What. The. Fuck.

"Look. I know you two have a lot of questions," Ilyanna forces out, still recovering from the backlash of the spell, "But we really don't have the time. With all the noise we've been making, it's only a matter of time before someone comes to investigate. And by someone, I mean a fuck-ton of Templars. So we need to get the hell out of here. I may be good, but I can't fight a squad of Templars."

Lily, ever the reasonable one, was the first to react.

"She's right, Jowan. We need to move quickly," she whispered, placing her hand on the small of his back. She turned back to Ilyanna, with a pointed look on her face, "But we will definitely be having a talk about this later."

"Fine, but let's move already."

Ilyanna could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Trying to spin this many plates was not something she hoped she'd ever need to do again.

The trio walks up the stairs. From your invisible viewing point in the Fade, you were beginning to worry if not interfering directly was the correct choice of action. You are omnipotent, you could easily provide any power she required, and you could even resurrect her if the need arose. But even still, it is extremely hard to watch her push herself to this extent. You were debating whether or not to simply manifest directly into the world when you heard them start speaking again.

"We need to find it, and fast," Jowan says, "I should be able to loca-"

"Found it," Ilyanna said, holding out a small glass bottle filled with blood. Written plainly across the top is Jowan's name in First Enchanter Irving's handwriting. As Jowan takes it in his hands, Ilyanna grabs another vial off of the shelf behind her back.

"So small," he whispers, and you can hear the relief flooding his voice. He turns to Ilyanna, "Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me, Ilyanna. I'll never be able to repay you for this."

Ilyanna smiles and your heart breaks as you feel the pain rise up insider her.

"I'm sure I'll think of something. Now come on, break that thing and let's get out of here."

"Right."

With no further hesitation, Jowan throws the vial against the wall and casts a spell to incinerate the blood, severing its magical link. He turned back around, as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Finally, free!" he sighs, taking a moment to revel in his victory, not yet knowing it was a lie, "Alright, let's move."

The trio ran back down the steps, then back out into the hallway. As they round the corner up the second pair of steps and out the door, the fantasy that they might get away in time shatters, as an entire squad of Templars, led by Greagoir and First Enchanter Irving are already waiting for them.

"Oh no," Jowan whispers.

"So what you said is true, Irving," Greagoir says, disappointment heavy in his words.

"Greagoir," Lily whispers.

"An initiate, conspiring with a Blood Mage. I'm disappointed, Lily," the weathered Knight-Commander says, "She seems shocked, but fully in control of her own mind. Not a thrall of the Blood Mage then. You were right, Irving. The initiate has betrayed us. The Chantry will not let this go unpunished."

Ilyanna can almost hear the words coming next, the moment when her grand deception will be revealed.

"And this one. Newly a mage, and already flouting the rules of the Circle," he says, looking at Ilyanna.

"It's not her fault! This was my idea."

"She is here under my orders, Greagoir. I take full responsibility for her actions, " First Enchanter Irving says.

Ilyanna hangs her head, and she grips her staff so tightly he knuckles turn white. Jowan's expression makes it all the more painful, as he turns to look at her with absolute betrayal on his face.

"W-wait... you... you led us into a trap?" he asks, his voice shaking.

Ilyanna, couldn't meet his eyes. A tear fell from her eyes as she whispers. Slowly, she raises her head, and with tears still in his eyes, she gives him a look of steely determination.

"It was the only way. I'm sorry, Jowan."

"Don't you dare speak to me!" he shouts.

"Enough!" Greagoir shouts, "As Knight-Commander of the Templars here assembled, I hereby sentence this Blood Mage to ****. And this initiate has scorned The Chantry and her vows. Take her to Aeonar."

"The... the Mage's Prison? No! Please! Anywhere but there!" Lily says, voice breaking.

Ilyanna's eyes widen, and she knows this is it. If she wants to enact the final part of her plan, she needs to do this now. With no visible indication, she summons all of her power. Watching from the Fade, you only know what she's doing in the moments before she does it, as the amount of power she takes from you leaves even you a bit winded, despite your Deific Omnipotence. But as one of the Templars flanking Greagoir makes his move, Ilyanna notices Jowan pull a dagger from his waist, and she can see what he's about to do.

Just as he is about to draw his weapon, Ilyanna unleashes her spell.

And time stops.