[Hmm, what is this?]
The man who introduced himself as Edward said as he gazed at the book floating. An arm made of the same golden grains landed on the book. After a few seconds, Edward's gaze landed on me.
[Hmm, young man you seem to be walking on the same path.]
Edward said as he moved his gaze behind me. Though there was nothing behind me, he seemed to be watching something.
[I can sense their gaze on you. With your arrival, the realm has been discovered, and it would soon be destroyed. But before that, I will leave you behind my story in that guide. Your current self would not be able to decipher everything, but you would soon be able to.]
As Edward said, I noticed that a small corner of this room's ceiling was starting to bend a little, as if something was trying to enter the room forcefully.
The man named Edward, made of golden grains, stood calmly in front of the huge tablet with his arms back. The stone tablet was being converted into fine grains and then into strange letters as the book absorbed them. Very soon the tablet disappeared from his view, as it was converted into letters that were now into the book.
[Hahaha, before I disappear completely you shall experience my wrath again. Hahaha. Observe kid. Watch how I tear apart their attempt at fawning.]
Edward said as the strange characters floating around the book disappeared. The book floated back to me and something happened.
The golden Edward pointed a finger at the bending ceiling and it disappeared. The world outside the ceiling was covered in twinkling stars and I could see a huge hand pressing the place where the ceiling had been. The hand was huge beyond comparison as Edward looked like an ant in front of it. I looked down and noticed that I was being pushed into the opening from where I entered.
The last scene that I saw was of Edward once again pointing the finger toward the huge hand and a small point of space started twisting. Soon the twisting space cracked the white porcelain-like hand as it too twisted. Along with the mad laughter of Edward my body went inside the opening and I couldn't see what happened to Edward afterward.
I found myself back on the stone chair. Whatever happened after I left, I was not even bothered about it, after all, I didn't understand a thing. Remembering that Edward had left something in the book, I placed a hand on my waist and tried to open the book. But the pages refused to budge open, it was then the book floated in front of me on its own.
-Swish-
I could see it was covered in black flames. Though I couldn't feel the intensity of the heat, the trembling air currents around it indicated their power. Yet, the book remained unscathed.
Death: Hmm, I am not able to destroy the book. Is such a thing even possible?
Life: Stop it, you cannot destroy it. The book is inscribed by using the -------- Language.
The thoughts conversed, not knowing I could understand their words. Thus I knew that this was their doing.
Soon, the flames disappeared and the book returned to its position on my waist.
Time passed by like this. I wandered from place to place being guided by something unknown. One time it was a waterfall with blood-like water in some place covered in ice. Another time it was an island with huge stone statues of rabbits or it was what people called them. There was even a time when never-extinguishing flames were surging out of a crater near the cavern I was located at.
Soon I lost track of time, there was now only a faint memory of that child Lily left in my mind. If things went by like this, those memories would vanish too. The thoughts in my mind had continued to converse freely without minding me. Oftentimes they would convey the meaning behind their thoughts directly in my mind.
This time I was led into a place that was covered in grass and there were trees, and flowers everywhere. I could see people walking on a path, and some small children playing. During my travels, I came to know that people called this place a 'Park'. I found a corner beside a tree with enough shade and lay down.
I gazed at the clouds watching them as the wind carried them forward. This was how I would pass the day until the faint thought that guided me returned back.
"Ahjussi, would you like to play with me?"
It was then just as I heard the voice---
-Badump-
-Badump-
It was there. The same sensation. The book on my waist floated on its own and the pages fluttered open. A string of golden characters left the page.
I hurriedly turned my face and locked my gaze on the source of the voice.
And there she was, a small girl wearing a dress covered in drawings of flowers of different colors. She was looking at me with her small black eyes. For some reason, those pupils felt familiar. I tried to remember but her next words dragged me back.
"Wow! Is Ahjussi a magician?"