Recap: "Anytime, lad. Anytime." With that, Aedan went to bed feeling much lighter than he had the previous 2 days. Maybe the next few years wouldn't be so unbearable.

Now-Aedan Hellathen, age 16: 11th year at the Circle Tower. (9:23 Dragon)

Aedan Hellathen was sitting in his bed located in the senior mage quarters. He had sprouted up in his eleven years at the Circle Tower. Where he had been 3'6 when he arrived at the age of 5, he was now going on 5'11. It irked him that Jowan beat him by one inch and the fact that he was growing facial hair when he had only a few stubs poking on his chin and some peach fuzz on his lip. Those weren't the only changes about him. He had a strong jaw, his hair was longer reaching to his neck at the back but parted in the front so it wouldn't reach his eyes. He wasn't scrawny like when he was as a child, he was more lean and muscular. The templars obviously had more muscle but he was still more filled out than the average mage. He could certainly take more physical damage than most other mages could. His vitality was nothing to sniff at either.

He had accomplished all this by beginning a regimen of strenuous exercise at age 7, adopting a diet of more nourishing foods at age 8, consumed small amounts of toxic substances to enhance natural immunities at age 10, though it was completely by accident the first time. Finally, he suffered intentional injuries in order to develop an innate robustness. Okay, they weren't intentional but when some templars try to get grabby with female mages and beat on the male mages, he was going to get into a fight. Luckily, he never got into any real trouble because of how he took the templars' threats. When they would tell them that they'd report him in for blood magic all he said was 'go ahead, see what happens.'

When they did try, there was an investigation into what happened. They told a jaded story of how Aedan was the one who started the fight and he was using blood magic on them. When Aedan told them, he told them the truth. Greagoir would look into it thoroughly even checking Aedan for wounds. When he asked how he got those bruises and wounds on his face and knuckles all Aedan would say is, "What's the point of using magic on them when they can cancel out? All I did was just punch them in the helmets and chest plates before they turned on me and started wailing on me." Greagoir would then go to here the fights happened with Irving and to their shock, they'd find a little blood on the floor but no residual magic energy. Both men would then question all of them. While the templars would say no one else was involved, Aedan would say the templars were beating up on someone or the blood might be his due to the fact his lips got busted in the fight. If there was a third party involved they would check in and see someone that was either beaten up or shaking almost. After that well... the abusive templars learned that they couldn't get away with it as much anymore. They stopped completely when Aedan drove the final nail in when one of them tried to get Neria. Neria had managed to become his best friend at the Circle ever since he protected her on his first day. She became closer to him than Jowan was. After what happened, she pretty much stayed with him throughout the day whether it was studying or practicing. How close were they? No one could say. At least until that one templar tried to get her.

Flashback: A year ago

Neria had grown well over the years and was budding into a beautiful young woman. A young woman that caught more than a few eyes from both mages and templars. When one templar decided he was going to get her, he made a very bad mistake. When Aedan noticed what was going on, or when the templar had Neria against the wall struggling, he marched right up to the two and grabbed the templar's wrist before twisting it painfully. He then proceeded to drag the templar into the Great Hall where the First Enchanter and the Knight-Commander were chatting, along with several other templars and enchanters, before actually flipping the man over onto the ground unceremoniously. Everyone watched stunned at Aedan's actions. Before anyone could saying, Aedan kicked the man's helmeted face, making a dent in the metal helm. The templar had quickly taken his helmet off to reveal a bloody nose. The templar hadn't noticed everyone since his back was turned to them.

"Where do you get off, you rotten mage?!" The templar snarled. Aedan merely stared the guy down with a very dark look that no one had seen him use before.

"How dare you try to do that to Neria." Aedan spoke coldly making all of the elders in the background raise their eyebrows in shock. They all had seen Aedan and Neria together most days. Those two were nearly inseparable. And everyone also knew that Aedan had grown protective of the shy elf girl. But for him to actually drag a templar here... what happened?

"Oh? Mad that I tried to have a little fun with your tight squeeze?" The templar remarked. Aedan's look only grew darker. He was fighting the urge to actually rip this guy apart. The only thing stopping him from doing so was the fact if he murdered a templar, his ass going to executed or made tranquil.

"What? Mad that you hadn't tried to get her first? That she's always been when with you and you didn't act?" The templar goaded making everyone stare at him ready to speak up.

"She just turned 15, you pig! You know, I get what the templars mean. I get that they are the shield between us mages and the world outside. I get that they protect the world from us as much as they protect us from the world, but as far as I can see you're not a templar. You're nothing but a disgrace to the Order and by extension the Chantry. You're not a templar, you're a joke. And a pretty sad one at that." Aedan said making everyone look at him in shock before Irving and Wynne smiled. He had really come into his own. The boy they had watch grow up would have normally just fought the guy. They could see that Aedan was purposefully baiting him and it was working.

"Why you filthy little half-breed!" The templar said before he looked to charge at Aedan. The templar was stopped when Greagoir shouted, "THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Both Aedan and the templar flinched and looked at the audience they had in shock. Apparently Aedan had been so angry he hadn't noticed them until now. Guess his instincts had dulled somewhat.

"K-Knight-Commander! H-He-" The templar said trying to save himself before Greagoir cut him off.

"I saw and heard everything I needed. You are to report to your quarters to collect your belongings and then you will be sent to a Chantry to be reminded of your duties." Greagoir said. Aedan turned around and began walking away to the stairs.

"Where do you think you're going, child?" He heard Irving ask causing him to stop but not look back. Over the years the two had grown close as a teacher and student. Irving was like the mystical grandfather Aedan never had so there was some familiarity between them at times. Not only that, but Irving had taken Aedan under his wing as his personal apprentice which meant that Aedan had early access to several spells and other things.

"I'm going to comfort Neria. She was shaking uncontrollably when I pulled that mutt off her." Aedan said in an even tone before walking away. He didn't get far when he heard footsteps charging at him. On instinct, he reacted by turning around and grabbing a gauntlet-covered hand that held a dagger before twisting it... hard.

SNAP "AAAAHHH!" The templar shouted as he clutched his broken wrist. Aedan wanted to do more but before he could beat the guy up, the other templars gripped and lifted the offender up before dragged him out of the room.

"YOUR NOTHING BUT DEMONS! A BLIGHT ON THIS WORLD! YOU PATHETIC MAGES ARE NOTHING BUT WALKING MISTAKES! WHY DID ANDRASTE LET YOU SCUM LIVEEEEE" The templar shouted as he was dragged away. Aedan watched as the templar was dragged, still roaring and yelling, before turning around to leave when he felt a slender hand on his shoulder.

"Hold it right there, young man." He turned to see that it was Wynne who had grabbed him.

"What, Wynne?" Aedan asked in a relaxed tone.

"Your cheek." Wynne said simply as she gestured to his face. Aedan moved his hand to his cheek and pulled it away to see blood on it. He hadn't even noticed he'd been cut.

"It's just a scratch." He replied when the stinging started. Without a word, Wynne moved her hand up to his face and it was covered with magical energy. Aedan felt the stinging on his cheek dim until it left. Wynne had become a sort of mother-grandmother figure to him over the years. While she did find some things he did amusing, she was also there to give him a stern talking to when it was necessary. After he had mastered his lessons in the arcane school, Wynne had began helping him study by recommending books and giving tips. She actually helped him advance through the creation school. He wouldn't admit it but if it hadn't been for her, he never would have been able to master the creation school. Maybe, he would have been able to master the glyphs and the summoning. Maybe. But the enchantments and healing spells? Heck no! Neria had been able to catch onto that easily but him? No, he had difficulty with it for some reason.

"Thanks." Aedan said before moving and walking down the stairs. Wynne watched after him with a smile. He had grown so much over the last few years.

"He has grown much in these past 10 years." Greagoir said with his arms folded, unknowingly voicing her thoughts.

"Yes. Several years ago, the boy would have used a spell on the templar or he would have tried anyway. Do you think he is ready?" Irving asked everyone else. Each gave an appraising nod.

"Then it is settled. Aedan Hellathen will go through the Harrowing tonight." Greagoir said nodding before walking away to make the preparations. Irving walked alongside him to help prepare.

Flashback end

After that he had to console poor Neria who had run into his arms the moment he was in sight. She was shaking uncontrollably and sobbing. He didn't say anything as he wrapped his arms around her. It was tough on them both, but Aedan was a will full young man and Neria had been right beside him for everyday since he had arrived. Both of them were hailed as prodigies in their magical skills. Aedan was more advanced than she was in the spells department though. While Neria had tried her best to keep up with him he still ended up excelling more in his studies. It might have been due to his strong mana and his will to keep studying. He had sought ways to increase his mana and by extension his stamina through ancient techniques of meditation, studying the secrets of sleeping soundly, braved exposure to the elements in order to build mental focus through the use of the elemental spells, and learning to find reserves of vigor in personal suffering. That last bit had come from thinking over what had happened with Reaper. Every second of it.

His home exploding in fire. His mother being brought out, her final words and her her throat being crushed.

His father firing an arrow at Reaper. Reaper raising his hand to his father and his dad dying with his own blood boiling in his veins.

Aedan focused on these things. Thinking about them constantly, including every word in that horrid experience. Eventually all of these provided him with an intense clarity. His mana and stamina grew much larger with each passing year because of this. A clarity that may have saved him during his Harrowing.

Flashback: A few hours later after the previous one...

Aedan was grumpy. He had to actually break some guy's wrist today after beating him off of Neria, then comforting said girl. Afterwards he spent the day getting both of them dinner and staying with her. Now when he could have been sleeping, some templar woke him up late at night and had proceeded to practically drag him to the top floor. He quickly woke up when he realized what room he was in. He looked around to see the Knight-Commander and the First Enchanter surrounded by templars.

"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." Greagoir pointed at him now.

"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 your as a gateway into this world." Greagoir said pointing to a pedestal which held some kind of glowing liquid. Irving then spoke up.

"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." Irving said, having walked to Greagoir's side. Aedan looked down for a moment, bracing himself. This was what the last few years had been about. He then looked back into their eyes.

"I'm ready." Aedan said with confidence. Both men nodded.

"Know this, apprentice: if you fail, we templars will perform our duty. You will die." Greagoir said resolutely. Aedan nodded in understanding.

"I expected no less." He said. Greagoir motioned to the pedestal now.

"This is lyrium: the very essence of magic and your gateway into the Fade." Aedan merely stared at it.

"The Harrowing is a secret out 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 real of dreams. The spirits may rule it, but-" Irving began to say before Aedan stopped him.

"First Enchanter... I get it. It's not my first trip into the Fade, just the one where I am going to intentionally meet a demon." Aedan said making Irving force a smile.

"The apprentice must go through this test alone, First Enchanter." Greagoir said before looking at Aedan.

"You are ready." He said. Aedan approached the lyrium before raising his hand to it. He then turned to look over his shoulder.

"See you when I wake up." He said before touching the lyrium. His vision went white. For a minute, everything was white, then it faded to black and like usually, the Fade finally appeared in it's raw form. Aedan looked around before moving forward. He was on a time limit after all. Eventually he came face to face with a wisp. He held no fear as the wisp came to him. Nothing more than a ball of energy, the creature just came up to him before it started to circle around him. Aedan let it do so without disturbing it for a minute before continuing to walk. He could hear the buzzing and crackly of the wisp remaining close behind him, following him. He as he moved on, he attracted to other wisps that liked to follow him. They also seemed to like floating around him in a circle as if they were children looking at a new object. Well... that might be the truth in a way.

"Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever." A voice said and suddenly the wisps flew away at a very fast speed. Aedan looked around for the voice in alarm before he looked down seeing a small mouse.

"It isn't right that they do this, the templars. Not to you, me, anyone." The mouse spoke. For some reason Aedan felt like he was meting a wolf. There was something... off about this mouse besides the fact it could talk.

"You're a talking mouse." Aedan stated with a neutral face.

"You think you're really here? In that body? You look like that because you think you do!" the mouse had a chuckle in its voice before it turned melancholy. "(SIGH) It's always the same. But it's not your fault. You're in the same boat I was, aren't you?" Then the mouse flashed in white light before a man stood where it was. The man was somewhat older than he was, had blonde hair carefully groomed, and was wearing enchanter's robes. Odd. If he was an apprentice, then he should be wearing an apprentice robe. Aedan kept his suspicions to himself though. It'd be best to see what happens first.

"Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me... well, Mouse." Mouse said.

"Not your real name I take it?" Aedan asked studying the one in front of him. Mouse 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.

"Then I had better get a move on. Don't want to be stuck here forever." Aedan said as he moved past Mouse, finishing the conversation. Aedan continued to walk forward alone before felt something in the Fade shift. He followed it until he came face to face with a spirit, clad in armor resembling that of the templars. Aedan looked around to see the spirit surrounded by what seemed to be a forge. All manner of weapons were around either on racks or merely floating around.

"Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see." The spirit said gaining his attention.

"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." The spirit said.

"You know why I'm here?" Aedan asked curiously.

"You are not the first to be sent here for such testing. Nor shall you be the last, I suspect. That you remain here means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come." The spirit said before turning away and moving toward the forge.

"These weapons... did you make them?" Aedan asked as he looked around. The spirit turned back to him.

"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." The spirit said.

"I like to think that they try to make their lives mean something. Whether it's by the work they do or their actions in life." Aedan commented. The spirit hesitated before continuing.

"True. Similar to us spirits I suppose." The spirit said.

"Would one of these weapons be able to affect a demon here?" Aedan asked.

"Without a doubt. In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought. Do you think these blades be steel? These staves be wood? Do you believe they draw blood? A weapon is a single need for battle and my will makes that need reality." The spirit said.

"I may need one or two of those in my fight against the demon." Aedan said to the spirit.

"Do you truly desire one of my weapons? I will give you one... if you agree to duel me first. Valor shall test your mettle as it should be tested.

"It seems you would prefer to kill me yourself." Aedan accused. The Spirit of Valor became incensed.

"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!" Valor spoke.

"Then prove it! Help me fight the demon! Or at least make this a fair fight!" Aedan challenged.

"Your are insolent... but your will is unquestionably strong. Very well mortal, you have proven to me that you have the strength to resist this demon." Valor walked towards a rack before pulling a sword from it. He then walked towards another, taking a staff. Valor then handed Aedan the 2 weapons.

"Go, prove your worth as you must. I am confident you will succeed." Valor said. Aedan thanked him before leaving the area. Aedan walked to where he felt a demonic presence before seeing a demon of sloth. The demon looked at him before going back to sleep. Aedan knew that it wasn't the demon after him. It was just here to see what'll happen. Aedan turned back and walked until he came to an area covered by fire. Then a rage demon came out of the ground, the creature looking as if it were made of lava and fire. Aedan looked at the weapons in his hand.

In his left was a staff made of iron. The two dragons circled each other at the end before they held a jewel between them.

In his right was a sword made of grey iron. The blade was thinner and sharper than the ones he'd seen templars holding. Its hilt had a circular pommel and the guard reached out to the sides. The sword made him think of nobility and knighthood for some reason.

He then turned toward the rage demon and approached it.

"And so it comes to me at last. Soon I shall see the land of the living through your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul." The rage demon said. Aedan got into a battle ready stance with his staff in front him and his sword pointed at the demon.

"Then come get me." He said.

"Oh I shall." The demon said before it tried to attack him. Aedan immediately used winter's grasp on the demon stopping him in his tracks. Aedan then cast a frozen enchantment on his sword before the demon got lose. Aedan blocked a swipe aimed at his head before the demon followed up with a second swipe. Aedan cut the demon's arm off with his sword. He then followed up with a cone of cold attack. He pointed his staff at the demon and a flurry of snow and frost erupted out of the staff. The demon was frozen solid this time and was stopped completely. Aedan stared at the demon before taking his sword and smashing the pommel on its frozen face. The demon shattered and was banished from the area.

"I-I can't believe it. You did it. You actually did it!" He heard Mouse say. He turned to see him coming up behind him before looking around. Aedan looked around wondering why he was not released from this realm. He had killed the demon hadn't he? Then what was keeping him here?

"I had hoped you would be able to, but I didn't think any of you were worthy." That statement made something click in Aedan's mind. He pointed his staff towards Mouse before firing an arcane bolt. It scored Mouse in the chest sending the guy on his back with a squeak.

"W-What was that for?" Mouse asked getting up and holding his chest. Aedan was in a battle stance again pointed at him this time.

"You tell me... demon." Aedan said glaring at Mouse. It began to make sense. His humbleness, his clothes, his attitude at defeating the rage demon, the way Aedan's instincts were going haywire around him. Mouse was a demon. The demon that he was to resist. His suspicions were proven correct when Mouse's face turned into a twisted a smile.

"You noticed. Only one other has done that before so early. He was strong like you. But I dare say you're stronger than he was at that time. You have me." Mouse said as his body began to distort and morphed into something bigger.

"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." The newly revealed pride demon spoke in a deep voice before all went white.

Flashback end

After that, Aedan had woken up to find Jowan and Neria hovering over them. He got up before they told him that he was to report to First Enchanter's office. On the way there, Neria walked with him because she had been worried when she had heard he had gone through the Harrowing and she wanted to make sure he was okay. When they walked through the halls he could hear people talking about how young it was for Aedan to go through the Harrowing with some saying he was an exception. What had been interesting was the look he was getting from the female mages. If he hadn't known better he could have sworn they were looking at him like he was a steak and they were starving mabaris. What had been more weirder was when Neria seemed to link her arms with one of his and she was giving the other women a look of some sort. Like he said, weird.

Aedan looked down at himself. Seeing his gold mage robes on him and wearing his fade strider boots. He looked to the corner of his 'room' to see his staff in the corner by his bed. It was a staff that was of his own make. Irving had somehow gotten the templars to allow him to make his own staff with the available resources in the store room.

The schematic used was of an old Keeper Staff that had somehow come into the Circle's possession. The blunt end where the magic was channeled out was made of summer stone, a common metal found in Ferelden. The cloth used on it was cotton which helped when casting difficult spells. The grip was rugged, made out of bloodstone and Highever Weave. Sadly they wouldn't allow him to make a blade and put it on his staff. But after sneaking around a bit and swiping a few things over the years, he had enough material to make an acolyte staff blade. He had snuck into the smithy where his staff had been forged and made the blade himself. He now had a virdium staff blade tied with highever weave hidden under his bed among other things.

After his Harrowing, he was given access to more extensive reading material and he ended up mastering several schools. This included the arcane, the creation, the entropy and spirit schools. The only one he was unable to master was the primal school and that was because everyone didn't want him using inferno, tempest, earthquake and blizzard indoors. He was so close to mastering it too. Only 6 more spells and he would have mastered everything. Granted there were still things he didn't know, but those were very special things. He had also watched as the Tranquil had made runes as well. He knew everything that would make a rune from the novice to the paragon runes, from weapon to armor. He had a very special rune he had been planning to make but he would need to be outside, careful and have plenty of time.

Aedan sighed internally though, knowing what he was going to do would piss off a lot of people. Today was the day he would escape the Circle. He felt bad at having to leave everyone behind. About disappointing his teachers. About possibly having his life snuffed out at the end of a templar's sword. But after all these years, Reaper was still at large. The templars who went after him would not come back alive. Whenever they were found, they were in pieces just all over the area. That maleficar was still breathing. Still moving through Ferelden without anyone stopping him.

Aedan walked toward the First Enchanter's office. It was dinner time and most people, templars and mages, were up there eating. Aedan had been subtly watching through the years. Most of the templars would be there with the mages as a precaution. The only ones who wouldn't be there were those who were in the Templar's Quarters on that level, The Harrowing Chamber, and the two in front of the door. Even though he had been a Circle Mage for a year now, Aedan still hadn't been let out. He quickly placed the note on Irving's desk before going back to his room. He quietly packed some provisions for the road: Food he had nicked from dinner some days which was mostly bread and some preserved meat, some clothes that weren't robes actually, soap, a blanket and some money he was given over the years. He didn't know why he was given it when they didn't even buy anything here.

Aedan kneeled down and placed his hand under his mattress and carefully felt for something when he felt cold metal on his fingers. He dragged it out to reveal the staff blade he had constructed before placing it into his pack. Aedan placed the pack on his back with his staff before kneeling by his bed again. He pulled a box out from under it. Inside was a small bundle. Food and provisions weren't the only things he swiped over the years, but he did have to fashion one of the things to make it successful. Aedan carefully lifted it out of the box before standing up and kicking the box back under his bed. He then power walked down to where the entrance was. As soon as he got there, the two guards noticed him.

"Aedan what are you doing?" One asked. Aedan said nothing as he looked at them. The other templar studied him before chuckling.

"You know we cannot let you leave unless you got permission from both the Knight-Commander and the First Enchanter." He said.

"I know." Aedan said as he looked at them. Whatever chuckling either of them were doing stopped.

"You mean to escape, don't you?" The first asked. Aedan nodded making the second sigh.

"You know we can't let you do that. Have you learned nothing from Anders?" He said. Anders was the mage who kept making escape attempts, and actually succeeded in some of them but would be back in the Circle before long. Aedan was sure it was nothing more than a game to the mage considering the same templar was sent out after him every time.

"Yes." Aedan replied before closing his eyes and breathed in through his nose as if bracing himself for something. The templars looked on curiously before noticing the bundle in his hands. Aedan opened his eyes and tossed it at them. Their first instinct was to shield themselves. What came next was something they had not expected. As soon as the bundle landed on the ground, it exploded in a green mist engulfing the room.

Aedan heard the templars thuds as they fell on the ground. He walked over to the one with the keys and took them before opening the doors. He looked outside before taking a step forward. His first step back into the outside world after 11 long years. He quickly closed the doors and locked them from the outside before dropping the key and letting out a breath. He was thankful that there had been a book on traps in the library and the skills his father taught him hadn't gone to waste. Making a sleeping gas cloud trap was difficult enough, but having to keep it secret while making it in a shared quarters? Even more so! Then there was the fact he would swipe some ingredients form the storeroom and Owain. Poor guy. He walked across the bridge before jumping off it and swimming towards the shore. He was lucky there was no one outside at the moment as he ran up the way to the stables and grabbed a Ferelden Forder, one of the most common horses in the country. He learned a lot about horses by watching Bill and his father so he was able to be friendly with the horse easily. He mounted up and rode towards the road that led away from the Tower. He stopped and looked back.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me." He whispered before he galloped away, towards the wilderness, mentally preparing himself for what was to come.

What do you think?

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