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"You can't really know what you are made of until you are tested."
― O.R. Melling

Chapter 7:True Tests

The elven mage could scarcely believe it; her harrowing was finally going to happen. Just weeks earlier, Natasha had taken her own harrowing right before Anders ran away and according to Cullen, it was the quickest, cleanest harrowing he'd ever seen. Anders would probably be found in the next few days or weeks since the Templars had his phylactery and could easily track him down with it. With any luck, First Enchanter Irving would be able to persuade Knight-Commander Greagior not to make Anders tranquil.

Working her fingers though her ponytail, Regina bit her lip nervously and twiddled her thumbs as one of the Templars escorted her into the Harrowing chambers. Irving and Greagior were already waiting with three or four other Templars that included Cullen as she approached, the sounds of her footsteps tapping against the marble floor bringing everyone's attention to her. Greagior slowly stepped forward, making a strange hand gesture before beginning to speak.

"Magic exits to serve man and never to rule over him." He stated calmly."Thus spoke the prophetess Andraste as she cast down the Tevinter Imperium that was ruled by mages who'd brought the entire world to the edge of ruins. Your magic is a gift, but it is also a curse, for demons from the dream realm - the Fade - are drawn to you. They seek to use you as a gateway into our world."

Irving walked closer to Regina, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder and a soft smile spreading across his face."This is why the Harrowing exists, Regina; the ritual sends you into the Fade and there you shall have to face a demon, armed with nothing but your own will."

Regina tried her best to stand up straight."What happens if I can't defeat the demon?"

Irving started to answer, but was cut off by Greagior."Then the demon will turn you into an abomination and the Templars will have no choice but to slay you." He ignored the way Regina's green eyes briefly widened and simply motioned toward the center of the harrowing chamber."This is lyrium. It is the very essence of magic as well as your gateway into the Fade."

Regina felt Irving grasp her arm and pull her aside for a moment."The harrowing is a secret out of necessity, Regina." He spoke in a quiet whisper so no one else would hear. "All mages must go through this trial by fire. As we were all able to succeed, so shall you. But remember to keep your your wits about you and never forget that the Fade is only a realm of dreams. The spirits may rule it, but your own will is always real."

Greagior cleared his throat, bringing their attention to him."Apprentice Surana must go through this test alone, First Enchanter." He gave a curt nod to Regina."You are ready."

Regina let out a shaky breath and nodded to herself before slowly moving closer to the lyrium and reaching out a hand to touch it. Suddenly, a bright light flashed right in front of her eyes and her hand glowed a strange light blue color. Not even a gasp could escape her as she abruptly fell to the floor and everything went black.

Regina's eyes snapped open as she instantly sat up with a loud gasp. She sluggishly picked herself up off the ground and carefully took in her new surroundings, observing all of the large rocks, mountains, and cliffs located in the Fade. With a sigh, she quickly straightened out her posture and started searching for the demon she had to face, wanting nothing more than to get this over with as soon as possible, lest the Templars get tired of waiting and simply kill her out of sheer boredom. It was with confidence that she gave a small nod as if in mental confirmation and marched down the path in front of her to find and kill this hungry demon.

"Someone else is once again thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever, I see." The sound of an unfamiliar voice caused Regina to stop dead in her tracks, her eyes already flickering all around the place for the source of the strange voice and hesitantly giving up their search when nothing could be seen or heard around her. She shrugged it off as her imagination playing tricks on her and began to walk again when the unknown voice once again spoke."It just isn't right that the Templars do this to me, to you, and to everyone else."

Regina suddenly realized where the voice was coming from and looked down to see a rat at her feet. The elven mage shrieked in surprise, jumping back and placing a hand over her heart as she regarded the rat in front of her with a shocked stare. She even rubbed her eyes once or twice just to make sure she wasn't seeing things. When it became clear she wasn't, she quirked an eyebrow at the rat and swallowed thickly.

"I'm sorry if I offend you by saying this," She said slowly,", but are you a talking rat?"

The rat laughed loudly in response, bringing even more confusion to the already perplexed elven girl who simply continued to stare at him with a raised eyebrow and blinked."You don't actually think you're really here, do you? In that body? The only reason you look like that is because you think you do!" When it became clear that she didn't know what to say in defense to that statement, the rat sighed."It's always the same, but it isn't your fault. You're in the same boat as I was, aren't you?"

Regina had to bring up an arm to shield her eyes as a bright light flashed and she slowly lowered her arm when it cleared, eyes widening and blinking several times when the rat was suddenly no longer a rat, but instead a human man who she guessed must have once been an apprentice judging by his robes. The man raised his arms in greeting and gave her a wry smile.

"Please allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me...well, Mouse, I guess."

Clucking her tongue against her teeth, Regina cocked her head to the side slightly and folded her arms over her chest."I'm going to assume that isn't your real name?" It was half-a-question and half-a-statement.

Slumping his shoulders, Mouse shook his head."I don't really remember anything from before, so no, that's not my real name." His face soon grew disgusted and angry."In case you don't understand this, the Templars usually just go ahead and kill you for taking too long. They figure you failed and they certainly don't want any demons to get out through your body, so they just slay you without any second thoughts or regrets. That's what I think they did to me at least and because of them I now have no body left to reclaim just as you don't have much time left before you end up just like me."

"Oh, wonderful." She said in a very sarcastic tone with a small groan."Do you have any idea as to how much time I have left before I end up like you?"

"I honestly don't remember, I'm afraid." He replied sadly."I just ran away and hid. I don't know how long they waited before they killed me." Regina gave another groan as she rubbed her temples and sighed in vexation.

"I think there's something contained here, something just for an apprentice like you. You're supposed to face and resist a demon, I think." At his words, the elf groaned once more.

"I already know that." She snapped then sighed."But I still have no idea where this demon is or what kind of creature it's supposed to be anyway."

"There are other spirits here." Mouse said."Maybe they can tell you more or even help you. But that's only if you can really believe anything you see here, I suppose." He gave a weak smile."If you don't mind, I'll follow you. My chance was a very long time ago, but you still have a way out of here for yourself."

"Be my guest, Mouse." Regina answered dryly.

Mouse got down on one knee and in a flash of bright light, turned back into his rat form, squeaking after Regina as she continued walking.

"I see yet another mortal has been thrown into the ashes and left to burn." The armored spirit scoffed in a very unimpressed manner at Regina, crossing his arms over his chest and staring up and down at her with eyes from behind his helmet like he was sizing up a cow for a slaughter. Regina did her best to keep a straight face and posture and could hear Mouse squeaking silently behind her in his rat form. She felt as if the spirit's eyes were tearing right through her chest and into her soul, reading every single one of her stuttering thoughts and fears. He narrowed his eyes and sighed, uncrossing his arms with the small shake of his head."Your mages have devised a cowardly test. I feel it better you be pitted against one another to prove your mettle with true skill rather than be sent unharmed and weak against a single demon."

Looking surprised, Regina cocked an eyebrow at him."You why I'm here?" The spirit nodded tersely at her question.

"Indeed. You are not the first one sent here for such pathetic testing, after all. I have no doubts that you will be the last either." He spoke in a calm manner, but his penetrating gaze still made Regina more than a little uncomfortable."The fact that you still remain here must mean you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come then."

"Just what kind of spirit are you anyway?" Regina questioned, trying to appear calm as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You may call me Valor, a warrior spirit." He replied, placing a hand on his chest for emphasis."I hone all of my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat."

"How much do you know about the Harrowing exactly?"

"So that is what your test is called then? I am afraid I know very little of your mortal ways. All I know is that a demon has been called and told that a meal awaits it. It will not - cannot leave - until one of you is dead."

"Which I already know." Regina said with a sigh as she ran her fingers through her ponytail and lifted her chin curiously at the spirit before her and his weapons."Did you make all of these weapons yourself, Valor?"

Valor gave a nod."They are all brought into being by my own will. From what I understanding in your world, only mages have the ability to will things into existence and those mortals who cannot must all lead such hollow and empty lives."

"Would one of these weapons be able to affect the demon?" She inquired, resisting the urge to jump back when Valor gave a harsh, loud laugh in response.

"Of course! In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought. Do you think these blades be steel or these staves made of wood? Do you believe they can draw blood as well? A weapon is a single need for battle. It is my will that makes that need a reality." He read right through her thoughts."Do you truly desire one of my weapons, mortal? Knowing your answer is yes, I shall give one to you, but only if you agree to duel me first so that Valor can test your mettle as it should be tested."

Regina swallowed thickly, but did not let her face show her tremulousness."What are the rules of this duel of yours, Valor?"

"If I find you capable of slaying the demon, then I will stop the duel and give you the staff. If I find you unworthy of slaying the demon, however, then I will slay you myself." He explained calmly."I trust these rules are simple enough for you to remember, mortal?"

"You've got yourself a deal, Valor." Regina said with a determined look on her face despite the true fear boiling within her.

"Do you understand the rules I just explained to you?" He asked.

"Yes." She nodded."I do."

"Our duel begins now!" He declared."Fight with Valor!"

Regina gave a yelp as she barley ducked down in time to avoid Valor's sword cutting into her neck and rolled aside before quickly jumping back up to her feet. She backed away swiftly from him, putting up a shield to protect herself when he thrusted his sword at her head and throwing an arcane bolt which he blocked with his shield then made a beeline for her. Throwing herself to the ground, Regina landed with a grunt and quickly crawled only a second before the spirit's sword impaled the spot where her head once was. The elven mage stifled a groan as she stood up and narrowly managed to avoid Valor's blade aiming for her head again. Making sure to keep a good enough distance between the two of them, she put her hands up and summoned the Cone of Cold spell, freezing Valor's sword solid in his hand, rendering the weapon useless before she raised her leg and kicked it out of his hand.

Valor seemed to have forgotten the fallen weapon immediately and simply lunged forward, this time knocking Regina across the ground with his shield. Regina did not stop rolling until she hit a nearby boulder, groaning quietly and staggering sluggishly to her feet. When Valor moved to knock the elf down with his shield once more, she threw a fireball at him and he used his shield to block it, but failed to notice she had also summoned the Tempest spell, lighting soon bursting from above and electrocuting him through his helmet. His shield clattered loudly to the floor and he fell to his knees not even a second later. Regina started to summon another spell, but was stopped when Valor suddenly put his hands up and hurried to pick himself up off the ground, shaking his head vigorously.

Regina crossed her arms, not even bothering to hide a triumphant smirk as she reveled in her success and moved to help Valor to his feet then extended an expectant hand out to him.

"I believe you owe me a staff, Valor."

"See? I told you he wasn't going to help us!" Mouse crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke, gesturing toward the Sloth demon in the form of a bear lying idly on the floor and yawning every five seconds in front of them. Regina glowered in a mix of both disbelief and anger at the demon, who'd just suggested teaching Mouse how to take the form of a bear then simply told them to leave because of how exhausting teaching apparently was in his opinion. The elven mage stamped her foot lividly against the ground in vexation, scowling almost frightening at the demon. She opened her mouth and practically shouted at the top of her lungs at him.

"You cannot just suggest something and then change your mind!" The Sloth demon barely raised his head at her, letting out a chuckle and shaking his head in the slightest hint of mirth.

"You clearly have much to learn about the Fade, little mortal." Regina clenched her fists tightly at her side and forced herself to calm down with a quiet sigh. She fixed the demon with a very stern gaze and took a step toward him.

"If Mouse wants to learn, then you should teach him." At her words, Sloth gave Mouse a questioning look.

"You truly wish to learn my form, little one?" Mouse gave a vigorous nod at the question and a sigh escaped the demon."Then I have a challenge for your friend. If she can answer three riddles correctly, I will teach you. Should you fail, however, I will devour you both."

"Riddles?" Regina shook her head and scoffed."You must be joking!"

"Indeed not." The demon replied with a yawn."Amusement is rather difficult to come by and I shall certainly take it in the place of a meal whenever I can."

"I'm not sure I want to provide him with either." Mouse muttered under his breath.

"Fine!" Regina yelled, throwing her hands up and growling under her breath."I'll answer your stupid riddles, Sloth!"

"Truly?" He sounded surprised."Well this certainly gets more and more promising by the minute." He yawned again."Here is my first riddle then: I have seas with no water, coasts with no sand, towns without people, and mountains without land. What am I?"

"A map." Regina answered, inspecting her nails without any interest.

"Correct." The demon nodded."Next: I am rarely touched, but very often held. If you have wit, you'll use me well? What am I?"

"My tongue."

"Yes, your witty tongue. And now one more try: It is often that I spin the tale, but never will I charge a fee. I shall amuse you an entire eve, but, alas, you won't remember me afterward. What am I?"

"A dream."

"Yes, that is correct. It is rather apropos in the Fade, no?"

Regina rolled her eyes."I answered your riddles correctly, now keep your promise and teach Mouse to be a bear or I'll prattle with you until you give in."

"And so it comes to me at last!" Regina fought the urge to tremble with fear at the demon before her as it gloated over having finally found it's intended meal. She somehow was able to stand up straight and look calm, but it did nothing to impress the demon in the slightest."Very soon I shall see the land of the living through your eyes, creature, and you shall be mine, body and soul alike!"

"It's two against one, demon!" Regina said with feigned confidence."You really wanna fight us both?" At this, the demon laughed loudly.

"Amusing! Have you not told it of our arrangement, Mouse?"

"We don't have an arrangement!" Mouse shook his head."Not anymore!"

"Really?" The demon inclined it's head to the side."After all those meals we shared, now suddenly the mouse has changed his mind?"

"I'm not a mouse now." He replied."And soon enough, I won't have to hide or bargain with the likes of you anymore!"

"We shall see!" The demon slowly hissed in reply.

That was when the demon attacked, trying to swipe Regina in it's grasp, just barely missing when the elven mage spun away from it and grabbed her staff from behind her to cast a spell. An arcane bolt flew from her hands and struck the demon in the chest only a second before Mouse turned into his newly-found bear form and knocked the demon to the floor. The demon picked itself up quickly, turning it's attention to Regina and lunging for her. Regina cried out as it grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and hoisted her up, making her scream in pain as it's claws dug into the flesh of her arms and shoulders. Hearing this, Mouse growled softly and pounced on the demon, forcing it to release it's hold on the elven girl and pinning it to the ground.

Regina gave a sigh of relief as she jumped back up and rushed toward where the demon had just shoved Mouse off it. She twirled around her staff, hitting the demon upside the head and knocking it back down to the ground. It tried to get up, but Mouse pounced again and roughly pinned it to the floor while Regina focused all of her energy on casting another spell. Mouse quickly hopped off the demon and backed away from it less than a second before lightning burst from Regina's hands and electrocuted the demon in the chest. She could hear the demon cry out in both pain and rage as she did not break off her attack until the demon gave a loud screech and in a flash of bright light, it was no longer in existence.

She had defeated the demon and very soon she realized that her true test was not just killing the demon.

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Next up: Chapter 8:A Friend In Need