47: The Purpose of the Leansídhe
“A projectile weapon,” said Faye, floating close to examining the wound, “However, the projective itself holds no memories I can read. I would ascertain that it is an enchanted bullet, created for precisely this purpose. An ingenious strategy, as the destruction of the golem would have alerted its creator, while its sealing would not,”
“I guess we’re not the only ones here,” said Phantasia. She took a few more cautious steps towards the golem, and then scurried around it to take her first good look at the castle beyond. Its tall, labyrinthine walls were made from the same transmutational magic that formed the tower, with each and every crimson brick in perfect alignment with its neighbours and no sign of cracks or blemishes across the smooth surface. In the distance, the dome at the centre of the giant circle was capped with an elaborate stained-glass design that made the ancient windows of the church above look like the crayon caricatures Angelo Foley drew of his classmates. Beyond the dome, at the furthest corners of the castle, two towers rose up towards the jagged stalactites of the cavern roof. From the energy she could sense sweeping around her, Phantasia could tell the other towers were close by. When she stepped out from beneath the arch and the shelter of the golem, the ethereal winds buffeted her cloak and hair, and she focused on forming a barrier against the onslaught.
“This place is volatile,” said Faye, gliding down to join her, “The atmosphere shall erode our endurance fast. Should I need to recuperate I can return to the sanctuary above, but I fear it will not be so easy for you,”
“I got better barriers than you though,” said Phantasia, “Gotta put all that practise to use. Besides, we don’t have time to waste!”
“I am scanning the area now,” said Faye, “It is difficult to distinguish thoughts in such a storm of energy – and once the ritual begins proper, this storm will only intensify. If I am to detect anything, it must be now,”
Faye’s will grew like a bubble, gathering strength, then burst across the castle like the breaking waves of a tsunami. If any of the shamans were looking they would surely notice, but there was no time to worry about detection now – and as soon as they began disrupting the towers their presence would be known anyway.
“There is a disturbance,” said Faye, “A sudden panic of unprotected thoughts. A group has been detected approaching the cavern, deactivating traps along the way. Humans. Teenagers.”
Could it be Phoenie and the others so soon? How would they ever get past those magical traps with only Lyra’s limited knowledge? Faye had left them a warning – which both faeries were sure they wouldn’t heed – but was assured the weaker traps would deter them early on. If not, and if they somehow made it through the gauntlet, they were on their way to a confrontation with a golem…
~ At the crossing of the leylines, everything comes together?! ~
~ Next: The Trials of Veritas begin! ~
Loading ...
Chapter 47
Previous / Continue
(page 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8)
I’d classify this as one of the more boring chapters to write… An entire chapter of Phantasia/Faye is hard to make dramatic. Never mind, it’s really just setting up the following trilogy of chapters, which don’t involve them at all! I’m just glad to get it out of the way >_>
I took advantage of the chapters slow pace to do a little bit of world-building and exposition about the Ravens. The bands they follow don’t just play music, but travel the world too. In this era the biggest names and celebrities are heroes and wanderers (some of the Academy teachers are quite famous in certain circles), rather than the sort of people we have to put up with XD
The advent of audiomancy means these travelling bands can double-up as fighters and mercenaries too, although audiomancy isn’t a very offensive ability (it’s more about support). To make up for this, various musicians have crossed traditional instruments with weaponry. Seriously. Kaori’s dad in particular is not someone you want to mess with… (although like proper rock stars, his reputation may be victim to a little…exaggeration…)
The chapter also provides another example of astral projection. It seemed like a good place to put some, since it’s another ability that will be getting some more development in coming chapters. Another type of magic to be on the lookout for is enchantment. Hopefully by dealing with the various powers/abilities/magics in small doses, I’m not overloading people with too much information – that was the idea, anyway!
build-up is also good, though
Sweetness, I can read it now! And I didn’t find the chapter boring to read if that makes you feel any better about writing it. Sets things up nicely for anticipating the next one. Can’t wait.
Yeah, sorry it wasn’t up at first: who would’ve thought getting it donw in advance would lead to such a blunder? Such irony! Wasn’t near a computer when I found out either, so had to arrange something, lest it would’ve been sitting them failing for four hours – not very professional!
It’s probably more boring to me because I’ve spent in the region of 10-25 hours with it XD
woot i like the new site layout
Thanks, it devoured a lot of time and even required a bit of study, but I couldn’t stand the old version any longer!
Awesome change to the Layout, And whereas writing a dramatic chapter with just Faye/Phantasia might be hard, their clashing personalities sure do make it that much more interesting lol
“The advent of audiomancy means these travelling bands can double-up as fighters and mercenaries too, although audiomancy isn’t a very offensive ability (it’s more about support). To make up for this, various musicians have crossed traditional instruments with weaponry.”
Heh! I have a picture in my mind of this kind of Tuba:
http://thumb1.shutterstock.com.edgesuite.net/display_pic_with_logo/62727/62727,1200971438,2/stock-photo-tuba-player-in-a-marching-band-8754736.jpg
being used as a magical Rocket-Propelled-Grenade launcher.
Or one of these: http://www.metalinjection.net/photos/31E81HVJAXL._SS500_.jpg
being used to shoot spells at an enemy.
like the chapter.
huh, new site design looks prety blank. i liked the chapter scroll bar. oh well storys still amazing and thats whats important
I liked it too, but it was horribly web 1995! Have been experimenting with alternatives, so a better-looking alternative might show up sooner or later!