Deep Sea Embers
Chapter 577: The Memory of Goathead

In a remote area off the coast of Wind Harbor, a radiant glow emanated from an enigmatic object—described as a “luminous geometric figure”—that hovered mysteriously over the ocean. Within the boundaries of this ethereal illumination, a thick mist enveloped the surface of the sea, concealing a colossal ghost ship known as the Vanished. This spectral vessel moved slowly but deliberately through the open waters, its presence shrouded by the fog.

Suddenly, an uncanny flash of green fire pierced the dense mist, momentarily illuminating the immediate vicinity.

A fiery portal burst open on the wooden deck of the Vanished. Stepping out from this magical gateway were Duncan and Alice, instantly engulfed by the ship’s surroundings.

Duncan felt immediate comfort as he set foot on the ship’s familiar wooden deck. The towering mast and otherworldly sails seemed to greet him like old friends. Even though he had only been away briefly, returning to the Vanished was like a balm to his soul. As he looked around and inhaled the salty aroma that the sea breeze wafted across the deck, he let out a slow, calming breath. His previously turbulent emotions seemed to steady and stabilize.

However, as Duncan savored this moment of peace, his thoughts inadvertently wandered back to the previous night’s adventure. He had been exploring a colossal vine and had seen illusionary scenes of another Vanished navigating through a similarly mysterious fog. Strangely, the scenes in his memory merged seamlessly with the reality before him, making it difficult to tell one from the other.

“They really are identical,” Duncan mumbled to himself.

“What’s identical?” Alice inquired, breaking his reverie.

Duncan turned and looked at her. He saw in Alice a cheerful and naive companion who seemed happy to tag along on his various escapades. A small, warm smile graced his lips.

“I’m heading to the captain’s quarters to speak with the first mate,” he informed her. “Feel free to do as you please.”

“Alright!” Alice chirped, full of enthusiasm. “I’m off to the kitchen to whip up some marinated fish and dried meat. Shirley and Nina mentioned they’re hungry.”

Alice waved cheerfully at Duncan as she dashed towards the ship’s kitchen. Her mood seemed to brighten further upon her return to the Vanished, although Alice was generally an upbeat person—joyful aboard the ship and just as happy on land. It seemed her emotional range consisted of just two states: “happy” and “even happier.”

As Duncan watched Alice’s lighthearted figure disappear into the distance, the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. Shaking his head to regain focus, he composed his expression and continued walking toward the stern of the ship.

Upon reaching the door to the captain’s quarters, he paused. Etched into the wooden doorframe were the words “The Door of the Lost.” The ancient, potent characters seemed as though they had weathered the test of time, deeply embedded into the wood.

Duncan contemplated the inscription intently. The only visible difference he could find between this Vanished and the one he had glimpsed in the foggy illusion was this very phrase. Of course, there could be other, subtler differences offering more clues. But because of the brevity of his previous encounter, he had not had the chance to delve deeper. For now, the variation in the carved words on the captain’s door was the only definite clue he had about the two seemingly identical ships.

The “Door of the Lost” stands as an enigmatic feature that is extraordinary even when compared to the myriad oddities and secrets that the Vanished harbors. This isn’t just any door; it serves as Duncan’s sole portal back to his bachelor apartment in a realm altogether different from the ship’s current location. Moreover, the door functions as a verification mechanism for the captain’s authority on board. Remarkably, the inscription etched into the door’s frame doesn’t correspond to any known language. Yet, its meaning becomes immediately clear to anyone who looks at it, from Alice—who was initially illiterate—to natives from remote city-states who might only be familiar with their own esoteric scripts.

The door also exhibits different characteristics depending on the “version” of the Vanished one finds themselves aboard. In the reality Duncan is most familiar with, it leads to his bachelor apartment. However, within subspace, it opens into a strange, dark void. When the ship is enveloped in fog, the inscription changes to “May He Linger in Dreams” and a bizarre, seemingly slumbering goat head.

So, what exactly is this “Door of the Lost”?

Duncan pondered these questions as he reached out and pushed open the door to the captain’s quarters. The room was dimly lit by flickering lamps, revealing a navigation desk cluttered with maritime charts and nautical instruments. Shelves lined the walls, filled with various trinkets and artifacts.

As he entered, the goat head—which was attached to the edge of the navigation desk—came to life with a series of creaks and squeaks. It rotated to face Duncan, and its eyes, meticulously carved from obsidian, seemed to brighten for an instant. A cheerful voice erupted in Duncan’s mind, “Ah, the esteemed captain has returned to his beloved Vanished! Your loyal—”

“I have something important to discuss with you,” Duncan interjected, his tone severe and businesslike as he approached the desk.

The goat head’s incessant chatter ceased abruptly, replaced by a sense of palpable tension. It straightened its neck with a creaking sound, almost as if it were a human soldier snapping to attention. “Captain, what’s the matter? Has something gone awry in Wind Harbor as well?”

Duncan sat down in front of the navigation desk, his eyes briefly scanning over the sea chart that displayed familiar fog patterns and shipping lanes. Hearing the goat head’s phrasing, he frowned. “Why did you use the phrase ‘as well’?”

“Events have transpired in Pland and Frost as well,” the goat head elucidated.

Duncan locked eyes with the carved obsidian of the creature’s gaze and retorted, “Your choice of words makes it sound as though I am some sort of calamity in human form.”

Caught off guard, the goat head seemed momentarily stunned before replying, “…Aren’t you?”

“I’ve spent considerable effort in cultivating the reputation of the Vanished throughout the Boundless Sea. Both in Pland and Frost, we’ve built strong diplomatic relations; their leaders hold us in high regard. In fact, I’ve yet to receive a single complaint from any port we’ve visited,” Duncan began, sweeping his hand across the room as if tracing an invisible map. “As my first mate, you’re aware that I view our journey not just as a voyage, but as an ongoing mission with limitless possibilities for growth. However, today’s discussion isn’t about that. I need to know what you were doing last night.”

The goat head seemed initially disoriented by Duncan’s sudden shift in topic. Nonetheless, it quickly recovered its poise and responded, “Last night, I was strictly adhering to your instructions, ensuring the safety of the ship. We steered clear of recognized shipping lanes and veiled ourselves in mist to avoid causing concern among any potentially jumpy sailors nearby.”

Duncan nodded, unsurprised. His encounter with the ‘other’ goat head last night had confirmed that although both entities were similar, they were not the same. Yet, a link must bind them, and he was determined to uncover it.

Pausing briefly to gather his thoughts, Duncan leaned in slightly, the weight of his inquiry filling the room with an almost palpable tension. “What I really want to know is who—or what—you are. I want to understand your origins, your history, and the essence of your very nature.”

Gone were any traces of light-heartedness or joviality. His words carried a gravity that felt almost oppressive, a stern solemnity that left no room for evasion. It was a direct confrontation, intentionally devoid of any guile or subterfuge. Over the years, Duncan had come to comprehend the rules that governed the Vanished—the rules he himself had helped establish. He knew that so long as certain boundaries weren’t crossed, both the ship and the mysterious goat head would maintain a fragile but stable equilibrium.

In a world teeming with inexplicable phenomena and anomalies, containment was a precarious affair. Yet, in many ways, the Vanished was already a ‘contained’ anomaly—with Duncan himself acting as the linchpin that held it all together.

The goat head looked distinctly uneasy, a stark contrast to its usual animated disposition. Accustomed to Duncan’s typically mild-mannered and compassionate leadership, this new tone and line of questioning caught it off guard.

“Why this sudden curiosity?” it asked, a quiver of apprehension coloring its voice.

“Up until now, there was no need to delve into these matters,” Duncan replied evenly, maintaining his intense gaze. “But recent incidents in Wind Harbor have changed that equation. Unusual occurrences linked to you have emerged, and I can no longer afford to leave these questions unanswered. I need your explanation, now more than ever.”

The neck of the wooden sculpture undulated gently from side to side as though trying to ease a hidden strain or anxiety. Duncan’s gaze remained unbroken though, his eyes locking with the obsidian carvings that served as the goat head’s own. Slowly, deliberately, he rested his hand on the worn surface of the navigation table before him.

As his hand touched the table, tendrils of eerie green flame started to unfurl from his palm, extending like spectral fingers across the wooden surface. They reached outward, permeating the walls and floor of the captain’s quarters, then winding their way through the labyrinthine corridors of the ship. A low, haunting creak arose from the bowels of the Vanished as though the ship itself were moaning under the influence of this strange energy. The very aura of the ship seemed to be undergoing a nuanced yet profound transformation.

Taking a deep breath, Duncan spoke with a tone of solemn authority. “I am Duncan Abnomar, captain of this vessel, and I steer her through the Boundless Sea.” He wasn’t just addressing the goat head; he was speaking to the ship itself, reaffirming his dominion over it. “I ask you, my first mate, this question not as an interrogation but as a matter of casual discourse. The Vanished will not plunge into subspace or undergo any drastic alterations during this conversation. Why? Because I am Duncan Abnomar, captain of this ship.”

With his declaration, surges of ethereal, green fire burst forth from Duncan’s form. His physical presence transformed into an otherworldly apparition—both horrifying and awe-inspiring. His words reverberated throughout the ship as if carried by some unseen force. “So, tell me, my first mate: Where, exactly, are you from?”

With an air of newfound tranquility, the goat head finally responded, “I come from subspace.”

“Subspace is a term too vague and expansive to provide any real answers,” Duncan pressed, his spectral form flickering like a ghostly lantern. “You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

The goat head’s demeanor shifted, losing its previous timidity. “Subspace is both expansive and the only accurate term to describe my origin. It knows no past or future, no specific location within its boundaries. I cannot tell you about my past because I do not know it. I cannot describe my essence, for even I am unsure what that truly means.”

“So, what do you remember?” Duncan’s voice became sharper like a blade honing its edge.

A long, uncomfortable silence filled the room, stretching the tension to its breaking point. The goat head became unnaturally still, almost appearing like a mere decoration in the captain’s quarters. Finally, after what felt like an interminable pause, it stirred, and a voice, darker and raspier than before, seeped out, “‘Remember them.'”

Duncan’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Remember them? What does that even mean?”

Shaking its wooden head with a sense of helpless sorrow, the goat head replied, “I don’t know. But it’s a directive, an imperative I cannot ignore. ‘Remember them,’ yet I don’t know who ‘they’ are. The truth is, Captain, I don’t remember anymore.”