Legacy
Ardyn's physical form hovered high over the Blackcrest Mountain range, but her spiritual form stood before Varric's over the Mount Saber range. Here, the struggle was greater—because Planar's chaos was still straining against the order of union and continuity. The two higher beings strained against the pull, and Planar strained against their authority over it.
Varric's spell weave increased its density, and he added three more spells to the six: a stronger command spell, a calming spell, and a spell to induce sleep. The weave spread forth and focused on Planar. The realm's connection grew more and more stable with the other cornerstones, and this began to stabilize its connection to Sidus Serpens.
Ardyn spoke runes of remembrance, calm, chaotic balance, and clarity. She worked to remind Planar how it began and where it truly belonged. Then, she pulled in the void-nothingness of Noir to anchor the chaotic realm more. The void and chaotic energies collided, then neutralized each other. Planar and Noir began to anchor and solidify each other into place.
As these two cornerstones braced and settled, the other two naturally and calmly followed. Sidus Serpens settled, and both Varric and Ardyn grew in stature and power. Over Mount Saber, Ardyn's spirit body slipped into Varric's being as his shadow reached out and covered the mountain range. His magic spoke to the land, and the chaotic warriors of Planar and the stone guardians of Serenia stirred as directives began to be written upon their sentient psyches. Over Blackcrest Mountain, Ardyn's hair spanned out and stabbed deep into the rocky ground and soil. Her magic flowed out, and the sentient trees of Bratinus and silhouette beings of Noir positioned themselves throughout their quadrants. The beings of the four cornerstones became the guardians and deep connections of Serpentia.
Serpentia was now fully connected to Sidus Serpens.
With this, the massive castle fully descended into Serpentia. The massive structure hovered over the land, and its great shadow spread out and seemed to sink into the ground like nutrients absorbed to strengthen the land. After this, there was no shadow; it was as if the sun shone through the dark obsidian like it was tinted glass. The structure spanned the length of both mountain ranges and it had eight massive spires—seven circling it and one in its center—and power poured from them in torrents to cover the land.
Ardyn and Varric entered the castle as one. Their magics flowed through the structure, and its walls glowed black and violet. Serpentia and its inhabitants breathed sighs of relief and bliss—as if long suffering had finally ended and they had all survived unscathed.
Guardians from each of the cornerstones inhabited the castle, with them taking over each spire position over their specific quadrant. The other three spires of the castle wall whispered of secrets that seemed to be too powerful to be understood, but Ardyn and Varric rose to the central spire. It was the largest and tallest of spires, and as they entered it, the spire pulsed and hummed with ancient power.
They entered a large throne room where a massive throne sat. It was big enough for two: half of it black obsidian and the other half fine, deep purple vines intricately woven with delicate lilac flowers of a myriad of varieties growing from it. The two halves of the throne came together seamlessly, as if they were created from a unique mystical plant or crystalline material.
They appeared on the throne as one—Varric upon the obsidian side and Ardyn on the vine side—and the entire castle reacted again. This time, it seemed to fully awaken.
The guardians began to move about the castle as if engaging in coordinated duties, the castle itself began creating chambers and rooms within itself in accordance with the new rulers' wishes, and all eight of the spires sent out another vast layer of protection over Serpentia.
All the residents of Serpentia bowed in reverence and all of its enemies trembled in fear. Serpentia was exerting its will over the land, and it was clear that there was an unforgiving sentience involved. It said: "What is mine is mine, and I will kill anything trying to harm what is mine."
Marcus appeared in the vast throne room and knelt before his rulers. As he did so, the floor began to descend and a wide round table rose at its center. When all was done, Varric and Ardyn's throne was high above the round table on a wide balcony. Varric's eyes glowed silver and Ardyn began speaking a complicated incantation.
Runes glowed in eight distinct, complicated circles around the table as seven chairs rose. Varric spoke first, his voice dominating and suffocating at the same time.
"Marcus, we leave Serpentia to you. The castle and the four cornerstones will always protect it, and our magic will bind and secure it all."
Ardyn's voice was terrifying but filled with peace and calm.
"You will need to choose six others to rule with you. They can be of the villages or of the four cornerstones, but you will always be the deciding voice. If you ever want to expand Serpentia's influence, merely come here and look to us. If we agree, the influence will expand as you describe. Do the same if you ever need our help with an enemy. We are forever connected to Serpentia and we will not see it come to harm."
Marcus nodded without a word. He was awed and saddened at the same time. These two had forever protected him and his clan; now they were at a level that was utterly beyond his own comprehension.
Varric's voice cut through his thoughts and brought him back to the conversation.
"We will be back, but even when we return, we will only be overseers."
"We leave tomorrow." Ardyn's words finished her companion's and seemed to shake the foundations of Serpentia.
A new journey was about to begin