Deep Sea Embers

When Heidi, a seasoned psychiatrist, discovered that her new patient was an elf, she couldn’t help but feel a touch of surprise. Throughout her career, she had treated a multitude of patients, but rarely did she encounter elves. This was not only exclusive to her profession but was generally the case for many healthcare professionals across diverse specialties.

Elves, as a race, are blessed with a formidable physical constitution that makes them the envy of other races. Their lifespans are impressively long, and they are rarely plagued by diseases that are common among other beings. Elves have the innate ability to withstand harsh conditions and maintain robust health. This resilience extends not only to their physical being but also to their mental state. They have exceptional mental fortitude, which could possibly be an evolutionary adaptation to their prolonged lifespan. While they may not rival the emotional sturdiness of the dwarves, renowned for their metaphorical “hearts of stone”, they certainly surpass humans in terms of mental resilience.

Elves’ unique physical and mental advantages have seen them become legendary pioneers and adventurers throughout history. They are renowned for their bravery, often daring to venture into hazardous territories, navigating through dangerous fog and illusions, and making it back home safely. Many of the city-states near the “Eternal Curtain” in the Boundless Sea owe their establishment to elven explorers. The most noteworthy among these is the much-celebrated “City of Adventure”, known as “Wind Harbor”.

However, despite these extraordinary advantages, elves are not without weaknesses. Their development is slow-paced compared to humans, their learning capability is somewhat diminished, and their exceptional mental resilience somewhat hinders them from receiving the blessings and graces of divine powers. Except for the power of the God of Wisdom, the protection offered by the other three gods of orthodoxy exerts minimal effect on the elves. Interestingly, dwarves, who also possess a strong mental constitution, do not seem to face similar issues.

There are many theories as to why elves find it difficult to receive divine blessings. One prevalent hypothesis suggests that the ancient and inflexible heresies deeply ingrained in elven culture make them detestable in the eyes of the gods, sparing them only the mercy of the God of Wisdom, the so-called “protector of all rational creatures”.

In historical times, particularly during the “Dark Ages” and the “Old City-State Era” preceding the New City-State Era, this seemingly godforsaken elven constitution and inherent prejudices among races led to numerous bloody conflicts. However, the elves managed to build a bridge of understanding with the world’s other races through their invention of steam rifles and high-explosive gunpowder.

Following these historical tumults, the long-lived and broad-minded elves graciously accepted gestures of reconciliation from humans and dwarves. Though these races have shorter lifespans, they have managed to establish and maintain a peaceful coexistence with the elves that continues to this day.

Heidi approached the bedside of her new patient, a young elf girl. She meticulously monitored the girl’s breathing, checked her pulse, and then proceeded to open her medical kit. She carefully arranged an assortment of potions and devices on the small table situated beside the bed.

The days of bloody conflict and prevailing darkness have since faded into the annals of history. The fleeting lives of humans and dwarves only permit them to comprehend their ancestors’ tales from historical documents. Even for the long-lived elves, those turbulent times have been reduced to minor incidents, no more than distant memories of their own or their parents’ past experiences.

In the present age, the elven race’s unique constitution, seemingly forsaken by the gods, still persists. Many ancient elven families, while adhering to the teachings of the God of Wisdom, Lahem, continue to uphold various enigmatic and traditional heresies. However, this doesn’t hinder them from being an integral part of today’s civilized world.

Indeed, due to their profound accomplishments in mathematics and mechanics and their increasingly intimate affiliation with the God of Wisdom, Lahem, the elves have carved out an indispensable role in the current “steam and electricity” era. If it weren’t for their relatively small population, their influence over the Boundless Sea might have already outstripped that of humans.

In this day and age, the longstanding elven heresies or their inability to receive blessings from the three gods hardly garner any attention or discussion.

Heidi lit a finely crafted incense burner, and a soothing aroma began to waft throughout the room, settling around the sickbed. The relaxing scent seemed to have a calming effect on the elf girl, whose eyebrows softened and relaxed.

Heidi leaned over, gently lifted the girl’s eyelids, and held a glowing purple crystal before her eyes, swaying it rhythmically from side to side.

“You find yourself ensnared in a dream, a restless state transformed into a defensive cage. But help is what you need now, and so, you’ve left a ‘key’ for someone you trust. This trusted individual will appear in your dreams, aiding you to confront your fears or guiding you to find the exit from this dream…”

As Heidi swayed the crystal back and forth amidst the rising tendrils of incense smoke, she whispered these words into the girl’s ear. Her voice was low, slow, almost magical.

Heidi was an accomplished psychiatrist and had many strategies at her disposal to assist her patients. While conventional treatment methods involving surveys and psychological suggestions to ascertain patients’ mental states and offer tailored guidance were her forte, she was also adept at employing a range of remarkably effective techniques in more challenging situations.

Heidi’s arsenal of therapeutic tools was quite diverse. It encompassed a range of items including cudgels, golden needles, and gunpowder. And of course, she also utilized calming incense, soothing potions, and ritualistic crystals.

Being a psychiatrist was not an occupation devoid of challenges. On a regular day, Heidi would tend to insomniac students and weary workers. However, she also had to contend with malevolent entities that manifested from her patients’ “dreams” and “imaginations”.

“Now, you’re beginning to feel a touch more relaxed, as the person who will aid you is about to appear in your dreams…”

Heidi persisted with her gentle, soothing words. Simultaneously, she noticed a faint silver glow beginning to emerge deep within the elf girl’s pupils. This was a sign that the blessing of the God of Wisdom, Lahem, was starting to take effect. Thankfully, despite the elves’ “godforsaken” constitution, they were still susceptible to Lahem’s blessings. This provided some relief to Heidi, a devout follower of the God of Wisdom.

“You have left a door for ‘them’. This door is very close to you. You’ve entrusted the ‘key’ to open this door to the person assisting you. Now, you’re nestled in a safe haven, quietly awaiting the opening of this door…”

“You are relaxed, for you know that the one who will step through that door is the one you trust most…”

With each word Heidi whispered, the elf girl’s breaths grew progressively longer and more stable.

This calm was temporary, but it was enough for Heidi to prepare for the next phase in her “treatment”.

Swiftly, Heidi retreated from the elf girl, placed the purple crystal pendant, which she had been using for hypnosis, on a vacant bed nearby.

Clutching the inherited purple crystal from her father, she softly recited the prayers to the God of Wisdom, Lahem, and gradually closed her eyes.

A moment later, Heidi opened her eyes and sat up, a look of confusion apparent on her face.

She hadn’t managed to enter any dreams – had the hypnosis not taken effect?

Rising from the bed, Heidi examined her surroundings carefully before returning to the bed where the elf girl lay.

Her “patient” still lay there in tranquility, displaying no signs of consciousness.

After several checks and two failed attempts at hypnosis, Heidi discovered that she was utterly unable to establish a connection with the elf girl’s dream.

An overwhelming sense of defeat began to rise within her.

Heidi sat contemplatively beside the bed for an indeterminate length of time, considering different strategies for treatment. Eventually, after a long sigh, she rose and headed towards the room’s exit, massaging her slightly stiffened neck and shoulders.

However, just before she reached the door, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. This was followed by the distinct clinking of a key being inserted and turned in a lock. The doorknob turned, and a person donning a deep blue uniform, indicative of government office work, pushed open the ward’s door.

“Miss Heidi, how’s the situation?”

The uniformed worker, who seemed to have been patiently waiting outside in the designated “safe zone” for quite some time, asked about the progress of the treatment with an undercurrent of nervousness in his voice.

“Unfortunately, there’s been no improvement – conventional hypnosis has proven unsuccessful. I might have to resort to preparing more potent rituals or concoctions,” Heidi responded regretfully, shaking her head. As she spoke, she lifted the purple crystal pendant and affixed it back around her neck. Picking up her hefty suitcase, she added, “I need to return and plan our next steps for treatment.”

“…Well, I suppose you’ve done your best,” the worker sighed, his tone laced with empathy, “Several mental health professionals have tried before, but none could penetrate this patient’s dreams – due to the peculiarity of the situation, the church’s appointed priests are deeply concerned that this might be some strange mental contamination caused by the sun’s extinguishing. They’re taking this matter very seriously… but there’s little we can do. If even experts like you find this challenging, then it seems we truly can’t expedite the process.”

Heidi gently nodded in agreement.

Subtly, she felt a faint warmth radiating from the purple crystal pendant resting against her chest.

“Do you need us to arrange a vehicle to transport you home?” the worker inquired courteously.

“There’s no need; my car is parked outside,” Heidi declined, shaking her head.

“Alright, then I won’t escort you out. You may exit the same way you entered – I’ll go and check on the patient once more.”

Heidi responded with a noncommittal hum, bestowed a friendly smile on the worker, and then pivoted, heading towards the lengthy, shadowy corridor outside.

Meanwhile, the worker in the blue uniform also turned back around, making his way towards the sleeping elf girl.

The sound of footsteps echoed from behind Heidi, approximately five meters away.

Silently, Heidi grasped her suitcase, and her other hand found the secret compartment at the bottom of the case. In an instant, her face devoid of emotion, she whirled around and pulled the trigger.

“Bang!”

The bullet found its mark, burrowing into the back of the figure in the blue uniform. It exploded upon impact, resulting in a hazy cloud of blood.