This had to do with a certain profession known as “Sea Divers”, which originated after “The First Drowning”. They often work with the Harpoonist during a hunt or patrol out at sea. To understand the origin of these two professions, the discussion regarding that calamity cannot be avoided.
Since the first drowning, countless cities and even entire lands have been lost as a result of the drowning. The details and origin of this calamity are rather unclear. Even in the current era, many scholars still debate on the truth.
However, according to the general public's understanding of history, the cause of this stems from the Drowned Gods. Hence, they were condemned as evil and malevolent by the common people and Gods alike.
Regardless of the truths, the sea, although dangerous, are now a land of opportunity for those willing to take the risk. From this, Antique dealers became a stable profession, powered by Harpoonists and Sea Divers. And beneath normal society, Weavers are also a steady stream of cash flow. After all, it was more convenient for Weavers to directly purchase their needs than acquire them personally.
Thinking of this, Ulrich frowned.
I need to save some money and get a new apartment… Preferably close to Euston Street.
With Ulrich's current financial status, procuring a few items relating to mysticism, as well as antique tools, wasn’t difficult. Not to mention, he didn’t need that much on him. In fact, he only bought three new items—a brass pendulum, some mind-calming herbs, and finally, a rather simple wooden cane. Ultimately, all this came out to be 15 shillings.
Before becoming a Watchman, Ulrich already had a base salary of two pounds per week, but as a Watchman, this doubled to four pounds. After spending 15 shillings, he was left with three pounds and five shillings.
This feeling of poverty, I haven’t felt it in a long while. This was just a passing thought. Even without a job, he had some savings from past dealings with the Shelby Family.
While Ulrich was deep in his thoughts, the carriage driver tapped the side of his window to signal that they had arrived at their destination.
“Thank you,” He nodded, and made his way inside Cartwright Security.
Once again, Rosaline was nowhere to be seen at the reception counter. Still, Ulrich didn’t make much note of it and headed to the back room. For now, he decided to spend his night at the Sanctuary's guest room.
On the way there, Ulrich bumped into Victor. The first thing he noticed was his eyes, “You’re cured?”
Victor shook his head and let out a deep breath, “No. I’ve only ‘physically’ recovered. Even if I want to open them, I can’t.”
With that said, he raised his hand and ‘pried’ his eyelid open, only to fail. In the end, Victor's skin was red, almost purple, from his attempt.
Seeing this, Ulrich frowned, “I thought the church's would have a method of purifying the curses?”
Victor didn’t answer immediately and eventually whispered, “We do. But that requires someone of the Light Path. Unfortunately for me, we do not know any Weavers of the Light Path, at least not in Belham. Captain, as well as the churches, are currently scouting a couple of secret gatherings, hoping to find a Lightmancer.”
Ulrich noted in his mind, then patted Victor on the shoulder, “Praise the Great Mother, I’m sure you will be cured in no time.”
Victor forced a smile and helplessly tapped his chest thrice.
Meeting Victor didn’t waste too much of Ulrich’s time. And yet, by the time Ulrich made it to the empty guest room, he almost fell asleep. Most of the day was spent on the lectures by Father Lorel, which drained him mentally.
Despite this, he shook his head to scatter the drowsiness and force himself awake. After doing so, Ulrich placed the pendulum, herbs, and canes on the table. This time, he wanted to attempt a dream divination.
For this, all he needed was a piece of paper as well as a writing utensil. And fortunately, the guest room had no lack of this. He placed the paper and pen on the wooden table, then leaned his head back against the couch.
When it comes to ritualistic magic, preparation and careful consideration must be taken. As such, Ulrich recited the steps in his mind before performing a divination.
Dream divination contains many steps, which can be broken down into four.
Firstly, a seer must record all details relating to the revelation that they wanted to receive. This includes setting, people, objects, conversations, colors, smells, sounds, and even emotions. It can be recorded on paper or in one’s mind—this is only a matter of preference.
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Some people find it easier if it is written down physically, hence the paper and pen.
Wait. I have the tendency to lucid dream to the extreme. If that’s the case… He paused, feeling that his proposed idea had a likely chance of working.
This had much to do with the second step: Dream Scrying.
After recording the related details to a desired revelation, a seer must choose a prominent symbol, character, or action in the dream to stay ‘anchored’. Generally, people choose a symbol for accuracy and simplicity.
The reasoning for this anchor is due to the boundary of the Dream Realms, which was infinite and boundless. Time in dreams is not the same as in the real world. Past, present, and future exist all at once, and the eight cardinal directions are rendered worthless. It's possible to be 'lost' in the dreaming forever, never waking up.
But… Ulrich had always had lucid dreams. The source of his lucidity was beyond his understanding. And he can’t help but have a feeling that within the second step, he would be able to stay in full control.
To put it in other words, a normal seer performing Dream Divination is like a small boat navigating the stormy sea, equipped with a single light source. In this struggle and turbulent ‘water’, the signs and scenes that they see are scattered and abstract.
Thinking along this line, Ulrich felt that his conjecture had some merit and decided to give it a test.
As for the third and fourth steps, it’s all about interpretation. This step depended on the experience of the corresponding Seer, as well as how well their Paths process information. For the latter reason, some Weavers, namely Shadowmancer, are more proficient at performing divination of all kinds.
With that summarized, Ulrich opened his eyes and picked up the pen. In his mind, all the details and mental notes relating to Selena Morris was pulled from his memory, then placed on the paper.
Be it her appearance, age, favorite food, hobby, or even obscure interest, he didn’t let a single detail escape his grasp and crammed it onto the paper. Finally, at the end, he was on the second step of choosing a corresponding symbol.
The triskele symbol, an ancient symbol that represents concepts like movement, the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, and often symbolizes the trinity in a Celtic context.
With that in mind, he drew three spiral vines on the paper, then placed the pen down on the desk. After making sure that everything was correct, he closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
Immediately, darkness greeted him. It was already past midnight, yet Ulrich did not see the bright light of Donghai.
Dream divination is possible… My other dream seemed to be suppressed in this state.. He noted. This was his first time attempting a dream divination, and with the existence of his other dream, he wasn’t sure it would work.
Gradually, the veil was lifted, and Ulrich saw a dark space, or room. It was too dim to make out the exact details. However, there was a glow that made him lower his head.
On the wooden floor, a giant symbol was carved, the same symbol that he drew on the paper. It was pulsing and flashing between green and red. Seeing this, Ulrich narrowed his eyes.
Green? The color that represents life? And red… this is the color of calamity and misfortune!
He took a ‘step’ forward, hoping to find more out about this place. When he did, a loud thud echoed in the room. There was no sight of Selena. In fact, there wasn’t a single soul here.
It was too quiet, to the point that his heartbeat became audible. Ulrich made his way to the window and lifted the curtain, then looked outside.
In the night sky, there was a pearl, so round and perfect it dropped his jaw.
A moon! Impossible! Wait—Everything in the dream is not meant to be literal, be it the chair, or other ordinary objects, they are all symbolism… With that thought, he placated himself and carefully interpreted the scene.
Moon? The dusk that welcomes night? Or is it a feminine symbolism like the Night Mother who embodies Twilight, Darkness, Secrecy, and Dreams?
At this moment, a light flashed in his eyes. He turned and noticed a picture frame resting on the cupboard top. The light apparently came from the reflection of the moonlight against the picture frame, which happened to beam onto his face.
Ulrich walked up, then took down the picture frame. It was a picture of Selena, that radiant and dazzling gem of Euston Street. She wore an elegant green and white dress, adorned with several jewelry. However, as he examined the picture, his hand froze.
Bang!
The picture frame dropped to the floor, smashing the wooden floor and scattering the glasses. At the same time, the floor creaked and crumbled. Beneath was endless darkness, and it swallowed him whole.
Ulrich jerked his head into the air, the sweat soaked through his white shirt, and for a moment, he held onto his chest while gasping for air.
It can't be. He murmured to himself, then took in a deep breath, before hurriedly reaching his hand into the brown coat’s pocket on the couch.
From that hand, a silver earring inlaid with a green gem appeared. He closed his eyes, recalling the picture of Selena.
The moon, it’s the symbolism for Twilight and the end! It is the night that arrives after the descent of the sun. This symbolism matches the characteristics of the Twilight Order.
At the same time, he recalled a rather fascinating fact about the Depths from Father Lorel. In the Depths below, there is an illusory moon that hangs in the ‘sky’. This would explain the appearance of the moon in his dream scrying.
As for the triskel symbol being both green and red, it means that Selena is currently in a precarious state, but not life-threatening? That is, she might be injured, but not to the degree that there is a black color of death. Ultimately, all this involved the Twilight Order.
Reaching up to this point, Ulrich hissed with cold breath and gripped the earring tightly.
Since this matter involves the Twilight Order, why does that child, Albert Francis, have this earring?
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