Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters that appear in PoT. Perhaps, this story is from inspirations, from everywhere and anywhere, above and beyond.
A/N: Really apologetic about the short chapter! I wanted to continue but it felt like I wasn't doing much justice to the chapter so I just ended it previously. I'll make it up to you in this chapter!
The little angel grew up to be known as Ryoma. A little short for his age, he kept his black, with a little tinge of green, hair in short hair, trimming it whenever it hits his shoulders. His silver wings were powerful, which was rare for young angels, for they require flight training to strengthen it such that they would serve their purpose for long flight hours to do their duties. Most angels end up with duties on the earths, hovering around, observing and diving in and out to do whatever their duties required, thus their need for strong wings.
From young, for the first century, Ryoma normally skipped classes.
"Che, boring."
Ryoma always thought when he attended class. Classes would be held in the Haven, where young angels would reside until they had passed their tests to achieve angelhood and was given duties. Rarely would angels change duties, for they were for an angel's lifetime. Ryoma would be there in the morning to take attendance, upon seeing what was taught that day, as long as he already mastered it, his wings would take a quiet but strong push away from the ground as he leaves the training grounds in the Haven. He liked to wander to the Wilderness which was 50 yards away from the Haven and sit on the Great Oak Tree, where he could look at all that was around him. He particularly liked to watch the Tower at the Capitol where angels would fly around and about busily.
"Meow."
Karupin followed Ryoma everywhere. As Ryoma perched on the highest branch of the oak tree, Karupin settled on a lower branch, catching a late morning nap while bathing in the warm sun. Ryoma wants to get out of the Haven and see the whole land of which angels reside and the earths that were mentioned whenever they have classes. He leaned back on the branch and tucked his left arm under his head.
'Maybe I'll just catch a nap too, ne Karupin?" Ryoma sighed. His silver wings twinkled a little in the morning sun and sunlight bouncing off the charm anklet on his left leg. A certain lightning blue wings landed next to Ryoma; the branch moved not a single inch as the angel landed. He settled next to Ryoma and took out his camera, snapping a few shots of the little boy. Karupin opened an eye to look up at the intruder, upon seeing no danger, closed its eye and went back to napping.
It wasn't until the sun set that the duo woke up. Ryoma rose to find a photo of him and Karupin sleeping in the setting sun tucked in between his belt. Behind the photograph was signed symbol. It wasn't until Ryoma was older when he read about a lost ancient language that angels spoke, that the symbol was actually a sign for 'Mysteries'. He kept the photograph in a wooden box in his room.
Over the years, Ryoma and the other angels started training on regular angels' duties as well as learning what do the 'Highers' do in their roles. Highers is a term coined by the young angels to call those of Archangels and higher ranks. Of course, there are examinations from time to time to test the young angels on their knowledge of angels, history of important events that happened, the earths and regular combat.
Ryoma was a smart boy and he felt that the pace of lessons was a tat bit too slow for him. Being a curious and inquisitive boy, he had studied way beyond what the teachers had taught and peeked at the senior angels during their combat lessons. He self-studied and self-taught himself though occasionally (rarely) he'll get some bits of information wrong. His teachers had recognised his potential. Most of them preferred it if he would follow his class but left him to his own devices. Only one teacher who taught Ryoma on the topic of Angels had given him extra books to learn more deeply and widely. Madam Kios was what Ryoma called her, loved the little child, occasionally pleaded with other teachers to give Ryoma more texts to read and learn and perhaps to spend more time to coach the child. Not many followed her advice though.
Upon much boredom being in a class that was going at far too slow a pace, Ryoma tended to skip class a lot. At first the teachers were a little peeved at this but seeing that Ryoma turns up for his exams and still get good grades, they let him off. They figured he was bad influence on the other students as he likes to sleep in class quite often. Madam Kios decided that she'll help the small boy by getting schedules from his teachers so that he can turn up on days where he wants to listen to the lessons. On that account, Ryoma was grateful for her and decided to repay her by turning up for all her classes.
As expected, Ryoma was not too close with his peers. At first they were awed that he is a straight A student, but after a while, it annoyed them that it seems as though he didn't put in any effort yet was still able to get his grades.
'Where does that put us? His very existence just undermines our efforts!' thought some of them.
While others thought, 'He's definitely a prodigy. Still… He doesn't have to show it off by not turning up for class!'
As usual, apathetic Ryoma had no ears for these murmurs and mutterings. He spent most of his time in reading, Madam Kios' classes or just lazing around. The only murmurs and mutterings that he hear are Karupin, for the little white spotted Himalayan cat speaks to Ryoma.
One day after Madam Kios' class, as per normal, Ryoma stayed back to help her with cleaning up and preparing for the next class. Madam Kios asked Ryoma while packing her table, "Ryoma, do you want to learn more?"
Ryoma looked up from dusting the floor, "Learn more?"
"Yes. I was thinking of you visiting the Library of Oreicas. There lies all the books known to angels for angels and it would definitely help you more in your studies further. I have no more books, for my collection is limited."
"Library of Oreicas?"
"It is a library in Oreicas, named after a great Seraph. Oreicas was one of the Firsts and the greatest of them all. His End was a long time ago; it was an unfortunate thing. But we all have our time…"
"Can I go?" Ryoma asked, looking at his teacher with his golden eyes.
Kios smiled, "Of course you can! I promise that much." Cherubs were angels in charge of knowledge and they were normally quite strict about it. Most of the young angels in Haven were happy being in there and have no wishes of going out. A few adventurous ones would go out once in a while but with all the activities they have, none bothered to actually fly as far to the Capitol, much less Oreicas. Having a chance to venture out of the Haven is a plus point for Ryoma!
"You are an angel of great potential and capabilities, Ryoma. Learn well."
"I promise!"
"Now that that's settled and the classroom setup is done, let's go get food from the Hall!"
"Ponta, grape-flavoured."
"Yes, of course, grape-flavoured Ponta!" Chuckled Kios.
Karupin paced itself next to Ryoma as the trio trod down to the Hall.
-Kios made her way down to Oreicas the next day. Her white slippers touched the black marble of the road leading into the library as she landed. Her face was set in determination as she opened the wooden doors; the Cherubim has to let Ryoma in!
The library was enormous. Candles were lit at pillars, though small but their light reaches all corners of the library and cast only light shadows around. Books were arranged neatly along the walls and into the seemingly endless rows and columns of shelves that were twice the height of average angels. Many angels were in the library, reading quietly. Some flew soundlessly to reach books at high levels, some sat at tables flipping through volumes of books and some stood at the shelves, immersed in reading once they took the book off the shelves. Angels were allowed entry into the library but the books of Higher Learning was not necessarily opened for all to browse. There were some in secluded corners where only Highers can enter. Those books are the ones Kios wanted Ryoma to read. Sure Ryoma could read those that are open to the general angels but she felt that for him to truly release his potential, he had to read those of higher level with more in-depth study and philosophy.
She approached the angel on duty in the Main Hall of the library to direct her to the Cherubim of the Library of Oreicas. His office was situated near the Magical Studies section that was behind the Main Hall. Behind the Main Hall, Kios walked past a tablet on the doorway that said Hall of Oreicas. This is the hall that was exclusive to the Highers and held knowledge that was greater than those in the Main Hall. It was less grand and smaller than the Main Hall, but it still held an air of superiority. Kios knocked on the door, feeling a little less confident of herself.
"Come in."
Kios stepped in to find an angel with grey wings hunched over old books with languages that Kios could not read. He looked up at her; his tiny eyes were so small they were like lines on his face. He had on a looking-glass that was attached by a chain to his white robes.
"Oh hello Kios, it's been a while. What matters do you seek of me?" smiled the angel. He was old; he has guarded and tended to the library for over tens and thousands of years.
Kios started, "I would like to ask for a pass for an angel to enter the Other Hall."
"Other Hall? You mean Hall of Oreicas? What angel do you speak of?"
"Ryoma, he's in my class for Studies of Angels. He's a prodigy."
"In your class?" The Cherubim put down his looking glass, "I assume he is still an angel in the Haven?"
"Yes he is, Sir. But he is very talented. If we were to graduate students based on their pace than their class, he would be graduated next spring."
Talom tapped his looking glass on his table, thinking hard. A young angel that has not even been out of Haven wanted to access the Hall of Oreicas? Not only is he not of rank, he's still a youngling!
"Kios, I know you are a dedicated teacher but aren't you getting a little confused? He is still but a child! How can he be let in here? You know fair well yourself that there are some books here that contain knowledge even general angels can't read due to the immensity of the power of words within them!"
"Sir, please. I know my student well. He has completed my collection of books and you too know that I do have books that are similar in strength as those in this library!"
Talon sighed. Kios had never changed; stubborn little girl she was, and stubborn she remains.
"Alright, bring your student in. I'll test him myself!"
-Ryoma was a little nervous as he sipped his Ponta. He wished Madam Kios had accompanied him but she was having class and she wanted him to be able to enter the hall as soon as possible. She had come to him late last night.
"Ryoma, there has to be a test of your capabilities before you enter the hall. I'm sorry I failed to get you access. Will you be able to handle it?"
"Test?"
"The Cherubim will test you himself."
"An old man testing me? Why not?"
"Ryoma!" Chided Kios, "Manners young boy, he has got years on you! I want you to be able to walk freely into the library. Tomorrow, you shall go tomorrow!"
Ryoma was filled in on the issues of Main Hall and Hall of Oreicas, whom everyone calls Other Hall, and the reason for the test. He thought it was a bother; he could easily just read the books in the Main Hall but listening about the books in the Hall of Oreicas made him curious and he thought why not give it a shot. He was given a letter written personally by Kios and at the start of the day, Kios sent him off with her blessings.
Ryoma flew into the library and headed straight for the angel on duty in the Main Hall. The angel eyed Ryoma's belt and snorted, "Kid, you don't even have a charm. Are you even allowed out?"
Ryoma drank another sip of Ponta, "Why not?"
"Because this is the Library of Oreicas. You shouldn't disrespect your seniors, you know? Wait, is that a sugar-laden drink you are holding?!"
Ryoma ignored the angel's shout and dumped the now empty can into the bin behind the angel, "There, thrown. Now can I see the Cherubim?"
"Have you no respect at all! Where are your manners?" Shouted the angel. "What uncouth child!"
"You should lower your voice. I only requested—"
"Are you telling me to shut up?" The angel paused, the whole library was silent and the angels all stared at him. He coughed and smoothen his pale brown hair.
"What's the noise about?" Another voice came into the conversation.
The angel quickly turned around and bowed. All the other angels bowed before going back to their reading.
"This child was looking for you, I wanted to stop him from making a nuisance out of –"
Ryoma flew towards the grey-winged angel, "Hnn… Grey wings, looking glass and look a little dusty. Here's Madam Kios' letter. You can test me whatever we are supposed to learn in Haven."
Talom's nose twitched a little when he mentioned 'look a little dusty', took the letter and told the boy, "Walk with me."
Kios' letter mentioned testing whatever that was taught in Haven and that this was the boy she mentioned, whose name is Ryoma.
"Ryoma, what place is this?"
"A place of knowledge."
Talom's eyebrows raised up; that was unexpected.
"Name the Firsts."
"Anakkom, Oreicas, Bryk, Farfe, Zikkiel and Pas, from the greatest."
Talom was now curious. Oreicas was, without a doubt, the greatest.
"Why Oreicas after Anakkom?" Asked the older angel.
"Because Anakkom was the Seraphim who applauded knowledge and thought it important."
"But this library is named after Oreicas?" Talom tested the little angel.
"Named after Oreicas but the one who called for the construction was Anakkom. He was the one who named it after Oreicas. Che, as if an angel of warring would know to build a library."
"Then why was it named Library of Oreicas?"
"Anakkom wanted Oreicas to be remembered by eons of angels to come."
And before Talom could ask another question, Ryoma continued, "And because they were lovers."