I stepped into a large musty room full of books. The shelves were metal and spray painted with a creamy colour that matched the pages of the books. I had never stepped foot in a public library until now and I already liked the silence and the liberty to think without people asking if there was something wrong.
“Sweetie, can I help you with something?” the librarian asked me quietly. She did not look anything like the stereotype of a librarian which I would assume to be short and stubby with glasses. She was the opposite of this. She was thin, tall and had large brown eyes to match her kind smile.
“First time?” she asked me.
“Yeah, I was looking for something in particular. Would you happen to know of a book about a mythical story of two, civilisations from other worlds? That was how it was described to me by someone else, so that’s all I know about it”, I asked her, doubting she’s ever heard of it being I was told about it from a, probably mentally disturbed, old man.
“Actually I have heard of it, it’s a story I grew up with”, she said to my surprise. She walked and guided me towards a book shelf, which seemed to be pushed to the side and isolated from everything else. She picked a book out and placed it on the table. “It’s about one civilisation’s god from the rock of ice, kai, and another civilisation’s god from the rock of fire, Thein. Legend proclaims that eleven thousand years ago these civilisations broke out in war”, the librarian explained.
“Do you know why?” I asked already intrigued in the story.
“If there was a reason it is not known to mankind. Thein, getting desperate, took Kai’s five year old daughter who was supposed to be their next queen. Kai was too late for his daughter and the girl, not having the abilities to withstand the pull of the gravity on the rock of fire, was ‘sucked’ into the sun and presumed dead”, her voice faded. The mention of death made me remember my horrific dreams of the smell of dead burning bodies. In fact the entire story sounded an awful lot like my dreams. I was reading too much into it, but before I could stop her she continued.
“The war ended as Kai was so upset and angry he threw every resource and soldier he had at Thein. Thein knew he was outnumbered and not wanting to lose his people he suggested ceasing fire”, she said.
“If Kai was so angry, why did he agree to cease fire?” I asked puzzled and confused. Not that I wanted to start thinking about having children at that moment but if someone were to take my child, I would want vengeance. The librarian nodded before proceeding.
“Good question. Kai knew his limits. He knew if he went into battle emotional and with an unclear head, he would most likely lose and defeat is something he would never accept. He promised his people that they would have their revenge in time”, she explained. Kai sounded like a very wise and caring man.
“Okay… what happened next then? How long was fire ceased for? Who won the war?” I asked my questions one after the other as I was interested in how it ended and hoping it was Kai and his people who won. Her smile faded as she looked at the book sitting on the round table.
“There’s a catch at the end of the story. Fire was only agreed to be ceased for eleven thousand years and it is said that Earth would be caught in the crossfire like it was the last time… It sounds ludicrous but it does make one think”, she told me and I fell silent.
“Wouldn’t that make it this year the war begins again?” I asked in panic and fear.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t get too worked up over it. After all, it’s just a story”, she said and by the worried look on her face I could tell I wasn’t the only one she was trying to convince.
I stood up, suddenly feeling the need to go for a walk after being in a stuffy library and listening to such a story.
“Can I borrow this book?” I asked her.
“Definitely and if you need anything else, my name is Katell”, she told me as we made our way to the desk. She scanned the thick book after making me a card so I could come back and borrow more which I was very excited about.
“Thank you”, I told her as I made my way out the room. She smiled and waved. I turned the corner and was hit with the biggest head rush I had ever felt. I saw each of my nightmares played out before me, including dead bodies, the sun and the man. It was as if everything was in fast forward mode. When everything came back into focus and wiped sweat off my forehead, I realised it wasn’t just a dream anymore.
