"...repetitious echoes of an infinity so brutally harrowing that words cannot capture the devastation nor the tone of such a vicious nightmare."
-Edgie Sedgwick
Origins…
The hard clank of Templar armor resounded the empty hallway. Eshne walked behind them, her stomach fluttering all about. She wrung her hands together, knotting her fingers in every which way, yet the two walked in silence towards the Harrowing Chambers.
The Templar opened the door, and she stepped through.
Sunlight poured through the massive windows, Eshne took a deep breath of semi-fresh air, it had been her first in years.
She saw Redd, crow's feet wrinkling around his eyes when he saw her. She couldn't help but feel better, knowing that he was proud. There was Greagoir, standing like a statue next to first Enchanter Irving, and beside him were two other Templars, one of them being Cullen.
Eshne smirked when she saw him, trying to keep from blushing when he gave a small smile in return.
Irving was the first to speak.
"My dear girl, as your teacher, Wynne wished she could be here. But she asked us to continue without her. Word will be sent to Ostagar once you succeed." He assured her.
"If, First Enchanter, if." Greagoir reminded him. Irving just rolled his eyes.
"This is your Harrowing, child," Irving said, "You face a dangerous road ahead."
"Yes, ser." Eshne straightened herself out, "I'm ready."
"Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him." Greagoir said confidently, "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."
Eshne rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, 'Yes, all mages seek to bring the end of the world. It's our favorite game.' She just widened her eyes and grinned in response.
"Magic is a gift," Greagoir continued, "But also a curse. In the Fade you will encounter demons. They will be drawn to you because of this, and they will try to use you as a gateway into this world."
Irving went to Eshne, placing a hand on her shoulder, "This is why the Harrowing exists, you must use your sheer will to navigate the Fade. And you will face a demon."
"Lovely." Eshne remarked, "Let's do this." She rubbed her hands together. Redd sighed to himself.
"Right..." Greagoir held his composure, he looked to Cullen and then Redd, "It is our duty as Templars to strike you down, to prevent demons from entering this world." He then looked at Eshne, "Is this clear?"
"Always has been, Greagoir." Eshne said with a smile.
"The Harrowing is a secret for a reason, Eshne." Irving spoke up, "You must never reveal what you experience to any other." His eyes softened, "Remember. Keep your wits about you. The Fade is a place of dreams. Nothing is as it seems."
"She must do this alone, First Enchanter." Greagoir interjected.
He motioned for Eshne to walk over to a podium in the center of the room, affixed with a silvery bowl that contained a viscous substance.
Eshne recognized this as lyrium, she could feel the whirs of its magic dancing around her head.
She walked slowly over to the lyrium, taking a deep breath, she put her hand towards it. Almost instantly the lyrium attached itself to her skin to spread over her hand, glowing brightly as it consumed her arm. It felt like a rush of cold coming over her whole body. And darkness overtook her.
Eshne awoke with a start. Her vision blurred as she sat up and rubbed her eyes, realizing part of the blur was a feature of her surroundings. Slowly, she stood up, looking all about her.
There was a dull brown hue to the place, and she had the fleeting recognition that the scent she had a hard time placing was what tilled earth smelled like.
She stood up, brushing dust off of her blue robes as she walked over to a large statue. It had a horned helmet and strange blade-like objects as part of its arms.
"Huh..." She thought to herself, turning her head to the side, "Does that...would it?" She looked down towards her crotch then back to the blades of the statue, "Maybe." She turned away.
She shook her head and readied herself, calling the elements most familiar to her. She could feel her fingertips and toes warming, the scent of dirt and grass flowing into her nostrils. Her ears and nose twitched as flashes of rolling hills and wildfires ran through her mind.
Her connection to the Fade was strong, and Eshne knew this. Her entire body warmed, the ground under her feet sprouting fresh green grass and dandelions.
She summoned rocks to aid her with armor. Her skin tightened and solid white stones formed over her. They latched to her freckled hands and over her whole body, fitting tightly with one another until she looked like an otherworldly white knight.
Her head was partially covered with a helmet that had rocks going down her freckled nose and over her ears. Her fingertips fitted with small white stones that bent with her movements. She felt deadly.
Eshne went forward, feeling confident.
There was a ball of light off in the distance, she came down the hill, taking little time to summon a spell of fire. The wisp fell to the ground and sizzled until all that was left were glittering ashes.
Eshne kept to the makeshift path as she made her way through the Fade. Golden spirits of foxes and chipmunks ran about, creatures from Eshne's childhood that came to her dreams to bring her comfort. The atmosphere changed around her, and she could see deformed trees creeping up around her to canopy over her path. It might have resembled the Brecilian if Eshne had unearthed the distant memories of her life with her Clan.
Now, it looked to Eshne to be just a dead forest. Black trees with no leaves, the feeling of unease. Had it not been for the small spirits, Eshne would have felt there was no sign of life-if that was what it was in the Fade...
Eshne stopped when she came to a small furry creature that was almost underneath her rock covered boot.
It was a mouse.
"Someone else thrown to the wolves I see?" It said, its voice was quiet, almost whiny, "It isn't right."
Eshne grimaced in disgust as she backed away from it.
"Oh my…" She peered down.
The mouse began to glow a light yellow. It grew to Eshne's size, then a little bit taller. She could now make out the shape of a somber man.
"You think you're really here in that body?" He asked, "You only look like that because you think you do."
"I beg to differ, ser." Eshne argued, "I look like this because my mother happened to be a very lovely young woman." She glared.
The man scoffed, taking her words into consideration before shaking away a fleeting thought, "You're in the same boat as I was." He cleared his throat, "Yes...Allow me to welcome you to the Fade," He spread his arms out, "You can call me...mouse." He chuckled.
Eshne cringed when he smiled at her, his eyes made her feel uneasy.
"I take it that's not your real name." She spoke warily.
Mouse shook his head, "No. I don't remember anything from...before. The Templars kill you if you take too long. They don't want to risk something getting out. That's what they did to me," He rose his voice, "They killed my body. I am doomed to this wasteland."
"Well then I should get going. Because that's not gonna happen to me." Eshne wanted to get away, but her stopped her, forcibly grabbing her arm. Eshne felt a fire rise within her, a flicker of past fears running through her mind.
"That has been said before. You don't know the danger." His eyes were wild and he looked around, "There's something here. For you. You have to face a...demon. You have to resist it-"
"Whatever-" She looked the man up and down, "-Mouse…" She then added, "Anything can die but I won't." She pulled herself away.
"This creature is cunning. But, there are others. Other spirits who might be able to help." He said, "I will come along. Perhaps I can help you do what I could not."
Eshne tried not to groan, she didn't want him following her. But he was persistent.
The two continued down the winding path. Trees grew around them as they walked on. Off to the side Eshne could see a small clearing of brown grass and rotting mushrooms.
Eshne warily passed it, Mouse mumbled something about the demon, so Eshne avoided it for now. She ignored Mouse's ramblings as they walked by.
They came upon strange trees with red spikes for leaves. Eshne burned a few wisps around them, but for the most part it was quiet.
To her left, Eshne could see a golden figure clad in armor. It stood stoically amongst racks of weapons and whatnot. Eshne walked closer to the spirit.
"Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn I see…" The spirit spoke, "A cowardly test…" It harrumphed, "It would be better if you were pitted against each other. To truly test your worth and your mettle. It does no one good to be sent unarmed against a demon…"
"I must agree with you," Eshne put her hands on her hips, "But I didn't exactly have a choice."
"That is true." The spirit said, "And you are not the first either, and not the last I suspect. That you remain means you have not yet defeated your foe. I wish you a glorious battle."
Eshne looked at the weapons, "I would ask for your help. For you see I am sent in unarmed against a demon. Surely one of your skillfully summoned weapons could help me defeat the demon." She batted her eyes.
The spirit thought for a moment, "Perhaps. But I would test your skill first."
"Right." Eshne bowed, slightly put off.
The spirit unsheathed their sword, stepping towards Eshne. In an instant, Eshne sent fire to the spirit, their armor crackling with flames as they swung their sword. She sent another fireball towards the spirit, its sword ablaze as it swung again for Eshne, just barely missing her head.
Eshne then breathed an air of winter towards the spirit, freezing half of its body. Her final move was to send a large piece of earth towards it, breaking the ice and knocking the spirit to the ground.
It stood up and walked to Eshne, clearly spent. The frost spell made her lungs flare up, and she had to steady herself. She reminded herself this was why she didn't use freezing spells.
"You are a worthy adversary, mortal." The spirit laughed heartily, "I shall give you a weapon to aid you in your battle.
"Thank you." Eshne gave a quick bow.
She was handed a dark wooden staff with two dragon head meeting at the tip. Between them was a bright orange crystal. She took it gratefully, feeling more confident in her abilities to fight the demon.
Mouse followed her down the trail while she explored a little more.
She froze, hearing the echo of a wild bark, one that she hadn't heard since she was with her parents.
Out of nothing, a spectral figure of a wolf materialized. It's jaws dripping with saliva, its teeth sharp like daggers.
The wolf lunged for Eshne. She used her staff to deflect it, pushing the wolf to the side while she shot a bolt of lightning towards it. The wolf landed with a thud, dissipating into a golden dust.
Another wolf materialized behind her, latching it's teeth onto her leg and pulling. Eshne let out a yelp, shooting an arcane bolt from her hand to the wolf's head. The wolf shot backwards, whining and rubbing it's nose with its giant paw.
Mouse hid, watching Eshne point her staff to the wolf, burning it until it fell over and turned to dust.
Eshne rolled her eyes when she saw Mouse come back out from the shadows. She examined her leg. A tooth had been stuck in her rock armor, she pulled it out, watching it crumble in her hands. As far as she could tell she wasn't bleeding, but she could still feel a sting when she walked.
Eshne rubbed her chest, trying to ease the burning she felt. She let out a dry cough and shook her head.
"You are so cunning, not like the others before you." Mouse commented as he came from his hiding place.
"Yeah you're a huge help too." Eshne snapped.
She continued down the path, her eyes searching for another adversary.
"Be cautious, there is another spirit here." Mouse warned.
"Thanks, I didn't realize the Fade was going to be filled with spirits." Eshne mumbled.
She saw that Mouse was right, before her was a large sleeping bear. Or what looked to be a bear. Eshne scowled, it wasn't like the bears she had seen in books, or what little she remembers of her clan.
"It is a spirit of Sloth." Mouse whispered.
"Uh-huh." Eshne half-listened.
The demon growled, "So this is the mortal being hunted...yes indeed...Is he to be a snack for me?" It looked at Mouse. Sloth seemed tired, but nonetheless frightening.
Mouse looked to Eshne, "We should go. There's no help for you here."
The demon sighed, "No matter. When the demon gets you, perhaps there will be scraps left for me."
"Why wait?" Eshne glared, "Come get some now." She readied herself.
"Oh, you'll just run away," The demon yawned, "I'd rather not waste time chasing you." It yawned again, "Now leave me be. I'm sure you have better thing to do than bother Sloth. Begone mortal, I tire of you already."
"Hey, wait a minute," Eshne put her hand up, "I might need help fighting the demon."
The bear yawned again, "You have a lovely staff there. I know you've earned it, now leave me be."
Mouse came up beside Eshne, "Perhaps he could teach you to be like him." He suggested.
"Like me?" The demon seemed amused, "Teach a mortal to take this form? Why? She seems too attached to her...form…" He looked at Mouse, "You on the other hand. You might be a better student. You let go of your human form years ago."
"I don't think I would be a very good bear. How would I hide?" Mouse shied away.
Eshne groaned, "Mouse, hiding doesn't solve all of your problems. We have to face our fears."
"'We'? I have faced more in this place than you could ever imagine!" Mouse yelled, "Fear...fear is just one more thing…" He thought for a moment, "Perhaps you may be right though. I'm sorry. The Fade, it changes people." He looked at the demon, "I will try."
"That's a nice though. But, teaching is so exhausting." The demon yawned.
Mouse sighed.
"No, no," Eshne wagged her finger, "You said you would teach him. You can't go back on your word."
"He wishes to learn my form? Well. if you want him to, I have a test for you, young woman. Answer three riddles, correctly, and I will teach him. If you fail, then I shall devour you both." The demon stretched out lazily.
"I'd rather not." Eshne crossed her arms, "I would rather kill you."
"Step back, mortal," Sloth warned, "I may be a demon of sloth, but I can be roused." It stood back up, "Go now. Or suffer the consequences."
Eshne readied her staff, "Bring it on, creature."
The demon lunged for her, swiping with its great paws. Eshne sent forth a blast of flames. The demon roared at her, charging. Eshne stepped to the side, but was knocked to the side. When she fell, the demon charged for her again. She kept its jaws from clamping down on her with her staff, then called up the earth to launch a fist of stone at the bears large face. The demon reeled back, long enough for Eshne to stand and conjure an arcane bolt. She sent it flying to the bear, and at the same time she directed fire to cover the demons whole body.
The bear charged at her again, flames surging through its whole body. It slowed, yawning and twitching each time the fire went through it.
"Enough," It cried, "You are a pest. You are not worth the exhaustion. I will teach the little one to be a bear if it will rid you of my sight."
Mouse conversed with the demon, getting an occasional yawn from it. But Eshne just glared when the demon suggested that they just leave him be.
Eventually Mouse was able to shift into a bear. Excitement crossed his face.
"Am I a bear? I feel heavy." He frowned.
"Yeah, you're a bear." Eshne sighed, "Let's get out of here."
"Go now," The demon yawned, "Go defeat your demon. I grow weary of your presence."
Eshne motioned for Mouse to follow her. He lumbered behind her, complaining about how exhausted he now feels with the added weight. Eshne continued to ignore him.
They ended up returning to where the spirit of Valor had been.
Again, Eshne could hear the haunting barks of the spirit wolves. She readied herself.
Two of them ran for her, only this time, Mouse charged for them. He swiped with his paws and bit at them. He fought them easily, his last deadly swipe turning them into dust. Two more materialized. Eshne hit one with her staff, freezing the other and breaking it with her boot.
Mouse went for the remaining one. He hit it with one paw, mauling the wolf until it fell to the ground and turned to shimmery, golden dust.
Eshne was impressed with the new Mouse, thanking him for finally helping.
She headed back to the forest clearing. It was silent, not a breeze disturbing the dead branches of the trees around them.
Eshne jumped back when she saw the ground before her open up.
"There is the demon..." Mouse backed away.
"Let's do this." Eshne stepped forward, holding her staff tightly in her hands.
The demon was light purple, large horns poking from its handsome head. It turned its head to the side and bit its lip.
"And so you come to me at last, mortal." It's voice was smooth but menacing, it ran a hand over his chest and down to its jeweled loin cloth, "Come to play?"
Eshne swallowed hard, trying not to stare directly at the demon.
"Such a beautiful thing." The demon stepped forward.
"Watch yourself, demon." Eshne warned, her eyes glancing down to the creatures bare chest.
The desire demon let out a laugh, "Don't you want to have fun? Mortals always do. And I think I should like being inside you very much."
Eshne scoffed, "I've had many things in me, but I'll stay away from demons thanks."
The demon's eyes flashed violently, "Soon I shall see your realm through your eyes. You will be mine. Body and soul."
"Then come and get me." Eshne taunted.
"Oh, I shall...your body will make an excellent vessel. And I'm thinking chains. Or dark silk...it would compliment your flesh so sweetly. Naughty naughty..." The demon chuckled, "So, this creature is your offering Mouse? Another plaything?"
Eshne shot daggers at Mouse. He had his hands over his face in disgrace.
"I'm not offering you anything," Mouse shouted, "I don't have to anymore!"
"Aww," The demon pouted, "And after all those wonderful...private meals...we have shared. The mouse changes the rules."
"I don't have to bargain with you anymore." Mouse balled his fists.
"We shall see." The demon glowered.
Electricity shot out from the demon's body. Eshne jumped back to avoid the shocks. A rogue spark surging up her hand to her neck. She felt a slight singe in the gingery hairs on her arm, thankful to her rocky armor for protecting her from having her whole arm burned by the electricity.
Eshne conjured fire, blowing it at the demon who was now sheathed in a great flame. He slowed enough for Eshne to form a rocky tomb around the creature.
The demon broke his earthy barricade with flashes of lightning, charging for Eshne. Mouse fought off the conjured wisps in his burly bear form.
Eshne's eyes went orange and she sent a quick burst of flames. She lifted her staff into the air, calling forth a maelstrom of fire.
The demon turned brown, his skin crackling and flying up into the whirlwind. Yet he swiped at Eshne even harder, shooting bolts towards her.
She narrowly dodged them, retaliating with surges of boiling heat that surrounded the demon.
He roared, slowly burning away as Eshne kept on with her spell.
Finally, he fell to the ground, reaching out for Eshne's ankle as the bones on his hands began to melt away. There was a final scream before the demon slumped to the ground. Eshne slowed her spell, finally pulling it into control.
Once the fire was gone she nearly doubled over. Her lungs burned, and she closed her eyes to focus herself.
Her eyes slowly turned back into a deep violet. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her rocky armor disappearing as she let go of her concentration.
Mouse ran over to her, back in his human form.
"You did it!" He cried ecstatically, "I can't believe it!"
"You doubted me?" Eshne raised her brow, glaring at him when he came closer.
"Well." Mouse began, "When you came. I just. I never thought any of you were ever really worthy-"
Eshne suddenly grabbed the collar of Mouses robes, "What were their names?" She snarled. "The other mages you betrayed."
His eyes widened, "I...I don't remember. I don't even remember my own name."
"Start remembering!" She shook him, "How dare you leave those innocent people to the demon!" The pushed him back.
"But you...you are a true mage." Mouse stammered, "The others weren't as cunning. They never had a chance."
"Bullshit they didn't have a chance!" Eshne screamed, "You set them up to die!"
"That was the Templars." Mouse argued, pushing in closer to Eshne, "I regret my part in their deaths. Can you say the same for the Templars?" He looked into her eyes, "You can be so much more than you know." He touched her shoulders, "So capable...and beautiful-"
Eshne pulled away, "What are you doing?"
"You defeated the demon. With time. You could be a master enchanter." Mouse opened his arms, "You can be very powerful, with a little help." He reached for her hips.
"Get away from me." She said disgustedly when he grabbed her. Mouse tossed her staff to the side.
Eshne looked him over once more, "You're not a mage." Her words were cold.
Mouses brows furrowed, "Me? Not a mage? How could you say such a thing?" He held her struggling body.
When Eshne stopped and glared at him, he chuckled.
"My my. You are a smart one." He grinned, running a finger across her cheek. He leaned in close to her mouth. His voice was deeper now, unnatural, "Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the Fade are preconceptions, careless trust…"
Mouse let go of her. His body grew larger, contorting into a colossal purple demon. Large twisted horns growing from his ugly head. He looked down upon her with many eyes, cocking his head to the side.
"Pride." He chuckled, showing his many sharpened teeth.
Eshne stared up at him, reaching for her staff and ready to fight for her life.
"Keep your wits about you, my dear. The true test never ends."