The Loneliest Soul

Maxi pushed off the shelf again, gaining more speed as the rolling library ladder carried him further into the maze of bookshelves. The wind rushed past him, his heart pounding with excitement.

Angelina, still chasing after him, gritted her teeth. "Young master, what are you doing?!"

Maxi didn't answer. He only grinned wider.

Then, he saw it—a gap.

A massive space between two towering bookshelves, easily too wide for him to jump across. No way could he make that.

Maxi adjusted his plan instantly. Instead of jumping across, he angled his body, waiting for just the right moment—

Then jumped.

He launched himself off the ladder, gripping onto another rolling library ladder attached to the next shelf. His momentum nearly sent him swinging off, but he held on, feet landing perfectly on the wooden steps.

Angelina, however, didn't react fast enough.

She jumped straight ahead— only to realize midair that she had nothing to land on.

"Damn it!" she growled, twisting her body. At the last second, she curled into a roll, landing smoothly on all fours on the ground below.

She dusted herself off, fuming. Then she tilted her head up and screamed, "YOUNG MASTER!!"

Maxi only chuckled. "Still too slow, Angelina."

She groaned, slumping over as she followed after him, exhaustion written all over her face.

Maxi looked up at the ceiling again, scanning for his destination.

There—"MONSTER SECTION."

His grin widened. Almost there.

Still on the rolling ladder, he climbed higher, even as it continued moving. When he reached the top, he spotted another rolling ladder just above him.

He waited… then jumped.

Grabbing onto the second ladder, he pushed off the shelf again, going even faster.

Wind howled in his ears.

When he finally reached the Monster Section, he slammed his feet against the rolling ladder to bring it to a halt.

The bookshelves around him were lined with ancient tomes, their leather covers rich and luxurious, some bound so tightly that just touching them sent a shiver down his spine.

Maxi let his fingers glide along the spines of the books, feeling their age, their wisdom.

He pulled one out at random. He didn't care what was inside. If it was here, it had to be worth reading.

Then he grabbed two more.

Without wasting time, he pushed off the bookshelf again, sending himself speeding toward his final destination—the middle of the library.

As he passed the Magic Section, he reached out—snatching a book midair without slowing down.

This is heaven, Maxi thought, his smile growing.

Finally, he reached the central clearing—a massive open space filled with tables.

At the very center stood a grand, long table made of dark purple wood, its deep color perfectly complementing the dark oak of the ladders.

Maxi approached the edge of the bookshelf.

Without hesitation, he jumped.

But before he could hit the ground, he grabbed onto the edge of the bookshelf, using it to stop his momentum. His feet pressed against the shelf, and with a final push, he landed lightly on the ground.

He walked up to the grand table and set his books down.

Then, he opened the first one.

From the very first line, Maxi felt his heart flutter.

The poetic writing, the immaculate grammar, the rich descriptions—it all consumed him instantly.

He was lost.

The world around him faded as he savored every single word, each sentence like a delicious meal he wanted to make last forever.

He read slowly, absorbing each word, each phrase, as if he were tasting the finest dish ever made.

Halfway through his book on sprite monsters and their biology, Angelina finally caught up.

With rage in her eyes, she jumped onto his head.

"WHAT IN THE THOUSAND SPIRALING HELLS IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" she screamed.

Maxi didn't react. Didn't even flinch.

Without looking up, he calmly said, "Be quiet. This is a library."

Angelina's eye twitched.

She let out an angry sigh, then flicked his forehead before slumping into a seat beside him. "I really don't understand you."

Two hours passed.

Maxi had only made it three pages into the next monster book.

He paused, stretching his fingers, and glanced at Angelina—only to find her asleep.

He chuckled softly, then winced, rubbing the top of his head. What hit me?

Shaking it off, Maxi let his mind wander.

What was his purpose?

Did he want to return to his old world? No. He had died saving someone. That was the way he had wanted to go—knowing his death had meaning.

But at the same time… he still worried about his family.

What were they doing now? How were they living without him?

He wondered if he somehow did come back when at what time would he come back? What if they already moved on and what if seeing him would just...

then he thought of his dreams.

The black abyss the shadow hands and that book.

But there where very few times where, sometimes, he didn't have that dream or nightmare he had another one.

He would hear the joyful laughter of his children… only for it to end in the blood-curdling scream of the little girl he had saved.

A shiver ran down his spine.

What did he want?

If going back wasn't an option, what could drive him forward?

He needed something. Someone in this world who could fill the space that his family once did.

A face came to mind.

His mother.

Maxi smiled softly. "She will have to do for now."

Of course, he had over a hundred years to live. Plenty of time to figure out his true purpose.

With that thought, he returned to his book.

Until…

A voice cut through the air like ice.

"Oh, you're here early."

The temperature in the room dropped.

Maxi's entire body shook.

The very air felt colder, an oppressive chill settling into his bones.

Slowly, he turned, forcing a weak smile.

His voice came out shaky. "H-Hi, big brother Colen…"

Colen scoffed lightly. "Good to see you're being smart."

He was dressed in a white undershirt, a dark blue waistcoat, and a light blue tie with silver inscriptions. Draped over his shoulders was a very dark blue tailcoat, giving him an almost royal air.

And on his face—rimless glasses with silver frames.

Maxi's breathing slowed. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

what the hell am going to do