Deep Sea Embers

Spiderwalkers and steam tanks had already assembled in the main square, their heavily armed drivers silently blocking off the city intersections for any suspicious targets.

Meanwhile, on the bell tower at the back of the cathedral, a special brazier was lit with a special mix of purified whale fat and sea wood. The flame acted as a beacon for the ships coming home, and even from afar, its visibility was unmatched in its grandness.

Taking this as a signal, the more remote chapels across the city had also lit similar flames in their own towers, effectively creating a grand spell circle to protect the entire island.

Everything was moving and coming along: the boilers of the church turned on, the bells ringing, the protectors on full alert, and the inhabitants taking shelter. However, this brief façade of safety wasn’t enough to blind the transcendent tonight, for even the most mundane had detected the unsettling creepiness lurking within this storm.

Deep in the admin’s mansion, Dante Wayne, who had just awakened from his coma, immediately turned towards the window when he heard the bells and whistles outside. He could see the lighthouses lighting up from afar.

After getting up with the help of his attendant, he promptly asked: “The main cathedral activated the reality stabilizer… a disaster of reality invasion level occurred?!”

“We are still investigating the situation,” an assistant came to Dante’s bed and answered, his tone slightly nervous and worried. “The situation happened very suddenly, so the main cathedral had no choice but to take action by blocking off the various sectors without your permission. Bishop Valentine used his emergency authority since you were in a coma…”

Dante did not respond to the aide’s words as if he was preoccupied with something else: “… Vanna is back.”

“Miss Vanna?” After hearing this, the aide caring for him turned his head in confusion, “Miss Vanna has not returned to the mansion yet. She should…”

“I know,” Dante knew the others wouldn’t understand his words and waved the subject off. “Are the city forces still under the command of City Hall?”

“Yes, Bishop Valentine has only taken over the police forces and a small number of the city army responsible for emergency response,” the aide nodded immediately. “Most of the city-state soldiers are still waiting for your orders.”

“Okay, except for the First Division, have all other divisions follow the church’s arrangement.” Dante felt the grogginess in his mind coming back and quickened his words,

“In addition, the entire city is to enter the highest level of martial law. Activate all the alarms, and if anyone appears on the streets… it doesn’t matter who, treat them as heretics.”

The aide was immediately taken aback by this order: “Mr. Dante, this…”

“Carry out the order,” Dante fixed his gaze on the aide with that blood-oozing ruby eye, “we’re in a state of war.”

“……YES, SIR!”

The aide promptly left following that order, leaving Dante to cough violently in the back until it eventually subsided. Then turning to the second aide in the room, “Take me to the cathedral.”

“Mr. Dante, your body…”

“My body doesn’t matter. I have something important to tell Bishop Valentine.”

“Yes, Sir.”

……

Nina tightly grasped Shirley’s hand as they sat behind the window and watched the fierce weather outside. The continuous rumble from the thunderstrikes had left the girl uneasy and scared.

“I XXXX, what the hell is up with this XXXX weather…” Shirley complained after finally losing her patients.

“Shirley, you can’t… can’t swear,” Nina was also scared but still straightened her face and lectured her friend, “Uncle said you…”

“Okay, okay, I won’t swear. I swear I won’t curse anymore. Please don’t tell Mr. Duncan,” Shirley said quickly. Then out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed the figure that had appeared on the stairs. “Ah, Mr. Duncan is coming down.”

“Uncle Duncan!” Nina stood up abruptly and almost ran to her uncle, “You… are you done?”

“Mhmm, it’s over for now, but it’s not completely over yet,” Duncan said, casually ruffling Nina’s hair before turning to Morris behind the counter. Then he gave the old scholar an affirming nod, “She is back now.”

“I know, I just felt it too,” Morris said immediately. “I don’t know how you did it, but… thank you very much for your help.”

“This is just the beginning; it’s too early to thank me,” Duncan said while turning his head to look out the window. “The conspiracy has been revealed, and they have started to take action ahead of their schedule. The invaders are attacking the other side of the curtain as we speak… I estimate it won’t be long before they also come to this side.”

Morris looked worried, while Nina appeared confused: “Uncle, what invader? What you said…”

“Nina,” Duncan interrupted the girl directly and got all serious, “do you believe me?”

Nina barely hesitated: “I believe.”

“Very good. Then you must firmly believe that this storm will end safely. No matter what happens, don’t panic, and no matter what I do, don’t be nervous or afraid.” Duncan stared into Nina’s eyes so his words would get through. Then glancing over to the doll at the counter, “Alice can be trusted. If there is a real emergency, you stay with her.”

Nina nodded dully as Alice chimed in with her own piece, “Don’t worry, Mr. Duncan, I will protect Miss Nina.”

“Honestly, I’m really not assured by your combat power,” Duncan frowned and sighed helplessly, “but there is no one else to entrust.”

Another burst of thunder caused another flicker through the window again, then came the deafening sound of a collapsing building in the distance, followed by the sharp ringing of bells across the entire city.

Then abruptly, the lights in the antique shop flickered a few times until they finally snuffed themselves out.

The power had been cut, and darkness instantly enveloped the entire neighborhood like night had fallen…

Shirley’s timid voice sounded in the dimness: “I’ll light the oil lamp! I know where the oil lamp is!”

Duncan didn’t object and grabbed Nina’s hand after noticing the increased heat next to himself.

“Uncle…,” Nina whispered nervously and urgently, and soon, even the airflow around the girl had turned hot, “I think… it’s a little hot…”

Duncan’s gaze became grim and ugly in the darkness like he wanted to murder someone. However, the man did not panic and kept a cool head since he was prepared for something like this.

He gently held Nina’s increasingly hot hand, and between his palm and Nina’s fingers, a little green flame had flickered into life in the imperceptible crevices.

Ai flew down the stairs with her wings flapping as if on cue and firmly landed on the counter. She had gotten the message through the mental connection and came as summoned.

Likewise, Shirley had also returned with the lit oil lamp, dispelling the darkness in the shop with that shaky flame from the candle. However, the outside was a different story. It’s grown much darker than before, borderline grimy black, and impossible to see beyond the initial few feet.

“Nina, remember what I told you just now?” Duncan’s voice pierced the darkness and into Nina’s ears.

Nina nodded slightly: “Mhmm.”

“Don’t be afraid. Something will happen in a bit… something very amazing,” Duncan smiled and said softly.

The man had started to look off into the distance, past the window, past the stormy streets, and past the projection taking place over the island. Instead, his gaze had crossed the waters to where the Vanished’s shape was coming into view.

……

Heidi subconsciously shrunk her neck the moment the last thunder sounded.

She’s currently nestled on the bench in the cathedral’s main hall, subconsciously grasping the crystal bracelet with both hands and silently chanting the holy name of Lahem, the god of wisdom.

“The goddess… shouldn’t mind, right?” She muttered softly after pausing, then continued to chant the name of Lahem.

But suddenly, she stopped again, and a strange thumping in her heart made it difficult for the lady to concentrate.

Getting up from the bench, Heidi looked around for the source of this sensation.

Nothing unusual about the place: a bunch of guards at the main entrance, a group of civilians taking shelter in the church due to being late from work, and several priests walking around the hall for comfort. Yes, aside from the burning trinket she got from her father, there’s nothing wrong with this situation.

Everything’s definitely fine… That was until she glanced at the stained glass!

“Fire… Fire!” She exclaimed with horror, “It’s raining fire!”