Shrouded Seascape

Hearing Charles' words, Nico's glossy lips parted. For a brief moment, he was confused as to what madness his captain was going to spout this time.

The two hurried past the railway tracks and returned to Charles' quarters.

Immediately, Charles activated the communication array. The grains of sand from the six-pointed star formation slowly floated off the ground and hovered in midair to eventually form the silhouette of Jenny, the representative of the Western Seas.

A solemn expression marked Jenny's visage. She thought that a grave incident had happened on the surface. But upon seeing the hints of excitement on Charles' face, she knew that her assumption was wrong.

"I'll skip the pleasantries. I've thought of a new weapon that would be of significant use for our upcoming explorations."

"Are you referring to our enchanted weapons? Didn't you mention before that the usage of magic would attract the attention of the Divinities and cause them to attack us?"

The excitement on Charles' countenance amplified as he replied, "Exactly! The Divinities in the skies are incredibly sensitive to what you call magic. Excessive use would draw their attention and make them launch an attack.

"Humans can't withstand their power capable of creating a massive canyon in an instant. However, if we play our moves wisely, we can harness that power!

"As long as we can see it, we can observe it. When we start observing it, then we can find patterns. Once we find the patterns, then we can gain control!" The saying was once passed down among humans from generation to generation, and it applied to the Divinities as well.

One wouldn't be able to reach the position of being the representative of an entire sea region without some intelligence. Jenny immediately caught the underlying implication in Charles' words.

"So… you are suggesting that the Western Seas should send out a group of people to act as bait and draw out the Divinities?" Jenny spoke, her voice laced with disbelief,

"Exactly! That's it! If each exploration team has a mage, then when they encounter an insurmountable crisis, they can then throw out the bait to lure the Divinities' attack, creating an opportunity for themselves to escape."

Excitement had consumed Charles. He was thrilled at the prospect. If the plan worked, then the survival rates of the exploration teams would skyrocket. This strategy would be far more effective than any more powerful artillery or faster-firing firearms.

However, traces of reluctance surfaced on Jenny's visage. "Governor Charles, if we are going through with this, each piece of bait is an actual human life. I can't make this decision alone. I need to convene a meeting with the other families."

"Then hurry up and do it. The faster you come to a decision, the better. We have a two-month break now. If the first batch of baits takes the fast ship from the Western Seas, they should arrive in time for the first round of exploration after the respite!"

Staring at the palpable excitement on Charles' face, Jenny tried restraining herself, but she failed to hold herself back. "Governor Charles, these are living, breathing people. How are you able to speak so lightly about their lives as if they aren't important?"

"Whose life isn't important? We explorers risk our lives every day. People die on the surface all the time. There's no difference between lives. It was them before, now it's yours. Saving the Subterranean Sea isn't just about paying lip service."

Jenny pressed her lips together tightly. Without saying a word, the sand figure representing her crumbled instantly.

Charles knew the mages of the Western Seas would agree to the plan. After all, in times like these, human lives were the cheapest commodity.

***

Squeak! Squeeeeeak! Squeaaaaaak…

Beneath a large bed, a group of black and black mice gathered around Lily, who was seated on a book and clutching her tail.

Patches of white and gray fur and also scars marred their bodies. Some of them even had missing tails or ears. Clearly, they had endured much hardship.

These were the mice Lily had sent to the other parallel world to find and help her family. It was a long journey, and finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the mice had returned.

"My world is flooding too? I thought things might be better over there," Lily muttered, her head drooping low.

She pondered for a moment before her tiny ears perked up with anticipation. "What about my mommy and daddy? How are they?"

Squeak! Squeeeeeak! Squeaaaaaak…

"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh… I see… Thank you so much. If not for you guys, my daddy would be bullied by those bad guys.

"You managed to sneak the money to them? Oh, that's good!

"Mommy has a new baby? I know that, what?! It's not a boy, but a girl? Why is that different from here?"

Squeak! Squeeak!

"Hmm…. No, I can't bring Mommy and Daddy here now. I need to do my all to help Mr. Charles find the darkness. Else, bringing them here would just be putting them in danger.

"Also… I have yet to turn back into a human. What if they don't like me?" Lily's voice trailed off, her sadness growing evident in her tone

After so many years, she finally received news about her own actual family. But instead of bringing her comfort, it made her feel incredibly uneasy.

Lily fell back listlessly on the massive book beneath her and rolled around.

After rolling back and forth for a while, she finally stopped and stared blankly at the paper castle beside her.

"Everyone… tell me. What should I do now? Should I tell my parents what I look like now? I really don't know what I should do.

"I don't want to ask Mr. Charles. He's busy with his own things. I can solve my issues on my own. Besides, Mr. Charles doesn't have any good solutions either."

Lily tried to use her own intelligence to come up with a plan to resolve her current predicament. But clearly, she had overestimated herself.

Half an hour later, she lowered her head and ran a small paw over her shimmering golden fur.

"Do I really possess the power of a Divinity? Why do I still have so many troubles despite having such great power?"

The mice around Lily gradually quietened down. Their beady, black eyes were fixated on their owner in front of them.

Lily thought for a few more moments before lifting her gaze and looking at them.

"My family might highly likely not accept me. Mr. Charles also seems to be distancing himself from me. Say… where do you think my home really is?

"That isn't a home. That's just a small house made from paper. By home, I mean…. that feeling when I was with Daddy and Mommy back on the Coral Archipelago. I really wish to go back to that time…"

As Lily reminisced about her early memories, a sweet smile surfaced on her furry face. But soon, that smile gradually faded into a frown and she started sobbing.

The mice closed in on her; some even scurried around anxiously.

After letting out the pent-up sorrow and grief within her, Lily wiped the last droplets of tears from the corners of her eyes and looked around. "Can you all give me a hug?"

The mice immediately swarmed her and formed a comforting ball of fur around her.

Feeling the warmth of their bodies, Lily clutched her tail and curled up like a baby. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the momentary peace and comfort.

Half an hour later, Lily emerged from the cluster of mice.

"Let's go to the kitchen! I'll make sweet fish soup for everyone! Once we're done eating, let's think of a plan together. We can definitely come up with a good idea," Lily declared.

With that, she led the mice and like a tidal wave, they surged toward the kitchen.