ANCIENT LIBRARY
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ORVELL'S HOUSE IS an Ancient Libabry gifted by an oracle to Orvell and his family. Orvell was a man who desired knowledge and wisdom, he would venture into various places just to learn more about many things around the world. And unlike other parents who would venture to a different place and return home bearing presents, Orvell comes back with more knowledge that he would, later on, teach his two children.
He actually helped many people from his village with his knowledge and wisdom. He learned a lot of remedies and spells about creating medicine and making cures for sicknesses and illnesses. His village actually prospered thanks to him. The king heard about his great knowledge and soon he was invited to his palace to tell the king of his adventures and even had him work as the royal physician.
His family lived a happy life. The kingdom never suffered from anything because whenever a problem comes, Orvell would always think of a solution to ease the matter, having it solved later on. But alas, those who are blessed with goodness and kindness of heart are often taken too early.
He was struck by an incurable disease. But despite his illness, he never ceased to help others. And before his last breath, he had prayed to a deity and asked for a favour, that his knowledge and wisdom be stored in a place where he can continue to help many people.
And having known of his good deeds, the deity had granted his request and therefore, the Ancient Library was created.
"It holds the knowledge of all things and beings in the world of Azalia, and even the other worlds," Grim further continued, "therefore, it must know something about the culprit that took Destroyer's memories, and perhaps, give us a light as to how it can be retrieved."
Grim concluded his narration and Astier was pondering everything he's heard, processing all the details at once. He's never come across the name Orvell from the book so everything was new to him.
Yet somehow, his worries were lessened a little bit knowing that they were making progress in unravelling the truth of who he really is. His heart could not contain the excitement that pounded in his chest like a blissful lion. His thoughts awakened once more when Ardelian's voice softly asked him:
"Astier, are you alright?"
"Y-yes, I'm alright. Just a little bit excited, I guess." He beamed at him.
However, Ardelian's reply quite cause his smile to fade. "Don't get too excited. There is still a queen that wants your head. I see no reason for you to be so happy like that. A headless Destroyer wouldn't be so nice to look at."
"Now," --- he turns to Grim after emptying the glass of water in one sip --- "Do you know the current location of Orvell's House? It changes its location every three years and is never in the same place twice. I heard it just transferred again and this year's its last until it goes to a different place."
Grim clicked his tongue. "I know just the right person who happens to know where to find it."
"And where is this person?"
"He dwells in the Virgam Kingdom and he's a Sage. He can help us."
"Virgam Kingdom? But isn't that---" Astier cut off his own sentence. It's the kingdom of the character that he adores most in the book. 'It's my queen's kingdom. I can't believe I'm finally setting foot in her kingdom! I'm finally going to meet her!'
"When shall we go, my young lord?" Grim asked in excitement.
"Do me a favour and stop addressing us so formally. Calling us by our names would be fine enough, Grim. It's not like we're not of the same age," Ardelian finally vents out his complaint. He wasn't so sure having other people hear those names would cause the people to just ignore them.
The rumours of Destroyer's return might have already reached the entire world of Azalia. The people, especially the wizards and witches, are now probably in a panic.
Astier and his two companions soon departed the Valley of Death after Ardelian replaced his enchanted bracelet. The horse that they left with the wagon was still safe and sound when they returned. He then learned that Grim has been feeding it for three days while they await for him to regain consciousness. Grim was sitting behind the empty wagon with Ardelian and Astier at the front, tending to the horse.
Unfortunately, they haven't got any more supplies left because the Grim Reaper unexpectedly has a large appetite. Why was that detail not written in the book? The Grim Reaper inadvertently ate all their food.
"Since we'll be stopping by at Virgam Kingdom I'll volunteer to buy us the rest of the provisions we'll be needing," Grim informs them, much to the two men's agreement.
The Grim Reaper back in Astier's world is viewed like a skeleton carrying a scythe, wearing a black cloak. But in the world of Azalia, Grim Yanrec Eivox, also known as the Grim Reaper, appears like a young business tycoon due to his all-black suit attire. Astier never thought that their formal and yet fancy clothes quite resembles the clothes in his world.
He never also expected that their Grim Reaper can be seen and touched like an ordinary person. And with that thought in his mind, he raised the question:
"How come we can see you like an ordinary person? Can other people see you too as we do? I thought you only appear to those who are about to face their last breaths, where Death knocks on their doorstep."
Grim beamed at his question. "Everyone can see me like how they see other people. I appear like an ordinary person to them but they know instantly who I am."
"And don't the people fear or run away from you when they see you?"
"No." He shook his head. "Because despite the taker of souls, I can't just take their breath of life whenever I want to. When a soul is dying, I will know of it, and it is my job to escort them to the Underworld. And if I am occupied, my servants will take them."
"How do you take them to the Underworld?" Astier further inquires, and curiosity is building up inside him. It's quite a rare interaction that he gets the chance to ask these kinds of questions to Death himself.
Grim delightedly satisfied his curiosity. "In this world, there is another dimension called the Second Dimension, where a soul can travel anywhere, unseen by anyone."
'Like a ghost or a spirit?' Astier pondered.
"And being the Grim Reaper, I have the ability to detect these souls and know exactly what even if someone is about to enter the Second Dimension, also allowing me access. Through there can I only open the portal to the Underworld and usher them there."
Astier thoughtfully nodded his head. Clearly, there are still a lot of things that he needed to learn in Azalia. Their journey of finding his stolen memories has just begun. He knows for certain that they are bound to encounter peril along the way.
But the most beautiful peril he couldn't wait to cross paths with is none other than his queen.
'Ah, my queen. I cannot wait to finally meet you.'