On the first night of Phantasma, Ophelia arrives by carriage at the gates with Tessie’s locket pounding against her chest. She pushes through the crowd, searching for Genevieve, but she does not see her sister anywhere. Even so, Ophelia trusts the locket and Genevieve’s hidden notes enough to believe Genevieve came here, so she stays instead of turning back.

At the front gate, Ophelia questions a well-dressed Phantasma official. She describes Genevieve and asks whether her sister has already entered, but the man refuses to reveal anything about earlier entrants. Ophelia then asks about Gabriel, hoping the name might mean something here, but the man denies being Gabriel and pressures her to either enter or leave.

Because Ophelia has no other lead, she agrees to enter. The official explains the terms: Phantasma’s price is each entrant’s greatest fear; the circus and its staff bear no responsibility for any harm suffered inside; any bargains made there must be honored exactly; contestants may forfeit outside the trials by formally surrendering; and winning requires surviving all nine levels, one for each night, and being the last person left alive. He also gives a final warning to fall in love at one’s own risk.

Ophelia hesitates, but Genevieve’s farewell note steadies her resolve. She gives her full name, and the official uses magic to search her mind. Smoke-like claws move through Ophelia’s memories, desires, and fears, exposing private parts of her childhood and inner life in a way she finds humiliating and invasive.

The magic uncovers how many fears Ophelia carries, including being buried alive, losing Genevieve, and dying alone. Then it reaches the one terror Ophelia thought she had buried deepest, and the official selects it as the price of entry. When the process ends, he is openly delighted, telling Ophelia that her chosen fear will make Phantasma especially hellish for her and especially entertaining for its watchers.