Chapter 524: The True Invader

The room seemed to hold its breath as Heidi’s expression shifted from sheer bewilderment to one that was starkly reminiscent of someone who’d just witnessed their worst nightmares come alive.

The term “Sea Witch” wasn’t unknown to her; on the contrary, she was intimately aware of the ominous legacy it carried, more specifically of the man who had fathered such a creature. The mention was far from a light-hearted jest in her books.

Panicking, Heidi quickly voiced out her identity in hopes of clearing the air. “Please, ma’am, you’ve mistaken me. I’m a devout follower of the God of Wisdom, Lahem. I’m merely a simple psychiatrist, not affiliated with anything you might assume.”

Lucretia, however, didn’t seem immediately convinced. Her attention seemed anchored to a seemingly unobtrusive piece of jewelry that rested against Heidi’s chest — an amethyst pendant. Its gentle glow was enough to make anyone believe it was merely ornamental, but to the trained eye, it radiated a very distinct energy signature, one Lucretia knew all too well.

It was an energy she would recognize anywhere, akin to her father’s very essence. The pendant felt like an extension of his gaze, silently observing, judging perhaps.

She inquired pointedly, “That pendant you wear, where did it come from?”

Caught off guard, Heidi replied almost reflexively, “My father gifted it to me. He found it in an antique shop. It’s just a pendant, said to offer spiritual protection.”

The name of the shop piqued Lucretia’s interest further, and she prompted, “And your father would be?”

Taran El, witnessing the unfolding tension, decided to intervene. “She’s Morris Underwood’s daughter,” he provided helpfully, hoping to assuage any further suspicions. “And she truly is just a psychiatrist. She’s been trying to help me break free from this illusory confinement.”

Lucretia’s demeanor shifted noticeably upon hearing this revelation. The name Morris Underwood wasn’t just any name for her. She recalled her last interaction with the crew of the ship “Vanished”, and amongst them was a revered academic, now assisting her father in his quest for knowledge.

She mused at the serendipity of it all.

Gone was the chill in her gaze, replaced by a genuine warmth. She addressed Heidi kindly, “Greetings, Miss Heidi.”

Dumbfounded by the dramatic turn of events, Heidi managed a meek response, “Hi... So, you’re acquainted with my father and Master Taran El?”

Lucretia chose to reply cryptically, “The world has its way of intertwining destinies.” She then redirected her attention to the elf scholar, “Taran El, in your perception, how long have you been ensnared in this dreamlike state?”

Taran El mumbled in a haze of confusion, “I genuinely cannot put a finger on it. Since entering this state, my sense of time has been distorted. It might have been mere days, or possibly even longer since I felt the sun’s warmth on my skin.”

Baffled, Heidi pressed on, “But how can this be? This protective layer, this ‘veil’, is too real, too intricate. I’ve never witnessed anything like it.”

Lucretia nodded gravely, “Nor have I. Given Taran El’s expertise, or lack thereof, in dream manipulation, he shouldn’t have the capability to craft such a meticulous barrier. However, the intricacy of this ‘veil’ indicates that something significant, possibly dangerous, is being shielded deep within the dream. If this truly is Taran El’s handiwork, he must’ve encountered something profoundly menacing upon venturing into this dream.”

As she articulated her thoughts, the rapid disintegration of the forest abruptly began to decelerate. And then, astonishingly, the process began reversing. Trees that crumbled moments ago started reforming, the vanished hues surging back with newfound vitality. The once disintegrating ‘veil’ was now reforming at an alarming pace.

“Heidi, the ‘veil’ is mending itself!” Lucretia exclaimed.

Yet, amidst this regrowth and regeneration, the effigy of Taran El remained inert, giving no inkling of returning consciousness.

The mysterious and puzzling nature of the dream took a startling turn as the protective layer was regenerated. But what made Lucretia’s heart race was the realization that this protective “veil” was not an extension of Taran El’s will. Instead, it was woven by a separate, hidden entity, diligently guarding the innermost secrets of this dream realm.

The more she pondered upon it, the clearer it became. There were at least three participants in this dreamscape: Heidi’s described “elf girl,” the esteemed scholar Taran El, and a covert third presence. This enigmatic presence was not merely a passive observer, but the orchestrator of this mirage-like dream layer.

Moreover, the malign force that had driven this shroud of deception was still lurking, watching. The very fact that the dream’s veil could regenerate in such an astonishing manner implied the presence of a vast and immensely powerful entity.

It wasn’t the mental constructs that Heidi had earlier expelled or even the intruders that Taran El confronted that warranted the imposition of such a formidable dream seal.

Finally, the haze of understanding also settled in Heidi’s mind. “There’s a lingering presence in here, Lucretia! The source of this invasion is still among us,” she voiced out, her eyes darting about cautiously.

“Stay vigilant, observe every minute detail!” Lucretia promptly instructed, her eyes darting from one shadow to the next, taking in every sound, every sensation, seeking out the malicious puppeteer hidden amongst the folds of the dream.

The serenity of the forest was baffling. Everything seemed as it should be because of the fragrance of the flowers, the melody of the breezes caressing the trees, the distant gurgle of running water, and the warm sunlight filtering in.

However, an eerie realization struck Lucretia. Amidst the impenetrable canopy of trees, a consistent beam of sunlight still bathed the entire forest floor. It was incongruous; the thick foliage should have rendered the forest floor in shadows.

“The sunlight... That’s it! The sunlight is the intruder’s guise!” A rush of adrenaline surged through Lucretia as she pieced the puzzle together, alerting Heidi immediately.

Acting on Lucretia’s words, Heidi instinctively tilted her head upwards, seeking out the sun that painted this dreamscape. A startling sight met her eyes. Through the intermittent gaps in the canopy, she caught a glimpse of the sky beyond.

And what she saw was the stuff of nightmares – gigantic tendrils, grotesquely twisted and intertwined, culminated in a colossal sphere. Countless enormous, eerily pale eyes stared down at them, each observing and calculating. Unlike anything they had ever seen, a behemoth of a creature floated silently above, its monstrous presence cleverly veiled by the all-encompassing, benign sunlight.