As Goathead spoke, his tone was laced with an unusual seriousness and uncertainty that struck Duncan as quite odd, considering their shared history. The statement was clear but still full of questions and puzzles: If we maintain our current pace, we will be near Wind Harbor in approximately 24 hours. Thats what our maritime map indicates. However, the reason for the Vanisheds appearance in this region is still uncertain. We need to independently confirm this information because this entire situation is incredibly perplexing.

Duncan was unaccustomed to this level of hesitancy in Goatheads voice; it was a clear sign that the ongoing mystery of the Vanished had ventured beyond the range of his first mates usual maritime experiences.

Meanwhile, Duncan found himself leaning against the edge of the navigational desk, his gaze fixed on the slowly shifting fog that danced upon the nautical chart before them. The shadowy silhouette of the Vanished and the course it had apparently taken northward were both engulfed in a foggy ambiguity. This was presumably the Vanisheds trail, but the ever-present fog made any concrete conclusions elusive.

In the twelve-hour period before the sun mysteriously disappeared, we somehow managed to jump across our entire journey from the northern route to the southern seas. How this occurred remains a mystery, Duncan commented, lifting his eyes to meet Goatheads at the other end of the table. Yet, the White Oak, which was also at sea during the suns disappearing act, did not experience this vision. They maintained their planned route without deviation.

I cant provide an explanation either, Captain, Goathead replied, his voice laced with a mix of embarrassment and unease. The Vanished and the White Oak both withstood your rigorous tests, but the differences between the two vessels are substantial. Any slight variation could potentially be the trigger for this inexplicable occurrence

Duncan fell silent, his face etched with a serious contemplation. After a thoughtful pause, a sudden realization seemed to strike him. When did the nautical chart change? he inquired abruptly.

Goathead answered immediately, Right when the sun reignited.

Are you sure? Duncan had no doubt that Goathead was telling the truth, but he felt compelled to confirm.

Absolutely, Goathead responded, nodding emphatically. I have been diligently observing all navigational elements, including the fluctuations on the nautical chart. When the sun disappeared, the chart remained unchanged, almost as though we were stationary. However, as soon as the sun reemerged, the chart descended into chaos, similar to our transitions from the spirit world back to reality. Initially, I assumed it was a self-calibration process. But, to my surprise, once the chart stabilized, it indicated that the Vanished was already nearing Wind Harbor

Listening to Goatheads explanation, a frown crept onto Duncans face. So, this sudden jump likely took place the moment the sun reignited

A profound silence then descended upon the captains quarters, the air heavy with unsaid thoughts and unanswered questions. Duncan could not divine Goatheads thoughts at that moment because his own mind was awash with a tumult of speculations and a deluge of questions, all of which seemed to gravitate towards a central problem: what had transpired on the Boundless Sea during the time the sun disappeared and was subsequently rekindled?

Initially, Duncan had merely assumed that the darkness was a temporary vision, akin to a delayed sunrise he had experienced once before, a delay that lasted mere minutes. During that incident, apart from the initial panic among some of the crew, life had continued unabated, with the world remaining largely unaffected.

However, he soon realized that this suns disappearance was markedly different, ushering in a plethora of anomalies, such as disrupted inter-city communication and the White Oaks alarming boundary vision.

Now, in the wake of the suns return, he recognized that the bizarre consequences were even more far-reaching. The entire ship, the Vanished, had inexplicably teleported two-thirds of their journey, appearing near Wind Harbor. Additionally, Tyrian had reported that the other city-states were completely oblivious to the suns temporary absence.

It appeared that during the suns extinguishing and rekindling, the world had briefly morphed into an odd form, spawning a host of conflicting inconsistencies. The Vanished, often referred to as the ghost ship lingering at realitys edge, had somehow traversed this rift in a clear and discernible manner.

An exhilarating yet disconcerting thought suddenly seized Duncan.

What was the true purpose of the sun?

Did it exist solely to provide light and heat while suppressing their worlds supernatural erosion? Or was it holding back something far more significant the erosion of the world itself?

His pondering was abruptly interrupted by Goatheads voice, Captain, he began, whats our next move? If the Vanished has indeed arrived near Wind Harbor should we reach out to Miss Lucretia?

First, we must assess our surroundings. It wouldnt be wise to approach the city-state without caution, Duncan answered, his mind flicking back to his past encounters in Pland and Frost. He couldnt help but shake his head instinctively, Keep the Vanished concealed in the shadows and the fog, and when the time is right, we will make contact with Lucretia.

Goathead acknowledged with a quiet, Yes, Captain.

Duncan grunted in response, then moved towards the oval mirror in the rooms corner and tapped it. A swirl of dark light and shadows emerged, and in a mere blink of an eye, an image of Agatha, dressed in her customary adventurer garb, materialized before him.

I could never have anticipated that my inaugural voyage with you would be filled with such supernatural events, Agatha commented, releasing a sigh, Just as you foretold, embarking with the Vanished would grant me a glimpse of the remarkable phenomena of our world. I now realize that my imagination was far too restrained prior to setting off.

Are you feeling overwhelmed?

Not in the slightest. Luckily, my heart isnt easily startled, Agatha responded with a gentle smile, Next on my agenda is monitoring the changes in the spirit world, correct?

Indeed, the spirit world and those reflections that traverse the boundary between the spiritual realm and reality. If possible, also keep an eye on what transpires beneath the sea surface, Duncan stated with utmost candor, I have a persistent feeling that, even though the sun has reignited, the repercussions of this incident are far from over. A little extra caution wont hurt us.

Understood, Agathas smile disappeared, replaced with a serious nod, but then she added with a touch of humor, Ah, I should adhere to ship protocolI comply, Captain!

With that, the image of Agatha in the mirror gradually evaporated, leaving Duncan to continue his rumination in front of the reflective item.

In the city, streams of vibrant paper soared and whirled through the streets, weaving between towering and diminutive rooftops before finally alighting in a building near the university. The paper found its way into the study of the lven scholar, Taran El, located within the university premises.

A moment later, the figure of Lucretia unfolded from the colored paper and revealed the Sea Witchs bewildered expression.

Could he still be stranded on the roof, unable to climb down? Lucretia mused aloud, her gaze darting towards a window left ajar nearby.

Just as she was about to ascend to the roof to ascertain whether the Elven scholar was indeed marooned there, a flurry of frantic footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, halting her actions.

As the clamor in the corridor continued, Lucretia nonchalantly gestured towards the door in the distance with a finger.

Then with a loud bang, the door swung open, and a blotch of shadows immediately darted out from the room towards the noise. After a brief scream and a thud of someone falling, a flustered apprentice who had been struggling to rise was escorted into the room.

The apprentice was delivered horizontally, appearing to slide inside, hovering about ten centimeters above the ground. When he came to a stop within the room, the objects that had transported him dispersed from beneath him countless toy soldiers scuttled from under the apprentice, swiftly lining up in neat rows on the floor beside him. With the sound of drumbeats and horns, they marched with precise coordination back into the shadows beside Lucretia.

The apprentice, who had been unexpectedly ushered inside, stared in horror at the toy soldiers now in motion on the floor. His gaze then shifted to the owner of the toy soldiers, who was positioned by the window. He finally recognized this vaguely familiar woman.

The witch ah, Miss Lucretia! The apprentice hastily scrambled to his feet, greeting this enigmatic figure who was the subject of countless tales and myths, Go Good afternoon

While speaking, the apprentice couldnt resist abruptly twisting his body a tiny toy soldier had somehow found its way into his coat pocket and shattered when it fell out. Yet, before his eyes, the soldier reassembled itself, quickly spun around, and scampered back to its mistress, disappearing into the shadows.

Unfazed by the young apprentices lack of decorum due to his state of panic or the remnants of the toy soldier, Lucretia cut straight to the chase, Im here to see your master, where might he be?

I was on my way to find him myself, the apprentice replied, swallowing hard as he hastily responded to the notorious witch, known for her icy demeanor, reclusive nature, prowess in casting curses, and mercurial temperament, Somebody spotted him heading to the Cloud Tower when the sun went out from from the roof of the university

Lucretias eyebrow arched in surprise, From the roof of the university?

Yes Yes, a witness saw him, and he appeared to be in quite a rush He hasnt returned since, and I fear something may have happened to him

More like hes courting trouble, engaging in acrobatics on the university rooftop with his persistent shoulder and neck ailments. Even for an elf, such extreme sports are not advisable, Lucretia remarked offhandedly, then waved a hand dismissively at the young apprentice, Ill go check on him. In the meantime, whats your name?

The apprentice stood a little straighter, Jo Joshua Dino.

Very well, I will inform your master that your conduct score will be docked by three points.

Joshuas face fell into a stunned expression, Why?

But by then, Lucretias form had already fragmented into vibrant fragments of paper, swirling in the air as they soared out the window, leaving behind a faint echo in the young apprentices ear

No running allowed in the research building.