Forbidden Knowledge

The library's clock chimed to announce that it was 8:00, many people were off the street due to school or work, Shia and Rosalix climbed up the stone steps towards the city's main public library, it was open from 9:00 a.m. till midnight. The building was inspired to look like a castle from a fantasy novel. There were towers along it's walls, an enchanting garden in the back with a maze, and the building was made out of stone and marble. The front entrance was a huge arched doorway of dark oak, it's doorknobs were made in the style of vines to complement the flowery engravings and beautiful stone carvings around it. Rosalix clasped her hand around the cold metal and pushed the doors open. 

The scent of the age old books and a mixture of spices greeted them. Rosalix took a deep breath and inhaled it, she wanted to remember everything about this place before she left tomorrow. Nobody was here in the early morning so the sound of Shia's chic, peep-toe heels and Rosalix's durable, black leather boots echoed in the marble lobby leading to Rosalix's favorite place in the whole city. Unlike the outside, which has retained it's original design since it was built, the inside was slightly updated.

The building were provided lighting from miniature suns that adjusted it's brightness depending on the outside light from the stain glass windows during the day, and glowing orbs of moonlight when it was night. The main stairs were still made of smooth stone while the other stairs were made of thick glass that hovered in the air with floating shelves of books around them. Instead of elevators, there were metal disks that floated up, down, and sideways towards all thirteen floors. The ceiling was remodeled to project live feed of the stars that were the thousands of known and uncharted worlds. in the center of the main room was a circular desk of steel and glass that was the librarian's station.  

Rosalix saw wonder and possibilities every time she saw the countless number of books on every shelf. She had been the librarian's apprentice since she was found at it's doorstep with no memory at the age of seventeen. Since she was always working in the library, she read all the books in the building and her desire to explore the worlds beyond Dusk City grew. Rosalix felt a little sad about leaving the chief librarian.

"Rosalix! Shia!" the sound of an old, crabby lady echoed from the main stairs. The two girls stopped in their tracks and turned to see their boss, Mrs. Archane, also known as Mrs. Ancient because rumors were that she was a thousand years old. For an old lady, she was still strict and stern when it came to the well-being of books. She was also the closest thing Rosalix had for a mother and she was her teacher as well.

"Good morning Mrs. Archane!" Shia greeted her warmly. Her smile practically lit up the room. Rosalix rarely ever smiled, her friend Shia said if she did, she might get a boyfriend if she did. 

"Morning Mrs. Archane." Rosalix said.

"You girls were practically late again!" She greeted them with."Punctuality is important if you wish to be respectable ladies!" Rosalix was used to the old hag's old fashioned ideals, but Rosalix just nodded her head most of the time.

"I know this is your last day hear  with us Rosalix, but you could at least give this old women a better last image of you." She said in a sigh.

"Wait! Your leaving today!?" Shia turned towards Rosalix with a look of surprise,"Why didn't you say so!? Now it's mandatory that we celebrate your birthday!"

"I was gonna tell you after work today, and I leave tomorrow morning." Rosalix defended herself.

"Since this will be the last day you will work for me," Mrs Archane said,"You may take twenty one books from the library to make up for all your other birthdays with an extra one I have for you."

"Really!?" Rosalix was ecstatic, she loved the books in the library and Mrs. Archane had never let her keep any of the books, not even the old ones that no one ever checked out. For the first time in five years, Rosalix hugged Mrs. Archane to let her know how much she really appreciated her guidance.

   "Now go child, pick your books before people come."

Rosalix didn't waste anytime, she jumped onto a disk and went in search for her books. She already knew which books she wanted and where they were so that in less than an hour, she was already back at the ground floor. She carried the books in her bag, which could expand and carry practically an infinite amount of items. It was a gift from Shia from some of her other birthdays. Dusk City was also known for it's variety a shops that had merchandise enchanted by magic and advanced technology.

"Ha! You really do love this library." Mrs. Archane smiled at Rosalix as she came back."Wait here." She went into her private office for the last book.

"So what books did you get?" Shia asked. She liked books, but she wasn't as enthusiastic as Rosalix.

"I chose some story books that are only available here, a few information books, and other things. I'll buy a Charted Universe Book from the bookstore later for when I go."

Soon, Mrs. Archane came back, in her hands was a thick book in smooth, black binding. It's pages were a pristine white, as if it had never opened. On the front was a silver lock the shape of a cross embedded with black jewels and an image of a heart, one half was white and the other black, with a white bird wing and black bat wing, and a dragon.

"This book was found right next to you when I found you at the front of the library at night. It had a note saying to only give this to you until you turned twenty one." She handed it to Rosalix, as she did, Rosalix felt a warm sensation spreading from her fingers.

"The book can only be opened by the charm on your necklace." Mrs. Archance pointed at the cross that hanged off her black choker. It was silver with a black diamond shaped like a heart in the center, another item she had with her when she first came to Dusk City.

"Do not open it until you leave Dusk City, I imagine that it holds a secret to your past. I only hope that you stay safe when you journey to other worlds." Mrs. Archane handed her an envelope with her last check."Now go! I'm giving you two today off so you can have fun today."

"You're the best Mrs. Archane!" Shia said, she quickly grabbed Rosalix's hand and ran out the doors. Rosalix quickly looked back and yelled back, "Thank you for everything! I'll come back one day! I promise!" she flashed at her a smile and ran with Shia.

As they left, Mrs. Archane silently prayed that Rosalix would be able to get through the trials ahead of her, as such is the fate of those blessed by the gods.

"She's left the building," A man said, he observed from the same spot the group of twelve had remained since Rosalix went in."It looks like she's not working today, so we don't have to stay here."

"Great, it's too boring up here." A women said, "Lets get moving."

"Wait, she's carrying something..." the same man as before said, he looked closely at the book and what he say terrified him. "Damn! She's got the book!" 

This caused all of them to freeze, fear in their eyes. If she had the book they were thinking of, things were going to get more difficult, they had to talk to her sooner than they thought.

"She has her book." The group of seven from before observed.

"Well, this might get a little complicated." One of them said. "That book contains knowledge that could drastically affect our plans."

"I don't think so," Another said,"If we can get her from opening the book before we approach her, we could use the same knowledge to help us."

"True, those pests have already come  to the same conclusion. We must act fast." Their leader said."It's time for our angel to wake from this peaceful dream and immerse herself into the nightmare." 

Author's Note

Please review! I ant all kinds of feedback so I can improve.