The Missing Ending Rewritten

Varric and Lace race against time after Solas as they attempt to catch him before he leaves Minrathous.

A rewriting of the ending of the comic, Dragon Age: The Missing,
in the way I have envisioned events would conclude.

Varric turned to Neve. ‘We’d stay and help you with the elves but…’ he trailed off.

‘Go,’ Neve said, smiling slyly. ‘We’ve got this.’

Varric spun to face Lace who was strumming an arrow on her bow. ‘Will you put that away, you aren’t going to need it.’

Without waiting for a reply, Varric took Lace’s hand and together they raced towards the canals. The rush of water told them they were close – that and a petrified Venatori barely visible in the shadows of an alleyway.

Skipping steps, Varric and Lace bounded down the city’s stairs, recognising Solas’s prints in the mud.

A shadow turned a corner. ‘Hurry!’ Varric cried.

Heart thumping loudly, his throat burning, Varric urged his legs forward. Lace slid on some mud, waving her hands. Varric grabbed her sleeve, never stopping, and pulled her along as she regained purchase.

A faint light coming from a tunnel told Varric where Solas was. Stumbling forward, ready to collapse, Varric and Lace sped into the long underpass where a coruscating Eluvian stood at the far end, and before it, Solas.

The elf stopped, hands behind his back, and slowly turned to gaze at the two.

Panting hoarsely, Lace skidded to a stop and nocked an arrow and set it loose. Solas’s eyes flashed white and the arrow crashed against the side wall.

Never relenting, Varric continued forward as the tunnel stretched before him. Solas locked eyes with him, his expression one of melancholy, his brows furrowed. Varric’s eyes widened in a plea for Solas to wait, his hand outstretched towards him.

‘I just want to talk!’ he croaked out. ‘Please!’

Solas shook his head.

Varric heard Lace’s feet on the muddy pavement as she resumed her race towards Solas.

Almost there – Varric just needed to reach him, grab a hold of him, get him to stop. If only Solas would just hear him out, explain – anything.

Hand on the rim of the shimmering elven mirror, Solas took a step forward, watching as Varric narrowed the gap between them. Then, downcasting his eyes, Solas walked through the Eluvian just as Varric was upon him.

Varric lunged towards the Eluvian…

Only to bash head-first into it as its glimmer died, shutting him out completely.

‘No!’ shouted Varric, pounding the mud with his fist. He had him, he was nearly there. Solas was…waiting…for what? This? Why? Varric only had more questions than before as he stared at the blackened Eluvian.

Lace stopped beside Varric. She crouched and placed her hand on his shoulder. Varric heaved a sigh, unable to find the will to get up just yet, and he closed his eyes as dismay overwhelmed him.

***

From the other side of the Eluvian, Solas watched as Varric plunged towards it, and with a flick of his hand, Solas deactivated it.

He bowed his head. ‘I’m sorry, Varric, but I cannot be swayed… And you will never understand.’

His heart heavy with woe, Solas turned around, and walked the pat, back towards his hideout, hidden deep within the White Spire.

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