Chapter 641: Insight

Chapter 641: Insight

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In a tense effort to manage the fragile paper boat, Lucretia carefully navigated it toward the Vanisheda majestic ship that hovered just above the forest canopy.

From a distance, the crew of the Vanished observed the unstable paper boat as it wobbled and drifted erratically through the air, appearing as if it might crash at any moment. Despite its considerable size, the Vanished displayed remarkable agility, powered by an unseen force, and quickly positioned itself under the descending trajectory of Lucretia and her group.

As the paper boat, now battered and swaying wildly, made some final adjustments, it crash-landed clumsily onto the deck of the Vanished.

Shirley and Dog were thrown from the boat, rolling across the wooden planks. After several disorienting tumbles, they stood up. As they regained their balance, a tall figure approachedit was Duncan. He showed concern as he offered a hand to a disoriented Shirley, while Nina also received his assistance nearby.

Brushing off the confusion, Shirley exclaimed, Good heavens, that was a close call. I really thought we were goners.

Upon recognizing Duncan, Nina joyfully shouted, Uncle Duncan! and ran to embrace him tightly.

Duncan warmly returned the hug and patted Ninas head. He then turned his attention to Morris, who stood firmly with one hand on his cane and the other holding a complex device resembling a gyroscope. Their exchanged smiles brought comfort. Meanwhile, Lucretia, having anticipated the crash, had jumped from the boat in time, catching briefly on one of the ships masts before descending gracefully.

Duncan chuckled at the sight of his group, You all certainly know how to make an entrance. Navigating the turbulent skies in a makeshift paper boat is quite the achievement.

Dusting herself off, Lucretia admitted with a sheepish smile, Yes, I concede that the enchantment on that boat needs some fine-tuning.

Caught up in the excitement, Nina tugged at Duncans sleeve and pointed upward, Look, Uncle, up there!

Duncan nodded in acknowledgment, Yes, Ive seen it.

Above them stretched a magnificent barrier made of pure sunlight, dividing two distinct worlds. It loomed protectively over a vast desert below.

Morris approached with a serious expression, Vanna might be trapped on the other side, he said gravely, This powerful barrier is marked by the Black Sun. Whoever established this clearly targets the Sun that Vanna mentioned. Weve inadvertently become part of their plan

Duncan met Morriss earnest gaze and nodded, Im aware. This barrier is specifically designed to block me.

Hearing this, Nina looked between the two men, her curiosity heightened, So, whats our next move? Can we just push through?

Duncan glanced down at her with a playful smirk, It seems Shirleys penchant for reckless actions is spreading. My dear, brute force isnt always the answer.

His thoughts drifted to visions of an armored warrior, a realm dominated by magic and swords that faded as dusk settled, the moon that lit his homelands night sky, the perpetual mist enveloping his apartment, and the varied yet contradictory historical accounts preserved across different city-states. Ancient texts from a forgotten age, filled with peculiar myths, untraceable lost civilizations, inexplicable relics from unknown eras, and the profound corruptions these relics harbored.

Certain relics appeared inherently noxious to their surroundings, capable of distorting and corrupting the environment.

Some were so dangerous that they couldnt be allowed to manifest physically. There was no way to contain or neutralize them; their immediate destruction was the only option. These were feared and known as the Blasphemous Prototypes.

Duncan stood still on the deck of the Vanished, caught in the narrow gap between two worlds on the brink of mutual destruction. Amidst this eerie calm before the impending apocalypse, he seemed to grasp the true essence of the Great Annihilation, devoid of all the myths and legends.

Almost instinctively, Lucretia sensed a troubling change in the atmosphere.

The deck seemed to be caressed by an invisible wind, with a dense and overwhelming presence slowly forming around her.

She quickly turned toward the source of this intense feeling.

A soft starlight shimmered nearby, taking the shape of a vague human figure. Although it seemed close enough to touch, there was a feeling of infinite distance. The figure wasnt large, but it emitted a profound vastness, as if its edges were incomprehensible.

Lucretia remembered seeing this same glow before during a critical moment at her recent reunion with her father. Briefly, she had glimpsed the reality hidden behind her fathers physical appearance.

But now, the situation felt different.

The usual rules of sight and perception seemed inadequate against this mysterious starlight. To her astonishment, Lucretias vision began to warp and bend within this light, filled with mysteries beyond her grasp. She tried to look away, but it was as though her eyes were captivated by the starlight itself.

Just when she thought she might lose herself to the overwhelming brilliance, the light started to fade.

After a moment of disorientation, she felt a familiar touchit was her fathers protective hand.

Clasping his hand for stability and comfort, she cautiously moved it aside, her eyes searching for where the radiant figure had stood just seconds before.

The glowing form had changed back into the familiar figure of Duncan.

Theres no need for fear, her fathers soothing voice reassured her, Im right here.

Still shaken by the encounter, Lucretia asked, trying to hide her unease, What was that? A moment ago, you you were

Its alright, Duncan interrupted softly, I just had an epiphany of sorts.