Epilogue: The Library, Everlasting, Everchanging (End)

I was sure of my thoughts when Bibliotheca Aeterna first came into my sight.

A desolate city it was, its prime a forgotten tale since eons past. Yet, its inhabitants, no longer limited to mindless drones and shades of Kexterans, now freely roamed the once-empty streets. Vacant estates were renovated, decaying buildings repaired, and interstellar caravans again made a stop at the Bibliotheca, once the economic centre of the Milky Way. Still barred from landing on the planet proper, the interstellar merchants would watch with envy as young Archivists descended into the Eternal Library.

So lie to themselves they would: at least, I get to use the Psionic Stargate and the Goods Catalogue. The nerds can do whatever they want with books in the library, but I only want my sweet profit… the merchants would make a million excuses, yet none would hide their envy towards the Archivists that had proven their worth.

And a grand library it was, where scholars and scientists would gather to study, discover, and record knowledge of all disciplines and fields. The views of archives rearranging, either by individual items or by entire blocks of building, had become more frequent, as new Archivists began to dig up previously unknown documents or add their knowledge into the already impressive library. A source of knowledge unlike any other, many scientists would often become an Archivist just for the privilege of living on the Bibliotheca.

But my --- Aria Rainsford’s --- reason to be here was different. It was not something as grand as the spirit of discovery, or the resolve to save one’s nation, or the unfortunate flow of fate. It was something much more personal, inching towards the brilliance of hope, driving me ever forward towards this library everlasting, towards Locus Amoenus, towards this beautiful field of bioluminescent flowers.

I closed my eyes, collected my thoughts, and took a step forward.

A strong gust blew through me, my dress dancing in response. Holding the book in my right hand close to my heart, I pushed against the wind, trying to reach the crystal pavilion at the heaven’s end.

I failed, and I fell off the edge of the Anchor. With horrifying speed, the floating island left my sight, and the Anchor’s energy field came closer and closer. If I had hit it, I would have died instantly. With that in mind, I clenched the book every closer to me, and prayed to a certain figure.

Save me.

A pretty purple light surrounded me, and I immediately stopped falling, as if time has stopped. A portal then appeared below me, and before I knew, I was lying on a bed of flowers, the bioluminescent blue flowers glowing ever so slightly under the azure sky.

“It has been years since I saw someone who fell off the edge before they had an anti-gravity device installed. It has been even longer since I knew someone who would use telepathy to cry for help.” A somewhat nonchalant voice announced, her displeasure simmering under the surface.

I stood up and looked at the source of the voice. She was a beautiful Elven woman, with silky and flowing lavender-coloured hair, and eyes of amethyst. Or so it seems, as she quickly dispelled the disguise, and returned to her original appearance.

She had not changed since 50 years ago, when we first met on Earth, on that rainy, but sunny day. Her voice, her appearance, and her personality had remained constant, as if she had travelled through time. Even down to her choice to first disguising as an Elven woman was the same; she was the one thing I was familiar with in that alien world. This fact alone gave me courage.

“But it’s good that you are safe, Aria.” The woman continued, a bioluminescent flower in her hand. “After all, my sister left you to my hands, and I cannot disappoint her. It’s my duty to make sure you are safe and happy here.”

The woman with amethyst eyes smiled, the wind conveniently grazing her slightly metallic dress, making it dance gracefully as nanomachines shined under the sunlight like golden embroidery would. Innumerable statues or 3D models in her likeliness were made to celebrate her, but none could match her in real life, I thought.

“Now, there is still a bit of time until the induction begins. I thought I will show you your room, but I just remembered we haven’t done a proper greeting yet.” The lady with amethyst eyes extended her hand to me. “Constance Rainsford, the one serving as the Archon of Lavender. I will be your supervisor for a while, so please let me know if you need anything, Scribe Aria.”

“Aria Rainsford. I will be in your care, big sis.”

Smiling, I shook her hand, our shadow stretching into the edge of the island, into the boundless, limitless and everlasting library below. Illuminated by the remanent of sunlight, the gilded characters on my book’s cover proudly proclaimed the book’s name, in all their glitter and shine ---

The Young Archivist’s Records. The inspiration of my adventure, and the guide that led my fate.

Constance’s records might be over. But another young Archivist will take her place, and the Records shall continue.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Thanks for reading the Young Archivist’s Records!

It had been a work I spent a lot of time and effort on, and I am glad that I did. Being able to tell Constance’s story in full had granted me a great sense of fulfilment. If you like it even a little bit, then I’d say my work was all worth it.

There were many settings or characters or stories I had in mind, and I wanted to develop them further. But owing to time constraints, the more slice-of-life stories were cut, leaving only ones related to the main plot. The gap between Chapters 12 and 13, where the chapters in the first half of the novel was about peaceful life and the latter about an overarching plot, was something that I wasn’t proud of. I still think it did its job, but if I ever had the chance to write more about Constance’s journey, I would not hesitate to expand the SoL portion, which I found quite relaxing to read.

Speaking of which, while Constance might no longer be a young Archivist, both her and Aria --- the next “young Archivist” have a journey in front of them. Should I get a chance to write a second part, it will be focused on the journey of those two.

Until then, however, I hope you enjoyed this work. Thanks for your support, and until next time!