As the portal closed, its glow slowly disappeared, leaving only silence behind. Aurel floated back, humming quietly as she watched the last remnants of the dungeon cave vanish. The frozen serpent, the quivering man, and the calm water. Everything had vanished. In front of her lay something truly amazing.
The Library of Time.
Endless shelves towered high, stretching out into the distance both above and below. Books covered in silver leather shimmered gently as they caught the light. Scrolls glided between the rows, their writings changing in shape with each glance. Hourglasses floated nearby, with sand pouring out oh so slowly. The whole atmosphere was filled with a low, rhythmic hum.
Aurel spun effortlessly in the air, a light giggle slipping out as she moved. Her hair danced around her like flames, starting with a golden color at the roots and blending into a rich blue at the ends, spreading out as her blue mist robe swirled elegantly with each motion. She reached out to one of the floating hourglasses and lightly tapped it with her tiny finger. The sand inside paused mid-fall, frozen in time. With a quiet laugh, Aurel tapped it again, making the grains shimmer and tremble in the air.
She was still laughing when a voice broke the silence.
"Aurel."
The voice was steady, calm, and unwaveringly firm.
She halted her spin, caught off guard and blinking in surprise. The voice came again, closer this time.
"What games have you been up to lately?"
Out from between two towering pillars stepped a tall figure. She wore rich blue robes embroidered with golden star motifs, and her long, pale hair cascaded down to her waist. Her green eyes shimmered with a steady, reassuring glow, carrying the weight of countless ages.
Naera, the Librarian of Time, guardian of every story and keeper of every strand of history.
Aurel paused for a moment, a smile breaking across her face. In an instant, she dashed forward, twirling once before throwing herself into Naera's embrace.
"Naera!" she exclaimed joyfully, her voice ringing with playful, youthful energy.
Naera let out a low sigh as she glanced down at the tiny figure wrapped around her waist. She reached up and tenderly ran her fingers through Aurel's hair.
"You managed to sneak out again," she said in a measured tone.
"Mmhmm!" Aurel tightened her grip, her cheek pressed against Naera's robes. "But I had to see how he's doing. I'm the one who brought him into that world, remember? It's only fair that I help him and save him when he's about to be eaten."
Naera's gaze softened, though her tone remained steady.
"You know you're not allowed to meddle with mortals."
Aurel tilted her head back, flashing a playful grin.
"I didn't meddle! I was just observing. Well..." she pinched her fingers together with a mischievous giggle. "Maybe I offered a tiny bit of assistance."
"Aurel."
Naera's serious tone should have silenced her, but instead, Aurel only giggled harder. She wriggled free and flipped upside down, her hair spilling like liquid fire.
"You always sound so serious," she teased, spinning lazily in midair. "You'll end up with wrinkles!"
Naera tilted her head, studying the girl with curiosity.
"You really see time as just a big playground, don't you?"
"Of course!" Aurel exclaimed, spreading her arms wide to take in the endless shelves around them.
"Everything here, the ticking time, flowing rivers, and shifting sands, would be so boring if you didn't have fun with it!"
Naera's gaze sharpened slightly.
"You stopped the river again."
Aurel stuck out her tongue.
"Just a little. One second. Brother didn't even notice."
Naera took a step closer, the fabric of her robes whispering against the marble floor. She adjusted the clasp at Aurel's collar. Her touch was delicate, but her words were not.
"Every ripple carries weight. Even the smallest pause may cost a thousand lives downstream."
Aurel's smile faded for a moment. Then she leaned in quickly, resting her forehead against Naera's shoulder.
"You know, he's fascinating to watch. Most people would just laugh at him, but I really like him. He's fragile, but I believe that when you challenge something delicate, it can shine even brighter. Don't you want to see how much he can really burn?"
Naera breathed out slowly. Her hand rested again on the girl's head.
"You grow attached too easily."
Aurel giggled into her robes.
"I do not. I just owe him. That is all."
Naera's voice dropped lower.
"And when owing turns into guiding?"
Aurel looked up with a cheeky smile.
"Perhaps just a bit of guidance," she said.
Naera smiled just a little, her eyes reflecting a deep, ancient patience.
"You really are something else, Time Walker."
"I know!" Aurel exclaimed in a playful tone. She tightened her grip for a moment before spinning away again.
The Library pulsed with its eternal hum. An hourglass shattered, scattering shimmering sand into the air before mending itself again. The weight of forever pressed against everything. Yet in the heart of it all, a cheerful child twirled around the composed Librarian, lost in her own little world.
Naera stared at her for a while, then murmured quietly,
"The others will notice your ripples soon. And they will not be so gentle."
Aurel's smile faltered for a heartbeat. Then she spun around, upside down once more.
"Then you'll protect me, won't you?"
Naera's silence was answer enough.
Aurel leaned in once more, lowering her voice playfully.
"You'd really miss me if I didn't sneak out like this."
Naera shook her head gently. Her lips showed the faintest affection.
"Impossible child."
"Time Walker," Aurel said with a proud grin, giving a playful thumbs-up to herself. Then she erupted into laughter, her voice bouncing off the endless rows of shelves around her.
Naera held her ground like a rock in the river, while Aurel danced around her like a little flicker on the current.
Despite their contrasting natures, they were part of the same current. The Time Walker who bent the stream, and the Librarian who ensured it remained steady.
And somewhere far below, a young man was about to discover just how bright his spark could burn.