The Nexxus [Chapter 75]

Vex starts to speak, but pauses, clearly confused the most by the strange writing.

"What could the price be?"

Vex mumbles, clearly racking his brain to figure it out. Suddenly several panels open up, bringing up several statues. I see Warren and Kain stumble away, the monstrous creatures glaring towards us.

Vex laughs slightly.

"By how they are posing, I'm guessing they are stuffed. Trophies more than likely, or a symbol of what may happen to us, possibly?"

Vex and I stare at the three creatures and one statue before us. From left to right:

One creature stands about nine feet tall, patches of fur and exposed bone reveal blackened skin and torn muscle. It has massive black horns and the face of a deer, but also razor sharp teeth. Its knees are reverse bending, like many animals.

The next stands about six feet tall, with similar features. The second beast has smaller horns, but has six eyes. Each eye is a different color, and has a different pupil.

The third creature has two heads, each with  strange jaw shapes. An odd split down the middle of it's bottom jaws, and a strange set of teeth is visible in its throat.

I walk closer to the beasts, noticing their claws on their hands are razor sharp. I shake my head slightly.

"Damn, these look like they would've been fun to fight."

I mumble, slowly walking passed them and up to the strange statue. The statue has a man on his knees, with black tentacles rising from the ground around him, forming a cage.

I stare at it for a moment, feeling oddly captivated by the statue. I jump when Vex puts his hand on my shoulder and looks to me. I quickly jerk my shoulder loose and look around.

"So what now? How would we find the answer to our Arthur problem?"

I ask, clearly concerned by the amount of books in the structure. Vex points to one bookshelf and smiles.

"That's how."

I quickly walk over to the bookshelf and notice a note written on the side.

"Time Of Birth 1"

I stare at the words for a moment, then look  back to Vex.

"I don't get it."

He sighs upon hearing my words, then points to the next bookshelf.

"Time Of Birth 2"

I once again shake my head, Vex responding with a quick hand motion.

"N-nevermind, I'll explain it. The Time Of Desolation was one-thousand years ago, right?"

He asks, almost walking me through it.

"Just tell me what you're getting at."

I stare at Vex, waiting for his answer. He laughs under his breath and smiles.

"This is by time period, If we can find what time period we're currently in, we can narrow down the search by a massive margin. I'm assuming we'd be the farthest away from the main building, since events are still happening in our time period."

I think for a moment, then nod.

"I guess that makes sense."

I reply, Vex quickly looking to the others.

"Dante and I will go down the right corridor. Kain and Warren, you two search down the left side. When you find the 'Time Of Desolation' keep going, we should be a time period after that. Azeroth, stay here and search upward. With your wings, you should be able to search easily."

Azeroth nods and unfolds his black wings for the first time in several days, almost stretching before he takes flight. He holds Blankk tightly and flies upward quickly. I watch Warren and Kain quickly walk down the left side as well, everyone quickly starting their searches.

Vex and I quickly start walking towards the right passage, but I pause suddenly. My attention is drawn to the five books on the pedestals. I stare at them for a moment before quickly moving to them and looking at the titles.

"He Who Destroys All"

"He Who Watches All"

"It That Dreams Of The End"

"She Who Guards All"

"He Who Lost Everything"

I stare at the last book closely, almost feeling increasingly drawn to it. I flip open the book, but it instantly slams closed. I see Vex's hand on the book, his eyes almost glaring into mine. I chuckle and feel my heart racing.

"Strange, I feel really anxious."

I mumble, my heart slowly beating faster and faster. I take a deep breath, Vex suddenly grabbing my wrist. I stare at him and he attempts to pull me from the book.

"Do you know something about this book?"

I ask, narrowing my vision and quickly breaking free of his grip. Vex nods.

"We came to find a way to defeat Arthur, and I can gurantee that book won't tell you what you want to know."

Vex and I stare at each other for several seconds, both of us standing still and silent. I chuckle and walk passed Vex.

"Fine, let's get to looking then."

We both dash down the hallway, stopping periodically to check what time period we're in. Upon stopping at one point, I see a good sign.

"Time Of Desolation 5"

I stare at the bookshelf and the hundreds of books upon it, but elect not to look at any of the contents of the books. We quickly sprint further and notice something strange.

"Time Of Desolation 2:66"

Vex and I both stare at the book in confusion. Vex speaks up.

"That has to be important, but I'm not sure what it means."

We quickly dash further down the corridor for several minutes before stopping. We both stare once more at a shelf note.

"Time Of Desolation 375:239"

Vex nods.

"I think I know what it is, that's the year and the day. The bookshelves don't have all the info of each year, but more, it seems they hold all the key events from everyday."

I smile, amused and intrigued.

"So we can find out whatever we need to then? Wouldn't that mean that every event we've been in is transcribed here as well?"

I ask, Vex shaking his head.

"Truthfully, I'm not sure. But I definitely would want to research all I can from here, if we have the time that is."

I nod, trying to think up questions I'd want answered.