so quickly there was a small sonic boom left in his wake. Varric grabbed Ardyn and pulled her into him, and the world seemed to stop. Their eyes met and sparks of magical energy rose between them.
"You are far more than I could have ever imagined."
She kissed him with a smile. "And, because of you, I have become more than I ever knew possible. You have taught me that love is more than emotion. It is something strong and binding."
She kissed him again and he pulled her in closer.
"Ardyn, we can go around and around with this. I still say you have done way more for me than I can ever do for you. You are my Queen and together we stand as a foundation to Sidus Serpens. How can I ever value what you mean to me?"
They held each other for a long time—both stealing glimpses of the war map as it changed in real-time. Varric sighed, kissed her a third time, then gently pulled away.
"Thank you for letting me use your servant. Go, finish this so I can have you back, fully and completely."
She smiled and didn't say anything. Her battle robes once again hummed in response to her inner resonance and she faded from his sight. Ardyn reappeared next to Atina.
"Big sister, Teacher is fighting with the Bear Clan. If you like, you can go help. I have sent Seraphis to help."
"Then she has help, Mistress."
Ardyn nodded and they continued down the green and pink bricks. One more part and she would know her truth and finally be her complete self. They moved quickly along the brick road. It suddenly disappeared into a wide fold and Ardyn smiled.
"Let's see what the road will bring."