Deep Sea Embers

The long-term fate of the entire crew aboard the ship known as the White Oak had been largely overlooked until now, but at last, the question had been thrust into the spotlight for discussion.

It’s a misguided notion to think that secrets can remain hidden in this interconnected world. Frost, the city-state they hailed from, was not isolated; it was part of a larger, global network of maritime activity. The unusual occurrences surrounding the White Oak, notably its mysterious reflections in the sea, were bound to attract attention from other sea captains and harbor authorities.

Beyond the ship’s notorious reputation as a member of the “Vanished Fleet,” it had also gained the dubious status of a “ghost ship,” seemingly enshrouded in mystical forces and displaying bizarre behaviors.

City-states, particularly those with access to the Boundless Sea, adhere to stringent safety protocols when it comes to their ships and seafarers. A vessel that goes momentarily off the radar while at sea is subject to rigorous quarantine and inspection procedures upon its return. Even the smallest irregularity could result in the ship being denied port entry. That said, the White Oak’s transformation into what could only be described as a “supernatural object” presented a challenge far beyond the norm.

Perhaps only the city-states of Pland and Frost would dare to offer sanctuary to the White Oak in its altered state.

Further complicating matters was the likelihood that the mysterious leader of the Vanished Fleet might not permit his “underlings” to simply abandon the fleet and reintegrate into conventional society. So, what did the future hold for the White Oak and its crew?

According to accounts of the Vanished Fleet, life on such ships entailed navigating through strange occurrences, surviving in hallucinatory realms, and wandering through a range of bizarre and dangerous environments — from fog-shrouded waters to stormy seas, to fantastical lands and oceanic abysses filled with inexplicable phenomena.

Captain Lawrence appeared deeply concerned. A veteran of many years at sea, mainly in the perilous waters of the Boundless Sea, he seemed unprepared for such a drastic change in circumstance.

Unlike Captain Duncan, who had long been estranged from mainstream society, or Tyrian, who commanded an entire fleet with an iron fist, Lawrence was responsible for a crew of sailors with families and financial obligations. How could he support his crew if they were to abandon established maritime routes in the Boundless Sea?

Moreover, the so-called Vanished Fleet appeared to lack any sort of conventional compensation or welfare systems for its sailors.

Breaking the heavy silence, Duncan mused, “To be frank, even if you discount the associations with the Vanished Fleet and the mysterious phenomena linked to the Black Oak, your prospects weren’t looking great to begin with.”

Confused, Lawrence queried, “Why would you say that?”

Duncan shrugged nonchalantly. “Remember Anomaly 099? Now consider the current Anomaly 077.”

The color drained from Lawrence’s face as he struggled to find his words. Finally, he managed, “Look, no shipping venture is without risks. The White Oak has an extensive insurance policy in place, more than sufficient to cover any potential losses and associated penalties.”

The room fell silent again as everyone pondered the uncertain future that lay ahead for the White Oak and its crew.

“Are you telling me that your current marine insurance actually covers all of these extraordinary circumstances?” Duncan arched an eyebrow skeptically, then added, “In that case, the two incidents of lost cargo shouldn’t pose a significant problem for you.”

He paused abruptly as if a sudden thought had entered his mind. “Wait a minute, what was the insurance payout for encountering the Vanished? Or for becoming a part of the Vanished Fleet? How much did you get for that?”

Lawrence’s expression shifted to one of momentary confusion, clearly caught off guard by Duncan’s line of questioning. “Actually, those situations aren’t covered by our insurance. They fall under the category of natural disasters.’ The Anomaly 099 incident wasn’t covered either because the loss of the Doll Coffin was directly tied to the Vanished. But I have to ask, why are you inquiring about this?”

The moment Duncan heard the words “not covered,” a fleeting look of disappointment crossed his face. He waved his hand dismissively. “Never mind, it was just a passing thought.”

Sensing the sudden awkwardness, Lawrence hesitated, contemplating whether to speak further. He found himself recalling numerous notorious cases of insurance fraud and opted for silence.

Switching gears, Duncan broke the tension. “You know, you may not have to worry overly much about the future of the White Oak. Even if you do become a part of the Vanished Fleet, it doesn’t mean you’ll be eternally cut off from legal maritime routes and ports.”

Lawrence looked genuinely surprised by this revelation, his eyes widening as he tried to gauge the intentions behind Duncan’s cryptic words.

Smiling wryly, Duncan elaborated, “Did you think the Vanished would stay isolated from mainstream society forever?”

“So you’re saying—”

Duncan’s smile deepened, becoming more sanguine. “You’ve heard the rumors, I’m sure, that I’ve regained my humanity. As someone who has returned to a human state, naturally, I’d be interested in reconnecting with civilized society. I’ve already begun initiating contact with various city-states, starting with Pland, then Frost, and even made overtures to the Storm Church and Death Church. Truthfully, I feel I’ve made substantial headway.”

Subconsciously, Lawrence began piecing together recent events that hinted at the Vanished’s reintegration, or their “return journey” as some had called it. His facial expressions subtly shifted, revealing his growing awareness of the situation.

Duncan noticed the change and paused to compose himself, a tiny muscle in his eye twitching before he regained control. “I admit the noise generated from these attempts at establishing contact has been… significant.”

Lawrence remained silent, contemplating Duncan’s words.

“But what really matters,” Duncan continued, waving his hand as if to clear the air, “is that the Vanished Fleet has intentions to return to the civilized world. You and your crew on the White Oak might well serve as a bridge that facilitates the Vanished’s ongoing efforts to build relations with mainstream society.”

Suddenly comprehending the full scope of Duncan’s vision, Lawrence’s eyes widened in astonishment. This twist was notably divergent from what the historical records suggested about the fate of the Vanished. It presented an entirely new array of possibilities—and perhaps, responsibilities—for him and his crew.

Snapping out of his initial astonishment, Lawrence quickly refocused on the practical challenges at hand. “I understand what you’re getting at. You aim to ‘normalize’ the Vanished Fleet’s relationships with the various city-states, and the first step in that plan is to reintegrate us, the fleet members, into mainstream maritime routes. However, as you’ve seen the state of the White Oak, you must realize that most city-states will be hesitant to welcome a ship tinged with supernatural influences.”

Duncan spread his arms wide and began to elaborate. “Ah, but there are notable exceptions to that rule. Take, for instance, the Sea Mist and the Bright Star, both of which have undergone extraordinary transformations and are only rivaled by the Vanished Fleet in terms of their legendary status. The Sea Mist is currently the flagship of the Frost Navy, while the Bright Star enjoys the privilege of limitless passage through international waters as an honorary member of the Explorer’s Association. There are also other legendary vessels, each with its own set of eerie and mysterious qualities, that still manage to navigate the Boundless Seas. Their captains, backed by influential supporters and bearing special documentation, have secured exceptions to the rules.”

He paused for effect before adding, “Also, don’t forget that each ‘Ark’ under the aegis of the Four Gods Church is technically a ship transformed by supernatural forces. Yet, they sail freely, indicating that both the religious organizations and the city-states maintain a certain level of flexibility when it comes to ships altered by supernatural powers.”

Stunned by Duncan’s exhaustive exposition, Lawrence took a moment to collect his thoughts. He finally spoke, his expression conflicted, “Well, it’s true that the Arks are a different matter entirely. They are perceived as being blessed by the Gods, which grants them a unique status. But I do concede your point: exceptions are indeed possible.”

The seasoned captain then licked his chapped lips, contemplating deeply before continuing. “However, securing an exception is far from easy. The acceptance of these so-called ‘mutated’ ships like the Sea Mist and Bright Star took decades of negotiation and diplomacy. Even now, many city-states remain skeptical, if not openly hostile, towards them. And it’s not just these two; other legendary ships you mentioned face similar challenges.”

Lawrence’s voice gained a note of gravity as he went on. “I’m well aware of those other ships, like the ‘Tulip,’ which disappeared into the spirit realm for twelve years, and the ‘Dust Song,’ renowned for its perilous journey across the Illusion Sea. Though they managed to return to the realm of the civilized, their readmittance was anything but smooth.”

He drew a deep breath before pressing on. “To be accepted back, each of these ships had to undergo rigorous checks, endure long periods of surveillance, and secure explicit approval from the Four Gods Church. These processes were far from trivial, and even after successfully navigating them, the ships continue to operate under the watchful eye of the church, subjected to regular re-evaluations. The special permissions granted to their captains are not something easily acquired, but rather the result of lengthy and complex negotiations.”

Lawrence’s face reflected a mix of apprehension and resolve, emphasizing the weight of the challenge that lay ahead for the White Oak and its crew.

After outlining the complexities involved in securing an exception for ‘mutated’ ships, Lawrence exhaled a deep sigh as if he’d been holding his breath throughout his explanation. Duncan appeared to be more invested in the discussion now, particularly keen on understanding the bureaucracy involved in such a process.

“So you’re saying that if a church endorses the ship, that’s the main ticket for acceptance? What exactly needs to be done to get this official stamp of approval?” Duncan inquired with palpable curiosity.

Lawrence cleared his throat before answering, “At its core, the deity associated with the ship’s patron organization must vouch for it. For instance, the White Oak falls under the jurisdiction of the Explorer’s Association, which is under the aegis of the Storm Church and its Goddess, Gomona — who is known as the guardian deity of sea explorers. To be re-admitted legally into normal maritime routes, a Storm Saint must publicly swear before the Goddess to inspect the White Oak and then must carry out this inspection once a divine mandate has been issued. Subsequently, an inquisitor from a recognized city-state must issue an official pass for the ship.”

Drawing another long breath, Lawrence continued, “Technically, Lady Agatha fits this bill to some extent. She holds the title of ‘Gatekeeper,’ a role recognized by the city-state, and she has also become your emissary due to a sequence of events. The catch is, she isn’t affiliated with the Storm Church.”

Duncan’s eyes widened slightly, a revelation apparently dawning upon him. “What if I told you that I have a saint from the Storm Church under my command?”

Caught off guard, Lawrence blinked in disbelief. “You do?”

Duncan fixed his gaze intently on Lawrence. “Yes, a fully ordained saint from the Storm Church. If I understand correctly, this saint would inspect the ship, while an inquisitor from a city-state would issue the necessary pass. Now, is there any rule that says that these two roles — the saint and the inquisitor — can’t be performed by the same individual?”

Feeling somewhat disoriented by the sudden twist in the conversation, Lawrence replied almost reflexively, “I don’t believe there’s any rule explicitly prohibiting that.”

A satisfied grin formed on Duncan’s face. “Well then, I’d suggest you return to your duties. I’ll take it upon myself to sort out the intricacies of obtaining this pass.”

Before Lawrence could muster a response or raise any further queries, Duncan was already gone. With a flourish of flames, he disappeared from the deck, leaving Lawrence both bewildered and intrigued by the unfolding events.