(NBin) unWRITTEN

[CHAPTER 31]

"The Gateway between Reality and Fantasy"

It's been a long time since Hongbin have returned to the facility.

Ever since he was exiled from the facility, he didn't go anywhere near it. Not because he was afraid of getting caught or punished but because he was worried about his temptation to steal Hakyeon's book back from Taekwoon. But here he is once again with both InGuk and Hyoshin in order to find this 'gateway' that enables one to access to the other side.

The three of them entered the facility without a problem, especially with Hyoshin at their side. Even the old counselors who saw them coming into the facility turned away instead of stopping them. But there was still a very tense atmosphere all around them. The quiet silence and occasional murmurs around was unsettling. Hongbin couldn't find himself to look up because he found the gazes of others rather uncomfortable.

"Straighten your back," InGuk patted him on the back. "You've done nothing wrong here. If anyone who should be looking down, it should be those old geezers in the council."

"I know but I..." Hongbin couldn't find the confidence to do anything. Just being in the facility again made him feel like a small being.

Going through the long corridors was suffocating for Hongbin as the gazes of others weighted him down.

"Why's he back?" someone whispered.

"I thought he got exiled?" another would say.

With both InGuk and Hyoshin walking by his side, it was impossible to not draw some sort of attention and it made him feel really uncomfortable. After a long dreadful walk, they were finally at the Library of Fates. Though it has been a long time since he's been here, Hongbin would never forget how intricate and detailed the library is. The tall ceiling, the billions of books, the endless flight of stairs that went all the way upwards and then, there were three golden statues of the Goddesses which were connected by a golden thread.

Hyoshin closed the door behind him and locked it shut so that no one would disturb them.

"Follow me," he said.

Though both InGuk and Hongbin are the Keepers of this library, neither of them have ever heard about any gateways or device that would allow those on Moirae's Edge to connect with those on Earth. It was the first time for both of them to hear about such things.

Hyoshin led them to the center of the library where the three statues surrounded them. He revealed a necklace that held a golden key at the end.

"What's that?" InGuk asked.

"The key to the gate," he told him.

"Key?"

As soon as Hyoshin detached the key from the necklace, the entire library started to shake.

"What the-"

The floor was starting to move and the three statues lit up. A blinding golden light shone from each of the statues and the golden thread detached itself. The circular floor below them descended as if it was an elevator.

Hongbin held his breath, anxious and scared at the same time.

"Where are we going?" Hongbin asked nervously.

"You'll see," Hyoshin answered calmly.

They were going further and further downwards and soon, the sight of the library began to disappear. Only a small spec of the library's glass ceiling could be seen as they finally landed at the very bottom of the endless flooring. As soon as they landed, something appeared from below the grounds. The eyes of the statues lightened up and directed their gaze at the center of the flooring. A column table rose from the ground, revealing a keyhole at the center.