Alana: And where will you go now?

Eleanor: Well, I would like to know more about my symbol, and until they give me another one I won’t be able to do much. I think there was a library, I’ll go there to investigate.

Alana: What is a library?

Eleanor: Yes, a place where information is kept, grimoires, that sort of thing… wait, have you never been to one? (she asked in disbelief.)

Alana: (answering calmly with a light laugh) Haha, no. I come from a group of nomads. Before coming to Kimas, I traveled almost the entire continent. My mentor was not very fond of books; he believed that words and stories should not die on paper, but live in the mouth, mind, and heart. Quite the opposite of my mentor, she always let us have a small bookshelf in the caravan.

Eleanor: Wow, it must have been great to visit different places. I, if it weren’t for my blessing, would still be in my village taking care of the crops…

(The more they walked through the streets of the city, Alana once again noticed that same energy. Stopping short, she began to look around.)

Alana: Did you notice that?

(Eleanor, not quite understanding, stopped beside her and asked.)

Eleanor: Notice what?

She did not quite understand what Alana meant. Alana, who in the distance spotted a small light, began to follow it quickly. Eleanor was left behind, not fully understanding what had just happened. As the bard hurried away, Eleanor decided to take another path and hoped to meet her later.

Alana ran after that small bluish light, feeling how the streets seemed to twist as she followed it. The city, with its narrow alleys and hidden corners, seemed like a labyrinth designed to confuse her. Even though she lost sight of the light after several minutes, she could still sense its presence like a faint whisper. Without realizing it, she found herself in the poorest districts of the city.

She stopped, trying to catch her breath and calm her racing heart. She closed her eyes for a moment and moved forward, letting her instinct guide her. Suddenly, a soft sound caught her attention. When she opened her eyes, she noticed a narrow alley she had not seen before. Without hesitation, she entered, her footsteps echoing lightly against the stone walls, until she reached the end of the alley, where she found herself in a small courtyard hidden among the worn walls of the city.

In the center of the courtyard, there was a small flame of an intense blue color. Looking at it more closely, its flames seemed to form a small body. Alana, with delicate steps and kindness, approached.

Alana: Hello, can you understand me?

The small creature seemed frightened, cornered in the corner.

Alana: Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.

However, her words were not enough. The creature, in an act of fear, attacked her without warning, and Alana lost consciousness instantly.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying on a sofa. The wooden walls around her were elegant, and the atmosphere was imbued with calm. On a small nearby table were her bag, neat and clean. It seemed she was in some kind of meeting room. As she tried to remember what had happened, the door opened and a gray-haired man, wearing clean, formal clothes, entered the room. He wore thin glasses and an expression of concern.

Desconocido: Oh, you’ve finally woken up. I was starting to worry. Stay calm, your belongings are right next to you. You may leave whenever you wish, although I wouldn’t recommend it.

Alana looked at him, still doubtful.

Alana: Excuse me, where am I? And who are you?

Bibliotecario: Of course, you must be confused. I am the librarian of this city; you can call me that. You are in the rest room. My assistant found you unconscious and brought you here.

Alana: (confused) I was following a small creature… it seemed lost.

Bibliotecario: Oh, dear, the only one who seemed lost was you. You don’t seem to be from the city. You should be more careful when moving through certain districts. Let me bring you something so you can recover before you leave.

The man left the room. Alana was about to continue reflecting on how she had ended up there when suddenly, a small creature emerged from her bag. It looked very much like the one she had been following, a small flame like that of a candle, but this one seemed to have a small body. They both stared at each other, and the small flame, with a slight movement, seemed to sit down beside the backpack.

Alana could not believe what she was seeing. She did not want to be attacked again, but the creature’s appearance stirred tenderness in her. After a while of silent exchange of looks, the librarian returned to the room with a tray and two cups.

Bibliotecario: I see you’ve already met.

Alana looked at the librarian, then at the small flame that had settled on the table. Still bewildered, she decided that it would be best to listen to what the librarian had to say before drawing conclusions.

Bibliotecario: (placing the cups on the table) Don’t worry, it’s not hostile. Elementals act on instinct when they feel threatened or confused.

Alana: (taking a cup with both hands to warm her fingers) So that light was an elemental? I was following it because it seemed lost, until it led me to a courtyard where I found it. I tried to approach carefully, but it seems it got scared… and the next thing I remember is being here.

The librarian nodded slowly.

Bibliotecario: Elementals are beings of pure energy; they are usually larger than the one you encountered, and it’s rare to see one wandering through the city. I think you should be thanked anyway; my assistant is already taking care of it.

Alana lowered her gaze toward the flame, which was watching her with curiosity, its glow faint and soft.

Alana: (looking at the librarian) This one is different. The one I saw was blue, sharper in shape.

Bibliotecario: There are many types of elementals. This one is of fire, and it is one of the guardians of this place.

Alana leaned toward the creature, still captivated by its radiance.

Alana: How can something so small be a guardian? And isn’t having fire near books a little contradictory?

Setting the cup aside, Alana reached out her hand to try to touch the little flame. As she got closer, she began to feel the heat, but when she tried to touch it, it burned her, causing a small cry. The little flame flew to the librarian’s shoulder, who stood up, walked to a shelf full of old books, and took an ointment from a drawer to give to the young woman.

Bibliotecario: These creatures also have feelings, and they don’t like being touched without permission. And they are not necessarily dangerous, since, contrary to what many believe, they can control what they burn and what they do not.

Alana nodded, feeling that the situation was becoming stranger, but also more intriguing.

The door opened again, revealing the same man she had seen in the market, wearing a black robe with orange trim. Seeing him closer, she noticed the flat mask, which showed no distinctive features. Still, she remembered that it was the same one who had caught her attention so much in the market. Without saying a single word, the man looked at the bard, then at the librarian, and then left. If the situation was already strange, this only added to her bewilderment.

Bibliotecario: That was my assistant. He helps me run the library. Don’t worry; he’s a man of few words. He probably just wanted to speak to me about the little one you found.

Alana: Well, I’m glad it’s in good hands. I guess it’s getting late; I should go.

She stood calmly and checked her things, realizing that the cookies she had taken from her talk with Father Eldran were gone. Alana stared, seeing the mischief of the little flame, which in reaction only hid behind the librarian. She could not help feeling even more curious.

Bibliotecario: (with a reassuring smile) Don’t worry about him; he tends to be reserved, but he’s a good creature. And from what I see, this little one feels comfortable with you.

Alana: (still looking toward the door the man had exited) Yes… But there’s something else that worries me. Before I leave, I wanted to ask you about some symbols.

Bibliotecario: (raising an eyebrow) Well, it’s not unusual to find symbols in cemeteries.

Alana took a small piece of paper from her bag where she had drawn the symbol as best as she could. She showed it to the librarian, who examined it carefully.

Alana: Yes, but this one is strange. I don’t know if there’s any information about it.

Bibliotecario: (murmuring) Hmm… It’s a little late today. Why don’t you come by another day? If you leave me the drawing, I’ll gladly help you.

Alana thanked the librarian and left. She saw that night was falling, and without realizing it, she had lost the entire day without getting any answers. As she walked through the streets toward the tavern, the markets were closing, and the wind announced the arrival of night.

Once back at the tavern, Eleanor was waiting for her along with Daiki and Yadiel, seated at the same table as always.

Eleanor: (standing as she saw her enter) Alana! Are you okay? I saw you run out, and then I didn’t see you anywhere.

Alana: (with a reassuring smile) I’m fine. I found something… interesting, but now I’m here.

Eleanor frowned, worried.

Daiki: (sighing with a mug in hand) Almost gave the little one a heart attack.

Yadiel: True, when it came to look for us, it was half crying and everything.

Eleanor looked a little annoyed at having been exposed in that way.

Alana: (sitting down next to them) Did you guys find anything?

Yadiel: On my part, nothing.

Daiki: Same here, nothing either.

Alana: So we haven’t made progress… (sighing) Now that I think about it, Cain… maybe he knows more.

Daiki: I didn’t see him anywhere in the city all day.

Yadiel: From what I know, he wasn’t patrolling either.

Eleanor, a little calmer, said:

Eleanor: Actually, I heard that he received a punishment, so he’s keeping to himself.lado.

The three of them looked at her in surprise.

Daiki: Wow, they don’t mess around.

Alana: And how did you find out?

Eleanor: I overheard some guards while waiting for you.

Yadiel: Well, we might not see him for a while if that’s the case. I’ve heard the church is very strict.

Eleanor: And… I also heard that, apparently, mysterious attacks have been happening in nearby villages. So we might have work outside the city.

Alana: Well, we caught a group, but from what that boy said, they seemed to be part of a large organization.

Daiki: Yeah, it might be good to prepare ourselves.