Deep Sea Embers

When that day comes, the ocean will forget the appearance of waves, life will forget how to die, the fire will not remember how to burn, the wind will stop flowing, and the clouds will fall from the sky to the sea - that is the final curtain of the world's sinking. , the exiled one from outside the world, staring coldly at the existence of this shelter, thus gaining insight into the future of all things.

All over the world, clouds are falling from the sky - or strictly speaking, a certain "layer" containing the "element" of "cloud layer" is simultaneously lowering its height from the sky.

The falling clouds are like another flowing sea, gradually closing over the world. Some of the low-hanging parts extend to the ground or the sea, turning into a hazy curtain like mist, while more structures float in the distance from people. A few hundred or even tens of meters above the head, the layers of the sky stopped at this height and continued the extremely slow "falling" process that was almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Frame stood in the ice field under the night, looking up at the surging sky with clouds. Now it was so close, separated by a thin layer of fog, as if he could touch the magnificent clouds just by raising his hand. , and the cold brilliance of the Creation of the World spread through the gaps between the clouds, coating the screen with a layer of mercury-like coating, which to be honest was beautiful.

The magnificence was so breathtaking that it made one's soul tremble slightly. Priestess Delis stood beside Frame, looking up at the wonders in the sky with the Pope. They had been staring there for a long time. For a long time, the same was true for many people on the ice sheet. Everyone seemed to have some invisible force holding their necks, and they remained in the same posture, as if they were frozen in ice. But suddenly, many people began to react. Looking around in panic, many more eyes focused on Frame.

"Your Majesty the Pope" Delis finally broke the silence, her voice hoarse, "Next

"Continue to do our work," Frame's voice sounded low, as calm as ever, echoing over the entire plain, "building archives, moving cultural relics, storing our heritage - there is still a breath of this world left, Our work is not done yet.”

The pope's voice was steady and powerful, like a huge boulder standing on the ice sheet, suppressing the fluctuations in everyone's hearts. The fire bearers were silent for a moment, and then lowered their heads. They no longer paid attention to the changes in the sky, but continued. work on building an archive.

Frame exhaled slightly at a moment when no one noticed it. With his heart beating weaker and weaker, he once again cast his gaze into the distance, towards the flowing clouds and mist - against the ultimate gray-white background, the Lost Homeland The huge hull is floating quietly in the "jump channel". Due to the lack of reference elements, the ship seems to be completely stationary in the middle of the channel, but Duncan is very clear that he and his ship are moving at a speed far beyond human imagination. Urgent flight.

The Lost Home has crossed the end of the world. In a sense, he has now truly "left the boundless sea." He has left the small shelter cage built by the ancient kings. Outside the seemingly peaceful passage, there is a place where order has been lost. After the destruction of all realms, there is a scorching and chaotic ashes cemetery.

Duncan felt that the connection between himself and the Infinite Sea was gradually weakening. The day after Alice took control of the cabin and controlled the Lost Home to move towards the "Sea of ​​Ashes", he could hardly hear his two "Sea of ​​Ashes". The voice conveyed back by the "incarnation", so far, he can only keep those incarnations awake for a very small period of time every day - during the period of awakening, he can only carry out limited actions.

There are many reasons for the weakening of this connection. On the one hand, it is because the degree of his own "change" is further deepening. On the other hand, the actual "distance" between the Lost Home and those incarnations is lengthening. The remaining The reason may be related to the Sea of ​​Ashes mentioned by Le Nora and the special environment in the Sea of ​​Ashes.

The only good news is that the "enhanced mark" he left on Nina and others specifically to maintain contact in this situation is still working. Because the function of the mark is extremely specialized and simple, it has not been affected by the above changes. Under the influence, he can still contact his crew members.

After completing today's routine inspection, Duncan was walking on the Lost Home. He walked through the empty corridors, passed through the quiet stairs, and came to the empty deck - Alice was steering the ship at the stern. , without the companionship of the doll, the ship in front of him seemed to have completely returned to the way it looked when he first came here.

There was no one everywhere and everything was quiet. This was what he saw when he opened the door of the homeless for the first time.

Of course, things have changed a bit - at that time, there wasn't as much noise in his mind as it is now.

"Hey, Captain, let me tell you, we took away a lot of good things from that lighthouse! That woman named Helena was so damn interesting. She let me drive to the warehouse to move it. I also found a lot of beautiful dresses. I don’t know why a person like her collects beautiful dresses. It’s a pity that I can’t wear them. I’m two sizes too big.

This uncultured and rude voice was Shirley's "Uncle Duncan, everything is fine here. Nilu and I have become good friends. I even helped her sew a small dress. You must take care of yourself on the ship." Alice also had to eat on time when she was in charge. I left a lot of biscuits and jam in the kitchen.

This sensible and gentle voice belonged to Nina. "Captain, I have not been lazy these two days. Miss Lucretia can testify that I have started to help her crew clean the deck and corridors - one by one in Bai I've never been so diligent since I was on the Oak.

This broken gong voice belongs to a sailor.

'Dad, don't listen to his deception. He was forced to work by Lu Ni - he lay in the warehouse and slept all day long, and even tried to trick my servants into sleeping with him. Luni really couldn't bear it. This guy actually asked me to give him daily wages on the grounds that his labor on the Brilliant Star was not part of the contract! "

This resentful voice belonged to Lucretia.

Duncan stopped on the middle deck, listening helplessly to the noisy sounds in his mind, and finally couldn't help but speak: "It sounds like it's quite lively there."

"With Shirley, it can be as lively as a battlefield," Lucretia's voice full of resentment rang in Duncan's mind, "She can also support others to fool around with her. Yesterday she even fooled Nelu I got into the bedside table and dismantled the whole cabinet to get the little guy out! How can you endure it? "

"Normally, I think it's fine," Duncan thought for a moment and said seriously. "The boat is too quiet. It's nice to be a little lively. Of course, this may be a bit too exciting for you."

Lucretia let out a long sigh: "Well, the most exciting thing is Miss Vanna's movements during her morning exercises. Of course, I can't say which one is more exciting compared to Nina's surprises and explosions."

Listening to his daughter's resentful murmurings, Duncan twitched the corner of his mouth with a subtle expression. Looking back, he had to admit that the normal behavior on the Homeless Ship seemed a bit serious indeed.

After a while, he heard Morris's voice.

"Captain, what's the situation over there?"

"The Lost Home is still in the 'passage'," Duncan raised his head, glanced at the situation outside the ship and said casually, "Frankly speaking, it is difficult for me to analyze this ship from the perspective of 'distance' or 'route' now." Even Alice herself is not sure where the ship is - but there is only one thing that is certain, we are moving closer to the coordinate signal sent by Le Nora, which Alice can still feel. "

"I never expected that the person who usually seems the most unreliable on the ship is now doing the most important thing," Shirley couldn't help but muttered, "In the end, it was she who accompanied you to the end of the world."

After Shirley's words fell, everyone else fell silent. After two or three seconds, Duncan heard Shirley's loud voice: "Hey, what's your reaction? Alice is not as reliable as me! I'm usually an honest and obedient girl." Na, don’t turn your head! "

Duncan simply ignored Shirley's movements.

"How is the situation on the Infinite Sea?"

There was silence on the other side for two or three seconds, and then Morris's voice came: "As we reported earlier today, the clouds have fallen from the sky - and now the entire boundless sea is covered with a thin layer of fog." The fog Above are low-pressure clouds. Frankly speaking, if you don't know what this scene means, this is indeed a magnificent spectacle. "

The good news is that apart from the lowering of the clouds, nothing worse has happened. At least the ship's navigation has not been affected." Fanna's voice came next, "We are now sailing in the direction of Puland, Luke. Miss Lecia plans to send us all there first, and then she will return to Breezeport with the Brilliant Star, where she will stay until the end.

"In addition, we have also contacted Mr. Tirian. After arriving in the central sea area, a 'Sun Fleet' will set off from Perand and head to the north. Miss Agatha will transfer to that ship and go to Frost.

"As for 'Sailor,' Captain Lawrence, who is staying in Faelon, has also made arrangements. He will contact the managers of the city-state union at a later date—if the union can still operate normally by then— Then send the sailor to Phaelon, where he will rendezvous with the White Oak.

"And if there are problems with the operation of the city-state union by then, the White Oak will personally go to Pland to pick up the sailors."

When Fanna said this, she paused for a few seconds before slowly continuing to speak - "Captain, please rest assured, we will do a good job and we will not let you down."