Not all Templars wanted to hurt mages. But some were afraid, and others liked having that power, and using it to hurt them.

[It's probably for the best he doesn't elaborate on that.]

No. They locked him up because was an apostate who had hurt people. [Would Akechi know what that means?] He was a mage, but he wasn't in a Circle, where the Templars could decide if he was a danger or not. If they decided yes, then he probably would have been made tranquil, so he couldn't be possessed... or hurt anyone.

[Some believe that's a fate worse than death, though.]

But they forgot he was there. When they found his body, they made it look like he never existed to bury their mistake.

[This sure is a cheery conversation. Cole doesn't seem to mind answering his questions though, his moments of discomfort aside.]