Phantasia

“Only you did not see all the seals,” replied Faye, “As mysterious and unique as your powers are, they still abide by the laws of mana. If the power placed in the trap is greater than the power you are using the detect it, you will be blind to its existence. That these shamans could create a shadow demon and plan a manifestation ritual suggests that they should not be underestimated – nor should we forget the potential involvement of renegade faeries. As for our ease in arriving here: you forget that the catacombs we passed through are used by the Raven subculture on a regular basis, and perhaps others. Beyond this chamber, however…”

“So what’re we gonna do then? We can’t just give up!”

“Just as physical traps react to a physical presence, so to do magical traps react to an ethereal presence,” explained Faye, “We would be immune to the former, but obvious to the latter. However a small ethereal presence would be as likely to set off a magical trap as a speck of dust would a physical one,”

“So how’re we gonna manage that?”

“We must use a projection,” replied Faye, “Much like both myself and Queen Thetis have used to communicate with you from the Innerworld, and how Natalie Chiltern has used to communicate with us,”

Phantasia winced, memories flooding back of her journey around the Queendoms and her numerous failures studying basic faerie abilities. “I can’t do that. You were there when they tried to teach me!”

“That is correct,” said Faye, stepping away from the crevice and towards the centre of the chamber, “But you have grown in strength since that time. Also, it is quite possible for you to project with my help. First we must make sure we are not caught off-guard while our sight is elsewhere,”

The Water faerie’s aura began to swirl into the shape of an ethereal bubble, which then began to expand until it became a thin film that covered every surface, every chink in the chambers walls.

“It is a weak barrier, so as not to draw attention to our presence,” explained Faye, “However, it will alert us should any thought patterns attempt to penetrate its field. Now, Princess, please join with me for the projection,”

Faye held out her hands and Phantasia took them cautiously.

Allow yourself to become one with me.

She could feel Faye’s essence tickling the palms of her hands, teasing her own into entwining itself with it like waves eroding rock. At first she held back – what was going to happen to her? What if things didn’t go as planned? What if they couldn’t separate?

Do not be afraid, Princess. Please put your trust in me.

Of course she trusted Faye – she was her handmaiden after all! Gentling lowering her barriers, Phantasia began to allow her spirit to flow into Faye’s waiting embrace, just as she would allow her power to flow into the aura of a friend in distress. As the world began to fade she noticed a tiny spark of light forming between them, sculpting itself into the shape of a shimmering dolphin no bigger than an eyelash.

Relax, and allow your conscious self to become one with the projection.

Phantasia closed her eyes and focused on Faye’s projection, diverting her own essence into it. She could feel the waters of Faye’s own aura helping her along, guiding her way along the rivers of spirit and into the ethereal container.

It is done.

Chapter 47
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