chapter 14: library

An eerie silent followed through. So much, the beating of his heart echoed. Cyrus waited patiently for the prophet answer.

"The fragility of our bond with the canines is a precocious thread that holds our destiny. To lose them is to risk not only our power but also the essence of what makes us unique condemning us to a life stripped of magic and wonder , forever tethered to mundane " The prophet said . Then dragged his body slowly out of the training ground.

Cold sweat trickled down his face.

Without them I will return to my old life ?

His mind darted back to all what had happened recently. So much had changed. he had lost his mother, his job and everything. The fear of loosing this bit of hope was even more scary. Like for someone who had tasted a candy and then had to give up on it. He might probably crumble to an even deeper abyss. An abyss from where he will never crawl back.

Cyrus shook his head. He needed to take things seriously.

I know too little about this place. Where is the best place to learn than the library

Cyrus pushed the massive doors, cloud of dust poured out. He coughed violently as he cleared his vision.

The library was spacious. A spiraling set of stairs following the walls covered entirely in old leather-bound books. His eyes darted instantly to the magnificent chandelier with cascading design above the stairs case. He couldn't help but admire.

Cyrus dragged his body to a series of books. He swept his gaze and his head starting spinning. They were so many books he didn't know where to start. Thirty second later he was still rooted on the spot trying to convince himself to start.

Then a series of books fell on the ground. Cyrus gaze sharpened. he wasn't alone. He cautiously walked through the stairs a figure coming into view.

It was a teenager Picking up the books he jolted in fright witnessing Cyrus arrival.

"I am the librarian"he said stepping backward. He wore round glasses. A shirt and trouser. The typical guy. Cyrus smiled faintly seeing himself in him. The librarian was a head shorter than him.

"Hey Cyrus here, can't seem to find any good books here. Got a few questions about this place though "Cyrus approached giving a hand. The boy carefully slipped pass him making sure they didn't come in contact even once.

"well, looks like it isn't only her " he laughed out.

" um, pardon me but may I inquire what information you seek" he said pulling out few books

" what are the primordial can " Cyrus asked walking nears the shelves but unwilling to touch anyone. A single one looked so piled up it would probably take him a century to read it .

"I-I see. The primordial canine is, um artifacts of great significance, deeply intertwined with the history of Arkania. To truly grasps their importance one must delve into the annals of the great war "The librarian rushed out. Pulling the Ladder, he quickly went up pulling a book.

Dust clouded their vision when the book was opened on the table. Cyrus looked intrigued. It was full of ancient symbols few he understood but mostly not.

" um, what do you know about the history of Arkania ? "

" Arkania used to be a total wasteland, war and chaos everywhere During the great war . then the humans banded up together, formed the bureau and cleaned the mess, building up all their cities, today each anniversary of the war end marks a new year. like some kind of happy new year "Cyrus said.

The librarian looked and him with open eyes. "what ? you think I skipped school or something ? I've got brains too, you know " he said with a sigh.

"Your correct at a detail "the librarian said turning the pages. Cyrus looked carefully, a series of images flashing through the book. It looked like a miniature movie spinning through the events of time. He stood mouth agape In front of the beauty.

This was a memory book, an artefact capable to record the event of time like a movie. It was one of the greatest inventions of magic and science. What was so magical about it was one couldn't write in them. as time flowed it will fill on its own recording event exactly how they happened.

In the movie he saw a battlefield, the bloody grounds. The collision of magic. The symphony of chaos. But it wasn't against humans but shadowy figures. He had a hard time distinguishing their real appearances.

"We are thought the humans saved the world and non-humans are the cause of the existence of karmic monster but it can't be true. Look carefully at the images, they are being butchered until "

A figure could be seen among the warriors working together. In a powerful roar he managed to pull back the shadows who disappeared one after the other.

"According to the elders, those are the primordial canine, they um, saved the Arkania continent once and if we are indeed in danger, they are the only way out. Um, that's what they say anyway "the librarian said

"Whoa, hold up! That's a ton of info lets take it slow, will ya "Cyrus waved out.

"You mean the karmic monster were around way before the bureau was formed? will that imply non-humans are not at fault?" he held his temple uncertain of what to think.

In Arakhamia schools they were all thought, non-humans where the reason for their suffering. The reason why they had to fight the karmic monster. According to them it was the magic of non-human which was inpure creating the karmic monster. he stopped buying the bullshit when he met Lork and how different he was from what they were told.

"um, if this information were to, um, become public, non-humans might, um rebel and the chaos…well, it's hard to even imagine. that's why the uh, the bites haven't shown this memory book. "

The bureau was known for even more infamous things. Their roots were extensive , covering the whole of Arkania , every single city and every single organization was under their watch. No one really knew how deep they were nor how dark they could be