ocean-life Chapter 425: Zach
Chapter 425: Zach
Chapter 425: Zach
Sinister Plots
Lisin escorted Zach back through the library, walking in between the bookshelves and slowly making their way down the floors. The demasi was filling him in about the rules of the Castle.
The rules are simple, Lisin said. There is no violence within the Castle. If anyone breaks this rule, all other visitors are required to interfere and end the violence as fast as possible.
Zach nodded his understanding and acceptance.
You have free reign of the Castle, all knowledge you can find is free to take provided that you have paid the initial price. Which is a donation of knowledge, weighed against what you can obtain here.
A donation? Zach asked.
You dont need to worry, the demasi smiled as he answered. The spirits have little knowledge of the Real Realm, any knowledge of it is weighed heavily. Visitors like us have little issues meeting the quota.
Zach wasnt sure what knowledge he could offer, but he had time to think about it.
There are locked doors, Lisin continued. You are not to attempt to get behind them, all knowledge that is locked is not free, if you wish for a glimpse of it, you need to trade for it. Likewise, trade of knowledge amongst the visitors of the Castle is allowed. You set your own terms, but any terms set within the confines of the Castle will be enforced by us.
A spirit flew above their heads, one that looked like a flying fish. It swooped toward one of the shelves and touched a book. The moment it came in contact it disappeared.
That made Zach stop and frown. His skill flared with flaws when the spirit touched the book, but quickly it settled again as if nothing was wrong.
Lisin noticed his expression and spoke. This isnt really a library, not how it appears to you at least.
Zach turned to look at him. What?
Lisin gestured with both hands. This is the Repository of Knowledge. It appears in the manner it is easiest for you to understand. Half of our visitors are spirits that do not read, some cant even understand spoken languages. The books on the shelves are not really books, they are the actual pearls of knowledge. If you touched any of the books you would experience the knowledge they contain rather than read it.
That sounded interesting, he really wanted to try it out, but he remembered the rules. First he had to offer knowledge for it. Still, he looked at the books, trying to focus his skills and discern the secret behind the way the room worked.
Lets get you to your quarters first, Lisin said snapping him out of his focus. He gestured with his hand, a smile on his face, urging him forward.
With a last glance at the bookshelf, Zach took a step to follow. As they walked, something else caught his attention. There were a lot of spirits in the library, more than there were when he first entered it. And if he was not mistaken, Zach was the center of attention, though it didnt appear that way. There were flaws in the ways they stood, the spirits that floated above in patterns that were to his sense clearly intended to watch him. They didnt want him to know that he was being watched.
I can escort you, we just need to key this room to you so that no other visitor can enter, Lisin answered and stepped outside, his hand reaching for the wall next to the entrance.
Zachs eyes narrowed on the bed, it felt somehow familiar. Lisins hand touched the wall, and everything clicked into place, memories from the prison and a world that was fake. But it was too late for Zach to react as the illusion fell apart. Light sprung into existence and the furniture melted away, a force slammed into Zach, driving him to his knees. The room expanded, flowing away into a massive round chamber with spirits standing all around him. Lines grew over the ground expanding from four points around him. He pushed all his will into his skills, tried to activate his Grand Step Upon the River perk, and failed. He tried to use the ring on his finger and found that it too was blocked. As if it couldnt reach beyond him. Something was pressing on him from all sides, preventing him from doing anything with his powers that required him to reach beyond the confines of his own body. He activated all of his boosting perks, making himself stronger. He raised his eyes and saw a glowing symbol in the air above one of the glowing points on the ground.
He recognized it immediately; it was the same as what Raazel had used. A giant bear stood just outside of the boundary that held him trapped. Zach gritted his teeth, fighting against the force that was trying to crush him. He could touch his power, but it was as if he was restricted to just his body. As if his power couldnt reach anything beyond it.
Why? He managed to say. You are breaking your own rules.
The Grand Spirit tilted his head. The only rule I follow is the pursuit of knowledge, in the face of knowledge all else pales in comparison. And Raazel holds an entire universe worth of knowledge and secrets. More than anyone else can offer.
The glowing symbol indicated that he had already shared some of that knowledge. You couldve refused me, Zach said, his mind already analyzing the bonds around him. Why do this?
Because I know what Raazel wants, the Grand Spirit of Knowledge said. And providing that to him will gain me much.
Zach narrowed his eyes. He saw the flaws in the power that held him captive, and slowly he sharpened his will and pushed at those flaws. Me? Zach asked. Raazel had attacked him, and while perhaps Zach hadnt been who Raazel had been looking for precisely, there was a reason why he had attacked. The shade had tried to capture him too. There was something that Zach had that Raazel was seeking.
The Grand Spirit didnt answer.
Through his connection with Naha, Zach felt her emotions, knew that she understood that something had gone wrong. The connection was fraying, the power around him stifling it. Zach focused his mind and will and then pushed with everything he had. He drew on Time and took power from the plane. The flaws in the prison shook and widened, Zach was pushing it back, but it was a slow process.
The Grand Spirit grimaced, showing his teeth, then he turned to look at Lisin.
Send the word out, I need spirits summoned into the Real Realm to deliver a message. The prison will not hold him for long.
Lisin bowed and left the chamber. Zach focused on fighting back as the spirits around him added their power to whatever it was that held him, slowing his efforts down.
His link with Naha snapped, and he was alone with his thoughts. But he remembered the last thing he felt from heranger and determination.
They couldnt know about that, and they didnt know Naha. He only had to hold out until she arrived.
You dont need to do this. It is not too late to change your mind, Zach spoke truthfully, everyone deserved a second chance, even those that wronged him.
The Grand Spirit shook his head. Seeking knowledge is in my nature. And compared to the knowledge of a universe that came before, nothing you have to offer matters.
Zach glared at the spirit, but he could no longer speak. The pressure around him was increasing as the spirits aided the glowing symbols. But his will poked at the flaws, widening them. He knew that it was only a matter of time before he pushed through and broke what was keeping him imprisoned and preventing him from using his powers. He only hoped that he would not be too tired afterward, the spirits around him stood guard, vigilant and waiting. He would need to fight them all once free.
He held on, knowing that Naha would not fail him.