To Walk The Mist 119 The tower's first level 1

"Tests like that could kill him, and us as well." he said, then his eyes followed after Ku Jian's leaving back with frown. This woman is clearly scared, but still followed Ed anyway, he thought.

"It was not really a test. This place is called the library. A place where knowledge is stored. It forces people to live their fears and collect what it learns from them."

"So the knowledge stored here are gotten from people. Clever. Never use that knowledge in the tower. People will die." Nti Anem said, then followed after Ed. Baskii only frowned but followed after him too. When they returned to the room they were in before, they found Ed and Ku Jian sitting and waiting for them. On the other side of the door to the room, they could hear an argument going on.

"Should we go down and look?" someone said.

"Do you dare?" another commented.

"Standing around here won't help either."

"That kind of killing intent, the person must be dangerous."

"Why hasn't the city lord sent people yet?"

"Do you think this a place people can make a fuss? The city guards respect this place as a holy ground."

"Isn't this person's existence a nuisance?" another countered.

Discussions were hot. Regardless, Ed sat without care and Ku Jian sat staring at him with innocent eyes. Seeing this scene, Nti Anem sighed inside. This girl has soon forgotten her fear for Ed in such a short amount of time.

"Can we enter the tower now?" Ed asked Baskii

"Of course. After taking the test, the library has a record of you now. So, you will be able to enter the tower." Baskii said and Ed nodded and got up. Before opening the door, he paused and looked back at Baskii.

"There is a strange energy here. A familiar energy. Light. White light. The purest ever felt. Where is this coming from?" Ed asked. To this, Baskii smiled.

"Not many can say they have felt light that pure. Where did you first feel it, to be this familiar."

"I travelled with it once. I need to find it again. It needs me." he said solemnly and Baskii's smiled widened.

"Only darkness claims to know light's requirement for it's existence. The purer the light, the darker it's companion. How dark can you be for light so bright to need you?" Baskii asked and Ed froze. His mind wandered at the man's words. Was that it? He was not worthy to be needed by her, that is why he is here? Her light was so pure, so bright, he was not enough then? Enough what? Darkness?

"Ed..." Ku Jian felt the air around Ed change dangerously, so she tugged on his clothes. Outside, those by the door heard voices from inside, but could not make out what was being said. They were about to raise their voice and insist that those inside come out, when a cold sipped into their bones. This was not killing intent like before. This was despair. The aura seemed to suffocate them, yet they felt their hairs stand.

Danger!

They all retreated the the farthest corner of the library, not minding what they hit on the way.

"Ed, time in the mist is different! As long as you find the right point in time, you can return! Until then, groom yourself to whatever you deem necessary!" Nti Anem said anxiously. This was the worst thing that could happen. If Ed went on the rampage and killed people, this would be fine. But if he fell into hopelessness, he would die!

He could see Ed's form look as though turning into a misty illusion. This scared Ku Jian and she hurriedly tried to grab his sleeve but her hand passed through him.

"You have all the time, but only you can return and finish the quest! You have no choice! You either become good enough to go back or she dies!" Nti Anem persuaded urgently.

Chapter end