"Why do you think I'd set foot on a suspicious little Island?"
There had been no Islands in Swan Lake, either in Strange Tales City on January 17 or in the city now.
The fog continued to spill away, revealing a Ship in a Bottle ornament on a stone pedestal at the Island's center.
The moment Annan saw it, he realized it was the Lake Monster's True Body.
"You think putting a fake True Body there will fool me?"
As he spoke, Annan quietly tore open the Magic Scrolls the Skeleton King had given him inside the Ship's Cabin.
An invisible Mage Hand appeared beside him. Thanks to Archbishop Valencia's January 17, Annan had already mastered the Mage Hand cantrip.
Before the lake Oddity could react, Annan sent the Mage Hand drifting to the island's center. It grabbed the Ship in a Bottle from the pedestal and hauled it back to the Small Boat.
Delighted, Annan hugged the Ship in a Bottle to his chest, seized an oar, and pushed hard against the Shallows, sending the boat back into Swan Lake.
The Island behind him trembled with fury, but the waves it raised only sped Annan along, pushing him farther away.
Through the thinning fog, Annan saw the lakeshore and the Skeleton King standing on it.
Annan looked back. With a deep rumble, the Island sank into Swan Lake, becoming a Whirlpool that slowly closed.
The voyage had been frightening but uneventful. Annan looked toward his companions on the shore as his boat shuddered and ran aground.
"I got it." Annan stood, ready to step ashore.
"That's great..."
The Oddities cheered, but Annan did not move.
"What's wrong?" the Skeleton King asked. Candle Head urged him on. "Why are you standing there? Hurry up!"
"You're worried this isn't real?" the