Episode 7

Although she may be the one to use it, my previous theory cannot be ruled out of the running. The guy went inside and returned with three transparent bottles containing white liquid. It shimmers with enthralling glitter, scattering tiny particles of light in all directions. Inside, the liquid appears viscous and sticky, as though it contains secrets and enigmas. Death reached for it, but that individual pushed it away. “Tell me, death, who is this young girl with you? I’ve never seen her before. Her looks are not from around here. You get what I mean?” The guy said. “I’m Eth, a kikimbura. How old are you?” He offered me a hand to shake.

“Isn’t it rude to ask for someone’s age first before their name? Ever heard of manners?” I said and crossed my arms. “I think my identity is none of your business, Mr. Eth.”

“This girl stings!” Eth said. “Say, girl, isn’t it rude to talk back to your elders that way as well?”

“It's solely equitable that I treat you the same way you treat me, mister. I didn't come here to request your assistance in the first place. I don't have to deal with you, and you don't have to deal with me. So, with all due respect because it appears that respect means so much to you and it shows up that I just must rub it in even though you weren't even showing me the least respect that I deserve, take your snotty nose off my radar.” I replied.

He raised both his arms and backed away from me. “You must chill, girl. I’m not here to pick up a fight.” He turned to death and handed the bottles. “That would be 36.33.” Death gave him a brown bag and placed the bottles inside her bag. “Excuse my rudeness but I think you should fix that mouth of yours, girl. You look exceptionally pretty but your mouth throws knives. You’d be left alone one day because of that kind of attitude.”

“I understand, mister Eth, and thank you for your consideration, but I'm used to people leaving my life, and I don't need to pay attention to it anyhow. That's simply life; not everyone remains, not that I need someone to stay because, in the first place, I just need myself to survive.” I said and gave him a cold look. “Death, I’m sorry to disturb this little business but are there any libraries nearby?”

“A witchlet asking for a library? You are peculiar indeed. A funny thing to hear down here.” He mockingly said then shook his head.

“There are no libraries here, kid. We’ve been deprived of that years ago.” Death answered.

“Oh,” I said in disappointment. It’d be nice to have a little read and learn things quicker. I’ve been longing for the comfort and thrill that the weight of the books in my hands gives, each page a portal to another universe waiting to be discovered. The texture of the pages beneath my hands is a delicate dance between smoothness and mild resistance as if they store secrets only a select few can decipher. Longing for the aroma of the books that fill the air, a rich blend of ancient paper, ink, and the faint traces of many hands that have turned their pages. It's a scent that evokes nostalgia and whispers of lost stories, luring me deeper into their domains. The perfume that dances in my nostrils, fills me with awe and expectation, as if the essence of knowledge and imagination has been trapped within their pages. Time stands still in the world of books, and the possibilities are limitless. It's a haven where dreams can take flight, knowledge can be exchanged, and the power of narrative reigns supreme. Each book I touch reminds me of the endless wonders that await, as well as the thrill of losing oneself in the embrace of a well-crafted tale. I would’ve lived in the library if there was one here.

“Spill it, death. This kid isn’t from here, is she?” Eth asked.

“Oh! I just remembered; how do you undo a reviving spell?” Death inquired.

“A reviving spell? It’s simple, kill the thing you brought back to life. You’ve given it life and the simplest thing to snatch it away is to kill it again. There’s no other choice. Why?”

“What if the thing I revived isn't from here? Let’s say I brought a plant from another planet to here and prevented its death on that planet?”

“You did not cast a reviving spell at the time. That is a transportation spell. Let's say this hypothetical plant you're telling me is going to die on X planet due to old age, but you plucked it off his world right before it was set to die. Because of the changing environment, the plant's life cycle is reset. Spells cast with objects that are not from here work differently. They change the DNA and adapt the thing to the current environment. That plant might have been reprofiled from a normal plant to an immutable or flesh-eating plant. I can't say for certain because I'm not familiar with transportation spells. Life witches are the ones who do it because it is like reawakening spells; the genetic material is also being reformed.” Eth answered.

“What if I brought a witch that’s about to be killed on another planet? Or further, to another world or dimension?”

“Hmmm… Unless the beings in that dimension have magic, the witch may lose her power. Because you avoided a murder, immortality is no longer an option. That does not constitute a natural death. Did you transport a witch from here?” He turned to me, and a sly smile curved his lips. “Or did you bring another living creature to this place?”

“I’m just curious. Do you know a life witch by any chance?” Death said, unbothered by the look Eth just gave me.

“How would I know a life witch? Those creatures are from up there.”

“Okay. Thanks again, Eth.” Death murmured, dragging me and Asphalt away. I returned my gaze to Eth and was met with his intense and unwavering stare, it felt like a thousand needles piercing through my soul. With his piercing look, he seemed to see straight through me, revealing every secret and hidden thought. My unease deepened, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach, as I couldn't help but notice a hint of distrust in his eyes. He's looking at me with great interest. I don’t like this guy. Eth's stare was disturbing, his eyes like deep pools of darkness, holding a mystery I dared not investigate. His stare was filled with a craving, perhaps for knowledge or something that was darker. He was studying me with his gaze, peeling away the layers of my being, looking for flaws to exploit. His interest in me felt almost predatory as if he was measuring up its prey and planning its next move.

His gaze seems to linger, as if time itself had stopped. I could feel his gaze crushing down on me, thick and suffocating. It was a look that demanded my attention, forced my allegiance, and left me feeling exposed and defenseless. His stare seemed to penetrate into my very being, leaving me with a lingering unease that I couldn't escape. I couldn't help but wonder about what drove him at the time. What was it about me that sparked his interest? Was it genuine curiosity or was there something ominous hiding beneath the surface? As I struggled with the uneasy feeling of being the focus of such close observation, my anxiety increased, like a storm building in the distance. Eth's stare, with its penetrating intensity and incomprehensible nature, left me feeling unsettled. It was a glance that held secrets and motives I couldn't recognize, making me nervous and anxious about his presence. He reminded me that I am but an alien in this place. A trespasser.

“If the topic escalated further, he would’ve figured you out. That warlock is cunning. Cunning indeed."

“Death, I know very little about this place,” I said. Despite the pleasant ambiance, I really am not liking the fact that I know little to nothing about this place. I’ve picked up nothing but fights since I went here because of my naivety.

“That’s fine, Asphalt, and I always have your back, kid.” Death assured. I appreciate the assurance, but I can't always rely on it. I need to be able to stand on my own two feet. But before I can accomplish that, I need to learn more.

Since books are out of the selection, guess I’ll have to do it manually then.