The Library of the Ancients

Jonas wasn't sure what to make of what Blot said about him and Kim. It wasn't like it truly changed anything between them. As they were still in the same group and they still had acknowledged each other's abilities.

Besides, it wasn't like they had any chance of a romantic entanglement with each other. Not with how Kim was with Elin and Jonas was with Elmo.

So, Jonas didn't see a reason to say anything about it, despite the gossip about that very subject going on around him. Mostly with Patricia and Patrick.

The fact that they had different names could be easily explained. That Jonas had been given a different family name when he'd gotten moved to the other world. As if he didn't recall Kim from when he'd been taken there, he wouldn't be surprised if he didn't remember his family name either.

Although, it was mere speculation and there wasn't anyway to prove anything about it, Jonas didn't care. It was something to look into when he returned to his world, assuming he didn't end up in the same world as Kim, since, technically, that was the world he was originally from.

The night had been uneventful and after each of them had a quick breakfast, with the venison they'd given to the cafeteria fully preserved and taken care of as Elmo instructed, as he had taken charge of deciding how much got smoked, how much was dried, and everything involved in all of that.

Jonas couldn't say he cared enough to pay attention to those details.

When they set out to see the books that they'd requested, it almost felt like any other day. Or at least any other day that they'd spent on walking. The only difference was the shelves of books that in most places extended as far as they could see. The bookshelves reached the ceiling, which didn't appear any higher than any other ceiling that Jonas had encountered, even considering the fact that they'd shrunk down to around the size of an ant.

Sometimes the bookshelves were lined up straight, where they could easily see for a long distance. Sometimes they were curved, where they couldn't see very far ahead. Other times they would reach a break in the shelves where they could see other aisles of bookshelves.

To Jonas, it felt like a maze. Like the bookshelves had been built to ward visitors off who weren't as committed to finding what they really wanted.

With being in a building, it was hard to say what time it was, given the fact that they couldn't see the sun anywhere. Even the light that they had to work with was the lights that Blot had lit up with a save of his book cover and seemed to follow where he was rather than needing another wave of his cover or anything like that.

Once Jonas had looked behind them and saw that the lights behind them had gone out after a while. The fact of that didn't bother him, since he was sure that they'd light up if they went that way again. Not that he himself had to worry, but he was pretty sure that he'd be the only useful one in their combined group if they had to travel in the dark. Especially since there didn't seem to be much, if any, natural light that would interfere with his vision ability to see in the shadows, like when they first arrived and were just outside the afternoon light where they'd first encountered Blot.

While it wasn't clear how long it had taken them to travel however far they were, Jonas had a feeling this was probably going to take multiple days, at least before they even reached the section of the books where the books they'd asked about were.

While he wanted to ask which section they were currently in, he held his peace. He wasn't sure if he'd react poorly to find that they were still in section 1 or 2 as opposed to a section much closer to the ones that they'd heard some of the books they were looking for were placed.

However, despite his resolve, it was clear that they hadn't reached their first destination when they came to a kind of clearing in the bookshelves. While it wasn't where they had been heading, it did hold some comfortable-looking chairs that Jonas could see being used by people to sit in while they read.

If anything, Jonas wondered if this was a kind of reading area. Though, he couldn't help but wonder if there were more of these in whatever sections they'd passed up to this point, but hadn't seen because Blot was leading the way and knew how to avoid them.

The fact that he'd led them here now was clear and Elmo, Elin, Heather, Sonya, and Bart immediately walked over to the chairs, sat down, and were out like a light in moments.

"Is there anything like the cafeteria at the start of the library?" Elwin asked, his voice tinged with fatigue, making Jonas wonder just how long they'd been walking that day.

"Just walk through that doorframe and you'll be in the cafeteria," Blot replied, sounding like that was something they should have already known. Jonas wasn't sure if the doorframe was always there and he hadn't noticed it until Blot pointed it out or if it merely appeared when Blot mentioned it. "When you're done, it'll bring you right back here."

Jonas couldn't help but sigh with that information. He wasn't sure which he found more annoying: the fact that they could still access the cafeteria, regardless of how far they'd gotten in the day or that it would bring them back when they finished in it.

Elwin nodded in response and was through the doorway to the cafeteria in moments. The placement of the doorway made it look like it led into the middle of a bookshelf, which made Jonas also wonder if it was from the result of the personal aesthetics of whoever designed this place or if it was merely more convenient to have it there. Regardless of the reason, Jonas couldn't help but wonder if it'd still be there when they came back from the cafeteria.

However, Jonas' stomach made it clear that he needed to go through that as well. Although, he wasn't sure if he'd be allowed to bring food back with him, since he hadn't been told he couldn't he figured he'd at least try to bring something back with him, if only for those who'd fallen asleep already. As he was pretty sure that they'd likely want something to eat when they woke up.

When Jonas entered the cafeteria, he was a little surprised to see Blot in there as well. Although, when he heard what Blot ordered, he couldn't help but be amused.

Blot had ordered an 'ink tea.'

After Jonas had placed his order, he turned to Blot, not sure what to make of the talking book. Even though it had appeared rather harmless to those who weren't a threat to the books, Jonas had a feeling that this talking book might be more important than it had first appeared.

The only questions that Jonas still had about it was: how important was this book and in what way this book might be important.

However, even if this book was to save the world or something, the book himself might not even be aware of that fact and not understand if Jonas asked about that.

When Jonas received his order, he quickly took a seat near Elwin. He didn't have anything to say to Elwin, but it felt right to sit near him, if only to keep it from appearing that he was avoiding Elwin. As he could easily see Elwin taking issue with him sitting too far away from him.

Not that he really understood what would set Elwin off.

A little after he sat down, Kim, Owen, Patricia, and Patrick sat down as well. No one spoke, each keeping their own thoughts to themselves.

Jonas figured part of it was just from the fact that they were tired themselves and weren't as interested in anything more than getting something to eat before getting some sleep. If there were other reasons, Jonas wasn't sure, nor did he really care. It wasn't his problem or concern. He'd just as soon finish up this last challenge as quickly as possible so they could get a move on and get this competition over with, regardless of who won.

Although, he had to also consider that his stance on that point might just be because he was tired. As it was easy to go in that direction when he was tired, since he was then more interested in getting rest than who might win the competition.

Glancing at Blot, he felt a little surprised to see the living book holding a cup of a black liquid with his ribbon bookmarks and sipping it, a look of contentment on his face.

Jonas paused for a moment as the words 'living book' went through his mind. He quickly dismissed them, planning on thinking about it later. It felt like that thought was important somehow. Yet, at the moment he doubted that he'd be able to make much headway on it.

Though, he also couldn't help but wonder if this place had an effect on him, since he couldn't recall another time when he'd gotten this tired so quickly and easily. Usually he'd be ready to go still, in the event it was necessary.