Chapter 567: Phenomenon Under the Night Sky

Chapter 567: Phenomenon Under the Night Sky

Duncan rubbed his forehead, feeling a dull ache settle in as he placed the key on the table. His mind was awash with memories from his recent time at the mysterious place known as the Alice Mansion. He was particularly fixated on his encounter in the garden with an entity claiming to be an ancient deity. That divine being had imparted cryptic messages that had left him pondering. Additionally, he couldnt shake the haunting image of a mysterious object that seemed to materialize next to what appeared to be an empty void within the mansions walls.

As he stood there deep in thought, Alice noticed his return. Lifting the hem of her shirt slightly, she turned her head toward him with a curious look and cheerfully inquired, Captain, youre back! Were you able to find the answers youve been searching for?

Duncan let out a soft sigh. I did gather more information, but its led me to even more questions that need answering. Catching sight of Alices perpetually upbeat expression, he briefly pushed aside the maelstrom of thoughts that had been overwhelming him and managed to smile. However, Ive made some significant progress. I have a new immediate goal in mind.

A new goal? Alice cocked her head, slightly confused by the statement.

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Duncan finally declared, Our next step is to capture some members of the Cult of Annihilation.

Many questions still weighed heavily on Duncans mind. Why had the random items hed discarded from his bachelor apartment somehow ended up in Alices Mansion? Why had these items mysteriously morphed into shadow-like figures, visible only to the mansions servants? What had become of the mansions missing gardener? And who, or what, were the mysterious entities known as the Cleaners? Though these questions seemed impossible to resolve at the moment, Duncan felt that pursuing another lead offered by the entity he referred to as the Nether Lord was worth a try.

Concerning other mysterious topics like the status of Vision 001, the cryptic sounds hed heard, ancient kings, the Great Annihilation, and the truths of endless, dark nights, it was clear that the ancient deity knew much. This deity seemed amenable to sharing this privileged knowledge with Duncan, whom it called a Usurper of Fire.

Therefore, Duncan concluded that for now, his primary focus should be on establishing a connection with the abyss, just as the Nether Lord had suggested. The first step toward this goal? Capturing some followers of the Cult of Annihilation.

Yet every time Duncan pondered over this newfound directive, he couldnt help but feel an odd sense of disquiet gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.

Alice, however, didnt dwell on the complexities. She was simply ecstatic that Duncan had formulated a new plan. Her face beamed with anticipation, though she didnt completely understand the reason behind the mission. Thats wonderful! When do we start this capture, and where should we go to accomplish it?

Cultists arent like jellyfish you can just sweep up from the sea, Duncan said, rubbing his aching forehead once more. Well rest today, and tomorrow, Ill have an in-depth discussion about the specifics with Vanna and Morris.

Alice nodded in agreement, but another question immediately sprang to mind. Whats a jellyfish?

Its a marine creature, Duncan replied, his face twitching awkwardly as he sought the right words. Theyre mostly found in the ocean and are semi-transparent. Some species are poisonous, while others can be eaten.

Eatable? Duncan had mentioned jellyfish being edible as an offhand comment, but Alices eyes sparkled immediately. Is it delicious?

Duncan made a puzzled expression, clearly caught off guard by her enthusiasm. Why are you so interested? You dont even possess a digestive system to consume food.

I could prepare it for you to eat! Alice exclaimed, her face glowing with excitement. Captain, when we find some free time in the future, lets go catch some jellyfish!

The conversation had taken a surreal turn, and Duncan struggled to maintain a straight face. He quickly waved his hand as if to shoo away the oddity of the topic. Okay, okay, I promise. When we get the opportunity, well catch some to eat, he assured her.

Despite the extraordinary transformations happening, the city was shrouded in an unsettling silence. Whether it was the distant areas or those buildings already entangled by the malevolent vines, not a peep could be heard. It was as if the city was under a spell, entranced in some kind of collective, eerie hibernation.

Glancing around, Duncan noticed lights still on in several nearby homes, suggesting people had been awake and active just moments ago. It was perplexing that no one seemed aware of the grotesque transformation taking place outside their windows.

Snapping his gaze away from the unnatural tableau, Duncan pivoted and headed briskly for the door. But before his hand could reach the knob, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway and the door was thrust open.

Alice, who had left only a short while earlier, burst back into the room. Her face was flushed, eyes wide in apparent panic. Captain Captain! Have you seen whats happening outside

Ive seen it, Duncan interrupted, steadying the agitated automaton with his words. This could be some kind of grand-scale illusion or even a shift into an alternate reality. But it hasnt touched our residence yet. Calm yourself, Alice. Gather everyone in the house. We need to make sense of this situation.

Upon hearing Duncans directives, Alice seemed to find some semblance of calm. She nodded her head vigorously and blurted out, Oh yes, Captain! Ill go find the others right away!

With that, Alice turned and scampered down the hall, her feet clattering against the floor as she disappeared from sight. Duncan glanced one more time at the bewildering landscape that had overtaken the streets, bracing himself for the enigma that now demanded to be unraveled.

The eerie forest that had inexplicably materialized in the heart of the neighborhood remained intact, its lush and verdant foliage casting dark silhouettes against the night sky. It was as if the very shadows had merged, taking on corporeal form to create this densely packed thicket. Interestingly, the vinesthose insidious tendrils that had branched out in all directionsseemed to have halted their menacing crawl. A multitude of these vine-like extensions, ranging from thin wisps to robust ropes, had come to a standstill at the very boundaries of Crown Street, almost as if respecting some unseen border.

But this observation only pertained to what Duncan could see from his limited vantage point. The unnerving fact remained that he could not know the extent of this anomaly or if other parts of the city had been similarly transformed into grotesque landscapes.

Just as he began to grapple with the wider implications, the familiar sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway outside his room. Alices voice, tinged with an unmistakable note of urgent concern, reached him: Captain, Captain, Captain! The the others are all missing!

For the first time, Duncan felt genuine surprise that shook him out of his analytical mode. The others are missing?

Yes, vanished without a trace! Alice quickly sprinted into the room, her nod so vigorous it seemed she might detach her own head. She cupped her hands around her face in a dramatic gesture of concern. I just went to check on Nina and Shirleys rooms; both are empty. Miss Lucretia is also nowhere to be found. I knocked on several other rooms, and there was no answer. The clockwork servants are in the living room, standing completely still, like statues. Its downright creepy!

A sense of foreboding tightened around Duncans heart. His eyes narrowed and his face adopted a grave expression. However, before diving into further action, he took a moment to soothe Alice, whose mechanical nerves seemed frazzled by the escalating weirdness. He then closed his eyes for a moment, extending his senses to search for the unique markers he had placed on individuals in his circle, like Vanna and Morris. These markers served as a sort of psychic radar, allowing him to gauge their status and approximate locations.

The markers still existed, but something was awry; their status readings were garbled and unknowable, as if distorted by some external force.

We need to go downstairs and conduct a thorough search, Duncan finally opened his eyes and gestured toward a small cabinet next to him. From atop the cabinet, the tiny creature named Ai, who had been taking a nap, fluttered her wings and landed gently on Duncans shoulder. Alice, stay close to me; whatever happens, do not stray.

Alice, her doll frame almost trembling with anxious energy, nodded emphatically. Alright alright, Captain!

And so, armed with a resolve as thick as the inexplicable forest outside, Duncan led Alice down the staircase and into the depths of the house that now seemed more like a vessel sailing on uncharted waters. With every step they took, the air seemed to grow thicker with the weight of uncertainty and impending revelations.