The train station was busy. Ethan dragged his feet, his apprehension apparent. Ethan paid for three return tickets, and they sat in the last train car. Ethan closed his eyes, regulating his breathing. He didn't want to faint from lack of oxygen. Wendy and Lucy looked at the big man with pity.
The train moved, and he gave a soft grunt and fainted, his head falling forward. Wendy and Lucy looked at each other, not knowing what to do. The trip took over an hour, and they sat as people stared at them.
The train stopped, and Ethan lifted his head, looking around. They walked onto the platform silently, not wanting to bring up the incident. Ethan sighed with relief as they left the train station.
The city was busy. Vehicles and people filled the streets, and people shoved past at a fast walk. Everyone seemed to be late for some reason. The library came into view as they walked around a corner, a tall building that seemed to reach for the sky. Ethan could see a massive island floating far above the city, looking like a speck to the naked eye. He used his binoculars to see into the distance.
The island was enormous. They were intrigued by the colossal backpack. His sword and long bow were strapped to the bag with two full quivers of arrows of unknown material. They looked on as Ethan pulled out clean clothes for himself and clean undergarments for Wendy. Wendy and Lucy gave him a strange look as he placed the binoculars back in his backpack.
Ethan stuffed the undergarments and clothing back into the bag. He looked sheepishly at the two girls, their eyes searching the ground. The library entrance was busy with people coming and going.
The library was built from massive stone blocks and looked four stories high. It had a hedge round about it and flower beds that everyone respectfully didn't trample. People strolled on the walkways; some would stop and admire the flowers and trees.
"Hail, let us continue inside this place. It gives me a bad feeling."
Lucy rubbed her arms, goosebumps on her skin, and she shivered.
"Squee, this place makes me want to run for my life."
Ethan looked at the two. Wendy's eyes gleamed, and she was energetic. Lucy was holding his sleeve, peeking around him at the doors, her ears downcast. They were opposites: Wendy was reckless, and Lucy was fearful and cautious.
Ethan smiled up at the clouds that drifted past. It would rain soon. Ethan wondered if they would have books on cooking inside. He would have to learn about this realm's ingredients. He looked to the two who held on to him, and they gave the library ominous looks. Ethan did not think Wendy would be hesitant to go inside. He looked at the gargoyle statutes above the big doors.
The guards to the side of the doors on their uniforms did not look friendly. They must have had a rough day watching all these people come and go. It would wear down the most loyal guard. Ethan grinned as he thought of all the delicacies this world might offer.
"Squee, maybe we should leave this letter for someone else to deliver. Something is wrong with this place."
"Hail, Ethan, this place gives me a bad feeling, as if there are monsters inside. Keeping that many books in one place will only bring trouble."
Lucy looked around suspiciously, and Wendy looked up at Ethan, her eyes pleading with him. Ethan had never seen a library before, so why would the girls be reluctant to enter? He wondered if something else was causing this reluctance.
A thought came into his mind: It could be sorcery, and if that were the case, he would need to investigate. Might it be the Skinwalker? Is he hiding in the library? He could feel something pulling him towards the library, which he must investigate. Ethan had thought about the assassination of one of the emperors. He was racking his brain to see who would benefit from his death.
There would be a selection trial coming up soon. Who would compete, and who would have the support of the races in the Divine Nexus?
Ethan was never part of the political scene. He preferred to stay in the forest hunting monsters and feeding the orphans. How did they communicate with the culprits through the closed veil? Was it possible to communicate between realms?
Ethan knew portals could be opened, but that took a lot of people and spiritual energy. It would be a massive operation that could not be hidden from the people.
Ethan looked at the letter, and it was an urgent delivery.
What could it be?
Did something happen, or might a deeper plot develop in the city?
The fact that the detective wanted adventurers to help him meant it was something that his officers could not accomplish.
Ethan started walking down the path to the library entrance. Wendy and Lucy reluctantly walked with him. They gave him stares that said, please be careful in there.
Ethan spoke to Sophia in his mind.
"Alas, Sophia, do you have any advice for me? This library could be dangerous. What would you suggest?
"Alas, Ethan, you cannot read. This place will not affect you. Wendy and Lucy might be affected."
Ethan stopped. He did not want to put his new friends in danger. What should he do if they left and asked Grace to choose somebody else for this quest?
Ethan heard a giggling sound in his mind, as if a few women were giggling for some reason.
Sophia spoke, her voice playful, and the laughing in the background fell silent.
"Alas, they might become more intelligent. You should see they do not pick up smut to read, which would affect you badly."
Ethan felt his neck become stiff as they approached the guards. What type of place is this library? The fact that it could affect his friends made him reluctant to walk forward.
Ethan started walking again and had to ensure they did not read this smut Sophia had discussed.
They entered, and the guards gave them a grunt as they looked at them.