Chapter 304

• Portals, it seemed, could only be created when a tether existed between two realms. Their creation was intrinsically linked to the element Spirit, a force far more demanding than the others. Spirit wasn’t just a tool—it drew directly from the Fae’s life force and soul. The strain was dangerous, and overuse could lead swiftly to death. Only those with immense reserves of power could successfully create a portal, and even then, the process left them utterly drained, requiring a significant period to recover before attempting another.
• Some of the information struck me as useful, though it felt distant—like it wasn’t meant for me. When I had created portals in the past, there had been no conscious effort, no deliberate channeling of Spirit. The only thing I’d felt was raw, unrelenting fear, fueled by the need to escape whatever had been hunting me. Strangely, I hadn’t experienced the bone-deep exhaustion others described, but then again, adrenaline was a powerful mask for pain.
• Determined, I turned my focus to elemental blockages, flipping through countless stories and ancient accounts. The tales were of great Fae warriors, their connections severed by curses or buried beneath trauma so profound it left scars they could never fully heal from. Yet, among the grim narratives, there were rare instances of hope. A handful had overcome their blockages and mastered their elements, but their paths were as unique as their struggles. There was no definitive solution, no singular method to follow.