Phantasia

Phantasia opened her eyes and saw the world from a new, diminutive perspective. Both her body and Faye’s towered over them like giants, their eyes closed in silent concentration, two helpless forms open to a surprise attack.

Should anything happen to this projection, our consciousnesses shall return to our bodies, as shall also happen if our bodies are disturbed, or the field surrounding this chamber. Now we move.

Phantasia found herself pulled along as Faye’s astral body darted from the chamber and into the dark crevice. Unable to control her movement as she plummeted into the depths, it reminded her of the times she’d journeyed in human vehicles – like a prisoner with no control over her destination.

As anticipated, the sloping path led to an underground river and Faye dived to immerse her projection in its current. Our presence shall be camouflaged down here, she said, use your own senses to detect anything suspicious.

Phantasia focused on the world around them as the water rushed past them. As Faye had expected, Phantasia noticed some basic magical seals at certain points along the cave walls, along with signs of more mundane, mechanical traps – but soon the magic became too much for her projection’s limited senses and she was left to guess what else the shamans might have left. The final hurdle, however, stood in plain sight.

It’s definitely a golem, said Phantasia, wary of alerting the silent sentinel at the end of the tunnel. It looks like this passage opens up behind it. I’m guessing from the flow of mana that the leyline node is just beyond there, but I can’t see any kind of gateway linking to the other plane.

I would hypothesise that this passage leads only to the buried ruins of the Outerworld, said Faye. Even so, the traps we have passed and the golem stationed before us suggest that these shaman are determined to keep anyone from interfering.

It was for the best that Phantasia had no control over the projection, lest she would have dived for the cavern beyond. Faye had other ideas, however, and maintained a safe distance.

So, guess this confirms that everything’s connected, said Phantasia.

Indeed. The plan is now clear to me: a great deal of mana is required in order to perform a demonic manifestation, which leads me to deduct that these shadow demons you call ‘leansídhe’ were created to harvest such magic energy. However, a manifestation also requires a physical sacrifice. Although it is possible to utilise inanimate matter, living beings are preferred – not only are their very souls consumed, but living bodies also provide more efficient materials for a new body.

So that’s what the missing people are for?

I can think of no other reason captives would be required in this situation. And I agree with your thoughts that this ritual must be stopped before those sacrifices are made. Such a release of suffering would not only empower the demon, but also create a cancerous corruption at the heart of the leyline node. We would no longer be able to access our world from it, nor use it to communicate with Queen Thetis.

And people would die.

Yes, and their deaths would spark further suffering among their friends, who in turn could be driven to act irrationally.

And the sacrifices would be dead. Permanently.

They would become a part of— Yes, they would be dead.

***

Chapter 47
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