Hey, guys, I'm really sorry about how long this one is. It is about half the size of what they usually are but I wanted to give you guys a little Chrismas gift. The gift... OF SUSPENSE! Haha, just read and find out.
"Sorry about the mess!" Theodore ran in ahead of me and quickly started to grab things and hide them away from my sight.
"Wow…" I look up to see cases that were filled with books up to the ceiling. There was a second floor platform that ran along the walls and even then, there were ladders that went all the way to the top of the shelves. Everything was brown and a little grey looking from the dust and the light made it even worse to look at everything.
He was dusting the surface of things off with his sleeve as quickly as he possibly could. I dug into my pocket and found a cloth that was about twice the size of my hand. When I first got these clothes this was already inside of one of the pockets.
I walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder lightly. He turns his head back to look down at me and noticed my small gesture. He took the cloth gently and and looked at it.
"What is this for?" He asks softly.
"Your shirt is getting dirty. You can use this… I don't really need it…" I shrug.
"I have more than one shirt, you know…" He grins as he took the cloth and used that instead of his sleeve.
"Well, yes, but it seems kind of pointless to do it that way… At least keep clean well cleaning…"
"Yeah… Thanks…" His face got red again.
"Are you okay?" I finally ask.
"What?" He looked surprised.
"Your face has been getting red since the last chapter. Are you alright?" I point.
"Ah! No! I mean, yes! I'm fine!" His face got even more red as he turned away in a hurry.
"Oh… Okay…" I follow him into the strange place.
"So… This is what is left of the library! But, of course, you already know that! What am I saying?!" He awkwardly fumbled about.
"Uh, yeah…" I nod slightly.
"So, here is the history." He points to a certain area. "And that is all non- fiction." He points in a different direction. "And the mystery. Those are my favorite…" He whispers to me with a grin. "And, we have science, poetry, romance, and fantasy, if you are into that…"
"There are a lot of books for each section…"
"Yeah, so it can be hard to get bored when you find what you like and don't like. And, I have read every book in this place. I'm always looking to get more… So, may you happen to come across some books…" He hints.
"Would you like me to search for books and bring them back to you?" I ask.
"Well, I mean, if you happen to come across some or are not doing anything… Now, keep in mind, I would not want you to steal them… necessarily…" He adds in silently. "Not that you would steal them or anything! Haha…" He nervously chuckled, his face getting red again.
"You are doing it again? Are you sure you are okay?" I get closer to him, extending my hand up and touch his face lightly.
And… his face got even more red. I've never seen someone do that before… Maybe its an extreme emotion? Or perhaps its some simple illness? He seems okay otherwise…
"Do you have any books on the human body?" I ask, my hand still on his face.
"Oh, yes… But, if you are trying to figure out what is wrong with me, as you keep saying, you would not find it in any books in the science section here…"
"Maybe I just want to study the human body, Theodore…" I look looked over the profile of his face and then his green eyes that never looked away from me.
"You know… Everyone calls me Theo… You don't have to call me by my full name. It sounds kind of dorky…" He closed his eyes.
"Dorky?" I tilt my head. "It sounds fine to me. Its just a name…"
"Dorky… Meaning boring, uninteresting, strange…" He looked away, ashamed.
"Well, I will think of a new name for you well I am reading about the human body and such…"
"Follow me…" He pulls back from my hand, his face going back to its pale color. Of course, not as pale as Reala…
Speaking of which, I have not heard from him all day… Which is strange since he is always out to protect me. I wonder if they are doing something… Or maybe he is still sleeping… Or, he could have stopped caring at this point, which I am fine with since the whole 'apple incident'.
Theodore took me up stairs and along the wall to where it was labeled 'science' on a sign that was covered in dust. "There should be another sign down there that says 'mystery' which is where this ends… Just call for me if you need anything…" He hands me an orange and walks away.
"Idiot!" He mumbles to himself as he walked down the stairs on the other side of the library, hitting himself slightly. I could tell even from here that his face was red…
I hope he is not talking about me… But, I got to searching, scanning the shelves for something that caught my eye. The one thing I could stand about that facility they held me in was that the one nurse would read to me. She didn't do it too often, but every few days, she'd come in with books in her arms and read to me, with me and even let me read for myself. So, I do know how to read, thanks to her…
Her… I never learned her name… The last thing I remember was her face that was filled with fear and confusion when I was escaping. Even if she was armed and ready to hurt me, I don't think I could have brought myself to hit her over the head with that metal rod. Thats why I prayed she would not have been around, just in case Reala decided to take matters into his own hands and do it himself.
It was hard to tell the time in here, usually I can tell by the sun, but there are no windows in here. It was not until Reala came bursting through the doors to see me and Theodore eating fruit and surrounded by books at one of the tables.
"Oh, for the love of Wizeman, this is where you have been all day?!" He rushed in and over to the other end of the table.
"Sorry, Reala… I just…" I stare down at the new book I was reading about the universe.
He sighed. "Its fine… Who is this? Oh, you're that one guy from the other day…" He looks at Theodore with uncertainty. Then, he turned back to me. "Listen, we are going to stay here longer. Me and the others are doing some... work… So, do as you wish."
"Really? Did you just tell me to do what I want?" I stare at him, not believing a word he was saying.
"Yes… Unless, you want me to rethink those words…"
"No! No! I understand! Thank you, Reala!" I grin widely.
"I want you back at the inn an hour after sun down. And you, huma- I mean, whatever your name is, walk her back for me, okay?" He points to Theodore.
"Uh, sure, I can do that…" Theodore shrugs.
"Good. I will see you later then." Reala then turns swiftly and walks for the door he left open, closing it behind him.
"Hey… Did that guy say… Wizeman?" He looks down at me.
"Uh…" I pause.
"... I'll be right back…" He turns around and walks to the back of the library and into a back room that was hidden by a cloth.
I wonder what he is up to… I stare at the curtain that stopped moving around after he passed it. Does he know something about all this? He said it as if it was familiar to him…
I slowly turned back to my book and kept reading. He eventually returned, looking unchanged. "Oh, do you want something to drink? I am such a horrible host!"
"Oh… Water would be nice…" But before I could finish, he had ran outside.
I then jumped to my feet and glanced at the back room. I quickly ran over there myself and pushed the curtain aside. It was a small room lit with only two candles on the wall. It had older looking books that looked like they were wet and could fall apart from being picked up.
There was an open book on the desk that was surrounded by piles of others. I walked up to it and saw the title of the chapter was 'The Night Dimension'. I froze in place and reread the title over and over again. Wait… Reala is from…
As I went reading through the book, finding the word 'Wizmen' in multiple places, the curtain was thrown back, the light pouring in on my back, casting a large shadow over the book.
My heart started to pound and my sweaty hands let go of the pages. When I dared to turn back, Theodore was standing there with my glass of water…
"I see you have found the backroom…"
"Reala, why aren't you doing any of the work!" NiGHTS complains as her and Jackle were working on the tasks that Reala had ordered them to do.
"Its kind of like the good old days…" Jackle chuckles, remembering when NiGHTS used to still be on their side, doing small tasks around for master.
"Oh, shut up!" NiGHTS flashed Jackle a side glare.
"Because, I said so." Reala folded his arms over his chest, responding the NiGHTS earlier question.
"But, you aren't even watching the girl!" Jackle points out.
"You don't know that! And, if you stop complaining, you would have been done by now!" Reala grins down at the two.
"I have a question: How in the realm of dreams is this supposed to help us?" NiGHTS asks.
"This is the last time I am explaining this, so listen up! We know we are not exactly safe, Wizeman is watching over us. We are going to…" Reala then stopped himself and looked at his feet, a strange look crossing his face."What am I doing?" He whispers to himself.
"Betraying our master?"
"Saving a little girl?"
"No, shut it, the both of you! I just… Keep working…" He gritted his teeth and walked away, leaving them both to stare at each other in confusion.
Am I really going to betray my master… my creator, to save this little girl? Is that even possible? Maybe what NiGHTS was trying to tell us when he rebelled was… Reala looked up at the sky that was now filled with stars and a fading sun.
Can I even go back now?
"I'm glad you are able to respond to my calls. Unlike the others around here, you are not a coward. I should make you incharge of my military instead…"
"Yes, master…"
"I have a very, very large task for you. It is unlike any other task I have ever assigned. I need you to travel to the humans' realm and… 'collect' three of my creations for me. I am unable to do it myself, but you on the other hand can…"
"Yes, master…"
"Now… I would prefer all three of them back alive. But, if they resist or try and fight you, do not hesitate to end them or any human that might help resist with them. Take any weapon you like and be back soon. I know you will serve me well…"
"Yes master. I am grateful you have chosen me for such a job. I will not fail, unlike some servants around here, I am truly loyal to you…"
"Oh, but wait!"
"Yes master?"
"They should have a small, human girl with them. Bring back the girl alive and I shall reward you with eternal life in this realm. I know that you're life span was shortened due to… complications… but, I promise to restore it if you bring her back…"
"Master, may I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Why do you want the girl?"
"If I have this girl and you leave them alive, they will have no choice then to be drawn back. After they come back or are willing to, I will capture them, then use the girl to drain her purity. Or, what is left of it. Not only will it benefit the state of nightmare, but it will benefit your lifespan…"
"Yes master, of course. I should have thought that…"
"Do not fail me now…"
"I will not… Master…"
OHHH, they are in trouble... Soo, I know it is lame and super short and all, but its going somewhere, I promise! I gave you guys like three suspense endings in one! Oh yeah! Hehe, I hope you liked the gift I gave you! Now, it will slowly kill you over time, until next YEAR (2015) when I post the 12th chapter to explain myself! *cue stereotypical evil witch laugh* No, scratch that- *cue Reala's evil laugh from NiGHTS JOD!* XD If you are wondering what that sounds like (or know what I mean and want to laugh again) I leave thee a link at the very bottom.
Any predictions you'd like to share? For those who know, I like to engage you in conversation if you review XD I remember I kept one of you hostage for like 30 messages back and forth. Any ideas? Anything you'd like to say? I mean... It is Christmas, after all... Come on, I gave you this chapter for Christmas so give me a review that says you love meh! *Puts on review fishing hat*
Oh yeah! Reala's laugh. I always laugh when listening to him laugh when I play the game. As well as Jackle's laugh from NiGHTS JID. I had trouble beating his level only because his boss fight was my favorite cause I try and look at all the childrens toys in the background and Jackle laughing and so am I... I need help... Maybe me and Jackle can share a padded cell.
Hm... Not sure if I liked Reala's voice actor or not as I rewatch this. I have mixed feelings about it. He played him well, but... meh, it might just be me... Here, its around minute 7. I don't think anyone has his laugh actually cut out into like an 8 second video. But still, you can rewatch the part where he drowns Will in that black portal and NiGHTS and Reala have good old sibling banter XD (That was my fav!)
watch?v=Gxrv6b6TK6o