Chapter 616: An Unintentional Encounter

Chapter 616: An Unintentional Encounter

Nina and Morris ambled along a serene path deep within a thick, verdant forest. Above them, the dense layers of intertwining branches and leaves allowed only slivers of sunlight to trickle through, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of light and shadow on the carpet of leaves below. Unexpectedly, a soft, mystical mist began to form, seeming to emerge from the very essence of the forest itself. As the suns rays tried to pierce through this gauzy veil, the entire landscape took on a surreal, dream-like hue.

A few paces ahead, an ethereal elf maiden named Shireen guided them through this enchanting realm. Every now and then, she would halt her steps, throwing gentle, patient glances over her shoulder to ensure her human companions were comfortably keeping pace.

Observing the unfamiliar phenomena around her, Nina whispered, her voice tinged with awe and uncertainty, Ive never seen the forest blanketed in fog like this before. She then, inquisitively, called out to a distant figure not physically present with them, Uncle Duncan, whats your take on this?

She paused, her face radiating intense concentration, seemingly attempting to tune into an unseen frequency. Beside her, Morris matched her rhythm, his eyes distant, clearly engrossed in trying to grasp an intangible voice.

After a short yet palpable silence, the scholarly voice of Duncan echoed within their minds, You mean the blueprints of the Vanished from the Pland Shipyard archives? A few moments lapsed as he seemed to process something silently. His voice returned, somber and thoughtful, Those records undoubtedly exist, but accessing them through conventional methods might prove futile. Ill speak to Vanna about this. Perhaps some of our contacts within the city-state or even the church can assist.

As his voice ebbed away, leaving behind a contemplative silence, Nina, with a glint of curiosity in her eyes, posed a question to Morris. Why the sudden interest in the records of the Vanished? What could Uncle Duncan possibly need them for?

Lost in thought, Morris replied, Perhaps the captain unearthed some secrets in the dream world inside the Vanished. But until he divulges more, we shouldnt pry.

His demeanor revealed a deep respect and caution he had developed for the captain during their time on the Vanished.

Morriss gaze then shifted to the intensifying fog encroaching upon the forests core. A crease formed on his forehead as he remarked with evident unease, This fog its growing thicker, and theres an unsettling aura about it.

Nina, always the problem solver, gleamed with sudden inspiration, How about we use sunlight to dissipate it?

But before she could act, Morris, sensing the potential repercussions in this dreamy realm, swiftly signaled her to hold back, Wait. Introducing such an intense force might destabilize this world.

Caught up in their discussion, they almost failed to notice Shireen, who had come to a standstill, awaiting their next move.

Shireen had a unique and remarkable talent: no matter where she was, she always seemed acutely aware of the distance separating her from Morris and Nina. This intuitive sense triggered her to stop in her tracks whenever the duo trailed too far behind. And just as she was doing now, sometimes shed turn with a mix of concern and inquisitiveness, urging them to hasten their pace.

Is everything alright? The elfin maidens delicate features crinkled with confusion as she glanced back at the pair who were engrossed in hushed whispers. We really cannot afford to linger. We must reach the Silent Wall promptly, lest we get caught in the erosion phenomenon.

Observing the dense atmosphere surrounding them, Nina responded, The fog seems to be growing denser. She quickened her steps, drawing nearer to Shireen, and in a curious tone asked, Is it a usual occurrence for this area to be shrouded in such thick fog?

Shireen momentarily paused, her gaze sweeping across the landscape. A soft smile lit her face as comprehension sparkled in her eyes. Were nearing our goal. The Silent Wall is close.

Morris, ever the inquisitive scholar, probed further, Are you suggesting that this enveloping mist is an effect of the Silent Wall? Or is this mist, in essence, a part of the Wall itself?

Her face aglow with an almost childlike wonder, Shireen took a moment to truly admire the foggy expanse around them. Its truly breathtaking, isnt it? She sidestepped Morriss inquiry, choosing instead to share her perspective. From here, its vastness might seem overwhelming. But atop Atlantis, from its towering boughs and from the heavens above, one can witness the entire magnificence of this barrier.

Amidst the swirling fog, she discerned a fleeting, shadowy figure.

A primal reaction kicked in, and a surge of power threatened to burst forth from her in the form of a scalding slap, boasting an unfathomable heat of 6000C.

Yet, with a rapid intake of breath and a willpower she didnt realize she possessed, she checked herself just in time.

There was something a movement, Nina murmured, her voice quivering slightly from the adrenaline rush, For a moment, I thought I was about to face a genuine threat!

Morris cast a sidelong glance at her, observing the luminous intensity of her gaze and the residual warmth emanating from her. More than the unknown lurking in the fog, he was concerned about the formidable force she harbored one that could, quite literally, set their world aflame.

Could you identify it? he asked cautiously.

She shook her head, her face a picture of confusion. It was too fleeting. It looked tall, almost human, but there was something off about its silhouette. It was distorted, warped almost.

Morris mused for a moment, Without a clear mental signal, it might just be a trick of the fog. In a realm like this, where the boundaries between illusion and reality blur, anything can manifest.

He emphasized his next words, We must remain vigilant, but equally crucial, we must avoid overreacting.

With a subdued nod, Nina moved forward cautiously, eyes darting for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, a whimsical gust seemed to breathe life into the forest, parting the heavy fog and unveiling a mesmerizing scene. An ethereal barrier of light emerged, shimmering as if it were a reflection of the forest around them. Beyond this radiant shield, vague shadows hinted at something concealed.

A realization dawned upon Nina this was it. This was the luminescent barrier of the Silent Wall that Shireen had spoken of. They had reached their destination.

Within moments, Nina and Morris found themselves gravitating towards the mesmerizing luminous barrier that beckoned them.

This resplendent boundary, intricately woven from countless beams of light, stood as a sentinel at the brink of the fog-draped kingdom. It ascended, seemingly touching the very heavens above while extending laterally as far as the eye could see. The surface of this barrier pulsated with ethereal glimmers, like a shimmering veil separating two distinct worlds and guarding the myriad mysteries concealed within.

As Nina gazed upwards, the sheer magnificence of the sight left her momentarily speechless. Its otherworldly, she finally whispered, captivated.

With a gesture from Morris, Nina stepped back, allowing him the space to investigate. Morris moved closer, a sense of reverence evident in his posture. With utmost caution, he stretched out his fingers, seeking to touch the delicate sheen of light before them.

However, what happened next was both unexpected and breathtaking.

The Silent Wall, despite its seemingly impenetrable aura and vastness, crumbled soundlessly before them. This grand, seemingly eternal expanse of light disintegrated with the fragility of a soap bubble, leaving behind a void that held both wonder and uncertainty.