“Indeed you are,” said Faye, “The ritual you seek to prevent aims to manifest a demonic entity known as ‘Alastor’ in your world, using human sacrifices to create a physical body. Should you encounter such an entity, it is most likely you would all be killed,”

“So why ask us for assistance?” asked Andromeda before any of the more brash individuals could protest.

“Nothing I said would have changed your minds. Only experience can do that. If you do not rise to the challenge, you will fall into obscurity. If you wish to turn back now, the path is clear. Otherwise our mission objectives are to save the sacrifices, disrupt the ritual and learn what we can of those behind it,”

“’Mission objectives’?” asked Andromeda, echoing Phoenie’s own curiosity on the matter with much softer, friendlier tones than the editor could muster at this point, “We’re students, not military personnel. Unless this has something to do with that SEELIE business…”

“You may consider this a trial assignment. A field test of your potential.”

Everything was falling into place now. Andromeda had a way of coercing the answers she needed out of a person – and, it appeared, out of a faerie too. Phoenie expected no less from her childhood friend.

“But wouldn’t it be better to have professionals handle this? If it’s as dangerous as you say, and our teachers really are mercenaries…”

“Yeah, those dudes totally kicked Godhand’s arse!” added Joel, his limited patience finally breaking.

“A direct assault would be inadvisable,” replied Faye, “We must learn as much as we can about the situation. Individuals befitting the situation have been assigned to it. You are acting as their backup. Now, if you are finished with your questioning, we must continue. Time is running out,”

Faye didn’t wait for further discussion. She skipped into a glide and sped towards the castle walls. Theseus was, for all his cynical disbelief, the first to follow her, with the others picking up pace behind him. Phoenie checked around to see if anyone had taken Faye’s advice and turned their back on the mission, but everyone was accounted for. The trials had bound them together and formed an unbeatable team of skills (and Joel Gibson) even this manifest entity of demonic power, ‘Alastor’ would have trouble dealing with. For their leader to believe otherwise would be to condemn them into death.

The ensemble came to a half outside the castle walls. Taller than they’d appeared from a distance and flawless in design, it felt as if they were standing before the abode of something far more than human. The arched gateway, as tall as a house and almost as wide, was marked in an alien language and led into a walled passageway. More labyrinth than castle, Phoenie began to wonder what giants had once lived in its depths..

“We are being approached,” announced Faye.

“Was just about. To say that. Myself.” said John between exhausted breaths, “Got three of them on their way,”

Chapter 51
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