The librarian was a shorter girl with brown hair and a single green lock of hair. She wore thin, round eyeglasses and had a black uniform with emerald details.

Amon and I followed her through the palace, traversing the labyrinth of hallways and doors that might've been tempered with magic. After a short while, the kind girl opened a door bigger in size than the rest, showing us a library comparable to the one in Eclipsia, where I used to read about history with my mother.

She stops near one of the numerous walls of books spanning in rows that you can barely see the end of. "So, what topic are you interested in?"

I hesitate, but still decide to answer. "Dark forces of the Other Realms."

Her brows knit in apparent confusion, as her eyes dot back and forth between Amon and I. "I don't know about the 'Other Realms', but I know of a book or two that will surely contain it."

It was natural for her not to know of this term. I myself have never crossed it, and neither have Remy or Mr. Klay. Klay didn't know what they were, only that the answers would be hidden in the books referencing them. I wonder if Anul knows what that term means...

The librarian takes a ladder out, which she brings over to the far end of one of the rows, climbing the colossal wall of books to reach a few of the dusty unused ones.

Descending down the set ladder, she hands over the old books, blowing into them to get rid of the layer of dust settled atop. "I hope you find what you're looking for here. I wish you a good read," she says while walking back and vanishing from view.

Amon stares at me with a fearful glare. "You're not about to read all of that, right?"

Amon is a kid that's used to comic books and verbal stories that his parents or his grandpa use to tell him. I myself have been educated many times by my mother and mentors, but have read through countless sources that have been written in books and scrolls. From the tender age of 3, I learned how to read and understand what has been written. Just like understanding speech, learning how to read was a piece of cake that felt almost instinctual to me.

As both of us sat down at a table, I opened one of the books. The title didn't seem to hold any promise, and as I sank into the many pages holding different subtitles, I would realize the information inside was of no use.

Amon got bored after half an hour, deciding to look for available comics books. I took my eye for a second to scope out if he'll cause any trouble, which he didn't, thank whichever god that looks over us. I think Amon realized that a wrong move here could cost us our heads, so I'm not on edge about his manners.

The second book I picked up had a title worth opening. 'Forgotten Magic and Forbidden Rituals of the Old World.'

The Old World, before the giant change in our history happened, one which we have little record of. It is said that all of the kingdoms got renamed and remade, with Heaven and Hell being discovered to exist alongside the Overworld.

It sounds weird, as history books have sources that date back to the age of war between two of the most influential kingdoms—Somatia and Utopia—12 thousand years ago. Even then, Heaven and Hell were mentioned in some scrolls. Throughout the rest of history, there are countless mentions of these realms. Although not a direct claim of their existence was written, at least not until the New World.

It all sounds fishy to me for some reason, like something is being covered up concerning that story.

Whatever the case may be, I shook my head and dug into the book lying before me.

*Flip*

The first pages were crudely written, some of the ink used there splotched over the letters. There were demonic incantations and symbols, spells that cannot simply be taught in a school, even advanced ones like Obiwon. Although I learned some complex spells in Obiwon, it couldn't compare to these ritualistic formulas.

*Flip*

It seemed like Obiwon was only a starter course for this magic. I looked into dark magic while I was in Emperia, during the time before I visited the Secret Temple in this life. It interested me since Evy liked it and knew all about it. Just as I did my research on demons for Amon, I also dabbled in dark magic and what I could find on death magic.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

*Flip*

As I read through most of it with little diligence, a single phrase brought back my attention.

'As one draws the power of the venerable structures of ancient worlds, they bring forth an imbalance in energy between our world and the Other Realms.'

There we go, the Other Realms. Carefully analyzing each and every word, I soaked the information up like a sponge.

Flipping onto the most important page I've ever read in my life, I found the answers I needed.

After a short incantation, it was briefly explained what was possible with this ritual. Using what I can presume to be a version of dark magic, it was possible to utilize the 'dark forces' of the Other Realms, gifted by what the author refers to as 'the Ancestral Ones'. Whatever those beings are, they are described as outside of time and our reality. Could they be referring to the High Gods that Lucidel told me about? He mentioned these High Gods, but I never got the information I needed about them.

For the ritual, I needed someone that could execute this spell properly, which definitely wasn't me nor Amon. Although he is a demon, dark magic isn't something that is inherent to his kind.

Speaking of devils, Amon approached my desk in silence, holding a few comic books.

"Have you found what you're looking for?" he asks, throwing the already read comic books onto the table.

I nod my head. "I have someone in mind that might be able to help us."

His head jerked sideways, then back to me, but his eyes were looking at something above me. I turn in my seat, almost jumping and toppling the whole table over.

Standing behind me was Cidion, smiling from ear to ear. "Did I scare you?"

Damn it, I couldn't sense him. Amon did it before me, but was also clueless until almost the very end.

The white-haired Sword Saint lowers his gaze, looking at what I'm reading.

"Whatcha got there? Something interesting for sure."

I hover my hand over the book so he couldn't see what it contained. "Why do you ask?"

He walks over to the table's side, between Amon and I. "Well, you managed to ask his Greatness for a request. This does require balls to do, so it must be for a good reason."

There was no ill intent from this Sword Saint. His genuine smile wasn't a cover up, he was truly a warm and easy-going person. All the more reason to keep my distance. I cannot make ties right now, under any cost.

I sigh irritably, which Cidion takes the wrong way. "Am I bothering you that much, kid?" he asks as his smile fades slowly. "I'll leave you be, as I can see you've got work that can't be interrupted."

He starts walking away, deciding to leave just as quickly as he came here. I grit my teeth and clench my fists. "Wait."

He stops in his tracks, turning around with a face that doesn't hold any confusion, anger or judgment. I avoid his eye contact, inhaling audibly. "I need to find someone, which is why I'm researching dark magic," I finally admit.

He nods his head slightly in an understanding way. "I know people that might be able to help you with that homework."

I shake my head, still not meeting his eyes.

"No thanks. I already have someone in mind. She is someone most talented in the way of the dark arts, even if she's still young and growing."

Cidion nods his head again, listening to me as if my words could hold water. He lived through so many of my lifetimes and yet he still acknowledges my choices.

"I believe in your decisions, you seem like a rational guy. From the moment we met you radiated this maturity that is extremely unbefitting for a kid your age. It is as if you were an old man that inherited a child's body."

Amon has been silent throughout this conversation, observing us. He stood up, looking straight at me. "He is right, you sound like a grandpa. Now, tell me about this woman that knows dark magic."

A smile carves into my cheeks unknowingly as I reminisce about her and our friend, both of which are still in school.

"You'll see."

Cidion lowers his posture so his face is at the same height as me. "Could the youngest Sword Saint have a crush? Who is the lucky lady?" he says with a prying grin.

I shove his face back, almost making him fall backwards. "You're wrong. I don't harbor such feelings for her or anyone else. She is just a good friend, that's all."

A friend that I haven't met in this life, but someone that will be a key part in defeating the Dreamer. I gesture for Amon to follow me as I start exiting the library.

Cidion follows me, his usually clumsy footsteps now as silent as the night.

As he guides me through the hallways towards the outside, I start asking him questions.

"Were you nervous in front of Anul, or did I misread one of the strongest Sword Saints?" I tease.

He chuckles slightly, amusing my teasing.

"Of course I was. As I've already told you, the strength of Hands doesn't compare to us. Even if we're all enlightened, we are still mortals to them, at least the higher ranked ones."

"Where does Anul rank?" I ask, always piling all of the Hands in the same category of strength.

Cidion tilts his head and raises his eyebrows. "He's the second strongest, right after Gabriel."

My eyes start scanning the hallways, afraid to meet his Greatness eye to eye again.

Cidion laughs at my frantic movements.

"Don't worry, you won't bump into him in these hallways. He rarely leaves the throne room, and if he does, there are special hallways made for King Grey that Anul now uses."

Such special treatment. I don't think of it as unnecessary though. Anul is so powerful that anything abnormal should be taken for what it is. If he wished for the whole Holdanis to disappear, he could just wave his hand, and I'm sure it would be fulfilled.

As Cidion opened the first and second gates for us, we waved him off, tending to the journey towards our next stop.

Obiwon.