The pirate head didn't respond to the children's gratitude; it simply looked at Adam for a few seconds and vanished into its bookshelf.
Adam stood there for a few minutes, stunned by what had just happened in the corridors. He didn't know whether to go back to the cave since he was very scared by the recent events. On the other hand, Franco seemed to gain confidence and said:
—Come on, Adam! We students have nothing to fear on this floor!
—But those two librarians almost got us!—Adam shouted, somewhat innocently, considering they almost killed them.
—With the bookshelves on our side, they won't dare to touch us!—Franco shouted with even more confidence, infecting Adam with his adventurous spirit —We're almost there, just a couple more turns, and we'll make it! We can't give up when we're so close!
—Is it really close?—Adam asked with doubts.
If they only had to take two more turns to reach the bookshelf, he could always run towards the pirate bookshelf if things got tough. So it would be quite cowardly to turn back now, just steps away from completing the adventure.
—Yes, it's close. I told you the bookshelf is in hexagon 2!—Franco replied with happiness —We just have to walk two more corners, and we'll make it! I can't wait to see what treasure we get! I hope it's one of those magical books that let you shoot fireballs!
Adam was quite nervous, and even two corners at this moment felt like an abyss he couldn't cross. Fortunately, his friend took his hand, giving him confidence, and urged him to move forward, saying:
—Come on, Adam. Don't be afraid!
Infected by Franco's confidence, Adam followed his friend, holding his hand, pulling him forward. They crossed the first corridor without any problems, and no one seemed to be in the bookshelves area, which relieved Adam's nerves a little. Besides, this area was familiar to him.
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It was the area where Adam and Franco had celebrated reading their first 30 pages. Adam recognized the four white wooden bookshelves placed side by side. But the war seemed to have changed a few things for these bookshelves, and now the first three were covered in dust, while only the last one remained untouched. Additionally, this last bookshelf seemed to have only a few books left on its shelves, and its planks were broken and twisted.
As they passed by the four bookshelves, when they reached the last white wooden bookshelf, Adam noticed that the head of the old man had formed to observe them. He looked much older than before, with many wrinkles on his face and a few scars. The old man didn't say anything as he formed his head; he simply stared at Adam and Franco for a while.
Adam and Franco didn't say anything to the old man either, as he didn't seem to be in the mood for talking right now. The children continued walking towards the mission's destination, while the old man watched from behind as if he was begging for help. Unfortunately, Adam was too young to understand that look, so he kept walking until he reached the corner.
But when the boys were about to cross the corner to reach the corridor at the end of the mission, the old man who was looking pleadingly at the back of the two young people changed his gaze to one without pity and with an authoritative and heartless tone of voice said:
—Kill the orc.
One of the other three white wooden bookshelves suddenly lost all its dust, and the head of the charming prince formed, looking at the two young boys with eyes thirsty for battle.
Adam and Franco turned around because of the noise and looked at the charming prince with bewilderment.
*Puff* Franco's head exploded like a watermelon, and a book appeared in its place. Then Franco's lifeless body fell to the ground in front of Adam.
Adam watched in terror as his friend's head was replaced by a book. Warm and viscous blood bubbled from Franco's neck, staining Adam's white robe and his face. He noticed how Franco's clothes started to distort, and the books on the bookshelves moved in a strange way.
The boy's legs began to tremble, and his mouth opened and closed repeatedly as if trying to say something, but no matter how hard he tried to ask for help, he only mumbled incomprehensible words.
Afterward, Adam felt the world around him spinning strangely, and as he tried to grab onto nearby bookshelves, he collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Unfortunately, Adam's young mind couldn't bear such an unexpected scene, and he succumbed to the overwhelming experience, leaving him unable to escape for his life.