"The legend says that those that has shield as the reflection or manifestation of their souls are caring. One could say that they are selfless. They have this strong desire to protect others, and if given a chance it's said that those who has it would even offer themselves just to preserve the life of others, they are quite rare but such wonderful souls, right", she paused and waited for the boys approval.
"The Bows on the other hand, yes, they also have the desire to protect, similar to the shields but the legend says that they would not just go down without a fight. They are decisive and understanding and in case of a dead end, they would look for a way on how to save everyone including themselves. Unlike the shields they would not just stand and offer their lives. They will fight until the very end while thinking the best way possible. You know how bow and arrows work right?"
"Well— yes, maybe?"
"Good, since the weapon is most effective in long range, well, this is just my hypothesis. That makes them very critical as I said, because archers need to take count of everything. Every angle, the direction of the wind, and their position on combat. Of all the three, I think the Bows has the most view of everything unlike the swords which are impulsive."
"Impulsive?"
"Yes, impulsive. Meaning—"
"Acting or done without forethought", Nicolas mindlessly blurted.
This amazed the librarian to some extent that she suddenly turned her head towards Nicolas, as if she had seen a ghost. "Hmmm", she groaned as she again fixed her glasses, although this time, she flickered a faint smile, suddenly gaining respect for the boy.
"Moving on, the swords as I said are impulsive. They are truly strong and by strong I do not mean physically, but in a deeper sense, most people are like them. Their spirits does not seem to waver that much. It has a strong resolve, but—"
"But what?", Nicolas again interrupted but this time the librarian did not seem to be bothered by it.
"Unlike the first two, the swords are also the most unstable. Although having a strong resolve through and through, they can easily be eaten and overdriven by rage and vengeance. At least that was the legend said, this could happen if the person is not cautious and misguided"
Nicolas did not expect that to be so on point that he even pictured himself wielding the sword just yesterday, "They can become monsters"
"You could say that, but all I'm saying is that they might be the most vulnerable in terms of walking the wrong path. Anyway, despite having those abilities, they all died, or at least that's what the legend said."
"But how?"
"Since it's a legend, it is not surprising that they had come across an entity powerful enough that they themselves cannot defeat. Duncuel, the king of the underworld or the others would say God of darkness and destruction."
"What's the connection of that with the blue moon?"
"Interrupting again? is that some kind of your hobby young man?", the librarian sighed, not in annoyance but in relief that the boy indeed is earnest about asking her. "Individually, none of them can defeat the dark god and stop him from his rampage to purge all of humanity. He wanted to eat all the souls. But collectively they managed. In order to stop and contain Duncuel, they have sacrificed each and every bit of their souls to try and split the dark god's soul into three, giving way for the others to survive. By dividing him into three, Duncuel would need to build himself first in order to continue what he started."
"Still no blue moon though"
"Fine, the moon turned blue that night because of the sacrifices that that civilization had made. A collection of their souls. It also became a sign of a God's presumed death. But the Legend also stated that when the moon once again illuminates its blue light into the dark night, Duncuel will again rise to continue what he started— and anyway before you interrupt me again, some iterations of the legend also stated that the descendants of those who offered their lives long ago will also come to light in that same night, and he will be destined to finally end the dark God and free humanity from the threat of extinction."
"What if they did that just to make a better ending? what if there was no savior?
"I don't know, that's just what the legend said, that a hero will come to light. But if you heard me earlier, they all thought to have died, so this version is inconsistent."
"But still, a hero will be born?"
"Yes"
"Could it be—"
"Hold on young man, why are you so invested in this legend. I mean it is what it is, just a legend, made to entertain— and come to think of it, the moon turned blue almost seventeen years ago but nothing happened. The astronomers explained that it was a reoccurring phenomenon that can happen once in a hundred years. A once in a lifetime experience, but they are still yet to find an answer to why it happens, so again, why are you so invested?"
"Nothing in particular, its just— I thought that it's such a beautiful legend or so from all the small details I heard. This was my first time hearing it in its full glory", Nicolas scratched his head trying to evade the lady's gaze.
"Very well, do you still need anything?"
"No, that's all, thank you, but I think I should get going now ma'am—", he delivered his gratitude as he tried reading the librarians name tag. "Ma'am, Veronica, good day", he said, before finally walking away with a smile.
"I think I should really exercise the 'don't judge a book by its cover' more often, but I wonder, despite the way he's dressed I can feel that he knows a lot about academics. He's well educated", she sat back down, watching Nicolas leave the building. "And also… I think I saw his face somewhere."
"Finally, some explanation", Nicolas celebrated, stretching his hand into the air as he went out the door, paying salute to the guard that's still on high alert. "Well then, I'm off to find the rest of the ruins", and then he raised his cloaked.
On the bulletin board just at the side of the library's door, he noticed a group of people cramping over it. Standing at the far back, he noticed an announcement that appealed to him. "Missing" it said on the poster, at the bottom of the parchment was the reward. "1,000 gold coins"
"Now that's a quest I could do", he thought with a smile. "Maybe the ruins at the forest can wait while I do this—", he fought his way towards the front where he met the full announcement. He smirked, "On second thought, I'd rather find the ruins after all", with haste, he fled the scene.
At the other side of the bulletin board stood Alice, again following Nick, trying to understand why he killed those two innocent people. At least from her perspective, they were.
"I still can't believe he would have such resolve for murder—", she murmured. She was again puzzled on why he had such a look on his face as if he ate something bad or smelled something awful. "But then again, he pointed a knife at me just the other day. Anyway, since I'm already here I should probably check the news for a change"
To her surprise the first on the board was the news about the Murder, "News sure do spread fast"
According to the news, the woman was 26 years old, and a local of Yggdryas while the male's identity is still unknown. They did not find any evidence pertaining to any suspect and the authorities has offered a nice sum for any reliable information.
"So that's why he made such a face before leaving. He saw this announcement", she panned her vision again to the bulletin before she left.
The tower sounded the 12:00 noon mark.
As usual, the streets of the town was busy and was even more noticeable when Alice finally reached the market. The shop owners still barked like dogs as they desperately called for shoppers, while some may pay attention and listen to their sales talk, most of them never batted an eye or lent an ear.
This was Alice's usual routine. Watching people go by their day, sometimes when she finds something of her fancy, snatching it will always come to her mind but then again she gives it up for the fact that she'll never wear them anyway. She continued her adventure until she reached the foot of the Clock Tower. As soon as she decided to go home, she saw a familiar silhouette running at the edge of her peripheral vision. It was Nick.
She quickly turned around and blended herself with the nearest stall. "So, this is where the hermit hides himself", she smirked as she covertly gazed at Nick leaving the clock tower before sprinting down the town's gate.
As the young man finally went out of sight, Alice finally found a way to spend the rest of her day. Staring intently at the top of the tower, "Well…", she thought, "I guess I'm not going home then."