The Symphony of the Void
Atina guided the Shadow Sprout as she and Ardyn watched the faceless silhouette beings. Ardyn's battle robes were still billowing out like there was a distant ocean wind driving them in gentle, rhythmic motion around her. They used [Shadow Walk] several times, and the rainbow dome followed them each time. They were not moving in a straight line; Ardyn was moving toward that sweet dark song, and Atina was moving toward the shadow that churned and choked but seemed to move continually as they moved. Yet, they both moved toward the same spot.
The plain had been silent the entire time, but it suddenly quieted even more. The faceless silhouette beings froze, some looking up to the grey sky and others looking down to the black ground. Both the sky and the ground seemed to crack open. Two garish white scars ran through the plain like perpendicular mirror images of each other. An odd, sludgy grey moved from each crack and began to fill the plain like a dense molasses spreading across crisp bread. It seemed to slip into nooks and crannies, but still spread forward.
The faceless silhouette beings did not run. They accepted their fate as if it had been written somewhere long ago. The thick, sludgy grey collected them up without any resistance. The silhouette beings seemed to melt into the sludge without any sound or distress.
Ardyn and Atina watched with profound curiosity—not sure how all of what they were seeing fit together. As they moved forward, more of the silhouette beings appeared next to their rainbow dome, but on the other side, away from the grey sludge. Their sclera were jet black and their pupils were steely grey. Their noses were long and ended in sharp points. Their mouths opened wide and a dark song flowed forth. It moved out and surrounded the rainbow dome like a second layer of protection. It moved to Atina's Shadow Sprout and swirled around it like an aggressive, protective coating.
Ardyn nodded in understanding and her protection song moved forward slowly and deliberately. Before it reached Atina and the silhouette beings' magics, her nature song moved along the back. The two songs moved through the darkness and the void responded. The dark, sweet melody of Noir became more intense. There seemed to be a fire within it that calmed and then melted the sludgy grey masses.
The two continued their zigzagging path through Noir, but they were now accompanied by dark, sentient beings that seemed to be both guides and protectors. As they moved through Noir, billowy, amorphous shapes began rising from the black ground and they swayed toward, and with, the songs of the silhouette beings and Ardyn. These amorphous shapes were life within this dark void—life that had slept for eons. The long eons that those of Sidus Serpens had forgotten Noir.
Finally, the procession came to a huge crater that looked like a bottomless void within the void. Above this crater hovered a massive grey gem with black veining. Lightning sparked and crackled around the gem in harmony with the dark, sweet song. It was like a symphony of sound that could only be heard right at the edge of the crater. The silhouette beings swayed in silence as they looked out to the gem in reverence. They then bowed to the rainbow dome and, like pilgrims who had come to their holy land, they began to quietly walk off the edge of the crater.
Both Ardyn and Atina stiffened in response, wanting to save the dark creatures but not really sure what should be done. As they watched, they realized there was no need to save. They were witnessing an ancient cycle that had been interrupted for countless years. The silhouette beings walked off the edge and became part of the dark, sweet song, their forms integrating into the living magic like drops of water into a vast stream. As each being entered the magical flow, the overall song intensified and grew in unique and beautiful ways.
The dark, sweet song became richer and layered, and Noir began to heal. The sludgy grey was reabsorbed into the cracks and the two cracks resealed. Not only was it like the cracks had never occurred, but Noir seemed to become more vibrant and, somehow, just a bit more whole. Ardyn watched the massive gem above the crater as Atina watched the shadows of the realm evolve and become a bit more free—they were not completely free, but several chains had shattered.
The massive gem spoke to Ardyn's Soul Sea, but try as she might, she understood none of it. It was like gibberish flowed through her, demanding and crying out to be heard and understood. She frowned, frustration quickly filling her. She was ready to return to Varric. She was ready to help him protect their lands, their people, and rebuild Sidus Serpens to what it once was. Her heart sank within her chest as she thought about being away from Varric for a bit longer. And for the first time since she began this quest, she regretted her choices.
'Love, don't you dare regret one moment of your walk. Because of you we grow stronger. Because of you my birthplace rises again. You have taught me so much—how to love, understanding patience, and remembering where I have come from and where I belong. If anyone was wrong it was me. I did not support you like I should have and I apologize for that.'
Ardyn smiled even as tears fell down her cheeks like delicate streams of lilac dew. Varric's words and intent of love warmed and revived her. It strengthened her resolve and renewed her belief in her own goals.
'Thank you, my love. Thank you for always being by my side. You are more than I deserve.'
'You and I are one. It is not about what we deserve; it is about finding completion. You complete me as I protect you. It is something natural and true. I love you.'
She felt his intent move from her soul and back into their soul tether. He was always with her, and now his love fueled and drove her. She looked to the massive gem before her, determination swirling up her spine. This was the final piece, and time for her to return to where she truly belonged.