Conquering the underworld with my beautiful dragon wives-Chapter 36: The Heart of Velisa’s Library

The stone door shut behind them with a strange, heavy thud, and silence took over the hallway.

The air on this side felt different—like the place itself was alive.

A soft dampness mixed with the scent of old earth and burnt wood filled the air.

Torches lining the walls lit up on their own, without anyone touching them.

Their flames weren’t blue... but golden, like fire made from memories.

Selena looked around with her mouth half-open.

"It’s so... huge. I thought this library would be a hall with a few shelves. Not an underground planet!"

Alice, still deep in thought about the sword’s mystery, whispered:

"This isn’t just a library. It’s a sanctuary... for forbidden knowledge. For people who trade danger for power."

Luna walked past, grabbed a big book off a nearby table, and read the title out loud:

"’How to Turn a King into a Frog’? Ohhh, I have to keep this one. Might come in handy for that poor king Fayra transformed!"

Fayra chuckled under her breath, but her eyes stayed locked on one of the walls.

There, a glowing map shimmered—twisting paths all leading to the center of the library.

"There it is. That central circle... the heart of the library. That’s where the main book’s kept. But something’s off." Fayra said with hesitation.

Alice stepped closer and stared at the map.

"You’re right. These lines... they look like magic seals. That means we’ll have to go through some kind of puzzle—or test—before we reach the center."

Selena smirked.

"Great, a test. Just what we needed. We’ve fought monsters, ran from ghosts, and now we’re solving brain teasers?"

Ethan, who’d been quiet this whole time, gave a small smile.

"Might be better than fighting whatever’s next."

Fayra turned to him, a faint grin on her face.

"Either way, you’re going first. Your sword’s the only thing that can break those spells."

So they stepped forward—slow but sure—into a winding corridor that twisted like a snake, leading them toward the heart of the library.

Magic lines glowed beneath their feet, and with every step, faint whispers echoed around them.

Luna suddenly jumped back.

"A hand came out of the wall! Did you see that?! The wall had a hand!"

Selena laughed.

"You sure it was a hand? Maybe just an illusion. Or maybe the wall was trying to help us."

But before they got much farther, the first challenge appeared:

An octagonal room with a marble floor and four glowing pillars.

In the center, a book floated mid-air—surrounded by golden rings spinning slowly.

Alice stepped closer, narrowing her eyes.

"That’s not the main book. But it’s a kind of guardian. Maybe it shows the path forward."

As she got closer, the rings stopped spinning, and a voice echoed through the room:

"Only one with an unburdened heart may step into the Circle of Truth."

Everyone went quiet.

Selena turned to Fayra.

"My heart’s heavy ’cause I skipped breakfast. Luna, you go!"

Luna rolled her eyes, but before anyone could move, Ethan stepped forward.

"I’ll try."

As he entered the circle, the golden rings started spinning again—but this time, the light turned red.

Then the voice came back:

"You rose from darkness, but haven’t yet chosen where you belong. So... pay the price."

The room shook.

From the walls, shadowy versions of Ethan emerged—half-formed copies of him, each with different eyes.

Alice shouted:

"They’re shadow versions! If you can’t face them... they’ll destroy you!"

Fayra raised her hands to cast a spell, but Ethan held his hand up.

"No. This test is mine."

Now, he had to face himself—his shadows, the truths he’d hidden, and the choice he’d been running from.

The space had changed.

The stone walls of the library were gone. Everything had faded—like Ethan had stepped inside his own mind.

A dark place, filled with mist... and echoes.

Voices, like they’d been pulled out from old memories, whispered in his ears.

"You were never strong."

"You’re just pretending to be a hero."

"They’re only with you ’cause they’re alone, not because they trust you."

He shut his eyes... but the voices got louder.

And then... they appeared.

The shadows.

Versions of himself.

But they weren’t just simple shadows.

One of them was kneeling, exhausted, with old wounds.

Another one stood tall, eyes full of hate, holding a blood-covered sword.

And the last one... silent. But those eyes—they held all the pain Ethan had always hidden.

"I’m the one you’ve always been scared to become."

The first shadow spoke.

"I’m the one you wanted to be... but never could."

The second one rested his sword on his shoulder.

"And me... I’m your truth. Not a hero. Not a monster. Just a boy... with a choice."

Silence fell.

Ethan stepped back, but there was nowhere left to run.

"What do you want from me?!" he shouted, voice shaking.

The last shadow stepped forward.

"Nothing. We just want you to finally see yourself. And choose... who you’re gonna be."

And just like that—everything vanished.

The shadows, the whispers, the mist... gone.

Ethan was left standing, alone, in pure light.

For the first time—quiet. No running. No denying.

A woman’s voice—warm, deep—seemed to rise from the light itself:

"You accepted it. So now... the path is open."

The light faded.

And Ethan saw himself... back in the center hall of the library.

His hands were still trembling, but when he opened his eyes, something had changed in them.

He looked heavier... older. Wiser.

Selena stepped up, asked quietly:

"Is it over?"

Ethan lowered his head... then smiled.

"I think it’s just starting."

Fayra let out a slow breath, pointing toward the pedestal.

"Then it’s time. The book... is waiting."

That ancient book now sat on a pedestal made of glass and metal, right in the middle of the room.

The golden light still circled around it, but it didn’t feel tempting anymore—more like... a silent warning.

Ethan stepped forward.

He reached out... and the book opened by itself.

The others gathered around him.

Nobody even breathed.

But...

Page one: empty.

Page two: blank.

Page three: nothing.

Everyone froze.

Luna frowned.

"Is this book messing with us?!"

Fayra looked suspicious—checked it with her magic... no spells.

Selena flipped through each page.

"There has to be something. It can’t all be blank."

And right then...

Alice turned her head. She heard something.

Footsteps—running on stone. A shadow slipped through the dark hallway and disappeared.

"Did you see that?! Someone was here!"

Without hesitation, they all ran after it.

There—an old man was sitting.

Wearing a long cloak, his face full of deep wrinkles, eyes tired... but still sharp.

Next to him, a big chest—clearly hiding something.

Alice stepped forward.

"You... you stole the texts! The book was supposed to have them—all of it!"

The old man sighed. His voice was raspy.

"They’re empty... ’cause I emptied them. I couldn’t let this generation read what we did. Not again..."

Selena stepped up.

"Why?!"

He looked at them.

"Because if you read it... if you understand it... there’s no going back. That key you’re holding—it opens the gate.

And beyond that gate... it’s not just truth waiting.

It’s a darkness none of you are ready for."

Then softly, he added:

"Please... stop here. Let this be the end. Don’t let your fate become ours..."

Silence.

Ethan stepped forward.

His green-lit eyes glowing again.

"We crossed the line a long time ago."

The old man lowered his head.

"Then take it...

But I hope... this time, you’re stronger than we were."

The chest opened.

Inside—golden pages.

Covered in symbols, spells, truths that had been buried for centuries.

Nobody said a word.

Now... it was time to read the real truth.