The answer was more than obvious. Herega's dream was to live a life far from the ordinary: Fantastic, adventurous and reckless. This was the perfect opportunity to make it happen. However, that strange experience did not remain indifferent in the mind of the young man, who hurried home, this time taking the right road. Keeping it all inside wasn't the right choice. Just as he had done for his feelings towards his father, he would have wanted to express his emotions about that bizarre encounter. The only person who would probably believe him would be Eavelin. He waited a whole day to confront her, after all, he needed to rationalize what had happened. Then, in the morning, as often happened, he got up early, this time avoiding the long walk, coming directly to the great garden where the office of Eavelin's foster father was overlooking.
♦️
As he arrived, he saw a trail of bright leaves swirling gently in the wind. In the middle of the expanse of flowers, stood the girl whose hair waved softly in harmony with the wind and in sync with the purest nature. In his eyes it was a vision almost divine, so much that he had to wait for her to turn around to speak.
«Herega, you came so early... Has something happened?»
The sweet voice of the girl split the air romantically. Her gaze pierced the heart of reason.
«Yes, something has happened. I want to ask you just one thing: Please believe me.»
So they lay down on the prairie, and the young man began to tell what had happened. Reliving that experience was more difficult than he could have imagined. Eavelin was a very rational girl, and she could never have believed such a thing, but she could not have doubted Herega's words either.
«I would be hard pressed to believe anything like that. But I'm sure you would never lie to me, no matter how crazy creative you are, you would never say something like that without reason. So, what are you going to do?» The girl asked, looking him straight in the eye, losing sight of everything around her.
«I will go to the Central Library of Nustia, from what the entity told me, the doors of truth will open as soon as I enter».
Counting everything the sinister entity had said, these words were what had intrigued him most of all.
«Understood. But why did you decide to tell me?» The young girl asked. Her eyes became more serious, and now she was waiting for an answer.
«Eve, I want you to come with me. You are a strong girl. Whatever the difficulties that will be presented to us, we will be able to overcome them. But I need you.»
She looked down, taking Herega's left hand with both of her hands, closing it almost completely. Then she slowly breathed and painted a divine smile on her face.
«Of course, Herega. I will not abandon you to your foolish unawareness.»
Their conversation didn't end then. They had so much more to say, and the day had just begun. Both then gave themselves a full day of rest before reaching the library. They lived in a rural area outside the town, but the place was easily reachable on foot in a few hours. The next day, they met directly there.
♦️
The Library was set on a large square adorned with marble statues, fountains and columns. Often some carriages, pulled by sturdy horses, passed. Few times they had the pleasure of seeing in their areas. To divide the structure and the square there was a long staircase that led, those who climbed, in height of at least ten meters.
As soon as the door was opened, Herega felt a sensation of growing restlessness, which he had first experienced in front of the sinister figure. This time, however, this feeling guided him. It almost seemed to materialize in a long purple line, similar to the aura transmitted from the hole of the stomach of the entity. Following this trail, in total confusion, he found himself facing a shelf. A book in particular emanated It strongly.
«Herega, why did you move so quickly? Did you see something?»
If Herega was confused, Eavelin was even more so. Moreover, she did not seem to be able to perceive what had led the red-haired boy here.
He then took the book in his hand and showed it to the girl.
«Can't you feel the aura that emanates?»
«Hang on, Herega, what are you talking about?»
The turn of events was incredible for both of them. Could one really see the book and the other not? This was Herega's question, but he could not find an answer, so he put it in her hand on impulse. The young man had an instant loss of consciousness, which led him to close his eyes and open them a moment later. Now he saw Eavelin with the book in her hands, trying to understand what it was about.
«So now can you see it?» Herega asked increasingly confused.
«I had a strange feeling... As if it materialized in my hands. How come I never could see it before? Herega, what happened to you? Why did you see it? And how did you know where it was?»
Eavelin was incredulous of what was happening. And the fact that even the young man could not understand it did not make her feel well.
«I think it's due to the meeting with the entity. I felt the same feeling that time...»
Herega could not hide his terror. This was beyond the normal human comprehension, he had never witnessed supernatural events, and experiencing them first-hand, in such rapid succession, increased his fear. Eavelin understood this immediately, so he put the book on a table, and embraced the boy.
«Calm down. As long as we're together, nothing will happen to us.» She whispered in his ear.
Although they seemed obvious, those words were a great help to Herega. Eavelin's heavenly accent freed him from the chains of negative thoughts that held him. Her soft skin, which made contact with that of the boy, reassured him in his calm state. In a few seconds, he recovered almost completely from what had happened. So he grabbed the book and opened it to find out what it was.
«The first 260 pages seem to deal with sorcery, spells and magic but, if I scroll further, there is a completely different section, which opens with these words:
You who read may reach your fragmented soul.
This can be rebuilt if you want it with ardor.
Please reach the east island of Triosa, and the path will guide you.
The journey will be long and tumultuous, but if you have spirit, it will be enough.»
Although they were difficult to understand, those words were at least decipherable.
To rebuild his soul, as the figure had invited him, Herega would have to undertake a journey, arriving at the east island of Triosa.
«Is there an east island of Triosa? And should we get there?»
Eavelin was not concerned about herself. She would have easily given up her adoptive father in order to venture with Herega. But he was the problem. The mother and daughter had not yet managed to get over Hesle's disappearance, and although he did not spend much time with them, they would now have to lose a brother and son?
«Would you leave your mother and sister to go on this journey?»
He approached her, putting his hands on her shoulders. Their height only differed a few centimeters.
«Eve, I have already told you, and I will never tire of saying it. You are the only one I cannot give up. If you are convinced of it, then we will leave, otherwise I will stay here with you.» He said looking at her bright eyes. She hesitated for a moment, not because she didn't know what to say, but because she wanted to enjoy the situation for a few seconds.
«I want to.»