Lord of Mysteries: The Forgotten Dreamer

The salty sea breeze carried a quiet stillness over The Future as it cut through the waves. Yeaia leaned against the railings of the ship, staring at the endless stretch of ocean before them. Their mismatched eyes reflected the fading light of the sky, thoughts drifting as easily as the waters below.

They had boarded the ship. That was a fact. But what now?

They barely had a destination in mind—only an uncertain path ahead. The ruins they had spent time exploring were left behind, yet no sense of closure came with their departure. If anything, the questions had only grown.

"Still dazing around, huh?"

A cheerful voice snapped Yeaia out of their thoughts. Standing beside them was a man with light brown, curly hair and an excited glint in his eyes. His presence was warm, almost familiar despite their short acquaintance.

It was Frank Lee, the enthusiastic and—questionably eccentric—biologist of the crew.

"Lost in thought?"

"Ah… Frank," Yeaia muttered, recalling their brief introduction last night.

And just a step behind him was the imposing figure of Cattleya, her dark purple hair and starry glasses making her presence impossible to ignore.

Yeaia straightened slightly as Frank grinned.

"Morning!" Frank greeted with his usual, unsettling enthusiasm. "Have you ever thought about crossbreeding a fish with a potato? Imagine it—a starchy yet nutritious sea creature that can be fried or boiled depending on taste!"

Yeaia blinked. 'Based on my memories, this stuff isn't normal....but it sounds interesting...'

'Hmm, then if we try to crossbreed a pig and a mushroom that induces prophetic dreams...would we have a pig that dreams of different realities and potentially gives birth to piglets inside the dream instead of reality?' Yeaia was seriously considering whether to tell Frank Lee or not but since they're not sure about the whole idea yet...

'I'll keep it to myself for now...once I'm sure, I can tell Frank Lee about it.' Yeaia feeling confident in his idea, decided to keep it a surprise for the eccentric fellow.

"...I can't say that I have."

Frank didn't seem deterred. "Or perhaps a mushroom that secretes healing liquid? Oh! I've been considering whether sea cucumbers can be enhanced with chicken-like qualities. Wouldn't that be wonderful? You could have self-growing meat without needing to raise an entire animal!"

"I've been thinking," Frank continued, completely ignoring any need for pleasantries. "What do you think about crossbreeding humans with plants? You see, I had this fascinating idea after my last attempt with fish—"

Cattleya immediately cut in, her voice carrying the weight of command. "Frank."

He paused, turning to her with an innocent look.

She sighed, then adjusted her glasses. "We came here to ask Yeaia something important. Focus."

Frank shrugged but didn't argue.

Cattleya turned her gaze back to Yeaia. "Where do you want to go? The Future won't drift forever."

Yeaia hesitated. The question was direct, but they found themselves unable to give a clear answer. Their goal was vague at best.

'I don't really know where to go...'

So, instead of answering, they asked in return, "Where is this ship's destination?"

Cattleya stilled for a fraction of a second.

She glanced toward Frank, who was only half-paying attention, lost in his own thoughts about crossbreeding theories. Carefully, she chose her words.

The true reason for The Future's current voyage was tied to The World—Gehrman Sparrow. He was searching for mermaids. That much was clear. And while Cattleya wasn't certain of the exact details, she knew it was a matter concerning the Tarot Club, a secret she could not share lightly.

She had no intention of offending The World.

After a brief moment of thought, she answered in a calm tone, "We're searching for something. Once we find it, we'll leave this part of the sea and return to either Toscarter or Nas."

Yeaia watched her, seemingly weighing her words.

Nearby, Gehrman Sparrow passed by just in time to hear Cattleya's response. His sharp gaze flickered toward her for the briefest moment before he continued walking.

Cattleya knew he had been listening.

She didn't regret her choice of words.

After all, secrecy was part of survival.

Yeaia hummed thoughtfully. They still weren't sure where they wanted to go, but knowing The Future had its own course gave them some time to decide.

Meanwhile, Gehrman Sparrow—or rather, Klein—had been thinking carefully.

From the moment Yeaia hesitated before boarding The Future, Klein had been cautious. Something about them was strange—not just their presence but the way they hesitated, as if caught between knowing and forgetting.

Deciding he needed more certainty, Klein returned to his cabin, went inside the bathroom and locked the door behind him. He took four steps counterclockwise, and pulled himself above the gray fog.

As he stood within the boundless gray fog covered divine kingdom, Klein gathered his thoughts.

He had to divine something about Yeaia.

He picked up a brass pendulum and focused his spirituality. The gray fog swirled around him as he muttered,

"Yeaia Nolas.

Do they bring grave danger?"

The pendulum began to sway, at first gently, then erratically. A strange force pressed against the divination, as if resisting his probing. The answer was unclear—shrouded.

Klein frowned. This wasn't normal. It reminded him of the few times he tried divining matters too entangled with high-level existences.

And yet, Yeaia did not seem like a god or demigod.

There was something else at play.

After several more attempts, Klein sighed and let the vision fade. The gray fog rippled, and he returned to reality.

Stepping out of his cabin, he spotted Yeaia and Anderson Hood talking near the deck.

Anderson had his usual nonchalant smile, his bounty hunter's instincts sharp even in casual conversation. Yeaia, on the other hand, still carried that quiet uncertainty.

Klein narrowed his eyes slightly.

Observing them would be necessary.

He walked forward.

---

"…so I'm just saying, if you're going to be mysterious, you should at least do it with style," Anderson remarked, smirking. "A billowing coat, a cryptic phrase—maybe even an ominous laugh. You've got the whole brooding aesthetic going on, but you need to commit."

Yeaia gave him a flat look. "I wasn't trying to be mysterious."

Anderson waved a hand dismissively. "Doesn't matter. The effect was there."

Before Yeaia could respond, another presence joined them.

Gehrman Sparrow.

The conversation paused as Klein approached. Anderson gave him a knowing smirk. "Well, look who decided to join us. What, Gehrman, getting curious about our new passenger?"

Klein didn't answer immediately. His gaze flickered toward Yeaia, studying them once again.

Yeaia returned the look, their expression unreadable.

The silence stretched.

Then, finally, Klein spoke. "Just making sure everything is as it should be."

Yeaia tilted their head slightly, as if amused or perhaps—curious. "And? Is it?"

Klein didn't answer and just gave his usual cold look.

Anderson chuckled. "Ah, don't mind him. Gehrman Sparrow doesn't talk much, but when he does, you know it means something." He turned to Klein. "We were just discussing destinations, but it seems our friend here doesn't quite know where they're headed yet."

Klein nodded slightly. That was expected.

The sea stretched endlessly around them, but one thing was certain—this meeting was no coincidence.

And whatever Yeaia was searching for…

They would eventually find it.

---

Anderson, never one to let a moment stay too serious, leaned closer with a teasing grin. "Ooh, are we getting close now? Should I prepare my tragic backstory?"

Klein shot him a brief look.

Anderson held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll behave."

Yeaia exhaled, glancing at the sea once more.

They still didn't have answers.

But for now, they weren't drifting alone.

And maybe—just maybe—that was enough.