Izmir woke up at the centre of Grand mall.
The place was unfamiliar to him even though he had already been passed ot there.
Even after attending the father's funeral he was unable to grasp how everything in his life has shifted so suddenly but it was stange how he had already accepted and moved on without questioning anything.
He climbed down a flight of stairs, pausing at the bottom to glance around. The mall stretched wide and hollow around him, its high ceilings catching the pale light filtering through frosted glass panels. He wandered to the edge of a small courtyard garden and there he stood.
It was marked CENTRAL LIBRARY
Maybe this is the main area of Domingo City. If I can find some books, I might at least understand where I am and how should I start.
Followed by these thoughts he walked inside.
Huh?
Shelves spiraled endlessly upeord, curving like the inside of great living thing. Balconie layered upon balconies , eavh one wrapped in carved wood and lined with books. A grand staircase unfurled from the floor.
Izmir stood still for a moment. He had been to libraries but he had never stood inside one that felt liek an entire city compressed into a single room.
"Hello. How may I help you?" A woman at the corner look at him with a warm smile. She set her book down flat, dusted her hand slightly on her dress, and tltrd her head with a calm expression at the sight of newcomer.
"Um..".Izmir hesitated. "I am searching for a book of history of LUNES WORLD"
"History ? What kind of history?" She questioned again with her smile staying. "We have record of enchanted creatures, histories of the never ending forests-"
"Actually no- I am searching for history of LUNES STONE"
She paused studying him briefly for a second "Are you new?"
He didnt answer.
"Its alright" she continued, unbothered. "I understand. The truth is, there is no recorded history behind the LUNES STONES. They simply exist- no origing, no aithor , no explanation. But what I can offer you is something more useful" She turned around and pulled a slim, well worn volume from shelf behind her. "The rules of this world. We call them clauses"
"Clauses?"
"Yes . There are around fifteen of them- at least, thats as far as anyone documented. " She opened the book running her finger along the first page " The first one: YOU CAN NOT SHARE INFORMATION FROM THE LUNES WORLD INSIDE THE REAL WORLD AND VICE VERSA. This clause prevents the flow of knowledge between the two. And importantly- it only applies once you know about it."
Izmir almost his palm to his face.
Why would she tell me this? Is she tricking me or something? Now I cant share anything. Is that why Ravhel hesitated at the station? Was she already bound by this?
"Actually..." He cut in "I am looking for a person. Do uou know anyone named Sharron?"
He couldn't afford to stand here litening to rules he had no use for right now.
"Hm.."The young woman pressed her index finger to her chin, thinking for a moment. "I think I have heard that name somewhere... Was she from LUXICO CITY, perhaps?" She glanced at his expression and seemed to read the blankness there. "Ohh- you don't seem to know about it yourself, do you? In that case I think you should join a hunting crew" She suggested brightly. Her smile widened as Izmir stared at her turning behind his eyesm
She reached for a pen from the holder on her desk and began to scribble on a small slip of paper.
"Here... this is a place where you can join them. They go around searching for a LUNES STONES in group. Their next target is LUXICO CITY. Good luck to you"
She talks a lot
"Alright. Thank you" Izmir replied taking paper from her hand. He turned and made his way towards teh door, folding the slip in his pocket.
Reading books for now might just confuse me. I will go to grandpa and ask him for opinion.
He was almost at the door when it swung open and someone walked straight into him.
"Arghh- my nose-" A female voice cried " Watch out mister." A young woman stumbled back rubbing her face. Short black hair , violet sharp eyes with irritation then softening almost immediately.
"I mean I should have watched out. Sorry"
"Its fine" Izmir said simply.
The girl walked across him without a second. "Granny varda. I signed up for-" she called out to the young women at desk
Granny Varda? Is that the librayian's name? She looks quite young.
He stepped around and walked out into the open air with no interest to hear teh conversation going on behind the door.
The whole interaction had been strange and it sat in him for a moment.