Chapter 155

Lykan

What Remained After

Lykan, Kosha, and Brenna all emerged from the emergency hatch that led straight up through the burnt and charred remains of the High Wood Elven stronghold. Along the way, the group stopped, as Lykan checked for survivors, and spoke longingly about his past.

“Here is the great library, these books were grown and embedded with the words and thoughts of the creators.” Lykan said, pointing to the burnt room.

In this room the trio spent the most time, looking for any books that were not so damaged that they could not be reused. Unfortunately, there seemed to have been an explosion, followed by an intense fire that burned its way through the different books.

In the back, behind a secret wall, Lykan found what he had been looking for. The translated texts, and the not translated texts. See even with most of the pages burnt, most of the sections were easy to identify. The first and most flammable section were those books that were beyond the boundary of the great book vines that lined the room. Those closer to the heart had a better chance of surviving, as they were where the living plant was most alive.

Sadly, looking at the wonderous plant, it became quickly obvious to Lykan why such a marvelous plant existed. How such a marvelous plant could exist at all.

“The plant lives off of qi?” Brenna asked, seeing the still glowing leaves. She then plucked part of a burnt leaf and held it close to her nose. With a deep breath, she inhaled the rich scent of life qi. While she had never experienced such an effect before, the scent and purpose of the qi were without question.

Seeing the plant caused a look of longing to rise in Lykan. The tree was one of his most favorite findings as a child. A tree that could literally grow books. Then not only could it grow books with pages that could be written upon, in the case of fires, it could defend the most important texts. Texts that were the closest to its trunk. Even now, the tree seemed to exist for one exact purpose, to grow and preserve knowledge.

Looking at the plant, it was clear that it had grown too big to be sustained on the ambient qi around. Its roots had to have grown deep, deep to the dungeon core below. With the dungeon core no longer operational, it was clear that the lack of qi, right when it needed qi the most due to fire damage would likely cause the plant to die.

Still, would a world filled with such magnificent life forms be a detriment? Surely not all of the perversions to the world that would arrive with terraforming were as evil as dragons?

With his hand gently stroking the qi vines, everyone could see the vines move and react to his touch. Almost as if it was somehow conscious, as if it somehow remembered the boy who spent so many nights diligently translating texts from within these halls.

At his touch, the vines sent a pulse of qi into him. This was a minor thing, nothing more than a quick probe. But that probe provided details on Lykan back to the plant. Lykan could feel his own qi reserves being tested. Then as if in confirmation, the vine began to twist and move in a most unusual way. If the vines had vertebrae they would have surely snapped, due to the fierce contortions being performed. Yet, as a vine, this violent twisting did little more than cause the flowing qi within the plant to hesitate slightly.

“What is that?” Kosha asked, moving closer but still staying behind both Lykan and Brenna should anything happen.

The leaves of the plant moved to show a small tunnel. A tunnel that held people, or at least one person, at the far end.

There was a tense silence as everyone remained quiet. Lykan lowered his stance to a crouch as if to get a better look down the tunnel. Brenna for her part had her giant axe ready. With but a few crisp strikes, she could render most of the remaining branches to kindling.

Kosha for her part knew to stay quiet when Lykan had that face on. The face that showed he was ready to pounce and act at a moment’s notice.

There they waited.

Until finally an ash covered creature came out from hiding. Upon exiting the hiding spot, they let out an “eep!” At the sight of Lykan and the others.

Lykan for his part just let a flash of recognition fill his eyes. “Malkin?” Lykan more asked than anything.

Upon hearing his name, the dirt covered creature paused as they looked on. It had been a long time, the monster before him now had close to a decade of growth since Library Guardian Malkin last laid eyes on the man. But here he was, standing like a ghost of the past.

Looking at the man and his densely packed muscles, it was clear that this man before him was a warrior. Not just any warrior, but one who could even challenge the legends of old. Yet, there was still a note of compassion to his gaze.

“Ly, Lykan?” The old elf asked. His word faint as if speaking it would cause the apparition before him to disappear into smoke.

Judging by the expression on the high wood elf’s face, he likely figured Lykan was likely a ghost that had come back to haunt him.

“Yes.” Was all Lykan said, as he held out a hand and offered to pick the elf up.

The elf trembled slightly at the sight of the hand. “I am sorry for what we did to you. Sending you out like that. You were just a kid; you had no right to be treated that way.” Malkin said, looking down and away from the offered hand.

Hearing that Lykan cocked his head to the side, trying to understand what was going on. Fortunately, Brenna was able to pick up on the nervous ticks of the elf on the ground.

“Mr. Elf. This is no ghost of revenge or vengeance. This is Lykan Vov’Vita. We heard the summons from the Gods and came as quickly as we could. We even killed the Titan that you built your little nest over.” Brenna said, her brogue coming out slightly as she tried to make sure she spoke in the same language that she heard this elf speaking.

When Lykan turned back he saw that Brenna had sheathed her axe and was now moving forward to offer her hand. She was far shorter in stature, which to a crawling man still seemed to be towering, but less imposing that Lykan’s tall frame and imposing aura exuded.

With Brenna there, Lykan moved aside so she could assist the old guardian in his place.

“Was anyone else back there with you?” Brenna asked. Helping the man up, then proceeding to gently get a lot of the dust and ash off him.

Malkin looked down to the rescuer, to the beautiful dwarven warrior that was Brenna. Hearing that, the face of Malkin dropped.

“No, I was the only one in the library when that monster came. I had found the spot quite by accident, but instantly went to it when the mayhem started.” Malkin began, but then his once proud face fell as he recounted what happened next. “I hid like a coward while I heard the others cry out in pain as they were slaughtered.”

“The priestesses?” Lykan asked.

Hearing that, and seeing the expression on Lykan’s face, Malkin sunk even more. Seeing this, Brenna cut in. “Lykan, stop that.”

“Stop what?” Lykan asked, but his question was ignored.

What he didn’t know was that with that question he released a wave of dominance. Of those here only Brenna seemed to be unphased by the sheer exertion of will that Lykan had inadvertently released. Even Kosha felt a slight tremble, at the force, but was quickly relieved to feel the force of the gaze being directed elsewhere.

“Here, why don’t you take my hand, and we can try to look for survivors together.” Brenna offered. With her arm extended, the soot covered man graciously accepted and with that began walking out of the library. For over forty years he had stood as guardian and caretaker of the great library, the greatest repository of knowledge from before the fall. Then after one disaster, he was willing to give up his post, so that he could look for fellow survivors.

With Malkin’s help, searching the long-forgotten passageways of the labyrinth became easier. In a way, looking through the rubble, even the places they had seen in passing on the way down was like a trip down memory lane.

“I remember this being the main training room.” Lykan said.

Seeing the destroyed room, Malkin let a faint smile come to his lips as he remembered. “Yes, I remember you having the darndest of times against those mana beasts.”

Hearing that, Lykan let out a sigh. After that, he too remembered how his training would often ended early due to being unable to conjure mana. Still, it had been great training, made even better when he was eventually able to overcome the beasts by using their own mana against them.

The group found the guards, the priestesses, and even the lowly servants like Malkin all over the place. Their bodies broken and discarded. Seeing Octavia’s lifeless corpse sent a searing jolt of pain down Lykan.

Upon recognizing the body and Lykan staring at her, Malkin offered a few last word. “I don’t know what happened between you two. Some type of misunderstanding if I am to be remembering correctly. Know that what she did, she felt truly sorry for. She cried herself to sleep for half a year, hoping that you would return to her. To give her the chance to explain.”

Hearing that Lykan nodded. He remembered there being a bit going on. Looking back on it now, he could barely make out most of the details. The whole thing was a bit cloudy in his mind. He remembered being in a deep somber place at that time. He also remembered how he abandoned Aren and Nayali both shortly after that point. Though he couldn’t quite remember why. He remembered being mad at Nayali, likely having something to do with his breakup from Octavia.

As he thought this, a strong but gentle hand rested on Lykan’s. At the gentle touch Lykan didn’t even have to look, to know the hand belonged to Brenna. Instead, he just smiled, as he realized he was in a much better place now, than where he was seven years ago.

“What did she do?” Kosha asked, her voice filled with the boundless curiosity of youth.

Hearing her words, Lykan couldn’t help but not get angry. Looking at her, he remembered that he too was once young. That he once asked to hear the answers to questions that hurt others the most. This was a healing mechanism, without talking about things, the problems only built up over time. Until they were finally too big to handle on your own.

Those who are older often choose not to ask these questions, for they fear. They either fear the answer, or fear that such questions will be asked of them. Youth however have no such fears. To them, answering truthfully of their worst fear is often something benign like stealing a first kiss, while she should be tending to her chores.

“She hurt me. Really badly. Broke me in a way. Made it so my meridians were damaged beyond compare. It took the work of many divine blessings from the Gods, and many monumental feats to get to where I am. But I can’t say I am disappointed in what happened. At least not anymore.” Lykan answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Kosha just cocked her head to the side. “Wait, she destroyed your meridians, the things that are needed to use mana. She broke them, and you are okay with that? She didn’t even say sorry or nothing?”

Hearing that Lykan just smiled. “Yep, at the time I was angry. But that was needed to get me to this point. If I didn’t have that set back, I wouldn’t be here with you today.”

“Where would you be?” Kosha asked.

Lykan thought about it, then chuckled as he realized something. “Actually, I take it back. I likely would have been here today. But rather than searching the wreckage for survivors with you, I would likely be one of the bodies that we’ve found here today.”

With that, all questions stopped. Instead, the group just brought all the bodies to the burial room. At which point Malkin gave the final words of release.

“Great Forest Spirit. Hear the prayer of this old one. May you take the bodies of the fallen and usher them back into the cycle of rebirth. May you look over them and grant them blessings so that they might find their way back to your side.”

With that Malkin gave the sacred gesture, one that Kosha quickly mimicked.

Lykan and Brenna for their parts just bowed their heads. Lykan had long since grown to the point where he disagreed with the Great Forest Spirit but chose not to make such a disagreement known at this time. This was a time of unity. When Malkin would need all the support he could gain.

With the prayer completed, the bodies disappeared.

“Whoa.” Kosha let out an excited gasp, as she saw the bodies just disappear.

“Yes, young one, the Great Forest Spirit is still powerful, even now.” Malkin said.

“So, what will you do now?” Lykan asked.

Malkin looked around the debris filled ruins that had once been the grandest hall in all the lands. Even after its re-awakening it had still seen a slight rise to its former prominence. Only to be struck down once again.

“I think I will stay here for a while. I will attempt to work with the great library, to help it preserve the sacred knowledge that it has guarded for centuries.” Malkin answered.

Hearing that, a faint smile formed on his lips. “A librarian, truly no more valiant profession. Thank you for your deeds.” Lykan said with a bow. While his words might come across as condescending for anyone who only knew of the legendary warrior. His actions and expression showed his true appreciation and reverence for both books, and those who maintain them.

With that the three departed the lair of the old librarian, to let him collect himself.

With the exploration part done, and Lykan able to find as much closure as he could with the current situation. The trio began to make their way upward. Where a new set of troubles awaited.

BOOM!

The explosion of violent elements sounded in the area.

Indistinct shouting could be heard. Lykan with a glance back to Brenna said what a thousand words could not. The look spoke of trust, of confidence, and of splitting actions. His eyes also quickly darted down to Kosha, someone who was always at the forefront of Lykan’s thoughts now since he had taken her on as a ward. It was now his job to ensure her safety. Realizing this, Brenna pulled out her axe and gave a sharp nod to Lykan.

Knowing that his care and concerns were taken care of, Lykan’s face instantly morphed to that of a trained killer. He went from being the kindhearted older brother, to a man who could turn entire battles with his battle prowess alone.

Seeing the sight of controlled anger that filled Lykan’s face caused a shier to run down Kosha’s spine.

Poof.

Even with her enhanced vision, Kosha still had a hard time seeing where Lykan went. The only sign that he had been here at all was the rapidly descending cloud of dust and ash that was kicked up in his wake.