What an unsatisfying story.

Those were his feelings summed up when Gus had finished reading it. And on top of that, the characters were so boring Gus couldn’t even remember their names. It was like his own mind wanted to filter out the information, which was weird because ever since he first awoke and lost his human memories, Gus never had a time where he forgot again.

Let me reread it, surely this was just a fluke.

Yet even after rereading some pages, Gus still couldn't remember the names of the characters or their descriptions. In fact, Gus couldn’t even remember most of the details in the book.

This is strange, too strange in fact. How can I pass the next test if I can’t remember anything in this book?

Gus was left puzzled. Never in any of the other books had this ever happened to him. It was always a picture-perfect memorization, down to the minute letter. But this time, Gus could only remember the general premise of the story, which greatly infuriated him. In an attempt to learn the plot, Gus repeated a summary of the book to himself to remember.

Focusing on a human as a main character, the man became a hero who wielded light to save humanity from calamities that came from other planets. Banding with allies, they challenged enemies such as –

Wait, is that it? Is that seriously all I can remember?

Gus closed the book, frightened by the gap in his memory from when he began reading the book to its ending, disappearing as if it never occurred.

*Finished < :) > *

Finished? Syuna, what was up with that last book? I can’t seem to remember its contents.

*Good < . > *

What do you mean by good? I thought you wanted me to learn this book?

A silence lingered from Gus’s question, a sign that Syuna did not want to answer it. Gus felt his heart drop from the response, feeling betrayed that Syuna keeps him dark like this, despite claiming to want to teach him.

*Rest < . > *

And so with that answer, Gus had no choice but to give up and went to prepare for his daily routine of slumber. Now why does a Golem, a being that has no organs like a brain, require sleep in the first place? To answer, it would be best to say there are a multitude of reasons for such behavior, most mainly centered around Gus’s desire to connect with his lost humanity. Every night, Gus dreams either one of seven lucid dreams, consisting of obscure imagery that Gus still hasn’t fully comprehended. And how could he? One night, Gus would dream of an empty hospital bed in a gray building devoid of interior. Gus’s only guess is that the bed could have belonged to him, but then why does he remember it from a third-person perspective, one from a shorter perspective looking up? Most likely caused by his still healing and fragmented memories, Gus could not manage to come up with other dreams than these, so instead he spends each part of his day trying to learn from each dream that could give him a connection to his past.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

But even then, Gus could not find the answers he truly wanted.

Syuna, why did you make me a Golem? If I was human once before, why did you choose me to become this? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything you have done for me but it's just…so lonely being alone in this library. I want something more.

*I’m < _ > *

*Sorry < . > *

*But < , > *

*Cannot < _ > *

*Tell < . > *

The oculus that remained open in the center of the ceiling let out a ray of golden light into the library, signifying that the day had come to the library. But to Gus, this means that life has gone quiet, for Syuna like all other stars seeps back into the curtains of space as Earth’s original Sun makes a return. All he would do was go to bed again, unsure of his purpose.

*Goodnight < . > *

And then there was silence. Gus lay down in his makeshift bed, his stone body creaking as it balled up in a square. Gus would say the bed was moderately comfortable, but his body made of stone didn’t feel the same discomfort that a body made of flesh would feel, so he couldn’t exactly compare. As Gus closed his eyes and forced a feeling of fatigue to put himself to sleep, he remained with only one thought in his head before going to bed.

How did that book Havory start again?

***

A metropolitan city covered with skyscrapers that stretched into the clouds like giant beanstalks. Gus found himself in his third dream of seven, the city dream. Surrounding Gus, the silhouettes of humans walked around him busily. Too blurry to recognize individualized features, Gus could only point out weird individual habits some of the figures do, such as putting one’s hand on their ear while holding a block.

Gus always had mixed opinions about this dream, as while it was true that he felt most connected to other humans while in the city, he couldn’t help feeling tiny in the grand bustling world that was this megalopolis. And that noise, dear god was it loud! Coming from a congestion of cars stuck in this thing called “Traffic”, the loud honking was nauseating to Gus who had spent most of his days cooped up in a silent library. What angers the riders of these metal beasts so much to let out these constant roars of frustration and annoyance? Gus wished he could interact with this alien world more, but every time he tried pulling over one of the speed-walking shadowy human figures, he found that they would pass through him like ghosts.

Maybe I shouldn’t write off that theory yet about me being dead.

Billboards, skyscrapers, busy people, buildings, cars, trucks, smoke, more people, manholes, trash, even more, busy people, dogs, cats, rats, and everlasting busy people. Why oh why are all these people so busy? What could keep them running for so long, from one place to another? Was it joy? Duty? Or was it just for a chance of meager living described sometimes those depressive books Gus once touched upon in the library? If only. If only Gus could ask one of these human specters this question. No.

If only I could talk to just one other human.

Thud.

What was that?

Klank.

Syuna?

No response came. Curiosity growing, Gus forced himself awake to see what caused such noises while he slept.

“Hey… watch out,” an unfamiliar voice let out, one not through telepathy.

“It’s getting up!” A different voice shrieked.

What on earth…

Opening his eyes, Gus was blinded by the bright sunshine that was still infiltrating the oculus. But even then, Gus could still recognize the silhouettes in front of him. Standing in the same form as those specters from his dream, the silhouettes became clear and visible as Gus adjusted to the light. And it was then that Gus realized what occurred.

Humans had infiltrated the library.