Liam stepped through the ancient stone door, descending the narrow staircase as the soft hum of magic grew louder around him. The air was thick with anticipation as the small spirit, still glowing with soft blue light, flitted ahead, guiding him deeper into the earth. The flickering light it emitted was gentle, almost comforting, but the mystery of where it was leading him kept Liam on edge.
After what felt like an eternity of descending, the staircase finally opened into a vast chamber. Liam froze in awe at the sight before him. The room was massive, its walls lined with towering bookshelves stretching up beyond his sight. Floating lanterns illuminated the space, casting a warm, golden glow over rows upon rows of ancient tomes and scrolls. This wasn't just any room—it was a library, but far more grand than anything he had ever imagined.
And sitting at the far end of the library, at an ornate stone desk, was a figure that caught Liam's breath. A massive, ethereal spirit with a luminous form sat quietly, reading an ancient, thick book. Her presence was unlike the smaller spirits that danced around the room. She radiated an aura of immense wisdom and power, her form solid and regal. Her delicate features were clear, and her long, flowing robes seemed to be made of pure light. This was no ordinary spirit—this was something far more ancient, far more profound.
Liam's guide, the small spirit, paused for a moment in front of him, hovering for just an instant before bowing slightly and disappearing into the air, leaving him alone with the great spirit before him.
The large spirit slowly raised her head, her glowing eyes locking onto Liam. For a few heartbeats, the room fell silent, the only sound being the distant hum of magical energy that filled the library. Liam stood frozen, uncertain if he should speak or wait. Her gaze was intense, but not hostile—merely observant, as though she were studying him.
Then, with a graceful, almost fluid movement, the spirit closed her book, the sound of the pages snapping shut echoing through the library. She stood, her towering form emanating an undeniable sense of authority and wisdom. After a moment of silence, she spoke, her voice resonant and melodic, yet tinged with an age-old knowledge that made Liam's spine tingle.
"Welcome Aamon, to the Forbidden Library," she said, her tone neither warm nor cold, but simply factual, as though it were a statement of truth. "Where one can look through the past." She paused, and a faint smile graced her glowing lips as her eyes flickered with recognition. "I am Melvis, the Queen Spirit of this realm."
Liam got surprised when the spirit called him Aamon but he thinks it is probably due to the identity he had entered before. Liam straightened himself, trying not to show his surprise. "A library? Of the past?" His curiosity quickly overtook his initial hesitation. "What do you mean by that?"
Melvis tilted her head slightly, the faint shimmer of her robes rippling like water. "This is no ordinary library, Aamon. Here, we preserve the memories and events of countless ages—every moment, every secret, every truth that time itself has forgotten or tried to bury. Those who seek knowledge beyond the scope of their mortal world often find their way here." She took a step forward, her presence overwhelming but not threatening. "And now, it seems, you have too."
Liam's mind raced. A library that stored the memories of the world? Of history itself? His heart pounded at the possibilities. What kind of secrets were hidden here? What kind of knowledge could he gain from these ancient tomes?
"You've been watching me," he said, his voice low as the realization hit him. "Why?"
Melvis looked at him for a moment longer, her luminous eyes narrowing slightly, as though weighing her response. "The spirits of this realm are guardians of knowledge," she said, her voice softer now. "We watch over those who enter, and we decide who is worthy of what lies within. Knowledge is power, and not all who seek it are ready to wield it."
Her words carried a weight that made Liam pause. He knew there was truth to them. Power could corrupt. But he also knew that knowledge could be the key to unlocking his full potential in this world.
"What is it you seek, Aamon?" Melvis asked, her glowing form shifting slightly as if to assess him. "Do you seek power? Or understanding?"
Liam hesitated. He had come here to grow stronger, to understand the magic and mysteries of this world so he could survive and perhaps even thrive. But now, faced with the overwhelming aura of the Queen Spirit and the vast wealth of knowledge contained within the library, his motivations felt… more complicated.
"I… I want to understand this world," Liam said, choosing his words carefully. "I've been thrown into a place I barely know, with powers I'm just beginning to comprehend. I need to learn more, not just about my own abilities, but about the world's history, its people, its magic. I want to understand it all."
For a long moment, Melvis simply stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Many come seeking such things," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But few are prepared for the truths they will find." She extended one hand, and the air around her shimmered. A small, glowing orb of light appeared, floating gently toward Liam. "This library is not a gift freely given. You will face trials, Aamon. The knowledge contained here is protected by the past itself."
Liam eyed the orb warily, though curiosity burned within him. "What kind of trials?"
Melvis smiled, a flicker of amusement dancing in her glowing eyes. "You will see. But know this: not all knowledge comes without a price. And not all truths are pleasant to behold."
Liam reached out and grasped the orb. The moment his fingers made contact, the world around him shifted. The library vanished, replaced by a vast, empty void. He was alone in the darkness, the hum of magic now a distant echo.
But then, in the far distance, a figure appeared—a shadowed form walking toward him. As it approached, Liam's heart began to race. He recognized the figure. It was… himself.
No, not quite. It was a version of himself—one with cold, hardened eyes, a version that seemed devoid of humanity. This Liam stood before him, silent and still, a mirror of what he could become.
Liam swallowed hard as the figure stared at him, the void pressing in around them. The trial had begun.