Chapter 7:
Sylina opened her eyes to find herself in a strange place indeed. "This must be the Fade," she thought to herself, and was surprised that it came out of her mouth. "Hmm, seems what I think is said here. Great." She looked around. An empty pedestal was next to her and everything around her seemed fuzzy. When she focused on one thing it looked clearer, but everything else's edges were blurred. "Ugh, this will make me sick." She decided to only focus on the land in front of her. "Well, I better go find this demon and be done with this."
There was a large statue in front of her with two blades and two horns. "How interesting," she thought/said. She walked to the right of it down a small path. "I wonder if the statue represents a demon?" Walking down the path she saw a bright blue-ish light ahead of her. She was instantly on her guard. Suddenly it attacked her with lightning. She sprang into action and rolled out of the way, the lightning missing her. She threw a fireball at the wisp and then an arcane bolt. Both hit the wisp and it faded out of being. She breathed easier and continued to walk down the path. "Okay," she thought, "glowing lights are wisps. Remember you read about them a hundred times in your lessons on Fade creatures." She sighed. "Keep your wits about you, Sylina. You can do this."
She continued down the path, killing several more wisps this time and attacking them before they had a chance to throw lightning at her. She was walking down the path when suddenly she heard a voice.
It sighed, "Another helpless apprentice thrown to the wolves by the templars, always as fresh and unprepared as before." Sylina started and looked around before she saw movement at her feet. She looked down at a mouse. "The templars have no right to do this. Not to you, not to anyone!" The mouse's voice sounded angry.
Sylina couldn't help but smile, "A mouse? A talking mouse?" she laughed. "Well, the Fade is full of surprises."
He laughed right back at her. "You think you exist here in that body? You only look human because you think you look human." The little mouse sighed. "This always ends the same. It's not your fault. You are in the same boat as everyone before you, even me." Suddenly there was a light around the mouse and he turned into a man. Sylina jumped back and shook her head. The man/mouse continued. "Welcome to the Fade. Call me Mouse."
Sylina cocked her head to the side. "So you took the Harrowing? And by the fact that you are still here and not in the Tower you failed?"
Mouse pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't remember much about the time before. I remember being woken up in the middle of the night and dragged up the stairs to the Harrowing chamber." Sylina nodded as this had just happened to her. "What you don't know is that the templars kill you if you take too long. They figure that you failed and they don't want something getting out."
He sighed. "That's what they did to me." He looked at her and sadness filled his eyes. "You don't have much time before the same thing happens to you."
"How long do I have?" She was starting to get worried. She hadn't been in the Fade long, but still - how did time in the Fade work in relation to time in the Tower? She felt her nervousness increase.
"I don't know how long you have. I ran and hid for I don't know how long."
Sylina breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I don't plan on hiding so that won't happen to me."
A spark of anger filled Mouse. "You don't think I have heard those words before. You don't realize the danger." His voice dropped low to almost a whisper. "There is something here, something contained, waiting for apprentices like you. The only way to pass is to face the creature and resist it...if you can."
Sylina sighed. "Now you are just being dramatic."
He raised his voice again: "It's the only way out! It's a test for you. Either you pass or the templars kill you."
"Okay, well, since I have a limited time, why don't I just go face the thing and be done. This test doesn't seem so difficult so far." She was actually breathing easier now than she had since entering the Fade. All she had to do was resist a demon, which she prayed to the Maker she could, and then she would be a full mage.
The man, Mouse, sneered at her, "You are a fool to think this will be easy. The demon you face is powerful and cunning." He stopped, sighed, and continued: "There are others here, of course, other spirits and demons. They might be able to tell you more or help you. This is, of course, only if you believe a word they say."
"Great." Sylina started walking down the path and was surprised that Mouse followed her.
"I will follow, if that's alright with you. I had my chance long ago, but...but maybe you will get out." He promptly turned back into a mouse and Sylina sighed.
"Find the demon and resist or slay it. Got it." She was determined not to think about what could happen. If she remained confident then perhaps she couldn't fail.
They walked down the path until they came to a large area. Mouse whispered, "That is where the test takes place. The creature could be anywhere, but it will show up there."
Sylina walked into the center of the area, but nothing happened. "I suppose I will have to explore more." She left the area and headed down a different path.
As her and Mouse headed down the path, she killed several wisps and Mouse cowered beside her. Suddenly, they came to another clearing with a spirit standing in the center. Sylina knew he was a spirit because he glowed a pale white. She had learned that spirits glowed and demons looked solid and had a purple aura around them. She walked up to the spirit and she heard Mouse squeak in fright and whisper, "This spirit never seemed to live up to its name to me."
"Hello, spirit," Sylina said as she approached it.
The spirit's voice resounded through her and she took a step back, surprised at how loud it sounded. "Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see." She noticed on close inspection that this spirit wore templar armor. "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."
Sylina groaned; this spirit was obviously misinformed. "Why would we wish to pit mages against mages? That would only prove to the templars that we are dangerous. We are not warriors who can choose when to deliver the final killing blow. One spell awry and half the Tower floor could be in flames."
"They have you battle a demon. That you remain means you have not defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come."
Looking at the templar armor she asked, "What kind of spirit are you?"
"I am Valor, a warrior spirit. I hone my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat."
"Combat, huh? Perhaps you could help me defeat the demon?" Sylina smiled at the spirit.
"You are not the first mortal to seek my aid." The spirit's voice turned cold. "However, I am not here to assist you. My purpose is to create the ultimate weapon for the pursuit of valor."
"A weapon that could affect a demon?" she asked innocently.
The spirit did not even hesitate. "In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of thought. These blades are not steel, these staves are not wood," the spirit said, motioning to the weapon racks behind him that Sylina only just noticed as they came into focus. "Do you believe weapons in this realm draw blood? Weapons are needed for battle, and my will makes that need reality." He paused then, looking critically at her, continued. "Do you truly desire one of my weapons? I will give one to you, if you agree to duel me. Valor shall test your mettle as it should be tested."
Sylina stepped back. "Duel a spirit? Isn't that kind of exactly what I shouldn't be doing? I should be fighting demons, not spirits." She looked at the templar spirit. "What are the rules to this duel?"
"If I believe you capable of slaying the demon, I will stop the duel and give you the staff. If I find you unworthy, I will slay you. Simple enough rules for a mortal to remember."
"Oh, great." Sylina hesitated. "Well, I guess if I am unworthy to kill the demon I will die either way, huh? Either by your hand, the templars, or the demon itself. Fine, I agree to this duel, spirit."
The spirit bowed his head, "As you wish, mortal. Our duel begins now! Fight with Valor!" Then he unsheathed his sword. Sylina backed away.
She immediately threw an arcane bolt at the templar spirit. Then, summoning ice, she cast a simple frost spell on him. It slowed down the spirit and she was able to back away. She felt her mana drop after her two spells had been cast. She cast another arcane bolt. The spirit faltered and stopped.
"Enough," he said, stopping and putting up his hands. Sylina breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well, that was easier than expected. He didn't even come close to touching me." She smiled.
"Your strength is sufficient to the task. The staff is yours." He walked back to his armor stands and selected a staff. He handed it to her.
"Thank you, spirit," she said, grinning widely. "Taking on spirits and demons in one day - what could possibly go wrong?"
"May you find glory in all your achievements, mortal," the spirit said as Sylina walked away.
She grinned at Mouse, who scoffed as they followed another path.
Down the path she fought several wolves. As she neared a new clearing, Mouse spoke. "There is another spirit here. It is not the one hunting you, but it is still dangerous." She walked into the clearing to see a large, bear-like animal with spikes on its body.
"Perhaps I should go back?" But somehow she knew the demon would not be waiting for her yet. She walked forward to the demon in her path.
"Hello, demon," she said as she approached.
The bear like creature stirred and lifted its head to look at her. "Hmm. So you are the hunted mortal?"
Mouse turned suddenly human at those words. "He will not help us. We should go."
The bear sniffed as if hurt by these words. "The demon will get both of you eventually. Maybe there will be scraps left when he is done." The bear got up and Sylina took two steps back, wishing it had stayed sleeping. It almost reached her chest.
"He looks powerful. Demon?" she said. The big bear looked up at her. "Perhaps you can help me defeat the other demon?"
The bear raised his head, yawned, and looked at her. "You have a staff. What do you need me for? Go, use your weapon and be valorous." He yawned and went to lower his head again.
Suddenly Mouse spoke up. "Perhaps it is possible for you to learn his form."
Sylina thought about it for a moment. "That doesn't sound half bad. What do you think demon?"
The bear yawned. "Teach you to look like me? To take this form? Why? Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn to change. You," he said, pointing his snout at Mouse, "little one, might be a better student. You stopped being a human years ago."
Mouse shook his head. "I don't think I would be a very good bear. I wouldn't be able to hide."
"But if you became a bear you could help me defeat the other demon." Sylina shrugged. She doubted Mouse would be of much help, but at least as a bear he could distract the demon.
Mouse looked down. "I suppose…if you want my help. I will try to be a bear. If you'll teach me, spirit."
The demon yawned. "That's nice. Teaching is exhausting, however. Go away."
Mouse shook his head. "Told you he wouldn't help." He started to walk away.
Sylina looked at the bear. "Come now, demon, you can't say you will do something and then change your mind. That's just rude." She was getting really tired of the Fade and wanted to get out already. If this demon would teach Mouse to be a bear, she could defeat the other demon and go home. And she worried that she was running out of time.
The bear looked up at her. "I can't change my mind? You have much to learn about the Fade, little mortal."
She screamed in frustration. "Are all creatures of the Fade so annoying! Just teach him already!"
The bear sighed. "You wish to learn, little one? Fine." He motioned to Sylina. "Answer three riddles correctly and I will teach him to be a bear. Answer wrong and I will devour you both."
Sylina blinked and shook her head. "This can't possibly be happening." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I am not going to play your game, demon." She considered her options. "Teach Mouse or I will kill you. It will hone my skill for the other demon." She took her staff out. She was frustrated and tired.
"Foolish mortal," the bear said, getting up. "I may be slothful, but I can be roused." He lunged to attack her, but she quickly stepped aside. The bear's movements were slow already and she cast an ice blast on him slowing him down further. She smiled and took a few steps back.
"Nice and easy, demon." She cast arcane bolt and then while he was thawing she cast a fire bolt. The bear stopped.
"Enough. You are a pest, mortal. I will teach the mouse to be a bear to get rid of you!"
Sylina smirked and motioned for Mouse to head toward the bear. Mouse gave her a mortified look but walked forward. Sylina kept her staff in hand and couldn't help feeling confident. Soon this would be over.
It took a few minutes, but Mouse eventually learned to be a bear. The demon bear told them to leave him in peace and they did.