*Riddle jumped off the stool and stormed up to board of glyphs.*
Riddle: "Either way, I'm in a bind. So maybe I should take action?"
----------
*Lance, Ashton and Alicia made it to the top of the stairs and stopped to catch their breath.*
Ashton: "Wow, this is a new architectural structure-" *He stared at a balcony layered with white shiny tiles, ignoring the unusual elevator-like sound effects.*
Lance: *He stood on the spot, staring straight up.* (The ceiling is so high up, I can't even see it-)
Ashton: "Wow, look at this." *He walked towards the balcony, placing his hands over the polished rails.* "This place is not like the other villages." *He looked down in amazement.*
Lance: "Huh? Wat's so special about a library?" *He grunted and walked up to Ashton.*
*Platforms moved across the library, acting as elevators.*
Ashton: *He glanced at thousands of wooden shelves, containing different sized books.* (This place is gigantic-) *He stared into the distance, noticing the air was slightly foggy.* (There's got to be at least a million books in here-)
Lance: "I was expecting somethin' like a library, not somethin' the size of a town." *He mumbled to himself in shock.*
Ashton: "I agree-"
*Computerised voices echoed in the background, causing Lance to look up with curiosity.*
Lance: "Did I just hear a computer?!"
Ashton: "Yeah." *He nodded his head in agreement, as he continued to admire the area around him.*
Lance: "Why-?" *He mumbled with frustration and looked over to Alicia.* 'Oi, why does this place look so different from everythin' else?"
Alicia: *She sighed and walked up to Ashton.* "This is one of several areas across the land that uses Rosterology items to maintain the area."
Ashton: (Now it makes sense, essentially the technology here is far superior to what we've already seen-)
Alicia: "Th-The city of Surpreon which is where you're both from, no? Is the largest Rosterology based city."
Ashton: "We haven't been home in ages, so I suppose we aren't used to seeing this type of environment again."
Alicia: *She nodded her head in understanding and leant over the balcony.* "Oh, okay."
Lance: (This place is huge, I bet it would look even bigger if the place wasn't foggy.)
Alicia: "So what do you want to know, Ashton?"
Ashton: "Information about the warriors? Consultants?"
Alicia: "A-Alright, this way." *She nodded her head and walked down a set of stairs, which spiralled underneath the balcony.*
Ashton: "Not to have a sense of negativity, but, won't it take too long to find any information in a place like this?"
Alicia: "I thought the same thing, until I familiarised myself with this console." *She walked towards a pillar, covered in glyphic markings.*
Lance: *He followed Alicia and stared at a white glowing orb in the middle of the pillar.* "Wat is that thing?"
Alicia: "It's a Rosterology console, holding vast amounts of information."
Ashton: "What about the orb?"
Alicia: "And that-" *She looked up to the glowing orb.* "Is a Rosterology item containing Neurons to power it up."
Lance: *He stared at Alicia with a blank look.* "Wut?"
Alicia: *She ignored Lance and turned around, facing the pillar.* "H-Hello?"
Rosterology Pillar: "Information database zero-one-two-seven-four what category-dash place-dash would you like?"
Ashton: "Ha." *He smirked and took several steps closer, to observe the pillar.* (It acts like an intercom, not bad.)
Alicia: "Whatever you want to search, just say it near the orb."
Ashton: "Okay." *He leant forward with uncertainty.* "Warriors."
Rosterology Pillar: "Information has been deleted."
Lance: *He looked away and chuckled to himself.* (Been deleted? Pssht, how pathetic. Hope it doesn't get a virus.)
Alicia: *She stared at Lance pull different facial expressions, causing her to shake her head.* (He's really weird-)
Ashton: "What about, the Consultants?"
Rosterology Pillar: "Data found one listing."
Ashton: *He smiled with accomplishment.* "Excellent-"
Rosterology Pillar: "Transporting now."
Lance: "Transportin'-?" *The ground started to shake, as the floor detached itself off the balcony.* "Wha-?"
*The orb in the pillar started to glow brighter, causing the floor to slowly descend.*
Alicia: "Wow, the ground's moving."
Ashton: *He slightly bent his knees to keep his balance.* "Whoa."
Alicia: "I've seen several pictures and read a lot about The Library, but this is amazing." *She bit her bottom lip, as she nervously looked off the platform.* "Will it hold us? It won't fall or anything?"
Lance: "Relax, I'll make sure you won't fall."
Alicia: "S-Sorry, what was that?"
Lance: "I said, you're lax 'cause you're the size of a mall." *He quickly looked away, as his cheeks turned red.*
Alicia: "Oh." *She looked down.*
*The platform came to a sudden stop, causing the party to lose their balance.*
Ashton: *He noticed the platform connect to another balcony, which caused him to sigh in relief.* "I think we're here, but-"
Lance: "There's at least a hundred thousand books here, how do we know what one to get?" *He grunted and stared at the books in disgust.*
Ashton: "They're labelled a to c-" *He scrolled down the shelves, running his finger along the spines of the books.*
Alicia: "I found it!" *She raised her hands and jumped up in victory.*
Ashton: "Excellent, good work, Alicia." *He walked with Lance towards Alicia.*
Lance: "Yea, for once-"
*An angry scream echoed beyond several shelves, causing the party to stop.*
Ashton: "What was that?" *He faced the direction of the screams with confusion.*
Lance: "I dunno, let's take a look." *He walked to the end of the shelving and peeked around the corner.*
Alicia: "W-What are you-?"
Lance: "Shh." *He waved for Alicia to be quiet, as he eavesdropped on the screams.*
Alicia: "Let's not disturb them, they're probably fighting for a reason."
Ashton: "I agree, it's none of our business-"
Lance: *He gasped, peeking Alicia and Ashton's interest.* "It's warriors."
*Alicia and Ashton slowly walked up to Lance with worried faces.*
Lance: (I'll show 'em that I'm the big guy around here.) *He walked towards the warriors and prepared to charge.*
?????: "You emit no energy signatures, foolish action to take-" *She grabbed Lance and shoved him behind the book shelving.*
Lance: *He stared at the woman with long blonde curly hair in shock.* "Wat the!? You came out of nowhere!-"
?????: "They have not noticed your presence-"
Lance: "Shut-"
?????: "Such an inconvenience-" *She placed her finger over Lance's mouth with an emotionless face.*
Ashton: "Get your fingers off him." *He mumbled in a protective-like manner.*
?????: "I am not an enemy."
Ashton: "How can I believe you?"
?????: "If I were, I would have revealed your location to the warriors."
Alicia: "..." *She silently observed the woman.*
Ashton: "Reveal our location?"
?????: "As I previously mentioned, if I were an enemy."
Ashton: "Okay-" *He kneeled to the ground, filled with confusion.*
?????: "Listen for a moment." *She glanced at Ashton and Alicia, causing them to respond with obedient nods.*
Alicia: "W-Who-?"
?????: "Focus your attention to the threat in front of us."
*The woman's stern and clear voice, caused the party to focus their attention to the warrior's conversation.*
Warrior: "C-Captain." *A man with the number forty slashed into his black armour, bowed in fear.*
Ca
ptain: *She threw several books on the ground and turned around, facing the warrior with anger.* "What is it?!"
Ashton: *His eyes widened, as he continued to peak through the shelves.* "Wait, doesn't captain mean she's a single digit!?"
?????: "Indeed."
Warrior: "We were unable to find any information on the Guardians, The Unknown Territories, or the divine city."
Captain: "You found nothing?" *Her cold voice sent shivers around nearby warriors.*
Warrior: "N-Nothing-"
Captain: "You do realise I can kill any of you in a single hand movement?" *She smirked evil-like, causing warriors in the late eighties to step back in fear.*
Warrior: "Y-Yes I know, I'm sorry, captain! But we tried-"
Captain: "So what am I going to report back to the Consultants then? I, Mindy, captain number nine, was unable to find a bunch of books and relics? I don't even know why I try."
Warrior: "C-Captain-"
Mindy: "All of you are dismissed."
*The warriors silently stepped on a pillar and started to ascend, taking them to the exit of the library.*
Mindy: *She frowned with disappointment and mumbled in thought.* (What to do?)
Ashton: (She must be strong, those warriors didn't talk back.)
Mindy: "I got it! I'll tax the next village up ahead." *She looked up to a balcony filled with sunlight and laughed with evil intent.*
Alicia: (Oh no, a tax!)
Mindy: "I hope they don't have enough, I need to get rid of this frustration." *She smiled and stepped forward, causing her image to disappear.*
Ashton: (Impossible! Where did she go?)
Lance: "Dude! Did that crazy bitch just teleport?" *He scanned the area, trying to find Mindy.*
Alicia: (Captains-) *She bit her bottom lip and started to sweat.* (Flashstep-)
?????: "No, she flashstepped."
Lance: "Flash leapt?"
?????: "Flashstep, only high ranking warriors have the ability and mindset to do so."
Ashton: "Sorry we haven't been introduced, my name is Ashton, this is Alicia and-"
Lance: "Lance." *He folded his arms and looked away.*
Ashton: "What's your name?" *He effectively covered up the tense atmosphere.*
?????: "My apologies, my name is Teresa."
Lance: "Aye? Theresah?"
Teresa: "It is correctly pronounced Te-re-sa."
Ashton: "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Teresa: *She noticed sweat drip down Alicia's forehead.* "Is there something wrong with your friend, Alicia was it?"
Alicia: "That woman-" *She spoke on her breath in a daydream-like stare.* "Sh-She's the one that killed, stole my pendant!"
*Ashton and Lance looked at Alicia with confusion.*
Alicia: "Please, I cannot miss this chance to get it back." *She faced the party, as tears ran down her cheeks.*
Teresa: "You do understand that she is captain ranked, single digits have in itself exceptional powers, strength and speed."
Alicia: "..." *She opened her mouth and awkwardly paused, causing Teresa to continue talking.*
Teresa: "That was Mindy, ranked nine out of two hundred and fifty five. She excels in sheer power and swinging speed of her mallet, often underestimated due to her small size and feminine-like structure."
Ashton: "You seem to know a lot."
Teresa: "Indeed, once we find a better location, I can tell you what you would like to know."
Ashton: *He looked interested and enthusiastically nodded his head.* "That would be excellent." (I've noticed that Teresa's facial expressions, hasn't changed the slightest.)
Teresa: *She walked towards another pillar with an emotionless face.* "Exit dash."
Rosterology Pillar: "Confirmed."
Teresa: *She stared at the party, as the orb in the pillar started to glow brighter.* "Hurry."
*The platform started to shake, causing the party to quickly run towards Teresa.*
Teresa: *She watched the party jump on to the platform, as it started to rise.* "Exceptional timing."
Ashton: "Are you okay, Alicia?"
Alicia: "Y-Yes." *She nodded her head, as tears continued to run down her face.*
Lance: "So what are we goin' to do?"
Alicia: "I want my pendant back!" *She unintentionally yelled, causing Teresa to stare at her.*
Teresa: (Overwhelmed with emotions, how pitiful-)
Ashton: "Remember how strong that number seventy guy was?"
Alicia: "At AriAri village?" *She whispered on her breath and sniffed.*
Ashton: "Yes, I'd hate to see how strong a single digit is."
Lance: *He nodded his head with enthusiasm.* "I rekon."
Teresa: "Although I agree with Ashton, her resolve is getting back the stolen item. She would simply sneak out at night in order to retrieve the pendant, no offence, Alicia."
Alicia: "D-Don't be, you're right." *She wiped the tears off her face and sniffed again.*
Lance: "OK, so wat's the plan?" *He grunted with frustration and sighed.*
Ashton: "How about we head to the supply shop, then make a quick stop to rest before leaving. What village was it?" *He mumbled and looked at Alicia with confusion.* "AriAri?"
Lance: "But that's back all the way down there?" *He pointed behind him.* "I ain't walkin' all the way down them stairs and back up again."
*The platform stopped, causing the party besides Teresa to lose their balance
Teresa: "To answer your question, Ashton." *She spoke in a professional-like tone and walked towards the exit filled with light.*
*The party covered their eyes to block the sunlight, which shined directly in their faces.*
Teresa: "I believe Mindy was not referring to AriAri village."
*The party took several steps outside the library and noticed it sat on an enormous mountain.*
Alicia: *She looked down on the vast amount of land.* (We're so up high-)
Teresa: "Considering The Library does not support a resting place, the locals created several Inns to compensate-" *She pointed down the monstrous slope, towards ant sized houses.* "So, I believe she was talking about this village."
Ashton: "You sure are knowledgeable."
Lance: "So wat are you?" *He rudely grunted to Teresa, folding his arms like a child.*
Teresa: "I am merely a scholar and traveller."
Ashton: "Oh? Please be so kind to tell us what you were doing?"
Teresa: "I explore undiscovered areas, and I merely travel across the lands searching for the unexplained."
Ashton: "Wow, I see."
Alicia: *She stared at the landscape and faced the party, shaking her head.* "That would be the reason why we had to walk up so many stairs."
Lance: "Yeah." *He sighed, as he looked down the mountain.*
Teresa: "You state I am knowledgeable? Of course, you need to be in order to survive in this type of environment."
Ashton: (To the West is a sparkling blue ocean, The Igloo forest trees swaying in the wind and mountains stand tall in the far distance, simply beautiful.)
Teresa: "The Inn under The Library, our destination, is quite popular with passing travellers."
Ashton: "Makes sense." *He scanned across the landscape.* (There's dirt and grassy patches everywhere, how unusual.)
Alicia: *She noticed weeds and shrubs bloom in certain areas, as she flicked her swaying hair out of her face.* (Mindy, she's really scary, I don't know how we're going to get my pendant back.)
Lance: "We're so high up, it's pretty kool-" *He looked down at the village and sighed.* "But look how far we gotta travel down, gah." *He sighed again and rolled his eyes.*
Teresa: "Do not worry, in my calculations the slope to our right and the gravel's texture, taking in consideration the density of our weight-"
*The constant wind blew Teresa's hair in her face, causing her to flick it over her shoulder.*
Teresa: "We should be able to move down to the destination in a considerable short amount
of time with little to no effort."
Lance: "Wut-?"
Alicia: "Wow."
Teresa: "Do not be modest."
Ashton: (She's really smart-) *Something shined in his eyes, causing him to tilt his head down.* "What's that? A sword! Do you fight Teresa?"
*The party started to walk down the tremendous slope.*
Teresa: "No, it is merely an object with high sentimental value." *She evaded the slopes and ditches with ease.*