The Myth of the Fall

8 | Speculum Speculum Muro

ALAYNA'S POV

1st September '22, 10:15 a.m.

My feet carry me to a place I know all too well, even though my body protests 'no.' I know I should be grateful but deep down, there's a little voice saying that my time is up. That I should keep fighting, burn whatever comes in my way yet I can't find the will to. Maybe I am too accustomed to how things have been - in my favour. At least, that's better than to admit where my heart truly lies.

My vision is clouded by the glistering gold-cladded doors in front of me. High up they go, their mere existence intimidating, well, what awaits behind those doors are worse. Instead of walking through those doors like I deserve to, my feet walk towards the back doors. However, saying back doors is clearly misleading.

The room in question is attached to the oldest building of this Academy. East campus library. Usually empty, except for the ones who wish to feel the glory of those before them as a source of 'motivation.' E.C. Library has a well kept secret. The archives department. No longer functional. It's tucked between the Hall of fame and the library, having two doors - one to the library and the other to the so-called Hall of fame.

The archives in itself are a mystery, not even the librarian, Ms. Alexis, or the keeper of the Hall of fame, Mr. Dawson can access the room. Only the 'reigning' name of the Hall of fame has the key. The original key. There are no duplicates or any other means of entry. There's a certain air of the E.C. Library, beckoning you to dream of bigger things even if it means losing all that's yours.

As I'm closing towards the E.C. Library, my eyes catch a glimpse of Roman Mayyas walking away. My steps cease. His shoulders hunched and his posture screams hopelessness and defeat. Luckily, he is walking with his back towards me and doesn't notice me. I stay rooted to the ground until he takes a left and is out of my view. And I am out of his.

Taking a deep breath, I walk into the library. There's light pouring in through the windows, illuminating the dust particles in the air. The windows, though, look something out of Hogwarts. I must say, arched windows have a certain enigma to it. There's intricate patterns on the windows and the arch looks ethereal. There's wall climbers growing outside the window. The sunlight gives a halo look to top it all off.

Thousands of books are carefully stacked, waiting for the next 'Nicholas' or 'Alayna' to pick it up and be the next name in the Hall of Fame. A game similar to the pawns in chess. At least, the lines are clearly drawn in a round of chess. Magnolia just cares about who's the new cash cow.

At Ms. Alexis's table, my eyes scan over the documents of Roman. Notes, project files, practical files, registers and books. All waiting to be added to the only shelf in the library that isn't old. A shelf in a shade lighter than the rest. New. The ones who win or are in the top three of their sections have to submit their written material of the session to the E.C. Library to serve as a guidance for the ones to come.

Mine aren't there, except for the first year I won, though they are no longer here. Ronan is a different case, his work tops the shelf. My eyes flicker to the shelf in question, looking exquisite. I try to suppress a chuckle, it's surely exquisite. Made upon the ashes of what it used to be. Literally. Courtesy of the one and only Nicholas Gabriel.

"Ms. Baker," a soft voice calls me out, "it's been a while since I've seen you here." As much as I hate to be disrespectful to the people around me, my social battery is non-existent. Regardless, I shoot a small smile towards Ms. Alexis. She's a frail old lady by appearance, yet as the saying goes 'appearances can be deceptive.' She used to be a black belt with more gold medals than you can count. Even now, you'll see her kicking ass easily. "Congratulations on your win again, Alayna."