Chapter 18 “Underground Sewage System”
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Before setting out from his temporary refuge within the cave, Duncan had attended to the lifeless bodies scattered around him. He tore pieces of cloth from these somber remains, fashioning a makeshift shroud which he wrapped around himself. His actions were motivated not by a need for warmth—the cave’s chill was inconsequential to him—but by the desire to maintain some semblance of a human appearance. A large, open wound in his chest, clearly showing his lack of life, was a horrific sight that challenged his ability to appear normal in such a harsh, cold setting. The ragged cloth provided slight psychological comfort, helping to mitigate the eerie sensation of air passing through his chest cavity.
Moreover, Duncan considered the possibility of encountering someone while navigating the subterranean maze. He reasoned that having a noticeable hole in one’s chest might significantly hinder conversation with any unsuspecting people…
Having addressed his ghastly “wound,” Duncan began his journey, leaving the dark, damp cave behind. He discovered a passage leading deeper into the cave and began to explore it deliberately.
The body he occupied was far from ideal. The gaping hole in the chest limited his mobility, and Duncan was acutely aware of the vulnerability of his physical form. His frail hands and weak legs made walking a challenge, a stark contrast to the formidable figure of the “Ghostly Captain” he once was, known for a physique far superior to that of an average human.
Although he could not see his entire current form, Duncan deduced that he was in the weak, malnourished body of a young boy. Despite being controlled by the powerful spirit of the ghost captain, his spiritual strength could not overcome the physical limitations of this feeble body.
Regrettably, Duncan had no other choice. He had to make do with this barely functional body and laboriously navigate the deep, dark corridor. He was painfully aware of the body’s inability to protect itself against potential dangers. His only comfort was hoping that this vessel would hold up just a little longer.
The passage was a deep, damp, and dimly lit labyrinth, yet it was not completely cut off from air, as evidenced by a slight breeze occasionally moving through it. Here and there, torches or oil lamps mounted on the walls suggested some human presence in these depths.
After covering a considerable distance, Duncan noticed a change in the environment ahead. The pathway widened, revealing signs of human construction. It ended at a junction, leading into a corridor flanked by polished walls and a high, semi-circular arched ceiling. The brick floor, damp and dark, was lined with two channels on either side, carrying a stream of sewage that was a blatant assault on the senses.
Examining the walls more closely, Duncan spotted openings resembling drainage pipes that expelled sewage, which then flowed into the subterranean waterways below. These dark streams continued their relentless journey into the depths of the underground.
“…Sewers?”
It didn’t take long for Duncan to realize he was navigating through a vast network of sewers. The location where he had previously found numerous hidden bodies turned out to be a natural cave that seamlessly connected to this extensive sewer system.
A sprawling network of sewers, a natural cave merging into it, and the macabre stash of bodies—this was the panoramic scene that met Duncan’s observant eyes.
As he looked over the area, Duncan’s mind filled with numerous theories as he meticulously examined the details of the expansive sewer system before him.
The sewer system was impressive in its scale and showcased exceptional craftsmanship. The main structural elements were reinforced with strong materials like steel and concrete, suggesting they could serve as subterranean shelters under certain conditions.
The sheer size of the system implied a substantial city above it, indicating advancements in various technologies to support its operation.
Technology is never standalone. Every engineering effort relies on a myriad of supporting industries and technologies. Thus, even a commonplace sewer system could offer Duncan insights into the city’s construction, planning, material usage, maintenance standards, and even the philosophical approaches to living of its residents.
For Duncan, who found himself lacking critical information, such insights were invaluable glimpses into the world of civilization.
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Duncan continued to walk along the sewer path. However, after a short distance, he abruptly stopped, his attention caught by something on the wall.
Embedded in the wall was a lamp, its glass enclosure well-protected by a sturdy metal cage.
In contrast to the primitive torches and oil lamps he had seen in the cave, this wall-mounted lamp shone noticeably brighter. The steady flame inside its frosted glass case cast a luminous glow, lighting up a large area of the sewer.
Intrigued, Duncan moved closer to the lamp, examining it with keen interest. Anything from outside his known world of the Vanished, especially the modern innovations of civilization, captivated him.
After observing the lamp for a moment, Duncan identified the source of the light—it was a gas lamp.
This gas lamp was somewhat different from any designs he had seen in past documents. Besides the clear stylistic differences, the most notable feature was the presence of several intricate symbols engraved on the glass cover of the lamp.
These symbols appeared to have been embedded into the glass during the manufacturing process, forming a complex design that brought to mind images of ancient pictographs. While Duncan was not familiar with these symbols, he instinctively linked them to the mysterious runes he had seen before on the mechanical ship and Alice’s “coffin.”
Although the contexts were different, both seemed to share a similar essence—an aura filled with sanctity and a sense of ritualistic reverence.
Stepping back, Duncan looked further down the vast depths of the sewer. He noticed that the walls at regular intervals were lit by the steady illumination of gas lamps.
As an underground installation seldom visited except for necessary maintenance, the extensive provision of lighting within the sewer seemed unusually lavish. Moreover, it seemed plausible that the casings of each gas lamp were inscribed with similar enigmatic “symbols.”
This observation led Duncan to feel an uncanny sense that these widely dispersed gas lamps were somehow battling against the unseen, unknown darkness of the underground—a manifestation of the “human civilization world” silently struggling against an unnamed adversary.
Duncan continued his walk along the path lit by the network of gas lamps, all the while keeping a vigilant watch for any potentially valuable clues within the walls, floor, and arching ceiling of the sewer. Unexpectedly, something in his peripheral vision caught his attention.
He stopped between two gas lamps where the light was comparatively dim and looked up. There, he saw markings in dark red paint on the upper part of the wall near the sewer’s domed ceiling.
Squinting to discern the rough outlines that formed an image, Duncan made out what seemed to be pairs of hands, their fingers spread in a gesture of worship toward the sky. Above them, a radiant orb hovered, bathed in celestial light.
Beneath this scene of adoration and devotion, he observed a series of intricate lines of text. The paintbrush strokes used to write these words trembled, seemingly charged with a fervent sense of fanaticism and anticipation. The script was unfamiliar, not resembling any known Earthly language, yet Duncan instinctively understood the inscription — “The false sun will fall, and the true Black Sun shall rise from blood and fire! All life belongs to the Sun, all order belongs to the Sun!”
Duncan stood still within the dimly lit confines of the sewer, his eyes fixed on the crimson graffiti, the sun submerged in a sea of blood, and the fervent worship it commanded. It was as if he was afforded a glimpse into an alternate reality.
He remained in this trance-like state for a while until his reverie was abruptly interrupted by a noise from deeper within the sewer. The unmistakable sound of footsteps reached Duncan’s ears.
Startled, he quickly looked toward the source of the noise. His eyes widened as several cloak-clad figures emerged from the darkness ahead. Their faces were hidden in the shadows of their hoods, giving them an eerie semblance of specters rising from the murky depths.
Duncan made no move to hide. The straight stretch of the sewer offered little cover, leaving few options for evasion. His temporary host body, already limited by physical constraints, could not perform any complex maneuvers like exploiting “blind spots.” Thus, after a brief moment of consideration, he chose a bold approach. He stood resolutely in the middle of the sewer, calmly facing the ominous hooded figures who were steadily approaching him.
Considering that escape was virtually impossible given his weakened state, and accepting that this body was destined to be expendable, he decided it would be more beneficial to gather as much information as possible before the impending confrontation.
In the next moment, the cloaked figures, emerging from the shadowy depths, became aware of Duncan’s conspicuous presence.
So currently we know there are storm goddess Gomona & lord of death Bartók (mentioned in chapter 5). Evil gods that lurks in the deep sea(?), false sun god and real sun god. Interesting. Thanks for the chapter!
So…was this some sort of ritual ground?
Most of his deductions don’t make sense. How does one determine tubes are ritualistic or sacred? Why would gas lamps indicate watching off hostile creature inimical civilization? All that means it’s greater investment which indicates greater usage