Chapter 626: The Call

Chapter 626: The Call

In all fairness, Vanna believed that the elderly Morris did have a valid argument.

When it came to executing a sacred ritual, the three essential components were flame, sanctified oil, and incense. Although in rare circumstances one could use alternatives to these elements, substituting all of them with mere kitchen ingredients seemed almost preposterous.

Yet, she was resolved to attempt it.

For one, she had improvised in this manner multiple times during her journey on the Vanished. Furthermore, her search for the proper ritualistic materials in the so-called Witchs Mansion had proved fruitless.

I shouldve known that a witchs abode wouldnt have items like consecrated oil, Vanna remarked with a hint of remorse to Morris, I admit Ive been rather complacent in my planning.

Muttering under his breath, Morris remarked, Ever since you managed to conduct a ritual on the ship using unconventional items, youve grown negligent about ritual preparations.

In a half-joking manner, Vanna gestured towards the street through the window, In that case, would you mind fetching the necessary items for me?

Morris peered outside, noting the eerie movement of the tree shadows. Given the current tumultuous state of Wind Harbor, he thought it wiser to keep his thoughts to himself.

Upon hearing their exchange, Shirley quickly approached with Dog in tow. With an impish glint in her eyes, she cheekily suggested, How about adding some ginger and garlic?

Vanna, genuinely perplexed, enquired, For what reason?

With a playful smirk, Shirley responded, Once your ritual is finished, you can ask Luni to whip up a meal. Im starving.

Vannas countenance shifted to one of seriousness, mildly affronted. She rebuked, You shouldnt jest about such things! With a stern look, she added, This is a sacred ritual. My improvisations are out of necessity, given our situation.

Rather than retort, Shirley simply moved herself and Dog away from Vanna.

Puzzled, Vanna inquired, Why are you distancing yourself?

I might not grasp the intricate rituals of you holy practitioners, Shirley began, waving dismissively, but common sense dictates caution. If, by chance, lightning targets you, Id prefer not to be splattered.

Vanna was at a loss for words.

Choosing to regain her focus, Miss Inquisitor sidestepped the spectators by the doorway. Drawing a deep breath, she honed in on the task at hand: initiating the ritual to open a psychic conduit.

As she began, flames lept up, and the oil started to bubble fervently.

Yet, at its core, fire remained a primal element. Its ignition, throughout history, has been a testament to human advancement. By lighting it, mortals offer a symbolic gesture to the divine. And the essence of this gesture resonates with a simple message: I am present.

Vanna, renowned as one of the most exceptional clerics of her generation within the Storm Church, had always been known to harbor beliefs that veered off the traditional path. These beliefs could even be described as heretical, given the longstanding doctrines of the church. While such unconventional sentiments were only sporadic in her earlier years, recently, her deviations from the established teachings had become more frequent and pronounced.

Lost in thought, Duncan was jolted back to the present by a soft, unusual sound originating from the bed.

The elf patient, previously in a deep slumber with his form becoming increasingly ghostly and faint, showed unexpected signs of life. There was a slight twitch in his body, and a low, resonant hum vibrated from deep within his throat, hinting at the possibility of him regaining consciousness.

Heidis instincts kicked in as she dashed to the elfs side, hoping that he was awakening. But as she did, a chilling scene unfolded: every other bed in the room began to display the same symptoms.

One after another, the previously inert elves started to shake, emitting hauntingly identical hums. The chilling simultaneous activity sent a wave of fear crashing over Heidi. Instinctively, she looked to Duncan, seeking direction. Then, as abruptly as it began, the strange sounds from the elves ceased in unison.

In the next eerie moment, each of the slumbering elves opened their mouths, speaking as though a collective consciousness was using them as vessels. They intoned in a singular, harmonious voice

I am Ted Lir, dwelling deep within the Dream of the Nameless One.

I convey this message to the material realm through every means at my disposal. To those hearing this, disseminate it far and wide Atlantis has lost her sanity.

She seeks to absorb every elf in a bid to make her way into the tangible world, aiming to root herself anew.

She is no protector; she does not shield us.

We are putting up resistance against Atlantiss dominant consciousness, striving to thwart her invasion into our reality but the odds are stacked against us.

We implore you for aid safeguard the elves of the material realm from Atlantiss clutches, preventing them from fading away or succumbing in slumber. This may stall Atlantiss ascendancy. I reiterate, we desperately require assistance

As suddenly as it had started, the eerie chorus ceased.

All the afflicted elves returned to their enigmatic slumber, making the event seem almost illusory the link between Ted Lir and the tangible world had been abruptly terminated.

Ted Lir Heidis voice trailed off momentarily, the weight of the recent revelation sinking in, Isnt he the Truth Keeper from Wind Harbor?

A mix of fear and shock was evident in her eyes. The dire message and the suddenness with which it had been delivered underscored the depth of the crisis at hand.

Seeking assurance and direction, her gaze landed on Duncan, the Captain, anticipating some guidance or a plan of action in response to this startling development.

Duncan appeared deep in thought, his brow creased with concern. Although the abrupt message from Ted Lir had caught him off guard, he quickly marshaled his thoughts and began formulating a plan of action based on the limited yet critical intel he had received.

Theres no time to waste, he declared, looking squarely at Heidi, his voice firm and decisive. I must set out immediately. We need to tackle this problem at its source.

As he spoke, Heidi, overwhelmed with concern for the immediate situation at hand, interjected, And what of the situation here? How do we handle it?

Stay the course, Duncan urged, Do everything in your power to stave off the consumption of these elvesendeavor to anchor their spirits to our world for as long as you possibly can. Well handle the broader issue. Just keep them here.