Chapter 214 “After The Vanished Left”

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The Vanished gracefully retreated from Vanna’s vision, maintaining the same mystique with which it had first appeared. Just as she was trying to absorb what she’d witnessed, the ship’s silhouette dissolved into the horizon, evoking the image of a phantom slipping away. Simultaneously, the flames that had fiercely consumed the city started to fade, as if they had achieved their intended purpose and were now retreating.

What was left in their wake was a clear sky and the familiar city-state, its inhabitants looking around in bewilderment as if they had just awoken from a harrowing nightmare. Vanna also noticed the sonorous ringing of church bells. Previously, these chimes signaled resistance against an impending threat, but now, they seemed to be bidding a somber farewell to the departing ghost ship.

Suddenly, Vanna’s attention shifted when she spotted Bishop Valentine approaching her. He was carrying his signature scepter, an emblem of his authority.

“It felt as though I was trapped in an endless dream,” the old man mused aloud.

“It was no dream,” the lady responded.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I said I dreamt of twenty rabbits in dresses, all dancing around me in circles, would you?” the bishop added humorously.

Vanna shot him a surprised look, “Are you suggesting that you’re still in a dream? Perhaps it’s your spirit trying to mend itself… But was now the time for such a poor attempt at humor?”

“Laughter can be healing,” Bishop Valentine said with a serene smile as if he’d cracked the joke of the century. His eyes then drifted to the church square, “The ordeal with the Vanished isn’t unique to the White Oak. There’s much to be done now.”

Vanna followed his gaze and noticed the disoriented soldiers, trying to comprehend their recent experiences. While the physical city might have returned to its former state, the psychological scars of the battle remained etched in the memories of its denizens. The road to healing and understanding what transpired would surely be a long one.

Continuing his instructions, Bishop Valentine said, “First, we’ll have the guards restore order. Then, we need to assess the entire city – to see who has returned, what we’ve lost, and if anything new has emerged.”

He paused and looked intently at Vanna, “You should also prepare a detailed report for the Grand Storm Cathedral. Brace yourself; it’ll be the most tedious paperwork you’ve ever undertaken.”

Vanna felt a sudden tightness in her chest as if the weight of the upcoming responsibility threatened to suffocate her.

Though the immediate danger had passed, the aftermath had only just begun. The task of piecing together the narrative, ensuring the safety of the residents, and preparing for any future threats was now upon the city’s leaders.

……

The sunlight filtered perfectly through the trees, casting long, dappled shadows on the cobblestone street. As the ancient cathedral door groaned open, Heidi stepped out, her face betraying a mix of confusion and relief. The sky above was brilliantly clear, but the clarity of her surroundings contrasted sharply with the foggy recollections clouding her mind.

She found herself haunted by the memory of the fire that seemed to come straight from the deepest pits of hell. Yet, the defining, almost surreal moment had been the emergence of a ghost ship from the blazing inferno. As the ship sailed through the city-state, Heidi’s grasp on reality wavered as if she were trapped between two worlds. Only when the ghost ship’s journey ended did the illusion shattered, and she found herself firmly rooted in the real world again.

Lost in thought, Heidi was suddenly brought back to her senses by a warm sensation on her chest. It was the inexpensive necklace her father had once purchased from a quaint antique shop in the city’s lower districts. When she lifted it for a closer inspection, she was stunned to see it emitting a soft glow. Before she could make any sense of it, the pendant cracked, splintering into a thousand fragments that cascaded to the ground.

Before she could process the loss of her necklace, the bustling activity of the city square captured her attention. Guards, in their gleaming armor, were busy restoring order to the once chaotic streets. Commanders were barking orders as they took attendance, ensuring all their soldiers were accounted for after the harrowing ordeal. Donned in their ceremonial robes, priests scurried towards Bishop Valentine, awaiting directives. Many others were engrossed in placing protective wards at strategic points, hoping to shield the city from any further supernatural threats.

She overheard snippets of conversation from the awestruck crowd around her. One voice exclaimed, “The moment I awoke, I saw that ethereal vessel floating above as if navigating through a clear, vast ocean…”

Another voice chimed in with a shudder, “It was terrifying! I watched as those flames nearly touched the cathedral’s highest spire. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, leaving us all in its wake…”

“There’s no mistake; it was the Vanished!” A booming voice echoed across the square, asserting that the spectral ship that had just sailed through the city-state was none other than the legendary vessel of old tales. Heidi’s eyes instinctively sought the source of the voice, landing on the weathered face of an old seafarer she recognized.

“Captain Lawrence,” Heidi approached, her medical coat rustling as she navigated her way through the gathered crowd, “is everything alright?”

Seeing her, Captain Lawrence’s craggy face broke into a warm smile, “Ah, Miss Heidi! Fit as a fiddle, I am, though I can’t make heads or tails of these strange events. It’s a relief to see you unharmed, especially after that terrifying shower of fire from the skies!”

She acknowledged his sentiment with a slight nod before delving into the matter at hand. “You believe the ship that we saw was The Vanished?”

“Absolutely,” the old captain said with a resolute nod, “I recognize it from my younger days. I’ve witnessed its mysterious passage before!”

A bystander, who had taken refuge in the cathedral during the chaos, interjected with wide eyes, “You’ve seen this before?”

Captain Lawrence’s gaze intensified as he replied, “Why do you think I sought sanctuary within the church walls?” His attention shifted back to Heidi, “You have connections with the higher-ups in the church, don’t you? Take my advice: check what’s amiss in the city-state. Whenever The Vanished appears, it doesn’t leave without taking something or someone with it. I’ve seen this pattern before!”

Heidi tried to process Captain Lawrence’s words, a mix of confusion and curiosity evident on her face. As she pondered, fragments of her memory began to resurface.

“Where’s my father?” she mutters, concern edging her voice as she recalls where the old scholar went, “How is he faring in all of this?”

……

Morris felt a heavy unease settle over him. The world seemed to spin as dizziness clouded his senses. His stomach lurched and roiled, much like the sensation one might experience after indulging in far too much wine. Although the urge to retch was overpowering, Morris fought against it.

Why? The seemingly mocking mops and buckets in his proximity felt like they held silent threats, warning him against any mess. Moreover, Miss Alice, standing beside him with a stern expression, seemed prepared to slap him if he dared to give in to his nausea.

Morris attributed this seasickness to being suddenly transported to the Vanished by the mysterious dove.

Meanwhile, Ai wandered the deck with her bounty—a veritable mountain of fries—after managing to bring aboard an equally towering pile of potatoes.

Close by, Shirley relaxed in her seat, a dark hound at her side. The canine seemed to quiver uncontrollably, clearly unnerved by its recent summons to this strange place.

Reflecting on his recent experiences, Morris felt a profound sense of accomplishment. He had not only stepped foot on the legendary ship but had also witnessed the miraculous power of the green flames, which had restored a world engulfed in fire to its original state. Both events, in his mind, were milestones that future historians would revere.

He took a deep, steadying breath, reminding himself to remain calm. At his age, he knew the importance of preserving his health, especially after enduring such a tumultuous ordeal.

Suddenly, a hesitant voice broke his introspection. It was the dark hound, whom they had named Dog. “Ex-Excuse me, Sir… Do you think I-I’m a refined dog? Like one who’s… well-bred?”

Morris blinked in surprise, then responded with bemusement, “Honestly, I don’t think dogs generally demonstrate their refinement by reading newspapers. However, you are a dark hound, so applying human logic to judge you might be unfair. But, two things to note: Firstly, your newspaper is upside down. Secondly… why are you stammering?”

Dog looked taken aback and quickly righted the newspaper. “I-I… don’t usually stammer. It’s just… I’m a bit on edge.”

Shirley, trying to comfort the hound, said softly, “Dog, there’s no need to be so jittery. Besides, why bother with a newspaper? Mr. Duncan is well aware that neither of us can read.”

Overhearing the conversation, Alice chimed in with a raised hand, “That makes three of us!”

Shirley’s eyes widened in surprise, while Morris could only bury his face in his hands, utterly flabbergasted by the absurdity of the situation.

For once in his life, the venerable scholar found himself at a loss for words amidst the comedic tableau unfolding before him.

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