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Chapter 596: The Familys Inherited Fishing Talent

The trio navigated their way through an enchanting forest, where dappled sunlight played hide and seek with the shadows on the ground. They treaded on pathways covered with a carpet of dried leaves and broken twigs, occasionally bypassing dense thickets and underbrush. From the forests depth, mysterious sounds of unknown animals and birds occasionally rang out, reinforcing the eerie feeling of isolation and the chill in the air.

As Shirley walked behind Shireen, she was gripped by a strong sense of dj vu. It was as if she was reliving a moment from the past, trekking once more through the forest following the same elf guide as she had done previously. Everything around her felt eerily familiar. The ageless appearance of the forest, the consistent ambient sounds, and even the elf, Shireen, who looked exactly as she did the last time, all seemed unchanged.

Yet, there was one distinct difference this time around. Every so often, the witch accompanying them would momentarily morph into fragments of colorful paper, a stark reminder to Shirley that circumstances had indeed shifted.

When Shireen wasnt looking, Shirley confided in Lucretia, recounting past events and her previous interactions with everyone else ensnared in this shared dream using the bonding fire Duncan had prepared ahead of time.

Upon hearing the tale about another version of Shireen, Lucretias eyes, when looking at the elf guide, seemed to reflect a gamut of emotions.

Shirley remembered that during their previous journey, Shireen had transformed into a tree. And just before that transformation was complete, the elf seemed desperate to relay some vital information to Shirley. Would the current Shireen guiding them also undergo a similar metamorphosis?

Moreover, two other individuals, Nina and Morris, had also mentioned meeting a guide named Shireen. Would their guide face a similar fate?

The core question was, who or what exactly were these beings known as Shireen that kept manifesting in the Dream of the Nameless One?

Lucretia had initially theorized that Shireen was just a figment of the dream, a projection of the chaotic intermingling of the dreams foundational consciousness. Yet, emerging evidence suggested that there was something far more profound about the elfs existence. Shireen, along with the forest and the entire Dream of the Nameless One, seemed to be entwined in a complex web of relationships that went beyond the usual interactions of dreams and their inhabitants.

The key to unraveling this mystery might lie in understanding the process of Shireens transformation into a tree.

Suddenly, the elf guiding them decelerated, turning around with a mix of concern and impatience. Quick, we must hurry, she called out, The forest grows more dangerous by the moment. We can take a breather once we reach the Silent Wall.

Heeding her warning, Lucretia, with Shirley and her canine companion, Dog, hastened their steps.

Shirley, slightly out of breath from their brisk pace, whispered her doubts, Do you really believe that big rabbit can find those crafty cultists? Im somewhat skeptical about its efficiency

Lucretia responded gently, Rabbi might be playfully unpredictable at times, but I assure you, once shes set on a task through my orders, Rabbi doesnt disappoint. Shes exceptionally skilled at hunting within dreams, and she can even extend her search into our reality. Through her, well pin down the cultists hideout.

Dog, the faithful canine companion, sounded both curious and puzzled as he mused aloud, Whats the origin of that massive rabbit? When I was near it, I distinctly detected a human aroma. It doesnt come across as a mere magical entity, nor does it resemble any spirit or demon Ive known. And Rabbi isnt alone; numerous items on your ship radiate a similar aura. Theyre all unsettling, in a way.

Lucretia chuckled lightly, her eyes filled with amusement, Human scent, you say? Such a keen sense of smell you have, Dog. Indeed, what you picked up is a fragment of my own essence, my soul.

Dogs eyes widened, clearly shocked by this revelation, Wait What do you mean?

Lucretia responded with a nonchalant shrug, Its simple. When Rabbi and I first crossed paths, she managed to consume a part of my soul. Little did she realize that this act would forever bind her to me. Many items aboard the Bright Star are just like Rabbi they originated from either the liminal spaces or the spirit realm. These entities, once considering themselves predators, perceived me as a mere target. Their underestimation has always worked in my favor.

She continued to explain, her voice calm yet assertive, I strategically use fragments of my soul as lures, attracting potential servants from these realms. My soul, tainted by subspace, serves as a potent trap and anchor. Those who naively think of themselves as predators become ensnared by my essence. Be it infused in cloth, contained within vials, or sculpted in wood, they are integrated into the very structure of the Bright Star. I rely on such entities for my expeditions into the borderlands, as human companions often face grave risks and have high mortality rates.

Pausing for emphasis, Lucretia leaned down to meet Dogs gaze, Your senses are sharp. Every nook and cranny of that ship is imbued with tiny shards of human scent. Theres no reason for you to feel so alarmed.

Shirley and Dog exchanged wide-eyed glances, both rendered speechless by Lucretias candid revelations.

Observing their astounded expressions, Lucretias smile grew wider, seemingly delighting in their stunned reaction. She then shifted her focus back to trailing Shireen.

After ensuring the Sea Witch was at a safe distance from herself, Shirley, clutching her chain, communicated telepathically with Dog, her voice barely audible even in the spiritual link, Dog, is this the vision the captain mentioned? What did he call it baiting? Could Lucretia be baiting within herself?

Dog murmured, using their special telepathic bond, That does ring a bell. The captain had mentioned something similar while instructing me about the nuances of fishing.

Shirleys eyes sparkled with realization, Well, considering youre learning from the captain, it makes sense. And given that Im his daughter, its not surprising that theres a shared affinity for fishing in our blood.

Dog pondered for a moment before replying, Yet, Ive heard Tyrian isnt quite skilled in the same department, is he?

Shirley chuckled, Oh, Tyrian? Remember those stories about him retrieving numerous submarines from the ocean depths some years ago? While he may not have literally fished them out, he played a significant role in the operation.

Dog smirked, Thats a stretch, dont you think? Labeling that as fishing?

With a playful smirk, Shirley retorted, Well, it was still a catch from the ocean, wasnt it?

Dog just responded with an amused, wordless mental sigh.

With a flick of his wrist, Duncan discreetly deactivated the listening feature that was attuned to Shirley and Lucretias conversations.

He settled into a peculiar chair, an amalgamation of chaotic strokes and a mishmash of colors. His thoughts buzzed around the terms baiting and fishing. After deep contemplation, he shifted his attention to an abstractly designed mirror nearby. Within its distorted frame, he caught a glimpse of Agatha. Sighing, he mused aloud, If only Shirley would channel even a fraction of the dedication she shows in her extracurricular pursuits into her academics. She wouldnt constantly find herself vying with Alice, of all people, for higher grades.

After a brief pause, Agatha finally responded, On a side note, Ive come to realize that Miss Lucretia possesses quite the flair for fishing herself

Duncan, however, was quick to dismiss her observation, That might be true, but our immediate concern isnt about their skills or safety. Having Shirley and Lucretia together indeed provides a sense of security. Perhaps this creature, Rabbi, does possess the ability to track down those crafty cultists. But right now, our primary focus should be understanding this ship.

He rose from his surreal chair, surveying the room immersed in a whirlwind of colors and overlapping lines. Once he had adjusted to this disorienting environment, he recognized a myriad of familiar items.

Fundamental elements like beds, chairs, and tables mirrored their placements in the real world. Still, the specifics, such as the items atop a table or intricate designs on a wall, manifested as mere indecipherable color smudges.

Duncan deduced that the goat head in the real world had only caught transitory glimpses of the captains quarters whenever the door was unintentionally left open. Those fleeting observations resulted in the rooms scrambled visual representation here.

Contrastingly, the rest of the ship was almost flawlessly replicated, owing to the fact that the goat head was intimately familiar with all other sections of the genuine Vanished, barring the captains chamber.

The uncanny representation of the Vanished was a distorted shadow, an offshoot of the real ships silhouette. This transformation was intricately rooted in the goat heads unique perception and recollections.

Duncan discerned the bitter truth: this ship was birthed from the subconscious of his first mate Goathead, who remained oblivious to the dream he was engendering.

Furthermore, this ethereal realm seemed to possess a conduit leading to Atlantiss dreamscape, suggesting an elusive bridge connecting this dimension to the dream world of Atlantis.

To test the boundaries of this environment, Duncan summoned a tiny flame with a mere gesture. The flame expanded like a ripple across a pond, but its spread was abruptly halted at the edges of this chaotic chamber, reflecting inwards like a wave recoiling upon meeting a barrier.

Over his duration within this mysterious dimension, Duncan had rigorously experimented, seeking to decipher the rules governing this world.

Within this secret chamber, unbeknownst to the dream-rendering goat head, Duncan discovered he had the freedom to manifest his ethereal flames without risking any disturbances to Atlantis. Recalling his previous attempt that had inadvertently startled Atlantis, he realized that beyond this rooms confines, he could only wield the fire that he had previously mapped out on the ship. Introducing any new elements could potentially rouse Atlantis from her slumber and prematurely terminate the Dream of the Nameless One.

This predicament left Duncan grappling with a dilemma: How could he assert his dominion over the ship and reinforce his bond with Atlantis, all the while ensuring he wouldnt spook her again or provoke any defensive counteractions on her part?

Deep in contemplation, Duncan instinctively turned his attention to the rooms threshold.

Could the solution be simpler than he was making it out to be?

After a moments reflection, he advised Agatha to remain sheltered within this protected zone. Taking a determined stride, he ventured out.

The entranced goat head continued to linger by the navigational table, seemingly lost in its own reverie and oblivious to Duncans movements. Duncan quietly navigated past it, venturing further from the map room, and subsequently departed the captains private chamber. Guided by his ingrained recollection, he ascended the staircase situated directly behind the captains living space, leading him up to the aft deck.

Emerging from the encompassing obscurity and amidst wafting veils of mist, a distinct silhouette gradually materialized before Duncan as if it had been patiently anticipating his arrival, perhaps for an eternity.

Dominating his view was the ships iconic helm: The steering wheel of the Vanished.

A sense of resolve swelled within Duncan as he murmured to himself, The time has come to reclaim command.