Qaauko- From the same language as "khri," this word simply means "portal" or any other form of transporting across worlds/dimensions in a short period of time.
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28: Into the Library
A vast space separates each bookshelf, yet they act like they're compacted against each other. It all looks so formal and superficial with the clean tile floor beneath us. The multiple domes that hover above us in the ceiling as a fancy structure to complete the setting. My curiosity and wonder distracts me from our current predicament for a moment.
"I would prefer to see your journey to the end," Uncle announces while he shows us where to seat Dad, "But I have an important meeting to attend, so Kaif should be here soon."
"Who's that?" Father sits comfortably in a big chair with lots of cushions surrounding it. He just might take a nap on it.
"He's a servant of mine, he should be able to guide you through the Library and bring you back to Fupum." Uncle peers his gaze around for said person.
Zaru steps forth to question my uncle's legitimacy, "Why not just take us there now?"
"Vensen can sense anything in the void, which is practically everywhere. If you stay here for a while and then jump back into your world, you'll have a better chance of him losing track of you. It should work because it'll be a sudden change in your location from being in an abstract world to a more physical one."
Zaru's stare switches to me with obfuscation. "Vila, what is he talking about?"
Another soft breath of frustration suspires from Uncle. "I have to leave now, I can't be late for this meeting."
"Um, hello." A faint voice barely projects to our ears.
Uncle Kakashin turns to the delicate sound to find a young boy hiding behind one of the book shelves.
He looks maybe about fourteen years of age with red hair, kind red eyes behind the rectangular lenses of his glasses, some freckles, and a green shirt with a fishnet underneath. His yellow-ish skin speaks of his possible Aishin relations. The boy comes closer from his hiding place behind a bookshelf. "Uh, hello Master." He acts timid and reluctant to approach us any closer.
"Hello Kaif," Uncle directs to the boy. "Keep them company, and make sure they get back to Fupum number 2G47. You may also answer any questions that they have, just as I went over with you during the debriefing."
"Yes Sir."
Number what?
Uncle Kakashin brings his attention back to us. "You three remain safe. I must depart now." He then walks away and then disappears into the shadows.
Zaru and I then go back to staring at the boy named "Kaif."
"Uh, hello; Kaif is it? I'm Vila." I bow to him out of habit.
Still being shy, he makes a nod of his head before Zaru introduces himself.
"And I'm Zaru." He also greets Kaif by bending his back.
A nervous grin only lives for a second on Kaif's lips. "Oh, hello, it's nice to meet you," he says in a barely audible voice.
We all then hear a snore and look over to my dad. His head lumps back on the chair with his arms and legs spread out. The rumbling in the back of his throat is muffled by his closed mouth and we can't help but stare at him.

YOU ARE READING
Cryptic Asunder [Ver. 3 outdated]
FantasyThis is considered the 3rd version of the story, I am editing the 4th version for publication with Windmill ink. The official book is planned to come out somewhere around 2026-2027. I posted this story on RoyalRoad and Fiction press, I haven't looke...