Noir - Chapter 2

This is only a draft so there might be some typo or grammatical error. And the story might change later.

Chapter2

Lily finally has her own room. It’s small but it has a small bathroom with a bathtub and shower. It also has a small veranda where she placed a small table set. It’s connected to Aeros and Riel’s room with a door. If she passed the guardians examination she will be in their team. And she still has no idea what they are and what they do so she decided to lurk around in the library the next day.

“WOAH!” Her eyes widen when she saw how big the library is. It has thousands of books on it.

“They don’t have mundane books here.” Riel told her.

“Only for those who don’t know where to look.” Aeros grinned. “See yah at lunch guys.”

“Where is he going?” Lily asked.

“I had no idea.” Riel shrugged. “He always spends his time here if he’s not watching movies and animes or playing games.”

“We really do have a lot of things in common.” Lily frowned. “Just don’t understand why he hates me.”

“He’s always like that to everyone.” Riel chuckled. “He’s a first class jerk.”

“Agreed.”

They silently walked through the abundant maze of books. Riel picked books that might help her due to Lily’s request. She can fast read and remember it in just one look. She’s also good in mathematical and analytical reasoning. She’s a genius but she’s not comfortable letting others know so she grew up without even having to review her lesson. She rarely goes to class too.

“So will you ever tell me what this place is, what you guys are and what kind of world I’ve stumble upon?” She asked.

“Afraid you’re never going to ask.” Riel chuckled. “I’m just waiting for you to ask.”

“Now I did ask. So?”

“Let’s sit down first.” He grinned. “I think I’m done picking books.”

She glanced at how many books Riel picked. There are a total of fifteen books with average width. She can finish it in two days, she thought.

“First, we are called the unknowns. We are those beings that humans read in myths and legends. We coexist with humans pretending to be one of them. Some creatures can’t be seen by them and it’s been like that for thousands of years.” He paused. “This place was built thousands of years ago too. It’s a sanctuary at first. Place for people like us. It’s started on the witch hunt when humans decided to kill us one by one. They feared us and they wanted things we can do. We’ve been hiding from them since then. Guardians also called as Knight were created to protect our citizens. It’s like the human government. And this place trained kids like us, those who either had no place left or running away. If you pass the exam you can stay here as long as you want and they’ll give you monthly allowance. Only you have to be their force too. Knights have various ranking.”

“Knights? As in like in those movies? The one with the horse and armour?” Lily asked.

“Yeah.” Riel chuckled. “They use Royal Rankings in the system so the highest would be the emperors; of course they are the gods. Then there’s the kings, they’re second and their superior here on the mundane world.”

 “Then who’s the other side?” She asked. “Who’s the enemy?”

“They’re those who opposed the system. They rebels against us. Most of them are those who are treated like piece of shit.” Riel said sadly. “Even here we still have slaves and abused. It’s a big world afterall. Then most of them were true evils. They wanted chaos just because it brings pleasure to them. They’re our most dangerous enemy; some of them are inside the system that’s why you really can’t trust the higher ups here.”

It’s really a lot to take in for a person who grew up normally. It’s like a dream come true for her. She always imagined them when she’s still a child.

“Hey?” Riel called her back from day dreaming. “Are you ok?”

“Yup.” She breathed in deep. “It’s just a lot to take in.”

“Yeah it is.” He laughed. “I suddenly remember your face when you saw Soul. We thought you’re going to pass out.”

“I’m not.” She blushed. “I’m just surprised.”

Riel’s phone suddenly rings and both of them were startled by it.

“Duty Calls.” Riel frowned when he saw the txt message was from Luke. “I guess I’ll see you at lunch.”

“See you.”

She sat there alone looking at her surroundings. She can feel the changes everywhere. Her senses are stronger now. She can feel the changes inside her and it freaks her out. She’s brought back to reality when she saw the tower of books in front of her.

“Time to read.” She sighed and picked up something that caught her interest. It’s a book about medical and herbals.

At Luke’s office, Riel sat uncomfortably.

“How’s she doing?” Luke asked.

“She just started reading books just now.” He frowned. “I really don’t’ get why would you do that to her. We all know the examination will not be easy.”

“We are aware of that. I’m just following what the higher ups want. I think they want to know her capabilities or if she’s just a normal human with an odd capabilities.”

“But she won’t pass. Even if she does passed the first one there will be the second and the third.”

“Do you feel it Riel?”

“Feel what?” He asked confused.

“The changes. It’s slowly consuming everything.” Luke said in a serious tone. “Even the system is slowly changing. The dukes and kings are getting paranoid of it.”

“Bullshit.” He said. “Lily’s a person not some experiment they have to research.”

“That’s why I need you to promise me something.” Luke smiled at him.

“What?”

“If she ever passed all the requirements, promise me you two will protect her. Never get her out of your sight. All the attentions will be on her and I know there’s some reason why the shadows want her. She’s special.”

“I already knew that fact.” Riel said in full resolved. “I’m not planning on leaving her, ever.”

“Thank you.” Luke said and he’s icy expression turned back to being warm. “I’ll count on you.”

“So? Can I go now?” He asked.

“Yeah, by the way Shiki said get your ass on his lab. He needs some muscle on some new thing he’s working on.”

“Damn.”

After two hours of reading, Lily finished three books and she stopped because she’s already starting to get bored. She looked in her surroundings and noticed a few people around. All the people she saw in this place have unearthly beauty. It’s like she’s living in a dream. She doesn’t notice that some of them glance in her way.

She stretched out and stands up to move the sore muscles she got from too much seating. She’s done reading for now and it’s time for wandering around. It’s a waste not to when you’re in a place that looks a lot hundred years older than you. So she left her things on her desk and decided she’ll go get it later.

She saw different kinds of books around and some of them have languages she doesn’t understand. She remembered the books she’s interested and might read later. This place is really big. It’s like a museum full of books and there are a lot of decorations, paintings and statues too. There are also some weapons and armours and stuff she had no clue what is it stored in a glass case. They’re all shiny and look expensive and she’s afraid to go near it because anywhere she goes there are definitely troubles to come.

She’s about to turn back to a corner when she saw some unusually arranged shelves at the second floor. It caught her attention and she’s a very curios girl, so she slowly walked in the stairs not leaving her eyes out of the shelves. When she got there she finally understood why they are like that. It’s build like a maze. And a maze means there’s something in the end of it so she enters it. She’s caught in a few dead ends but she didn’t give up.

She’s caught in another dead end again but this time she noticed that it’s wider than before. She stared at the wall and that’s where she saw the hidden door. The walls are bricked so it’s really hard to see and if it weren’t for the breeze she felt she wouldn’t noticed the small knob in the corner.

She slowly entered the room and found out that it’s another room full of books, but these books are mundane one and they consist mostly of Novels and mangas. It’s only a small room but this place is heaven for her and whoever hides these here will be her best friend. Then her gaze moved to the window, the only window in the room.

She stopped in shock and was caught by the moment. She just stared at the person sitting on the window rail. It was Aeros, his foot was resting on the table side beside the window and the other was lowered and swaying slowly. He’s busy reading and he didn’t notice Lily. She never saw him so angelic like that. She was caught in his deep blue eyes and his dark hair who’s dancing in the wind that comes in the open window. He’s smiling and her heart skipped a beat. He looks vulnerable just like a child. She realized he’s prettier than any other girl she saw.

She wanted to touch his bangs that suddenly hide his eyes and she didn’t notice she’s walking towards him. A loud crash was heard all over the room and Aeros suddenly bolted in his defensive emotion. That’s where she saw Lily few feet away from him and there are scattered books around her feet. She probably hit some books that were place on the floor.

“Oh shit.” Lily muttered. She immediately placed back the books she havocs.

“Just leave it like that.” Aeros sighed and went back from his earlier position. He pretended to be reading and uninterested in her presence but he’s very aware of it. He wanted to ignore her but his eyes wanted to follow her every move.

“Is this all yours?” She asked and picked a book and sat in the chair near the window. It’s the only chair in the room.

“Some of it.” Aeros said uninterested but he actually wanted to talk to her. She likes the same thing he likes. They understand each other’s mind. And he likes talking to her and teasing her. But he tried so hard not to get close to anyone again. He can’t risk her safety. The only friend he needs is Riel because Riel is strong and he can protect himself from Aeros’s inner demon, “Most of them are from Luke.”

“Cool.” She said. She noticed that Aeros doesn’t want to talk to her so she read the book she picked instead. She’s immediately caught by it and forgot where she is. She’s in a trance right now.

Aeros was thankful when Lily shut up. It made easier for him to be in the same room with her alone. He’s finally comfortable in her presence. He wished it would continue like this so he can get along with her without them pissing each other.

He stole a glance at her and saw that she’s asleep. Her head was resting on the table and her face was facing him. His gaze automatically moved to her lips. Damn, he thought. She’s so vulnerable when she’s asleep and he can’t pretend anymore so reach out to her. His hand was caressing her face and he removes some hair that falls out of her face. She’s so damn beautiful and his heart won’t shut up. If only things would be normal to him but it’s not that easy. He has a very complicated past. He’s just a vulnerable child inside and scared to lose someone again. He never wanted to feel those emotions again.

Lily’s stomach growled and he’s suddenly startled by it and he accidentally hit her hard on the shoulder. Lily was waking up so he pretends to be shaking her.

“Wake up.” He muttered. “Let’s go find Riel and grabbed some lunch.”

“Thanks for waking me up.” She yawned and still half asleep when she walked so she suddenly tripped at the messy book that’s done by her, earlier.

Aeros caught her arm and pulled her towards him. He silently cursed himself. He’s only making it hard for him to stay away from her. She noticed his disdain and was heartbroken by how much he hated her. They walked silently and pick Lily’s things that were left behind earlier. He borrowed the books under his name since Lily was not part of the Vortex yet so she doesn’t have an ID yet.

“Thanks.” She muttered.

Aeros just nodded at her and they walked to the cafeteria with an awkward distance between them. They found Riel sitting at one of the table. He looked like a mess. His face was full of grease and he’s wearing one of Shiki’s working clothes.

“Cute.” Lily chuckled. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Just helping my uncle.” He shrugged,

“Can we just eat now?” Aeros suggested.

“What do you want to eat?” Riel asked Lily.

“I can get mine.” She protested.

“I’ll do it.” He said and she realized he won’t back down.

“Fine.” She frowned. “A bowl of rice and a ramen. Then a frozen yogurt for dessert.”

“Let’s go.” Aeros frowned.

“Dude relax.” Riel said to him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” He lied. He may be a good liar but Riel can still tell. Nothing can escape in a wolf’s strong sense.

“Whatever.” He shrugged. He knew there must be a good reason why Aeros is closing his self. He always does this when he wants to protect someone. He always isolates himself from others.

He knows his past so he understands him. But sometimes he wished for him to move on. There’s no point crushing yourself from a past event.

(Go To Randomness Crap to see the Update)