“You do not understand the implications of this magic,” said Faye, “Illusion magics range in scope and power. This is an example of an illusion with a wide area-of-effect, as it targets a large number of minds. With so many different memories to rewrite, it can be difficult to maintain coherence. When this magic was commonplace, during the reign of the original Seelie Court, only a handful of faeries at any time had the skill to weave such illusions with success. Judging from the constant adjustments made to this current spell, and the thought patterns of those under it, as well as the Academy staff’s ability to negate it, we can conclude the one behind the spell does not have a great deal of experience with such magic.”

“So it can’t be hard to break it then!” said Phantasia.

“You must tread carefully, Princess,” said Faye, “As I said, this is a complex spell performed by an amateur who is determined to conceal the truth. The more you push the caster, the more complex the spell becomes, and the greater the risk of it causing irreparable damage to your friends. The safest and most reasonable option for the removal of the spell is to convince the caster of its dangers and for myself to utilize the power Queen Thetis has gifted me with to nullify the magic. A Water faerie’s power is the perfect antidote to a Wind faerie’s illusion.”

“And you ain’t doing that just yet, right?”

“I have not yet been convinced it is the correct choice to make,” said Faye.

***

Tirio wasn’t accustomed to this place. Underground tunnels and catacombs were no stranger to a former prince of the Earth Queendom, but here hazardous currents of spiritual energy were around every corner, tunnelling through the hubs and hiding places of this surreal world. It was a world caught between the material simplicity of the Outerworld and the ethereal splendour of the Innerworld; a world tainted by the worlds around it; a world where those who sought a different path walked alone against the tides of fate – the Underworld.

Tirio emerged into the central chamber of their current niche. The cavern’s roof opened upon a violent storm of mana whose elemental properties were affected by any number of things Tirio didn’t understand. Right now the streams cast the chamber in yellow-green light.

“Well that was a mess,” said the familiar, self-important tone of Dyfrio as he appeared from a cyclone of water. “What exactly did you set out to achieve, other than alert everyone of our existence?”

“I have come to understand the current limits and capabilities of Princess Phantasia’s abilities,” said Tirio, “With this experience we can develop a successful elimination strategy should she prove a troublesome adversary,”

Dyfrio scowled, unimpressed. “And now those Seelie humans are on alert,”

“I do not fear the humans as you do,” said Tirio.

“You would do well to give them some credit,” Dyfrio retorted, “If they pool their resources they could prove a serious threat to our strategy,”

Chapter 42
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