"Nice to see you again, Duayne." Aleksio greeted him.
"Duayne! What's with the book? Do you plan to read that here?" Aleksandro asks.
"No. Little Evie wants to borrow this book," Duayne responds.
"May I see what kind of book is this?" Skylur inquired.
"Brother, you were with us yesterday when we discussed what book will he let me borrow."
I retorted. My brother seems to have trauma when I tease him earlier.
"Oh! I seem to have forgotten so let me check it again." He smiled at Duayne, signaling him that he should give him the book.
Duayne then looked at me for approval. I just nodded my head and sighed. He then gave the book to Skylur.
"Why would Skylur check the book? Duayne tells me what book does little Evie want to read?"
Aleksandro turned his head and questioned Duayne.
"It's the book titled "A Collection of Information about the Creatures in the Kraevia Empire" and the book about the god's blessing."
"Skylur, why would you check the book? Is something wrong?" Aleksio asks.
"It's nothing, brother Aleksio. Skylur is just being paranoid," I said.
"Did you do something, little Evie?"
As I was about to tell them the reason, Skylur then finished his checking and close the book.
"I'm done. Here little sister." He then gave me the book.
"Skylur, can you tell me why are checking the book?" Aleksio inquired.
"Come here cousins and you also Duayne." He beckoned at them and move to the side and started whispering to each other.
I did not mind them and started the book about god's blessing. As I turned the first page of the book, I was not greeted by an introduction or quotes from the author, but it was a prayer for forgiveness.
"Exalted gods, beacon in the dark, I come to you with a remorseful heart. I'm sorry, my lust got the better of me in a moment of weakness. Wipe away my sins, grant me a chance to restore my faith. I await your conviction so I may take comfort in your eternal light." - Anonymous
I turned the book to see if the author is anonymous. I did not find anything about the author's name.
I re-read the prayer again and tried to understand it from the author's point of view. The lust that he was talking about. Maybe it's not the lust about sexual desire, not all lust can point to it.
But it can lead to lust for power, wealth, knowledge, and strength, or maybe I'm just overanalyzing it. Hahaha!
There are 11 chapters in this book. Each chapter contains the gods' words to all species. These words were given by the gods to this world's first species to be the primary rules.
The 11 rules will be used by the ancient species as a base on how to interact with each other without contempt. Here are the 11 rules:
1. You shall not take vengeance unless necessary.
2. You shall cast out murderers and rapists, as the gods will decide what punishment to bestow upon them.
3. You shall not betray others, yourself, or god.
4. You shall take responsibility for your actions.
5. You shall not desire more than your fair share.
6. You shall discard ignorance, but seek to understand where it came from to prevent future ignorance.
7. You shall not forget the word of god.
8. You shall seek out your place in the world.
9. You shall not unleash your anger on others.
10. You shall live your life full of love to the best of your abilities.
11. You shall abide by the 11 commandments the gods had bestowed upon you.
But of course, not everyone follows these rules as each species started to build its own territory.
They also started to disobey these rules. This was the last time the gods gave something to the entire world as a whole.
After they saw that not everyone was following these rules, they started ignoring everyone, and that's the time the Demon Army emerges and started to tempt everyone to fight against each other.
The gods notice the Demon Army's desire to enslave every species, but they decided not to give powers to anyone as they already know that not everyone had the strength to use the gods' blessings.
That's the time the gods started giving specific individuals their own blessings. According to ancient records, only the gods know the criteria for who to give their blessings.
It is said that everyone who received the gods' blessing was not based on your status in life, your face, health, or your species.
As I continued my reading, I suddenly heard Aleksio's voice, "Where did little Evie read that book?!"
"We shall burn that book when we find it." Aleksandro seconded.
Did Skylur tell them what I said earlier? I get down from my chair and went to them.
"What are you talking about?" I ask.
"Nothing!" Skylur said and starts to shake his head.
"We were just talking about nothing." Aleksio innocently replied. While Aleksandro nodded his head, agreeing with his brother.
I look at Duayne and saw him smiling.
"We were just talking about the books that we would like to give you." He said.
"Why would you give me a gift? It's not my birthday yet?"
"It's a gift for your unbreakable bond ceremony your brother shared it with me."
"If you say so." I smiled. I will not press them for an answer anymore.