How to Find your Way in the Incomplete Archives

Sixteen

'But we banned her story?' The Archivist questioned in disbelief.

The Unbreakable Rules of the Library were tried time and again with each situation. One of the rules stated that characters from banned stories could not materialise in the virtual space of the Library.

Yet the fake Holy Maiden was unaffected by the ban. She continued on her crazed rampage, mutilating the body of the fallen warrior.

'Did we miss the right book?' the record-keeper pulled up the search records in a panic, 'Should I prepare a ban for the other eight stories too?'

They looked at their supervisor for guidance, 'It wouldn't be enough to cause a stir with the Creators, right, Boss? If we start now, it will take some time. How is this even happening?'

The Librarian stood up, 'I have a theory on that. But for now our first priority is getting him back to his story. If Luna has any more unknown abilities, we are putting his consciousness as well as the Library at risk. I'll try to draw her away,'

'Boss, you mustn't go there yet. She could, well, you know, delete you like that lizard,'

'Not if I'm careful. Besides, the Librarian is a framework feature of the Library. So the two of us and the books are indestructible, right?'

'Yes,' they hesitated, 'But, what about the pain? You would still experience it, like when that lizard got you,'

'That's where you come in. I'll need your help,'

****

"Fremont, turn back! Turn back before it sees you," Archaea did not know if her desperate cries could be heard outside, "The maze has opened its eyes,"

The young man walked in from the tunnel behind them, sword drawn, ready to attack the fuming serpent. She could sense the cloud of mana gathering around him like house flies drawn to rotting meat but she could discern that his power was nowhere enough to overcome the maze.

"You must not look at it," she warned but he showed no sign of having heard.

The man was looking at them, or rather, through them. His eyes were focussed at neither her nor Arlan's collapsed form. Perhaps the beast was only semi-transparent from the inside.

"Labyrinth," she could hear him say, "I challenge you to a duel. Should I win, I wish you to release my friends and let us be on our way. Should I lose, you will no longer have to serve any future Shadow Kings. I shall take your resting location to the grave with me and you will be eternally free,"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't make reckless deals," her advice did not reach the unheeding youth, "The Labyrinth is much stronger than us,"

The serpentine form turned to face the challenger. Inside the beast, Archaea was swept along in the direction of the creature's movements.

"Come at me!" he charged at the beast while focussing on its lower body and ignoring the many-eyed head. The beast swerved out of his way and lashed at him with its tail. He quickly jumped to the side.

"Watch out," her words did not reach the intended recipient but, to her relief, the man was aware of his surroundings.

The thick tail struck the wall of the cavern spewing rocks everywhere. Fremont dodged the falling debris and used the opening to get closer to the creature.

He thrust his sword at the snake's side but the metal was rendered harmless by the hardened exterior of the Labyrinth. As the struggle continued, it became clear that simple steel, even steel imbued with magic, was not enough to breach the scaly hide.

"Hold on, Fremont," the Boglander Princess picked up her weapon to assist the struggling Shadow King.

She pierced the creature's softer insides with her longsword. This attack was much more effective. The living maze squirmed from the hit and turned its head to face her. She did not look up at the imposing beast. Instead, her hands moved at a steady pace hacking away at the incandescent sand-like innards.