Below, a wide long set of stairs leads to a bottom layer where the village has settled. It's large with fields of wheat and vegetable gardens covering everywhere, that isn't already taken by roads and small two-story squat and square homes. If I were back home, they'd be very similar to Eastern-style buildings with their sharp rooftops and flowing ends that widen outwards. Some buildings have wooden doors, but most have the decorative paper doors I've seen in the temple.  

At the very end of the village, leading downwards with another wide set of stairs that disappear downhill, is a large standalone entrance, There are no gates or guard towers, just an open expansion of long green grass and bushes full of flowers. Inside the field, which has a short more preventative fencing, are large slow-moving animals. 

There are two other large buildings that catch my eye. One in the very middle of the entire village that's close to five maybe six stories tall. The other is to the eastern side of the village and partially blocked by a huge orchid that stands between it and us. It's smaller maybe only three stories tall, but it's pretty wide and has a huge playground poking out from its side. I can see many little shapes moving around. 

Allishea and I are on the second layer of this mountain range, where to my right, the eastern side of the village, is a very similar orchard to the one below. But there aren't small elves, but mostly elderly, or shaman elves that wonder and pick the fruit the tree's bear. To my left is a destroyed rubble of wood and stone. Something that was there, was turned and twisted into an indescribable shape of war-torn bricks. 

Behind me looms the ever-giant temple. It's massive with five stories that reach towards the expansive sky the tip sharpening like a spear jutting forthward. The clear oak wood walls glisten in the morning rays, the many crawling vines seeming to purr like cats as they bask. Windows and patios are opening up like wings, as many of the servants dressed in their whites are cleaning. The very top is the only part of the place that doesn't open up to the outside world, instead cloistered in darkness. Like a single little box, no one is allowed to open. The third floor has a large bridge where many brown-cloaked shamans move across to the third part of this mountaintop. I can't really see what's up there, but I can guess maybe a river or a small pond because I can smell and hear the slight movement of water. 

"Beautiful is it not?" Allishea says with pride in her voice, "We are sometimes called the Little Village." She scans the entire place like a sentinel, ever ready to protect, "This village has been alive for close to seven generations, and housed the greatest of Shaman's." She points to the large building in the middle, "That is where we archive, research, and protect all manners of history related to the Shamans and the Chosen Ones. At one point we had the honor of holding the Chosen One's Xyillia's journals. Until some thief came and claimed the treasures." She lets out a sigh, "It would have been a blessing had you been able to read about all her work." 

"Xyillia?" 

She nods, "She was the Tenth Chosen One and a Lady Shaman. During your classes, we will teach you about her."

"Classes...?" 

She takes a step down and lifts a hand to me. I take it, allowing her to gently guide me down towards the rest of the village. "Remember we discussed your birthday? That is because we will begin your journey when you age up... what age is it exactly?"

"Fifteen."

"Fifteen. Rather young arn't you? For humans right?" She gives me a pitiful look, "I will assist with teaching you everything you need to know. Self-defense, history, humility, and we cannot forget your duty as the Chosen One." She nods slowly, "However, I want you to know you will not be doing this alone." She gives me a soft smile, "I, as your protector, will be right by your side this entire journey. So fret not." 

Several villagers nearby cheered and called out to Allishea. She waves back and politely offers some simple conversation. Everyone is rather kind and happy even, the elderly pinching cheeks, and a few even kindly taking my own hands and kissing them. They're all rather touchy, and constantly holding my hands or grabbing my elbows. 

Allishea finally gets us out of the crowd, heading towards the large library. "I want to ask, how was your morning? It must have been a bit shocking after fainting like you did." 

"I fainted..."

She gives me a slight glance, before placing a hand on my shoulder, "You did. The travel through the portal must have been rough for you. Let's not focus on that, instead how are you like Silver and Brillo? They are to be your permanent servants and allies during your time here."

"You aren't using their titles?" Since being here, everyone has spoken with these lengthy titles whenever saying another name. Now she's casually throwing it out there. 

Allishea gives me an almost child-like gleeful chuckle, "We use titles within a person's presence to give them respect. It is proper manners. But to say Private Servant to Lady Kiro, and Head manager, Servent to the Shamans, Brillo is a bit of a mouthful is it not."

I give her my own laugh, "True."

"There are some titles that are necessary such as Lady Shaman. But her full title is Lady of the Temples, Lady Shaman. Some can be shortened, and depending on the situation not included at all. During your time here, you will soon learn when to use titles and when to be more relaxed." 

I think I have an idea of how important manners are to them... this will be the hardest thing to adjust to. And on top of that, I'll be learning self-defense, and so much more. 

We soon arrive at the library, It's even bigger up close, rivaling the Shaman Temple with impressive width and height. Made of darker wood, and kind of shiny in several places it looms high overhead full of windows and balconies where elves sit reading books above. Garden beds line the edges of the sides full of bushes just bustling with flowers and designed in odd shapes. 

The entrance is a huge dark brown door with a knocker in the shape of a crescent moon and sun dancing together threads of copper and silver spinning like a web of stars between them. The stairs leading upwards are meticulously placed so each step is perfectly parallel to the other step.  The railings are also beautifully made, and carved of the same wood the door is. Every few steps up the stairs, there's a wooden carving of a statue made of a light almost green wood that's growing out of the railings. They look like shamans, with their hoods up. 

"What are the statues for?" 

Allishea smiles, "They are statues in memory of the past seven Lady Shamans. From the very founder Lady Shaman Ceria Serel Cronos to the seventh Lady Shaman, Alareu Yelro Heletrois." She bows her head before them, "One day our present Lady Shaman will join them, and become a marker in history." 

Oh.... 

Allishea leads me once more and opens the door. 

I stop and let out an utter nerdy gasp. It's the most beautiful library I have ever seen! Bookshelves reaching to the heavens were just absolutely stuffed with titles and leather-bound pages. The skylight from above illuminates the entire place and a soft pillow of light, allowing just enough to read at every hidden corner while still giving an illusion of being alone in the dark. The scent of ink, leather, and paper fills the entire space, not even the floral freshness of the hanging flower pots can complete with this wonderous smell. 

If I were to travel to another world, it only makes sense I'd enter an otherworldly library. Every story I've read had one. 

We pass by a lot of people who were mostly cleaning or straightening the books to prevent dust mites from harming them. There were however elves sleeping with books on their chests in corners, or those vehemently scritching notes on pages as they read thick bound books easily ten pounds.

 Those who I assume are librarians wear similar clothes to the shamans, except their robes are a muddy red, with dark red caps with a black feather plumage sticking out. They give us a glance, but seeing Allishea they gave a nod and went back to their duties. 

Allishea whispers low to me, "This is the Great Library, the pride and joy of our temple. You're about to meet a historian here." She winks, "He is a dynamic man, but you'll like him." 

We go to the very center of the library which opens up in a hexagon-like shape, from the very middle, like the trunks of a tree stairs flow up to the several floors above and cascade downwards surrounding a circular dark brown desk that interweaves between the separating stairs. 

Allishea clears her throat and says in a loud clear voice, "Is Head Librarian to the Great Library of the Shaman Temple, Peppertin here?"

Silence, then a bump of someone's head, and a shocking startled laughter. A book pops up from under the desk, falling flat open before us. A part of me thought the book spoke, "Allishea! How many times have I told you to just call me Peppertin? That forsaken long-ass title! It's so annoying!" A leather chair moves, and stops at the very edge of the desk, from there an extremely short elf hops onto it. He takes a quick little lighting leap across to the desk where he runs up and gives Allishea a warm pat on her head, "Dear dear Allishea!!! How long has it been? A few months since I last saw you! Have you gotten taller? Or have I gotten shorter!" He laughs at his own joke, "I have missed you!"    

He's an elderly man, his hair no longer collared besides the faded grey that's closer to a dull shade of white now. His round brown eyes are clear and bright, surrounded by a pair of large round glasses. His chubby round doll-like face grins impishly, his lips pursing like a pair of cupid wings. Instead of ears, there are two holes where they should be, scars crisscrossing jaggily to his cheeks... like someone cut him up... 

His bright smile faltered blinking at Allishea reading something. He reaches over brushing her cheeks, "My dear? Your heart is in pain?" 

Allishea flinches, closing her eyes and taking a long breath, "Let fate decide our course, but choose our fate we must... What happened, happened. I will not dwell upon it." 

"Hiding your pain is no good," He pauses, "I know from experience. If you are sad you must let yourself grieve." 

Allsihea breaks contact, stepping back, "That is not what I wish to discuss." She waves a hand to me, "This here is Lady Kiro." She looked around making sure no one was within earshot, "She is the One we discussed before."

Peppertin's eyes widen, "My oh my. Dear Lady Kiro." he grins shaking my hands, "It is my utmost pleasure to meet you, may I just call you Kiro?"

I smile, "Please, I'd feel much more comfortable. Can I call you Peppertin?"

He laughs, "Birds of a flock, stay together. Kiro then, oh I see you are wearing a Toucho Scarf."

I lightly touch it, "Brillo told me it is to hide my ears. Something about a cursed elf?" 

Peppertin ponders this, "A Toucho... isn't exactly a cursed elf. Do you know anything about the Toucho?" 

I shake my head. 

Allishea frowns a bit, "It's a harsh word, and I hate having to say or hear it." She pushes back her own hair, showing off a nasty scar across her right earlobe like... someone tried to cut it off. 

I shiver, gasping and holding my mouth tight, "What happened?"

Allsihea lets go of her hair, "There is a belief that should a female elf's ear be cut and placed into one's flesh the elf will be granted blessings. Lrifs are those who hunt elves to sell their ears on the black market. A Toucho... well..." She glances at Peppertin. 

He gives up a huff, "Touchos are those who've lost their ears." He touches the side of his head, "The longer your ear, and the more... valuable you are, the more your ears are wanted. I am a Toucho. But I don't wear that annoying scarf. I have my ears taken, might as well show others the horrors I've experienced." He snarls, "All of that is in the past, however, now young dears. What honor do I have that brings your loveliness here?" 

Allishea gets right to business, "We need books a lot of them. Manners, Humility, History of the elves just the basics, and as well as the Chosen One's history, and a few books about the prophecies." 

Peppertin smiles, "Can I include the Forbidden history?!"

Allishea sighs, "I know it is your passion, but it doesn't entirely involve the knowledge she needs."

"Oh ho! But it does, the Chosen Xyllia was alive and kicking during this time."

Allishea raises an eyebrow, "As long as it's pertaining to Xyllia I'll allow it." She gives me a quick glance, "Also we will need children's books, adn writing books... and anything else you deem necessary for her education 'as the chosen one'. " She emphasized the last part heavily. 

Peppertin started to write feverishly on a notebook next to him, "I'll send everything to the temple after they are gathered." 

I pip up, "Do you have books about other worlds? Like, Shyrians and Archins and such?" 

Allishea blinks in surprise, "Where have you heard those terms before?" 

I try to lie, not sure if I did a good job or not. "I just heard them around the temple, I am curious as to what they are." 

Allishea seems to accept it, "It could be useful knowledge... add Nuro's to the list, to understand those foul species you have to first learn about the Nuros."

I'm glad she's accepting it, I know I have Raven to teach me... but It doesn't help to confirm his knowledge with other sources. 

After Peppertin left, Allishea sighs stretching. "We have a few more people to meet. A Weapon Master to teach you, a riding teacher, a magic teacher, a history teacher, and a humility teacher."

"Um... must I have teachers? I won't be here for long, and I don't need to learn much more than self-defense and riding... oh, and magic!" Magic sounds so cool! 

Allishea pats my head like a little kid, "I want to give you all the tools necessary for your best survival. Please accept and absorb all the knowledge these great elves will give you."

I frown not entirely happy about this, but I can't really refute her. The more I know, the safer I can be.