Chapter 155
The ether pulls me back into its shimmering grasp, dissolving the world around me like a wave washing over sand. I feel lighter and more at ease in this space now. My connection to the etherworld feels like second nature, as easy as breathing. I close my eyes, focusing on Wake, and let the ether guide me.
When the glow recedes, I find myself back in the suffocating dimness of the lava tubes. The air here is damp and metallic, the walls glistening with condensation that reflects the faint light.
Wake’s pacing in the distance, his heavy boots crunching against loose stones. His movements are tight and deliberate, and the tension in his shoulders is palpable. Even from here, I can tell he’s carrying the weight of something big.
“Wake,” I call out softly.
He stops mid-stride, his head snapping toward me. For a second, his expression flickers with relief, but it’s quickly masked by suspicion. His body stiffens, his eyes narrowing. “Phoebe?” His voice is low, wary.
I step closer, holding up my hands. “Relax, it’s me.”
His gaze sharpens as he studies me, his eyes scanning like he’s trying to peel back layers to confirm it’s really me. “How do I know this isn’t another trick? A hallucination?”
“Seriously?” I cross my arms, shooting him a look. “Because I’m standing right here? Well, kind of. You know what I mean.”
His lips press into a thin line, and the tension in his jaw doesn’t ease. Before I can press further, another voice cuts through the space.
“What’s going on?” Khale strides into view, his voice low and clipped. He moves with a predatory grace, his green eyes narrowing at Wake as he approaches. The flickering light of the cavern catches the faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.
Wake doesn’t look away from me. “Phoebe’s here,” he says, his voice taut. “She’s etherwalking again.”
Khale’s brow arches as he glances around, his expression skeptical. “Where?”
Wake gestures toward me, his hand slicing through the space between us. “Here.”
Khale steps forward, his gaze darting to where Wake is looking. He strides right through me, his broad shoulders passing through my projection like smoke. A shiver runs down my spine—not because it hurts, but because it feels so profoundly wrong.
Khale turns back to Wake, his expression unreadable. “I see nothing. You’re talking to shadows.”
“She’s projecting,” Wake snaps, exasperation creeping into his voice. “Only I can see her.”
Khale folds his arms, his gaze hardening. “Fine. If she’s really here, tell her to stay put until we find them.”
I roll my eyes, planting my hands on my hips. “Tell him we’ve got bigger problems.”
Wake smirks faintly, like he’s trying not to laugh. “She says they’ve got bigger problems.”
Khale’s jaw tightens. “What kind of problems?”
I glare at Wake. “Repeat this exactly, okay? No paraphrasing.”
Wake raises his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just the messenger. Go ahead.”
I take a steadying breath, keeping my voice calm despite the urgency pounding in my chest. “We found a massive chamber filled with hive-like creatures mining some kind of glowing mineral. Cora thinks their activity is causing the earthquakes—and releasing Leviathan’s kin.”
Wake’s expression darkens as he relays the message. Khale’s shoulders tense, his eyes narrowing as he processes the information.
“That would explain the monster sightings we’ve been dealing with,” Khale says, his voice grim. “But if this mining spans the entire affected area—tens of thousands of miles—then the hive must be enormous.”
Wake glances at me, his brow furrowing. “To what end? Just to create chaos and free Leviathan?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out,” I say firmly. “Ask Khale if there’s another quake zone nearby.”
Wake repeats my question, and Khale’s expression flickers with recognition. “There are plenty,” he says. “But Nereid’s been getting particularly strong readings from one area.”
“Where?” Wake presses.
Khale doesn’t hesitate. “Challenger Deep. In the Mariana Trench.”
The name sends a chill through me, but I push the fear aside. “Then that’s where we’re going,” I say without hesitation.
Wake’s head snaps back toward me, his face incredulous. “We? Only two of us have bodies, Phoebe.”
I grin, stepping closer. “Then I guess I won’t slow you down.”
Wake groans, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re impossible.”
“Yeah, but you love me,” I counter, giving him a sly smile.
He mutters something under his breath that I don’t catch, but I see the faint twitch of his lips. Even Khale, standing stoic as ever, looks vaguely amused.
“Fine,” Wake says, his voice resigned but determined. “We’ll figure it out. But, Phoebe, if we’re doing this, I need you to tell me everything you know. Every detail.”
I nod, my grin fading as the gravity of the situation settles over me again. “I will. Just…find us soon. I don’t know how many more cave mushrooms I can stomach.”
His gaze softens, and for a moment, the tension in his shoulders eases. “I’ll handle this quickly,” he says, his voice steady. “I promise.”
I reach out instinctively, my hand brushing against his, though we both know it’s an illusion. The ether tugs at me, pulling me back to my body, and I feel the connection start to waver.
“See you soon,” I whisper as the light takes me.
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