In The Grand Library, there are no ordinary days for the librarians. Where most visitors found fascinating books, few of them found secret untold, but then Dryad found another life.
That night, the station was still crowded with many passengers, waiting for the steam train.
Dryad and Sir Alvard stood on the platform looking up at the sky, gazing at the moon, stars, and clouds which seemed to glisten in the darkness of night. The sky was beautiful, almost as if the storm never happened yesterday. He gazed quietly for a few moments then glanced to the side as he sensed someone standing near him.
"Here's the coffee, Sir," Haze offered.
Sir Alvard smiled. "Much appreciated, Haze." He took the cup, sniffed its aroma then blew on it lightly and took a sip of it, enjoying its taste. After drinking half, he smiled at the young man, "thank you, Haze. That will keep me going through the journey." He took a deep breath and looked toward the carriage door, the train was about to arrive.
"Sir, why in such a rush? Where are you heading?" Haze asked with curiosity.
"I was just planning something, that's all. But I need to be quick," Alvard said, his gaze returning back to the sky.
"So what exactly is it that you have planned?" Dryad asked curiously.
"Why, just a visit of mine. Nothing too special." Sir Alvard chuckled lightly. "You know my older brother, Haze?"
"You mean.. Sir Alastair?" Haze asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Yes, yes. You might already know him. He visited this town twice," Sir Alvard replied.
"So.. you will go to visit him in Durea, then?" Haze asked again and Sir Alvard simply nodded, still with a smile plastered on his face.
"But why not tomorrow? I mean... at least until you fully recover ..." Haze frowned. "Is there something wrong?"
"Not at all, Haze. I am quite alright," Alvard replied. He tried to sound upbeat.
"When will you come back here?" Dryad asked another question. Her tone was laced with sadness.
"As soon as possible, my dear. Ah! That's the train. Thank you, again, Haze," he tapped Haze's arm before turning to Dryad, ruffling her hair lightly, "And you too, Dryad. Thank you."
"Oh! Right! Almost forgot! Before you go..." Haze let out a pocketwatch and handed it to Sir Alvard. "I found this, Sir. Never thought you would be so careless to dropped it," Haze winked and chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
Sir Alvard's gaze soften. A bittersweet smile on his face while caressing the insignia carved on it with his thumb. "Thank you, Haze. You saved a half of my soul..."
They three exchanged smile before Sir Alvard clapped once and said, "So... it's about time. You two may leave. Don't worry, I am fine."
Dryad nodded with a sad smile on her face. She hugged him tightly once, then slowly walked towards the exit of the station followed by Haze.
Sir Alvard stared at them in distance, while whispered under his breath, "I am sorry that I lied. I can't drag you two more than this. I don’t have the heart to put you further into danger. But I need to settle things with Vlad. Before it's all too late."
Sir Alvard didn't wish for Haze and Dryad to be worried. He knew they were genuinely concerned about him, so he needed to convince the two that he would be perfectly fine. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
Right after the two vanished from sight, the steam train stopped in front of the platform and the doors slid open.
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Little did the two know, Sir Alvard never stepped inside the train, but left the station instead, walking fastly across the empty street and heading towards another direction. He never planned to visit Durea, but went back to the Grand Library. He lied only to make them think that he's somewhere in a safe place like the town of Durea, so that would ease their mind.
"God... I had been outside the library for too long already... what's more, If Vlad found that grimoire before I came back, then we'll all be dead for sure," he muttered to himself while walking fastly down the dimly lit streets, trying to keep his steps quiet.
Along the way, his mind wandered back to the day when he sealed the grimoire inside the Grand Library. That dangerous grimoire could not be destroyed, so he had no choice but to seal it. However...
"Every magic has a price. Every spell requires sacrifices."
That was what happened. For sealing such evil and powerful things, one person died in the process. Zaard's daughter, Branzielle. Whom he promised to protect and cared for.
More than that, his own soul has been bound to the library ever since. Binded to the place where the grimoire sealed. That was another price. Seven days stepped outside of the place, and he would die. That's why he needed to come back to the library as soon as possible.
Not a single soul -including Vlad, could ever find the grimoire as long as Alvard held his ground in that library. But without his presence, the grimoire would call. Vlad would sense its power and its whereabouts. If Vlad found it then he could even kill someone far away without having contact with the victim. He could erase anyone without warning - political figures, business rivals, literally anyone! That would be as grave as the civil war, indeed.
And not only that. More and more perilous spells written inside the grimoire. Elixir of Youth, for example. The one that Vlad desired with all his might.
Sir Alvard quickened his pace. He was not in condition to run, but at least he was able to walk faster now, though the pain still flared in his leg whenever he took a step.
He made it to the gate of the complex of Basilisk mansion, where The Grand Library was situated. He stopped to catch his breath. His hand clutched his stomach, feeling sick.
"Hope I still have time to ruin the ritual..." he mumbled, before closing his eyes briefly and gritting his teeth together in pain. He coughed out blood on the gravel as his chest felt tight. Pain shot through his chest, making him groan in agony.
"No.. no time to rest. I couldn't afford to waste time like this -"
With determination, he quietly opened the mansion's gate, slipping in as if being stealthy.
