Nightmares and Rending

Duncan noticed something unusual about the Elf old man before him. Rune's body was turning translucent, as though he might vanish from this world at any moment.

The change in Duncan's expression clearly did not escape Rune's notice.

"As you can see, Captain, something interesting is happening to me," Rune said with a candid smile. He even raised a hand to display the palm that had become most transparent. "A powerful force is trying to take me over to 'Her' side."

Duncan's expression shifted slightly. "Xilantis's power—I didn't expect even a 'pope' like you to be affected."

"After all, I am an elf. It seems that whatever is rooted deep within our race's souls does not care whether I am a 'pope' or not," Rune said calmly. "I felt that powerful summons—Xilantis is calling all elves back to the Mother Tree."

Duncan frowned. He had noticed something wrong. "But you're still conscious. That's different from what I know of the other elves' condition."

"Because I'm not going," Rune said with a gentle smile.

Duncan: "...?"

"As a 'pope,' I ought to have some special qualities. At the very least, for a while, I can still refuse Xilantis's 'invitation,'" Rune said, then looked past Duncan. "Captain, would you mind if I came aboard to talk? I know a little about the current situation."

Duncan did not refuse. After several seconds of silence, he nodded, stepping aside while calmly watching the old man's eyes. "If your doctrine does not mind you boarding a ship shadowed by Subspace."

"The scriptures come from gods," Rune said unhurriedly. Without a care, he crossed the end of the gangway and stepped onto the Lost Homeland's deck before continuing, "but people interpret them. I just need to smooth things over when I meet with the bishops later."