/Narrator's POV/
"Welcome to the Library of Wisdom."
As they descended the spiral staircase, the world opened around them. A vast cavernous hall stretched into eternity, walls lined with shelves stacked high with thousands of books. Some floated lazily in the air, glowing faintly as if alive. The walls were carved with intricate wooden designs, curling like vines. A gentle stream of water trickled across the floor, its soft ripple echoing through the chamber, making it feel less like a library and more like a dream… a fairy tale given life.
Mira and Zoey gasped together, their voices blending: "Whoaaa!"
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Celine said with a proud little smile.
"It sure is!" Zoey grinned, spinning in place—until she noticed something moving. Tiny winged creatures darted past her eyes, looking like miniature humans dressed in petals and leaves. "M-Mini humans?!"
At her squeal, the creatures squeaked and dove for cover behind books, murmuring in alarm.
"Now you've scared them," Mira sighed, crossing her arms.
Zoey bowed quickly. "Sorry!"
Celine lifted her gaze, voice gentle. "Come here, little ones. They're hunters—just like me."
Slowly, the pixies peeked out, wings fluttering as they crept closer.
Zoey bent down, smiling sheepishly. "I'm sorry for shouting. I just… I've never seen anything as amazing—and cute—as you before!"
The pixies brightened, breaking into giggles. Then they twirled in the air, dancing playfully, their wings scattering sparks of light like fireflies.
"They are pixies," Celine explained warmly. "Their job is to care for every book here. They're the protectors of this place. Unlike the outside world, this library doesn't need hunters to defend it."
Mira tilted her head. "How come?"
With a wink, Celine gestured to the pixies. In unison, they began to sing—soft, chiming voices weaving into a breathtaking harmony. The sound filled the chamber, flowing through the walls, into the floor, into their very hearts.
Zoey gasped. "The honmoon—it feels even stronger than the golden one…"
Celine chuckled softly. "That's right. The pixies' voices hold more power than any hunter's blade. No demon can cross this threshold." She paused, her tone dipping. "Except Gwi-Ma. But he's bound to the demon realm forever. His curse keeps him there."
The pixies stopped singing, flitting down to play around Zoey, who giggled as one landed in her palm. "Too bad they can't speak our language," she said, eyes glowing. "But their music… it's like it hugs my heart."
"Indeed," Celine agreed.
Mira stepped closer to her. "If pixies are that powerful… why don't they cast this stronger version of the honmoon outside? Up there?"
Zoey nodded eagerly.
Celine's smile faltered. Her voice dropped low. "They can't. They're cursed to remain here—forever."
"What?!" Mira and Zoey cried in unison.
The pixies' expressions dimmed, their light fading as their wings drooped. Quickly, Zoey lifted her hands, letting a few land in her palms, trying to cheer them with a gentle smile.
Celine's eyes hardened. "Thousands of years ago, mythical beings thrived alongside humans—pixies, dragons, elves…"
"And mermaids?!" Zoey jumped in.
"And mermaids," Celine allowed, her lips curving softly. "All lived in harmony… until the creatures began to scorn humans. To them, mortals without magic were nothing but fragile, weak animals."
Zoey and Mira sat down, their earlier excitement giving way to curiosity.
"One day, the strongest of all beings—the King of Dragons—committed the unthinkable. He fell in love with a human woman. The other dragons saw it as shameful, a humiliation to their entire race. They turned on him."
Mira frowned. "Just because of love?"
"Yes. They fought him, and even with his immense strength, it took more than a thousand dragons to bring him down."
Mira's eyes widened. "Then he truly earned his title as King."
"Before his last breath," Celine continued, "he passed part of his power to a small village of humans—his lover's people. For the first time, humans could defend themselves. They were no longer weak. But that wasn't all." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The King of Dragons transformed into a man, so he could live a life with her. Together, they had a daughter—a warrior princess born of human and dragon blood. The Dragon Princess. She protected humans with a power no one could match."
Zoey gasped, eyes sparkling.
"But to the dragons, she was nothing more than a disgrace. An heir they could never acknowledge. So when war loomed again, the mythical races turned against her."
Celine's eyes softened as she continued. "But then, someone else noticed her. The King of Nature, lord of the pixies. He saw her strength… and he fell in love. She returned his love, and together, they had a daughter. Their bond struck fear into the other races. Humans with dragon fire and nature's grace? Unthinkable."
Zoey clasped her hands to her chest. "That's… romantic."
Celine's gaze darkened. "To the others, it was a threat. Anger spread like wildfire. And so… they conspired."
Crunch. Crunch.
Celine blinked. Mira and Zoey were munching on popcorn, wide-eyed.
"W-Wait, where did you even—?"
Zoey waved her hand dismissively. "Shh! Please keep going!"
"I wish Rumi were here," Mira muttered.
Celine sighed, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Very well. One of the humans blessed with the Dragon King's gift had a son. His name… was Gwi-Ma."
Mira and Zoey froze, stunned.
"Unlike others, he pushed his power further than anyone thought possible. He was bright. Kind. But when he fell in love with the 'Unwanted Princess'—the daughter of the Dragon Princess and the King of Life—the other races panicked. They feared humans were becoming too strong. One by one, they hunted down every empowered human. Until only Gwi-Ma remained."
Zoey's smile fell. "That's… horrible."
"He watched them slaughter his kin. His friends. His love. His rage consumed him. In his grief, his powers twisted—hatred birthing something new. Demonic power."
Mira's breath caught. "He made demons…"
"Yes. He raised fallen creatures from the grave, remade them in his fury. The first demons. The other races united against him, but nothing could kill him. In the end, the King of Life sacrificed himself to seal Gwi-Ma in the underworld forever."
Mira whispered, "So that's why he was trapped there… But if so, how did he still send demons into our world?"
"He found a loophole," Celine said grimly. "But listen carefully—the reason humans can wield the honmoon… is because of this place. This library is the burial site of the Dragon Princess and her daughter."
Zoey's eyes glistened. "No way…"
"The pixies guard it, bound here by the King of Life's final wish—to protect the resting place of those he loved."
Zoey and Mira sat in stunned silence.
Celine's voice turned quiet. "The other races live in hiding now, their numbers fading. In the war, they saw kindness in humans… and shame in themselves. Their punishment was to let humans rise, to choose who among us would carry the power of the honmoon."
Zoey tried to laugh, though her voice shook. "That's… a really long story. Almost too unbelievable."
Mira's eyes narrowed. "Then why didn't you tell us before? When we trained?"
Celine didn't answer.
Mira stood, frustration rising. "You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Celine's lips curved into a sad smile. "That's all I can say. The rest—you'll find here, if you're meant to. Don't ask me again."
Zoey scrambled. "W-Wait! We also wanted you to talk to Rumi! She deserves to hear about her parents from you, not secondhand."
Celine paused on the steps. Her back stiffened.
"If you want the truth… find the book." A sigh escaped her lips, heavy with sorrow. "I don't deserve to see Rumi anymore."
She disappeared up the stairs, leaving silence in her wake.
Zoey pouted. "This is so hard…"
Mira placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then let's not waste time. Let's find that book."
"Right!"
But as Celine reached the upper steps, an elderly pixie with a long white beard floated before her. His eyes, once kind, held a heavy weight.
"Finally," he said softly. "You brought hunters here."
Celine's expression softened. "Byulmer…"
"You left pieces out of your story," the elder pixie scolded. "I wonder… how the little girl I once told these tales to could forget such details."
Celine's eyes hardened. "They don't deserve to know the rest."
"And if they find the book?"
Celine smiled faintly. "I burned it. Along with my powers. They'll never know."
Byulmer's sternness faltered into sorrow. "Still… you always had my soft spot, child."
She brushed past him. "And you always had mine."
When she was gone, Byulmer hovered in the silence, his glow dimmed.
"Oh, Princess Fiore…" he whispered into the air. "Have mercy on us."