What the fuck is happening right now? I think to myself as I am walking up the never ending, winding stairs. All I know is one minute I am peacefully asleep in my bed at home, and the next I am walking up these stairs in a blueish-purple, with some pretty sick designs, tight dress with an incredibly blurry and double-sighted vision, and every time I ask what is happening the random dude in a metal suit of armor is telling me, "You will see."

I don't even know where I am and I am being told "You will see." This is great and totally not suspicious. I start to wonder if I have been kidnapped and start to see if I can make out small details. It's already difficult enough going up the stairs with this dress on and I am not even allowed to know what is happening. What a fantastic day, am I right?

By the time we reach the top of the stairs I am wheezing. When I realize there are about 6 people staring at me, I straighten up and act like I was not about to puke my lungs out. As I walk closer to the group of people, I start to see somewhat familiar faces. Or, at least I think so. Again, not the greatest eyesight in the world.

Oh fuck, I immediately thought and had the sudden urge to bolt. Staring me directly in the face are the blurred figures of First Enchanter Irving and Knight-Commander Greagoir. That is also when I realized where I was, what I was, and what I was about to do.

The Harrowing. Oh, great joy, I'll be getting a demon put into my body and then grasp onto the hope that the Templars will not immediately kill me. Joy.

"Magic exists to serve man, never to rule over him," Knight-Commander Greagoir's voice suddenly jumps out, tearing me out of my anxiety riddled mind. I look, more like squint, at the one of the two older men as he begins his whole spiel about dangerous magic while walking towards me.

"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," He continued. "Your magic is a gift, but it is 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."

Great demons, my favorite. I think sarcastically as I wait for Irving to start his lines. Is this a dream? This has to be a dream because there is no fucking way this shit is happening right now.

"This is why the Harrowing exists." Irving says, turning my attention away from Greagoir. "The ritual sends you into the Fade, and then you will face a demon, armed only with your will."

Super... I think quickly, this is the strangest dream I have ever had in my life. And that's saying a lot because my dreams are wack. Irving stops beside me and looks at me expectantly while I ask my question while already knowing the answer, "What if I can't defeat the demon?"

Greagoir jumps in abruptly, making me snap my head towards him, "It will turn you into an abomination and templars will be forced to slay you."

Oh, is that all? Good to know. Wait, can I have a dream inside a dream? Great, causing myself major inception here.

"This is lyrium: the very essence of magic and your gateway into the Fade." Greagoir continues, but then Irving grabs my arm to gain my attention.

"The Harrowing is a secret out of necessity, child." Oh, and I am great at keeping secrets, I laugh bitterly in my head. Irving then speaks again, "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 realm of dreams. The spirits may rule it, but your own will is real."

I have no will, Irving, I'm a college student, but I appreciate the sentiment.

Greagoir cuts Irving off from his morale boost, "The apprentice must go through this test alone, First Enchanter."

No, I don't. I quickly think. I then turned to look at him and man do I hope I wake up before I have to do anything. That didn't happen however because then Greagoir motions towards the birdbath looking pedestal with a glowing, blue aura gliding over the edges and says, "You are ready."

I am so fucking dead. I think nervously as I will my feet to walk to the center of the room. I stare at the lyrium inside and wonder if I could make it to the door before I got caught. I hear a throat clear behind me as I am just staring at the pool. I start to feel a weird sensation as if the lyrium pulls and sings to me; I slowly start to raise my hand to put in the serenading pool.

When my hand touches the liquid, it's as if what looked like cool water was actually burning fire. I yanked my hand out of the liquid and grabbed my arm in pain. I turn around to see if someone will help, but the surrounding area becomes the same "calming" blue as the lyrium.

When my eyes open, all I wish is to close my eyes again and forget I was ever here. What shocks me though is the fact that I can see perfectly fine within the Fade. No double vision, no blurred vision… no nothing. Normally if I don't have my glasses on, I can barely see five feet in front of me with a double version of everything, but here, I see as though I have always been able-sighted. I am speechless, I have become so used to my vision that I thought that I'd live like this forever. When I look around at the Fade, I feel like I can finally see for the first time.

The surrounding area is muggy and seems to have a green type of mist to it. The ground looks like it is dirt with craters indenting the ground, and it seems as if I am a single floating island in a realm of hill-ridden, floating mountains. There are structures of men with weapons looming over me as if reminding me that I am not supposed to be here. While the area around me is terrifying, I am still slightly fascinated about the fact I am actually in the Fade. Hell, the fact that I am in Thedas is shocking enough. Can I still consider this a dream or is that now completely out of the question?

I begin to walk down the path until it feels like I got shocked by lightning. I gasp loudly as the breath leaves my body and bent over grabbing my heart. I look up in the direction to see a ball of light shooting another bolt of lightning towards my way. I quickly duck out of the way of the incoming shot and start to back track towards the beginning area.

Well, this sucks balls. I didn't even make it past the beginning point and I am already dead, I think to myself in a hurry. As I throw myself behind the statue, I hear a slight humming noise and crackling of lightning. I try to think of something that might hurt the violent ball of light.

As the orb turns the corner to where I am, I throw my hands up hoping it will see it as a sign of surrender when I feel like something was thrown out of my hands. I looked up and saw that the ball of light had disappeared. Suspicious, I look around the corner to see nothing there. I gape in wonder and think about what might have just happened. As I sat on the ground and wondered what the hell I just did.

"Holy shit… I just did magic!" I exclaim in excitement and relief as I stare at my hand. "I did magic! Oh my God, I am wicked!"

I stand up off the ground and dust off the dirt on my blue dress. I looked around the corner to make sure there were no other orbs lingering nearby and started to follow the pathway. Going up the hill and turning a corner, I nearly ran right into another orb and almost died. When I got scared that another orb was right in front of me, I covered my head with my arms and expected another lightning bolt to be shot at me. This time, however, I didn't feel anything; when I looked up, I saw a shimmering, blue orb surrounding me as if it was a shield of sorts. The shield was absorbing the lightning bolts from the orb and was not affecting me at all. Even though I was amazed at this new discovery I realized I needed to get rid of this orb before my shield went away. Quickly, I throw my hands in front of me again and feel the same pushing sensation from earlier, except this time I was seeing it. A bright, purple light shot out of my hands and hit the orb. The orb then exploded, and I was amazed by what I just did.

Yeah, I'm pretty badass! I thought to myself as I continued down the path with a swelling of pride blooming in my chest, though it's probably because I have this shield up to protect me. After fighting one more wisp down the never-ending pathway, I hear the echoes of a voice from a faceless person.

"Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as the rest." the voice says hopelessly, "It isn't right that they do this, the templars. Not to you, me, anyone."

I look down at the source of the voice and see a mouse. Oh, it's you. I thought to myself as I stared down at the angered rodent.

"You're a talking rat," I say matter-of-factly, even though I already know what this "rat" really is.

The rat chuckles, "You think you're really here? In that body? You look like that because you think you do!" He sighs, "It's always the same. But it's not your fault. You're in the same boat I was, aren't you?"

The mouse stops talking and starts to glow bright and turns into a man. The man has mousy brown hair and blue eyes. And his face looks like… well looks like a mouse in human form. He is wearing yellow robes with brown shoulders. "Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me… well Mouse."

"Creative, but is that even your real name?" I say blandly, crossing my arms.

The now human Mouse looks lost for a moment, "No, I don't remember anything from...before." His face contorted angrily, "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."

I have to remind myself that he is not what he says he is. I try to pull my best empathetic face and quietly say, "I'm sorry that happened."

"Don't waste time with that talk. You don't want to end up like… this." He says with a dismissive tone then stops, and as if he is frozen solid and doesn't want to be caught, whispering quietly. "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's your way out. Or your opponent's. If the templars wouldn't kill you. A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the fade."

Reminded of the fact that I literally have demons warring for control of my body gives me a revived sense of urgency. I quickly reply, "Then I best get a move on. Follow me if you want."

Mouse looks shocked at my quick ending of the conversation, expecting it to continue. He quickly shrugs it off and changes back into his mouse form, "I'll follow, if that's all right. My chance was long ago, but you, you may have a way out."

Now back in his mouse form, Mouse and I start to make our way down the trail towards the other -kind- spirits, well the one kindly spirit waiting for me. The other, well, it depends on how energetic he's feeling at the moment. I begin to think about what will happen if I am unable to pass the test. My body will most definitely die, but what about my spirit? Will it be stuck in the Fade forever or would it go back to Earth? I then begin to spiral down the thoughts of being stuck in Thedas forever. I snap out of my thoughts when I notice we start getting closer to a little, flat hillside with a spirit standing on top of it, surrounded by racks of weapons.

"Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see." The spirit says as I approach it. "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'm here?" I ask, hoping the spirit can read my mind and silently understand what I truly want to ask. Do you know why I'm here?

"You are not the first sent here for such testing. Nor shall you be the last, I suspect. That you remain means you have yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come," The spirit says, completely disregarding my, nonexistent, telepathic abilities.

I physically deflate as I realize it won't be able to answer my true question. So, I dejectedly ask, eyes downcast, "Could I have one of these weapons to fight the demon?"

Valor looks at me closely, seeming to contemplate something before speaking again, "I will give one to you… if you agree to duel me first. Valor shall test your mettle as it should be tested."

I shake my head incredulously, I forgot I had to fight this bastard, "Seriously?"

The spirit shoots back quickly, "Yes, you must have valor to fight this demon and I will test you to see if you are valorous. And if you are not, at least I would give you an honorable death, and not devore your essence like a greedy child."

I quickly think over my possibilities of actually winning this duel and decide to just go for it and hope I don't die quickly. I muster as much courage as I have and say quickly before I change my mind, "Fair enough. Let us battle to the death, Valor."

I turn around and walk away from it, to at least give myself a slight chance of not being killed by its ghostly sword. As I am walking, I hear Valor state, "As you wish, mortal. Do you understand the rules I explained to you?"

"Yeah, yeah, I understand… just don't kill me right away, please?"

"Our duel begins now. Fight with Valor!" Valor shouts and all I hear is metal clanking as it runs towards me. I turn around quickly and shoot it with an arcane bolt. This, however, does not deter it… at all. Shit… I am so screwed.

I sprint away from Valor, courageously of course, and keep shooting it with arcane bolts whenever I feel as though I am a safe distance from Valor's sword. Every time the purple light shoots it, I slowly get more and more tired, and Valor seems to get more and more energized. Falling onto the ground in exhaustion, I look up to see it charging at me again, through the gaps of my hair. I pant heavily and will my arm to come up and shoot one last shot at it, making my demise at least a little memorable and a feasible attempt at saving my life.

"Enough. Your strength is sufficient to the task. The staff is yours." Valor stops charging at me and stares at me expectantly.

"Seriously? It took me wheezing out of breath and exhausted beyond belief for you to stop attacking me?" I barely get out, as I stumble up and face it. Even though I'm exhausted, I still have half a mind to punch the spirit protected by that stupid metal helmet. Would it hurt or would my hand just go straight through?

"Yes."

"I mean thank you, but what the fuck? Why didn't you just kill me?" I brush my hair out of my face.

"You did fight with worthy. You fought until your dying breath, that was worthy of you," Valor reminds me as if it was some magical moment that proved my worth. It did not by the way. When I finally catch my breath, Valor hands me the staff that was twisted at the top and looked like wings crystallized in wood. When the dark wood touches the palm of my hand, it's as if I instantly feel more energized.

"Whatever, thanks again, truly. " I nod towards the spirit and begin to walk away.

"May you find glory in all your achievements, mortal." Valor nods its head towards me. I looked over my shoulder and smiled, waving at it in thanks and goodbye.

As soon as I stepped off of the hill, I remembered Mouse was coming with me and I looked on the ground for him. When I spotted the brown mouse, I waved at him and continued walking upwards to the very top of the hill. However, before I could make it two ghost wolves suddenly came at me, surprising me. In a shock, an arcane blast flew from my staff when I held it out in front of me. Hearing the wolves cry out hurt my heart to the very depths. I kept trying to put the staff in front of me so as to not hurt it, but the wolf kept coming at me. In another fit of panic, I thrust the staff in front of me and another bolt came out of the staff, ending the wolf's endless attacks on me. I turn around and do the same to the other one, not because I want to, but because my will for survival overrides my feelings. The wolves exploding left me standing there with my staff in front of me. I don't move for a minute before shaking my head and moving on.

I can feel Mouse's eyes on the back of my head, and we continue to climb up the hill. When we finally make it to the top of the hill, we see a rotting bear with spikes coming out of its skin, sleeping there. The brown fur barely clings onto its body and parts of its head, while the rest just seems to have given up, showing the red skin underneath all the fur. The long spikes poking out of the head and different parts of the body give it the appearance as a mutilated porcupine. Then the two sets of claws on its feet freaked me out as well; the first pair looked like they were broken, and a second pair grew underneath it. As scary as it looked, I didn't really want to wake it up. However, once again the decision was made for me.

The bear barely opens its eyes as it grumbles tiredly, "Hmm… so you are the mortal being hunted? And the small one… is he to be a snack for me?"

Mouse begins to fidget nervously beside me and whispers towards me, "I don't like this. He's not going to help us. We should go…"

The bear sniffs the air as it lifts its head and stares at us, "No matter. The demon will get you eventually, and perhaps there will even be scraps left." The bear puts its head back down onto its paws and closes its eyes.

Before it falls asleep, I quickly ask, "So, you're a sloth demon, yes?"

The bear sighs and gets up fully, making me drink in the bear's size, almost as big as me for reference, "I am, yes, a creature of the Fade… unlike yourself. Mortals are ever the visitors here. Still, you serve your function. Only the mortals like yourself are truly annoying."

Fair. I know I am, so I ask, "What do you mean "mortals" like me?"

"You are… aware. A mortal with power and will. The sort of creature that some spirits… hunger for. You, however, seem more aware than most," Sloth slowly says as if this is some kind of news for me. "I might be inclined for such a meal, myself. It would be interesting to see the mortal world through your eyes, live inside your form… but I am disinclined to begin such a struggle."

"And I am eternally happy you are, really," I responded relieved. I did not want to get possessed today… or any day really. Not like a demon would want to stay in me anyways, my parents did always say if I were to get kidnapped, they would just bring me back.

Sloth, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care very much and grumbles out, "Indeed. Now what do you want with me?"

"I would love it if I could have your help defeating a demon." I say hoping he might help.

Sloth, however, yawns and begins to lay back down, "That is a very nice staff. Why would you need me? Go use your weapon since you have earned it. Be valorous."

Before I can retort that I am in fact not valorous, Mouse jumps in with a statement, "He looks powerful. It might be possible that he could… teach you to be like him."

This catches Sloth's attention, and it raises its head towards Mouse, "Like me? You mean teach the mortal to take this form? Why? Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn the change." Sloth then looks Mouse up and down and then decides, "You, on the other hand, little one, might be a better student. You let go of the human form years ago."

"I… don't think I'd make a very good bear. How would I hide?" Mouse stutters.

"You could be. Besides you'll be powerful in this state," I state, besides wanting to hide myself.

Sloth confirms my thoughts, "It's true. I am quite powerful in this form… when I wish to be."

"I… welcome the opportunity, if it is my choice. The mages in the tower are quick to volunteer others, as you well know." Mouse says, sarcastic or not I can't tell, he looks at me for confirmation, which I nod encouragingly. "I'll try. I'll try to be a bear. If you'll teach me."

I look towards Sloth hoping he would agree when he says, "That's nice. But teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now."

I stare at Sloth in disbelief and shock (even though this should not be a shock to me), while Mouse sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, "I told you he wasn't going to help us."

I scoff and hastily look towards the sloth demon, "Mouse said he wanted to learn. Teach him."

Sloth turns towards Mouse expectantly, "You wish to learn my form, little one? Then I have a challenge for your friend: Answer three riddles correctly, and I will teach you"

Shit, I suck at riddles. I think as I wait for Sloth to address me and keep up my glare as best I can, even though I want to crumble from the inside out.

"Fail, and I will devour you both. The decision is yours," Sloth waits for my answer.

Trying to play it cool, and like I'm not terrified of the demon staring me down, I let out a huff, "Riddles? I am great at riddles, hit me with all the riddles, buddy."

"Truly? This gets more and more promising," Sloth says somewhat shocked before he gives me his first riddle. "My first riddle is this: I have seas with no water, coasts with no sand, towns without people, mountains without land. What am I?"

Ok, I just have to remember the answers from the game, no pressure. I sit there and hope Sloth doesn't get a random burst of energy and decides to eat me whole. After a minute of thinking, I say hesitantly, "Uhm… a map?"

Sloth grunts, "Correct. Let's move one."

After the mentally exhausting riddle game, I finally got Sloth to teach Mouse to become a bear. We finally leave the demon alone and make it down to the pit where the other demon is. Looking into the empty pit, I see a demon made of lava, one consumed by rage. As we get closer to the pit, I can practically feel the heat radiating off of the rage demon. Looking at the demon, I make the most hasty decision of my life and just immediately attack the demon.

"You did it. You actually did it!" Mouse exclaims after the rage demon finally falls (melts?) into the ground. He continues after a beat of silence, "When you came, I hoped that maybe you might be able to… but I never really thought any of you were worthy.:

I nod and ask, looking around waiting to leave the Fade, "What happens now?"

Mouse starts to ramble excitedly, "You defeated a demon, you completed your test. With time, you will be a master enchanter with no equal. And maybe there's hope in that for someone as small and as… forgotten as me. If you want to help."

I tilt my head and look at him closely, "Excuse me?"

"There may be a way for me to leave here, to get a foothold outside. You just need to want to let me in."

"Let you in?" I asked, trying my best to remain calm.

"Back! Help me back. They killed me, right? Just like all who fail in here. They'll kill you too," Mouse yells at me. "Can't you feel the sword at your neck? They believe all magic evil, the Fade evil. Once you are here, you become what they fear."

I roll my eyes and stare him dead in the eyes, "Oh, you mean like you? You weren't even an apprentice!"

"What? Yes! Of course! I mean, I think I was. Isn't that enough? It should be enough! For you," Mouse starts to get even more visibly frustrated until… he goes blank and starts laughing. "Maybe they are right about you. Simple killing is a warrior's job. The real dangers of the fade are preconceptions, careless trust… pride. Be careful, outsider, this world is much different from the world you know."

The man named Mouse starts to glow the same bright white light, but instead of turning into a mouse, he turns into a towering monster. Scales, horns, and razor-sharp claws, the whole nine yards of Monster Corp. I step back in fear and close my eyes, hoping I don't die.

And then everything turns white.