Eden

I woke up the next morning in complete agony. I'd been in a few fights in my time, I wasn't sure any had taken their toll on me quite like this. The woman in white, the "White Widow" as she called herself was beyond my comprehension. It seemed I'd need help from an outside party. Right now this was the last thing I wanted to do, but, I needed to make haste in case that madwoman manages to track me down. I created a suit of darkness around me to help steady my body. I clench it, much harder than necessary and roll myself out of bed. My injuries, it seemed, weren't as bad as I initially feared, but they weren't great either. Cursing with irritation I raised myself up and began getting dressed, I had some place to be. Sifting through my closet I picked an assortment of hoodies and drapes that would allow me to see but keep me covered all the same. Once I was covered I made my way out into the living area. I stood in meditation for a moment, preparing myself for the advent to come, what I was about to do was no easy task, I had one shot and if I failed I likely wouldn't survive. Breathing to calm myself, I stood back and opened my arms, opening a portal to the Land of Nightshades, though only to one specific part. I stepped inside, a second later I was in another realm completely alien to earth. Looking around, I saw the familiar red of the carpet, the familiar brown of the wooden book stands and above all the eerie silence of the Nightshade library. I walked around stealthily, keeping an eye out for movement and a steady ear for any sounds of hostility. There seemed to be none in the immediate vicinity so I continued my passage forward. I ran my hand over the ancient plaques and cases, centuries older than even the oldest of Earths libraries. In another life I might have spent quite a bit of time here. Unfortunately I still wasn't too welcome in these parts. I turned a corner into a narrow hallway, the stench of dry paper and wood floating through the air as I made my way to the end. I froze for a moment at the sound of movement, it took a moment to realize it originated from a room up above, beyond anyone's sight. I let out a sigh of relief as I reached the end of the hallway and knocked on the door reading "Faculty" Silence followed for mere seconds until I heard the hasty footsteps of someone approaching, I hoped intently it was the person I was looking for, if not I might as well turn myself in. I stood back in relief at the sight of someone I recognized, a man named Dragan, one of the few in this world I could trust. His eyes widened at the sight of me, he had to stop himself from yelling out my name in surprise. When he did I told him silently how I needed help, he nodded, understandingly and let me in immediately.

Dragan's office was just as plane as I remembered. Hardly any decorations to call his own, just the man I remember. He hurried over to his desk, clearing it of clutter.

"Apologies for the mess, it's been a while since anyone's been to this corner of the library. Reading isn't much of a priority among the youth of today it seems."

"Same where I'm from."

"I can imagine. It's been quite a while Eve, what is it, 2, 3 years now?"

"Yes, last time I saw this place I was running for my life" I said, then gesturing to the excess robes I wore. "Not a lot's changed"

"Indeed. What's happening now then?"

"I need your help looking into something. The other night I got attacked by this woman... this lady in white. I've been trying to figure out who she is, she seems to have some type of connection to this place."

"To here? That's impossible, everyone from here is accounted for."

"Well, apparently not because she was pretty insistent I take her here."

"Who was she exactly, did she tell you anything?"

"She said something about coming from a place called 'Lightland' I've never heard of it, so I thought I'd ask you." at that Dragan seemed taken aback, as though he hadn't heard me correctly, a great and terrible response I suppose.

"Lightland? Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure she said something a long those lines, and she was damn determined to come here, I wouldn't let her though."

"Good. Did she say anything else, a name or anything?"

"She called herself Siara, the White Widow" I replied, at that Dragan seemed very troubled, as though he'd remembered something terrible.

"Oh dear, that's not good at all."

"I take it you know something then... about this Lightland?"

"A little more than that I'm afraid I used to study it. Lightland is a well known story here, to many it's a myth but for anyone who's done a minute of research it's pretty solid."

"What is it?"

"Lightland, or The Land of Light as it was known, was an ancient kingdom that existed parallel to our own for thousands of years. They were one of our greatest rivals, they used to come here frequently, we engaged in numerous realm wars."

"Realm wars?"

"Wars in more than one reality. The Light people were probably our most formidable foes, come to think of it, nearly wiped us out a few times, we always managed though, thanks in large part to your family. But.. about 120 years ago was their final war, we decimated them so completely their civilization collapsed. Their royal family, the Siara's were mostly killed in a revolt, though there were rumours that some may have escaped. Not here though, any that made it here were swiftly executed."

"Civilized as always."

"Well, those were the methods of the time I'm afraid. Not one survivor."

"So you're telling me this Siara, this 'White Widow' is one of them? Why would she want to come here?"

"For revenge most likely, whatever the reason we can't allow it, you have to do everything in your power to stop her Eve, or else who knows, she may take her angst out on your world instead." finished Dragan. At that I sat in consideration, deciding my next move. I thought it over for quite a while before getting up.

"Thanks Dragan, you've been a big help"

"Any time" he said, thinking events over himself. I got up from my seat and began making my way out when a knock at the door startled me. A voice from the other side spoke;

"Dragan? Who are you talking to?"

"Myself buddy, take a hint" he said, gesturing for me to leave. I didn't need telling. I created a portal and in seconds I was gone.