Into the Phantasm Part 1: The Silver Mirror

Through the Mirror Part 1: An Average Sort of Day

Have you ever had an idea? A really special idea? A story, world, character or concept that just pops into your head one day that you can't stop thinking about? Or perhaps you're more interested in the ideas of others. The art they make. The stories they tell. The passion they give to the world. Have any of those ideas felt so real and so true that you could almost reach out and touch them? More importantly, have you ever wished you could?
    What if you could meet the quirky little creatures you drew when you were young? What if you could ride dragons and fight monsters just like the heroes told of in storybooks? What if there was a place where every crazy idea that humans come up with... could be real? Would it be a dream come true... or a nightmare worth remembering? Well, believe it or not, such a place does exist.
    You may think I'm off my rocker for saying it, and hey, you're goddamn right about that. I'm absolutely nuts! However, that doesn't make my words any less true, for far beyond the reaches of reality, there lies another world. A separate dimension where the whimsical majesty of the human mind is brought to life. A realm known as: The Phantasm.
    Don't believe me? Well, by all means, leave this story where you found it. You're under no obligation, so why bother? Pay it no heed and go about your life as if it never even existed... but for those with a more curious mind, I implore you to read on.
    This is a story of four extraordinary young women which has echoed through the worlds for centuries, carried by the playful whispers of the stars. A tale of love and fear. Of magic and monsters. A story that changed the course of history forever.
So sit yourself down, take a minute to relax, and open your mind to all things wondrous and impossible as we join one of our soon-to-be heroes, preparing for another ordinary day in her ordinary life...

~~~

Sarah shovelled a handful of stationary into her backpack, spilling pencils all over the floor. "Gonna be late, gonna be late!" she babbled to herself, not bothering to pick them up. Her room was messy enough as is. Drawings strewn about everywhere, the surfaces all cluttered with things she didn't need or use. The only organised part was her shelf of anime figures, which she quickly adjusted while she zipped up her bag.
Sarah grabbed some clothes from the bundle on the back of her desk chair, tugging on a pair of grey leggings and a navy-blue hoodie which she'd probably only worn once. A pleasant yet slightly bland and scruffy outfit. Sarah had resigned to never looking particularly beautiful or exceptional, so what would be the point of wearing anything more extravagant? Dresses that wouldn't fit her shape, crop tops that wouldn't cover her body enough. She'd tried and hated enough clothes to know what she liked to wear. Hoodies were perfect. They fit her body shape and covered it up nicely. She looked fine. Fine was good.
There were no mirrors in her room.
    She completed the look with a little enamel pin she'd bought for herself over the summer. Heart shaped, decorated with the colours of the lesbian flag and as yet unused. A smile twinkled on her face. It suited her, like it was always meant to be there.
Her insistent clock ticked away on the corner of her dresser. Ten to eight? She was supposed to be out of there five minutes ago! Sarah cursed under her breath and went to the door, yelping when she spotted her Dad plodding by, one hand holding a cup of coffee that was about 90% milk, the other perched in the pocket of his scruffy dressing gown.
"Woah, steady on, college girl," he chuckled.
"Oh, morning Dad," Sarah panted. "Sorry, just kind of in a hurry."
"Forgot to set your alarm?"
Sarah nodded, scratching the back of her neck. "I'd forget my own head if it weren't attached to me..."
Her Dad smiled, taking a swig of his preposterously milky coffee, leaving some behind on his bushy moustache. "Well, I won't keep you," he yawned. "Good luck with your first day."
Sarah sped into the bathroom to brush her teeth and her hair. She would've put more effort into taming her locks but she'd tried and failed too many times to count. The last time had nearly killed her! A quick once over with a hairbrush was more than enough.
After retrieving her backpack, Sarah zoomed out of her room, managed to trip over her own feet and tumbled all the way down the stairs, hitting the ground like a sack of rocks.
"Are you okay!?" her Dad called from upstairs.
"Yep!" Sarah exclaimed, standing up like nothing had happened. "Totally didn't fall down the stairs again if that's what you're thinking!"
"Cool, just had to make sure you didn't die. Have fun at college."
Sarah dusted herself off, ran into the kitchen at top speed and slammed some bread into the toaster, waiting impatiently for it to cook, tapping her fingers on the countertop. Eventually, the toast popped up and scared the girl half to death. She spread on some peanut butter and jam and ate her breakfast in three large bites.
    Stepping into the front garden and clutching the straps of her backpack, Sarah took a deep breath of the fresh, morning air.
The sun had only just begun to rise, filling the sky with gold and the clouds with rosy pink. Sarah loved watching the sun. Whether rising or setting, it never failed to relax her mind and body. She sighed, letting it do just that, drawn in by the beautiful colours and the anticipation growing in her heart.
    I have a feeling today is gonna be great, she thought, grinning to herself. The start of a new adventure...