Chapter 57

Zale knew he'd returned to the Coma Library, but he had no memory of the cat that magically levitated on a book. She floated around while speaking, "You are, by any definition of the word, crazy. Absolutely insane. I was right to choose you," she said proudly.

"I am more surprised by this one here, though," she said, hoping off the book and onto Shai's back.

Zale realized Shai had made it as well. He started to move, his face contorting into a scowl, when the cat halted him. "Stay over there, dumbass. I'm just waking him up."

She padded around his back before pouncing on his heart, which carried her back up onto her book. Shai, jump-started with a small wave of energy that brightened the orb in his chest for a second, leaped to his feet. His eyes were wild. Then, his jaw went slack, and he stared around. "How have I ended up…"

He trailed off until his eyes locked on Zale. "Zale!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms around his friend.

"You live! Thank our god."

Zale's face broke into a broad smile as he embraced Shai as well. "You got that right. Made it all the way to this damn library again."

Shai pulled away and searched his eyes, both of them sparkling like a galaxy was trapped inside. "Your eyes, what happened-"

"What a touching reunion. Yes. You both live, let's move past it, yeah?" the cat said.

Shai spun to come eye to eye with the talking cat. "AHh! I'm allergic to cats!" he jumped, startled, and backed away.

The cat rolled her eyes and flicked her tail. "Yes, cats. Great thing I am not a cat but a magical construct given sentience that takes on the form of a primitive cat from your world."

She sighed heavily. "My name is Er'Vati. Welcome to the library of the Exceeds."

When Zale opened his mouth to ask a question, she cut in, "Please keep your trap shut. If I were to answer your every question, we would be here all day, and I'm sure you both have some important business to attend to, no?"

Her words weighed heavy on Shai, but Zale saw it as a good thing. "So we lived. What-"

"What did I just say?"

Zale stopped. "Good. Now, I'll give you only the most important information. follow me."

Without looking back, Er floated off on her book. Zale and Shai hurried to follow. "Though circumstances are a little different for you both, you've both succeeded in my little game. In search of a master for this library, I select individuals who show potential and invite them here. Usually a bit less roundabout, but things are what they are, annoying as it is. Anyway, I've pushed you both to become sorcerers in hopes that your potential will someday lead somewhere, though I don't have high hopes."

"Rude," Zale countered.

"Suck it up, princess. You've both, for better or worse, taken a rather extreme approach to become sorcerers. You forcefully changed the properties of your own bodies with magic cores holding the mana of different races. For whatever reason, you didn't die. And now, you are a completely different race. Congratulations," she expressed with a twinkle in her feline eyes.

"Pardon my asking, but what does this mean for us?" Shai asked, his question less grating to Er.

"It means you have become High Humans, as I am coining now. You both managed to incorporate the magic of the other Altruis races, and not only are you sorcerers but also have obtained new racial attributes, it seems. Zale, you have special eyes. So far, I can tell they give you true sight. Whether they do anything else, I am unsure. I am also unsure if you will have any other…changes. The same applies to you, Shai. Time will tell what you two have become.

"That aside, as is my custom, for everyone who reaches a milestone in my grand search, you will each be given one gift within my power. You may choose whatever you like."

They rounded a corner and came to a grand centerpiece. It was a. empty hourglass that towered more than twenty feet above them. It was forged from red and blue metals in such detail that it must have taken decades to complete. Zale could also see the complex web of magic contained within it. Around it was a sea of a few desks and tables carved of the finest wood. "I'd recommend not gawking at the library. It would seem time is not on your side."

Er whisked around the room and jumped off on one of the tables, marching around while she waited. Zale and Shai looked at each other dumbfounded.