After a long and arduous trek, we finally arrived at our destined location. The place had been whispered about in hushed conversations, its exact whereabouts a closely guarded secret until now. As we approached a quaint village, Lizy's eyes sparkled with excitement.
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"This is the Tower of Esperer,"
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She announced, her voice filled with reverence as she gestured toward the imposing structure beside the waterfall.
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"It's been abandoned for some time, but some famous Gift* users, like Poinua, once lived here."
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*(Gift is a subtype of Union, where a human has a mild amount of Union in their biology and is capable of performing various forms of abilities.)
The tower stood tall and majestic, its ancient stones entwined with creeping vines. We moved past it, drawn by the soothing sound of the waterfall. To my surprise, there was a hidden gap on the side, just large enough for us to slip through.
"Welcome home, Lizy,"
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A warm, soothing voice greeted us as we stepped through the gap. My eyes widened in awe. It was a magnificent library, its shelves soaring high and laden with countless volumes and scrolls. The air was redolent with the faint scent of aged paper and polished wood.
An elegant figure emerged, the owner of the voice. She had long, flowing white hair that covered one eye, and wore a black dress with puffed sleeves and a high collar adorned with a red ribbon. Her presence exuded calm authority, and her expression was serene.
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"Welcome to the Library of Chronicles. Call me the Maiden that Reserves History,
I've been looking forward to your arrival,"
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she said with a gentle smile., her gaze seemingly fixed on me. She moved with grace, her dress trailing lightly behind her.
Lizy placed her groceries on a carved wooden table and knocked on a nearby door.
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"Twins, I'm back!"
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"Sister Lizy!"
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Two young children rushed out, their faces lighting up with excitement. They had white hair and wore oversized librarian clothes. They gathered around the table, watching eagerly as Lizy set up the food.
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"Hello, Lizy."
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A teenager with greyish hair, tinted green, emerged from another room. His hair shimmered subtly in the dim light. He wore simple but well-tailored clothes. His sharp gaze scanned the room until it landed on me. His expression faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
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"Welcome, RoseBud,"
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He extended his hand. His voice was calm and measured, yet warm. I slowly reached to it and did a small handshake, his grip was firm but gentle.
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"How did you know my name?"
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"This is the library of all Kagal history. Why wouldn't I?"
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He replied with a knowing smile.
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"Name's Dayton.
We are ancient angels who hid away during the genocide. Now, we record the history of this land, collecting all stories before they become forgotten."
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"And they took me in!"
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Lizy interjected, rejoining us with a cheerful voice. I glanced at the twins, who were enthusiastically eating the food she had prepared. Their laughter and chatter filled the room.
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"It's rare to see any angels allow Daimons to be near them, let alone live together,"
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"She is in a similar situation to the rest of us."
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Dayton walked over to a shelf, scanning the spines of the books. Instead of pulling out a book, he turned to me with a thoughtful expression.
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"We can't remove the books from the vault,
But I can tell you where to find the one you seek."
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We paused, allowing the library's ambiance to envelop us. The place felt alive, as if each book and scroll contained a fragment of the past, waiting to be unearthed and cherished. The air was infused with the faint scent of aged paper and polished wood, evoking a sense of timeless knowledge.
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"The book you're searching for is 'Tales of BrookCastle
You will find it in the Bethel, the vault of concealed books."
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"To access that book, you must pass the ordeal I have set for you,"
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The Maiden said as she glided over, her footsteps silent on the polished floor.
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"An ordeal?"
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"You must barge through with your willpower,
If you succeed, the knowledge within this book is yours to take."
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"And if I fail?"
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"It will be sealed away from you, forever,"
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Lizy and Dayton exchanged glances, their eyes mirroring the tension and anticipation that filled the room. The twins paused their eating and watched with wide, curious eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I felt the weight of the challenge before me. The knowledge within "Tales of BrookCastle" seemed more crucial than ever, a key to understanding something deeply personal. I knew I had to face this ordeal, regardless of the outcome.
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"I accept,"
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"Very well. Follow me; we will enter the vault of Bethel,"
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She turned gracefully towards another room, her long dress swaying gently with each step. I followed her, the soft glow of the library's lamps casting elongated shadows on the polished floor.
Dayton placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch firm and comforting, as I prepared to enter the grand door.
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"Good luck,"
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Inside, I was greeted by a vast room with high ceilings and intricate carvings depicting tales of ancient heroes and celestial beings. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, their vibrant colors telling stories of epic battles and legendary events. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystal prisms scattering light in dazzling displays.
Two large sofas faced each other in the center, upholstered in the finest velvet, deep crimson with golden tassels. The floor was covered with an intricate rug, its patterns woven with gold and silver threads that shimmered with each step.
The Maiden moved towards one of the sofas, her movements smooth and deliberate, and sat down with an air of regal authority. She rested her hands on the armrests, her posture straight and commanding. She then signaled for me to sit on the other sofa, her eyes never leaving mine.
As I crossed the room, I noticed ornate side tables holding delicate vases filled with fresh flowers. The scent of roses and lavender mingled with the faint aroma of aged books and polished wood. I sat down, feeling the plush cushions beneath me, the rich fabric cool against my skin.
Large, arched windows with heavy brocade curtains let in streams of sunlight, casting a warm glow across the room. Stained glass at the top of each window depicted mythical creatures and enchanted forests, their colors dancing on the walls as the light shifted.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I absorbed the magnificence of the room.
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"Are you prepared?"
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The Maiden asked, her voice echoing softly through the grand hall.
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"Yes,"
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"The ordeal shall begin,"
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I closed my eyes.
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I was surrounded by darkness, because my eyes are closed.
I opened my eyes. In front me are a group of people, donning student uniforms and approching me slowly. Their shoes clack on the floor in synchronized motion as they approched, pushing away whoever stands in their way. I looked down at my own body. I’m wearing the same uniform as they are, except mine has a seemed less orderly and more dirty. I looked around. A typical school's classroom. The walls that are pure as white conflicted with the tense atmosphere around me. I held my hand towards my face, it touched a display on my left eye, it shows the information of the materials and people in front of me, I rubbed it to turn it off again.
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"Yoyo Lee, who are you to comment on my clothes?"
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"But... there is a stain on it, I want to help.."
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"Aww, little criminal girl wants to help? You just want Union, don't you?"
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Mocking, pitiful eyes.
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"Do I have to spell it out for you? Do you think you are any better than us?"
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The suffering in their voices was evident.
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The students try many different ways to assert their own identity; some listen to the thoughts and go insane, some just resist them with all their might.
I would say that most of us are delusional, and being delusional has become the norm.
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I am Yoyo Lee, the Model Student of Tesoro College.
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