Eternal Pyrós Sphairá

The mysterious figure, concealed beneath a mask and sheltered by an umbrella, stood outside the library where the events had unfolded. Raindrops fell steadily around him, but he paid them no mind. Instead, his thoughts turned inward as he contemplated the library's potential as a suitable resting place.

"Perhaps this library could offer the solitude I seek," he pondered, his eyes hidden behind the mask. He had been on a journey fraught with challenges, and now, the quiet aura of the library beckoned to him. With a determined step, he approached the library's entrance.

As the mysterious figure reached out for the doorknob, his hand trembling with anticipation, he suddenly felt it—the most sinister aura he had ever encountered. It washed over him like a tidal wave of darkness, sending shivers down his spine and causing the very air to thicken with an oppressive malevolence.

The aura was like a shadowy maelstrom, swirling with malevolence and emanating an eerie, otherworldly chill. It whispered of untold secrets and horrors lurking within the depths of the library, and the very ground beneath him seemed to tremble in resonance with its power.

With every step he took into the library, the sinister aura grew stronger, wrapping around him like a suffocating cloak of darkness. It was a presence so sinister that it felt as though the very fabric of reality was being warped and twisted by its influence.

Ryūken was peacefully sleeping on the bed when his rest was abruptly disturbed by a notification from the system. The system's voice echoed in his mind, alerting him to the intruder's presence.

{Visitor detected}

{Someone is attempting to enter the library. Please take appropriate action.}

With a jolt, Ryūken snapped awake, his senses on high alert.

Ryūken, still feeling the grogginess of interrupted sleep, let out a tired sigh as he rubbed his eyes. "Seriously, can’t a guy catch a break…" he muttered to himself, feeling a bit annoyed. Nevertheless, he knew he couldn't ignore the situation.

With reluctant determination, he swung his legs off the bed and got to his feet.

As Ryūken left his room and stepped into the library's corridor, he noticed a remarkable change in his outfit. His attire had transformed back to his familiar suit, complete with the exception of the coat he had lent to Lira. He couldn't help but marvel at the convenience of the library, which seemed to cater to his needs and preferences.

"How convenient…" he commented with a wry smile, appreciating the nature of the library's ability to adapt to his circumstances.

As Ryūken approached the library's entrance and pushed open the door, he was met with an unexpected sight. There, standing just beyond the threshold, was the figure clad in a mask and sheltered beneath an umbrella. The mysterious aura surrounding this stranger was palpable, and Ryūken couldn't help but be intrigued by the presence.

Their eyes met briefly, and Ryūken could sense an unspoken enigma hanging in the air. He offered a polite nod of acknowledgment, acknowledging the nature of their encounter.

The masked man's reaction was swift and intense. As soon as he laid eyes on Ryūken, he saw not a man, but a menacing demon waiting to strike. Fear surged through him, and he gritted his teeth in a fight-or-flight response.

Without hesitation, the masked man summoned a blue fireball, his fingers crackling with power. With a quick and precise motion, he hurled the fireball toward Ryūken, the flames sizzling through the air with intensity.

Ryūken's confusion deepened as the blue fireball hurtled toward him. In his perception, it seemed more like an innocuous ball than a threatening projectile. He couldn't help but find the situation rather peculiar.

With the fireball safely cradled in his hand, Ryūken couldn't help but comment to himself,

"What a weird greeting."

He maintained his composure despite the circumstances, clearly unfazed by the power unleashed against him.

The masked man stood there, utterly shocked by what had just transpired. In his world, the blue fireball he had conjured was an exceedingly rare and legendary phenomenon—a relic of a bygone era, its origins traced back to the tales of ancient Greece. This particular enigma, known as the

Eternal Pyrós Sphairá

was said to be the manifestation of the flames that once graced the hearth of Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and fire, and Hestia, the goddess of the hearth.

The Eternal Pyrós Sphairá was said to have been imbued with the power of the Titan Prometheus, who had stolen fire from the gods and bestowed it upon humankind. It had become a symbol of knowledge, rebirth, and enlightenment.

The blue flames danced with an ethereal brilliance, casting a glow that seemed to transcend time and space. They crackled with intensity, and their heat was both scorching and soothing, an enigma that defied the laws of nature. The masked man knew that encountering such an enigma in today's era was nothing short of fate.

The masked man remained in a state of shock, unable to comprehend the turn of events that had unfolded before his eyes. The blue flame, known far and wide as an artifact of legend, had been effortlessly caught by a mere human—the enigma of it all was too much for him to bear. In the world he inhabited, the notion of a mortal wielding such power was simply unheard of.

He gazed in bewilderment at Ryūken, the man who had singlehandedly defied the odds. The blue flame flickered and danced within Ryūken's grasp, casting a glow upon his features. The masked man's fear was now mingled with curiosity—a desire to unravel the mysteries surrounding this library and the man who stood before him.

The masked man, in his astonishment, no longer saw Ryūken as a regular human. He now thought of him as an all-powerful being—an incredibly strong and mysterious entity. Ryūken's ability to effortlessly control the blue flame had left a strong impression on the masked man, making him believe that Ryūken was unlike any ordinary person.

In the masked man's mind, Ryūken had become a remarkable figure with incredible abilities. He couldn't help but wonder why such a powerful being had come to this place. The situation had taken on a new level of intrigue and complexity, and the masked man was eager to learn more about the library and the man who guarded it.

Ryūken, puzzled by the masked man's action, couldn't help but scratch his head in confusion. He mumbled to himself, "Did he just toss this... blue fireball as a form of greeting?" His bewilderment was evident as he tried to make sense of the unusual encounter. Still adjusting to this unfamiliar world, Ryūken found himself in a situation that felt far from ordinary.

As Ryūken nonchalantly shrugged, he decided to reciprocate the masked man's unusual greeting. With a swift and fluid motion, he threw the blue ball back at the masked man.

From the masked man's perspective, the fireball appeared even more intense and faster, leaving him with little time to react. He braced himself to catch it, but to his astonishment, the fireball dissipated into thin air before it could reach him.

The masked man was left in awe of Ryūken's control over the blue flame, and he couldn't help but feel that he was in the presence of an extraordinary individual.

Ryūken, still baffled by the disappearing blue fireball, continued to stare at the masked man with a perplexed expression. He scratched his head, trying to make sense of the peculiar encounter.

On the other hand, the masked man, realizing his mistake and feeling a sense of regret for his actions, took the disappearing fireball as a sign of mercy. With a gulp, he bowed deeply and shouted his gratitude,

"Thank you, thank you, great one! I didn't mean to offend you! If there's anything I can do to make amends, please, just name it!"

The masked man's rapid change in attitude and his reverence for Ryūken added an unexpected layer of complexity to the library, leaving both men in a state of confusion and uncertainty.

"Huh?"

End of Chapter 8.