Winterfall

The Library of Forgotten Knowledge is one of those really old magical libraries built by one of our esteemed wizards many years ago, long before I was born. It is built like a labyrinth with many floors, secret passageways, hidden shelves, floating shelves, and other unique features. Some claim the library is even in another dimension, all on its own, as the world around you almost disappears as you step over the threshold of this library.

The library we were going to was one located in the middle of the kingdom. As this library would have different information .

I've only experienced this library a couple of times myself. Once with my father, when he took me to research magical abilities and their classifications, I remembered being worried that I wouldn't develop any magic as two hundred years had gone by and no luck.

My father and I sat in one of the darkest parts of the library with a stack of books knee high reading through the material about different abilities that have been recorded over centuries. I was more curious as to why I was a late bloomer with my magic abilities, as others, depending on race, could develop them as soon as they reached their teen years.

What we come to as it depends on the circumstances built up to the magic release. Something I experienced recently when Marcel staked his claim on my hand in marriage. Others had it easier.

They could just be minding their own business, and then poof…a flash of lightning and a bolt of fire there, and they got their powers. We also found beasts and creatures like Theo had it easier than non-methodical creatures as their bodies contained their unique system for magic.

One of my other experiences at this library was with my mother when she thought my behavior change was documented in texts. Thankfully, there was not too much research on bonds and such for her to develop any theories. There still isn't, as most are a mystery to outsiders who don't have one.

She only started looking at the library for answers as she was at a loss for words when I started talking to "myself," when the bond first formed, there was a lot of trial and error. Once we realized we could communicate silently through the bond, meaning I did not have to talk aloud when responding to Theo, my mother eased up with the "there's something wrong with my daughter..." act.

Anyways, enough on that. Back to the library. This would be the third time I visited this magical place. It has always left me speechless as the countless twists and turns of shelves, floating books, ghost books, and so many secrets were held here. The Wizard who founded this library pulled out all the bells and whistles.

The creepiest way I can describe this, and I do mean creepy, is the amount of knowledge stored here almost resembles the Wizard's memory log of countless things they have read and done over their lifespans. And yes, I say lifespans because, to this day, that Wizard is said to still be alive as he hides away somewhere hidden in the shadows. The library itself keeps up to date on current events and knowledge base.

I met Theo outside of the library as only those with special privileges can enter. Those like royals and nobles. You can be given access to the library by one who holds a special magical card that a beam of energy reads. All the guests have to do is follow the library rules.

The Library Rules:

Rule One: No books shall leave the library.

Rule Two: The Library will silence those who talk above a whisper.

Rule Three: You must leave when the library closes at 6:00 pm.

Rule Four: Only royals are permitted in the vaults

Rule Five: Magic use is limited. Basic spells ONLY

Rule Six: Any damage to the library will result in a FINE and PRISON

Rule Seven: No running.

Rule Eight: Damage to books is strictly prohibited. See Rule Six.

Rule Nine: No spoilers.

Rule Ten: Return books to their proper shelf.

The list of rules continued for a while, but they were more basic library rules. I looked over at Theo. “You're not going to cause me trouble, are you?” I teased. Theo had his card, as a few hundred years ago, my father declared him a noble.

He arched his eyebrow, "I'm going to be trouble? Are you sure I shouldn't be worried about you?"

“Nope,” We scanned our cards. The double dark wood doors opened, permitting us to enter the library. Stepping over the library's threshold, the scent of a musty vanilla hit my nostrils.

Entering the library was a bit of a hazard, as books flew from shelf to shelf as the library organized itself, gained information, and rewrote some information. Like I said, it was as if the Wizard was still alive—or perhaps the library itself.

An old, deep voice echoed through the library. Welcome Maria. Welcome, Théoden. How may the library be of service to you….hmm, interesting.

The library said as it reads our minds. Devil High lords….One in particular…Marcel Blackvale. The King of Summer Crest. And your future husband…Now, I do not have that in the cards.

I got chills as the library spoke out our thoughts. “It's okay…” Theo whispered to me

Is it Captain Theo? Will you even be able to protect our Princess from a master of mind manipulation?

Théoden was getting irritated, but he dared to raise his voice because the library would kick your ass out itself. "Enough." He whispered.

Hmm…The library's voice said, Not so tough now, are you? Can't break the library. Can't break the devil.

Théoden moved me to a corner table in the room, pulling out a chair for me to sit down, and he sat next to me. He was always a gentleman, but he never got the girl, the library's voice said with a cackle.

As we sat down, a few books flew to our table, turning pages on their own, flashing information before our eyes. Words that popped out to us as the pages turned on their own: “High Devil Lord.” “Manipulation.” “Master of Her.” “Slot Four.”

Slot four? I questioned Theo…as that piqued my interest.

The book turned back to that page as if it knew what I wanted. "Slot four out of Ten…" I whispered. The Ten devil high lords of the Nine Hells. Yes, ten, not just nine.

Each layer out of the hells got its own devil high lord. Its hierarchy determines who can outlast and outlive the previous successor. Most of these high lords have never seen a day without battle, and the other devils constantly fight them. I thought to him as I read the text.

Fourth level. Marcel Blackvale. Master of Her. As he stakes his claims in the prime material, he utilizes Her to defeat those threatening his title as High Devil Lord of the Fourth Layer of Hell. He has not been seen in his kingdom for years, and he relies on HER to do his bidding in Hell as he conquers the Prime Material Plane.

Do you think Her is Crimson? I asked Theo

And before he could answer Crimson, the library spoke as it opened a draconic book and turned to a page with a rather large and ancient-looking dragon depicted at the top of the page. The dragon itself was depicted as a ruby red, rough-scaled, and almost horrifying dragon.

Crimson…her egg was stolen from one of the layers of Hell: a layer of Hell stolen from - unknown. She was given as a gift to the fourth layer of Hell's high demon lord before she hatched.

Since then, she has been on the front line of many attempts to overthrow the fourth layer's devil lord. Her abilities are unique as they tie in both aspects of two High Devil Lords. Manipulation. Beauty. Tyrant. She is a threat to all. If approached…in her true form…chances of survival…Low….chances of defeating her….even lower.

I sighed softly….as I did not want to get thrown out due to sighing too loudly. I felt his hand on my leg, “It'll be alright…” Theo whispered. In turn, the library laughed.

Theo rolled his eyes, “Sometimes….” He didn't finish his thought as he did not want to insult the library. As one of the rules stated, you get tossed out if you insult the library. "Did you bring that necklace by chance?"

I nodded, produced the little black box, and slid it over to him. I put my head down, as what I was reading did not sit well with me.

“Hmm…” Theo thought as he held the necklace, examining it. As he touched the heart pendant, he spoke quietly and cast the spell Identify Magical Properties. “Blocked…” He said, scratching his forehead. “That's not good…” Usually, items did give an identification, but some magical items had properties that would block a caster from identifying them.

“Maybe…” Theo began as he switched his casting to a different spell that was called Detect Magical Properties - a spell used to gain information as to what magical school the magic of the item comes from. He hoped he would get some indication of what it was.

“Magical. But it's still not giving me any information.” He was disappointed with this revelation.

“Just put it back in the box. I'm not going to wear the dang thing.” I wanted to curse, but cursing in the library was against the library house rules, and you were kicked out.

“It'll be alright,” Maria. Theo whispered as he brushed my hair away from the side of my face. I knew he could sense the tears even if he couldn't see them.

He put the necklace back in the box with his other hand and slid it back to me. I reached and grabbed it with my hand and pulled it close to me. I rested my chin on the box and looked up at him.

“Even the library doesn't think we can defeat the pair.”

He thought momentarily, “these books get written as time passes, right?” He asked me. I nodded, “our future is yet to be set in stone. Things change. As time progresses, things change. As scary as it may seem, I am confident we will win.”

I smiled softly at him. He reached over and cleared any tears that fell from my eyes, “there you are my love…” he whispered in my ear, kissed it softly. He dared to do too much physical touch in this library, as, yes, you guessed it, sexual contact in the library is prohibited.

“Thank you…" I whispered…we stared briefly at each other before the library spoke again. She's to marry another…shame…you two make a cute couple. “Let's go?" I asked him.

"Yes, please.. this library…" he did not finish his sentence again, fearing being forced out.

Never finish your sentences around me, boy. Smart. You would have been forced out by now. The voice of the library spoke.

I put the box back in my bag of holding. As we stood up, we collected any remaining books that did not return and brought them to the front desk, where a very old-looking man stood. He snapped his fingers without saying a word, and the books disappeared. Before we left the library one more time.

Grimm…..dark…what lies ahead…mystery.