Might or Magic

by BloodUnbound

Tales will always be told about the Blight in Ferelden. The shortest in history, it was the one that had the best chance at ending the world. If not for a handful of Grey Wardens, this story would not be told at all. The Hero of Ferelden, the Warden who struck the killing blow against the Archdemon and lived... Who were they really? A tale of four survivors who grew into legends.

4. Chapter 3

Summary:

The Circles of Magi were the Chantry's solution for training mages throughout Thedas. For many, Circles are places of learning; mages can learn to control their magic so they are not a threat to anyone. Others see them as prisons, keeping the mages locked away from the outside world for fear of their power.
Nearly every mage in the Circle had lived with their families before their magic manifested. Once they were known as mages, they were taken to live among others of their kind in the Circle, always under the watchful eyes of the Templar Order.
While some are content with the way things are, not all are satisfied with their role in the Circle.

---

9:30 Dragon, Draconis 6th

---

Back for more, my sweet?

Nereus smiled at the hazy image before him and shook his head. "Please, darling. Not tonight. I have a headache."

The Desire demon flickered in front of him, running her claw tipped hands all over her supple body. Her fangs flashed in her bewitching smile as she casually sashayed over to him. I can fix that, sweet thing. Her whole body was pressed up against him and he could feel her nipples pushing against the thin fabric of his robe. You know what to do, don't you?

The young mage laughed, yet took full advantage of running his hands along the voluptuous form of the Desire demon. She was certainly a sight to behold. Unfortunately she was a sight that he was very familiar with. She had tempted him nearly every night ever since he had come to the Tower. Wicked woman. Er, demon. Did she really count as a woman? She had a name, didn't she? His hand cupped one of her perfectly shaped breasts and he decided that, yes, she most definitely counted as a woman.

Unfortunately… she was still a demon. "Let you in? Ambrosia, darling, I think it would be the other way around."

At least the demon had the good grace to laugh as well, running her hand along his chest to the neck of his robe. Mmm… yes. That's one way to go about it.Her fingertips scorched a trail down the center of the fabric, tearing it in the center and revealing the pale mage-flesh beneath. Gripping a particularly stiff piece of said flesh, the epitome of Desire licked her lips seductively. I know you want me. Nereus Elaethan Amell.

He shuddered at her touch and quietly wished that such an encounter was not so evil. "Don't even think about it, gorgeous."

Another not so subtle touch left him moaning in her grasp and Ambrosia smiled wickedly. Even though it is what you wish? I can give you everything you ever need. Love, companionship… power.

The last word was felt with a trickle of such power being forced inside of him. He could already feel his magic responding to her offer. It was so very tempting… even if it was the same old song and dance. He knew that she could give it to him. No one could stand against him then.

But no. He could not do that. He knew what would happen. He would have his power for a time, but she would take what was hers in the end. As much as he wanted to be on top of the world, Nereus didn't want to be transformed into a mindless monster to be commanded by the sultry temptress before him. Nothing was worth that.

Sighing a bit, he reached down and removed her hand from his dick, gently moving her talons away from the sensitive member. "No. Not tonight. Not ever. You know this."

Not even a hint of anger flashed through the eyes of the beautiful demon. She simply allowed herself to be put at an arm's length and smiled. A girl can dream, can't she?

Nereus shook his head and chuckled in response to her remark. "Not with me, darling."

If a demon could pout, he was sure that's what she would be doing. Maybe she was. It was just so hard to tell, what with her being ridiculously alluring all of the time. Then, strangely enough, her eyes hardened with serious intent. Reject me now, if you wish. I will go. Her words brought him no comfort and she went on to make it even worse. This game is far from over, Nereus Elaethan Amell. It was always so creepy when she said his full name like that. As if she already had a small plot of his soul staked out. You will give me what I want yet. In time, my dear mage. In time.

---

He awoke in a cold sweat to two pairs of cold, armor clad arms ripping him from his warm bed. For a moment he panicked at the sensation and wondered if it was another attempt from his Templar guard dogs to rough him up for the night. Maybe they were catching on to him, maybe-

No. He quieted those thoughts right away and ordered his rapidly beating heart to slow its pace. If that was what they'd wanted they would have silenced him already, drained him of his mana. They didn't do that, though. They just silently dragged him out of the apprentice quarters past a few pairs of curious eyes and into the hallway.

The Tower was frightfully cold that late at night and he could feel certain parts of himself wanting to contract and hide inside his body. It was not a pleasant sensation in the least. His captors paid him no mind other than to tug his thin body up between the two of them as they hauled him through the stone corridors. When they reached the first flight of stairs, Nereus finally realized what was going on.

The Harrowing. They had taken him from his bed in the middle of the night to bring him to his Harrowing. There had been rumors among the senior mages that his time was coming soon, but when asked about it, they had denied knowing anything concrete. He was twenty-two years old and he had not yet been called for his Harrowing. He was beginning to think that something was wrong with him. Or worse, that they were considering making him Tranquil. But Jowan's Harrowing hadn't come yet either and the other mage had been at the Tower before even Nereus had been brought there.

At least now he knew that nothing was wrong. If they'd been meaning to make him Tranquil then they wouldn't be taking him to the Harrowing Chamber.

"You are bringing me to the Harrowing Chamber, aren't you?" He asked quietly, just a little nervous with all of the silence surrounding him.

To his horror, the Templars said nothing in response. They didn't so much as glance at him. All they did was continue forward with their ascent.

Dread began to grow in knots in the pit of his stomach. What if they didn't go all the way to the top of the Tower? What if they took him off into some room and just outright killed him? They had to know. They had to; there was no other reason for what they were doing.

Time seemed to stretch on as Nereus tried to calculate his chances of successfully taking out the two Templars that held him. He couldn't very well cast a hex for paralysis with the both of them holding his arms. If he muttered the evocation under his breath they would surely hear him in the quiet of the halls. Sure, their armor clanked about enough to cover most sounds, but they would surely hear him before he got a chance to get the spell steady. No, he would have to wait until they took him to whatever place they planned on killing him in.

His panic was reaching a new height when they passed the very last doorway on the way to the Harrowing Chamber. That meant that the spacious chamber at the top of the Tower was the only stop left.

The apprentice let out an audible sigh with the knowledge that his Harrowing was the only option left to him. Either he would pass the mysterious test and become a full-fledged Circle Mage, or he would fail and be slain by the Templars. There was no other way.

When they passed through the arched doorway into the Harrowing Chamber, Nereus took in the sight with a smile in place. There were several Templars and mages already waiting, as well as the First Enchanter. The two Templars holding him released him, causing him to kneel and catch himself rather than fall flat on his face. It would be a shame to hurt his face.

Dusting his hands on his meager robes, he realized there was a perfectly straight burn that traveled down a good six inches in the center of the fabric, baring the top of his pale chest to those assembled in the room. Awkward.

Clapping his hands together and rubbing them for warmth (normally he would use fire for that, but he didn't want to spook the tin cans), he said, "Well, I'm glad to see you bad boys haven't started the party without me."

One of the Templars coughed to stifle a laugh while the others looked on disapprovingly through the slits in their visors. The First Enchanter simply smiled and motioned for him to come closer. When he did, he noted that one of the Templars wasn't wearing a bucket helmet. It took him a moment to recognize the man, but he quickly realized he was looking at the Knight-Commander.

Maybe now would be a good time to shut up and not patronize the nice Templar. He sobered up and nodded respectfully.

Knight-Commander Gregoir took a step forward and looked down at the young man before him. Nereus wanted to avert his eyes, but felt like he shouldn't. So he stared up at the striking figure that just so happened to be the leader of Ferelden's Templars. The older man never broke his gaze as he opened his mouth to speak. "'Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him.' 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 sounded like the same sermon he heard over and over again at the Circle's Chantry every week. Great. He should have expected that. However, the Knight-Commander wasn't done yet. "Your magic is a gift, but it's also a curse, for demons of the dream realm – the Fade – are drawn to you, and seek to use you as a gateway into this world."

After that little speech, the First Enchanter took up the reigns, locking eyes with Nereus as well. "This is why the Harrowing exists. The ritual sends you into the Fade, and there you will face a demon, armed with only your will."

For a moment, he wanted to cackle madly at the notion of facing a demon in the Fade. As if he hadn't done that already. Then he remembered his place and he remembered what would happen if he didn't act appropriately. "A… a demon. You're serious?"

The Knight-Commander didn't seem to like his response. He glowered down at the mage and reprimanded him in a stern voice. "Know this, apprentice: if you fail, we Templars will perform our duty. You will die."

If words had swords attached to the ends of them, these ones might have done away with the rest of Nereus's robes. Poor material thing. It had never done anything to anyone. He looked away from the Templar, sharp blue eyes seeking out the stone floor instead. "I know."

Seemingly satisfied with his meekness, Gregoir stalked away from the apprentice and motioned to a pedestal glowing a vibrant blue in the darkness of the chamber. "This is lyrium: the very essence of magic and your gateway into the Fade."

Carefully watching his step, he followed the Knight-Commander over to the mysterious liquid metal. He had tasted lyrium once before when his mana had been seriously depleted. Nicked it from storage when no one was around. It had definitely come in handy after one of his troubles at the Tower. Nasty stuff. It looked pretty enough, but it tasted like metal and it wasn't pleasant. He wrinkled his nose at it and looked up when he heard Irving moving towards him.

The old mage leaned in to him, clasping him on the shoulder in a show of support. "The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity, child. 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."

Gregoir glared down at the First Enchanter, moving to separate the two mages with a gauntleted hand gesture. "The apprentice must go through this test alone, First Enchanter." He turned his disapproving eyes to Nereus and moved him in the direction of the lyrium. "You are ready."

Another moment of panic and indecision rode over him at the Templar's words. Was he ready? He'd been worrying that he hadn't undergone his Harrowing, so that must mean he believed he was ready. Right? Maker, this is far too confusing. And nerve-wracking. He swallowed thickly and looked away from the First Enchanter to stare into the Knight-Commander's calculating eyes. "I am."

Getting a nod from Gregoir, he stepped up to the pedestal that contained the glowing lyrium. He could already feel its power, even before he settled a hand over it. Carefully lifting his hand over it, he felt the power from the lyrium jump into him, stunning him momentarily. He felt his consciousness slipping as the power of the Fade took him over.

He closed his eyes.

---

When he opened them, he was in a construct of the Fade. It was nowhere and everywhere. It didn't quite resemble anything he had ever seen before, which was unusual for the Fade. Normally he was in the Tower, or a house, or an open field. Something normal and on the grounds of familiarity. This… was something else.

That's because it's not a product of your mind.

Wherever that thought had come from, he knew it to be true. He was on unfamiliar territory now. Instead of the usual real-world quality it seemed to hold for him, it was for once a twisted nightmare realm of unholy mockery. Perhaps now he was seeing the Fade in its true form.

Looking around a bit, he found strange statues and a devastated landscape. Everything was the color of parchment and it looked… unfinished, in a sense. It really didn't look like much fun. Upon further inspection, he realized that he appeared to be in some sort of ruin. There were collapsed columns and stone wreckage lying all about the strange dream world.

Feeling uneasy and strangely exposed, he left the ruins behind and soon found a winding path. "Well, it's not much for a road, but along I'll go." With a frown in place, he started down the path at a leisurely pace. He didn't know when he would face the demon, after all.

Not far along, a small glowing orb appeared before him. Curious, he moved towards the little light, only to have it shock him. Yelping in surprise more than pain, he raised his hand and blasted it with an arcane bolt before it could do any damage. Twisting his lips in distaste, he looked at the small burn hole that the strange Fade being had left in his robes. That was unexpected. And it certainly wasn't a demon. He would have to be more wary if even tiny spirits could do damage to him there.

Keeping his eyes peering about for any other unsuspecting dangers, he was particularly surprised when he saw the form of a large rat coming out onto the path to greet him. He had seen other dreamers in the Fade under all sorts of guises, but that was when he'd been out in the open parts of the Fade, where many minds had connected. This appeared to be a closed pocket of the spirit realm, so it was unlikely that there would be other dreamers. It had to be a trap.

The rat looked up at him and Nereus realized that it was talking. "Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever. It isn't right that they do this, the Templars. Not to you, me, anyone!"

Trying to keep an amused expression from taking up residence on his face, the young mage said, "Um. Yes. You… you're a talking rat."

The rat snorted. Snorted. He hadn't been aware a rat could even do that. "You think you're really here? In this body? You look like that because you think you do!"

The mouse stood on its hind legs and in a flash it transformed into a man wearing a mage's garb. He was a plain looking lad. His hair was a boring wheat sort of color and his facial traits generally uninteresting. In this version of the Fade, his appearance was hazy and Nereus found it difficult to really stare at him for longer than a few seconds. It was someone that could easily be forgotten or mistaken for someone else. He was wearing the robes of a senior enchanter, of all things.

The former rat sighed and shook his head. "It's always the same. But it's not your fault. You're in the same boat I was, aren't you? Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me… well, Mouse."

Nereus let slip a small, wry smile at that. "Hm, thanks. Mouse, huh? Not your real name, I take it. Maker, I should hope not."

Mouse smiled and shook his head. "No. 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."

"That's not going to happen to me," Nereus countered, crossing his arms in defiance. "I'm going to find this demon or whatever and finish this. I know how to deal with their kind."

His companion's lips twitched slightly at that remark. "Really? That has been said before. But you don't know the danger."

The arrogant mage smiled his most charming smile. "No, trust me. I do."

"I doubt that. There's something here, contained, just for an apprentice like you. You have to face the creature, a demon, and resist it… if you can." He sounded quite desperate, as if he truly wanted him to understand the true danger lurking in the murky contents of the Fade.

With a smile in place, Nereus clapped Mouse on the shoulder and started walking down the path once more. "Right then. Resist the demon, gotcha. I'll just be on my way then."

Mouse didn't stay behind, though. He just jogged after him and cut him off before he could go much further. "Were you even listening to me? There is a powerful demon just waiting to get its hands on you! A young apprentice like you, all alone in an unfamiliar piece of the Fade… This is just a test for you, but a tease for the creatures of the Fade."

"Look, buddy," he said, looking Mouse up and down and not feeling particularly impressed by the former mage's appearance. "I understand. I've dealt with a sexy Desire demon for most of my life since coming to this blasted Circle, okay? I didn't give in to her and I'm sure as the Void not going to give in to whatever is trapped here. Got it?"

The other man sneered, throwing his hands up in distaste. "A Desire demon! They prey upon pleasures of the flesh and ignorant cravings. What you face is powerful, cunning. It is not something to be underestimated."

Putting his hands on his hips, Nereus lifted a brow at Mouse's warnings. "Fine. Then if you're so knowledgeable, why didn't you make it out of here alive?"

"I…" The plain man looked stricken for a second, as if Nereus had slapped him instead of asked him a question. "I was young and ignorant once. Like you. When you spend enough time here, you learn things. I've seen so many apprentices come and go here. So many that didn't listen, arrogantly thinking they could handle it all on their own. They rushed to their deaths."

There was something about what he said that struck out at Nereus. He was talking to a dead man. A mage, like him, who had entered the Fade and died in the real world. He did not want to end up like this lost soul. Not yet.

Sighing heavily, he lowered his hands from their resting place on his hips and looked to the other man with compliance in his eyes. "Alright. What should I do?"

Mouse's eyes brightened considerably, although Nereus still wasn't sure what color they were. "Keep your wits about you. You would be a fool to just attack anything you see. There are others here, other spirits. They will tell you more, maybe help. If you can believe anything you see." Just as he had taken human form, there was a flash of light and the spirit morphed back into his former rodent appearance. "I'll follow, if that's all right. My chance was long ago, but you… you may have a way out."

Shrugging in response, the mage stepped around the rat (he really did look more like a rat than a mouse) and started on the path again. "Do what you wish, I won't stop you."

They traveled along the Fade path together with minor interferences now that Nereus knew what to expect from the strange little wisps of spirits. As soon as he saw one, he sent out a bolt of energy or a flame. His aim was a bit unwieldy at first, since he was used to using a staff to direct the energy, but he eventually got better.

After walking in silence for some time, he paused to see if Mouse was still with him. He was. The large rodent was just loping along quietly behind him. "You know," he decided to strike up a conversation in place of the eerie quiet of the Fade. "I'm actually quite familiar with the Fade. It's just that most dreamers I come across don't shapeshift into something like a mouse."

"That's because they think a larger more ferocious form will protect them from demons and nightmares," Mouse explained, sounding amused by the very idea that something like that might actually work. "It's so much easier to hide, to escape, when you're small."

"Huh. Good point," the apprentice said, taking a bit of stock in the spirit's words. "Still… you look more like a rat than a mouse with that size."

Mouse chuckled lightly at the remark. "Yes, well, you'd hardly be able to see me if I were a tiny little mouse. So, this form will have to do for now." His words grew faint near the end and Nereus turned to see the spirit had paused. "A dangerous spirit is not far. Don't go near it unless you're ready to fight."

They were about to come around a bend in the path where more of the Fade's dreamscape was opened to them. There was definitely something nearby and it filled the young mage with a sense of dread. Whenever he'd been around the Desire demon he'd been overwhelmed with a sense of lust, but this… whatever it was left him feeling hot rage inside. It was different, powerful. Not as powerful as Desire had felt, though. "Could this be the demon?"

"It could be. I don't really want to find out, though." Mouse said, catching up to him again.

He wasn't exactly up for a fight. Not yet, at least. He wanted to see about finding other spirits that might help him, first. If what Mouse said was true, then he would want to be prepared for this fight. "Let's not find out then. I want to see about these other spirits you mentioned."

After rounding another corner, it was obvious where the dangerous spirit lurked. Flames licked the ground in a circular alcove that was separated from the rest of the Fade. Nereus skirted around it cautiously and he felt Mouse at his heels. A dark feeling radiated from the flames and the land it surrounded. He didn't want to be around there unless he absolutely had to. And time was of the essence.

Soon enough, he found himself being assaulted by more glowing orbs. In the midst of blasting them with more energy, he turned to look for Mouse, wondering if the spirit was being attacked as well. The cowardly thing was hiding in a crevice that almost looked carved into the meat of the Fade. "What the Void are these things?!"

When he had finally finished the last glowing light with a bolt of lightning, Mouse came out of his hiding place with an answer. "Wisp wraiths," the spirit said, speaking lowly and following along closely. "They were once demons, so I've judged. They lost their power or they were destroyed. Now this is all that's left of them. If something moves, they try to destroy it with what little power they have left."

Nereus wiped imaginary sweat from his brow and frowned down at his little advice giving rat. "Greeaaat. Just what I need." He sighed and looked at the burn holes in his robes and wondered if he was receiving the very same markings on his real body. "At least they're weak."

The path was straight forward and soon enough, the two of them spotted a spirit resembling a knight of some sort near a dream-like armory. It wasn't something Nereus would have thought to see in such a broken rendition of the Fade. He heard his companion make a little scoffing noise from down below. "Another spirit this way. It never seemed equal to its name, to me."

"Looks like a templar… I've never seen a spirit like this before. Only demons." That sure said a lot about his experience. It probably wasn't the best thing to admit, but hey, Mouse wouldn't be telling anyone anything.

Upon approaching the majestic spirit, he had expected it to greet him in some way as Mouse had. Instead, the spirit seemed to be doing its best to ignore his presence. "Excuse me. Hello. Um, spirit?"

At last it seemed to note his company. Its helmed head turned towards him and when it spoke, a booming voice echoed out from the armor. "Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see." From the way it spoke, it seemed the spirit truly had not noticed him previously. It shook its head, as if shamed, before it spoke again. "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."

Raising an eyebrow at the straightforward nature of the spirit, Nereus did his best to suppress his laughter with a cough. "Fight each other? Contrary to what people would say of us, we are more scholars than warriors."

"That's for sure."

"Shut it, Mouse."

The spirit's ghostly eyes were glowing through its helm with such fierceness that Nereus was starting to wonder what sort of a being he was dealing with. It certainly wasn't anything evil, he could tell that much. It was powerful though, there was no doubt about that. "They would have you battle a demon. With magic or weapon, to be the victor makes you a warrior still." The spirit paused for a moment and seemed to consider his being there to speak to it. "That you remain means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come."

"And here I was told we'd have to rely on the power of our minds to defeat the demon. I'm much more prepared for a battle of wits." He said this in addition to a dramatic sigh, as if truly disappointed by the outcome. He had known it wouldn't exactly be a battle of banter between him and the demon. The spirit didn't seem to be all that amused by his comment, though. "Eh… I see you're not the joking type. Right. What kind of spirit are you, Ser?"

The spirit in templar armor straightened its posture even more – if it was possible – and replied in its resonant voice, "I am Valor, a warrior spirit. I hone my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat."

Nodding appreciatively, the mage looked about at the many weapons assembled on the racks behind Valor. Maker's balls, he even has a forge back there. Such a normal thing amidst the chaos he was seeing in the raw Fade made him shake his head. It was odd, really.

"That's a nice selection you've got there," he said, motioning at the various armaments laid out. "Did you create all of these weapons?"

Valor nodded, turning to spread his glowing gaze over his deadly creations. "They are brought into being by my will. 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."

At that last comment, Nereus blatantly laughed. The very idea that non-mages would consider their lives to be empty for their lack of magic! It was quite the idea. He could not imagine life as anything other than a mage, but he would pay dearly to live life as something other than what he was. "Oh, sure. I wish you could tell them that!" He liked the spirit. It sure had its priorities straight, at least. Smiling a bit, he held a hand out and asked, "Would one of these weapons affect the demon? I could certainly use the help, if I'm to believe what I've been told."

The spirit nodded immediately, as if sparing no thought for the question. He already knew the answer, after all. "Without a doubt. In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought." To prove his point, he drew a heavy two handed sword from one of the racks and held it before Nereus and Mouse. The small spirit leapt back and hid behind the lanky mage who simply stared at the blade. It certainly looked convincing for something that was made out of a spirit's thoughts. "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." Satisfied that he had proven his point, he slid the sword into a slot on his armored back.

"Well… I see you have a few lovely staves over there," the mage said, trying on that charming smile of his again. "Maybe you could see it in your heart to lend me one?"

Assessing him from beyond his helm, Valor looked to the staves in question before returning his gaze to Nereus. "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."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Back up!" He shouted, throwing his hands out in front of him as if to ward off the spirit's words. "Me? Duel you? Ah, look, Valor, pal, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a mage. You… kind of look like a templar. I don't think I'd be much of a match for you."

"I told you he didn't match up to his name," Mouse said pointedly, looking between the mage and the spirit.

"Shush, Rat."

"Mouse."

"Whatever."

Valor didn't seem interested in their squabble. "Mortal, if you wish for my aid, then you will accept my challenge as a true warrior."

"But I'm not a warrior! I'm a mage! I… I don't fight things." He tried to plead his case, but the spiritual tin can wasn't having any of it.

"Do not pretend with me, mortal," the spirit boomed, eyes glowing passionately. "I see you. You attack from the depths of lust with trickery and spite. You have warrior's blood, but a coward's heart. You fight from the shadows for fear of judgment in order to see that justice is done. A victim's justice, yes, but justice nonetheless." Valor drew his sword from his back once more and pointed it at Nereus who stood just out of reach. "Now, duel me with honor, mortal. Show me your true heart!"

For a moment, Nereus was unsure of what he should do. Run screaming sounded like a good option right then. That spirit in its templar's guise knew his darkest secrets and his deepest fears. It could see through him like he was nothing but clear glass. If it knew… then it could very well be within its rights to strike him down.

He ignored the questioning gaze he was surely getting from Mouse. He stepped forward, right up to Valor's blade. "I accept."

The spirit withdrew its blade. "As you should, mortal."

Shaking a bit, Nereus tried to do his best to sound confident. "What are the conditions for this duel?"

"We battle until I am convinced you are strong enough to defeat your demon," Valor explained, walking over to a clearing well away from its forge and its weapons. "If you do not convince me, I will slay you. Are these rules understood?"

"Gee, that sounds fair," he huffed, following the armor clad spirit. "Yes, yes, they're understood."

Valor spun from its spot in their makeshift sparring circle. "Our duel begins now! Fight with Valor!"

Without a staff he had no real way to direct his power accurately. He would have to use evocations and help for the best. "Hiberna occupo!" He cried, shooting his hand out at the spirit and freezing it with a winter's grasp spell. Luckily for him, his armored opponent had apparently not expected that sort of assault. Hey, he hadn't said 'no magic'. Even if it was the quick and dirty kind.

Still, the ice wouldn't last long. He closed the distance between himself and the spirit then quickly ran in a circle around the frozen being, dragging a foot through the ground of the dream world as he went. With a circle in place, he threw himself to the ground and etched in the Dwarven rune for 'paralyze.' He could hear the ice cracking as the momentum of the spirit moved through his spell. He took a breath and whispered, "Habitum."

The rune lit up along with the circle and the ice fell from Valor in sheets of cold. Still, the spirit could not move a muscle. Nereus laughed nervously at the situation. "Right then." Taking a few steps back, he gathered his mana together for an arcane bolt. The shoddy paralyze hex wouldn't hold for long, but it would be enough for him to get one good shot in. He'd only used a little bit of energy on the wisp wraiths, but he'd need to use more on Valor. After a few seconds, he felt like it would be enough. He twisted his hands and fingers in the right formation for the spell and zeroed in on his target. The blast left his hands in a glimmering white hot bolt of power, plowing into the spirit and knocking it to the ground.

To his shock, Valor still moved to get up. Nereus stepped well out of reach and held his hand out in warning. "I can hit you with another winter's grasp before you even think about getting over here. Then it's just rinse and repeat, pal. I can do this all night."

Yeah, he was bluffing, but it sure sounded good. The spirit seemed to think so, too.

"Enough!" Valor shouted, picking itself up and moving back towards its precious weapons. "Your strength is sufficient to the task. The staff is yours."

Following the spirit once more, Nereus was pleased when it placed a staff with a bladed end into his hands. "Er, thanks. Are we done then?"

"I believe so," the spirit remarked, nodding to him. "May you find glory in all your achievements, mortal."

Testing the weight of the staff in his hand, he deemed it a worthy weapon and bowed before the spirit of Valor. "You as well, spirit."

Turning away from the Fade being, he started down the path with Mouse at his side. Looking down at the small creature, he let slip a smirk and said, "And that's how it's done."

He swore the little rat had rolled his eyes at him. "You are a master of manipulation and lying."

Puffing out his chest and twirling the staff in his hands, the mage casually strolled along as if he knew the lay of the land like the back of his hand. "I know. You don't need to tell me twice."

As they put more distance between their own selves and Valor, Mouse seemed to grow more nervous with every step. With a flash of light, he was once more a man and walking close to Nereus's right side as he warily looked about the Fade. "It is dangerous to be out in the open like this. Not that hiding helps much in the Fade."

The young mage shrugged, toying with the staff in his hands as he walked. "Well, you're not dead yet. So to speak. I mean, you seem to have done well enough here to survive."

He winced hard at the 'dead' comment and wondered if Mouse would take offense to it. It had just slipped out before he could even think it through. For him, it was just a normal thing to throw out there in an awkward situation.

Apparently Mouse didn't look intent on taking his words to heart. "I have, but at a cost. I can only hide for a short time."

They continued down the path, passing a few warped ideas about the real world here and there, as well as a few of the wandering wisp wraiths. With Valor's staff, he was able to accurately dole out his spells, making quick work of the weak spirits. Mouse seemed to know that he could handle it as well, since he didn't revert to his rodent form and hide at the sight of the things. Why wasn't he helping, anyway?

"Mouse, if all you do is run and hide from danger, how have you survived out here?" He thought it was a valid question. The former mage spoke about helpful spirits and the great dangers of the dream world, but all he did was hide and occasionally offer half-baked advice. How was it that the cowardly spirit avoided becoming a demon's snack? "How long have you been here?"

The spirit looked ashamed, turning his face away to look out at the surreal landscape as he quietly spoke. "I missed my chance. So I became small. Unnoticeable. I hide from the bigger things, learn from the smaller things." He looked up into the hazy sky, his eyes searching out the form of the Black City as he did so. "There are places you can hide where the shadows go on forever. You stay there long enough, and the shadows begin to creep inside of you…" He shook his head and looked away from the ever present landmark of the Fade. His eyes, whatever color they were, looked haunted and tired. "I… don't know how long it's been. Forever, maybe."

Well, that didn't sound suspicious. Particularly not after hearing about how there was some sort of cost to his muted presence. Not wanting anything to show on his face, Nereus stoically looked ahead. "The templars simply killed you? They didn't wait to see if you turned into an abomination?"

Mouse shrugged, clearly not having an answer for what the Chantry dogs did. "That is what happens to the physical bodies of apprentices who fail. They'd kill every mage if they could. All the templars see in magic is danger." His voice bore the weight of years of bitterness and strife. It was all too clear what he thought of the templars and their participation in the Circles around Thedas. His eyes burned with anger as his voice rose above its normal mellow drawl. "And they don't just use the Harrowing as an excuse. If you learn a little too much, they'll label you a blood mage and kill you on sight!"

His eyes were pleading for him to understand and Nereus couldn't deny that what the spirit said was true. He'd known so many mages in the Circle that had lost their lives based on accusations of blood magic. Never had he known of any of the rumors to be true. Mages like him, good people, were slain out of fear, ignorance, and jealousy. Worse things happened if they weren't just outright killed. He knew that well enough. More than once he had contemplated ending it all, but he had never given in. Death was just another demon, another temptation. He would not give in.

"True mages," Mouse continued, his voice pierced through Nereus's thoughts like a knife, drawing his attention back to the spirit. "Like you, know that the power you hold is the gateway to greater things. A potential they can never hope to contain!"

"You're right," he heard himself saying, without even thinking. This was at least something he agreed with. He looked back at Mouse and wondered what sort of a man he had been before becoming trapped in the Fade. "What they do to us is wrong. The way they control us… It's not right."

His companion nodded his agreement, speaking more fervently now that he knew that he had the attention he wanted. "No. It's not. The templars,and the Chantry, and all of it. They're all paranoid. The lot of them." If he didn't know any better, he'd say that Mouse was a bit paranoid himself. Having lived in the Circle for most of his life, though, he knew that the other man was right, again. "They have no right to treat true mages this way! You could stand up to them! If they gave you the chance." All of a sudden, the light in his eyes and words died out and Mouse turned his head away, speaking in his downtrodden voice once more. "You… you don't want to lose yourself here. Being nothing would be easier than this."

The rally Mouse had started in him died down immediately at those broken words. "Do you… want to die? You sound miserable."

For a moment, the spirit said nothing. He just stared down at his hands, as if he didn't know what to do with them right then. Shaking his head again, Mouse shivered as a flash of light enveloped his body and he returned to his rodent form. "I… think you should finish your Harrowing."

Taking Mouse's cue to move on, Nereus followed the winding path in search of more spirits. There had to be more that could aid him. Valor couldn't be the only one, after all. Surely Mouse would have said so if there were no more to see. He didn't want to waste any more time, after all. Speaking of spirits, he was shocked when his ears were assaulted by, of all things, the howling of wolves. He strained his eyes through the murk of the Fade to see a whole pack of glowing white wolves rushing towards him with snapping jaws at the ready.

"Mouse!" He knew the little coward was hiding, but an update on the beasties would be nice.

He heard the other man's voice from a little ways off, to his left. "They're spirit wolves! They're not demons, just spirits that are taking on an intimidating form. Treat them like normal wolves!"

"Gotcha," he said, shooting out a fireball that blasted the pack apart with ease. The spirits regained their footing and started at him again as he shot out arcane bolts and the occasional winter's grasp. One of them leapt at him and was close to throwing him down when he slashed at it with the staff, knocking the spirit beast away with a yelp. He whirled around to face the wolf, just in time for it to latch onto his leg with its all-too-real and sharp teeth. He cried out in pain as he blasted it with a bolt of lightning and scorched it into dust.

Panting for breath through his pain and fear, Nereus took a look at his leg and groaned when he saw the blood. "Maker, this had better not be making a mark back in the real world!"

Mouse came running up to him in his human form, juggling what looked like glowing orbs of light in his shaking hands. "Nereus! Here, take this."

"What is it?" He asked, reaching for the shimmering orb with a tentative hand. The energy that radiated from the item was soothing, calm, and nice. He took the strange sphere from Mouse and moved it over to his injured leg. The light pulsed, letting out more of its positive energy, before flowing over his leg and enveloping it in a cool, blue light. He watched as the wound knitted itself together in quick, fluid movements, leaving nothing behind but the stain of blood.

"Thank goodness," Mouse said, dropping to the ground beside him. "That could have made walking difficult. Are you alright?"

The panicked mage nodded, staring at his now healed leg. "Yeah… yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."

Mouse smiled and stood, offering him a hand to help pull him to his feet, which he accepted. "Oh, good. I'm glad. Here," he said, handing him the rest of the lights, "You should hold on to these. Just in case."

He pocketed the shimmering orbs with a thankful smile. "I will. Thank you."

"Be cautious. There is… another spirit here. Not the one hunting you, but still." He said this as he looked out at the path ahead of them, his eyes cautious.

Nereus followed his gaze and made out a large, dark shape in the distance. It wasn't moving towards them, so that must be a good sign. Looking down at Mouse, who had returned to his smaller appearance, he said, "Let's go."

After the encounter with the spirit wolves, his faith in the helpful spirit had solidified, but for a strange, niggling feeling in the back of his mind. His long buried paranoia was screaming at his brain to wake up, but he felt fine. He and Mouse shared a lot of the same views, views that he would be terrified to express to any other mage for fear of the templars finding out. The spirit was a coward, but he was kind and helpful. He had refused to let Nereus go off into the raw Fade on his own, tagging along even when the arrogant apprentice had preferred to go it alone. He had proven himself to be useful and good natured, even if he possessed such rage against the Chantry and its ilk. Something like that was normal for a mage who had been killed by a templar. He couldn't exactly blame the poor guy.

Coming to the edge of the Fade island, they come across a rather prickly looking bear lying on its side in the path. Looking up, the spirit eyed them with great boredom, yawning before speaking in a low, drawling voice. "Hmm… so you are the mortal being hunted? And the small one… is he to be a snack for me?"

Clearly shaken by the beast's 'snack' comment, Mouse took the opportunity to return to his human form once more. He stood just a little behind Nereus, allowing him to be the one to face the creature. "I don't like this. He's not going to help us. We should go…."

The thorny looking creature heaved himself to his feet, causing both Nereus and Mouse to take a few steps back in fear. The strange being looked more than capable enough of tearing them to shreds. He sniffed at them, sighing a bit and saying, "No matter. The demon will get you eventually, and perhaps there will even be scraps left."

Seeing as the bear-thing was apparently too lazy to snatch them up all on his own, Nereus took a brave step forward. He would not cower in front of his opponent. If the spirit could help him, then it would be better for him to appear capable in front of it. "What do you know about this demon?"

The creature laughed and it sounded like it was drowning. It was the most eerie laugh that the mage had ever heard. "I know that you will fail your test and he will eat you. Begone! Surely you have better things to do than bother Sloth, mortal. I tire of you already."

Now that was some interesting news. "Sloth? Aren't you one of the most powerful demons?"

Sloth let loose another sigh and dropped back onto the ground, curling up in his large bear form again and laying his head on his paws. "Flattery… will not work on me, mortal. I am a spirit of Sloth, a creature of the Fade… unlike yourself. Mortals are ever the visitors here." He yawned again and looked up at the two of them with hooded eyes. "Still, you serve your function. Only mortals like yourself are truly annoying."

"Ridiculously handsome, talented, and charming?" He asked, earning a groan from Mouse behind him.

It was just his luck that Sloth didn't find him to be funny, either. "Fool. You are… aware. A mortal with power and will. The sort of creature that some spirits… hunger for." To make his point, he greedily licked his chops, eying Nereus like a cat would a mouse. Or the way a bear would look at a delicious, frail human. "I might be inclined for such a meal, myself. It would be interesting to see the mortal world through your eyes, live inside your form… but I am disinclined to begin such a struggle."

Biting back another sharp retort, the mage considered a more subtle approach. "Gee. Lucky me. So, you're a demon. I'm supposed to fight a demon. But we are not fighting."

Sloth shrugged his shaggy bear shoulders. "I am a demon… as you mortals might term it. But not all demons are demon. Worry about the one hunting you."

That wasn't confusing. Not at all. Nereus put one hand on his hip and used the other to strike the ground with his staff. "Well if you're not a demon-demon… then I need help defeating the one hunting me."

His stance wasn't very moving, so it seemed. Sloth waved a paw at him in response. "You have a very nice… staff." He yawned, closing his eyes as he spoke. "Why would you need me? Go, use your weapon since you have earned it. Be valorous."

Creepy. Apparently he knew about his duel with Valor. That implied that he knew about everything that had happened since the mage had entered the Fade. Yet Nereus could not recall ever seeing the large beast that Sloth was masquerading as. Then again, a powerful demon like Sloth could probably turn into any sort of animal or being that he wished to. He could have been anywhere. That was not a comforting thought.

Mouse tugged on the sleeve of his robe, startling him from his thoughts. "He looks powerful. It might be possible that he could… teach you to be like him."

A scoffing sound was heard from Sloth. "Like me? You mean teach the mortal to take this form? Why? Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn the change." The bear paused, as if considering and opened his eyes to stare at Mouse. "You, on the other hand, little one, might be a better student. You let go of the human form years ago."

"Me? I… don't think I'd make a very good bear. How would I hide?" The spirit asked softly, looking to his companion for support.

The mage rolled his eyes and pulled the other man forward, forcing him to stop cowering behind him like he was a shield. "You wouldn't have to. If you looked like that, you could take on most spirits just fine."

"It's true. I am quite powerful in this form… when I wish to be." Sloth agreed, taking some credit for his commanding appearance.

"Mouse," Nereus spoke gently to the spirit, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You could help me fight the demon. No more running."

The other man's eyes looked to the hand on his shoulder before looking back to Sloth. "I… welcome the opportunity, if it is my choice. The mages in the Tower are quick to volunteer others, as you well know. I'll try. I'll try to be a bear. If you'll teach me."

"That's nice. But teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now."

"What?!"

Mouse sighed, hanging back again. "I told you he wasn't going to help us."

Frowning, Nereus took another step forward, towering over the massive bear on the ground. "Teach him. You said you could teach him, so prove it."

Wearily looking up at the young mage, the demon grunted and closed his eyes again. "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." Opening his eyes, he gazed at the two of them with undisguised hunger. "Fail, and I will devour you both. The decision is yours."

Not willing to back down yet, Nereus smiled and said, "Riddles? I accept your challenge, Sloth."

"What? No! Nereus, Sloth is no fool," Mouse pleaded, reaching for the young man to pull him away from the crafty demon. "You cannot hope to win against him!"

"Hands off," he said, brushing away his partner's attempts. "I can do this. I'm no slouch, myself."

"Truly? This gets more and more promising." Sloth picked himself up from the ground and stared at Nereus with barely concealed gluttony in his bear-like eyes. "My first riddle is this: I have seas with no water, coasts with no sand, towns without people, mountains without land. What am I?"

"As if I haven't stared at such a thing millions of times," the mage sighed, thinking back to when he had hoped he could escape the Circle to go live with his mother and father again. That would never happen now and he knew it. "A map."

The bear grunted in annoyance. "Correct. Let's move on." He paused, considering his knowledge before continuing. "The second riddle: I'm rarely touched, but often held. If you have wit, you'll use me well. What am I?"

This time the apprentice laughed. "Oh, you're asking the wrong person a riddle like this! My tongue. I'm quite good at using it for a lot of things. I can't honestly say that it's never been touched."

"Yes, your witty tongue." The demon growled in disdain. "Fair enough. One more try, will you? 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?"

Nereus smiled, looking down at the large bear and shaking his head. "Nightly do I come across such a thing. Clever, but thoughtless. A dream."

Huffing in displeasure at his defeat, Sloth nodded his large head. "You are correct. Rather apropos here in the Fade, no?" Looking to Mouse again he laid himself on the ground once more. "But you've won my challenge and proven yourself an amusing distraction. So, I shall teach you my form. Now listen carefully…."

Wary of any tricks, Mouse took small steps away from Nereus, moving closer to the demon that lay on the ground before them. Sloth lifted his head, inviting the former mage to come just a little bit closer. Sloth whispered a few words under his breath for only Mouse to hear. It was too quiet for Nereus to pick up, but he didn't care to learn anyway. How often would he need to turn into a bear in the Fade? Only a few minutes later did the two spirits separate. When they did, Mouse stepped away and with a flash of light, he changed forms from human into bear.

He looked unsteady on his four paws, but he lifted his head to look at Sloth for approval. "Like this? Am I a bear? It feels… heavy."

The demon yawned and shrugged. "Hmm. Close enough. Go, then, and defeat your demon… or whatever you intend to do. I grow weary of your mortal prattling."

With his promise held, Sloth curled up on himself and returned to lazing about as he had before. It was an even better dismissal than his words, so Nereus and Mouse, still in his new bear form, turned from the old spirit and started walking back the way they had come. Smiling and feeling more than a little victorious, the mage looked down at his companion and said, "Well then, Mouse… or should I call you Bear?"

The bear at his side snorted. "Mouse will still suffice for now, thank you."

"Right then, Mouse. I think this is all the help we're going to get." He had defeated Valor in combat and received a staff for his prize and then defeated Sloth in a battle of wits. That should be enough to prove that he could take on this mysterious demon. "I think I'm ready to tackle this demon."

"Then lead the way, O fearless leader," Mouse replied, walking at his side.

They would face the demon beyond the circle of fire that they had passed not long after Nereus had met Mouse. He was only a little surprised when they were attacked on the return journey by a few wisp wraiths and another pack of spirit wolves. This time, however, he wasn't alone in the fight. Mouse actively joined in, attacking the wolves head on and tearing the spirit beings to glowing white shreds. All of their enemies were easily dealt with in no time at all and they were back on the path to fight the demon.

The ring of flames greeted them by flaring brightly at their approach. Cautiously entering the arena, the mage and the spirit kept their eyes trained on the fiery blob that was currently clawing its way out of the flesh of the Fade. The ring of fire closed the gap behind them, leaving them trapped with the creature that looked like it was made of running lava.

"And there is the spirit of Rage." Mouse said, his voice sounding far more ominous than usual.

The Rage demon's dark laughter bubbled up from its fiery shape. It wasn't an attractive sound at all, Nereus decided. "And so it comes to me at last." The demon's voice was low and full of unpleasant things. "Soon I shall see the land of the living with your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul."

"Rage? That's it? I'm disappointed," Nereus said, frowning as he took in the creature before him. He had resisted the promise of Desire for years! He'd just (sort of)defeated a demon of Sloth! Now he was faced with one of Rage? "Every apprentice knows that Rage is the lowest rung on the demon ladder. This is no challenge. Besides, it's two against one. You really want to fight us both?"

The demon chuckled and although Nereus knew it to be no true threat, he still found the action to be disturbing. "Amusing. Have you not told it of our… arrangement, Mouse?"

Mouse quickly shape-shifted back to his human form to properly glare at the spirit of Rage. "We don't have an arrangement! Not anymore!"

"I knew something was wrong," Nereus grumbled under his breath, shooting Mouse a look of distaste as he leveled his staff at the Rage demon. "Mouse, don't you even think about betraying me!"

Fear was plain in Mouse's eyes when he looked at Nereus. "I… I won't! I would never-"

Rage interrupted their moment with another creepy noise. "Aww. And after all those wonderful meals we have shared? Now suddenly the mouse has changed the rules?"

"I'm not a mouse now. And soon I won't have to hide! I don't need to bargain with you!" Mouse shouted, shifting back to his bear form.

The demon laughed again and called forth a host of wisp wraiths with a swipe of its fiery claws. "We shall see…"

The Rage demon charged forward, targeting Nereus specifically. The mage whipped the staff out towards the demon, focusing his mana to produce the spell for winter's grasp and pinning the fiery being within the ice. He spun, deflecting one of the wisp wraiths and sending it sailing through the wavering air. He caught Mouse dealing damage on the other wisp wraiths as he turned back to face Rage. The demon broke free of the ice and came at him again, sending sparks and fire out at him. He winced as the embers burned his skin, but sent out a bolt of lightning before trying his paralysis hex again. The hex caught the demon, holding it in place while he struck out with another assault of ice. The cold attacks seemed to deal a lot of damage against the demon and with one more strike, the being of Rage let loose a terrible cry before disintegrating into flames and vanishing.

Letting out an unsteady breath, Nereus leaned against his staff and closed his eyes. He wasn't that tired, really. He was just surprised. The battle had gone so smoothly. With the dark energy rolling all around him he had thought the Rage demon might be stronger than average, but that had obviously not been the case. He heard the transformation behind him and turned around to see Mouse standing behind him in his human form with a smile on his face.

"You did it. You actually did it!" The spirit cried, joy tinting his words colorfully. "When you came, I hoped that maybe you might be able to… but I never really thought any of you were worthy."

That feeling that something wasn't quite right with Mouse was never more prominent before than it was now. Nereus frowned, drawing his staff up and pointing it at his former companion. "Their names."

"What?" Mouse asked, his voice shaking as he took a wary step back from the mage. "Nereus, they were not as promising as you. It was a long-"

"Tell me the names of the ones you betrayed before me." He gritted his teeth, trying to think about what else was bugging him about the former mage.

"I… I don't remember their names." The spirit confessed, looking down at his robes and fiddling with the material. His robes. Nereus stared at the pattern and realized once more that Mouse was wearing the robes of a senior enchanter of the Circle. But he was an apprentice when he was killed. Or so he said…"I don't even remember my own name. It's the Fade, and the templars killing me, like they tried with you."

"They haven't tried with me!" Nereus shouted, keeping his staff pointed at the other man. "Not yet."

"Nereus, please-"

Power crackled at his finger tips, moving towards the staff in his hand. "Speaking of which, Mouse… When exactly did I tell you my name?"

The spirit froze, no longer trying to move forward. "You… your name? When we met, of course. Don't you remember?"

He wanted to remember. Did he introduce himself to the spirit? Maybe he had… He shook his head and took a step away from the spirit. "No. I didn't. Now tell me… what do you want?"

"You defeated a demon. You completed your test. With time, you will be a master enchanter with no equal." Mouse's voice was starting to sound obsessive and Nereus didn't like that at all. "And… maybe there's hope in that for someone as small and as… forgotten as me. If you want to help." The man smiled, but this smile was unlike the others he had given. This smile exposed cleverness formerly unseen in the spirit. "There may be a way for me to leave here, to get a foothold outside. You just need to want to let me in."

The mage shivered, tightening his grip on the staff Valor had given him. Those words were all too familiar. No wonder the Rage demon had been so easy to defeat. "The spirit of Rage was not my true test after all. Thank the Maker. I was starting to think someone didn't consider me a true challenge."

Mouse looked taken aback by his words. "What? What are you… Of course it was! What else is here that could harm an apprentice of your potential?"

"Flatter me all you like, demon," he spat, getting ready to cast a spell if necessary. Now he knew why Mouse had never seemed worth remembering. His appearance was a guise, a mask put on by a demon to hamper and confuse him. He was powerful indeed. Everything leading up to this moment must have been carefully planned out. He would not let his guard down. "What are you really?"

The spirit stopped, pausing and tilting its head in a foreign way that no human ever would. His appearance began to morph and shimmer before Nereus's very eyes. Soon enough, a demon he had never seen before towered over him in its true form, exuding might, glory, arrogance.

Pride.

"You are a smart one." The Pride demon said, its voice soft and condescending. "Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust… pride. Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end."