For an extended period of time, Lawrence had found himself inhabiting a reality that bore striking resemblance to a constant, conscious dream. It was as if he had been enshrouded in a vibrant mirage where he was in complete control of his senses, acutely aware of everything happening around him. He was experiencing an intense transformation of his psyche, a process that he understood with a depth and intensity unmatched by others.

It was clear to Lawrence that Martha, the woman who once played a significant role in his life, was now absent. The constant spectral companion that shadowed his every waking moment turned out to be nothing more than a fabrication of his mind a painful truth that he couldnt shake off. Regardless of whether it was on a subconscious or conscious level, his mental perceptiveness was remarkably profound.

In comparison to other sea captains of his generation and level of expertise, his mental resilience was praiseworthy. Within the boundless vastness of the sea, it was not unusual to encounter sea captains plagued by distorted mental states and an increasingly tenuous grasp on their sanity. Despite the spiritual support provided by priests who traveled with these maritime voyagers, the profession of seafaring was inherently laced with more psychological risks than an average sailor might encounter. These sea captains embarked on countless journeys, constantly wrestling with their deteriorating mental health to such a degree that they often defined their profession with a spine-chilling saying.

We are not just teetering on the brink of the abyss. Instead, we are being thrust headlong into its gaping maw.

But it was due to the mental torment he had been subjected to over the years that Lawrence developed an unusually keen insight into the phantasmal Martha. He had an acute awareness that the figure he was now seeing was not similar to the hallucinations he had experienced before.

His mind wandered back to the vision of Martha that had materialized on the deck of the ship, the White Oak, a while back. On that day, First Mate Gus had also witnessed the spectral apparition of Martha.

Could that have been a crucial turning point? Had everything finally crossed an unseen threshold? Had the figments of his imagination finally taken on a physical form? Or had some mysterious force delved into his psyche and brought this tangible entity into existence? Was this a blessing cloaked in malice? Or perhaps, a snare imbued with mockery?

Martha Lawrence finally broke the stifling silence, his voice rough and choked due to his dry throat, Are you truly here, standing in front of me?

As you can see, the feminine figure retorted with a chuckle, Would you like to touch me? Im even warm to the touch.

You are tangibly present, Lawrence breathed in deeply, holding back his impulse to step closer, But why? Has a mental projection of mine taken on a physical form? Is this the might of the sea?

Youre partially correct, Martha gently denied with a slight shake of her head, Yes, this sea has shaped me, as it has the Black Oak, but Im not a mere manifestation of your imagination. Ive been aimlessly drifting here for many years, Lawrence. The ship and I are merely two among countless impostors, lost and adrift.

Lawrence froze for a moment, visibly startled, Impostors?

Indeed, impostors all conjured by a formidable force lying deep within the sea. I cant exactly define what this force is, but it has been present here for an unfathomable length of time, spawning innumerable duplicates. Remember the Seagull that you obliterated not so long ago? And Dagger Island

All of them are impostors?! Lawrences eyes bulged in shock. The revelation hit him hard; he suddenly grasped that the chaos he found himself embroiled in was far more malevolent and terrifying than he had initially comprehended, Wait, the Frost we encountered before

Yes, that too. Everything here is an impostor, Martha confirmed calmly, This unknown force has thoroughly permeated this region, and anything that remains here for long enough succumbs to its replication. There are numerous aimless and vacant copies floating aimlessly in the fathomless depths of the sea. What youve come across is merely the tip of the iceberg.

It seemed that Lawrence had been plunged into a trance, and it took him a while to gather himself. He stared in disbelief at the apparition of his wife before him, But you seem different, youre capable of conversation, the ship just fought alongside the White Oak

Rather than answer, Martha merely granted Lawrence a serene and inscrutable smile.

He stopped speaking, gradually regaining his composure. He cast his gaze down, observing his own spectral, translucent form and the quiet, green flame flickering on his body.

The Black Oak had come into being after the White Oak had undergone its transformation amidst the flames.

Youve made the connection, Lawrence, Marthas voice was soft, The only thing that can withstand a force as potent is another force of greater power. Not even this sea can influence the spoils of the Vanished Fleet. You and I, were both His spoils.

As Lawrence listened, he found himself in a daze, feeling a twinge of disorientation. Suddenly, he noticed a shift in his expression as he registered the inconsistencies in Marthas recent disclosures these were pieces of information that the Martha he had said goodbye to decades ago should not have known!

How was she privy to information about the Vanished? How could she know that the White Oak was Captain Duncans spoils?

Youve accessed my consciousness! Lawrences eyes widened in sudden understanding, his muscles involuntarily stiffening, Youre not the real Martha!

The figure standing a few feet away simply smiled in response, unperturbed by Lawrences reaction, as placid as she had been all those years ago, If youre looking for an exact, unadulterated version of Martha, Im afraid I have to disappoint you, Lawrence, Im not her. However, a part of her does exist within me. Marthas essence is a component of me, and the remaining part is extracted from your consciousness and memories this sea acts like a mirror, constantly reflecting everything that passes over its surface, including consciousness and memories.

I didnt intrude upon your consciousness, rather your consciousness naturally imprinted a part of itself onto me. Can you accept that?

Lawrence parted his lips to respond, his face a tableau of mixed emotions. Finally, he managed to conjure a melancholic smile, raising his hands in resignation, I dont know. I never contemplated how I would react upon truly confronting you. I Im uncertain how to deal with this variant of you. Im still confused about the nature of your existence.

He raised his gaze, and for the first time, the veteran sea captain, who had weathered innumerable terrifying ordeals in the Boundless Sea, appeared a bit lost.

He rarely let his guard down in front of anyone, except his wife.

Martha silently studied the no-longer young Lawrence. After a prolonged silence, she let out a small chuckle, Youre exactly as you used to be, always seeking my advice in pivotal moments.

She stepped forward, raised her warm hand, and placed it on Lawrences shoulder.

You need to remain resolute and make informed decisions

Lawrences brows knitted slightly, a look of bewilderment sweeping across his face.

Excuse me, sir, Martha turned to address the unusually quiet Anomaly 077, The master of the Vanished Fleet would greatly appreciate your collaboration.

The cadaver clothed in sailors attire shuddered, wordlessly turned around, and left the bridge.

A wave of understanding seemed to wash over Lawrence and he quickly called out, Wait

But the bridge door had already shut behind the departing figure.

Anomaly 077 darted swiftly down the corridor beyond the door. He faintly heard Captain Lawrences final outcry from within, Martha, Im over sixty this year!

He didnt have the heart to eavesdrop on the conversation that followed.

A short while later, the creak of the door hinge announced someones exit. Anomaly 077 recoiled, cautiously turning his head just in time to see the female explorer standing in the doorway, an uninhibited, merry grin adorning her face.

Close on her heels, Lawrence too stepped out, grimacing noticeably. Upon noticing Anomaly 077 by the door, he shot him a sharp warning look. He quickly grabbed his cheek, wincing even more profoundly.

Anomaly 077 immediately diverted his gaze, attempting to meld into the scenery as a real corpse might.

Clearly, he had been subjected to a harsh reprimand.

Have you come to terms with it now? Martha pivoted her head to ask Lawrence, her face highlighted by a beaming smile.

Lawrence, cradling the tender spot on his head, couldnt comprehend how Martha could inflict such potent blows on his nearly ethereal form. All he knew was that these subtleties were no longer important, I can accept it, I can accept it

In the Boundless Sea, one needed a broad-minded perspective to tackle all surprises thrown their way.

After all, as it presently stood, if he couldnt handle it, Martha would step in to aid him. The female explorers forthright demeanor remained unchanged from all those years ago while he had matured into a man in his mid-fifties

So, next, we should concentrate on the urgent issues at hand, Martha proposed with a smile, leaning casually against the door with her arms crossed, Remaining trapped here isnt a feasible long-term solution.

Upon hearing this, Lawrence quickly brushed aside his intricate contemplations, his expression swiftly morphing into one of stern solemnity, Martha, Ive been wanting to ask you, what exactly is the state of this sea? Do you have any information about a way out of here?

I wish I could provide the answers youre seeking, but Im afraid I have to apologize, Martha replied after a moments pause, Even though Ive been aimlessly drifting here for many years, in the end, I and this ship are merely one of the innumerable counterfeits trapped here. However, one thing I am sure of the entirety of the sea is centered around Frost. If there indeed exists a portal that intersects with the real world, its most likely situated within Frost.