Chapter 49: “Double Trouble”
The ancient scriptures of the Kingdom of Crete meticulously outlined the structured hierarchy of this celestial domain. The foundational layer, safeguarded by eternal truths and the cosmic order, occupied the highest echelon of all recognized dimensions. The gods were bestowed with immortality simply by their presence in this exalted location.
Directly below this celestial domain lay the earthly plane, the cradle of all life forms. Here, under the subtle yet persistent influence of the divine, humanity thrived in a stable and flourishing reality, molding the world into its current form.
Further beneath, the spirit realm existed as an enigmatic and elusive domain, home to ghosts and spirits. In this layer, the influence of the gods diminished, giving rise to strange and often fearsome supernatural entities.
Deeper still in the dark undercurrents of the ocean was a hostile and desolate abyss, an unfathomable deep sea unreachable even by the mightiest deities. Dominated by demonic forces, this realm mirrored the desolation of an empty void.
Buried even deeper beneath this abyssal realm lay the forgotten gods of antiquity. These formidable deities bore the bitterness and sorrow of those lost to the void, their existence wiped from memory across the eons.
According to the legends of the ancient Kingdom of Crete, the gods had established the laws that governed all life. Yet, their influence weakened with each descending layer, leading to malevolent entities in subspace—the lowest realm—challenging their supremacy.
Thus, the structure of the contemporary world was defined in such a way: the pinnacle of order and light starkly contrasted by a depth of darkness and chaos, with the mortal world serving as the arena for these opposing forces.
This multilayered structure, originating from the civilization that dominated the Deep Sea Era 10,000 years ago, has been extensively studied by scholars who have validated its authenticity, now recognized as the “World Standard Model.”
This model suggests that while humans might venture into deeper realms, ascension to higher levels was exceedingly rare.
The reappearance of the “Vanished” from subspace cast doubt on the reliability of the Standard Model, aligning with the theory that such anomalies and apparitions were transient and not enduring.
Neither Bishop Valentine nor Vanna believed that the ghost captain possessed the capability to confront the Storm Goddess. Devoid of any direct means, as scholarly evidence had never linked the divine foundation directly to the mortal realm, the gods could exert their influence only indirectly through symbols and metaphors. Therefore, the notion of a ghost ship assailing the higher realms seemed highly unlikely.
When the Vanished found itself incapable of exacting revenge directly against the invulnerable Storm Goddess, it shifted its focus to her devoted followers residing in the mortal world.
The Grand Storm Cathedral, revered as a central sanctuary for those devoted to the Storm Goddess, resembled an Ark navigating through the Boundless Sea. This sacred Ark left no trace as it sailed through the spiritual realm, its holiness embodied by the Pope’s power, which possessed the divine authority to command storms—a potent yet perilous target given the danger of inciting the sea’s wrath.
Consequently, the Vanished targeted the city-state of Pland, a trading island isolated by waters yet eager to engage with the wider world. Predominantly populated by ardent followers of the Storm Goddess, Pland represented an ideal location for their retribution.
Vanna speculated that the ghost ship’s captain was driven by a thirst for vengeance, stemming from his own tragic destiny when the Vanished were cast into subspace during a fierce storm a century prior. She saw no other explanation for the ghost ship’s sudden resurgence, and all evidence supported her theory.
Yet, Vanna was plagued by a lingering question, prompting her to consult Bishop Valentine, “Do you think there’s a connection between the Vanished and the recent sinister activities of the Black Sun’s disciples here in Pland?”
Reflecting briefly, she added, “Last night, I dreamt that the scorching sun and the Vanished appeared together in Pland. Could their simultaneous emergence be a divine sign?”
“That’s a reasonable assumption,” the bishop replied. “However, we must also consider the corrupt ‘sacrifice’ who murdered a priest of the Black Sun in a clandestine setting. That individual was a sanctified messenger of the Black Sun, suggesting that the Vanished and the Black Sun’s followers might actually be adversaries.”
Vanna concurred with the bishop’s analysis, finding no reason to contest his logic.
Following a pause, the bishop disclosed some confidential intelligence from the city-state of Lansa. He revealed that the heretics of the sun had reemerged not only in Pland but also in other city-states, using the ports of Lansa and Mok as strategic bases, amassing forces elsewhere.
Surprised, Vanna inquired, “Is that a tip?”
With a solemn expression, the bishop elaborated, “The heretics are searching for a ‘fragment of the sun.’ They believe that pieces of their obliterated sun deity are concealed somewhere in Pland.”
Vanna expressed her dismay and anger, “Those fanatics! How many lives must they claim in their quest to resurrect that dark, blasphemous sun!”
Bishop Valentine gravely noted that the heretics viewed their deity as the Black Sun, a symbol of ultimate order in their distorted perspective. Their extreme zeal left them remorseless for the havoc they wreaked. When confronted with such individuals, the options were stark: subdue them or eradicate them entirely.
Acknowledging the looming challenges, Vanna realized she would need to navigate the threats posed by the followers of the Black Sun and the enigmatic ghost captain. If there indeed existed a clandestine alliance between the cult of the Vanished and the Black Sun, their predicament had just intensified.
With a weary sigh, Bishop Valentine concurred with Vanna’s evaluation. “Regardless, we must ensure our clergy and sentinels collaborate closely with the city’s law enforcement. Our primary objective should be to uncover the sun heretics who have covertly entered the city-state and eradicate this menace before another threat surfaces,” Vanna proposed. Her strategy emphasized tackling issues sequentially, thereby mitigating the overall risk posed by multiple threats. “Concerning the ghost ship, given our current lack of insights into its motives, our best approach for now should be to keep a vigilant watch over the seas surrounding our city…”
…
“I could use a bit more ketchup…” Duncan signaled to Nina across the dining table. “You don’t need to get up, just pass me the bottle, please.”
Nina quickly handed the ketchup to Duncan, responding, “Sure thing, Uncle Duncan.”
It was noon, and Duncan and Nina were enjoying a leisurely lunch together in the cozy kitchen on the second floor of their quaint antique shop. The meal consisted of a local delicacy—savory pancakes that could be enjoyed with either ketchup or hot sauce, accompanied by a somewhat plain vegetable soup. Despite the meal’s simplicity, both cherished the moment deeply. Such scenes of simplicity and togetherness had become rare and treasured in their increasingly busy lives.
For this reason, Duncan felt an ever-growing attachment to this cozy corner of the world.
Heyo, my account is Joe Safire. I’m subbed to 1$ tier, but I can’t access this chapter. I just subbed 5 mins ago, so I’ll try again later, but please check up on it if you have the time, ty
hi, i just reupdated the patron client, is it working now?
Yep, ty