DARIA: THE GREAT LIBRARY OF DARIA
As they walked through the towering halls of the Great Library, Phobos tilted his head back to take in the endless rows of shelves stretching far above them.
"This place is insane," he muttered quietly.
Zira allowed herself a small smile.
"Focus," she whispered. "We're here for something specific."
From the opposite aisle, someone approached.
Judging by her attire, she worked here.
She wore a neat, practical uniform: a fitted cream blouse tucked into a dark green skirt, layered with a tailored waistcoat. Her shoes were simple and polished, perfect for moving quietly through the library.
But she was not entirely human.
Long, soft green hair fell halfway down her back, catching the light as she walked. Atop her head, a pair of delicate cat ears twitched, the fur matching the rich green of her hair.
A long, graceful tail swayed behind her, the same hue as her ears, adding a subtle, charming presence.
Her eyes sparkled with alert curiosity, bright and warm—the perfect blend of mischief and professionalism that made her approachable yet efficient.
"Excuse me," Zira said politely. "We're looking for books on shapeshifters."
The librarian's tail flicked lightly.
"Ah, I can tell you're new here," she said with a soft smile. "Follow me. I'll take you to the right section."
Zira squeezed Phobos's hand, and they followed her through the maze of shelves, winding past rows of bookshelves stacked from floor to ceiling.
After a few minutes, they arrived at a large room.
The ceiling arched high above them, and every wall was lined with bookshelves, heavy with volumes of all sizes.
A polished wooden sign hung above the entrance:
CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RECORDS: DEMI-HUMANS, CLANS, AND LINEAGES
At a desk near the center of the room, a young woman sat.
She had long, sleek pink hair, carefully styled, and piercing pink eyes behind a pair of reading glasses.
Two elegantly curved horns, like those of a sheep, curved gracefully from her head.
Her attire was distinctly different from that of the other library staff. She wore a long-sleeved ivory blouse made of soft, smooth fabric.
The color was warm and gentle, not pure white, giving it a calm and refined appearance.
Around her neck was a high black ruffled collar, dark and layered, creating a strong contrast against the pale blouse.
Her waist was fitted with a firm black corset that held the blouse neatly in place and gave her a straight, composed posture.
Below it, she wore a long, dark charcoal skirt, almost black in color. The skirt fell smoothly without decoration, simple and elegant.
As Zira stepped closer, the librarian raised her head, looking at them over her glasses.
"Read quietly. No noise. Don't bring food inside," she instructed, pointing toward a sign posted on the wall.
The sign listed the usual rules of the library:
Maintain silence at all times.
Do not eat or drink inside the library.
Handle all books with care.
Return materials to their proper shelves.
Ask staff for assistance if needed.
Phobos leaned forward to check the librarian's name tag.
"Name: Aine Huru. Age: 24. Clan: Ariesfell," he whispered.
Aine's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Can you tell your boyfriend to keep it down? I said no noise."
Zira's cheeks flushed.
"No… he's not my boyfriend," she said softly.
"Whatever. Just make him quiet," Aine replied, handing them a form to fill out. "Fill this in, then you can proceed."
Zira and Phobos quickly completed the paperwork.
"So, what kind of book are you looking for, Zira?" Phobos asked curiously.
"Just something related to clans in Fulton," she replied.
As Phobos wandered through the shelves, his fingers brushing the spines of dusty volumes, Zira observed him quietly.
He spends so much time in the school library… He clearly loves reading. Strange that this is his first time here.
Phobos muttered under his breath as he examined a particularly thick book.
"I hate books… The smell is kind of frustrating, honestly. But the library itself? Not bad. Quiet… peaceful… You could sleep all day in here."
He glanced around at the orderly rows of polished tables and towering shelves.
"But nothing beats the school library. Now that's a real place to nap."
Phobos's fingers paused on a thick, brown leather spine wedged tightly between two older volumes.
The leather was worn smooth with age, its edges darkened from decades of handling. Faint gold lettering was pressed into the cover.
CODEX OF SHIFTING BLOOD
The title alone stirred something in him.
He pulled it free.
A small breath of dust escaped into the air as the book opened.
On the very first page was an illustration, rendered in detailed, careful inkwork.
A massive bear lay curled in sleep, its chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm.
Even in stillness, it looked powerful.
Alive.
Phobos's eyes narrowed slightly.
"This might look interesting," he murmured.
He carried the book to a nearby table and sat down.
Across the room, Zira watched him.
She didn't interrupt.
A quiet warmth spread across her face as she saw the focus in his eyes.
He looked different when he read.
Calmer.
Phobos turned the page.
---
THE CODEX OF SHIFTING BLOOD
Recorded within the Grand Archive of Daria
Demi-humans are beings who have lived among humans since the earliest age.
They are neither fully beast nor fully human.
Each recognized clan exists within three distinct biological states:
Human Form
Used for integration, diplomacy, and coexistence.
In this state, most physical traits are suppressed, though certain markers often remain.
Hybrid Form
A transitional state combining human cognition with partial beast physiology.
This form offers a balance between intelligence and physical enhancement.
Full Beast Form
The complete biological expression of the bloodline.
In this state, the individual assumes the form of their ancestral creature while retaining full sentience.
Though they may appear human…
Their blood does not forget.
---
THE LUNAR CLAN
Region: Celeatia
Temperament: Territorial, pride-driven, combat-oriented
The Lunar are wolf-blooded demi-humans recognized for their combat ability and strong clan hierarchy.
Historical records confirm their involvement in resistance against forced relocation during early territorial conflicts.
They never visit Daria.
They hate humans.
Human Form
Physically human in structure.
Their eyes retain a gold pigmentation that reflects light in darkness.
Hybrid Form
Increased height and muscle density.
Clawed hands, elongated ears, and visible fangs.
Fur develops along the spine and forearms.
Full Beast Form
A wolf of abnormal size, standing seven to eight feet tall, with a body length of twelve feet from nose to tail and possessing immense strength.
Their eyes burn gold under moonlight.
---
THE VIRELUNE CLAN
Region: Celestial
Temperament: Observant, analytical, socially adaptive
Fox-blooded shapeshifters known for intelligence and emotional control.
Human Form
Refined facial symmetry.
Faint pigmentation patterns beneath the skin.
Hybrid Form
Fox ears and tail remain visible.
Enhanced hearing and reflexes.
Full Beast Form
A large fox standing seven feet at the shoulder, with a thirteen-foot body length and possessing unnatural coloration.
---
THE NAGA CLAN
Region: Celestial
Structure: Blood-purity hierarchy
Serpent-lineage demi-humans divided by genetic purity.
Pureblood Naga
Human Form
Human physiology with vertical slit pupils.
Hybrid Form
Scaled skin.
A partially serpentine lower body.
Full Beast Form
A massive serpent measuring fifteen feet in length, possessing advanced intelligence.
---
THE KORVATH CLAN
Region: Nyxoria
Temperament: Physically dominant, endurance-focused
Bull-blooded demi-humans known for overwhelming strength.
Human Form
Muscular build.
Permanent horns.
Hybrid Form
Increased skeletal density.
Hoofed legs.
Full Beast Form
A massive bull standing over eighteen feet tall, with reinforced skeletal mass.
---
THE AERALITH CLAN
Region: Celestial Mountain Territories
Temperament: Strategic, isolationist
Avian lineage.
Human Form
Hair composed entirely of feathers.
Hybrid Form
Arms transform into wings.
Lower body forms talons.
Full Beast Form
A massive avian creature.
The arms fully become wings while the lower body remains.
---
THE THORIA CLAN
Region: Nyxoria
Temperament: Reserved, territorial
Aquatic lineage.
They require regular exposure to water.
Human Form
Pale skin.
Reflective slit-pupil eyes.
Hybrid Form
Scale formation.
A fish-like tail while the upper body remains human.
Full Beast Form
A massive aquatic serpent.
---
THE FENRATH CLAN
Region: Celestial
Temperament: Instinct-driven, unstable
Wolf lineage.
Less stable than the Lunar.
Human Form
Partial fang retention.
Hybrid Form
Their most common state.
Full Beast Form
A wolf standing nine feet tall, with a twelve-foot body length.
---
THE ANTHROPOS CLAN
Region: Fulton
Temperament: Adaptive, socially integrated
Unique among all clans.
They are born fully human.
They possess no fixed beast lineage.
Human Form
Indistinguishable from humans.
Hybrid and Beast Forms
Dependent on acquired blood.
Blood Assimilation Ability
Anthropos can temporarily adopt the biology of another clan through blood ingestion.
This includes:
- Human Form
- Hybrid Form
- Full Beast Form
This is not imitation.
It is complete biological conversion.
Because of this, they serve as intermediaries between species.
---
Phobos didn't realize how still he had become.
His fingers rested lightly on the page.
His eyes moved slowly across the words.
Something about it felt heavy.
Real.
Across the room, Zira continued watching him.
Her smile softened.
She had never seen him this absorbed before.
Phobos turned the next page.
VALERIAN STREET
"Looking for the guild, right?" Hesper asked as she walked a step behind Cassandra.
"Yeah," Cassandra replied, scanning the street ahead. "I can feel it. It's close."
The road was busy, filled with passing voices, moving bodies, and wagons.
Cassandra turned a corner without slowing and walked straight into someone.
"Hey! Watch where you're going," the man snapped. "Are you blind or something? Kids these days…"
He turned fully, irritation still written across his face.
Then he froze.
His eyes narrowed in recognition.
"…You," he said quietly.
"You're that girl from before."
Cassandra blinked.
"Huh? Do I know you?"