Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9 -

THE LIBRARIAN'S TESTS

Ariadne and Flood stood before the hooded figure, trying to process what they'd just been told. "You really mean to say that there are books here that contain ancient, forgotten knowledge?" Ariadne asked, her eyes wide. "That's right," the Librarian said. "And I'm willing to help you access that knowledge, if you can pass my tests." "Tests?" Flood asked, their voice wary. "What kind of tests?" "Tests of courage, intelligence, and empathy," the Librarian said. Ariadne and Flood looked at each other, still in shock from the Librarian's revelations. But then, the Librarian began to speak again. "The first test is a test of courage," they said. "You must enter the Maze of Shadows, and find your way to the center. Are you up for the challenge?" Ariadne gulped, but nodded. "We're up for anything," Flood said. "Good," the Librarian said. "Then follow me, and I will show you the way." The Librarian turned and began to walk down a long corridor, their robes billowing behind them.Ariadne and Flood followed the Librarian, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The corridor seemed to go on forever, and the only sound was the soft shuffle of their footsteps. Finally, they came to a large, imposing door. The Librarian stopped in front of it and turned to face them. "This is the entrance to the Maze of Shadows," they said. "Are you ready?" Ariadne and Flood nodded. "Then go on," the Librarian said. "Good luck." With that, they pushed open the door, and Ariadne and Flood stepped through into the darkness beyond. As Ariadne and Flood entered the maze, the door slammed shut behind them, plunging them into total darkness. For a moment, they were frozen with fear. Then, Ariadne reached out and took Flood's hand. "We're in this together," she said. "Let's do this." And so, hand in hand, they began to walk forward, feeling their way through the darkness. They could hear the sound of their own breathing, and the thudding of their hearts. But there was something else, too - a low, rumbling growl. It seemed to be coming from all around them. Ariadne and Flood stopped in their tracks, clutching each other's hands tightly. "What is that?" Flood whispered. "I don't know," Ariadne said. "But I don't think we should stay here." "I agree," Flood said. "Let's keep moving." And so, they resumed their journey through the darkness, trying to ignore the growl that seemed to be getting closer and closer. Then, suddenly, they came to a fork in the path. "Which way do we go?" Flood asked. "I don't know," Ariadne said. "We could try going left."And so, they turned left, following the path as it wound and twisted through the darkness. The growling seemed to be getting louder, but they pressed on, trying to ignore it. They could feel their hearts pounding in their chests, and their palms were sweating. Then, they rounded a corner and stopped short. Before them stood a huge, snarling beast, its eyes glowing red in the darkness. Ariadne and Flood froze, not daring to move. "Stay calm," Ariadne said, her voice shaking. "Maybe it won't hurt us if we don't provoke it." But as Ariadne spoke, the beast took a step forward, its claws scraping against the stone floor. Ariadne and Flood took a step back, their breaths coming in short gasps. The beast growled again, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to fill the entire maze. "We have to run," Flood said. "We can't fight it." Ariadne nodded, and they turned and sprinted down the path, the beast's growls echoing behind them. They ran and ran, their feet flying over the stone floor, their hearts pounding in their chests. The path wound and twisted, and Ariadne and Flood had no idea where they were going. All they knew was that they had to keep moving, or the beast would catch them. They took turns and corners at random, hoping to lose the creature in the maze. But no matter which way they ran, they could still hear the growling getting closer. Then, suddenly, they turned a corner and stopped short. Before them was a dead end. The beast was right behind them, and there was nowhere to go. "What do we do?" Ariadne asked, panic rising in her voice. In that moment, something unexpected happened. A light appeared in the darkness, a faint, glowing light that seemed to come from nowhere. Ariadne and Flood looked at it, transfixed. Then, the light grew brighter, revealing a figure standing before them. It was a woman, dressed in white robes, her long hair flowing around her shoulders. She looked at Ariadne and Flood, and smiled. "Do not fear," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "I am here to help you." Ariadne and Flood stared at the woman, their hearts slowly calming. She looked at them with kind, wise eyes, and they felt a sense of peace. "Who are you?" Ariadne asked. The woman smiled. "I am the Guardian of this place," she said. "I am here to protect it, and all who enter it." She looked at Ariadne and Flood, and her smile widened. "You are very brave," she said. "You are very brave," she said. "You have done well to come this far. But now, it is time to face your true test."

Ariadne and Flood looked at each other, their eyes wide. "Our true test?" Ariadne asked. "Yes," the woman said. "You have faced many challenges in this maze, but the greatest challenge is the one you face within yourself. You must overcome your fears and doubts, and trust in yourselves. Can you do that?" Ariadne and Flood looked at each other again, their faces filled with resolve. "Yes," they said in unison. "We can." The woman nodded, and her smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds."Then close your eyes," she said. "Let go of your fear, and trust in yourself." Ariadne and Flood closed their eyes, their hands clasped together. They took a deep breath, and let go of their fear. In its place, they felt a sense of calm and peace. The woman's voice filled their minds, like a soft breeze on a summer day. "Open your eyes," she said. Ariadne and Flood opened their eyes, and the world around them had changed. They were no longer in the maze, but in a beautiful garden, filled with trees and flowers."This is the Garden of Wisdom," the woman said. "Here, you will find what you seek." Ariadne and Flood looked around, in awe of the beauty around them. "What do we seek?" Ariadne asked. "You seek the answers to the questions that plague you," the woman said. "You seek to understand yourselves, and the world around you. You seek knowledge, and wisdom. And you will find it here." Ariadne and Flood looked at each other, their eyes shining with excitement. "What do we do now?" they asked. "You must explore the garden," the woman said. "Each tree and flower holds a different lesson for you. You must find the ones that speak to your hearts, and learn from them." Ariadne and Flood nodded, and began to explore the garden. The trees were full of bright, colorful fruits, each with a different scent and flavor. The flowers bloomed in every shade of the rainbow, their petals soft and delicate. Ariadne and Flood plucked a fruit from a tree, and bit into it. As they did, they felt a rush of knowledge and understanding. "This is amazing!" Ariadne said. "Every bite of this fruit is like a hundred books!" "It's incredible!" Flood said. "Each fruit is different, but they're all filled with knowledge. It's like they're keys to a whole new world!" "They are," the woman said. "The fruits of this garden are a gateway to knowledge. As you eat them, you will understand more about the world around you, and about yourselves. But remember, this knowledge comes with a responsibility." "What kind of responsibility?" Ariadne asked."The responsibility to use this knowledge for good," the woman said. "Knowledge is a powerful thing, and it can be used for both good and evil. It is up to you to choose how you will use it. Will you use it to help others, or to gain power for yourself? That is the question you must answer." Ariadne and Flood looked at each other, their eyes filled with wonder. They knew that the woman was right. The knowledge they were gaining was a gift, but it also came with a responsibility. They needed to make sure they used it wisely."But how do we know which fruit to choose?" Flood asked. "Each fruit will call to you," the woman said. "It will speak to your heart, and you will know which one is right for you. But you must be willing to listen to the call. Are you ready?" Ariadne and Flood took a deep breath, and nodded. They closed their eyes, and listened. At first, they heard nothing. But then, slowly, they began to hear a soft whisper. It was the voice of the garden, calling to them. They opened their eyes, and saw a tree in the distance.It was covered in bright, yellow fruits, and they were glowing with a soft, warm light. Ariadne and Flood knew, without a doubt, that this was the tree they were meant to approach. They walked towards it, and reached out to pluck a fruit from its branches. As they did, a rush of understanding filled their minds. They could feel the wisdom of the tree flowing through them, like a warm, gentle current. They sat down beneath the tree, and continued to eat the fruits. With each bite, they felt more and more connected to the garden, and to the world around them.

Anticipate Chapter 10: The boy and the pool.