Within the world of white, Gilgamesh and Little Feather floated aimlessly.
Looking around, Gilgamesh could see a faint texture in the whiteness, as though it were a massive sheet of paper.
"What is this," Little Feather asked, mesmerized.
Gilgamesh consulted the Omniscient Author while also deducing things with his own growing knowledge.
At the same time, he also felt a vaguely familiar sensation of having experienced this blank world before.
"This is the Negative Space of the Book of Existence. When travelling from one Page to the next, we must pass through this space."
Little Feather's eyes widened in an innocent "Ohh..."
Before long, the blank world faded to black, leaving only a single spot of white paper.
That spot became a breach in the Negative Space before Gilgamesh and Little Feather were pulled into it, vanishing from the darkness.
Once they were gone, the white breach closed and disappeared.
All was envoloped in darkness.
...
Within one of the many universes under the Domain of The Ghost...
Beneath an ever-grey sky, a gloomy yet lively world inhabited by billions of varying races received two uninvited guests.
Stepping out of a spatial portal, Gilgamesh and Little Feather appeared in this new world.
The first thing they noticed was the sky, which was both dismal and depressing.
However, there was something else about it that was different.
"Is that... a face?" Little Feather twisted and tilted her head, trying to get a better view of the image in the sky.
Looking up at it with a look of questioning, Gilgamesh suddenly scoffed.
"What a crappy design".
In the sky was a large white face, without features, its mouth and eyes wide open with nothing in them. It loomed over the world, emitting dim light.
It was nighttime.
Gilgamesh and Little Feather had arrived on the outskirts of a city; they could see lights lining giant crystal walls, and even more lights coming from beyond it.
Streams of multicolored energy raced through the air like chaotic winds, moving to and fro. With each movement, Gilgamesh could sense the eb and flow of power throughout the environment.
In a moment, he was given the answers he sought.
"This is Firnen City. It's actually been built into a giant deposit of heavenly crystals."
Little Feather pursed her lips before asking, "What are heavenly crystals?"
"They're like vigorous stones, but even more potent and valuable."
"Oohh," Little Feather stared at the crystal wall with excitement, as though she wanted to get some of it for herself.
"Remember that this is a whole new world. Experiencing and adapting to new environments is the first step in your training."
Little Feather perked up and she looked to Gilgamesh with a hint of dedication, making a fist. "Right!"
Before they left for the city, Gilgamesh decided to attempt something.
With the slightest bit of effort imaginable, he tried to mobilize his superior energy gathering method in conjunction with his cultivation base.
The instant he did so, he felt the entire Domain straining to contain his true energy, and quickly put a stop to his cultivation with a sigh.
"Hm? What happened, Big Brother?" Ateah noticed his sigh.
"I knew I wouldn't be able to advance to the Establishment stage here, but I decided to try anyway."
He suddenly became solemn and took Little Feather's hand.
"Come, Little Feather. Let's see whether or not this city is suitable for you to begin."
As they walked, Little Feather started to skip and hop next to Gilgamesh, looking around at the foliage and the loose soil.
She noticed flowers, insects and other things that she had never seen before, and would ask Gilgamesh about everything that interested her.
Having the Omniscient Author work overtime, he was able to provide her with all the answers.
Soon enough, though, she asked a different kind of question.
"Big Brother, why did you choose the name Little Feather for me? Or do you not remember..."
Gilgamesh was taken aback. He didn't even know how to react. He could hear the vague undertones of surrender and sadness.
He could tell that she had probably been wanting an answer for a long time.
Gilgamesh almost tore his heart out as he lamented not having his memories. He even asked the Omniscient Author even though he knew it wouldn't know.
Thinking quickly, he looked at Little Feather and gave a dejected sigh.
"I really don't remember... but if I had to guess, it would be because of what the name signifies."
Little Feather cast a curous gaze toward him.
"I chose Little Feather because you are my little sister, and I want the best for you. I want you to grow and develop in trust, honor, freedom, wisdom and power."
"All of these are things that the feather symbolizes. I think that I chose that name because I want these things for you."
Little Feather beamed at Gilgamesh as her little head went from side to side in a delighted dance.
"I get it now. 'Little Feather' actually has a deep meaning."
Gilgamesh nodded. He would never know if his answer was correct in terms of his original reason, but the answer he just gave was true for his current self.
Eventually, they reached the entrace to the city, cleanly cut out of the giant turquoise crystal.
Posted at the entrance was a single armored guard, wearing a suit of red crystal armor.
"Welcome to Firnen, travelers. Just let me scan your ghostly energy and you can be on your way." The guard smiled amicably as he held his arm out.
The red crystal gauntlet he wore was already glowing, waiting to inspect Gilgamesh and Little Feather.
Gilgamesh looked to her and saw her puzzlement. "Don't worry, that's just what they call true energy in this Domain."
Nodding, Little Feather put her hand forward and released some energy.
"Seventh Level of the Condensation stage, unrecognized aura. Hold one moment as I prepare an indentification badge," the guard said as he summoned some energy.
When Gilgamesh sensed it, his brows were raised and he leaned forward a bit.
The guard's energy manifested as a four-attribute aura, and in his hand a metal slip was created.
"You can refine this badge and it will adjust to your aura, meaning it can then be used to identify you on our Registry. No matter where you go, this identification will be necessary."
Little Feather took the slip and put it away, meanwhile Gilgamesh was staring at the guard with incredulity.
The energy the guard had used to create the badge... was something on the same level as the Divine Ones had been.
While it was clearly not their power exactly, its fluctuations and essence almost felt the same.
It was a bit hard for him to wrap his head around at first.
"Alright, your turn," the guard motioned.
Gilgamesh stepped forward and released his energy, but he suddenly had a thought and decided to command the true energy natures within him to release some energy as well.
At the same time, he released the aura of his inherent nature.
Instantly, the measuring crystal flashed, emitting bright blue light before shifting into white, black, purple and gray.
In the end, the light became a mixture of gold and red. Then, the measuring crystal powered down, releasing smoke.
"Incredible! Your ghostly energy is so rich despite the fact that you're only at the Peak of the Condensation stage!"
Then, the Guard frowned.
"The identification nature of the red crystal clearly recognizes you, but I don't sense your identification badge. Are you perhaps an Ascender come down from the Domain of The Ghost?"
Gilgamesh nodded immediately.
"Ah, that makes sense. Now I know why the red crystal was able to identify you."
"Why do you say that?" Gilgamesh posed the question, while also asking the Omniscient Author out of reflex.
"The red crystals are attached to the Foundations of Creation. They can indentify any and all things connected to Reality, even those that are not of this Domain, as long as they have been registered or recognized by it before."
Gilgamesh slowly nodded, getting pretty much the same answer from the Omniscient Author.
"So what name or title did it give you?"
The guard suddenly laughed, "It recognized you as the Demon of the First Book- whatever that means. I bet our Great and Mighty Lord Ghost gave you that name, huh?"
Gilgamesh merely nodded, instead pondering the nature of the red crystal.
If the guard was right, it meant that he simply did not fully understand what the red crystals were.
If they were connected to all of Reality, it had to mean that they were integral parts of the Book, and likely existed throughout it.
Most importantly, it was able to identify him as his past self.
'Does this mean that these crystals can communicate across Books?'
'It likely does. The Demon of the First Book technically does not exist in the Second Book, so it recognizing you wouldn't make sense otherwise.'
Gilgamesh smirked as him and Little Feather entered the city.
'Interesting,' he thought. 'We've only traversed a single Page, but I've already encountered a true energy nature similar to the Divine Ones, and this peculiar red crystal.'
'The Demon of the First Book, was it? That sounds like me. Perhaps I should become the Demon of this one as well.'
As he thought this? Gilgamesh instead looked at Little Feather as an idea came to him.
She was looking around at the crystal city with wide eyes, enjoying the sight.
Everything in the city was made of crystal, and the night life was spectacular. All manner of beings, whether it be humans like the guard, or ghastly beings that resembled animals or trees, could be seen out and about.
There were parties, business places, bars, gathering and vending stalls. It was all quite lively.
Gilgamesh smirk suddenly turned devilish as he looked at Little Feather.
'Maybe I'll turn her into the Demon of the Second Book.'
He walked ahead, letting go of her hand as she led the way. She would ask him questions and show him things happily, but she was also creating an image of the city in her mind.
Her training had already begun.