Chapter 43: Trial by Fire
It is challenging enough for the casual observer to tell the difference between the Fade and the creatures that live within it, let alone between one type of spirit and another. In truth, there is little that distinguishes them, even for the most astute mages. Since spirits are not physical entities and are therefore not restricted to recognizable forms (or even having a form at all), one can never tell for certain what is alive and what is merely part of the scenery. (It is therefore advisable for the inexperienced researcher to greet all objects he encounters.)
Typically, we misuse the term "spirit" to refer only to the benign, or at least less malevolent, creatures of the Fade, but in truth, all the denizens of the realm beyond the Veil are spirits. As the Chant of Light notes, everything within the Fade is a mimicry of our world. (A poor imitation, for the spirits do not remotely understand what they are copying. It is no surprise that much of the Fade appears like a manuscript translated from Tevinter into Orlesian and back again by drunken initiates.)
In general, spirits are not complex. Or, rather, they are not complex as we understand such things. Each one seizes upon a single facet of human experience: Rage, hunger, compassion, hope, etc. This one idea becomes their identity. We classify as demons those spirits who identify themselves with darker human emotions and ideas.
The most common and weakest form of demon one encounters in the Fade is the rage demon. They are much like perpetually boiling kettles, for they exist only to vent hatred, but rarely have an object to hate. Somewhat above these are the hunger demons, who do little but eat or attempt to eat everything they encounter, including other demons (this is rarely successful). Then there are the sloth demons. These are the first intelligent creatures one typically finds in the Fade.
They are dangerous only on those rare occasions that they can be induced to get up and do harm. Desire demons are cleverer, and far more powerful, using all forms of bribery to induce mortals into their realms: Wealth, love, vengeance, whatever lies closest to your heart. The most powerful demons yet encountered are the pride demons, perhaps because they, among all their kind, most resemble men. -From Beyond the Veil: Spirits and Demons, by Enchanter Mirdromel.
The Fade
"Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever" In front of her was a rat…a talking rat. "It isn't right that they do this, the Templars. Not to you, me, anyone"
"No, it isn't…but I will succeed regardless"
The rat gave a dour chuckle. "You say that now. So have many others before you. Look at me, look at what can happen" the rat sighs. "It's always the same. But it's not your fault. You're in the same boat I was, aren't you?" The rat then changed to a humanoid shape.
"Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me…well, Mouse"
"Not your real name, I assume?" Bethany asked.
"No, I don't remember anything from…before" Mouse said. "The Templars kill you if you take too long, you see. They figure you failed and they don't want something getting out"
"Is…is that what they did to you? "
"I…think so, I have no body to reclaim and you don't have much time before you end up the same"
"How long…?
"I don't remember. I ran away and hid. I don't know how long"
"I'm sorry for what happened to you"
"Your pity is not needed, I would worry more about getting out of here quickly" Mouse said. "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"
"That is your way out…or the demon's if the Templars wouldn't kill you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade" he said. "But it would be foolish to just attack everything you see. What you face is powerful, cunning"
"There are others here, other spirits. If you can believe anything you see, perhaps they will tell you more and maybe help" the lost mage said. "I'll follow, if that's all right. My chance was long ago, but you…you may have a way out" And so Bethany continued on her trial, the Fade was unlike anything she had experienced before. Time was lost on her; she couldn't tell if she had been in the Fade for several minutes or several hours. It also felt like she was going around in circles, everything in the Fade looked the same with no notable landmark for her to keep her bearing. Bethany's mind was exhausted but will steely determination she kept going, lest the demons preyed on her weakness.
She then noticed a light in the distance, the mage was at first wary…the Fade was a realm of dreams; anything could take shape in here. But she wasn't getting anything done by just wondering…so she took her chances and followed the light. Bethany found the source of that light: a spirit in the shape of a Templar in full armor. "Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see" the spirit said. "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"
"You know why I am here?" Bethany asked.
"You are not the first sent here for such a testing, nor shall you be the last, I suspect" it said. "That you remain means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come"
"What kind of spirit are you?"
"I am the embodiment of Valor, a warrior spirit. I home my weapons in search for the perfect expression of combat"
"Combat, the First Enchanter said something about that…are you here to test me in my Harrowing?"
The spirit tilted its head. "Is that what your test is called? I know little of your mortal ways" Valor said. "I do know that a demon has been called and told that a meal awaits. It will not…cannot leave…until one of you is dead" Bethany thought hard, so far she was lucky…all she encountered were lesser demons but if she faced something that powerful, the mage would surely be dead. She then gazed at the rack of weapons behind Valor, she needed a weapon but everything in the Fade in not real…she doubt she could hold such a weapon.
"Did you create those weapons?"
"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" The spirit then shook its head in pity. "Those mortals who cannot must lead such hollow, empty lives"
"Could those weapons affect the demon?" Bethany asked.
"Of course, in this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought" it said. "Do you think the 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"
"Do you 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" Bethany couldn't afford pointless battles, not when she was on a time limit. But then she remembered the other part of the test, the Harrowing wasn't just a test of combat; it was also a test of will. The will to resist the influences of the Fade.
"It seems you would prefer to kill me yourself" Valor was taken aback, it actually looked offended.
"How dare you accuse me! I am no demon, preying upon helpless mortals to steal their essence! I am a being of honor and valor! I am a warrior!"
"A warrior of honor and valor wouldn't challenge helpless mortals to duels"
"I…hmm, I suppose you are right" Valor said. "As insolent as you are, your will is unquestionably strong"
"Very well, mortal. You prove to me that you possess the strength to resist this demon" it said. "Go, prove your worth as you must. I am confident you will succeed" The spirit vanished and a staff appeared in Bethany's hand. It felt as powerful and sturdy as her mind allowed it to be and the mage needed the staff to be quite powerful. Bethany continued on, she wasted enough time already and there was no doubt that Meredith's fingers were itching to spill her blood. Mouse appeared in his human form beside Bethany, he looked around nervously.
"It's dangerous to be out in the open like this…not that hiding helps much in the Fade"
"There's no need to follow me"
"Oh, it's no trouble. I've…helped a few other people. I can help you" he said. "It's…difficult to just hide when another apprentice is in the Fade"
"How have you survived here so long?" Bethany asked.
"There are many doors and paths out of the many realms in the Fade, though you have to pick them wisely…otherwise you could end up in an extremely powerful demon's realm" Mouse said. "When I missed my chance, I learned from smaller things to become small and unnoticeable to the larger things"
"Then there are the shadows that go on forever, they are good hiding spots but you stay there long enough and the shadows begin to creep inside you" He said. "I…don't know how long it's been. Forever, maybe"
"This is what happens to apprentices who fail. The Templars would kill every mage if they could" the lost mage said in growing anger. "All the Templars see in magic is danger"
"And it's not just the Harrowing…learn a little too much, and they'll brand you a blood mage and kill you on sight!"
"But we are dangerous, Mouse…I've seen firsthand what happens when mages abuse their powers" Bethany said. "I disagree with a lot of the Templar's methods, as well as their attitudes about mages but even I agree there is a need for them"
Mouse scoffed. "The power you hold is a gateway to greater things, a potential they can never hope to contain!" he said. "The Templars and the Chantry and all of it, they're all paranoid. The lot of them"
"They have no right to treat true mages this way! You could stand up to them! If they gave you the chance"
"You sound like a friend of mine...I understand what you're saying, but if mages are not careful they could destroy the world" Bethany said. "After all we almost did when we unleashed the Blight upon Thedas" Mouse said nothing and turned away, perhaps he thinking on it but perhaps he sensed something bigger coming their way.
"You don't want to lose yourself here, being nothing would be easier than this" He said. "I think you should finish your Harrowing" He transformed into a mouse and Bethany continued on her way. At the far west of the area, 3 spirit wolves appeared but were taken down easily by Bethany, a bit further on she meets a Sloth demon in the shape of a great bearskarn. The demon gazed at the mage and then just closes its eyes.
"Hmm…a new mortal being hunted? And a small one…is he to be a snack for me?"
Mouse changed his form. "Back away slowly from him, sloths are more dangerous than you realize"
The demon snorted. "Ehh, you are too much trouble…I'll just let the demon get you and just dine on the scraps left" it said lazily. "Begone! I tire of you already"
"Why are you called Sloth? What are you?" Bethany asked.
"I am a spirit of Sloth, a creature of the Fade…unlike yourself. Mortals are ever the visitors here" the demon said. "Still, you serve your function. Only mortals like yourself are truly annoying"
"Uh, annoying?"
"You are…aware. A mortal with power and will. The sort of creature that some spirits…hunger for"
"Like you?"
"I might be inclined for such a meal, but as interesting as seeing the mortal world is…you are more trouble that you are worth"
"He looks powerful. It might be possible that he could…teach you to be like him" Mouse said.
Sloth opened one eye and looked at the lost mage. "Hmm, are you talking about her or yourself, I wonder?" it asked. "Such lessons would be better for one who has let go of their forms years ago"
"I…don't think I'd make a very good bear. How would I hide?"
"With a form like that…maybe there would be no need to hide"
"I suppose you are right, hiding like this…you get tired of it eventually" Mouse said. "I'll try. I'll try to be a bear...if you will teach me"
"That's nice but teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now"
Mouse sighed. "I should have known from a sloth…"
"You can't just suggest something and then change your mind"
"Sure I can" Bethany crossed her arms. Sloth just sighed. "Very well…then I have a challenge for you, young mage. Answer three riddles correctly, and I will teach you" it said. "Fail and I will devour you both. The decision is yours"
Bethany raised a brow. "I think you will teach Mouse so will stop bothering you"
"How very bold of you to pester me like this mortal. What's to stop me from killing you?"
Bethany smiled. "You would have to catch us and that means actually getting up"
Sloth sighed. "Clever mortal…you win, I shall teach the mouse to be more than he is. Listen carefully"
The Gallows
Meanwhile back in the Circle, the First Enchanter along with the Knight-Commander and her Templars were waiting around. The Templars were all around Bethany's motionless body, when Meredith gives the signal they would slay the girl. "How long?"
"Three hours, Knight-Commander"
"She has three hours left, she's not making very good timing…perhaps the apprentice has already submitted to the demon"
"If that was case Meredith, Bethany's body would be changing in front of us" Orsino said. "She is still fighting"
"Maybe…but in three hours it won't matter"
The Fade
Back in the Fade, after so many failed attempts Mouse finally became a great bear. "Like this? Am I a bear? It feels…heavy"
"Hmm. Close enough" Sloth said. "Go then and defeat your demon…or whatever. I grow tired of this prodding" The demon yawned and laid back on the ground. Bethany continued her Harrowing, Mouse stayed in his new bear form positively in glee from its power. The lost mage couldn't wait to use it on something and fortunate for him…Mouse was getting his chance. The air grew hot and as Bethany got closer, flames soon surround them. A rage demon appeared before them.
"And so it comes to me at last" the demon said. "Soon I shall see the land of the living with your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul"
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