"It's the test apprentices go through before they're admitted to the Circle of Magi," Anders explained. "We aren't supposed to know much about it, but the rumor is you pit yourself against a demon somehow. Some people don't come back."

Anders didn't think that would be him. He was good at what he did, or so he'd always thought. But the possibility he was wrong was what made the harrowing, well, harrowing.

"It's terrifying. But it's what you have to do."