<u>Akuma Tiryns</u>


    To my left, endless shelves that stretched out in perfectly aligned rows, casting the illusion of an infinite library. Each shelf had about eight rows and was jammed packed with numerous kinds of books. To my right, the same scene, even the sky was filled with rows of books -however crazy that sounds. But in front of me stood a solitary registry desk, where a man lounged behind the counter, his legs casually propped up on the counter, chair rocked back, and a dark book draped over his face -that had the words “Infinity” written in bold -as he dozed off in serene oblivion. Or at least, that’s what it looked like. If I had to describe it, I’d say it was like watching a shift worker who hadn’t seen a customer in ages, so he passed the boring hours by napping.


    Now that I think about it, was he even allowed to nap? Doesn’t that go against some kind of policy? I mean you have a customer right here! …Wait, am I even a customer? Do I fall under that category? I mean where the hell even is this place?! And what am I doing here? I need answers and there’s only one way I’m gonna get em’.


    Steeling myself for the confrontation with this mysterious librarian -who may or may not have kidnapped me- I marched onward towards the large registry counter.


    “Good afternoon -or is it evening? …Maybe morning? Aw whatever.”


    Without so much as removing the book from his face or even lifting his feet from the counter as any professional would, the librarian lazily pointed towards the direction I came, gesturing at a seemingly infinite narrow walkway as he muttered, “Exits-Exits over there.”


    His voice glitched a bit as he said that, as if I were listening to an old radio program.


    Though as unprofessional as he was, perhaps this guy really was the manager of this giant library. I mean he knew exactly what I wanted before I even asked him. Or maybe this place is notorious for kidnapping people so he’s constantly having to help people out. No that wouldn’t make sense. If that were true, he’d have no reason kidnapping anyone in the first place… Or maybe he does it for the love of the game… Yeah, I can smell it on him. It doesn’t help that he’s naked too… Yeah… This guy’s definitely a pervert. I better get out of here quickly.


    “Thank you very much.” I replied, forcing a fake smile as to not draw suspicion that I was aware of his secret fetish.


    “Any-Anytime…” He added, dropping his finger as he continued dozing off. “…Oh, and by the way, you’re also naked.”


    “Hmm? GAH-!”


    I knew it felt a little breezy. Dammit!


    ***


    I’ve been walking down this narrow trail for over five years, and still nothing! Just endless shelves of books on my left and right… Y’know… I think it’s giving me claustrophobia… I can feel myself slipping gradually!


    Alright, realistically, it’s been about a couple hours, or maybe a little more seeing as I have no real way to tell the time. Though my stomach hasn’t growled, nor have I felt tired despite walking for so long. I find that strange, especially since I hate pointlessly long things like walks -stairs too while I’m at it.


    To pass the time, I tried squinting to see if I could see where the shelves ended. From half squints to full squints to one eye squinting a smidge bit more than the other, I tried every possible technique! But ultimately, I was met with failure. I think these shelves really might stretch out to infinity.


    I’m not sure how much time I wasted doing that, but seeing as the exit was still nowhere in sight, it couldn’t have been long. I looked back to see if I could still spot that librarian from before, but luckily, he was out of sight. It’s not that I was scared he’d jump at me or anything, it’s just that the last thing I want is for this to turn out like one of those infinite labyrinths from anime. The kind where no matter how many doors the main character opens, he ends up right back where he started until he destroys some secret monster or solves some bullshit puzzle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good test of wit, but right now isn’t exactly a good time for me…


    You see… I don’t remember anything.


    I don’t mean that literally, it’s just that I’ve forgotten important things like my name, family, or even where I’m from. To be more specific, it’s as if those memories are all jumbled up with someone else -three others to be exact- causing me to mix up my life with theirs. If I try to recall my name, three others seem to come to me. If I try to remember my family’s faces, a whole community pops up in my head. And don’t get me started with where I’m from. According to my twisted mind, I’m not only from heaven -or something like that- but a world that’s been destroyed and country that no longer exists…


    Honestly, there’s so many memories rushing through my head that I’m uncertain about pretty much everything. Who am I… really?


    Eventually, I caught a glimpse of something shiny -a golden light glimmering off in the distance. That’s a good sign, I guess this trail really isn’t some infinite labyrinth. Soon the light shimmered so brightly that I was flash banged, stunning me briefly.


    When I opened them, I was greeted with yet another librarian snapping on the job. He was resting behind an identical registry, his legs propped, and chair reclined in the same manner. I’d say the only difference was the book draped over his face. This one had a golden cover, the words “Store & Power” written in bold as if the grand title to an epic.


    “Hey employee B…” I greeted, a bit taken back from the fact that these kidnappers were so terrible at their jobs. “…I’m looking for the exit. Your friend told me it was over here.”


    I glanced around hoping that I’d spot the exit somewhere, but just like the last registry -and pretty much everywhere around here- all I found in my search was more shelves. Perhaps this was the moment where I’d have to solve some crappy puzzle to find the secret door. As I said earlier, I’m all for a battle of wits but right now is not the time.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The librarian uncrossed his, adjusting his posture. It was then that I realized something almost horrifying… He had no toes, as if his feet were two concrete blocks… Weirdo...


    “My friend…?” The librarian questioned. “…Didn’t I tell you the exit was over here?”


    No doubt about it. I’m being messed with.


    “Huh? What are you, high? I just came from over there and the guy over at that registry told me to come here. I’m not in the mood for your riddles alright. Just take me to the exit, I’m in a hurry.”


    “Hurry-Hurry? What are you in a hurry for, exactly?”


    For a moment I muttered to myself, attempting to organize the memories rushing through my head.


    “Let’s see… I still have to create the spirits… No, wait, I already did that. Was it helping my disciples, maybe? No that’s not right either. Then was it creating Solamon’s kingdom? No that couldn’t be it… Dammit, which life was before and after.”


    “Relax-Relax, man. Don’t freak out, I’m just pulling your leg.”


    “Eh?”


    I don’t know if he purposefully did it as slow as possible to enhance the dramatic tension, or if my curiosity dragged the scene out in my head, but the librarian began to lift the golden book from his face, revealing something that defied all human comprehension. It was as if his face had been erased, leaving behind an abyss that seemed to reflect the very essence of reality. Like staring at the personification of infinity.


    “There is no exit, nor are there two librarians. The guy who pointed you here… was me.”


    A cold sweat trailed down my left cheek as I bared witness to his empty visage.


    “Who- no what are you?”


    “You know-you know what. As tricky as they are, I think I can answer both of those questions… Let’s see… I’ve gone by many names over the years. The Abyss, Death, Life, Truth, Primordial, Enlightenment, The librarian. Ehh. The list goes on really… As for what am I… That’s one’s a bit trickier… Hm… If I had to put it into words, I’d say I’m the personification of fate. To be specific, I am every story that has, will or is. Simply put, I am.”


    I paused for a moment, trying to organize my memories once more. Assuming these other lives were mine, that would mean I am the God of this world, the creator of all things. Or at least, I was at one point. And yet, no matter how many memories I scramble through, the person before me is still a mystery… This thing… I did not create it.


    “For now, I’ll just call you librarian. How does that sound?”


    “That works-that works with me.”


    “Alright librarian. I know this is supposed to be some kind of library, but could you tell me what exactly this place is? I mean the shelves are infinite and trust me I’ve tried to see the end. Not to mention the sky is filled with books of their own… And if I remember properly, I should’ve been destroyed after breaking my barrier, but here I am. I mean Michael himself told me that much.”


    The librarian fixed himself properly on his seat and rested his head on his right fist. Without realizing, I too was seated in a chair. Whoever this guy is, if he can spawn a chair from his ass and force me in it without my knowing, he’s not someone I could take in a fight. Not right now that is…


    “Let’s see… The library. Hm... Think about it like this: When a new soul is born upon the world, it will immediately create a story. That story is placed here, the ‘Library of Yggdrasil’. As time goes by, the soul will gradually fill out its story, telling an account of their entire life. Of course, the book stays here the whole time, resting within one of these infinite shelves.”


    “They stay here, huh… Are you sure about that?”


    An awkward tension came between us as we glared at each other. Well, I say “we” but I’m only guessing on his part. It’s kind of hard to tell with his head an empty visage and everything.


    “My, it seems your memories are beginning to come sort themselves out…” He remarked, a feint giggle escaping him. “…I suppose there’s no point in hiding anything… There are two roads on which a person can take once they are born. The Path of Man, and the Path of God. Both begin at the same point, the first stage of Enlightenment, reached only by those who have shattered the barrier that surrounds their souls. These people have the privilege of coming to this library, where they may check out their story from its shelf. After which, they will have the power of their fate -the title of their story… The catch is, of course, once they check out their story, the library will automatically fill out the how they rest of their life will play out -binding them to fate.”


    “Hm… I guess that checks out with my memory… But what about how I’m here. According to Michael, the Yang part of my soul should’ve been destroyed. And that barrier was the only thing keeping my story from being destroyed.”


    “Once-once, you tried to forcibly shatter your barrier using the power of an Angel. At the time, you hadn’t accounted for your human body, therefore your soul began to grow unstable, thus shattering your memories (the yang part of your soul). To overcome this setback, you used the Devour technique, which allowed you to not only call forth the Akashic Records, but to grant yourself a divine body so that you could handle its ‘price to pay’ -Royal Flush as some would call it… But it’s like I said. People may choose to walk the Path of Man, or the Path of God, but not both at once. That is because no one can see themselves as both a god and a human simultaneously… The toll you suffered was immense. Even after your mother sacrificed herself, all she could really accomplish was granting you borrowed time. And now, that time has run out.”


    A heavy silence came over us as I contemplated the meaning of his words. My time had run out? What did that mean? Is this it? The end of my journey? Am I stuck here for the rest of time or something?


    “Oh-oh, and by the way… I’d advise taking what comes from Michael’s lips with a grain of salt. Believe me, he is not someone you should trust.”


    That remark had sort of rubbed me the wrong way. I mean it isn’t as if Michael was some stranger I happened to meet in a random alleyway. He was someone I owed my life to, in more ways than one. He was a man worthy of my full respect. At least, that’s what I remember from my memories as God.


    “Huh?! The hell do you mean I can’t trust him? I made him, along with the other angels. I think I’d know if I could trust him or not.”


    It was impossible to tell with their whole “abyss face gag” thing going on, but I swear a smirk played across their face.


    “Akuma Tiryns. AntiGod. Hakari The Messiah. And lastly, God himself… Those are the identities in which you currently battle. As God, you created a magnificent world, filled it with equally magnificent creatures, and endowed it with uncertainty. However, you were betrayed and despite being God, you died and reincarnated as a human boy.”


    A vein bulged from my forehead and an intense irritation consumed me. There was just something aggravating about hearing my life played out by someone else that seriously stung me.


    “What about it, huh?! What the hell does any of that have to do with Michael? As I said, he’s an angel I created, and the only one who followed me despite my lazy approach to being God.”


    “That is-that is exactly what I am trying to tell you… You did not create Michael.”


    “What? Are you trying to tell me my memories are wrong?! Who the hell do you think you are?! Where do you get off?”


    The librarian eased his cheek from his fist, interlocking his fingers as he continued.


    “Do you know who I am?”


    “Not a damn clue. I’ve tried calling the Akashic Records to ask, but I can’t seem to make a connection in this world. And now that my memories are finally starting to organize themselves, I’d like to know why I can’t remember making you? Or this library?”


    A feint giggle escaped the librarian.


    “How about-how about we flip that question around… Tell me, do you remember creating the Akashic Records?”


    It was as if the truth of the universe itself was suddenly trusted onto me. The seven divine items created by God, each said to contain a fragment of his form. The Akashic Records is the first of those power artifacts, and the very same one I called forth all those years ago when casting those children onto heaven. A feat I accomplished by harnessing its power to control the stories or fates of others. And yet, despite me knowing all of that… I don’t remember creating it.


    So then… who did?