Chapter 505: Echoes of Doom
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.com
On the brink of the known world lies Wind Harbor, a prominent city-state that has served as a vital outpost for the Truth Academy and the Explorer’s Association since its establishment.
About a thousand years ago, an expedition led by elven scholars veered off course during a storm at the edge of their civilization. They discovered a sizable island not marked on any map. According to their logs, the storm pursued them for a week. On the eighth day, at dawn, the storm cleared momentarily, revealing an island bathed in sunlight. Exhausted but relieved, the crew navigated towards the shore. As they approached, the storm dissipated, leaving a gentle breeze in its wake. The island was thus named “Wind.”
Many city-states were found in similar ways, with explorers losing their way at sea and their tales of discovery often shrouded in myth. However, the founding of Wind Harbor is considered a meticulous and credible account, largely due to the industrious elves who established it. The lead explorer who first discovered the island became the city-state’s first governor and the president of its Explorer’s Association branch.
Sara Mel, now governor, stood on the balcony of his residence, gazing over the bustling city he and his comrades had built. Steam walkers, spider-like mechanized patrol units, moved along the streets, bicycle bells chimed, and the city’s residents began their day. Nearby, the elven-style dome of the high tower unfurled, revealing its intricate mechanical devices.
Sara Mel, with his golden hair now streaked with silver, squinted slightly. Though elves live long lives, he was no longer in his prime. The wrinkles and silver hair marked his transformation from a passionate explorer to a wise, elderly statesman. Despite his age, his curiosity about the world remained undiminished.
“Your father was a renowned explorer. By elven standards, his achievements were extraordinary. When someone of his caliber sounds a warning, it deserves serious consideration. However, our skepticism is routine,” Sara Mel said, turning to a raven-haired woman standing by the tea table on the terrace.
“I understand,” Lucretia replied calmly. “My task is to relay my father’s message. How you interpret and act on it is up to you. He anticipated skepticism but remains steadfast in his warning.”
“I will communicate with the Explorer’s Association. Captain Duncan’s message is significant and should prompt vigilance among other captains along the route,” Sara said, frowning. “But the idea of a spherical submersible plunging into the ocean depths to see the ‘pristine blueprint’ of our world is intriguing. Is it possible?”
“The danger is immense, but the Frostians have accomplished it,” Lucretia nodded. “However, the pioneers paid a heavy price. Mortal minds are too fragile for the profound revelations of the deep sea. My father is an exception. I advise against emulating him.”
“Were I younger, I might consider such an expedition myself,” Sara mused with a hint of regret. “Convincing others in the guild would be easier.”
Lucretia smiled. “Don’t worry. More will heed the warning soon. My father has alerted the Four Divine Churches and all city-states about the gravity of the situation.”
Sara Mel nodded, his curiosity piqued. “Has your father truly regained his humanity? In my millennia, I’ve never heard of anyone returning from subspace and reclaiming their humanity. How did he do it?”
“Who knows?” Lucretia shrugged. “If you’re curious, you can ask him yourself when he arrives.”
Sara Mel’s composed expression twitched. “My lady, there’s no need to emphasize this news again,” he said with a peculiar tone. “Such revelations are hardly heart-friendly. Please consider the elderly.”
Lucretia laughed heartily, clearly content. She rose, waved to Sara, and transformed into vibrant, confetti-like pieces that danced in the air before being whisked away by the breeze, disappearing from the terrace.
“This witch certainly knows how to make an enigmatic entrance and exit,” Sara murmured. He turned to retreat into his quarters, planning his strategy to communicate the warning to the Explorer’s Association and other city-states.
However, he froze mid-step. A wave of fear washed over him, instilling terror and despair. This surge of emotion seemed directly injected into his brain, gripping his thoughts, chilling his blood, and tensing his muscles. He turned towards the city center and the towering structures dominating the skyline.
Instead of his familiar cityscape, he saw a blinding inferno and an enormous tree. The tree’s size was incomprehensible, like a vast mountain range, burning fiercely at the edge of his sight. It resembled the legendary World Tree of ancient elven folklore, but grander than any depiction.
Crimson flames consumed everything, reducing the mighty tree and surrounding vegetation to ashes. A massive flare of light, as if energy was unleashed, caused the air to ignite and rip through the sky.
Sara Mel discerned the source of the inferno. The sky was awash with intense light, like a steam core reactor on the brink of meltdown. An ominous dark red hue spread across the light.
The dark red hue rapidly overtook the intense light, veiling the world in a terrifying, dark red twilight. The searing heat subsided, but everything terrestrial had been reduced to ashes. The once-thriving forest was now a desolate, scorched landscape. The miraculous giant tree had succumbed to the flames, its collapse echoing thunderously.
The crimson sky darkened further, streaked with black. Time seemed to either elongate indefinitely or shrink to a moment – Sara Mel couldn’t tell. He watched night fall, the ebony darkness intermingling with the eerie red twilight sky blanketing the world, now a scorched wasteland.
In this silence, he felt as if he could hear whispers close to his ear. Multiple voices, all unfamiliar, spoke:
“I still remember them, remember their faces.”
“Memories can be useful; we have a plan.”
“A shelter, or a cage for the desperate – the future doesn’t look bright.”
“But at least there’s a future.”
Sara Mel turned in terror, trying to locate the voices, but all he saw was a world ablaze, everything in ruins. The dark red sky fractured, streams of light and shadows spilling in. The residual ashes and debris were absorbed and broken down by the encroaching light and shadows, vanishing rapidly. An overwhelming thought echoed in his mind, as if countless thoughts were synchronizing, mirroring the apocalyptic rupture.
Sara Mel twitched slightly. It felt like something was ebbing away, the intense emotions and terror evaporating like snow under the summer sun. Moments ago, he had witnessed something significant, but now it felt like a brief trance.
Everything dissipated like dreams in the morning light. Sara Mel stood there, furrowing his brows, casting his gaze towards where the “Sea Witch” had vanished.
“This witch truly knows how to make an enigmatic entrance and exit,” he murmured again before returning to his quarters.
Great start for the “Wind Harbor Arc” of the story.
Love the chapter’s title. Very fitting!
Prophet clue?
Its “Sara Meyer” not “Sara Mel”, more importantly she is female!!
This seems to be the end of the Elven World.
Reminds me a lot of the beginning of Avatar: Way of the Water…
Its “Sara Meyer” not “Sara Mel”, more importantly she is female!
na, ive had that issue as well when i reached the character and had to go further ahead in the story to figure out his sex. hes a male, definite male