Fragments of a Broken World: The Lost City [Complete]

Episode 13 - The Library

Today I woke up knowing that I would spend a large part of the day in the library, even though I didn't really know at what time they would come for me.

I asked Taleh if he didn't mind doing extra surveillance, and it seemed that since I had arrived, I had regained quite a few hours of sleep, or at least that's what I understood. If he wanted to tell me something else, I really don't know.

I put on the clothes that had been given to me and tore out a few pages from my diary since I wouldn't be able to take everything with me. Besides, I wouldn't want anyone to see what I write. Hopefully Taleh can't read, so I also told him not to let anyone touch my things, not even the guards, so I knew my belongings would be safe.

I emptied my backpack and put in my pages and everything I could use to write.

There was a knock on the door, very early in the morning.

Two guards in purple or violet came to see me. Honestly, I don't remember the difference between those two colors, but the point is that they asked me to bring my authorization. I went to get it along with my pages and something to write with. Before leaving, they examined me inside the underground warehouse and checked my invitation letter and my blank pages.

"What is this?" one of the guards asked.

"They're pages." I replied.

"And why are you carrying pages?"

"To write."

"Are you sure?"

"And what else would they be for?"

"And what do you plan to write?"

I thought about giving a rebellious response like, "For your information, I don't think you understand what a library is." But at that moment, it wasn't convenient to challenge them.

"If it's a guided tour, I thought it would be nice to write down what happens." I said.

Both guards started talking to each other, murmuring only a few words that I could understand, like "Well, they're just pages, it's no big deal, leave it."

Taleh watched with the door almost closed, as if afraid of the guards. It's strange to think that someone who could easily shake their helmets with their heads inside like a rag doll would be afraid of a couple of weaklings in metal armor that appeared to be filled with fabric to make them look more muscular. But I guess height and strength don't give you courage.

They started taking me to the library, the path was one I had never traveled before, but it's crazy to think that these guards know the city by heart, unless they constantly patrol these paths, I find it peculiar. As we walked at a normal pace, not slow or fast, but at a normal rhythm, I saw a place full of vines and trees, all fenced with a metal gate.

"Hey guys, sirs, what's that?" I pointed my index finger at the gate to my right. Both guards looked at each other and started walking slower. The guard on the right, who had asked me about the leaves before, said the following:

"It's the banian maze. We don't let anyone in because people usually get lost."

"It seems quite extensive."

"It is, it has many entrances, exits, and places covered with new plants. Some people go there... or at least they used to..."

"To do what?"

"Nothing, forget it."

I looked at the guard on the left, who moved his face as if he were trying to warn me about something, but I didn't know what. "And who is Banian? Will I see him in the library?"

The guard on my right started laughing. "Hahaha, no, Banian is not a person, it's a tree."

"A type of tree? I've never heard of it before."

"No, I mean, yes. It's 'a' tree, all of that is just one tree. Its roots come out and form other trunks, but it's really a maze made by a forest of a single root."

"That's impossible."

"It's not impossible if you see it with your own eyes."

"I see that the guards know this city, even to navigate its streets."

"Well, yes, our duty is to protect the citizens of this city from wrongdoers, we shouldn't let them hide anywhere."

"And what's the difference between the blue and purple uniforms? If I may ask something different, to not have seen you much, I see that you know these streets like the back of your hand."

"We're guards of different ranks. We used to be what you call 'blue guards,' but now we're-"

I felt a kind of elbow movement or hit, near the upper part of my back, apparently from his companion on the left, who momentarily accompanied it with a cough. It seems they were already talking too much.

The rest of the journey was listening to the clink of their armor as I watched the sky darken due to the weather.

Now, assuming they are of different ranks and that they are elite guards or at least specialized guards for something they did not quite emphasize, what was the purpose of sending them with me? Was it because only they could take me to the library?

No, all guards are supposed to know the places. Maybe it was to keep a close eye on me, which would not be surprising after the hint they gave me with the new clothing.

So, we arrived at the library. I tried to measure it, but since I was only alone on its facade and only in part of its interior, it was impossible for me to know how big it was. However, it was quite tall and seemed to have two or even three floors.

At its entrance, two blue guards were guarding the extensive door of the place, their faces seemed to be amazed at seeing me.

They signaled me to show my authorization, so they began to open it by pushing inward, throwing all their bodies to open it.

I heard the creaking of the wood, I don't understand how the doors didn't fall.

Inside the library, the guard on my right stayed waiting while the one on the left approached the counter and rang a small bell that echoed throughout the dimly lit and shadowy place.

I had time to inspect with my eyes, the walls were made of stone or some similar mixture, the ceilings were made of wood, and some debris was held up by bookshelves.

A plump woman with glasses and straight hair with a little more dandruff than I was used to seeing arrived.

"Hello, I was waiting for you."

I opened my mouth to greet her, but the guard growled before I could make a sound.

"If anything happens, call us. This guy doesn't have permission to take anything." he approached with his torso putting his forehead a few inches from my face. "Is that clear?"

I slowly nod my head, not showing fear but also not seeking a fight.

I hear the raindrops, it's not like it hasn't rained before, but being in this place certainly motivated me to read all the books in the place.

"The... Rain won't affect the books?" I asked.

"Why do you say that?" She asked, opening her eyes and squeezing her lips as if confused.

"Because of the ceiling."

"Oh, that's just from the upstairs floor, don't worry, the roof of the place is fine."

"It would be a waste if leaks appeared in this place."

"It won't happen, we have taken measures."

"If you say so..."

"Well, shall we start the guided tour?"