Cover of Phantasma

Phantasma

by Kaylie Smith


Genre
Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Paranormal
Year
2024
Pages
472
Contents

Chapter 48

Overview

Genevieve forfeits Phantasma, but Sinclair's level eight trial still weaponizes her against Ophelia by presenting two perfect copies and making a wrong choice fatal to the real Genevieve outside the game. In the process, Ophelia realizes Gabriel likely caused her mother's death by failing this same trial years earlier. She survives by recognizing that both Genevieves are frauds, clearing the level and hardening her resolve against Sinclair.

Summary

As level eight begins, Ophelia and Genevieve part after spending the day searching the manor with Blackwell. Genevieve warns Blackwell to protect Ophelia, tells Ophelia to protect her heart, and then formally surrenders to Phantasma. Zel appears and removes Genevieve to safety, leaving Ophelia with the knowledge that she is now only two levels from freedom while Blackwell is not.

Blackwell brings Ophelia to the foyer, where the remaining six contestants gather, including Charlotte. Sinclair appears as the Devil overseeing the trial and gives the clue, Choose wisely. When Ophelia enters the level, she finds herself in a white room with two identical Genevieves, and Blackwell arrives late enough to alarm her. He explains that the level is called Fraud: Ophelia must identify the real Genevieve, but if she chooses incorrectly, the real Genevieve outside Phantasma will die.

The revelation devastates Ophelia because it clarifies why Blackwell had pushed so hard for Genevieve to forfeit. As Ophelia connects the timing of Gabriel White's failed second attempt at Phantasma with her mother's death, she realizes her mother likely did not die of a heart attack at all. She concludes that Gabriel must have failed this same trial and accidentally caused the death of the person he loved most. Blackwell pieces it together with her and apologizes, insisting he never knew because Gabriel had stopped summoning him by that point.

Once Ophelia regains control, she tests the two Genevieves. A childhood memory fails because both copies know it, and Blackwell explains that Phantasma can use Ophelia's own mind to build the impostor. Ophelia then asks a question she does not know the answer to: how many people Genevieve has kissed. One Genevieve gives an estimate, which Ophelia immediately distrusts because the real Genevieve records even trivial details in her diary. The other gives an exact number, but Ophelia realizes that answer is also wrong.

Using both Genevieve's habits and her own partial knowledge, Ophelia deduces that neither woman is real. She declares that both Genevieves are impostors, and both dissolve into smoke, proving she has solved the level. A portal appears, and Ophelia leaves determined to confront Sinclair for manipulating her yet again.

Who Appears

  • Ophelia Grimm
    Parts from Genevieve, uncovers the truth about Fraud, connects it to her mother's death, and clears level eight.
  • Blackwell
    Supports Ophelia, explains the deadly rules of Fraud, and confirms the implications of Gabriel's past failure.
  • Genevieve Grimm
    Forfeits to stay safe, warns Ophelia to protect her heart, and becomes the basis for Sinclair's trap.
  • Sinclair
    Oversees level eight, reveals the ominous clue, and manipulates Ophelia into a cruel test.
  • Charlotte
    One of the remaining contestants waiting in the foyer before the trial begins.
  • Zel
    Devil who escorts Genevieve away after she formally surrenders to Phantasma.
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