Prologue: Taking Over Me
"Temptation is a woman's weapon and man's excuse."
Today was the day of the Harrowing. Today, I would leave my apprenticeship behind and become a full-fledged mage. It was exciting yes, but I was more terrified than anything. It was so nerve racking that I paced back and forth in the room as I waited for them to come and get me. There was just so much about being a mage that scared me. Why couldn't it have been my sister who showed all of the signs? It was clear she was the one who wanted to be apart of the circle, so why was I the one who was bestowed the dark gift? As I continued to pace however, I felt someone's presence in the room and I looked up. My eyes soon fell upon Cullen who appeared to be standing at the door watching me with his own dark eyes. The young Templar watched me quietly and I smiled at him, despite the nervous feeling churning in my stomach. I took in a deep breath and walked over to him, and greeted him with a nervous voice
"Good morning Cullen, how are you?"
"G-good morning Rose, I'm ok...yourself?" He questioned and stuttered. He was clearly aware that I was aware of the fact that he stuttered, but I never bugged him about it. It was actually rather cute in my opinion, but I assumed he thought differently of it. I smiled at him and replied with a calmer voice now.
"Just nervous is all, I don't want to go through the Harrowing but I must if I want to become a mage…"
"It really i-is terrifying…and about t-that…" He replied and I looked at him
"What do you mean, "about that?" Is it time that I go now?"
"Y-yes, and the fact that I was the one chosen to…"
"To...?" I questioned and drifted into a pause as I urged him to continue. He may have been adorable with the way he was so nervous but sometimes it was rather hard to get a single word out of him. Still, I smiled at him as I patiently waited for him to continue. Cullen then began to speak as he lowered his eyes to the floor beneath us.
"I was the one...chosen to strike you down if you became a m-monster…"
"Well, atleast someone I trust will do it." I said thoughtfully and tried to make the best of this situation. He on the other hand, looked absolutely terrified about it. Was he really this scared of killing me? I smiled to myself and said to him
"Well, lets go and get this over with, shall we?"
"Yes, lets." He replied and we both started for the Harrowing Chamber. Again, I took in a deep breath and walked quietly beside him. I had to admit, Cullen was rather cute, and I liked him but he was a Templar, and I was a mage, it was forbidden. And if I did become an abomination, he'd never get to know that I liked him more than just as a friend. I looked over to the Templar beside and mustered up my courage, he was going to know that I liked him, forbidden or not. I wanted him to know before I had the chance at become something cruel and twisted. So quietly, I began
"Cullen, may I ask you something?"
"S-sure." He replied quietly and looked at me with a worried look.
"Is it wrong that I like…a Templar? Me being a mage and all..." I questioned just as quiet. We both stopped and looked at one another. Cullen didn't speak, nor did he look at me. He took his eyes off of me and watched the ground with his probing eyes. Was it wrong that I had said anything? Was it honestly a mistake to even think about saying anything? A cold chill accompanied the dark tension as we continued to stay quiet. I lowered my gray eyes and I silently mumbled something.
"I guess I shouldn't have said that…"
"R-Rose, you can't love a Templar. I'm sure that templar would be amazed to have someone like you...b-but it's forbidden..." He replied and went to touch me on the shoulder. Was he even aware that I liked him? Was he honestly that dense to not see that it was clearly him who I have adorned for this long? Obviously not considering he replied with an answer such as so. I felt like crying, or better yet, not returning from the Fade. My eyes scanned the ground with glazed eyes and I was hoping to not catch his eye as we began to walk. Behind me I heard his heavy armor clunk as he followed closely behind. I wanted to run away from all of this but it had already been said and done so there was no point. I simply faded into my own thoughts as we had walked the rest of the way to the Chamber.
Finally, we had reached the Harrowing Chamber and First Enchanter Irving was waiting for us. I forced myself to look at him as he spoke to me.
"Rose, are you ready for your Harrowing?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." I stated without saying much more. Part of me knew something was going to happen, but I was a pessimist at heart and I always thought something would happen. I decided to be brave and looked Irving in the eye as he continued.
"Alright child, come with me." I did as told and followed him towards a little bowl of lyrium. The crystal blue swirled eerily and I couldn't help but feel so...entranced. Irving then began to tell me what I had to do, and that consisted of me overcoming a demon and then returning after all of that. He then looked to the lyrium and told me to take a little. I did as I closed my eyes and a sudden feeling of sleep over took me. Without much effort, I then awoke to find myself in the midst of a strange place.
I stood in silence as I looked for the demon that I had to overcome, but there was none to be found. So I decided to look for a demon, but Cullen was on my mind the whole time so I was too distracted to actually pay close attention. Once the harrowing was over I would pretend nothing was said and done, and try to move on with my life the best I could but it would be hard, and I knew it.
As I walked, I kept thinking of Cullen but had an odd feeling something was watching me. I kept looking behind me, hoping nothing was there but every time I looked however, I would notice something walking away from me. It unnerved me, but I decided to push on. I needed to hurry and get this over with as soon as possible but once again, I felt something's eyes upon me and I began to feel sad. I actually felt the need to be with Cullen even if he was too dense to realize this. My thoughts lingered upon the man I adored and I stopped. There was no feeling of moving on but rather to stay and think about him. Suddenly, I heard something say coo behind me.
"My sweet, it's a pleasure to be in your presence."
"Pardon? Who are you?" I questioned and turned around to face this thing that was speaking to me. Behind me stood a woman with light plum colored skin that was striped with darker purple stripes that went from her torso down to her legs. She had even darker black-violet hair that was held up in a large, messy bun and thick bangs hung over her left eye, which in turn were crimson just as her smiling lips were. She held her arms out to me as if she was beckoning me into a hug. I then noticed that both her arms were shrouded in a black bracer with chains. They went from her upper arms down to her fingers and there were little wings on the top. The gleaming red gems sparkled and I noticed there were in her collar as well. The sound of heeled boots clicked deviantly as she came closer to me to bestow that hung upon me. As she neared, I then soon noticed her tail and horns that were peaking out. Her horns were a deep, bloody scarlet color, unlike her precious ruby gems and crimson eyes. Her tail on the other hand, was obsidian with the same purple stripes that were on her body. She was smiling to me, and I was confused. She wasn't wearing much clothing besides what looked like a ebony undergarments. I felt slightly disturbed by her presence and soon enough it had occurred to me: Was she the demon I was supposed to overcome? Still, she was getting closer and she still smiled at me. I cocked an eyebrow at her as she said happily,
"My dearest Rose, it's wonderful to finally meet you in person! This is truly exciting! Oh, excuse me, I forgot to ask how you were. How rude of me."
"How do you know me?" I questioned
"Do you not recognize your own self? Please tell me you do." She pouted and swung her arms across her chest.
"Wait a second, did you just say "your own self?" Surely you can't be me, right? I mean, I wear actual clothing..." I stated quietly. She only laughed an airy, ringing laugh and looked said
"Well, we're not the same appearance wise, my dear. We share blood and I live in your dreams. I am what you wish to be, what you desire."
"That's not what I desire. I'm perfectly happy with who I am, and how I look." I retorted back as I looked at her. She only shook her head and continued to smile that demonic, eerie, ivory smile. Her gleaming red eyes looked straight into my gray ones as she said
"You're right; I'm not you or what you desire. I know exactly what you desire."
"What do you mean? How do you know? Are you a desire demon?" I questioned, suddenly aware of her demonic powers. She only glared at me as if I offended her, and she said
"Child, you're mistaken. I am not one of those wretched things. Do not ever mistake me for one of them. I, on the other hand, am a Succubus. A much more thrilling demon to be around, unlike those disgusting things you call 'Desire' demons."
"A Succubus?" I questioned unaware of these things. Yes, the Mages were always traveling in and out of the fade using either lyrium or dreams, but not all demons had been discovered. But even so, some were rarely seen or heard of to actually know something about them. A Succubus on the other hand, were very unheard of due to their un-interest in mages and mostly humans with powers. As far as we knew, they only lived in dreams and fooled with peoples desires of love or lust. She stared at me, completely unamused and said
"Little Rosie, you ask too many questions for my taste. Please, hush and listen to my offer."
"But I can't, I have to deal with a demon and get back to Cullen…" I replied and looked to the ground. I suddenly felt that wave of sorrow as I thought about not returning to him, and even if I did, him not accepting me anymore. Her sudden ringing laugh broke my thoughts once more and so did her words
"Is this Cullen what you desire? Is he that succulent, poison apple of your eye? Are you unsure of him not opening his heart to you?" I instantly looked up to her, watched her with my gray eyes and said
"Maybe, why?"
"Because, I can make him want you, need you. Love you." She replied and moved in closer. I then noticed her teeth, which were slightly pointed. I then looked to the ground and pondered her offer. She could make Cullen love me, just as I did him? Despite the odds, that would be wonderful. The thoughts of him not wanting me stung my heart. I wanted him badly, no matter what the cost was. I looked up to this thing and she cocked her head to the side and said
"Have you decided?"
"Are you sure you're going to make Cullen love me? Do you promise?"
"Oh, I promise alright. I love to keep my promises." She stared at me and smiled with her toothy grin.
"Alright, but one more thing, what's your name?" I questioned and looked at her
"It's Lyria my Little Rosie, now come." She replied and opened her shrouded arms again, beckoning me into that hug once more. I stood there for a second, wondering if this was a good idea, but thoughts of Cullen made me go to her. As I neared her she came closer then brought me into a hug. I closed my eyes, quietly wondering what was going on, and then she suddenly began to laugh quietly in my ear. My eyes tried to open but they had felt so heavy that I just kept them closed. Drowsily, I heard her say
"Thanks for the body, my Little Rosie. See you on the flip side." Suddenly, a tremendous amount of pain washed over me and I began to scream but it only sounded like a distant cry. She only laughed as it continued and I wanted it to stop so badly. Seconds later, it all went black and I was lost.
