Chapter 9: The Great Library

Even the sand people had their own fairy tales and legends that parents loved to recount to their children. Back when I was a child in my original world, I never cared for stories; everything in them was always too perfect, always ending on a positive note, even then, it struck me as completely unrealistic. But the stories of this world felt less like fantasies and more like history, for nothing needed to be invented.

Fables about kind spirits, Avatars of the past, and various heroes, of course, all of that had to exist... but I knew only one legend: once upon a time, in the distant past, the spires of a gargantuan library towered over the center of the Earth Kingdom continent. Wan Shi Tong, “He Who Knows Ten Thousand Things,” had crossed over from the Spirit World to fill his home with new knowledge. His doors were open to humanity; anyone could enter and peruse the endless rows of books, provided they offered a manuscript of knowledge as payment.

The Knowledge Seeker's favorite guests were the Sandbenders. They had lived as neighbors for an incredibly long time, using the knowledge they gained for the benefit of all the desert people. The method of measuring time with hourglasses was a gift from Wan Shi Tong to the Sandbenders. In return, they named the desert after him, even now, some likely remained in this scorching climate for the sole purpose of meeting the Great Spirit of Knowledge.

"But the damn library got buried in sand, and now you can't find the thing for the life of you." Racing across the infinite expanse, I felt a sudden urge to just give up. What were the odds I’d stumble upon it by chance? Exactly zero. That was why I had to comb through hectares of terrain in a "snake" pattern, peering under every dune. I was starting to regret that when I had the choice between returning to the bandits or taking a serious approach to studying the desert, I hadn't chosen the latter. Maybe it would have been a little easier. On the third day without rest, my eyes bloodshot with fatigue, I saw nothing but sand.

Perhaps in the first couple of days, such views brought me more joy than the narrow walls of the bug-infested cave, but now I wanted to howl. Freedom, the wind, the ability to go anywhere... but having no way to actually do anything useful was depressingly dull. The only thing that offered a reprieve was the high speed of my sand-sailer, which I used to reach other settlements and restock supplies. While among people, I managed to learn that it was currently the ninety-eighth year of the war—information that told me a great deal.

And then... the titanic effort paid off. I stood with a smile before a white spire rising out of the earth. I also began to realize why other Sandbenders hadn't found this place yet: without the acceleration of a sandstorm, it would take ten times longer, and searching for this spot during a storm was a task for the truly desperate.

My heart hammered. That small tower seemed like the greatest threat I had encountered so far, because force wouldn't solve anything here. Fortunately, Anubis had taught me more than just the basics of killing. To get inside, I had to provide some form of knowledge. Sitting down at the small table in my cabin, I looked dubiously at a blank manuscript.

What should I write? The Spirit would surely judge me based on the knowledge presented, and I honestly didn't consider myself particularly well-read...

[Choose:]

[1 — Offer knowledge of funerary rituals and mummification. (Anubis's mastery is precious. The spirits will ensure you better absorb the library’s knowledge.)]

[2 — Offer knowledge of surgery. (The knowledge of Egyptian physicians was so advanced they were invited to neighboring countries. The spirits will realize you care for others. If you decide to stay in the library, they will start bringing you food.)]

[3 — Offer knowledge of lock mechanisms. (You know better than anyone how to lock yourself in and protect something. The library is vast. Not every visitor is guided along the right path, but by sharing ways to protect books, you will be led anywhere.)]

"Hmm, spirit assistants?"

Blinking in an attempt to recall these so-called spirits, my eye accidentally caught an unfamiliar creature sitting a meter away from me. Shuddering, I realized a fox had slipped into my cabin in absolute silence. The animal studied the parchment I was about to write on with interested eyes. "Uh... hello."

"..."

"You’re a spirit assistant, aren't you? Well... I have a little gift for you." I gave a hesitant smile at such an intelligent gaze. It seemed eager to see what knowledge was about to be recorded; it was so focused that it looked surprised when I reached out and patted its head.

"Arf!" It yelped in its own language, sounding almost offended. Honestly, I would have liked to pet it more, the spirit was incredibly soft, but I didn't want to tease, let alone antagonize, such a little creature. Raising my hands in a peace offering and focusing on the parchment for appearance's sake, I began to think over Anubis's proposal. Truth be told, I had thought about offering knowledge of the Avatar, but I realized now there was no way to prove it. A Spirit of Wisdom wasn't likely to fall for predictions; he’d probably just take me for a charlatan.

I had to base my choice on the rewards.

The first option alone was enough to make me forget the others and focus exclusively on learning the deep secrets of the library. I had no idea how foxes would help with that, but it was a solid choice.

Unfortunately, I didn't have much food with me. Checking my supplies, I realized I’d last three days at most before having to dash back to town. The library’s stacks had to be enormous; even searching for basic knowledge could take an eternity.

But if the spirits themselves helped me, then I wouldn't be wandering aimlessly through countless corridors for weeks, and I could gather all the information in the shortest possible time. I recalled that in the canon, the foxes quite easily showed the heroes even the most secret places, but I assumed they only did that because the Avatar was in the group. I was just an ordinary person...

"Alas. Not many options here." To avoid getting lost in the labyrinth, I decided to compile a detailed list of every possible way to protect books. The fox's interest increased tenfold; it even started shifting from paw to paw. "What, getting excited?"

"Grrr..."

"Alright, I’m writing, I’m writing."

Finishing the several-page manuscript with a smile, I felt the fox tugging at my sleeve with its teeth. It diligently dragged me to the cabin exit and then ran toward the tower, constantly looking back and glancing my way. It watched closely to make sure I didn't run off, even when it stood on a vertical surface like some kind of shinobi. Eventually, using sand whips, I carefully descended inside, finding myself on a stone bridge lit by a single lamp filled with the luminescent fluid of beetles.

Around me were giant rows of bookshelves... shelves packed with knowledge reached toward the ceiling, inaccessible without a ladder. Looking down from the bridge, I saw only an infinite darkness; it seemed as deep as the beetle cave. Looking at the fox sitting nearby with awe, I realized it was staring somewhere behind me. Turning slowly, I saw a giant owl looming over me.

Why are they all so silent...

"You should leave this place, human." Its calm voice instantly made me tense. Ordinary animals and people don't cause such unease unless they are ready to snap and kill you in the blink of an eye.

"The spirit himself... Great Wan Shi Tong, I am a Sandbender, of the people with whom you once cooperated." Calming my heart, I bowed respectfully.

"My library is closed to humans. You cruel creatures constantly seek knowledge only to use it for evil, like that man who came here years ago and burned an entire section of knowledge."

"That... is simply terrible!" My exclamation made the owl pull its large head back. "As a descendant of the people who helped this Great Library, it pains me to hear that. I suppose it’s for the best that I prepared knowledge intended to help protect books from the influence of the thick-headed."

I respectfully presented the scroll; I truly didn't want to be enemies. The fox sitting nearby yapped, catching the owl’s interest.

"How curious. A safeguard for my knowledge… that sounds quite reasonable, considering who might wander in here." The spirit swept a wing over my hands, and the scroll vanished. The owl’s pupils dilated in that moment, as if it had already managed to read everything instantly. A remarkable creature. "I see your intentions are serious. But for what purpose have you come here?"

"To learn the culture of the Air Nomads," I replied firmly. "And perhaps to find out more about the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom."

"The Air Nomads... a worthy people who suffered the most from human cruelty. Very well, you may wander. My Knowledge Seeker has taken an interest in you; he will help you find whatever you desire."

Turning its back to me, the spirit calmly hopped off the bridge and took flight, descending into the depths of the library. I met the gaze of my new guide.

"...My name is Dagoth."

"Arf."

"Got it."

At a single request, my new friend headed for the Air Nomad section. We descended deep into the stacks until we stood before a long row of shelves. Tapestries depicting the wind hung from the ceiling... in the canon, no one had even whispered about this place’s existence. I had even assumed it would have been destroyed, like the Fire Nation section, but no. The entire history, scrolls of techniques… the culture of the Air Nomads could be restored here!

"Heh... an Earthbender learning from the Air Nomads. If anyone found out, they’d think I’d lost my mind." I began to scrutinize everything within reach.

Learning the other elements just like a real Avatar. Heh.