The Black Wizard Aldred fixed an accusing stare upon the newcomer. The encircling shadows seemed to stir as though disturbed by the predicament as much as their master.
Theron absentmindedly tugged at his tattered robe, endeavoring to salvage the situation as best he could.
He cleared his throat and, adopting an appeasing tone, ventured, "You are the esteemed guardian of the Grand Library. It is truly an honor to make your acquaintance, sir."
Aldred cocked his head slightly to the left, strands of his long white hair cascading over his nape. It appeared he had difficulty hearing the sentient dark wraith before him, perhaps from an age-related hearing loss.
"Vandalizing the sacred Grand Library... You're fortunate to exist on the periphery of the physical world, miscreant. Were it otherwise, I would have you dealt with by that seemingly idle broom over there," he remarked, pointing nonchalantly at the diligent magical broom.
Processing how best to respond, a notion struck the perplexed yet cunning dark wraith. Sporting an innocent, angelic expression, Theron began:
"Vandalizing? Not at all! I was simply so astounded by the immaculateness here. I had to ascertain if it was genuinely flawless. After all, it's The Grand Library, and nothing less than perfection is expected! You see, I employed a special method from-" Theron started to fabricate.
"Save it! I was notified of your predicament, 'Earthling.'" The last word was uttered with distaste, and an elusive emotion Theron couldn't quite discern.
He found himself at a loss on how to respond to the surprisingly aggressive guardian of the Grand Library.
"...So, what was the test you conducted, and what were the results?"
The Black Wizard fixed Theron with an intense gaze. The somewhat inquisitive old man began to lower himself as though settling into a seat, but with a snap of his long, brittle-looking fingers, a high chair crafted from darkness emerged right behind him, perfectly timed to prevent a tumble. He sprawled ungracefully on the high chair, one elbow on the armrest, supporting his head with a closed fist. The impatient Black Wizard raised a neat white eyebrow.
"Well?"
Theron's predicament was precarious. Incurring the displeasure of this powerful guardian would entail a miserable eternity. And as Theron's mama always said, first impressions matter!
'Maybe I can fool the old man... the Realm of Darkness resembles Earth in medieval times. It's plausible to assume they aren't overly advanced and lack profound knowledge of science or experimentation. Even if I assert something, he likely lacks a means to disprove it effectively.'
Theron cleared his throat before seizing the opportunity, "Well, I was examining for dust particles in the ice. If the ice is transparent and crystal clear, as it is here, it indicates the absence of dust particles. It's a known method back home; if anything, I was endeavoring to contribute to the collective effort!"
Aldred scratched his clean-cut chin, deep in thought, mumbling to himself, "What a peculiar method 'your kind' has developed... Well, I suppose that does make sense in a way; you hail from that 'Earth' after all..." His tone was pensive and imbued with concealed emotions that Theron couldn't quite discern.
Confused, Theron wondered about Aldred's meaning behind that last statement.
The imposing figure, swathed in a white cloak that clashed in colors with the swirling shadows, clapped his hands once. A thunderous sound echoed through the Grand Library, interrupting Theron's train of thought.
'Aren't there rules for keeping quiet in libraries?' he mused, furrowing his brow.
In a warmer tone, Black Wizard Aldred addressed the translucent wraith with a toothy smile, "So, you've arrived here, and I presume you're brimming with questions that demand answers, am I correct? After all, your situation is, without a doubt... unique."
Theron's eyes gleamed as he shifted his complete attention; the overbearing guardian had finally piqued his interest. Theron's tattered robe billowed from his sudden animated hand gestures.
"Yes! Yes, that's exactly it! Thank you so much, sir. Your kindness truly knows no bounds!"
The smile Aldred had exhibited vanished as if it had never existed, his tone chillier than the ice-covered floor beneath them.
"That's enough! I merely stated a fact. I have no intention of squandering my precious time discussing your predicament; it is frankly none of my concern, and I hold no interest in it. Therefore, you must seek the answers on your own."
Stunned by the old man's abrupt change of demeanor, Theron was left speechless.
"..."
An uncomfortable silence stretched between the two, both too stubborn to resume the conversation. After a few more seconds of quiet, Aldred released a deep sigh of exasperation.
"I see you are dissatisfied, Earthling. Let me impart to you a piece of wisdom that will serve you well in the days ahead. In the Realm of Darkness, we sanctify the pursuit of self-might. This means that the path you must traverse and the challenges you must confront should be a venture uniquely yours to bear; overcoming them will make you stronger. And isn't being stronger the sole purpose of life?"
The old man's tone dropped even lower, and his eyes became two pits of darkness; he exuded an aura so daunting that Theron was certain he was on the brink of shitting himself, although Theron wasn't sure if it was possible as a dark wraith.
"Without that ambition, Earthling-" he continued as the ground trembled beneath them from the pressure emanating from the guardian. Books from the highest shelves plummeted to the floor, creating a clamorous uproar. Yet, this chaotic commotion failed to interrupt the formidable guardian:
"-Your existence holds no purpose. A being devoid of ambition has no place in Realm of Darkness, for only the strong have the privilege to decide how they die."
The dark wraith finally grasped that the Black Wizard before him was no ordinary entity but an immensely superior being, incomprehensibly more powerful.
'He could probably smite me to death without breaking a sweat.'
Theron was dumbfounded by it all. The principles upon which this realm is based were radically foreign to the former Earthling.
'So, this powerful old man refuses to share any knowledge on the premise that if I gain it through diligence and hard work, I will fulfill the purpose of my existence, which is the pursuit of strength?'
Nearly exploding from the anger incited by the maddening guardian, Theron could only curse him silently.
'This bastard!'
Yet again, the whimsical old man's tone shifted, his chilly demeanor veiled by a layer of warmth.
"Oh, I almost forgot, Zoe; please step out of my office and acquaint yourself with the newest member of the Grand Library. Ah, what was your name again?"
Theron ground his teeth in annoyance. "You can call me Theron."
"Very well, Theron it is!"
Aldred tapped a brace of the chair with a long finger coated in darkness; the runes on his body darkened further, and a thin strand of darkness expanded toward the Black Wizard's 'office'—the sphere of unfathomable darkness at the heart of the Grand Library; at the point where the thin strand met the sphere of darkness, an opening formed.
From the sphere of condensed darkness emerged a striking figure. She possessed long silver hair fashioned into a high ponytail and eyes of the deepest blue, akin to the most unfathomable depths of the ocean where light barely penetrated. Wearing baggy clothes, she moved with a measured grace towards the two bickering individuals. She seemed to be of Theron's age and bore a frosty expression on her exquisitely sculpted face.
The silver-haired young woman nodded in acknowledgment. "Aldred."
'Is this some kind of joke? What in Margot Robbie is this?'
Aldred gestured towards the dark wraith hovering before him.
"...Zoe, dearest, meet Theron. He, too, is bound for eternity in this magnificent establishment. Isn't it splendid?"
Theron's eyes widened in astonishment.
'She...She is bound to servitude here for eternity, too?!'