Note: all characters are over 18, as established in previous chapters.
*****
"The beginning of everything is atoms and void, and everything else is perception" — Democritus, 470-370 BC, Greek philosopher.
The following day the six of us were up promptly, dressed and equipped for a hike, which meant the girls were done out in practical style - trousers, shorts or jeans, tee-shirts and heavy walking boots and ruck sacks. Somehow that didn't stop them looking ridiculously sexy, at least to my eyes. And the reaction of other males who around in the hotel at that early hour suggested it wasn't just me.
Today's objective was not tourism or pleasure. We were going to try out Athena's idea and since I feared that there was a danger it would draw our enemy's attention, we were going to go as deep into the surrounding countryside as possible to avoid the risk to others.
Most of the gear we carried suggested nothing more than a long day's hike - food, water, fully charged phones, blankets, maps, compass and so on - but in addition we each carried a large knife. Presumably any fight with the Creature would be involve the use of the girl's powers or possibly even be some sort of mental struggle, but it still gave me reassurance to think that should it prove necessary we had physical weapons to hand as well.
Our journey was not a random one. Athena had had time while she waited for our arrival to scout the area and she now led us from the hotel along the road a little way and then up into the heavily wooded hills. I say hills, but the slopes were steep and our fitness was tested. We ascended via rarely used paths for just over three hours, with only two short breaks, before Athena felt we were sufficiently far from civilisation for our purpose.
I for one was grateful to rest. We spread the blankets on the ground and ate and drank. Then it was time to begin our true task. Athena had already outlined her plan but she now went over it again:
"When our minds enter the alternative dimension our bodies will still be here. We'll probably look as if we are asleep but it will be closer to a coma since, with our minds absent, we will be basically defenceless. So we will have to protect ourselves. Firstly we need to create an illusion and a barrier that will keep away any people who happen to chance on us. That's my job, since it will be largely mental - the power of Aether."
"What will you do exactly?" I asked.
"Firstly, I'll create a perception-field that means anyone looking at our campsite will see it as empty - just another cleaning in the forest; that's the illusion part. This wouldn't stand up to close inspection, so the second aspect is that anyone viewing this area will feel a compulsion to ignore it and go on their way - that's the barrier element. I did something similar before when I entered the other dimension before, although that was in my house back in Athens and I had the advantage of a locked door as well."
"You said that was the first thing. What else do we need?" Matsu asked.
"That's where the rest of you come in," said Athena. "My illusions won't affect the Creature, it's too powerful. We are going to need something more substantial if we are going to keep it out. I don't have any experience of elemental powers but I presume you can come up with something?"
"Damn right we can!" said Freya enthusiastically. "The four of us haven't had a chance to work together yet and I bet we can come up with something awesome."
Brigit looked at me, "What do you think Chris?"
"Yes Master," added Jenny, "what commands do you have for us?"
Suddenly all five women were looking at me expectantly. It was more than a little intimidating. They had the power - or, at least, most of it- not me. But then I found that I had figured out what we needed while I had been listening. Perhaps this was my prophesied role as co-ordinator and guide kicking in. Or maybe I just got lucky. Either way I knew what to do.
"What we need is a hard shell around us while we are visiting this other world, as impenetrable as we can make it and trapped as well. It has to be spherical; our enemy is not human and is as capable of attacking from below or above as at ground level. Therefore Jenny, as Mistress of Earth you take the bottom half. Solidify the ground beneath our feet until nothing can penetrate it. Freya, create a similar barrier of air molecules around our encampment. You've done it before; I want anything trying to approach feel like they are walking into a hurricane."
I had their full attention, and seemingly their respect as well. In return they were filling me with confidence that I knew what I was doing. I looked to the Mistress of Water. "Matsu, both air and earth contain water molecules - add your own defences to those of Freya and Jenny. The combination of elements should make the defence stronger."
I realised that Brigit was looking a little disconsolate. I guessed she was thinking fire had no obvious role to play here and was feeling left out. I smiled at her; she was about to learn otherwise. "Brigit, there is a lot of pine trees in these hills - good resinous wood, which should burn well. You and I are going to collect some while the others get to work on the defences. If anything attacks us and starts to break through, I want a trap waiting for them. So we surround the site with flammable materials and then rig it so they will combust fiercely if our defences are broken."
Brigit grinned, "I can do that. And I'll set the flame to go outward away from us. No point in getting fried!"
"Good idea, but try not to set fire to the entire forest in the process. I know how strong you are, Brid." I smiled at her and she looked pleased with the compliment. "As I have some link to all the elements I will attune myself to all your efforts, ladies, and that way if anything goes wrong here I should know and we can all return to defend ourselves."
"Sounds like a plan, Master," said Freya happily.