First Step Into The Unknown

ACT 1 Fear the Unknown Lurking in the Dark

It was a quiet day in a town outside of the city of Chance. The day was windy and the sun was hidden behind the gray veil in the sky. The city of Chance is one of the seven greatest cities in the world; each in one of the seven continents of the world. Chance is located in Old World USA built after WWII when the world was conquered by a new power known only as Arcadia. 

"There's nothing to read."

Wesley sighed, putting down his phone. He had been scrolling on his phone for the past two hours. Nothing he saw interested him, not like it used to. 

"Maybe I should go to the library. Mom kept saying I should go to the library so I could meet people and get out of the house"

"..."

"Why not."

Wesley said as he put on his shoes. Arriving at the library was a relatively easy task. It's just a short drive away after deciding on which library. The library was small, old, and was located on the outskirts of the city. The traffic was scarce, unlike the busy center of the city. 

Opening the door, Wesley was greeted with a wide assortment of books. He had never seen so many paper books after all; it had been a long time since everything went digital. Only people who liked the sensation of old paper books still kept them. 

"Welcome, how can I help you?"

Startled, Wesley quickly turned to look toward the voice to see the woman who spoke. It was the librarian. She was a young woman in her late teens with a thin body looking like she hadn't eaten in days.

"Oh uh, nothing just here to look at some books."

"Ok. Tell me if you need anything."

Nodding his head, Wesley turned back towards the books. It had been years since Wesley had last been in a library; most had closed down. Looking around there were no other people in sight aside from the librarian. 

Walking toward the fiction section, Wesley saw that most of the books looked worn and damaged. Nothing in the library was new, everything was most likely donated. Seeing that he wouldn't be able to find a book to read anytime soon Wesley decided to sit down at one of the small tables nearby. 

Finding a spot, Wesley put down his jacket and the bag he brought to carry any books he decided to take home. Having sat down Wesley was given a moment free of distractions. Why am I still here? Why do I keep going I have nothing left. I should just. Shaking his head Wesley stood up.

Wesley walked down the aisles looking for a book that might catch his interest. Looking at the titles on the spines of the books a few caught his interest Lost War, Moon Eclipse, and Hollows Night. Deciding to make his way back after having picked out a few books he headed back to his seat.

"Hmm… what is that?" He paused. "Is that a leather book?" Surprised, Wesley walked toward the shelf, reaching for the leather book. It was clean and not damaged like the other books. Picking the book off the shelf he looked at the title.

"Introduction Into Magic." He whispered to himself. Mom loved magic. She always believed magic was real. With a mournful smile, Wesley took the book with him. 

Sitting down, Welsey picked up the leather book, opening it to look inside. Inside was a strange circle with a star in the middle with peculiar markings. Flipping to the next page, Wesley began to read.

Magic can be divided into three core sections. One Spell Magic, Two Ritual Magic, And Three Occult Magic. Spell Magic is Magic that manipulates Mana to perform a specific task. Ritual Magic is Magic that uses an action to cause a magical phenomenon. Occult Magic is Magic that is not dependent on the manipulation of mana or strange and powerful existences.

"Hmm… Interesting, This is different from what I thought it would be." 

"It's like there's an actual system for magic; who knows maybe the author is a real mage. Hehe." Wesley said jokingly trying to distract himself. As Wesley continued to turn pages time passed by like Saturday nights always do too short never long enough. 

__________

"Huh!"

"Sir it's almost closing time, you will need to leave soon."

It was the same librarian from when he first walked in today. She looked nervous like it was her first time having to tell a customer they needed to leave. Looking at his phone Wesley saw that it was almost six.

"Um, can I check out a book?"

"All four of them?"

"No, just this one." Wesley replied holding up the book in his hand.

"Alright then just come to the front desk." she said motioning towards the front desk. Putting up the rest of the books as they walked up to the desk. The librarian sitting behind the desk motioned for the book. Giving her the book she looked at the title.

"The Last True Detective! You have great taste, my mom loves this book"

"Huh?"

"Sorry, I got a little excited. My mom used to read me and my sisters this book for bedtime. We loved mysteries." Looking embarrassed she started typing on the computer.

"This book?" 

"Yup, we never went to bed without making Mom read it. It's a shame that the cover is damaged and faded away you can barely make out the title anymore. We will probably have to throw it out soon." 

"Actually can I buy it? If you are just going to throw it out later I would like to keep it instead." Wesley looked anxious. This could just be a prank or it could just be a ruse to make him buy the book. But if it wasn't then maybe his life wouldn't be so wretched anymore maybe this could be his reason to keep moving forward.

"Are you sure?" The librarian asked looking unsure.

"Yes!"

"OK, I will need your name and card please" 

"Here," Wesley said handing over his card. "And my name is Wesley Acheron"