It was not long after Hermes had left that another visitor arrived at my library.

To say I was surprised by my second visitor would be a lie, as I try my best to always be scanning for more knowledge.

My newest visitor was a small creature, barely out of its adolescence. It was a bird. It flew through the opening of my doorway, that to it, appeared to be no more than a hole in a rather large tree. Now, I know what you must be thinking. You are wondering why my Tower now appears to be a tree? Well, simple answers for simple questions. I appear as that which other would appreciate and seek out. I may be a tree, a tower, a mountain, or a burrow. I still take up the same amount of space, but the perception others have of me is warped.

I learned this trick from a rather interesting species that created it as a means of natural defense. They would blend into any environment, capable of hunting just about anything. Unfortunately, they achieved sentience in the later years of their solar systems life cycles. Truly a miracle in and of itself. But, as with many others, they were not able to advance enough to escape the fate of their dying star.

Sad… yes, but they are remembered. Their culture, teachings, beginning and end. Just another reality that reinforces my choice in form.

The creature was interesting though. Its body covered in a modest plumage of white and gray. Its head slightly rounded with piercing eyes and a small beak (comparatively). Large wings that almost dwarf its main body.

Very impressive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [POV “Owl”] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As it entered it looked around in obvious confusion. Expecting to find a nice nook, it instead found a vast forest. A forest within a tree. How strange…

As it flew further into the forest, all around it were strange sounds, smells, and flashes of light. It could understand these things in a way it never thought to be able to understand anything. IT can speak to others of its kind, and hunt prey. But, never had it thought to be able to understand that which it did not know without being told by another. Here, the world seemed to be telling it stories. All around it, it could see and learn new things. It heard the story of the Great Hoo, who had lead his people from the felled forests. Across the empty earth, and finally to the Frozen Wood. He learned of the White death, that could hunt the hunters. An owl so large, so formidable, that it would hunt down wolves and bears alike. He also learned of other stranger things. Of the Peoples, the walkers, the talkers. He learned that there are many kinds of them, each thinking themselves unique…. Like his people thought themselves unique.

He learned of the Humans, with their frequently changing ideals, and their varied speeches. He learned of the Elves, their love of the world, and their hatred for anything they believe is not natural. He learned many things…

After what felt like years (was actually a few hours), he flew in search of the exit. The entrance to this strange land. He hooted out his fear and worry over being lost. With so many distractions all around him, he could not rely on his own senses. Everywhere he looked there were more stories. But looking between the stories and seeing the world was difficult.

As he hooted with increased panic, there was a sudden silence to the world around him. As if everything had dimmed, the world seemed to fall silent. Yet the surroundings were still clear as day.

Searching for the cause of this change, he looked around himself to find a strange owl behind him.

He had not heard its flight, nor could he smell anything from it. He hooted his question again in fear at this strange owl that was familiar yet at the same time unknown to it.

“What is this strange place? I cannot find my way home!” (Owl)

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The strange owl hooted an answer in a voice unlike any it had heard before. It could hear the youth of a child, with its inquisitiveness and its joy at everything. But it could also hear the age of experience and knowledge. As though the owl before it was no child, as though it was the oldest thing there was.

“This is the Forest of memory. Where all that has been learned, is remembered.” (Unknown)

“The exit is just behind you, all you need to do is want to leave.” (Unknown)

Shocked by these statements, I took a moment to collect my thoughts.

“I have been trying to find the exit for hours, I have looked all around myself! This forest is endless!” (Owl)

Suddenly the strange owl looked amused. In a childlike manner, it said.

“Have you now? You have only been here for a few hours. Are you sure you are looking for an exit, and not more stories?” (Unknown)

“Try this, imagine your home. Imagine your family, your friends, the prey you hope to hunt. Then think of going to that feeling, that place, and hold onto it.” (Unknown)

I did as was suggested, concentrating with all my might. When I opened my eyes to see I was still here I opened my mouth to complain, but the strange owl spoke again before I could.

“Now look behind you” (Unknown)

As I did so I saw a tree with nook in it much like the one I had used to enter this place. Through the hole, I could see where I came from.

Before I left, and without looking away from my way home I asked the strange owl.

“Will I ever be able to find this place again?” (Owl)

I could hear the amusement in its voice as it answered my question.

“Of course, I do not intend to leave anytime soon.” (Unknown)

“Who are you, and I was asking about the forest.” (Owl)

“But, I am the forest.” (Unknown)

Feeling an intense shiver go down my back at the words. I fly off, through the hole in the tree. Intent on returning home. Eager to tell my story, and those which I had learned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [POV “Library?”] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the small owl flew away, I could sense another being headed in my direction.

Unfortunately, it was another god.

This one stormed through the doors of the tower. Immediately stopping like all others. It was surrounded by stacks of books, but seemed more interested in finding something, or someone.

As the god rounded its twelfth stack of books it seemed to become enraged. Shouting at the empty air.

“COME OUT! I know you are here, whoever you are! This world is mine! If you do not come out I will destroy this place with you in it!” (Zeus… of course…)

“That would not be wise. Especially since you do not have the power to do such a thing. But, should you try. I would be very upset.” (Unknown)

Hearing my voice, he spins to face me. Momentarily stunned by my appearance. Which is that of an old man, in long robes. Wearing a pair of round wireframe glasses with a pair of white gloves.

“Hah! So, you show yourself! Good, this place may stay. But it is mine now, you will leave this world before I destroy you!” (Zeus)

~Sigh~ “Well… Seeing as you did not listen before. I will say it one more time. You have no power over me. You cannot threaten me. It would be best if you either calm down, or you leave.” (Unknown)

“How Dare You! I am Zeus, King of the Gods! Lord of this World!” (Zeus)

Looking at Zeus blankly for a moment. I respond in a dry voice. Already tired of the idiocy of this conversation.

“I know you are Zeus... I also know you are not lord of this world. Just one among the many gods who like to tamper with it.” (Unknown)

“Also, King of the Gods? Really? What would An or Nammu have to say about that? Or perhaps El, Viracocha, Brahma, or Ra. There are many gods who proclaim themselves king. Or that have created worlds, some even creating entire realities. So please… do not be so full of yourself.” (Unknown)

Shock clearly evident on his face. Zeus’ eyes quickly darted about. Finally, he lifted his hand and fired a rather large bolt of plasma (lightning) at me. Which I did not bother to dodge. As the energy collided with me. It became my own. And vanished from sight.

Not understanding what had happened, Zeus fire off a few more shots before stopping.

Looking at me questioningly he finally blurted out.

“What was that! How did you do that!” (Zeus)

“Well… that was you attacking me. That was also me not being affected by that attack. Also, this is the response to your attack.” (unknown)

Without warning, Zeus found himself in a room surround by memories. The memories of those he had hurt, those he had wronged, those he had violated, those he had killed. He attempted to transport himself out of this place, only to find he could not. He tried to stop the images, the thoughts of those he had wronged, to close his eyes. But was unable to, nothing seemed to even slow them.

After what felt like an eternity, and what was not even a fraction of the memories. He found himself standing next to the entrance. Shaking, and seemingly not entirely aware of his surroundings he turned to me and said in a quiet voice.

“what was that. where did you get those memories? what is this place.” (Zeus)

“Those were the memories of those you had wronged. Some of them at least. I did not feel the need to subject you to the entirety of them. I got them from those that experienced it firsthand. Also, it’s about time. This is the Library. It is a place of remembrance and knowledge.” (Unknown)

Almost before I could finish speaking he was already out the doors and moving away at incredible speed (for him). I do not know if what he learned here will help him. But, hopefully it will have some kind of positive effect.

You may be asking why I would let him leave. Why not imprison him, why not kill him for all he has done wrong.

Everyone has different views, different feelings about things. If you had lived his life. You would have done the same. I have long since learned that no one can judge another. It is an impossibility. You can impose your will on them. But judgement comes from within, not without. Only by understanding the entirety of ones’ actions can they even begin to make a decision about what they have done. Everything else is just actions based of previous experiences. No one has control over that.

The most that could be done. Would be to remember what was done, why it was done, and hope that the memory would be a deterrent until such time as those actions are needed again, or should they need be avoided.