Taming Death

The library of the dark elves

I awake to Theo's face affectionately gazing at me, making me smile.

"Waking up to your face never get's old." Theo remarked, his words made my heart flutter. They've known each other for about a month and yet it feels like a lifetime and at the same time, like it's their first day in love.

"It's time to wake up and drag our asses out of bed, we've got shit to do." Theo said stretching out his long limbs. I groan unhappy with the fact we haven't gotten a chance to really just enjoy themselves. It sucks that of this is happening making it so she can't have that time.

Theo rolls back over on top of me and gives me a big kiss. It's lips plump and moist, he tasted so sweet, he always made me want more when he did this. I push him off.

"Come on, don't start, it's already super late in the morning and we don't have much time here before we have to move to the next clan."

"I know, I know, you're right. Let's go." Theo groaned getting off the bed.

"I would love to add Dark Elf attire to my wardrobe, in addition to my Sun Elf attire that was utterly destroyed in that monster raid."

"Will get you a new one," Theo reassured me.

***

Rion went through her bags and picked out some brown pants and a purple tunic. It had gold trim around the sleeves neck and bottom hem. She had a brown leather belt that had a pouch on the side embroider with her family crest. Her wavy and untamed from dry air that she's not used to. She tries to bunch it up and put it in two braids. Theo wore simple black pants with a cream colored v neck shirt. His belt held his sword at his right left side. His hair was silky and smooth, from the fresh shower he had this morning with Rion.

Heading to meet everyone in the dinning room again to snatch some breakfast before leaving with their friends to the library. Orion notices her brothers are not among them. "Where are my brothers?"

"Arragon will be right down, I think he had someone in his bed last night, she was obnoxiously loud. And I think Oleander and Joselyn are taking the time you are gone to explore the area and and do some recon, he will meet up with us later.

"Oh my is that sleeping beauty I see!" Carter yelled pointing at Theo.

"You know it, how else do you keep a face like this so pretty?"

"Oh my gods shut up you guys are ridiculous" Rion said to everyone, "lets grab breakfast and go."

"In such a hurry, after waking up so late?" Queen Aiko walked into the room.

"The bed was just what I needed after sleeping on the ground for, like, a week. It's your fault for providing such great accommodations." I joked back with her.

"Well, since you're ready lets go after you gathered your breakfast. I'll be waiting in the carriage." Queen Aiko stated.

***

The carriage they traveled in was black with silver ivy etchings. It seated five comfortably. The seats were made of velvet, horses the color of autumn. Arriving at the the infamous dark elf library. The group was stunned to see such intricate architecture the walls were made of marble stone.

The Dark Elf library, known as the Umbral Archives, it exudes an aura of ancient knowledge and arcane power. The entrance is marked by a grand archway, carved from obsidian, with glowing runes that shimmer with a faint, light

Inside there are bookshelves that

stretch up to the vaulted ceiling, shelves filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and manuscripts bound in dark leather and precious metals. The shelves are arranged like a labyrinth, creating a maze. Soft, ambient lighting coming from magical orbs that float gently above.

At the center of the library lies a reading hall, where long tables made of dark wood are lined with plush chairs. Mage scholars, wearing robes of deep purples, blacks, and blues, looking busy with their reading. Some mages are surrounded by floating quills and parchments, writing notes as they whisper incantations under their breath.

Though no one looked up upon their queen's entrance, a mage in a black and silver robe approached them. She put one on top of the other and bowed to us.

"Good afternoon, my queen and her guests." The mage said "What assistance may I provide for you."

"Yes, Master Winnwri we need to see the Grand Mage about some things, please ask if she will receive me and my guests."

"Yes my queen" Master Winnwri responded he backed up and turned around leading them through the maze. It seemed like it went on forever before arriving at a door. The mage knocked.

"You may enter." Said the voice from behind the door.

Opening the door Master Winnwri lead them into a seating area. You could see there were thousands of scrolls placed carefully on shelves.

An older woman stands up in the corner "Welcome, I've been expecting two of you but I am blessed with 4 and my niece the queen." The woman puts one hand over the other and then bows "please take a seat, I know some of you have questions, and I have answers."