Finally, they reached a hollow place reminiscent of the Central Relay. Here one could find two archways leading to completely different places. One held a hallway much larger than the ones prior, and the other led towards a long bridge that ran over the heights of the Middle Sanctum.
Following the bridge would lead one to the Upper Sanctums. As for the hallway, which was decorated with only two distinct symbols, which were chiseled along the frame of the grand archway.
One was a pillar with the top half painted white, and the bottom half made from black stone. It resided in the center of the archway, hanging directly above. Sitting next to it was the symbol of a book and quill. It did not take a genius to be able to decode what they meant.
“Those represent the Advents stored in the Nexus, I’m guessing.” Frost said.
The Archivist immediately nodded.
“That’s right. The Advents are stored inside of the Middle Sanctums. The Eternal Library is just ahead, but…” Anna trailed off, unable to properly form her words as the triplets scrutinized the place.
Cer wagged her tail as she marched back and forth with folded arms. Ber sniffed out the place with her heightened senses, her tail swiping at the floor as her ears twitched at the slightest sounds. Res, as usual, remained firmly planted in place, using her greatest asset: her eyes.
“Never been here before because no one lets a band of random Moons just anywhere, but doesn’t security look a little too lax?” Cer pointed out. “Feels like anyone can just come in here and enter the Eternal Library.”
“I thought so too. Hey Galia! What’s stopping a rouge band of Moons or Stars slipping in and stealing books?” Ber backed her up. “For all we know Iscario could’ve sabotaged something!”
“Forgive me for saying this, but I have to agree with my sisters. This looks too easy to infiltrate. I’ve seen Offices with better security.” Res reluctantly admitted. “So what’s the catch?”
Indeed. The triplets knew that something was off, as did the others. Frost wondered if maybe there were weapon defense systems like the ones she saw along the walls of their old world. But that was quickly debunked as Galia lifted a finger towards the entrance.
“I believe that is an answer fit only for an Archetype.” Her finger then slowly moved towards Anna.
“I-It’s a bit weird, but after the non-Euclidean staircase I think should be easier to understand. Basically, that hallway is like an infinite maze. There’s enough dead ends and the same white walls to drive people mad.” She began as she took the initiative to lead the group.
Galia exchanged gazes with Anna as she passed by. It looked like Galia was going to remain behind, but somehow, the Archivist convinced her to come. No. Rather, Anna permitted her to follow.
It caused the Beholder to hum pleasantly.
They passed through the archway, following the Archivist closely as she continued to explain its mechanism.
“As an Archetype, I can prevent people from entering the Eternal Library and let them wander these halls indefinitely. Or I can let them find it. I can’t remember the last time some entered this way. Usually, people leave through it. Everyone I know so far has entered through my Invitation.”
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In short, Archetypes needed to invite or intend for a person to enter their Advent. In long distances, the Archivist could formally send out an invitation to her library, much like with what she did with Jury. It also fell into the same vein of the Blessing of the Nexus.
Could the Blessing of the Nexus work just like Anna’s Invitation? Were there limits? How far could she bestow the Blessing? The Archivist noted that it was a blend between her discretion and the Advent itself. It seemed that even with an Archetype in control, the Advent would work autonomously as if ran by a silent, sapient machine.
And speaking of machine…
“I feel a disturbance in here.” Nav tugged on her apparel right where her heart was. “Inside of the mechanical moans and jitters, I can feel something wriggle. Am I infected with a worm? Is there a disease that affects machines?”
“You are feeling what plagues Beholders when they’re in the proximity of a technology or Advent.” The Arbiter stated, waving a tail in front of Nav’s face as if to hypnotize her. “Essentially, it is the effects of the Genesis Stones. It may be the influence of the Eternal Library.”
“U-Um. Question!” Anna raised her hand like a student asking permission to speak with a teacher. “Genesis Stones are all white. But I’ve never seen anything like them in my Library.”
“They can shift forms. Like how the technologies of the Beholders aren’t solely pale. Take the Warped Stone for example. It takes on the appearance of a crystal.” The Arbiter explained before also dabbling into the purpose of the Dimensional Lock.
It aided in the defense of the Eternal Library, warding away the Librarians. In the distant past, the Eternal Library was subjected to raids despite being located within the Nexus. How they were able to enter was still enshrouded in mystery.
In a way, it was similar to how the Nexus could be infiltrated by non-Blessed; a truth that the Arbiter revealed as they passed through various, black-stained walls which were evidence of their influence.
“The Nexus has no opening or exit. It makes one ponder on how the first person entered this place.” They took one final turn as the Arbiter voice caused the black stains to retreat.
A hand gliding along the walls made them fizzle into nothingness, as if she were a living cure for the rot.
“There are many enemies with aspirations, dreams, and motivations. The Nexus and you, Frost, reside in the center of it all. Like a protagonist if this world were no more than a stage to tell a tale. It’s possible, but I dare to humiliate those that tend to believe that our existence can be defined by mere words.”
“I agree. Words can only convey what people themselves are capable of feeling. For a machine, those words have little meaning outside of showing me a skewed perspective.” Nav solemnly agreed as Frost brought a hand to hers. “It’s akin to looking at a garden through a black and white filter. Its colors were emotions, then I fail to properly differentiate them.”
Soon, they arrived at the colossal doors of the Eternal Library. A red carpet ran along the floors as the walls were slowly replaced with bookshelves. The white turned to a polished brown as the scent of mahogany pleasantly filled the air.
Their footsteps became silent as though to respect the silent rule of the Library. Anna plucked a book from the wall as they entered the great expanse of knowledge of worlds both here and beyond.
Anna gave this book to Nav.
And when she opened it, she was surprised to find that rather than words, there were pictures inside.
“As children, we slowly learned through experiences before we could learn how to read. Picture books were how I was taught about the world I lived in. But believe me, words can create entire, bright worlds. More than there are stars out there. They were what helped take me out of my dark clouds... I hope you can also learn to find comfort in them!” Anna was sweet beyond words, causing the group to immediately pamper her before the Arbiter swiftly claimed her for herself, holding her tight like a stuffed teddy bear.
Nav flicked through the book, her golden eyes reflecting a plethora of colors, becoming a rainbow before all went white. The book was incomplete. Inconclusive. And no matter how many pages she turned she could never close this book.
She flicked to the title and found that there was nothing written on it.
But this book carried a warmth… a power that resonated deeply with her. The Star Child suddenly held onto her other hand, staring up at her with those starry eyes as she drew a heart in the air.
However, Nav did not see a heart.
She saw a cardioid.
A mathematical shape that so happened to take on the form of a heart.
She then asked the Arbiter something.
“Why was I created?”