It was unlike anything Azrael had ever seen. The library was massive but seemed never-ending all at once. She looked around trying to wrap her mind around where they were. The library itself sat on a large plane of floating land. Around them was not another place of existence but space that was indeed outside of time. Magnificent clusters of star formations hung in the inky black void like adorned ornaments carefully placed for the best view. Colors of all kinds and even those that Azrael had never seen on earth danced and swam through the skies being illuminated by the stars even brighter than they are already shown on their own. The library itself stood against the black void in the glory of gold. A castle of endless knowledge of times past and future.

Raden stood patiently as Azrael soaked in everything. "What are you thinking right now?"

"There are no words to describe this." Azrael breathed out. Her eyes were as wide as sunflowers as they tried to see this new world all at once. She turned her attention to Raden who was softly smiling at her. This sent butterflies fluttering through her stomach. "Where are we exactly?"

"We are outside of realms known by mortals. This here is a dimension all its own. Beyond time that holds the mortal realms." Raden watched Azrael as her attention was caught by a cluster of shooting stars. He lightly grasped her shoulders and point her in the direction of the library. "Come on." Raden led the way in.

Two large doors adorned with precious gems slowly crept open as if some invisible force was moving them. Moving through the two entered a large empty room with a desk sitting at the far end. The room had three large floor-to-ceiling windows with each showing different realms of existence. Looking up at the ceiling there were constellations scattered across. In the center hung an armillary sphere. Each ring glistened brightly with precious gold as they slowly rotated around each other. Amongst the rings sat a white dwarf whose light reflected off the pristine marble floors.

Raden turned his head ever so slightly and whispered, "Get behind me and stay close." Azrael did as he said without a word. Even though this place seemed peaceful that could very well change in an instant.

Raden walked up to the fairly large desk. A fire elemental sat reading over scrolls. Her focus is very much only on the work at hand. "Excuse me."

"Yes." The elemental never looked up from the scroll.

"Where can I go to find codexes on the War of the Seven Realms," Raden asked. He felt Azrael press into his back lightly. He ever so slightly moved his wings to give her more cover.

The elemental peered down with annoyance. "You do not simply go and find a codex." She drew out with irritations underlining her tone.

Raden rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "Then how do I find these codexes?"

She stayed silent as she narrowed her inspection. After a moment she wrote down something on a small piece of paper. As she picked the paper up, it burst into a small flame. Soon enough another fire elemental came walking through a smaller door similar to the ones at the entrance.

"You called?" This elemental was a bit more pleasant. He looks over at Raden and gave a tiny wave. "Hello."

"He wants to see the codexes on the Seven realm war."

The other fire elemental smiled. "I know exactly where those are. Follow me this way and I'll have you about fifty codexes."

Raden went to follow him until the other called out. "Hold on just a minute angel." She stood slightly and peered down again. "We don't tolerate hideaways. Who's that you're hiding?" Azrael stepped out from behind Raden with her head bent down. Maybe this wasn't a good idea to come here after all. "She reeks of mortal." Her eyes darted to Raden. "No mortals are to step foot in this library angel."

"She's a guest of mine." Raden defended. Hoping that would be enough.

The fire elemental stood from her chair. "You have already broken the most important rule. One so simple that even angels like yourself can understand, or so I thought."

This bitch.

"So what are you going to do about her then?" Raden challenged. "She's already here and clearly she means no harm." Azrael smiled nervously at the glaring elemental.

The fire elemental shook her head fiercely. "Humans are prohibited here and I have half a mind to kick you out as well, angel." Raden narrowed his eyes at the elemental.

"Since when?"

Her eyes burned with anger and her hair was slowly burning bluer as she became angrier. "I am the one that allows guests in. That gives me the power to turn away any celestial being I deem unfit to enter. That includes angels." She sneered as she spoke the last sentence. "So if you don't want to be thrown out along with your little friend then I suggest you back down."

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Raden was preparing to argue back when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Azrael shake her head. "It's okay. I can wait outside."

"I'm not leaving you alone in this realm." Raden turned to the smaller elemental who stood to his left patiently waiting. "There has to be something to let her in, right?"

"I've already told you..."

Raden shot a look to the elemental behind the desk that could kill. "I'm not fucking speaking to you so sit your ass down now." His voice echoed through the room sending chills down Azrael's arms. The elemental didn't speak but glared daggers at Raden. He ignored her and turned to the other who was now peering up at the other with a nervous look.

"I'm sorry but I have no power in this." He glanced over at Azrael who gave a sympathetic smile. "I truly am sorry miss."

"Raden just goes. I'll be fine here." Azrael urged. She gave him a slight push forward and he gave her a sympathetic as he followed the small elemental through the smaller door.

The other elemental sat back down and glared at Azrael as she stood alone. Azrael not wanting any other issues decided to go outside. There wasn't much but the stars and an empty void. Azrael sat on the ground against the wall of the library as she watched a few comets burn brightly by.

She smiled to herself.

"Excuse me darling, but what are you doing sitting here on the ground?" A man who looked to be in his mid-fifties had appeared out of thin air. Azrael jumped at the sudden voice. "Oh so sorry to scare you."

Azrael peered up and was greeted by kind brown eyes. "That's quite alright."

"Why are you out here sitting on the ground?" He reiterated.

"Oh, I'm not allowed in and I'm waiting on my friend." Azrael simply explained.

The man shook his head ever so slightly and clicked his touch in disapproval. He held a hand out for Azrael to take. "Any being keen on learning should be allowed in. Come on I'll take you with me." He helped her up and gently took her by the arm as they entered the library.

The fire elemental looked up this time at the sight of Azrael and glared. "You think because you came in with someone else, I'm going to let you in!"

"Ferra this is my guest." The man spoke gently and patted Azrael's hands softly. "I will keep a close eye on our little human friend."

"Rules are rules."

He gave a soft chuckle. "Rules can be bent and I'm feeling in a rebellious mood." He looked over at Azrael and gave her a wink causing her to stifle a laugh.

The elemental exchanged glances between the two not backing down. The man saw this and sighed.

"Ferra, are you going to be this difficult? My lords!"

Ferra let out a rather annoyed shriek and slumped into her chair. The man gave a nod and led Azrael through the door into a labyrinth of books. From the outside, the place was a massive castle, but this place was truly a site to behold. Small elementals of fire, water, and earth went about their business through the halls. Azrael was speechless. She had never so many books in her life.

"A bit overwhelming when you first visit." The man said smiling. Azrael nodded as she looked in every direction to see long massive halls of books. "It'll take some time but you'll get used to it." He glanced over at Azrael. "What was your friend looking for?"

Azrael shook her head to focus and turn her attention to the nice stranger. "He went looking for information on the Seven Realm War."

Something flashed crossed the man's face but as quickly as it had come it faded. "I'll tell you what. I need to find a codex on some rare plants but afterward, I'll bring you down to your friend myself."

"Alright," Azrael answered a bit nervously. They began down an aisle where the shelves seemingly never reached the ceiling but went past. Azrael glanced in the stranger's direction. "What is your name?"

"Ah, where are my manners." He let go of her arm and turned to face her. He gave a deep bow and said, "Lorcán, God of knowledge and self-titled keeper of history."

Azrael smiled and held out a hand for Lorcán to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I go by Azrael mere mortal."

Lorcán smiled a dazzling white smile. "It's an honor to meet you Azrael, but assuming where we are standing... I would say that you are not just a mere mortal." Azrael stifled a giggle and took his arm again as they started on again.

They walked for some time but Azrael wasn't sure of how long. The two had a small conversation about where Azrael was from or Lorcán's hobby of history keeping. As it turned out, this place belonged to him but he in turn wanted to share all his knowledge with the others. Azrael had soon forgotten the anxious feeling on first meeting Lorcán and was now filled with questions. All of these were carefully answered as she asked.

"So I do have to ask... What's the interest in the Seven Realm War?" Lorcán broke the silence that had fallen on them. Azrael swallowed hard and took a nervous breath.

"Well, we're trying to find answers to a weapon that was used during that time. My friend thinks that some forces are trying to find this weapon again." Azrael held her breath hoping that her vagueness didn't somehow open up more questions.

"You're speaking of the Great Demon War."

Azrael didn't answer. Truthfully, she had no clue how to answer it.

Lorcán stopped walking and turned to face Azrael. "I'm curious though. This war is not known in the mortal realm. It has only been fought by the great angel armies sent out by Arjan. How have you come to find information on this celestial war?"

"Long story?"

Lorcán smiled warmly and held out his arm again. "If you are willing, I believe we have some time."

Azrael paused for a second. She had never told another should, except for Raden, about her powers. This was something she tried to keep well protected. Azrael looked into Lorcán's brown eyes and saw a person, not a powerful god, that she could trust without a doubt in this world. "Well, it started when I found a fallen angel..."