Chapter 51: Mission Objectives
Phantasia tapped her foot impatiently as Faye focused her senses on the myriad thoughts travelling through the streams of mana around them.
“The group consists of eight teenagers,” said the Water faerie, “It would appear the traps were designed to test an intruder’s ability. I cannot read much more.”
“Eight? It’s gotta be Phoenie and the others!” said Phantasia, mentally counting the members of Veritas and their Raven associates.
“That would be a logical deduction,”
“Why would the shaman want to ‘test’ them, though?”
Faye’s eyes opened, their light dimmed from the exertion the reading must have taken on her power. “We must not assume the trial was designed for them, but we can be sure the shaman anticipated interference and have a desire to ascertain the potential of their adversaries,”
Phantasia frowned and brushed away strands of hair the flow of mana had swept into her face. Who would the shaman be testing, and why? Were they intending to test her? Would her friends once again be endangered just because of her? She found herself queasy at the thought, but there was no use worrying about it. No logic in jumping to unreasonable conclusions, as Faye would say.
Her handmaiden managed a smile at her princess’s conclusion, then winced in pain. “Attempting to read the flow of thoughts in this area has consumed more strength than anticipated,” she said, “It would be prudent of me to recover in the sanctuary above,”
The situation was dire. Faye needed to recharge, her human friends could be at the mercy of a golem any minute now, and all around them a demonic manifestation ritual that would sacrifice innocent lives was in the process of initiating. Phantasia alone couldn’t handle all that – alone she doubt she could handle just one of those problems.
“We cannot stop the ritual and protect your friends at the same time,” said Faye, “We must hope they are either capable enough to deal with challenges presented to them, or wise enough to flee when they are not. As for my recuperation, I should be able to quickly gather enough temporary strength to sustain me. Upon my return I shall avoid the gateway to this plane and remain in the Outerworld. If your friends are still present then, I shall seek them out and provide them with advice and assistance,”
“I’ll come with you!”
“You must focus on preventing the ritual, Princess. I do not have the ability to disrupt the magic circle, but you do. While it is in its initial phase, you should be able to disrupt the flow of mana from one of the elemental nodes,”
“There’s no way I can do all four in time!”
Faye took a deep breath, redirecting her remaining strength. “Do what you can. The circle is still gathering energy, so we have time. Only when it enters its third phase will we be unable to rescue the human sacrifices. I would suggest that you focus on attempting their rescue once the ritual reaches its second phase, no matter how many elemental nodes remain. Be warned, however, that a direct rescue attempt has the lowest probability of success, especially if undertaken before the second phase begins,”
“You sure you got this all worked out?” asked Phantasia, already expecting the answer.
“I am prepared for all possible outcomes,”
“Don’t I get a clue on what they are?”
Faye began her ascent towards the church gateway above. “No,”
***
