Deep Sea Embers

The abrupt end of the spatial jump transition signaled the reappearance of the Vanished and Bright Star, emerging from the nondescript, gray-white void of space. Their arrival was accompanied by a gentle shudder and vibration, akin to vessels smoothly gliding into the peaceful, mirror-like surface of a serene sea.

After a prolonged expedition to the farthest reaches of the known world, the two spacecraft had returned to their point of origin—the initial node they had discovered and the final resting place of the legendary Leviathan Queen.

Upon their return, the environment seemed unchanged from their departure. The Boundless Sea remained eerily still, and the scattered shadowy islands were cloaked in persistent mist. The largest island was just barely discernible through the dense fog, its outlines faintly appearing like an apparition from a dream.

The atmosphere was noticeably quieter than before—the typical subtle disturbances on the water’s surface were absent, and the continuous, low whispers of the fog had fallen silent. Even the breeze sweeping across the deck carried a sound that was muted and distant.

The crew gathered at the ship’s bow railing, their eyes fixed on the distant islands and the familiar seascape they had not seen in a long time. After a moment of reflective silence, Nina broke the quiet, her voice laden with wonder and nostalgia: “Without realizing it, we’ve been navigating the edges of the world for such a long time…”

Morris, standing next to her, responded in a subdued tone, “Yes, so long that I almost forgot this journey had an end.” He adjusted the focus of his ruby-colored glasses and added, “I believe I’ll carry the memories of everything we witnessed on this journey forever.”

Turning to Morris, Vanna commented, “This will undoubtedly lead to a series of remarkable discoveries and scholarly articles.”

Morris paused briefly before replying, “No one writes or reads scholarly papers anymore—the world has begun to decline, and no new discoveries will rekindle those fading embers.”

Vanna shook her head, her voice infused with hope: “Then we’ll leave that to a distant future—one where the spark of curiosity is reignited, and people seek knowledge and wisdom once again.”

Shirley, leaning against the railing, looked out at the horizon and murmured to herself, “Ah, yet here we are, back again.”

Behind the group, Duncan felt the collective gaze of his crew turn towards him, awaiting his command.

He was prepared for this moment, and as it arrived, he took a deep breath and commanded calmly, “We will dock by the island with the temple, and then everyone will transfer to the Bright Star for departure. We’ll keep in touch using the flame.”

Lucretia appeared about to speak but then opted for silence, closing her mouth.

“But before we do that,” Duncan continued, “let’s gather in the dining hall one last time.”

Footsteps resonated across the deck as Alice, the doll who had just finished her tasks at the helm, approached the captain and the rest of the crew.

“Alice, it’s time to showcase your culinary skills,” Duncan called out with a smile as he saw the doll-like figure approach, “We’re about to enjoy a meal.”

Alice hesitated momentarily at his words, but then her expression transformed into a bright, cheerful smile, and she nodded eagerly, “Ah! Okay!”

Lucretia quickly interjected, “I’ll fetch Luni and Nilu. They can help in the kitchen—and I’ll also bring the fine wine from the Bright Star.”

“I’ll help too!” Nina exclaimed, her expression radiating warmth like sunlight, “With my help, the cooking will be finished in no time!”

Alice seemed slightly overwhelmed by the enthusiastic offers to assist, gesturing dismissively with her hands, “Ah, there’s no need for so many helpers, I can manage on my own…”

However, after a moment of consideration, she sighed resignedly, “Well, if you really want to help, then come along…”

As the Vanished continued its journey through the mist-enshrouded islands towards the dark island with the grand temple, a unique gathering quickly took shape in the ship’s dining hall.

The long table, central to many previous gatherings and welcoming to all aboard, was once again positioned in the heart of the dining hall. Nina ignited the lanterns on the surrounding pillars with flames as bright as the sun, while Luni and Alice prepared a lavish spread of food and fine wine on the table. For a brief moment, the warmth and light they generated seemed to dispel the eternal night of the Boundless Sea and the pervasive chill of the outside.

Duncan took his place at the center of the table, flanked by Nina on his left and Alice on his right. Nearby sat Morris, Shirley, Dog, Sailor, Luni, Nilu, as well as Ai the dove and Agatha in her phantom form, who did not require food.

At both ends of the table, three chairs remained conspicuously vacant—Duncan had set them aside but remained silent about whom they were intended for.

As everyone settled in, Nilu, a diminutive doll, climbed onto the table. She grasped a large bottle of wine, dashing back and forth, pouring the dark-red liquid that shimmered like blood in the sunlight into each glass from the Bright Star’s private stock.

Duncan raised his glass, but a sudden recollection caused him to pause and scan the room, his expression marked by complexity.

After a brief moment, his face relaxed slightly, and he quietly shifted his chair to the opposite side of the table.

Alice promptly adjusted her chair to maintain her position to Duncan’s right as he repositioned himself at the table. Ai, the dove, flapped its wings and followed suit, settling near Duncan. The others, seated across from him, watched with puzzled expressions as they tried to decipher the captain’s sudden change.

“The position I was in just now wasn’t auspicious,” Duncan admitted with a half-smile, struggling to articulate the strange thought that had prompted his movement. He gestured dismissively to those across the table, “Don’t bother moving; stay where you are—it’s luckier this way.”

The crew on the other side listened, none quite understanding the captain’s reasoning. Morris suspected it was some arcane joke known only to captains, a bit of gallows humor from subspace. Meanwhile, Nina, after a brief pause, burst into laughter.

“What are you laughing at?” Duncan asked, his gaze sharp.

“Nothing, just felt a sudden relief,” Nina replied with a mischievous grin from across the table, “The way you seriously mentioned ‘not auspicious’ just then was more comforting than anything else you’ve ever said.”

Duncan’s eyes flickered with realization at Nina’s tease, and he cleared his throat, “Ahumph, as I’ve mentioned, this is our last gathering on the ship for this journey. After this, we’ll dock at the Leviathan Queen’s resting place and then part ways, understood?”

“Yes, understood, Uncle Duncan,” Nina responded, her eyes twinkling with a mix of respect and jest. She lifted her glass, her face alight with expectation, “Then, may I have some fermented grape juice or wheat fruit juice today?”

It had been a while since Duncan had heard such a request from Nina. A smile crossed his face as he nodded, “Today you can, Shirley, you too—no need to sneak drinks today.”

Shirley, who was swirling her glass idly, looked up startled by Duncan’s comment, instinctively straightening up, “I haven’t been sneaking drinks!”

Duncan offered a knowing half-smile, “Didn’t you notice when you were sneaking drinks on the ship that the bottles, glasses, and the liquor were all sorts of ‘mirrors’?”

Caught off guard, Shirley was at a loss for words.

Duncan shook his head, still smiling, and raised his glass, “To this journey.”

Thus, everyone with hands lifted their glasses, those capable of drinking did so, and those who could not, spilled their wine onto the floor of the Vanished in a symbolic toast.

Even Ai, the dove, participated earnestly, dipping its beak into the glass, its demeanor more solemn than ever.

Alice stood up and began serving the meal to everyone at the long table. She lifted the lid of the pot that sat in the center, revealing a rich fish soup that was customary for everyone to enjoy. Beside the pot, there was a large plate of golden-brown sweet pancakes, a favorite treat from Pland that the captain adored.

Once Alice had distributed the initial servings, Nilu, the tiny doll only as tall as an adult’s arm, scampered back onto the table. She deftly carried soup bowls and plates of pancakes to everyone, her cheerful demeanor showing no sign of comprehending the significance of “this journey,” yet she appeared very joyful.

“I didn’t expect such a little one like her to be capable of working so well,” Shirley commented, her tone filled with wonder as she watched Nilu bustling back and forth. “I remember when I first saw her, she wouldn’t move, just lying in a wooden box. She was said to be Luni’s sister from long ago, left lying in a doll shop for a hundred years…”

“Nilu’s awakening turned out to be a great success, and the process of endowing her with reason and humanity went incredibly smoothly,” Lucretia interjected casually, “It might be due to the unique conditions at the frontier and Luni’s influence… this little one seemed predisposed to ‘activate’ from the start.”

Nilu approached Lucretia, cheerfully placing down the soup bowl and opening her arms wide, emitting a tiny, delicate sound: “Affinity!”

Watching this scene with a gentle smile, Duncan suddenly posed a question, “Have you thought about the new world?”

Nina paused, her expression showing a moment of confusion: “The new world… what about it?”

“In the new world, what do you want? Or rather…” Duncan paused thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping seriously across everyone at the long table, “What do you imagine the new world to be like?”