We decended down into the pitch black darkness, going deeper and deeper... and deeper... ... ...and deeper...
...
...
"Okay, seriously. Can someone light a candle or something? I can't see shit"!
"Mike! Watch your language"!
"Sorry Vipes"...
Thankfully my wish was granted shortly after as the Soothsayer lit a torch on the wall with... actually I don't know how she did it. One moment darkness, the next minute, poof, let there be light.
I looked directly ahead, and my jaw dropped after seeing where we were at. We were standing in a library. A freaking HUGE one at that! Everything, everywhere I looked was nothing but shelves with scrolls. Even the walls were made of shelves! The scrolls were placed in diamond shaped shelves, which stretched on for what seemed like miles within this circular based room, and stretched up towards a golden ceiling at least fifty feet above us!
"Whoa...".
A little short for words I'll admit. But hey, what would you say if you were suddenly standing inside of what may possibly have been the biggest library of all time? It takes more out of you than you would think.
I shook my head to clear it, lest I find myself drooling next, and slithered over to the Soothsayer. I was eager to know where we were and why we were here.
"What is this place"? I asked.
"This python, is the room of knowledge. A place where every important event, every known map, every bit of information ever discovered, has been documented, and catalouged here. If anyone wanted to learn everything there is to know about everything, then this is the only room they would find it in".
Considering the size, it was clear that we had been travelling downstairs for quite some time. Who knows how deep underground we were? But the surprises didn't end there.
"So I take it there's something down here we need"? I asked again.
"Indeed Python. As you said before, you do not know the way to the village you reach. I am confident that within these walls, a map will hold the key to your locked door, therefore allowing you to carry on forwards and meet fate face to face".
"What village do you mean"? Viper asked. Guess I'd better fill her in.
So for some time, I go over everything that has occured upstairs, from the point where she slithered down the stairs with the Soothsayer to the point where she regained conciousness. And I was sure to mention everything, including the fact that her head was playing host to a second spirit which protected her from the first spirit. It took a bit of detailed explaining to get her up to speed, but in the end, I'm certain she got the idea.
For a short moment, she looked surprised, then worried, and then, to my surprise... she just accepted it.
"I see. Well then... that is rather unusual I must admit". She spoke calmly.A little too calm for my liking.
"Yeah. You know Viper, for a second there I really thought you were going to freak out". I admited.
"Perhaps I would've done earlier. But if one of these... spirits is protecting me from the other, then I shouldn't worry too much, right"?
"I... guess not"?
"Besides, what's done is done. All that's left for us now is to keep on going".
It sounded more like she wanted to drop the subject all together for the time being. Not exactly hard to figure out why.
"Alright. But if anything happens, if you feel that something's wrong, you'll tell me won't you"?
"I promise".
Somehow, for whatever reason I didn't feel so convinced with her promise. But I acceptted it all the same.
"Thank you".
Now that the problem had been addressed, with a surprising lack of panic at that, we continued to follow the Soothsayer until we reached what I'm sure was the center of the library, which held nothing. However we were met with an unfamiliar face. A large elderly hippo walked our way in a large white robe with a smaller blue one over it. In many ways he reminded me of Oogway.
"Master Mike, Master Viper, allow me to introduce you to the keeper". The Soothsayer smiled. "The one responsible for keeping and catalouging each and every scroll you see around you".
Myself and Viper bowed towards the large hippo and responded in the same manner.
"Ah, masters Mike and Viper. A pleasure to meet you at long last". He spoke in a loud voice.
"You know of us"? Viper asked.
"Indeed. Councilman Yinshen does often mention the pair of you when she has a moment".
"Very kind of you sir"... I asked, hoping to get his last name. However...
"Bob".
...
...
"Bob"?
"Yes".
...
...
"Bob, the Chinese hippo"?
"Yes? Is there a problem"?
"Oh, nonono, not at all".
I just expected more of a Chinese sounding name for an elderly wise being other than... Bob... seriously?
"So"... The Hippo called... I still can't believe this... Bob... spoke up. "How may I help you both"?
"Well, we're looking for a scroll containing a map of a village North of here, next to a mountain".
"Hmmm... there are many villages that fit that description"...
"All the more reason we check at once". The Soothsayer spoke up, calm as ever.
"But how do we find a map when we don't even know where our destination lies"? Viper pointed out.
"In order to find what we want, we must endure the hardships ahead. No matter how insignificant they are". The Soothsayer answered.
"But... you do remember where these maps are, right? I mean, there are thousands, if not millions of scrolls here. You do remember where the correct shelf is for maps, right"?
The Soothsayer said nothing but looked around. Her face looked rather worried.
"I... do not recall where they are I'm afraid. We may have to search the entire library it seems"...
Forgive me if I did not take that response with dignity and a cool head.
"WHAT"?! I yelled in a rather loud and undignified manner. "You mean we have to search this entire place top to bottom with four people!? That's going to take forever! How"-
I stopped ranting as soon as I noticed that the Soothsayer was smirking. As were both Viper and Bob when I looked over to them. Then I realised it. She was pulling my leg! My face dropped into one of embarrasment.
"Oh that is so not funny"... I grumbled.
"It is a little funny". She chuckled, along with Viper who held her tail to her mouth trying her hardest not to laugh in my presence. The hippo just smiled.
"Come. It's this way". The goat said as she headed down one of the gaps between the shelves. The three of us followed. As we did, myself and Bob... seriously, what Chinese parent names their kid that... we begun to strike up a conversation.
"So Bob, if you don't mind me asking, how did you become the librarian for this place"? I asked casually as I slithered beside him.
"When I was but a child, I was taken in by Master Thunder Rhino himself, rest his soul. Much like Yinshen was. But instead of learning the ways of becoming a master of the body, I chose to focus more on becoming a master of the mind. Every afternoon I would learn what I could about Chinas history. And every day my knowledge of the world grew, until I was allowed the chance to prove myself by taking charge here, within the room of knowledge itself. I have remained in this position to this very day".
An interesting short story I had to admit. But one thing in particular caught my attention at once, the moment the hippo had mentioned it.
"Yinshen was taken in"?
"Indeed she was Master Mike. Did she not tell you herself"? The hippo asked, giving me an unsure look.
"Yeah, she did. Its just... I didn't expect her to have been so young when it happened". I couldn't help but be a little surprised at the sudden information. I guess it would make sense that Yinshen wouldn't tell me the more personal parts of her past, but hearing it from a near stranger was something else entirely. It didn't feel as right.
"How young was she when she was taken in"?
"Ten years of age".
"Ten years? That's... rather unusual. What did her parents have to say about it when they found out"?
Bob looked over to me. His face looked very uncomfortable the moment I asked the question. It didn't take long for me to figure out why. My eyes widened at the sudden realisation.
"Oh... I see".
Neither of us could find the right words to continue off from that moment. The only sound that could be heard was from Viper and the Soothsayer chatting in front of us. Most of their conversation was to do with the Soothsayers past. Something I chose to block out due to lack of interest. Eventually, I found myself able to carry on with our own talk.
"How did they, uh... how did they pass on"?
"With respect Master Mike, this conversation is not something I feel easy discussing, for Yinshens sake. She can be rather secretive at times".
"Trust me, I know that all too well". I responded with an annoyed sigh. "But I suppose I can respect your wishes. I'll try to refrain from talking about such a thing".
"Thank you". Bob sighed with relief.
Even with such an awkward conversation, the walk from the center of the library to the maps took a rather long time. But when we did arrive, the large and seemingly endless shelves went from carrying simple plain scrolls to ones with a blue silk ribbon tied in the middle of it. My guess was that it meant that these new scrolls were either more important than the plain ones, or like an actual library, was a different kind of scroll containing something other than historical notes. Either way it was obvious that we were now in a different part of the library. And apparently was where we needed to be as the Soothsayer finally stopped her slow march, turned to the right scroll shelves, and randomly picked one of the blue ribbon scrolls before tossing it my way. The move was so sudden I ended up almost dropping it once I found it in my grasp. I took a good look at the scroll before looking back at the Soothsayer.
"This is it? This is the scroll we need"?
The Soothsayer said nothing, but gestured for me to open it. I gave another cautious glance at the scroll before opening it up. It was indeed a map, and it did show what I assumed to be the village the protector was talking about. The only thing that bothered me was the title.
Talios
Birthplace of Bàojūn
I assumed the top line was the name of the village. The second line however managed to puzzle me. I'm not too sure why but there was something about that name that gnawed at me.
After a good while looking at the map, I passed it along to Viper to let her see. She seemed pleased of what she found and passed it back over. I took another look at the map while I could.
"Judging by the distance I'd say it will take another day, plus a few hours to reach it". Viper voiced. I nodded, not really paying attention. All that I was focusing on at the moment was that name. Bàojūn.
Why did it sound so familiar?
"Bob. Do you know anyone by this name"? I asked the hippo, showing him the map. He shook his head.
"I'm not so sure Master Mike. There are several Bàojūns who have left their mark in Chinese history. Though none I remember originally born from that village".
I looked to the others. Viper and, to my surprise, even the Soothsayer did not know.
Something's not right. This Bàojūn character is obviously a famous being. Yet even by singling him out by his or her hometown, no one knew him at all. Then again maybe it was just a coincidence that all three creatures around me didn't know about this guy. I mean it's not like there's a lot of information to go on.
"Do you think it might mean something"? Viper asked me.
"Hard to say. Other than knowing this Bàojūn is famous, for whatever reason, there's nothing else we can learn".
"Then perhaps we should check while we're here, don't you think"? Viper suggested, refering to the large library itself.
"We don't have time". I spoke sternly. "We have what we came for. That's what matters. If the time of the journey you mentioned is accurate then we should set off at once".
"But we might be missing something important".
"Or we could be checking out something that's most likely going to end up being irrelevant to the Mèngyǎn".
"Exactly why we should find out, just in case".
I kept silent for a moment longer.
"Mike, please. It's worth a look at least".
"... Fine". I grumbled angrily. "But if we don't find anything useful within the hour, we're moving on".
Viper looked ready to scold me for my admittedly harsh attitude. But before she had the chance to do so, a third voice crawled its way into the conversation.
"How sweet. The great masters Viper and Mike having a disagreement between themselves". The voice chuckled mockingly from above. A voice I recognised at once, and had hoped never to hear again.
As soon as I looked up the scroll was suddenly snatched right out of my tail by what seemed to be a very fast black blur. Only when it stopped several metres in front of me was I able to tell who it was. A very familiar and very despised cobra.
"Oh for Gods sake, not you again"!
"So you do remember me. How flattering". He smiled wickedly before turning his attention to the scroll he had stolen from me.
"My my. What an old, dusty looking scroll you have". He mocked as he pretended to rub dust off of it. "Makes me wonder why on earth you would need such a thing".
"You better pass that scroll over now. Before I come and get it myself". I hissed threateningly, clearly showing that I was not in the mood for this.
"How rude. Didn't your mother teach you manners? I think I may just hold onto this until you cooperate and clean out that flithy mouth of yours".
You know what? Screw this! I am not prepared to deal with this assholes cockiness!
Without so much as thinking, I jumped forwards right at him with the intention of ripping off his fangs and using them to rip his eyes out from their sockets! The second I had done so, the cobra had carefully, and rather easily jumped back out of the way, allowing me to land in his spot. The moment I had done so, the rest of his gang revealed themselves. Jumping down from the shadows circling Viper and the others in a hexagon shape. By the time I noticed this and turned back round, the cobra was dashing away from me with the scroll still wrapped up in his slimy tail. The choice was clear to me at once. Either track the cobra down and get the scroll back, or help he others and risk losing the only information we had on Talios!
I looked back to the firefight taking place behind me. Viper was holding off three of the cobras armored goons off with little to no trouble. Bobs size alone was enough to intiminate another two from getting too close. As for the Soothsayer, she was holding out against the one remaining snake, using her own cane as a weapon. Hold you believe me if I told you she was beating the living Jesus out of the guy? Ten second into the fight and already I could make out the lumps and blue bruises forming around the guys unprotected head. A small smile from Viper was enough to tell me that they had this under control.
For me, the answer was obvious. Whether I wanted to or not, I would be playing the cobras little game. Of course, I had the highest assumption that this was some kind of trap he had planned out for me. Unfortunatley I had no choice. We needed that scroll one way or another.
I wasted little time and chased after him before he could get too far.
...
Room of knowledge? That's the best I could come up with? Meh, not the worst name I've come up with I suppose...
Alright, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Got several ideas to go with this chase scene coming up in the next chapter, so lets hope I pick a good one ;) Cheerio!