Kyralie blinked at the little old man, her ears still stuck on a prior statement he had made.

"Forgive me for asking but... you said earlier that the young ones had forgotten your history and legends...?" Kyralie asked hesitantly. For her, history was something she knew quite intimately, having been educated by those warriors who had lived in past times.

Bushy eyebrows rose imperiously, "But of course. The youths of today are all thinking only of what they will make of themselves, never thinking to look back at what was done before that could be used to improve upon what they can be," a gusty sigh followed his words as he looked over the room.

"This room is a representation of all those things that have gone before, legends and history combined to create myths that no one cares for, except myself. It has been my life ambition to gather as much as I could, in case there is a day where they will be needed to shed light upon some plight," a smile creased his face as he looked back at the two standing before him, "perhaps that day is today. Take a look through that manuscript, perhaps if read with fresh eyes they will make a connection to the other book you hold."

Kyralie glanced apprehensively at the large book which Hunter held, then back at the man, "Before we look into it... would you happen to know what this book is about?" she held up the small graphic novel in her hands, “Neither the Prince nor I can understand what the writing is about but this image is the closest thing we can find to what we are searching for."

The man peered down at the page she held out, his living moving silently as he mumbled to himself. Taking the book abruptly, he flipped through it to read what was before and after the missing pages. Kyralie and Hunter exchanged hopeful looks; the man might be able to answer their questions without further searching.

With a gusty sigh, the old scholar returned the book to Kyralie, "This book only deals with the making of Guides. A difficult process of it self from what I can recall. The middle pages most likely contained the information on how to go about the process," a stern look appeared in his eyes, "you weren't about to go to making a Guide were you? It's a difficult role to have and to create a person for that sole reason is cruel."

"Cruel?" Kyralie's heart clenched. The very idea of something being done to Phantasm... It was here she realized that where Hunter was looking for answers relating to the powers the Dome itself had; Kyralie herself was trying to find out about her only friend. Both had different motives yet the answers would no doubt come from the same place.

"Indeed, young girl. What you would effectively be doing is creating an empty vessel then filling it with all the knowledge it requires - and only what it requires. It could know all there is to know about magic yet be dumb when it comes to feeding itself. It is dependent on all its creator's whims. A slave with no free-will to speak of, and bound to do its duty," he shook his craggy face soulfully.

Hunter looked to his student with compassion, seeing the clear pain in her eyes. It was obvious whom she was thinking of.

"Perhaps you could answer a query of mine, Sir? The reason you found us among your collection is we are seeking information about the Dome itself..." Hunter began but was cut off by the man's cackle.

"Ah, you young ones. Can not see that which is right before you," spreading his arms wide he spun to indicate the entire room, "this is my collection of myths, legends and histories about this magical structure! My life's work to collect them all and to write them for future reference!"

Kyralie and Hunter could only stare about them in shock. The room they had spent so long in was the answer to what they were looking for! Yet... not a word was in any way legible to either of them.

As he saw their consternation, the old man smiled, “No doubt you are wondering how to find what you are searching for? That book I gave you already should have what you need. If the first novel you found was closer to what you are after then this one will surely expand upon it. Now feel free to make use of this room, I must be going for I have heard the most unusual tale and must see if it bears any fruit for my current research."

As the old man turned to hobble off, Kyralie and Hunter opened the book he had given them, the pages worn thin and the writing fading from years of perusal.

__________________

RIP Duke
BA Characters:
Joker Kyralie Calista
Artwork - No requests =(