***
The following morning, Alex, his mother, and the two-wondering spirits sat in the living room, watching the morning news. Alex was eating boiled eggs for breakfast, the same with his mother.
"And now on the breaking news, the Himori National high school for disabled has fallen. According to our reports, the nearby residents of the said school felt a strong earthquake and a loud exploding sound around 21:30. No one was around in school by that time because the guard went to the convenience store to buy his dinner. According to him, when he came back, the school was just gone and there was a large gaping hole on the place where the school is supposed to be standing. According to our experts---"
Alex has stopped listening on the news and he stared at the two spirits that was with him. He motioned for them to go up in his room so they can talk without his mother thinking that he lost it already.
After he closed the door, Emily said, "He literally wiped out the school! Was that really necessary?!" She sat down on the bed while her arms are still crossed.
"Maybe a huge battle took place in there?" Alex reasoned out. It seems to him that the changeling yesterday was strong, but not strong enough for the king of the night creatures. Given that he begged for his forgiveness yesterday.
"No, the changeling was too weak for a huge battle that would cost the school itself." Asher, while he opened the curtain of the window and peeked outside, making sure that they dont have any spies nearby.
"That is true the school should not be wiped out. Hey Asher, why wont you go to him and ask how come the school was wiped out?" Emily suggested.
Asher stared at her with dead eyes. "I cant. I was so scared of him yesterday when I asked for help that if I am alive, I am going to piss in my pants. Did not you see how powerful he was?! If he is capable of wiping out the school and the ground it stands on, definitely he can wipe me out in just a snap of his fingers."
Alex was starting to have a headache just by thinking of the possible reason why the school was wiped out. But he was sure of one thing. The final exams will be cancelled. That is just one thing to get off of his shoulder. There were two possible options, the principal will declare that all of the seniors of the school as graduates or they will have a virtual graduation. Personally, he prefer the first option as he doesnt have any internet connection at home.
Now that he has no need to worry for school, "Here is our plan," he said and he got the attention of the two spirits with him. "For today, we are going to visit the national library and find the book that we were talking about last night. Since this is going to be my first visit in the library, I need the two of you to guide me the way there."
Emily and Asher both agreed with excitement.
The National Library of the city was founded in 1772. This is the oldest library in the city and supposed to hold all of the books that was published in all different language since the time it was erected. The smell of old paper mixed with lavender air freshener was present. The dome shaped ceiling was tall and expensive looking chandeliers are hanging from it.
From the entrance, You will see that tall bookshelves has lined the walls completely and if you are going to look at the other floors beneath, you will see that thousands of bookshelves has covered the walls as well. In this library, the lower the floor is, the older the books that were stored are.
According to Asher, he found the book in the first floor of the library, where the oldest records were kept. They have to ride down the rusty, metal lift as the entrance is in the highest floor, the 7th floor.
When they reached the first floor of the librabry, Emily said, "So in a way, this is just one of the floors of the library's basement. Cool. This is the first time that I saw multiple floors in a basement! How did you found this place Asher? It looks average on the outside though. Maybe because only 1 floor is above the ground?"
"Yeah it was true, I thought this library was just your average city library, never thought they have added more floors since my last visit. I found this when I was just aimlessly walking the streets. Back then, there was a war that was going on and the floor of this library was just 3 floors." He replied.
As they started to walk around the first floor, Alex asked, "Wait, how long have you been walking aimlessly? You said that the last time you went in here, there were just three floors. and we all know that the lower the floor is in this library, the older the books are kept in. And you said there was a war?"
Asher stopped walking as well to think of an answer. He knows that he has been walking the land of the living for a while now, but he is not aware of how long has he been wondering in here. When you are just a spirit, all of your senses are numbed, including your sense of time. "Well, I was aware that I am just a wondering spirit when there was a war that was going on. I think, it was the first war between our nation and china..." He scratched his head, trying to crack his memory of what it might be called. "Ah! They called it sino-japanese war. Not sure though. I dont stay in that school of yours just to learn the history that I might have been a part of." He said nonchalantly and started walking down the isles, trying to remember where he found the book and trying to read out the faded title of the old books
"Woah bro!" Emily caught up with him while she is holding Alex's hand, to prevent his chance of being lost in this library. "How old are you?! I remember that story of one of the teachers! It was around 1894! So you are wondering the earth since 1894?!"
Asher stopped in his tracks once more, his forehead had formed creases in confusion. "why, what is the year this time?"
Alex felt the stare of both of them when the question was asked. "Uhm...2006."
"Wow dude! Two centuries! You have walking this place for two centuries! How is that possible? I saw a friend of mine disappear before my eyes and she was just here for 5 years!
Asher floated to check the upper part of the shelf and tried to make out the titles of the book once more. "I just felt that something has always prevented me from being eaten by hell. But it all started when I read that book of good and evil. After reading it, it felt that I was tied in here. It is not because of regrets or anger or any emotion. It was like an unknown force has tied me down here in earth and in this specific prefecture. I tried leaving but I always came back to that Himori high school."
"Ah, so that is why you said it was your home when I found you." Emily murmured to herself. "Stay here for a while sire, I will try to help him look for that book."
While Emily and Asher are busy looking for the book, Alex sat on the floor and contemplated on the information that he found out. So, Asher has been walking in the land of the living for 2 centuries now. And he felt that he was tied in here after reading the book of good and evil. Just what is the power of that book? It makes him burn with curiosity. He wishes that it would be found soon.
As if someone has granted his wish, he heard emily shouted in a not so far distance from where he is. Both Alex and Asher went in her direction. "What happened?" they asked.
Emily was covering her mouth, little tears are covering her eyes. A thin, faded black leather book that has no title was seen on her right hand. "Is it this one?" She asked.
Asher went close to her and inspected the book. He read out the first paragraph and it says;
"This is a book that holds a record of events from the time before and after the earth was conceived. Every History that was unknown to man was written in accuracy and therefore, shall only be known to the worthy beings. If you happen to stumble upon this book, you have a significant role that you shall fulfill, while disregarding the race you are born from, and no matter how long it takes for you to fulfill that role."
Emily held Alex's hand and said, "Now that we have found the book, would you want to read it at home?
***
"Oooh this is interesting." Emily said as she laid down on his bed and started reading the book. She has been reading the book for hours now since they came home. Right now, Asher is helping Alex look for a job in the news paper.
"I hope you can share me the things that you found in there." He said.
"Sure sire. Let me read this thing to you, So, let's start with the night creatures, we all know that the night creatures, or vampires, cannot withstand the sunlight. They have this pet dog that howls when the sun is about to rise and set. It is called demon hound. Like a rooster for a human. They can accurately tell these events without a fail. Vampires also keep them to help in night hunting.
"Apparently, vampires are not the only night creatures, there were changelings, werewolves...ah! Night crow that they use for spying---"
"Do you see anything that is related to the taboo topic?" Asher asked while circling a few things from the news paper.
"Oh, the taboo one, let me look in the table of contents...Oooh. This book is interesting. There is a story about the banquets of gods! Let me read this one!"
And so, like a child, she enthusiastically read the part of the book about the banquet silently. "I am interested to know about that as well." Alex said as he laid down on the bed next to Emily.
Emily blinked her eyes as she did not understood what her master has said. He felt this so he repeated his words once more. "Oh, sure, let me read this out."
"Back before the earth was born, the gods are living side by side with the creatures of the night. The creatures of the night before were just made of shadows and their eyes are red as the blood. To protect them from the harsh light of the godly realm, a thin black veil has drawn between the two realms. Any night creature who crossed that veil will be removed by the light, like a shadow would be when there is a strong light in all directions.
"Time has existed before the earth, and so, every 12th month of every year, the gods are having a banquet, in honor of the almighty god, the highest god, and also known as the god of everything. The same god who created the other gods to help him in managing his creations.
"Along with the gods, the night creatures are also gathering from their side, to honor the god of everything. The gathering lasts for 3 days and the night creatures were sitting patiently and quietly, waiting for the blessing from the god of everything. It was believed that his blessing will let you grant a wish.
"The night creatures are always sitting on the side, while watching the other gods merrily eating and laughing and bathing themselves in the light created by their father."
"Eh, so that is the banquet of gods. For me, it is just a celebration that is a little unfair for the night creatures." Asher commented. "Isn't it cruel to have them watch on the side while the gods are laughing?! Sire, don't you remember anything like that?"
Asher made him thought about the story, "No, I dont remember any of that. Maybe I am not the god that has sinned. I still cant remember anything."
"Well, maybe as we go further into this book, you might remember something. Anyway, what else...hmm" Emily said as she scanned the book further. "Ah, I found another interesting chapter. It is called, 'The son of the king' "
"So what it is about?" Asher asked.
"Within the realms of the night creature, there was the first son of the king. He was born after the first human as created. He is the first ambitious prince of the night creatures. But his ambition was not of wealth and power, or even eternal life. His ambition was to walk in the light, like how the other gods are being bathe in it..."
***
Alex has fallen asleep while Emily was reading the book.
He was a child in his dream this time. There is a man in all white, standing next to him. In front of him is the veil that separates their world of light and the world of darkness.
Beyond the veil, there were the king, his son, and behind them, are the rest of the night creatures that were standing silently. The other gods has retired to their bed to rest. It was just the two of them who represented the realm of the gods. It makes him sad that none of his peers are interested in this ceremony.
'The blessing of the night creatures' this ceremony was called. Their king will receive the blessing from father, and the king will share his blessing to everyone else. Thus, allowing the night creatures to enjoy as well the goodness that comes from our realm. Except for the light.
Everyone has retired to their resting places once the banquet of gods has ended. Except the young Alex and the prince of the other realm. He asked, "What is your wish, your majesty?"
The young prince was glad because someone of his age has asked him about his wish. His father didnt want to ask for his wish as it is impossible for the god of everything to grant.
"Will you be able to grant it?" He asked quietly.
"I dont know if I can, but I will hear you."
The prince of the night creature reached out his hand beyond the veil in an attempt to touch his hand. But as soon as his fingers went past the veil, he felt an unbearable pain and a part of his finger was gone. The young Alex panicked and touched the hand of the prince. "Why did you do that?! You know that you cant get past the veil!"
The prince of darkness looked at him with sadness. "This is my wish m'lord. My wish is to feel the warmth of light that you are feeling."
***
Alex woke up with the commotion in his room. He can hear Emily shouting "Get more water! Get the pitcher! Why did you get a glass of water!
He can hear as well the voice of Asher, "It's not going out! We should wake up sire!"
Alex can smell the burning paper in his room so he opened his eyes. Even though he cannot see, he tried his best to know what was happening.
"Sire! The book of good and evil suddenly went on fire!"