How to Find your Way in the Incomplete Archives

One

'You are Archaea the Terrible,' they offered no further explanations.

"The Terrible? What kind of title is that?" but disbelief swiftly changed to recollection as new memories surfaced, "But that was only a title outsiders used. Not something my friends would call me,"

'Friends? Were there any mentions of friends?' The sceptical words were not directed at her but it still rubbed her the wrong way.

"Of course I have friends," her assertion felt weak, "I ... I'm certain I did."

The cloaked figure continued to clean in silence.

"Do you not believe me? I, Archaea the Terrible, was the most well respected scholar, no that's not right, mage, no," she fumbled, "Person. Yes, I was the bravest, most respected person amongst my tribe,"

'Is that so?' The other stopped cleaning and pulled down a tome from the bookshelf.

They read out, 'In passing the Boglands of Arcania, the Holy Army encountered Archaea the Terrible. After six days of relentless battle, they emerged victorious. The barbarian army was forced to flee after their leader was beheaded by Sir Rumac.'

She waited but the reader did not continue. The hooded caretaker put the book back in its place and returned to cleaning.

"I don't understand," but even as she protested, scenes of a bloody battle took shape in her mind. Her hand unconsciously moved to her neck, "Is that all? Are you telling me that all the achievements of my lifetime amounted to those few lines in a book? That barely covers anything!"

'I agree,'

"See, that's what I ..."

The cloaked figure cut her off, 'I agree that you do not understand. You seem to think that you are a person of and by yourself. In actuality, you, Archaea, are a minor character in the trilogy of the 'Seers of Light' whose sole purpose of existence is to be trampled down by the righteous Holy Maiden, Luna, in her march to vanquish the Crown of Evil.'

"The Crown of Evil?"

'The Shadow King of Arcania,' the speaker offered a dismissive explanation, 'The demon who sought to decimate the plains of Blodwen or some such'

Her face was hot. Each accusation stung deeper than the preceding, "Absurd! Why should I believe you? Who even are you?"

'This is the Valley of Words. I know the fates of each and every character whose story is housed within the walls of this archive for I am The Librarian.'

"The librarian? With your cloak and the way you speak, I thought you might be an archmage or a powerful wizard at least. Turns out you are just a lackey at a book house, Archaea chuckled, "Valley of Words? What manner of name is that? Am I supposed to be in awe?"

The Librarian's hood trembled. 'You find the name amusing?'

"It is bland, is what it is," she said with measured caution.

'I would expect no better from one named after a branch of organisms that are too miniscule to be discerned by the human eye.'

"Slander! My name means 'Ancient One'."

'Ah yes, 'ancient' as in 'outdated' and 'primitive'. A suitable name for a barbaric side character only mentioned once to make the main character's achievements appear more impressive.'

"I'm no character in a book. I am a living, breathing person with a full life. I may not remember everything yet but I am certain there is more. Why, just now, before you appeared, I was looking for Arlan, my," she paused to think of who this 'Arlan' was. No explanation was forthcoming.

'Yes? Go on,'

"I seem to have forgotten but I know someone by that name. And they were close to me."

The Librarian frowned. She could not see their face but she could sense the shift in their attitude, 'I do not recall an 'Arlan'. Perhaps they were an unwritten thought imprinted into your story. Yes, that is how it must be,'

But that doubtful answer gave her hope, "See? You do not know every story within this library."

The Librarian stopped cleaning, 'Sometimes, an author may have plans for a character that they do not pen down in actual words. If the thoughts are strong enough, these become the basis for the character's personality and backstory,' they trailed off again, 'But Archaea is too minor a mention to have an actual backstory.'

"You don't know that! Maybe I do have a story about my past. We just need to find it,"

The hooded figure began to pace around in the wide passage. They seemed to be mumbling to themself, except Archaea could still hear every word in her head, 'It's not impossible. But she was only mentioned once in the entire story. But even so, why give her a name at all? It's unnecessary,'

"Hey! I can still hear you,"

'But lasting six days at war against the Holy Army, with its intense plot armour, is no small feat. Even so, where would her story be,'

A proud smile appeared on her face, "So you admit that my army was strong?"

'That's it!' The Librarian ignored her words, 'Her story must be an unfinished draft in the Incomplete Archives!'

"Someone has to work on the names around here. Incomplete Archives is not the impressive name you think it is,"

'Silence, barbarian. I may have found a way to discover your backstory. Be grateful,'

The Librarian seemed to be speaking in earnest. She decided to play along.

"I am very grateful, O Librarian," the barbarian leader took a deep bow, "For your kind thought to my situation. Therefore, I humbly beseech you to lead me to my past,"

'Lead you to it? What a positive waste of time!' the bookkeeper returned to cleaning the dusty tomes, 'Besides, the Incomplete Archives are a wasteland of half-formed ideas. Why would I ever want to go there?'

"It would help me find my story," she put on the best 'helplessly lost' expression she could muster.

'And why would I be interested in the story of a side character in a generic isekai trilogy?'

"Isekai? What's that?"

'That is a genre and none of your business,'

"But if you refuse to help me find my story, what am I supposed to do out here?" a glint appeared in her eyes, "I suppose I could return to call for the people I remember, least I forget the few names I know,"

For the first time, a touch of genuine concern caressed the Librarian's words, 'No, I will not have you assault the sanctified silence of the Valley with your ceaseless din.'

"And I can promise that I will refrain from doing so, if you assist me in finding a way back to my life," Archaea flitted her eyelids in what she thought was a pleading gesture.

'Your untempered coquetry will not earn you any favours with me,' the guardian of the archive turned to face her, 'But if you give me your word to keep decorum in this house of knowledge, I will guide you to the Incomplete Archives. Mind you, I only guess that an incomplete story may be related to you, I cannot guarantee it,'

"What? I thought you knew everything about all the characters in the Valley of Words."

'And I do. The Incomplete Archives is a separate section connected to the Valley but it is not within the confines of this space.'

"I see. Shall we get going then?"

'All in good time. For now I must tend to my duties here.'

"I see. And how long would that take?"

'A few decades, give or take,' she could feel the sly smile hidden in the Librarian's words, 'Well, I said I would take you to the Archive. I never mentioned when,'

Archaea took a deep breath and roared, "ARLAAAAAAAAAAAN!"

'Alright!' the hooded figure threw down the cleaning cloth, 'I will take you immediately. Stop, please,'

"How very kind of you! Please lead the way,"