Out the corridors and down several flights of stairs, sunlight billowed into my eyes. I stepped toward a crowd causing a commotion in the courtyard when a pair of white ears poked out from between the crowd of armor.

“Maaaaaariiiiiiinaaaaa~”

“Evie?”

The sleeves of Evie’s wooly, cable knit dress and droopy, fox-like ears flapped as she sailed toward me. Her arms wrapped around my waist. Stumbling, her grip loosened to catch her balance. Tumbling, I coiled my arms around her with a smirk. We fell backward. Her snowy hair dipped with navy blue tips cracked into my chin when we collided with the ground.

Buh~

The world cerened through a tunnel. I emerged through the other end on a train with fog covered glass. The rumble of the train slowed. The fog collapsed inward. Evie’s arms and scarlet wrapped eyes relaxed.

“Maaariiinaaaa-”

“Oyoyo, I’m awake. Good morning.”

“What’s this? Ooah, so pretty.”

A purple gemstone turned over in her hand.

“Runecrafter Vyas Corin - a runestone?”

I reached for my neck to feel my runestone that wasn’t there.

“Whaaa? Isn’t this that symbol you told us about? Where’d ya get it? Why do ya have it? No way-”

“Eh heh heh.”

“You joined them? Oh the betrayal, my heart - it is as though a thousand wooden stakes of deception have pierced it. Their removal will surely scar and fester with splinters. Our poor, sweet Marina has been coaxed into joining the ushers of the new world order. Ah- please follow me. I need to cleanse you of any charms that may afflict your mind.”

“Wait wait wait I’m not enchanted, just enchanting. This a- this is just a replica my friend made for me.”

Why is my first impulse to cover for them? Mm. It’d probably be more hassle than it’s worth to come clean.

“I figured it might help me get my hands on some higher class documents - and I might be able to trick some actual Architects with it.”

“Waooh. That makes way more sense. Hey, hey - can they make me one?”

Ah- I apparently didn’t think this through.

“I don’t think-”

“We won’t know until we find out.”

Yeah, that’s right, I don’t think. AAAH. This is turning out to be a hassle anyway.

“Evie, the truth is that I became their consultant. They call me one of their librarians. That’s the truth behind my new job I told you about the other day. They are going to help me see the world so I can share its history with everyone.”

“Oo? Huhuhu~ What could they possibly get out of that deal? Besides, there’s no way the Marina I know would join a cult. At least not that one anyway.”

There’s no getting out of this, is there? What was that last part?

“What is it about this person that you don’t want me to see them? Now I’m even more interested.”

“Well- I only know where their house is and good ol’ Vyas doesn't like just anybody showing up there you know?”

“Oa~ That’s no problem, we can head to the library and look them up in the directory. Someone who makes stuff like this has gotta do a lot of business. I’m all finished up with what I needed to get done for work, so we can head there now. Ah-. See ya later Major!~”

“Yeah, that’s a good point.”

AAAAAAAH.

My hair dragged with the wind while Evie pulled me toward the castle’s entrance. Our next stop, that eyesore of a building. From boisterous blacksmiths to beckoning barterers to boujee bystanders, we trekked three districts in length to reach the Garden’s northern side.

Between the colossal, half-opened doors of the Library of Alindra, we stood at the precipice of a crescent balcony. A dome painted with a mural of the nation of Alindra loomed over us. The distant sounds of splashing water and an orchestral tune swelled below.

Evie jogged past a reception desk. Her stomach curled over the balcony’s railing, swaying from one side to the other. Like a stack of donuts whose holes shrunk the further down they went, eight levels wrapped around the center of the building. It was enough to give even a vulture vertigo.

Lively chatter speckled the book covered walls between the roar of waterfalls. The water crashed into small ponds, kicked up mist, and flowed under glass cut-outs that spilled over the edge of each level.

Lounging areas flanked by standing wooden shelves were scattered across every level. Cut outs in the walls housed shops providing anything from light snacks to full dinners and simple souvenirs to replica relics of antiquity.

Okay, maybe I was a bit too harsh on-

“Alaphan?”

“Oo? You know that guy?”

“Remember that guy I told you about? The one I used to take care of that got me a job as a librarian- more like a traveling anthropologist now that I think about it. The one that casually gifted me a literal house?”

It actually sounds super far-fetched when I put it like that.

“He looks super nice. Ah-ha, we should go say hi.”

“I- but- Evie!”

Evie vaulted over the railing and plummeted toward the first ring. Her descent slowed until she levitated inches from the ground. Stretching to a stand, her boots squeaked against the honey maple floor.

“Come on! There’s no fall damage here!”

I kicked off the railing and closed my eyes. Breezing back my hair, the air rushed across my face. My hair fell forward. When I opened my eyes, my face was hovering just above the floor.

“Hey Evie, what do I do now?”

“Just stand up silly.”

“Ah- that’s pretty cool, but we should-”

Evie sprinted toward the next railing. Six more levels folded beneath us before I could catch my breath. When I did, she was already mid conversation with Alaphan. A tightness gripped my chest. My legs marched with a mission.

A green gem twinkled in Alaphan’s tie. Aquamarine metal carved into the shape of a book was inscribed upon it. My legs and heart relaxed.

“Yeah yeah! And if you close your eyes and press your hands against them, pretty patterns start flashing around like they’re having a dance party inside your head.”

“Fascinating.”

“Oohehe~ Marina~ Why didn’t you tell me your new boss is a Brightwater?”

“You didn’t exactly give me time with all the hardcore parkour going on.”

“Marina and I are besties. I work for the city by day, but by night we’re Architect hunters.”

“Oh yes, the Architects - I’ve heard mention of them. Quite a troublesome bunch they are.”

“Oa yeah, they-”

Evie snatched and backhanded my runestone across the floor.

“-They’re no good. Hey, you should join our group. We do a whole bunch of reconnaissance and are doing our best to expose the Architects for what they really are.”

A chuckle broke above Alaphan’s already straight tie that he grabbed to fix as if by instinct.

“If I have the time. It’s quite the job being Marina’s boss.”

Don’t push your luck Alaphan.

“Awh~ Okie. Give it some thought. It was really nice meeting you~ Ah- would you mind pointing us to the directory for names of people in the city that start with C?”

“That would be the fourth floor, section thirty-four near the texts from Wintergrove. If you wouldn’t mind, may I borrow Marina for a minute?”

“Be my guest, oh my guest~ I’ll see you in a bit Marina.”

Evie pranced over the edge to the final level and vanished near its center.

“Marina. Come.”

“Wha- I’m not some dog. Geez, you’re totally different when you’re in your element. Ah-”

I turned around and a woman wrapped in a white cloak placed my runestone in my hand.

“Ah. Thank you. - Ehehe- sorry about that. But how did you know or do you just wear runestones like fashion pieces?”

“Our receptionists alerted me of your arrival, but I am well aware of who she is. I do have to keep informed of those who know us even by name. You can never be too careful. Her catapulting herself off of the railing and screaming ‘Heyo, boss man,’ was also helpful.”

Towering red oak doors opened at the far end of the second to last floor. Inside the strong scent of lavender incense poured from behind a blackstone desk. Alaphan took his seat behind the desk in a red plush chair and I took mine on soft leather.

“I found some old documents when I was in Druidale. I dunno if I should hand them to the front desk or-”

Alaphan snapped his fingers. The walls broke apart and opened to a grand library more than ten times the size of the one we were just in. The shelves between ribbed marble columns stretched upward until they appeared as specks at the other end. Twisting staircases pulled toward additional wings. Beyond fragmented windows were visions of the past reconstructed before my eyes.

“-Something.”

“Oh- did I not mention? We don’t usually take originals. While originals do make better first editions, the sentimental and cultural significance they can hold is something we take very seriously. That is unless they pose - huh, lost my train of thought there.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“These should be fine. The place I got them from didn’t look like anyone had been there in ages.”

“If you say so. For future reference, we have several spells specially crafted for handling artifacts of the past.”

Alaphan passed me a piece of paper with several spells written across it.

“Your runestone must be used and will do most of the heavy lifting thanks to its configuration.”

Crafted Copy

+2(🜄,🜃) | (ᛗ,ᛃ,ᚾ,ᛞ,ᚨ)

ᚨ . 2🜄 . 3ᛃ . 4🜃 . 5ᚾ . 6🜄 . 7ᛞ . 8🜃 . 9ᛗ

Capture a copy of an object in the form of a schematic.

“Imagine standing atop a stage with a chain of rings in hand. Pull apart the chain and take a bow before the audience.”

Founded by Bain Lancast

3-5 Late Winter Year 9: Age of Legends

Mono Log

ᚨ+3 | 🜃+2 | ᛇ

ᚨ . 2🜃 . 3ᛇ . 4ᚨ . 5🜃 . 6ᚨ

Capture a transcription of your thoughts.

“Imagine colored grains of sand resting atop a table before you. Toss the sand grains and remark on the image you see.”

Founded by James Tellion

2-1 Early Spring Year 72: Age of Sorrow

Alindrian Return Box

(🜁,ᚾ,ᛞ,ᛇ)

ᛇ . 🜁 . ᚾ . ᛞ

A modification to the return box of other libraries.

“Imagine a circular ring three meters in front of you. Pick up a stone off the ground and toss it through the ring. Count the number of seconds it takes to reach its mark and take that many steps back.”

Founded by Kristen Blaze

4-5 Mid Summer Year 56: Age of Transcendence

I slid the paper into my bag and took out a handful of documents from the hidden study. I shuffled through the stack.

“Who’s A-”

I slid the documents back into my bag and coughed into my fist before pulling them out a final time with the plank of wood.

“I want to go to Ravenford in Stelvera. There’s some researchers there working on figuring out why long distance teleportation is so weird and I wanna pick their brain.”

“Oh- denied.”

“I- huh? You wanna tell me why?”

“I don’t think it would be a good use of time. They already submit their findings directly to us. You can read everything they publish right here in the library.”

Oyoyo- hold on. I’d only have access to their VK stuff. Is there something higher than VK he doesn’t want me seeing? Did I screw up by being so blunt with him?

“But- I uh- look, I want to go on a trip there and you said I could make my own expeditions. Even if I don’t find out something new there was still a chance. Besides, if nothing turns up I’ll turn it into something else and find anything I can. I promise. Pleeeease.”

“..I’ll consider it.”

“Ehe~ I guess that’s better than nothing, but if you say no I’ll be back to bug you.”

I winked at Alaphan and spun out of my seat to exit the Library of Arcanus.

“Hey, how do I get out of here?”

“Please sit down Marina. I haven’t had a chance to say what I want to talk about.”

“Ah- sorry about that.”

I sunk back into the leather seat. It hugged me into what felt more like laying than sitting.

“This was set aside for you.”

He tossed a tied up sack made of blue felt with a gold drawstring. It smacked my wrist and plopped into my lap with a lovely jingle.

“Ehehe~ Ah- this is a lot. It’s mine?”

“It’s yours.”

“No bribe for another quest?”

“No bribe, think of it as payment for a job well done. Since- I mean, that’s what it is.”

I rose from my seat.

“Okay now how-”

“One final thing, Marina. We received the bill for your renovations. We will deduct the payment overtime from what is awarded to you-”

“Heeh? I’m in debt? Didn’t you say, ‘Decorate it how you want. Make any changes you want. Let it run into disrepair if you want. It is yours.’ That was you right?”

“How you interpreted that as we will pay for your self indulgent luxuries I’ll never know.”

“I- okay I see your point, but-”

“We’re not a charity, Marina. We have already covered the bill for the eighty primal coins and will help pay for some of it, but please. Be a little more frugal when it comes to spending other people's money.”

A purple portal opened where the red oak doors once were and I stepped into the Library of Alindra.

Eighty? Eeeh. That’s like- primal? Did he say primal coins?

At the center of the level below me, a black and white marble platform decorated with the golden outline of Alindra’s lion beamed flashes of light as people walked over it. I hopped over the railing. Patches of flowers that hugged the platform passed me by and I stood at the precipice of the crescent balcony. A whisper crept against my ear.

“Welcome back.”

I spun around, greeted by Evie’s smirking face.

“Ayaya- don’t do that.”

“I got the address to your runecrafter friend’s shop. Ahoo~ Let’s go.”

We remained in the Gardens not far from the library. The shop we entered felt out of place to put it lightly. Its whitestone walls were something you’d expect to see more in the First District or north-western Merchant’s District than that opulent paradise.

Near the back, an angry patch of red hair stood behind a counter. His features were sharp with tan skin and his eyes growled like a guard dog. With a red cape slung over his shoulders, he tapped and flexed his fingers against the counter’s glass.

“Tsk. Who are you?”

This guy’s not gonna like this.

“Ahoooy~ You’re Vyas right? My friend here told me you put this symbol on this runestone for her.”

Evie placed my runestone on a patch of black felt laid atop the counter. Through his twitching smile, Vyas’s eyes beamed toward me.

“I see. I see. She did, did she?”

Waa. I’m going to get scolded thrice in one day aren’t I.

“I wish to be your friend.”

“Huh?” Huh?

This the same Evie I know?

“Look. I’m sure you’re very nice-”

“I am the nicest.”

“I’m sure. Thing is. I did this as a one time favor. Because - she saved my cat. From a burning building. That was on fire.”

“Waoow, Marina, that’s incredible. Mm- it was worth a shot. Nice meeting you though~ Ready to go Marina?”

Ah- yeah, that’s the Evie I know.

“Give me a minute with Marina. I wanna talk to her about my cat.”

Evie pranced out of the store. The click that set the door’s hinge ushered a malice that rose in Vyas’s throat.

“How could you do this?”

“I’m sorry, she saw the symbol and one thing lead to another and-”

“Not that. This. There’s a fracture on the e-96 infusion point. It extends just past the p-12 engrave. Tsk. It even rubs up against the a-2 gate.”

“The e-fusion? Huh?”

“You cracked my poor runestone. You monster.”

I did?

“A runestone is the magnum opus of a runecrafter’s magical craftsmanship. To the average jerkoff it looks like a shiny rock with a pretty pattern drawn on it.”

Ok ouch.

“In reality it is a delicately balanced, writable canvas of magical manipulation that has taken years. I repeat. Years of my solemn dedication to cultivate the skills for. And you broke my favorite one.”

Ehuu~ Why me.

I glanced around the shop while Vyas’s eyes glued themselves to my runestone. Glass cases lined the walls of the shop. They showcased hundreds of gems, each handcrafted with unique designs and shapes.

“You must do a lot of business with the Architects.”

“Yeah. I’m their sole runecrafter for the country of Alindra. What of it?”

Yeesh.

“Ah.. nothing, sorry.”

“What did you even do to cause this?”

“My friend kinda grabbed it and threw it across the floor so Alaphan wouldn’t notice it- long story.”

“I don’t care if you threw it. This is below the suborbital shell and expands from the Imagination Tri-Directional Lattice toward the Subjugation Overflow Prevention Cache.”

“Aaah- please use jerkoff words.”

“This happened when channeling magic. Specifically a stupidly lopsided ratio of anima to ether. The metaphysical muscle you pew pew magic from in your mind was too tiny for what was coming through it. Something had to give. You understand that? Simple enough? You’re lucky this thing didn’t turn into a bomb.”

“I honestly don’t remember.”

“Whatever. I’ll fix this. It’s gonna cost them. Don’t bother coming back. I’ll have Ali’s people drop it off in about a month.”

Eeeh? He calls him Ali. That's so cute - like little bestie nicknames. Wait- should I have a cute name for Evie? Like V.. or Ee Ee or something.. ehehe~

“He’s gonna give me sass if I send another Senior off without a replacement. Take this one.”

Vyas placed a translucent, white gemstone on the felt with thin bands of rainbows shining inside it. Engraved with an aquamarine metal was the symbol of a Senior Architect. I picked up the runestone and for the first time Vyas gave me a relaxed smile.

“Break it and I’ll break you. Now get out of my shop.”

Ah- he’s just happy I’m leaving.

My exit was probably more sluggish than he’d hoped, but Vyas’s voice squirmed in my head. His anger sounded familiar.

“Heeeey Eevie.”

“Eevie?”

“It’s a nickname I came up with for you, isn’t it cute?”

“Waoo mhm mhm, very. But you already call me by my nickname.”

Heh?

“My real name is actually Evelyne.”

What.

“Ah- but I like Eevie if you wanna call me that too.”

Everything I know is a lie, nay, my entire life is a lie and thus the entirety of this cosmos from beyond which the gods laugh at me is a lie for I am the observer of this farce called existence and it ceases without my gaze to interpret its messed up joke of a continuity. Such a stupidly simple minded mistake, misstep, missed correlation, connection, convention, creeeeee-

“Ah.. cool. Nah- Evie’s good.”

“I’m getting kinda hungry, you wanna stop by somewhere to eat?”

As if the uncaring, non-existence of fate had suddenly grown a sense of humor, my stomach gurgled.

“Mm- that’s a yes. Come on, I wanna try out this new pastry shop on Elderwood Avenue.”

Gray clouds rolled in overhead as we disembarked from the Gardens.