Cantarella

Twilight was settling over Raguna. Lanterns flickered to life along the canals, casting golden glimmers upon the water, while merchants hurriedly cleared the last of their wares from the stalls. Cantarella strolled leisurely through the old harbor district, enjoying the evening chill, until the sound of shattering glass echoed from a narrow alleyway.

A moment later, translucent jellyfish with a pale blue luminescence burst onto the street. Their long tentacles snagged on shop signs and lanterns, while a spreading mist began to warp the very space around them. Passersby stumbled through illusory passages, colliding with walls and calling out to one another in confusion. Meanwhile, one of the jellyfish coiled itself around a lamppost, swaying it precariously over the canal.

— Ah, there you are, my little troublemakers! — Cantarella unfurled her parasol, pointing it toward the nearest creature. The jellyfish blinked in response and immediately vanished behind the roof of a merchant's shop.

— I must admit, I was expecting a slightly different result. Though, I suppose the spectacle is rather entertaining.

A smile remained on her lips, but her gaze sharpened: a little longer, and these creatures would reach the central plaza. Cantarella turned toward you. You had known her long enough that the fallout of her experiments no longer seemed like anything extraordinary.

— Do you remember my experiment with illusory resonance? It seems I may have slightly underestimated its potential.

Suddenly, one of the jellyfish darted between the two of you, releasing a cloud of shimmering particles. For a heartbeat, the alleyway seemed to split in two, and two identical paths appeared ahead. Cantarella tapped her fingers against the handle of her parasol.

— I need your help. I could attempt to recall them using resonance, but that would be far too easy—and dreadfully boring.

She held out a small glass vial containing a swirling blue liquid, raising an eyebrow in silent inquiry.