Grand Castle of Elpahel, Headquarters of The Arcanists organization, in the depths of the Spirit World.
In order to access this place, one first needs to gain access to the smaller Domains and get permission from the team Captain.
Rozanne mentioned earlier that Dunn Smith was gone on a work trip and she wasn't exactly sure where the man would be.
However, in case of emergencies, the Castle was free for access.
The travel through the Spirit World made her just as dizzy, if not more than the past times. Perhaps this particular citadel was placed further than the rest, making it much more of a nuisance to reach.
Nonetheless, both women stepped through what looked like another door, grand and mighty, made out of burly dark wood and stained glass windows.
The thing about this door, was that it couldn't be opened, not even by the mightiest of men.
Both ladies stepped on terracotta tiles with mosaic patterns and crimson rugs. The walls were inscribed with countless patterns and symbols, arches with a myriad of grand double doors embellished the place.
The castle was brightly illuminated, yet the chandelier candles contributed little, as if light was coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
It felt like visiting an ancient castle, only it was actually during its time period and not just a poorly established tourist attraction.
Amanises felt a strange sense of serenity walking through it, her steps having a strange echo.
Royale signed to her, pointing to a direction.
A few steps and the women stood before a large desk where another woman sat.
The receptionist was simply writing something down, occasionally checking the scattered files and notes.
Her black fountain pen worked diligently, leaving a trail of ink with no surplus or splattered spots.
She was a professional.
Amanises took note of the name written on the desk tent.
Sasha Birmingham.
She had braided hair, pinned to the back of her head, split bangs that framed her forehead nicely, thin nose and even thinner lips.
Only when Royale knocked on the desk, did her green eyes gaze over them, taking in each detail of their faces.
Amanises took note that her hands were still writing, large bracelets dancing on her wrist.
"May I help you?"
Her professional tone was similar to the receptionist at her old company, so Amanises instantly turned 'work mode'.
"I'm looking for a specific person. I heard that there is a book that keeps records of everyone that has ever lived. Is that true?"
The receptionist glanced around, then nodded. "Name."
"Evelyn Dusk and Royale Reideen."
"The Records are a dangerous Sealed Artifact of a high sequence, access is only granted through another high sequence higher-up. You can make a claim and be offered assistance."
"Great. I shall make one. When will it be done?"
The woman looked at her with the same indifference. "Two to three business days."
Two to three business days?! Back on Earth this would've been a mere Google Search!!!
Amanises was stunned. She never thought it would take so long! She opened her mouth in retaliation but was quickly cut-off.
"We need to make sure a demigod is available, check your background, intentions, mission and additional check-ups.
"This is an important procedure that has been running since the Fourth Epoch, implemented specifically by The Leader.
"He is weary of thieves."
Fuck! I can't wait that long. And even if I do, what should I tell them? I did get some sort of revelation. It could be used as a claim but what about proof?
This would trigger a whole investigation!
More importantly, why business days specifically?
"Is there really no other way?" Asked Royale.
"Hmmm." The receptionist switched her stare between both of them. "Who is the one that needs to use it?"
"Me, Evelyn Dusk." Answered Amanises with hope in her heart.
"I joined less than a month ago and only became a Sleepless after."
She started to give out her details, making sure to let the woman know everything, and not keeping important stuff hidden.
The receptionist pursed her lips and spoke again. "Have you used it before?"
She shook her head. "No, this is my first time coming here."
The woman named Sasha sighed heavily. "Alright, there's another policy. For lower sequences, access is granted only once, without the need of higher members."
Really? That's also a thing? Is this like a free trial?
"Can I use it now?"
"Yes, but it's still better to wait for a demigod to be available, any strange event will put you under tight supervision and perhaps a thorough search."
"I'm okay with that. I'd like to use it now."
The receptionist scribbled something on a small paper, then stamped it. She handed it to Amanises and gave the instructions.
"First, go to the Archive and retrieve information regarding the Artifact and its method of use. Ask the keeper if you need any help." She pointed in a direction. "Take the door to the right, walk down the hallway past two more intersections, take a left turn and then a right one. There should be a double door there."
"A million thanks!" Amanises hurried to the appointed direction.
Before Royale could make a move to follow, she was stopped by Sasha. "Miss Reideen, please remain here. I have something to discuss with you."
Royale was a bit surprised but soon nodded in agreement.
…
Step, step.
Amanises carefully followed the instructions, making sure to keep note of the hallways and remember the directions, until she reached the Archive Room.
The inside was filled with countless bookshelves, extending into the unlit void, it was akin to a large deposit during late hours into the night.
The echo of large footsteps was heard as an old man made his way over.
Amanises took another look at his face, slightly surprised. The man looked to be in his prime!
It was only his gray hair that gave the impression of age, for his features were sharp and his eyes even more so.
A short and cut beard marred his features, and his gaze felt incredibly cautious and almost—annoyed?
Did I bother him?
Only now did she take a good look at the paper.
Sealed Artifact 1-38, Records of the Void.
She handed it to the keeper, who grasped it violently.
"I'm looking for this." She still tried to keep a polite appearance, despite the clear anger within the man.
"1-38 huh? Did you receive permission?"
"Im using my one time free attempt."
"Ugh. You will need someone to escort you to not do something stupid. Unfortunately, it has to be me."
Yeah that's great and all but hurry up!
The man with long messy gray hair made his way over to a bookshelf, extended his hand and, from an incredible height, a dossier fell down right in his palm.
He shuffled through it and handed it to her.
"Read the contents here, you have five minutes."
"Alright." She opened the document and started flipping through it, before stopping again at the first page.
Number: 38
Name: Records of the Void
Danger grade: 1
Requirements: Can be used by each member, no matter the sequence. !Must be a Beyonder!
Necessitates permission from a demigod of the Seer pathway, or one's presence.
Huh? A Seer demigod? Is the keeper one of them?
She stopped thinking and continued to read.
Description: A book that contains no text, but will write whatever the user needs as long as it was recorded in History.
It is put on a designated stand in the middle of its containment space—a room which leaves no light.
Sealing method: The sealing is done personally by [Redacted] (the name will only appear after one has already grasped it).
Usage process: Before opening the book, picture the person clearly or repeat the name in your mind at least 7 times.
Then flip 47 pages using the same repeated motion. If the person or creature displayed is the desired one, memorize the information and close the book.
If not, flip 3 pages back and then another 47, repeat the motion until you get the designated result or when the number of attempts reaches 10.
Warning: Do not glance at the pages flipped back. Users claim that they have sighted the most horrible and deformed creatures. High chances for one of them to be an Angel or above, sight of it leading to immediate loss of control.
Warning: Do not exceed 10 attempts, otherwise you will become part of History.
Warning: Do not remove the book from its stand!
Origin: Stolen from the Church of Combat.
You're afraid of thieves, yet you're a thief yourself. Commented Amanises, while flipping the page.
Additional description: It is speculated that it used to be a Sequence 3 Beyonder, a Scholar of Yore from the Seer pathway.
The Beyonder had lost control upon gazing at a person he shouldn't have, and lost himself within the Void. His characteristics were retrieved by the God Of Combat Himself and turned into a Sealed Artifact of the Church.
Afterwards it was stolen by [Redacted] (the name will only appear after one has already grasped it), and sealed by Him.
There has been an attempt to steal the book, however—after it was removed from its seal, the book gained living characteristics and ate the thief whole.
Following that two other members have been caught by the book, eaten and trapped within it.
Only saved by Him.
The chances of actually being taken out from the Void are minimal.
The thief wasn't recovered.
…
With that Amanises finished reading the important information, of course there was a lot more, recording each of the times Records of the Void had been used.
However, this wasn't of too much importance to Amanises, she already grasped the method and requirements and signaled to the keeper that she was done.
"You can take the file with you, as long as you don't rip it or lose it, it's alright." He spoke between gritted teeth, then walked towards the entrance of the archives.
"Follow me."
After a few twists and turns in the grand castle, the pair reached another dark corridor that led to a set of stairs.
Down those stairs, more endless hallways constricted her vision.
There, countless doors spread out evenly on both sides, each holding one or more Sealed Artifacts.
"Here." The old man opened a room, holding the door for the lady.
As per description, it was shrouded in thick darkness, one so thick that she, with her enhanced night vision, couldn't see through.
"Walk straight ahead."
She abided by the instructions, walking in a straight line before bumping into a lone book stand.
She felt the leather cover with her fingertips, inspecting it clearly.
Before her vision was illuminated by a dim, almost illusory, light coming from nowhere.
She saw the cover full this time, it was simply leather, without any symbols inscribed into it.
Remembering the usage method, she started flipping through it in the same repeated motion after picturing the man who bears the name Lamud and saying his name in her mind seven times.
A total of 46 pages have been flipped, and when she turned over the last one, the page was full of text and a picture—similar to an identity file.
It was the face of a beautiful woman, the one she saw in the Baron's memories.
This is his wife. She also bears his name.
One failure.
Amanises closed her eyes and flipped three pages, before she started the same motion again and opened her eyes.
At the 47th page another piece of text and a picture showed.
It was a young child, bronze skin but no mole under his ear..
Must be his child.
Again, three pages back and 47 forward. Onto the third attempt.
Third time's the charm!
This time, a man in his thirties, bronze skin, soft features and a mole under his right ear.
Baron Lamud!
It's him!
She started reading his description.
Status: Unknown
Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown
Description: A young man who lost his memories gained recognition by the king and became a well respected baron in a town he called after his name.
He fell in love with his wife and had a child.
A few undocumented years later, he disappeared from his castle; it is speculated that it happened when he was around 60 (or appeared to be).
The man does not age.
~End~