For the time being, my chapters will alternate between past and present (chapter 1 being present, chapter 2 being past, obvious enough for those who have played DA:Origins) and the past will be somewhat out of order - like memories/flashbacks. When I have the wardens past mostly worked out, I may choose to reorder the chapters to better fit a linear timeline.

Also, scenes that play directly off of scenes/encounters in the game may be less detailed than independent and original scenes. This is just a habit that I have in fanfic, because it seems unnecessary to describe in detail an even that has already been described/portrayed in detail elsewhere.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the DA:Origins universe and do not profit from it in any way. I lay claim to no characters in this story, except Alim Surana's personality. His name and body are not mine, but his personality is my creation.

Alim Surana was woken up earlier than usual, and he rolled out of bed to see a Templar waiting at his door. The Templar silently escorted the mage through the halls of the Circle Tower.

"It is time," said Irvine calmly, as the mage entered the top chamber of the tower.

It must be my harrowing, Alim thought, Anders warned me about this.

The Knight Commander Gregoire and First Enchanter Irvine stood at each other's sides, showing each other more respect than Alim was used to. When he saw these two together, they were usually arguing, often about himself and his friend Anders.

Gregoire turned his head, looking to the Apprentice Mage as he entered the room, "You wouldn't happen to know where Anders is, would you?"

Alim raised an eyebrow in feigned ignorance, "Hmm? Oh, he's escaped again, has he?"

Gregoire glared, "You know how much trouble he is in. If you know where he is, and don't tell me, you'll be in trouble as well."

Alim shrugged, "It's not like he told me where he was going. He wouldn't put another mage in such an awkward position and you know it," Alim pouted, "He didn't even tell me he was leaving, just left a note in one of my books saying goodbye."

Gregoire was not amused, "Leaving the tower without permission is a serious offense. You shouldn't take it so lightly. He could become corrupted, using blood magic and becoming an abomination."

Alim rolled his eyes, "Blood mage this, abomination that. Your paranoia betrays your blind prejudice. You and the First Enchanter both know that Anders would never resort to blood magic. He and I would both rather die. Stop pretending like the way you treat him is justified."

Irvine sighed, "Calm yourself, child. Being angry is not a good way to start off your harrowing."

Alim bowed shallowly, "Of course, First Enchanter. I did not mean to cause trouble, merely to defend a good man and loyal friend."

"Indeed," said Gregoire coldly, "I apologize. This is not the right time for interrogations. Now, shall we begin?"

Gregoire accompanied Alim to the center of the Harrowing chamber, to a pedestal filled with lyrium to create the gateway into the fade, "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. 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 you as a gateway into this world."

"Must I do this?" Alim ask as he noticed a nervous templar, Cullen he thought the name was, standing on the opposite side of the room and shot him a wink and a sly grin.

The templar scowled and blushed, not appreciating the notorious male's attention, especially given the circumstances.

Irvine didn't seem to notice the exchange or the elf's sarcastic tone, "Every mage must go through this trial by fire. As we succeeded so shall you."

Alim put his hands on the pedestal, gazing into the liquid lyrium, and allowed his consciousness to seperate from his physical body. It was a disorienting process, but he was far from unprepared. Anders had told him that the harrowing involved entering the fade and refusing the offer of a demon. He had not been very specific though, fearing the consequences if Irvine found out that he had divulged the circle's greatest secret. Alim looked around as he entered the part of the fade set aside for this test. It seemed fairly uninteresting, as far as the fade went, and so he set out on the winding path in front of him, quickly dealing with the few wisps he met along the way. Before long he spotted a mouse and he stopped, investigating it.

"You're not really a mouse, are you?" He muttered inaudibly, "But are you here to help me or hurt me?"

The mouse regarded him, "It isn't right that they do this, the templars," he spat the word, "Not to you, me, anyone."

Alim was shocked and very nearly stated the obvious about the creature being a talking rat, he composed himself though, "No, it isn't right at all."

"But they keep doing it, don't they? We get treated like rabid dogs, and we let them get away with it," the mouse shifted before his eyes, becoming a man, "Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me … well, Mouse."

He sounds like Anders when he's had a particularly bad encounter with a Templar, Alim thought, I don't think he's a friendly spirit, but he seems safe enough for the moment, "What am I supposed to do, exactly?"

"There's a creature here, a demon. You have to confront it, and fight it. That's your way out, or the demon's if the Templars wouldn't kill you. A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade."

"Hmm, that doesn't sound too difficult. Come on then," Alim invited the mouse to join him, "I could use your help, if you're willing."

"I will," the mouse stated matter of factly, "I intended to follow you anyway."

Alim frowned, That's a bit suspicious. Maybe soliciting his help isn't such a good idea after all.

The mage dismissed his doubt and kept walking until the reached a large open area, and mouse said, "This is where you will face the spirit. It could be anywhere, but it manifests there."

Alim furrowed his brow, "Well, there's nothing here now. Let's keep looking."

They came upon a spirit of Valor, and when offered a chance to duel for a weapon, Alim resisted, "You just want to kill me yourself," he accused the spirit.

"How dare you accuse me of such cowardice," the spirit fumed.

"Then prove yourself, give me the weapon so that I may defeat the demon I face," Alim demanded.

Valor was beside himself, "Such insolence … but, you do have a strong will, it seems. Very well."

Alim thanked Valor and continued on, seeing another being at a dead end ahead of him. It was a bereskarn, a tainted bear, and it was sleeping. Alim approached cautiously, after recieving a warning from Mouse.

"So, you are the mortal being hunted, are you?" The demon spoke slowly, as if any action at all was a burden.

A demon of Sloth, I assume, Alim wasn't impressed, "In this instance, I am the hunter, not the hunted. Can you help me?"

Mouse whispered, "It's possible, he could teach you his form."

"Hmmmm? Teach the mortal to become a bear," Sloth pondered, "Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn another. But you, little one …"

"Me? Become a bear? How would I hide?"

Alim rolled his eyes, "You wouldn't. You would fight with me, for the sake of saving another mage from the hands of his cruel Templar jailers."

Sloth sighed tiredly, "You needn't argue over that. I didn't say I would teach you. It is … too much work."

Alim glared at sloth, "Mouse wants to learn, teach him."

Sloth sat up lazily, "You are … quite demanding. Is it bravery, or stupidity, I wonder? … Very well, I could use some amusement. If you answer 3 riddles, I will teach him."

"And if I fail?" Alim scoffed.

"Then I will devour you both."

Alim frowned, "You're no better than a Templar. Pass this test and I'll help you, otherwise you die," Alim quipped, exasperated by the need for another test, "Very well, I will answer your riddles."

They were quite simple, and Alim passed the test without any trouble. Mouse was ecstatic to learn his new form, and Alim thanked the demon.

"One last thing, before you go, mortal," Sloth lay down and prepared to sleep.

Alim turned back to regard him, "What?"

"Don't trust him," Sloth warned, extending his head in the direction of Mouse.

Alim smiled at the demon, "Thank you, Sloth, but your warning is unnecessary. I don't trust anyone in the Fade."

Sloth nodded, "I am surprised by your wisdom, mortal. Perhaps … you will not die after all."

Alim walked away, back to the open space where Mouse claimed his trial awaited him. He wasn't at all surprised when a demon of rage appeared, asking Mouse about his offering.

Alim didn't want to hear it and cut off the conversation quickly, "I don't care, demon. I will defeat you, and if Mouse betrays me I'll deal with him too. The Templars will have no reason to cut me down."

Rage laughed, "Very well, mortal. If it is a fight you wish."

The fight didn't last long. Mouse seemed to have overcome his earlier cowardice and the two of them made short work of the demon. The wisps summoned by the demon disappeared with his destruction.

"You did it! You actually did it," Mouse sounded overjoyed, but there was something off about his tone, "When you came, I had hoped … but I never really thought that any of you were worthy."

Worthy? What an interesting choice of words, Alim was not so pleased, "That was too easy."

"That is because you are a true mage, one of the few," Mouse seemed a little nervous, "The others never stood a chance. The Templars set them up to fail, like they tried with you."

"Shut up, Mouse," Alim cut him off, "What do you think you're going to get from me?"

"I helped you, you could simply return the favor. There might be a way for me to leave here, you just have to want to let me in."

Alim laughed coldly, "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

Mouse sighed, "You are a smart one, aren't you?" His voice deepened, "Simple killing is a warrior's job." Mouse changed his shape again, becoming a huge creature that Alim had only seen in drawings, "The true dangers of the fade are preconceptions, careless trust … pride." He paused, "Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end." And the demon of pride was gone.

Alim sighed in relief, confidant he had passed his harrowing as consciousness slipped away from him.