Chapter 2

Wynne lead me up the marble stairs to the Harrowing Chamber, several of my peers starred at me oddly and a few nodded their approval. Templars were armed and they eyed me carefully, apparently afraid I was going to burst into flame and turn into an abomination. I moved slowly, and Wynne took a ladel and dipped some blue foaming potion into a vial.

"Are you ready Aioni?" She looked at me, she had aged considerably, her once blonde hair now was a soft white. She still looked at me the same way, and I knew she thought of me as her child, to some extent.

"Yes." My voice rang out softly in the large hall. I looked around one last time and saw that the Templars would indeed gut us both if something went wrong.

"It'll seem like a while, once we are in there. This is your first time with lyrium, so don't stray to far from me."

I nodded and I raised the vial to my lips and drank. I grew sleepy, and fell soundlessly to the floor. I remember Wynne sitting down slowly, and closing her eyes.

It was like a dream. There was a delicate mist spilling forth from somewhere unknown to me. I stood and stretched, and called out to Wynne. No answer came, I became nervous. Surely...she would be right next to me would she not?

I was in a wide open field, wildflowers were dancing joyfully in the wind. I could smell the fresh smell of grass, feel the wind tug at my hair and the bright sun shining down upon me. I lost myself to joy and ran to the center of the clearing. All I wanted to do was be free, to again see the world...But...this was not right!

I snapped out of it and back into attention. I had lost myself to emotion, the Fade was no place to do so. I heard a chuckle behind me.

"You do not like the world I had prepared for you? The flowers seemed so real didn't they?"

A...creature stated. It was in the form of a woman, with purple skin, a tail, and fire blazing from its eyes.

"Oh, but how I did enjoy it. That was problem."

"I could create another, or rather, you could let me back with you so you could be free of that damned tower?" She slyly began.

"Yes...that would be nice." The demoness licked her lips. "But if I am going to be free, it will be of my own deeds. " I smiled, "I would hate to use you for my own needs."

The demon laughed and smiled. "You were taught well mortal. But know this! I know who causes your dreams, I know who watches you while you sleep. Everything is not as it seems in your perfect cage." She spat and dispersed.

I thought about what she had said, but it made little sence, and honestly I didn't care. I know she was just trying to get inside of my head.

"WYNNE?" I called out again. This time I heard a faint cry back and I followed it until I found Wynne.

"Are you alright child?" I nodded and quickly told her of my encounter with the demoness. She frowned.

"Have I done something wrong?" I asked, I was rather enjoying the Fade. I didn't want to mess up my first time here.

"No! No, not at all. It's just ...oh, its nothing child." She smiled. "You could have come here on your own. I feel useless now!" She teased.

"Well, what else should I be careful of here?" I asked seriously.

"Everything! Always everything! This place is wondrous, yes, but it also will dement everything you see if you give it the chance. So be wary!"

"Thank you Wynne." I said and looked around. "How do we get out of here? This isn't like a normal dream. Surely..." I trailed off. I was starring at the sky.

"It used to be pure. This place was tainted long ago by men. They sought the Maker, and in their insolence brought upon us the Blight. Mages are feared for this...we are feared because of a mistake others made." Wynnes sighed.

We walked in silence for a while, and I grew tired. We shortly came to a lyrium vien, and I looked to Wynne, she pointed to the other one and took a vial and collected some and drank it quickly. I did the same and I found myself spiraling in the darkness.

"Have they turned to abominations? They were in there for quite a while?" I heard a Templar exclaim nervously. I opened my eyes quickly to find I was surronded by a small battalion of men with swords drawn.

"For the Love of!" I cried. "What in the Makers name? We were in there for five minutes and you're wanting to fillet me!"

"She's fine. She still has some bite to her." The men sighed in relief and sheathed their swords. I walked to Wynne and she was brushing the dirt off of her dress.

"You did well."

"Thank you." I beamed.

"I saw your bout with the demon. I would have stepped in if anyone went further, but you have to be aware! Constant vigilance!"

I grew red. Niall had walked by and smiled at me, Wynne caught my stare and smiled softly.

"You should go rest, go socialize. I'll call for you when we will begin again. Your dreams should be vivid, but theres no risk of demons. Don't worry!" She strode off, obviously tired from the short excursion into the Fade.

I walked quickly back to my room, and avoided Niall, I didn't want to talk to him...because I didnt know how I would even begin. I returned to my room and rested, and later I ate and changed into a silk night robe and went off to read in the solitude of the ancient library.

I read softly to myself for several hours, Templars made their hourly checks, and I began to grow drowsy. I heard a bump, and gasped. I was nearly asleep and was startled by the noise.

"Shh!" I heard a voice come. "Its just me!"

Niall emerged from around a corner and sat down next to me. "Congrats on today!" He smiled.

I felt myself blushing and nodded. "Thank you." I came softly.

"You've been avoiding me." He came shortly. "I know it. I'll walk by you in the corridors and you put your head down. Whats wrong?" He asked lowly.

He was only inches away..I turned to him and starred him in the eyes. I turned away from him. "You don't see it?" I began.

"Oh...oho...see what?" He stated. He touched my leg softly and I flinched a little bit. I began to breathe a little heavier. "Aha." He said finally, understanding.

"Yeah.." I said embarrassed. "I'm sorry." I began to stand but he pulled me down and brought his face into mine. I cringed at first but surrendered to his kiss.

"HEY!" A Templar came. "WHAT ARE YOU KIDS DOING? THIS AREA IS FOR STUDYING, AND NO, NOT THAT KIND!" We both darted away, obviously scarded to death the Templar was indeed possesed by some sort of noisy rage demon.