Tyrian felt a foreign word reverberate in his ears, its peculiar cadence utterly alien and its syntax rigid, unlike any language he had previously encountered.

In a state of bewilderment, he found his gaze dropping to the document in his hands, his eyes fixating on the image of a spherical rock that was meticulously rendered with a sophisticated stroke of the brush. He took a moment to process what he had heard before he finally looked up and inquired, Father? Could you repeat what you said? The moon is that the name of this object? Do you recognize this mysterious sphere?

However, Duncan appeared to be lost in his own world, his eyes transfixed on the sketched representation of the moon on the parchment. Its likeness seemed uncannily familiar to him, causing him to ignore Tyrian until his son reiterated his question.

The sudden repetition seemed to snap him back to reality. He looked at Tyrian and hastily inquired, What did you mention about Lucretia?

Er these are the details she dispatched from the Bright Star, Tyrian answered, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Duncans unusual demeanor unsettled him, but under his fathers overpowering gaze, he divulged all he knew.

Lucy had discovered a mysterious luminous object in the border region some time ago. Since then, she has been meticulously analyzing it. The intriguing sphere was the central part of the celestial debris. Tyrian narrated the entire saga, covering every tiny detail, from the scholars in Wind Harbors current assessment that the fallen celestial object originated from Vision 001, to their ongoing investigation into the stony sphere, including the challenges they had faced.

Throughout Tyrians recounting, Duncan remained silent. He listened attentively, his grave demeanor placing immense pressure on Tyrian. It was as if he intended to imprint each word deeply into his memory, dissecting each syllable multiple times to fully understand its implications.

After about ten minutes, the domed office descended into silence once more.

Duncan remained quiet for an extended period, finally letting out a soft sigh just before the tension in the room reached its peak. He asked, Why didnt you inform me about this sooner?

Lucy wished to touch base with you once she had made some headway in her research. But, more crucially we were dealing with Frosts crisis at the time.

After a brief pause, Duncan felt his heartbeat slowing down. Upon hearing Tyrians explanation, he finally gave a slight nod of agreement, This object is currently in Wind Harbor, correct?

Er yes, Tyrian replied, nodding quickly. He felt his lips growing parched and his anxiety escalating as he watched the subtle changes in his fathers expression. After several bouts of hesitation, he couldnt help but ask once more, Do you recognize this mystifying sphere?

Its referred to as the moon, or at least it resembles it. However, the moon I am familiar with is not ten meters in diameter, nor does it have the ability to float on the sea and be hauled back to a city-state by a ship using a steel cable, Duncan responded, speaking slowly and thoughtfully.

Perhaps this is merely an artificial construct mimicking the lunar form, or potentially it could be an artifact from the ancient realm of Crete His voice trailed off abruptly. A vast paradox and disarray of thoughts whirled within his mind, inhibiting him from forming a cogent hypothesis about the current circumstance. Nonetheless, one undeniable truth stood out to him.

The illustration on the parchment clasped in Tyrians hands was unmistakably the moon, regardless of whether the stone sphere that Lucretia discovered in the sea was the authentic moon or a man-made airborne object, created by the Crete kingdom as an imitation of the moon.

A question persisted: Why was the lunar image he knew so well materializing here? What was its purpose in this peculiarly warped alternate reality?

Amid his swirling thoughts, he furrowed his brows, addressing Tyrian: You just mentioned the scholars of Wind Harbor confirmed that the mysterious luminous object plummeted from the rune circle of Vision 001?

Yes. They had affirmed the resemblance of the gap in the solar rune circle, Tyrian responded.

Promptly, another query arose, You stated its named the moon so what exactly is this moon?

Duncan hesitated, suddenly finding himself at a loss for the appropriate words to define such a rudimentary term for Tyrian.

After a moments thought, he blurted out, Its a planet

At this, Tyrians expression morphed into an even greater state of bewilderment: What is a planet?

Duncan fell silent.

After what felt like an eternity, Tyrians voice rose once again: Is this a forbidden inquiry? Have I overstepped?

No, its not off-limits it should be the most fundamental question, but I find myself unable to articulate an explanation, Duncan gently shook his head, his gaze meeting Tyrians through the mirror, his expression a kaleidoscope of emotions, Im sorry, Tyrian. The answer to your question is elementary, but helping you comprehend it is proving to be a herculean task.

Tyrian looked somewhat taken aback.

Observing his fathers complex and regretful expression in the mirror, he felt a strange sense of dj vu as if this moment had transpired long ago, buried in the depths of his murky, distant memories, on a forgotten, hazy afternoon

That day, he and Lucretia had stood on the deck of the Vanished for the last time, resolute in their decision to ask their father about the world beyond the border.

At that moment, his fathers reaction mirrored his current one: in possession of an exceedingly simple truth but at a loss on how to elucidate it to others.

Suddenly, Duncans voice rang clear from the mirror, jolting Tyrian from his deep reminiscence: Ive altered the plan, the Vanished will set course for Wind Harbor next.

As his father reacted in the expected way to the spherical object dubbed the moon, Tyrian felt a surge of anticipation. He knew that this was how events would unfold.

I comprehend, Ill relay the circumstances to Lucy.

Meanwhile, Nina cast a concerned glance at Duncan, who was standing at the brink of the deck, his gaze locked onto the vast sea in the distance. Noticing Alice walking by, she took the opportunity to inquire.

Whats ailing Uncle Duncan? Nina murmured, Hes been staring into the horizon for some time, seemingly lost in a sea of troubles

Im not certain, Alice looked upwards, shaking her head in bewilderment, hes been in this state ever since he emerged from his cabin. He claimed that he needed to contemplate certain matters.

Contemplate certain matters? Nina repeated, confusion glinting in her eyes.

Did something transpire? Why do you ask? Alice mused for a moment before an understanding smile lit her face, Ah, thats right, he was in communication with Tyrian, but I am unaware of the topic of their discourse.

Mr. Tyrian? Nina recoiled in surprise, then her thoughts began to wander, her expression morphing into a peculiar one. Is it due to Mr. Tyrians unwed status?

Alice wore a puzzled look: Huh? What do you mean?

After pondering for a moment, Nina commenced her earnest analysis, I heard Mr. Morris often fretting over Heidis marital prospects, and Mr. Tyrian, being older than Heidi, would surely have Uncle Duncan even more concerned.

Alice was so perplexed that she could only nod in bewilderment.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Duncans voice suddenly echoed beside them, Enough, you two. Nina, dont jest with Alice in such a manner. She might take you seriously.

Nina jolted, only then realizing that Uncle Duncan had somehow sidled up to her. Alice, on the other hand, wore a baffled look, pulling at her hair as she regarded Nina with suspicion: Were you teasing me?

In any event, dont take her previous statement to heart. Duncan advised helplessly, then turned to Nina, Rest assured, nothing is amiss.

Nina made a playful face, but her expression still held a trace of worry.

Uncle Duncan, whats happening? You seldom appear so troubled

For a moment, Duncan didnt know how to address the girls question. In his minds eye, he was still viewing the image from Tyrians office, along with the unusual sphere that Lucretia had collected from the sea. He raised his hand to soothe his slightly throbbing brow, but the next moment, he paused and observed the young girl before him instead.

This tranquil, gentle, impeccably behaved miniature sun encapsulated within a young girls form was standing there quietly, her face etched with concern for him.

Duncan felt as though he could perceive directly the radiant remnants left in the wake of a stars explosion, the dazzling flows of plasma that once coursed through the cosmos The small sun tilted her head and extended a hand, gently tracing Duncans furrowed brow as if intending to smooth out the entrenched lines.

Uncle Duncan, are you truly alright?

Duncan remained silent. He softly captured Ninas hand, placing it upon his forehead, then slowly exhaled. He had come to understand something more. Behind the imposing veil of reality, the world had once again divulged a fragment of its truth to him. However, he had no one to share this piece of truth with.

Dont fret, everything is fine, Nina. He spoke at a measured pace, his demeanor gradually reverting to its usual calm, Im grappling with some issues that are currently challenging to elucidate to you. Once theyre resolved, Ill provide an explanation.

Nina paid close attention, subsequently nodding with fervor: Okay.

Excellent, lets return to the cabin first. Well have to set off shortly, but before we do, we need to make a slight detour to the Mist Fleets base. We have a delivery for Tyrian

Back at the governors dome office in Frost, the crystal ball steadily brightened with a gentle hum, allowing the figure of the Sea Witch to materialize within the faint light.

Brother? Lucretia peered curiously at the scene, Have you concluded your work there? Did everything proceed without hitches?

If youre referring to the inauguration ceremony, it concluded this morning. Everything proceeded without a hitch. Tyrian spoke, his expression growing somewhat complex, But the reason for my call pertains to something else.

Lucretias brows furrowed: Something else?

Two matters, Tyrian paused briefly, then began to speak as he poured a drink, Firstly, Ive procured the spirit lens you requested. Ive managed to secure the highest-quality, most precise lens apparatus available through the city-states legal channels.

Lucretias face within the crystal ball instantly lit up with delight: Ah, thats splendid. Youre truly dependable. Whats the second matter?

Guess who will be delivering the lens to you?

Is it your transport ship? Tyrian remained silent, causing Lucretias expression to gradually shift, Its your transport ship, isnt it?

Tyrian continued his silence.

A realization dawned upon Lucretia. Its Father?

Correct.