Isle of Ashes

The massive silhouettes of the Lost Homeland and the Brilliant Star passed through the dense fog at the end of the world and sailed into a calm sea that existed in physical form. Their destination was clearly visible ahead—a desolate stretch of land floating upon the ocean, covered in ashes.

Other than that particularly barren little patch of land, there were no other notable landmarks across the sea. Only countless clumps of condensed ash floated atop the mirror-like water. Under the chaotic light of the sky, those clusters of ash drifting on the water looked like... fallen clouds.

The Lost Homeland sailed through a narrow channel formed by the ash clusters, slowly approaching the distant desolate island. The sea beyond the ship's rail reflected clouds and mist, and with its mirror-like texture, Duncan even felt for a moment as if the ship were sailing through a clear, pristine sky—the drifting mist and ashes gathered like clouds around the two vessels, while some of the darker ash resembled islands floating in the heavens. The Lost Homeland's passage caused no ripples upon the sea, merely disturbing the nearby ash and mist, breaking them apart before they gathered again.

Shirley leaned over the railing with A'gou, gazing at the sight on the sea in astonishment. Though she had witnessed many unbelievable wonders aboard the Lost Homeland, every new stop along the journey still drew her in despite herself.

"A'gou... I've recently started to realize that not having enough vocabulary really is a problem," Shirley muttered softly. Her voice was so low that it was as though she feared the captain might hear, yet she did not use their symbiotic pact's mental link, as if she still hoped someone would hear her muttering. "All I can think of right now is 'holy shit,' but