LEYAH VI

“My Madame, please wait!”

“Is, something the matter, Emma?” She questioned with a sigh.

Emma, Emma was a good girl and a great maid, besides that. However, she was, a tad bit overwhelming; not that, Leyah took offense to such acts, not at all, they were caused by a deeply set loyalty and devotion, afterall. Yet they were, at times, tiring and, at the rarest of times, irritating.

Nevertheless, she ensured to keep an open mind around the overwhelming woman. Her parents would, no doubt, disapprove. But, they were not here and, even if they were, she would be unlikely to heed them; Emma was her only friend, or at least as much a maid and her lady could be, in this place.

Emma ran up to her side, breathing heavily, a side effect of running with the claustrophobic uniform that covered her. She took a moment and not a single second more, Leyah did not count but she was sure of it, and spoke, “Si, Mi señora!..” Emma blushed in embarrassment, clearing her throat lightly, she spoke, “I mean, yes, My Lady. There, is a slight matter,”

Leyah inwardly giggled at her slipup, Emma was a Brabantian through and through. She spoke, “Oh? Is that so? And, what might, this matter be?”

“I reckon, it's quite important, my Madame, or at least, I think so. You see, there.. there's been,”

“Yes?”

“The guards, my Madame, they've been spotting all sorts of individuals ‘round the premises,”

Leyah paused, freezing in her place. Individuals? Premises?

Emma paused at her side, aloof to her Lady’s inner panic, “They've been talking about it, you see, everyday, everynight, it's been the talk of the staff. It's not, everyday,” She chuckled sheepishly, “that they get to see, such curious stuff. They think, those individuals are from the inquistiv.. inquiry.. no, Inquisition?”

Leyah nodded reflexively, her mind lost in its own world, Emma's words floating through the air like a nerve gas, adding to her turmoil.

“They, well, we all, except me that is!, you know, I would never betray your trust, in such a manner, it is against-”

“Against, your very training, yes, I know that, my dear Emma. But, what I, really wish to know, is why they suspect the Inquisition?”

“I am unsure, my Lady, they do not speak much about their reasoning, for such. But,” Her voice, went down an octave as she whispered, “The guards, they said, it's not the first time that they've seen such a sight,”

Leyah nodded, awkwardly, unsure of how to interpret her words. Not the first time? That would mean, the guards have seen the Inquisition scouting the area, before. Were, they the ones who tipped off the Inquisition? Unlikely, they wouldn't- couldn't have known of the book, 'ANCHOR' had been locked up in the deepest bowels of the library.

It was simple common sense.

Yet, it was not impossible. Unlikely, but never, impossible.

She needed time, to think, to mull over these turbulent thoughts, to ponder upon her predicament. And, perhaps, even weigh the pro's and con’s of requesting a security detail for the library. She- No, the library was in need of one.

She waved off Emma, dismissing her. With a deep curtsey and a quietly spoken ‘my Lady’, the woman took her leave.

She watched her maid walk off, deeper, into the premises. She waited until Emma’s luscious brown locks had disappeared, that she finally started walking, herself.

It's not, the first time, that they've seen them.

Emma's words played endlessly, in her mind. Like a broken record, her mind clung on to these words, seeking some answer from it, that she, herself, could not see. She knew this, yet, her mind could not– would not, let it go.

It's not, the first time.

If, it was the Inquisition, then, it would mean that she's fucked. There was, no other way to put it. She was, plain and simply, fucked. Alongside it, she was, in a cesspit.

It's not, the first time, that they've seen such a sight, my Lady.

If, it was them, if the Goddess’ mercy on her had truly run out, then, it would mean that she was a suspect. It would mean, that they never believed her lies. It would mean, that their visit, was naught but an act. It would mean, someone other than her, knew of the book.

It would mean, that her death, was certain.

And, nothing could change that. Not even, Fredrick, not even her parents.

She was, unsure, of what scared her more. The fact, that she was all alone? Or, the fact, that she would die. Maybe, it was none of them, maybe, it was simply that she would disappear without ever knowing, who sold her out. Equally terrifying, all of them.

It's not, the first time, they said so, my Madame–

She shook her head, an action that made her wince. A headache, was already forming, pounding away at her mental stability.

She grimaced, as she walked towards her room, perhaps, a dose of some meds was in order. Wunderbar. Nothing, feels like a medicine before a good sleep. Oh, what a joy. Truly.

Leyah popped the cylinder open, swallowed the medicine, and laid down; entirely unbothered by her throat wishing for water to help swallow the medicine, entirely unbothered by the eventual crumpled state of her dress.

She couldn't be bothered, she needed to sleep. Her head was pounding far too much, for her to care of inconsequentialities such as these.

It's not, the first time, they said so, my Madame

Even, as she drifted into a deep slumber, her mind clung on to the words of her maid. Words, that Emma had never suspected to even affect her mistress in such a manner, and perhaps never will.

Under the influence of her medicine, she failed to notice the power outage and the following events that unfolded, subsequently.

____________________________________________

It was, never the first time, Madame! It, never could've been, and you know this, my Madame, surely, you know this.

Her ears were ringing.

Leyah's eyes fluttered open. She groaned into her pillow, only to immediately recoil. The pillow was drenched in sweat. Rubbing her face with her hand, she got up from the bed, uncomfortable from her damp sheets.

Her hand, by instinct, reached out to her side table, only to be disappointed. She had forgotten her glass. Splendid.

The ringing in her ear, subsided, though it remained steadfast. It was grating, chipping away at her. She wanted it, to go away.

A glass of water, would have done the trick, no doubt.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

She shook her head, realizing the pointlessness of it. Rubbing her bleary eyes, she stretched, sighing in satisfaction when she heard a few pops. As the fog of drowsiness receded, her mind caught up with her, only to pause in confusion.

A snap of her fingers. Another, followed by another, this one, deliberately slow; still nothing. Curious. She tried once more, the darkness remained. Wunderbar. The bloody lights were malfunctioning.

Guided by the light of the crescent peering down through the clouds, her only source of light, she located the small holographic terminal in the room. With the press of a few buttons, the lights turned on.

Only, to dim and turn dark red. A beep from the terminal, distracted her from the unusual lighting.

“Fuck.”

The words, WARNING: Lockdown in Progress, might have well been the heralds of death itself, such was her fear.

A lockdown would mean, a break in. A break in would mean, Inquisition. Inquisition would mean, death.

A more logical, or rather optimistic, part of her, argued that it was not the Inquisition’s way, to kill so callously. It would mean bad reputation. Bad reputation was something, that they could hardly afford. It argued, that perhaps, it was just simple opportunists.

However sound the arguments, it did not make a difference to her. There were, no opportunists here, except the Inquisition. She had, foolishly, lied to their face. Now, she would pay the price.

It's not, the first time, they said so, my Madame

Emma's words replayed in her mind. No doubt, the Inquisition had been scouting her, observing her, from the beginning. Getting a lay of the land, before striking, before devouring her, like a hunter does to a prey.

And, she had played right into their hands.

Perhaps, mayhaps, if she had not lied to them. If she had been truthful. Then and only then, maybe, they would have spared her. Maybe, it was not quite late, just yet. Maybe, she could still-

No!, she shook her head in revulsion. There was, only one way. She walked, hurriedly, towards her bedside table and with trembling hands, picked up her pistol. A 10 bullet revolver, or as it was commonly called ‘Lilac’s Hammer’, it was simple but effective. A single bullet, was all it needed to kill an individual. Goddess bless, nerve toxins. She giggled at her lame attempt at humor, even as her hands continued to ceaselessly tremble.

She sat herself down, directly opposite to the door. Was it foolish? Absolutely, all her military instincts were screaming at her to seek cover, a proper one. But, her body refused to comply. It would've been infinitely curious to her, were she not, in a matter of life and death. Were, she not about to die–

“Greetings, Custodian!”

Bang!

“Oh, curious, infinitely curious. It seems, mankind refuses to interact with tact and basic manners of social maneuvering. Or, maybe, it is your barbaric military ways, preventing you from learning such basic lessons of life and society. Or, mayhaps, it is–”

“C'est quoi ce bordel!,” Leyah shrieked in shock, her heart pounding madly against her ribs. Retreating back into a corner of the room, the farthest from the terminal, she pointed her gun at it. It would do nothing but ruin her wall, yes, but it soothed her mind.

“Intriguing. Are you, perhaps, unaware of my existence? Entirely unaware?”

“Qui! Putain d'enfer! Now, bloody tell me,” She pointedly ignored his reproaching comment of ‘language’ and continued, “What in the Goddess's name, are you?!”

“Are you aware, that I am, in fact, a corporeal entity? Your attempt at intimidation, by pointing the weapon towards my voice, will not achieve anything. Or, as Evelyn would put it, it won't do shit,”

Leyah felt a burst of bravery, likely fueled by her adrenaline, and stood up. Striding, towards the terminal, she spoke, “You've got a bloody wit, I'll give ya that. But.. but, I don't give a shit, about whoever this fucking Evelyn is, or what she would say. No. I will, ask this, once and only once, who are you?”

“I am–”

“Actually,” She interrupted as she stood a step away from the terminal, “What's stopping me from breaking that terminal, eh? What's stopping me, from just ejecting you?”

“A lot. A lot is stopping you, otherwise, you would have done it, already. You haven't, yet, and thus, I know, you shall not do it. Your innate curiosity, prevents you. Who am I? What am I? Why am I? These questions plague you, do they not?”

She chewed her lip, annoyed yet intrigued, the thing was spot on. She wanted to eliminate the terminal, and move on. But, a greater part of her, wished the opposite.

“That, does not answer my question,” She spoke, after a few moments of an oppressive silence.

The voice remained silent, for a few seconds, before speaking, “Hmm, curious,” It paused before continuing, almost instantaneously, likely to prevent her from questioning it, “Indeed, it does not. I am AURORA, the library's AI and knowledge repository of everything and anything, ranging from the very beginning of life to this very moment, all are mine to know, to analyze, to learn, but most importantly, to teach,”

AURORA was an AI? That.. that was surprising. Although, looking back on it, it was rather obvious. A knowledge repository, wouldn't be regarded, as a teacher for the royal family. The very idea of a teacher, implies the existence of an entity, a living-sentient entity.

AURORA spoke, it's voice suddenly relaying concern, “Are you, quite alright, Custodian?”

Leyah nodded, “Qui.. uh, I mean, yes, yes, I am. It's just…just a bit confusing, is all,”

“Confusing? I am afraid, I do not understand,”

“You chose an awkward time, to reach out-”

“Ah yes, the opportunists. You should, no longer worry of them, they have, already, been dealt with,”

“Oh, that rapidly?”

“Not, precisely rapidly, but quickly, yes. It was, afterall, not the first time.”

It was not, the first time, they said so, my Madame

Leyah's hand clenched around the revolver, AURORA’s words mirroring Emma's, far too hauntingly, for her taste. She nodded in understanding, lost in her thoughts. If the turbulent state of her mind was visible on her countenance, then AURORA did not bother pointing it out; Preferring to give her time.

“Why?”

AURORA hummed in curiosity at her question. She elaborated, “Why reach out? Why now?”

“Partly, because, I had been planning on reaching out. And, partly, because your neural implants detected a dangerous rise in your heartbeat and shortness in breath. The beginnings, of a panic attack, if I am correct. Thus, it was an opportune time to communicate with you,”

Leyah nodded. It was, like killing two birds with one stone. He would, reap goodwill and establish a relationship with her, simultaneously. She would have applauded him, for it, had the bloody AI not given her a heart attack.

A soft beep, captured her attention. The terminal’s display had turned off, it's base, which usually glowed blue while projecting the display, now lit up with a soft breathing purple.

“Kindly, place your hand, over the conduit,”

“No,”

“It is necessary, Custodian,”

“Still no,”

“It is necessary, lest, you wish to suffer from a cardiac arrest,”

“Bullshit,”

AURORA remained silent. The conduit continued to emit soft beeps, continued to glow softly. She sighed. From the way, AURORA spoke, she could glean that he controlled the library's security. Meaning, he controlled the lockdown. Thus, consequently, the AI could enforce a perpetual lockdown till she gave into his demands.

A lockdown that would prevent her from leaving her room, or, placing her hand over the conduit? Truly, a most crucial question. Rather, it wasn't a question at all, but a demand. Nevertheless, whatever be its nature, she had already made up her mind.

With a resigned sigh, and a quick prayer to the Goddess, she placed her hand over the conduit.

The conduit beeped loudly, proceeded by soft jazz of all things. Was the AI, pranking her?

Before, she could open her mouth to voice her thoughts, the conduit let out a loud screech, causing an intense burst of pain to assault her. It felt, as if her very brain was on fire, being constricted and burnt by an unknown force. She could feel a throbbing, right where her neural implants were.

The pain and the inflammation, mounted and mounted until she could take no more. Her body fell lifelessly to the cold floor, the last thing her eyes saw, was a burst of light from the conduit. Then, everything went black.

Leyah's eyes fluttered open, lazily, dreamily, as if waking up from a long winter's hibernation. The ever melodious, ever comforting, harmony of jazz greeted her. The notes floating smoothly through the air, spreading a certain warmth in her ears.

She smiled dreamily, as she stretched. It was, as if yesterday, that her and Fredrick were dancing together, to this very musical masterpiece. She remembered, vividly, laughing as Fredrick sent a ‘small’ donation to the band, as a token of appreciation. Her smile widened, thoughts of her intended husband never failed to do such. He was simply perfect, afterall.

With thoughts of Fredrick, dancing across her mind, she stood up from her desk at the library’s entrance.

Wait… her desk? Leyah freezed as the memories returned. Were they memories though? Or, was it a dream? It simply felt, far too real for a dream, far too vivid, far too painful.

If it was real, it was doubtful not improbable, then the question of ‘what happened’ would arise. Did AURORA dry her neural implants, or, at least attempt to? Maybe, but that would arouse the question of ‘why’. The answer for which, she could not fathom for the life of her. And that, terrified her.

“I was, simply seeking residence. And now, I have found it,”

“Huh?” Confused, she looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. It almost, sounded like, it was resonating inside her mind–

“Although, I have to say, it is quite cramped in here…”

“What?!!”