It is time. With the moon overhead and the sun nowhere to be seen, I am summoned from my bed by templars. On any other day, this would be terrifying. I am calm, though, because I know why my jailers waken me.

Tonight is my Harrowing.

I follow them, silent so as not to awaken my fellow apprentices. We walk up to the highest level of the Circle Tower. Waiting there for me is First Enchanter Irving, Knight-Commander Greagoir, Cullen, and a few other templars that I recognize.

"'Magic exists to serve man and never to rule over him,'" Greagoir recites. "Thus spoke the prophet Andraste as she cast down the Tevinter Imperium, ruled by mages who had brought the world to the edge of ruin."

It is all I can do not to roll my eyes. My magic is serving no one locked up in this tower. It is your fear of it that rules over you.

"Your magic is a gift, but also a curse," Greagoir continues, "for demons of the dream realm - the Fade - are drawn to you, and seek to use you as a gateway into this world."

"This is why the Harrowing exists," Irving says. "The ritual sends you into the Fade, and there you will face a demon, armed with only your will."

The details are kept secret from the apprentices, so this surprises me. I am not worried, though. I am better than any of the other apprentices, and I will be able to conquer this demon. "I don't suppose there's another option?" I say, not out of fear, just out of practicality. I'd rather do something easier.

"There is Tranquility," Greagoir says without hesitation.

"Is losing all you magic an option?" Irving asks. "No, I have faith that you will succeed." I nod.

"Know this, apprentice; if you fail, we templars will perform our duty. You will die." As Greagoir says this, Cullen shift uncomfortably, then walks over to a cluster of templars on the other side of the room. Greagoir then motions to a pedestal in the center of the room. "This is lyrium: the very essence of magic and your gateway into the Fade."

"The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity, child," Irivng says, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Every mage must go through this trial by fire. As we succeeded, so shall you. Keep your wits about you and remember the Fade is a realm of dreams. The spirits may rule it, but your own will is real."

"The apprentice must go through this test alone, First Enchanter," Greagoir cautions.

There is a flash of anger in my chest. It seems as if they want me to become an abomination. That's the only explanation I can think that would justify their aversion to the help Irving is trying to give me.

I say nothing, though. I care more about my life than the bloodthirstiness of the templars, unfortunately.

"You are ready," the Knight-Commander says and motions again toward the lyrium.

I nod and approach it. There is a pool of glowing, blue liquid inside of the bowl atop the pedestal. I reach out to touch it, and it starts to climb up my arm. I back away in surprise, and suddenly the world goes white.

My eyes shoot open, and I stand up quickly. I look around in amazement. "So this is the Fade," I say quietly aloud.

The sky is green. The ground beneath my feet is spongey, and there are patches of grass that sway with a wind I cannot feel. I am standing on an island, but one that floats in the sky rather than the ocean. Ruins are scattered about, as well as gnarled trees. A disturbing statue of a man with blades for hands stares down at me, and the Fade's reflection of the lyrium pedestal stands behind me.

There is only one way to go, so I begin walking forward. A wisp wraith approaches and attacks, but my magic vanquishes it easily. There are more on the meandering path, but my skills are sufficient.

A mouse sits i the path. "Someone else thrown to the wolves," comes a voice, and I can only assume that the mouse is its owner. "As fresh and unprepared as ever. It isn't right that they do this, the templars. Not to you, me, anyone."

"You are a talking rat," is the witty response I manage to come up with.

He laughs dryly. "You think you're really here? In that body? You look like that because you think you do!" He sighs. "It's always the same. But it's not your fault. You're in the same boat I was, aren't you?" There is a flash of light, and the mouse transforms into a man in mage robes. "Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me... well, Mouse."

"Not your real name, I take it?" I say, folding my arms. I'm not quite sure it was a good idea to trust a shape-shifting mouse in the Fade.

"No," he says. "I don't remember anything from... before. The templars kill you if you take too long, you see. They figure you failed, and they don't want something getting out. That's what they did to me, I think. I have no body to reclaim. And you don't have much time before you end up the same."

I roll my eyes. "That's not going to happen to me," I say confidently. Any man who prefers the form of a mouse cannot be that good at anything other than hiding. I know that I am better suited to this task that he ever could have been.

"That has been said before," he says. "But you don't know the danger. There's something here, contained, just for an apprentice like you." He looks nervously over his shoulder. "You have to face the creature, a demon, and resist it, if you can. That's your way out. Or your opponent's, if the templars wouldn't kill you. A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade."

I sigh and crack my knuckles casually. "Anything can die. I doubt it's as simple as that."

"You would be a fool to just attack everything you see," he cautions. "What you face is powerful, cunning. There are others here, other spirits. They will tell you more, maybe help. If you can believe anything you see. I'll follow, if that's all right. My chance was long ago, but you... you may have a way out." He retakes the form of a rodent and follows behind me.

"Of course I have a way out," I mutter quietly. I don't particularly want this dramatic, woe-is-me mouse on my heels, but I'd rather him where I can keep my eyes on him.

"A dangerous spirit is not far. Don't go near it unless you're ready to fight," he cautions.

I should explore the Fade first, then approach whatever demon waits for me, so I heed Mouse's words and pass by an open area of Fade. Another wisp wraith attacks me, and I start to get annoyed by these spirit pests.

"Another spirit this way," Mouse announces, and I look to my left. Sure enough, atop a hill stands a translucent man in a suit of armor. "It never seemed equal to its name to me."

I approach the spirit, sensibly cautious but not fearful.

"Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see," he says. "Your mages have devised a cowardly test. Better you were pitted against each other to prove your mettle with skill, than to be sent unarmed against a demon."

I roll my eyes and cross my arms. "Fight each other? We're not warriors." Rather, we are prisoners, kept obedient and afraid. The templars do not trust us enough to allow us to be warriors.

"They would have you battle a demon," he continues. "With magic or weapon, to be the victor makes you a warrior still. That you remain means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come."

I glance behind him at the racks and racks of weapons, and I get an idea. "Did you create all of these weapons?"

"They are brought into being by my will," he confirms. "I understand that in your world, mages are the only ones who can will things into being. Those mortals who cannot must lead such hollow, empty lives."

I agree with you there, I think. "Would one of these weapons affect the demon?"

"Without a doubt. In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought. Do you think these blades be steel? The staves be wood? Do you believe they draw blood? A weapon is a single need for battle, and my will makes that need reality. Do you truly desire one of my weapons? I will give one to you... if you agree to duel me first. Valor shall test your mettle as it should be tested."

"It seems you would prefer to kill me yourself," I say, taking a step toward him and narrowing my eyes. I will play my part well and come out of this unscathed. Valorous this spirit may be, but I am cunning.

"How dare you accuse me!" he protests immediately. "I am no demon, preying upon helpless mortals to steal their essence! I am a being of honor and valor! I am a warrior!"

"Then prove it!" I challenge, getting quite close. He seems like he would be solid if I touched him even though he is semi-transparent. "Help me fight the demon!"

"You are insolent," he snarls, "but your will is unquestionably strong. Very well, mortal. You prove to me that you possess the strength to resist this demon." He turns around and takes a staff off one of his racks. Handing it to me, he says, "Go, prove your worth as you must. I am confident you will succeed."

I nod. "I shall."

Staff in hand, I continue down the path. Three spirit wolves materialize. They give me more trouble than the wisp wraiths did, but my new staff gives me the strength I need.

"Be cautious," Mouse warns. "There is another spirit here. Not the one hunting you, but still..." I see a large form in the path ahead.

"I am not afraid," I assure him and approach the demon.

It is a large, bear-like figure but corrupted sitting at the end of the path. The skin is mottled and mostly lacking in fur. Spikes that look like bones protrude from his body at odd angles. He barely raises his head when he speaks to me. "Hmm... so you are the mortal being hunted? And the small one... is he to be a snack for me?"

Mouse takes human form and says, "I don't like this. He's not going to help us. We should go..."

The demon sniffs. "No matter. The demon will get you eventually, and perhaps there will even be scraps left."

"What kind of spirit are you?" I ask.

"It's a demon," Mouse says. "Maybe even more powerful than the one chasing after you."

"Begone! Surely you have better things to do than bother Sloth, mortal. I tire of you already."

And I tire of this place already. "I need help defeating a demon," I say, taking a step forward.

"You have a very nice staff." Sloth yawns. "Why would you need me? Go, use your weapon since you have earned it. Be valorous."

"He looks powerful," Mouse says almost hungrily. "It might be possible that he could... teach you to be like him."

I raise an eyebrow. I am about to say, "useless and boring," but Sloth speaks before I am able.

"Like me? You mean teach the mortal t take this form? Why? Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn the change. You, ont he other hand, little one, might be a better student. You let go of the human form years ago."

"I... don't think I'd make a very good bear," Mouse stammers. "How would I hide?"

I groan. "I thought you were here to help, but you're just a coward."

"A coward could not have endured as I have," he replies with a ferocity that surprises me. "The time I have spent waiting for... for some possibility of release. But... you are right. Hiding doesn't help. I'm sorry, it's the Fade. It changes you. I'll try. I'll try to be a bear. If you'll teach me."

I smirk inwardly. I have convinced him successfully.

"That's nice. But teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now," Sloth says, closing his eyes.

Mouse sighs. "I told you he wasn't going to help us."

Oh no you don't. I didn't listen to all that to gain no advantage! "You can't just suggest something and then change your mind!"

"I can't? You have so much to learn about the Fade, little mortal."

I step forward and grit my teeth. "Mouse wants to learn. Teach him."

"You wish to learn my form, little one? Then I have a challenge for your friend: Answer three riddles correctly, and I will teach you. Fail, and I will devour you both. The decision is yours."

I scoff, fully confident that I am smart enough to solve any riddle that this demon might throw my way. "I accept your challenge, Sloth."

"Truly? This gets more and more promising. My first riddle is this: I have seas with no water, coasts with no sand, towns without people, mountains without land. What am I?"

"A map," I say immediately.

He hmphs. "Correct. Let's move on. The second riddle: I'm rarely touched, but often held. If you have wit, you'll use me well. What am I?"

"A tongue," I say confidently.

"Yes, your witty tongue. Fair enough. One more try, shall we? Often will I spin a tale, never will I charge a fee. I'll amuse you an entire eve, but, alas, you won't remember me. What am I?"

This gives me pause, but not for too long. "A dream," I say.

He grumbles again. "You are correct. Rather apropros here in the Fade, no? But you've won my challenge and proven yourself a amusing distraction. So, I shall teach you my form."

I lean back and listen as Sloth tries to teach Mouse. It does not come easy to the meek spirit.

How long have I been here? I wonder. Time may move differently in the Fade, as it feels to do in everyday dreams.

Finally, Mouse is able to change his form. "Like this? Am I a bear? It feels... heavy."

Sloth appraises Mouse's kosher form, devoid of spikes or decay and says, "Hmm, close enough. Go, then, and defeat your demon... or whatever you intend to do. I grow weary of your mortal prattling."

"I suppose it is time," I say, knowing that there is nothing else here for me to see. I turn back and head for the area that I know the demon waits in. Four spirit wolves attack, but Mouse and I defeat them without incident. His new form is much more useful than his old one.

The demon appears as I approach. It is a rage demon, and it looks like lava. "And so it comes to me at last," it says with a deep voice. "Soon I shall see the land of the living with your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul."

He does not frighten me. "Then come get me, if you can." My new staff and my companion's new form give me confidence.

"Oh, I shall. So this creature is your offering, Mouse? Another plaything, as per our arrangement?"

"I'm not offering you anything!" he protests quickly. "I don't have to help you anymore!"

"Aww, and after all those wonderful meals we shared? Now suddenly the mouse has changed the rules?"

There is contradiction in their exchange, but it doesn't surprise me. I have been looking at Mouse with suspicion from the beginning, when he asserted his tale of injustice while simultaneously claiming to remember nothing of life in the real world. Now this demon mentions shared meals? Nothing about this adds up.

"I'm not a mouse now! And soon I won't have to hide! I don't need to bargain with you!"

"We shall see," the demon says.

He attacks, Mouse transforms into a bear, and I try to keep an eye on both spirits while focusing my attacks on the rage demon. It is a harder fight than any of the others in the Fade so far, but my familiarity with the spell Winter's Grasp is extremely helpful. It's cold nature combats the fiery rage of the demon.

One final spell and the demon fades away. Mouse retakes human form and turns to me with a grin on his face. "You did it! You actually did it! When you came, I hoped that you might be able to... but I never really thought any of you were worthy."

"The ones you betrayed before me. What were their names?" I ask, folding my arms.

"What? They were not as promising as you. It was a long time ago. I... I don't remember their names. I don't even remember my own name!" he stutters. "It's the Fade, and the templars killing me, like they tried with you."

I don't know what has happened to my body in the real world, but I am certain that this is a lie. Or at least a wild stab in the dark. If even I do not know, Mouse absolutely cannot. "So what is it you think you can get from me?"

"You defeated a demon, you completed your test. With time, you'll be a master enchanter with no equal. And maybe there's hope in that for someone as small and as... forgotten as me. If you want to help."

Here it comes. I try not to let my apathy show on my face.

"There may be a way for me to leave here, to get a foothold outside. You just need to want to let me in."

"Not my problem, Mouse," I say, and turn to leave.

"No, no, no!" he says quickly, grabbing my arm. "It must be your choice. Quickly now, the templars are going to kill you!" He must sense that I am not at all convinced. "Can't you feel the sword at your neck? They believe all magic is evil, the Fade is evil. Once you are here, you become what they fear."

I am already what they fear. "Like you. Were you ever really an apprentice?"

"What? Yes! Of course! I mean, I think I was. Isn't that enough? It should be enough. For you." His face suddenly contorts with anger. "Maybe they are right about you. Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust... pride." Mouse transforms into a giant demon and looks down at me. "Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end."