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Malum

Part 8

By: Razial Drakken

Thamas and Gen stared, looking for the portal that no longer existed. The place was dark, with the only illumination coming from the skylight far above their heads. Thamas could not tell how high the ceiling was, but the light was enough for them to walk. The place smelled musky, causing Thamas’ nose to recoil, but underneath that, Thamas smelt the familiar scent of paper. As Thamas looked, tall shelves were loaded with books of different sizes throughout the place. The sight was all too familiar as Thamas had spent many hours studying in the same place at Yale.

“Where are we?” Gen asked as Thamas touched one of the books, causing a flash of bright blue light and blinding them momentarily. When they looked back, witch lights illuminated the entire space, revealing a massive tower with thousands upon thousands of books lining the walls and shelves, all glowing with a faint aura of different types. Thamas looked up and saw the ceiling far above them.

“It looks like we’re in a library of some sort,” Thamas said as Gen gasped behind him. Thamas turned around and found Gen looking at a plaque on the wall.

“Human, we’re not just in any library. Mika was wise to send us here. Do you have any idea what this place is?” Gen said as Thamas shook his head.

“Don’t be thick! Think! You’re a mage in need of training, and where does one go if they need training?” Gen asked.

“To school… Are we in a school?” Thamas asked.

“Yes, and no. The school here is long gone, but the power of the primary races protects this library. No one can break it, not even Rysirix.” Gen said as comprehension spread across Thamas’ face.

“So, the books I will need are in here somewhere?” Thamas asked, looking at all the books and hoping desperately he would not be stuck here for years looking for these books. He liked to study, but this was on another level.

“Actually, the book you need is basic-level magic control. Mages typically develop their own powers along the way. At least, that is what I have observed,” Gen said as Thamas shot him a look.

“And how many mages have you observed?” Thamas asked as Gen grinned.

“About two or three.”

“Great! Well, I guess we better start looking. I think we should split up to cover more ground,” Thamas said as Gen eyed him for a minute.

“That is the first intelligent thing you’ve said on this entire trip, human,” Gen said with a laugh.

“All right, don’t be an ass,” Thamas said as Gen laughed and walked away.

Thamas shook his head and walked in the opposite direction. As he walked, the once-cold room warmed to a pleasant temperature, and Thamas was elated to find himself in a library again. Even this one far from home, Thamas felt at ease, but he was always a bookworm. As a child, while other kids would be outside playing games, Thamas would be inside reading and dreaming of faraway places. Unfortunately, this led other kids to bully Thamas relentlessly. As a result, he studied martial arts most of his life and has defended himself on many occasions.

Thamas turned a corner and found himself in a peculiar library section. Though the air felt warm, the cold energy chill flowed towards Thamas like a wave. Thamas started to turn away when a book illuminated and entranced him. The language changed to English as the book read Chaos: A Natural Guide on the cover. Thamas felt the enormous pull, as if hooked by chains, and slowly dragged back towards the book.

Suddenly, the book lanced out its power and hit Thamas with a blast of energy. Thamas flew back and crashed to the floor, gasping for breath and withstanding the searing pain. Slowly, Thamas got to his feet and looked down to see an emblem of chaos with arrows pointing in different directions glowing on his shirt before fading from view. No other marks were visible as Thamas took stock of everything. He looked back at the place where the book was and could no longer feel the cold wave emanating from it.

“What the hell was that?” Thamas asked as he looked around and saw a faint golden light in the distance. As he came close, he could hear something similar to an angelic choir singing faintly. Thamas looked at the golden light and noticed it was a book entitled The Mage’s Arcana. He slowly took the book from the shelf and felt a rush of warm air flow through his soul.

“This might actually help. I have to show Gen,” Thamas said as he walked back toward Gen. As Thamas neared a row of books, he heard the slight hiccup of someone crying on the other side of the bookcase. He slowly came around the corner to find Gen sitting on the floor and sobbing softly into his hands as a book laid out next to him.

Thamas slowly sat on the floor next to him and picked up the book. The page showed a Kobold family spending time together and eating around a table. Thamas slowly put a hand on Gen’s shoulder, who shuddered but did not pull away.

“You must think me weak. I lived for many centuries, and not a day goes by when I do not miss them. They were my whole world, my whole life. But because of the stupid primates and humans like you, my family was killed in front of me. I…I couldn’t save them…I couldn’t save anyone. I was a leader. I was a king, and I failed. We did not ask to be dream walkers, but the five primary races handed that task to us, and we understood our role,” Gen shuddered as he looked up at Thamas.

“I spent my whole life hating primates, but you come along and wreck all my perceptions. That fucking Ryax, this is all his fault,” Gen said as he seethed angrily.

“I’m sorry. Speaking honestly, we humans are pretty awful to each other. We are capable of incredible acts of cruelty, but someday, I hope you find that not all humans are like that,” Thamas said as they sat on the floor for a long time before anyone spoke.

“As I said, human. You have wrecked my perceptions. I wanted to hate you, but I cannot. I might be old, but my observational skills are still intact. Anyway, what’s that?” Gen said as he pointed out the book in Thamas’ hand.

“Oh, this? The book cover said The Mage’s Arcana. I thought it might be useful,” Thamas said as Gen snatched it from his hands.

“Oh, yes, this will be useful. Typically, when a Mage creates a spell, it gets recorded in this book. Do you realize what you found? It can teach you every spell you need to be a powerful mage. But first…” Gen hands Thamas another book. “I found the book for controlling mage powers. I would start with that before learning any of these spells,” Gen said as Thamas looked indignant but understood.

Suddenly, they heard a voice from the library’s far side. “Ah, the library of King Yarq! So many fond memories.”

Thamas and Gen looked up to see Rysirix standing there, backed by a squad of soldiers.

“Tell me. Did Mika think that sending you here would save you from me?” Rysirix said as Thamas took a good look at him and did a double-take. The necromancer looked exactly like Ryax, with dark purple scales as the only distinction.

“What’s the matter, human? Do I appear familiar? It appears Ryax failed to tell you. I am his twin brother. Now witness the full extent of my powers!” Rysirix said.

To be continued...