Okhema, The Imperator Library.
This grand structure, once commissioned by Cerydra to enlighten the people and disseminate knowledge, now served as a sanctuary for learning and quiet contemplation.
Beneath its towering dome, countless shelves bore the accumulated wisdom and history of Amphoreus across millennia.
In a relatively secluded corner on the library's second floor, Cerces's avatar hovered mid-air, her gaze fixed upon the emerald-haired sage buried in a sea of books below.
"Child of Humanity," Cerces's voice broke the soft rustle of turning pages, carrying a hint of testing intent, "the trial I entrusted to you—deciphering the legendary prophecy of Kephale regarding the so-called 'Re-Creation'—have you unraveled any leads?"
Anaxa did not look up, his finger tracing over the faded fine print in an ancient tome, letting out a chuckle of ambiguous meaning.
"Hah, Titan. Worry not about my progress. You need only uphold your end of the bargain: safeguard the Coreflame of Reason properly. Once I have completely deciphered the truth buried beneath the dust of history, simply hand the Coreflame over to me as per our wager."
He paused, finally lifting his eyes from the page, his gaze sharp and tinged with its usual mockery. "Moreover, rather than concerning yourself with my pace, I believe you should be more concerned about your own."
"Nearly ten days have passed. How much longer can this strand of consciousness, barely sustained by the Coreflame, remain stable? Don't let your consciousness dissipate prematurely, allowing me to effortlessly 'acquire' a precious Titan Coreflame. That would be rather anticlimactic."
As he spoke, he closed the rather worn-out book in his hand titled Priestess Phagousa: From Novice to Incarceration to Interment.
On the desk beside him and the nearby floor lay scattered volumes such as Kephale: Secret Records and Gossip, Titan Secrets You Absolutely Must Know, and An Examination of the Golden Age's Romantic Affairs.
Without exception, these books' covers were mostly ancient, even somewhat tattered, exuding an air of weathered history. Yet, just by their titles, one could tell their contents were undoubtedly "wild," standing in stark contrast to the proper historical texts in the library's main sections.
"I said this will could last fifteen days. It will not dissipate on the fourteenth," Cerces's light form wavered slightly, seeming somewhat displeased with Anaxa's "curse," but her attention was soon drawn back to the books. "I must say... you who once righteously urged me to read proper canonical texts are now yourself engrossed in these clearly apocryphal tales and gossip?"
"And what on earth is written in this An Examination of Titan Romantic Entanglements? 'The Titan of Reason irresistibly drawn to the cunning of the Titan of Trickery'? This is utterly preposterous! And you find such hearsay riveting?" Their bickering and arguments had become almost routine over the past few days.
"Shortsighted. These are not mere trivial books," Anaxa retorted, tapping the pile of "wild" tomes. "Some of these are precious, rare surviving texts from the Golden Age. The truths official histories disdained or dared not record often hide the most authentic historical fragments."
"Oh? So they are still trivial books, no?" Cerces pressed on relentlessly. "Tell me, Honored Sage, why not consult those revered canonical histories?"
"You think I haven't tried?" Anaxa snorted, a touch of frustration and resentment towards the historical gap in his voice. "The vast majority of historical records from before Amphoreus's Golden Age, much like Okhema's old, backward, and corrupt Council of Elders system, were deliberately or accidentally burned and destroyed in the brutal Golden War."
"The so-called 'canonical histories' circulating today were almost entirely rewritten by the priesthood after the Golden War's end, based on past prophecies."
"To glimpse the true face of those earlier eras, I have no choice but to painstakingly piece together and discern from these marginalized 'fragments,' filled with personal viewpoints and even conjecture."
"Oh?" Cerces's light seemed to brighten a little, showing genuine interest. "And what noteworthy doubts has your clever mind discerned from these idle tales and gossip, child of humanity?"
"Doubts? Far more than mere doubts." Anaxa stood up and walked to the window, looking towards the Dawn Device at Okhema's center. "I've seen too many records that contradict current understanding. For instance, in older descriptions, the Dawn Device was not revered as it is now—the sole sacred artifact for resisting the Black Tide and sustaining civilization."
"And the Worldbearing Altar was initially merely a solemn place for devoting and commemorating Kephale's great divine form, not the sacred altar for submitting Coreflames and communicating divine will it has become."
He turned, his gaze burning as he looked at Cerces. "So, the question arises: why must the Titan Coreflame, essential for 'Re-Creation,' now be submitted to the Dawn Device to take effect? Was it truly the most crucial core of Amphoreus from the very beginning? When did this shift in status occur, and why?"
"That much is true," Cerces's light swayed gently, acknowledging the point. "In my memory, the Dawn Device was initially... more like a gift symbolizing friendship, bestowed upon his dear friend Kephale by the Titan of the Sky, Aquila."
"Before Amphoreus's sky was swallowed by darkness, its light held more symbolic meaning, representing the unbreakable alliance between Aquila and Kephale."
"And then, there's this book." Anaxa picked up the "peculiar" book about Priestess Phagousa again, weighing it in his hand. "It hints more than once that Phagousa's priestesses often gathered to conduct some kind of grand joint ritual."
"Each ritual often required hundreds of priestesses acting simultaneously, mobilizing their powers. I feel... the scenes they describe don't seem like prayers or summoning. It seems more like... 'reinforcing' something?"
His brow furrowed slightly with a hint of regret. "Unfortunately, this is ultimately just an introductory textbook for Phagousa priestesses, filled by its former owner with various jottings, anecdotes, and even complaints."
"Even this startling title was playfully added by that unconventional former owner. Without systematic records, it's difficult to confirm my speculation."
"'Reinforcing'?" Cerces latched onto the keyword, her form becoming slightly more solid. "The power of Phagousa's priestesses is indeed renowned for sealing, isolating, and guarding. Were they... concealing some secret from all life on Amphoreus? Or perhaps, were they protecting something?"
After speaking, she watched as Anaxa began methodically gathering the scattered books and notes. Her tone carrying a hint of excitement in her pursuit of truth.
"What? Clever child of humanity, have you already found key clues from these fragments? Are you preparing to set off immediately for the Dawn Device, to personally seek and verify the 'truth' you've discovered?"
Anaxa stuffed the last scroll of parchment into his research satchel and walked towards the staircase without looking back, casually tossing out a remark:
"What are you thinking, Titan? It's never that simple. My elder sister just sent a message via the communication slate saying dinner is ready and to come home."
"?" Cerces's light form visibly froze upon hearing this. Anaxa left directly, leaving her alone in disarray on the library's second floor.
Nothing could stop Anaxa from going home to have dinner with his sister. Not even the truth of the world. Well... perhaps a cute little Dromas could make him pause, if only "briefly"?