To the Repository

"I can't believe I agreed to this," Ilyanna says as she Jowan and Lily make their way down the stairs.

"It's the only way!" Jowan whispers, "I would do the same if it were you, you know that."

Ilyanna's heart tied itself in knots as she heard him say those words. What made it worse is she knew he meant it. It would only make what she had to do now harder.

"I know you would," she says.

They round the corner and arrive at the door.

"The Chantry calls this the Victim's Door. It's made of 277 planks, one for each original Templar," Lily says, "It is a reminder of the danger that all those cursed with magic pose."

"So how do we get through it?" Ilyanna asks.

"The door can only be opened by a Mage and a Templar entering together. The Chantry provides the password, which primes the ward, and the Mage touches it with mana to release it."

"I assume there's a catch," Ilyanna poses, "Otherwise you wouldn't need me here."

"The catch is, that only a mage who's passed their Harrowing can open the ward," Jowan explains.

"Well, that seems incredibly contrived," Ilyanna whispers, "And the password?"

"I have it," Lily confirms, "I got it from a Templar who recently accompanied into a mage into the vault. We have conversed many times. I believe he trusts me."

Ilyanna takes a deep breath.

"Alright. Let's do this."

Lily nods and walks to the door, "Sword of the Maker, Tears of the Fade."

A hum began emanating from the door, and Ilyanna could feel the mana flowing through the door. Gingerly, she reached out and touched the door, letting her own mana pool in her hand. The door swung open as the ward was released.

"Come on," she says, "Let's get this done, and get you out of here Jowan."

"Thank you, Ilyanna. I can't tell you how much-"

"Save it. Thank me later."

Ilyanna walks quickly past them both, and to the repository door.

"You have the Rod of Fire with you, right?" Jowan asks.

"Jowan, you watched me get it from Owain not even 5 minutes ago!"

"I know, but-"

"Jowan, please, be calm. We're almost done here," Lily said, putting a hand on Jowan's shoulder. She gives Ilyanna a pleading look, and Ilyanna quietly sighs.

"It's ok Jowan, I know you're scared, but it'll all be over soon," she says, putting on a reassuring smile.

"This is harder than I thought it would be."

"If it weren't, that would be a problem in and of itself," You say.

"You're right," Ilyanna replies, sighing to herself.

"Just remember, whenever you need my power, it is ready and waiting for you."

Ilyanna nods silently as the trio made its way forward to another door.

"This is it!" Lily shouts, "I'm sure of it!"

"Go ahead, Ilyanna, melt the locks off!" Jowan says.

"Alright, Alright, will you please calm down?" Ilyanna says as she walks up to the door. Without another word, Ilyanna pulls out the Rod of Fire from her waist-pouch and levels it at the lock. She begins pouring mana into the rod slowly, willing it to life. Any moment now, the brilliant flame would spill from the end of the Rod and melt the lock.

Any second now...

"Why isn't it working?" Lily asks, fear rising in her voice.

"I don't know," Ilyanna says, "Let me try again."

"Lily, something's not right," Jowan began, fear already lacing his tone, "I can't feel my mana! I can't cast spells here!"

"Look!" Lily gasps, "The runes around the door! They must prevent any magic from being cast in this area! Why else would they put something so important behind a simple door?!"

"Will you both calm down!" Ilyanna almost shouts, "There has to be another way in!"

Looking around, Lily and Jowan's gaze falls on a second door at the end of the hallway.

"That door probably leads to another part of the Repository. What are the chances there's a second entrance?" Jowan asks, already making his way over.

Lily follows quickly behind, not more than three paces away from Jowan at any time. Ilyanna follows a ways behind them, her mind whirling with all the things that could be waiting for them on the other side of that door. And in her self-absorbed state, she nearly misses the figure inspecting the wall to her left.

"Michael? How are y-" she starts.

You look at her, your smile stopping her thoughts in their tracks as you say: