The walk to the Demon Public Library was surprisingly uneventful—at least by the Boiling Isles' standards. I think. I only had to dodge two street duels, one spontaneous explosion, and a cursed marionette trying to sell me insurance.
Knight trotted beside me, sniffing at every odd sight and sound, while I kept my eyes on the towering building ahead. The library loomed over the surrounding structures like some ominous shrine to knowledge. Its spires curled like the horns of a massive beast, and the stone walls were covered in creeping, dark vines that pulsed faintly—like they were alive. A massive wooden sign above the entrance read:
Demon Public Library - Quiet or Else.
That last part was written in what looked like claw marks. Encouraging.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The first thing that hit me was the smell—old parchment, ink, and something slightly musty, like damp stone. The second thing was the silence. Even though the place was filled with demons, witches, and a few floating grimoires, it was eerily quiet.
Knight sneezed, breaking the hush. A few heads turned, eyes narrowing in disapproval.
I gave him a warning glance. "We should probably keep a low profile."
The front desk was manned by an owl-like demon with six glowing eyes, each blinking out of sync. As I approached, they slowly tilted their head, beak clicking.
"New patron?"
"Uh, yeah," I said, keeping my voice low. "I'm looking for books on the history of the Boiling Isles. And magic, if possible."
The librarian let out a soft hoot. "Curious, aren't you?" They reached under the desk and pulled out a massive, dust-covered tome. The title read: A Brief History of the Isles—Now with Fewer Curses!
I reached for it, but the librarian held up a clawed finger. "Library rules. No speaking above a whisper. No attempting to eat the books. No making deals with the books. And most importantly…" Their many eyes narrowed. "No attracting the attention of the Head Librarian."
That last one sounded concerning. "Got it."
They handed over the book, and I quickly found a table in the corner, away from the more… unsettling patrons. Knight hopped onto a chair beside me, resting his head on the table while I cracked open the tome.
The first few pages were surprisingly normal—geography, early settlements, the formation of the different covens. But as I kept reading, the more Boiling Isles things got. There were mentions of entire islands that had vanished overnight, wars fought over which mushrooms were the most edible, and something called the Great Snail Rebellion that I honestly wasn't sure was a joke.
But then I reached a section titled: The Titan's Gift and the Birth of Magic.
I frowned, reading carefully.
The Titan, whose remains form the foundation of our great isles, was a being of immense power. It is from his very body that magic flows, a gift granted to all who dwell within his lands. While witches wield this magic naturally, others have sought to harness its power through various means—some more dangerous than others.
I drummed my fingers against the table. So magic came from the Titan itself? That explained why witches had it and I didn't.
I turned the page, hoping for more answers—but then something caught my eye.
A small passage at the bottom of the page:
"For all recorded history, magic has been a constant presence in our world. All living creatures within the Isles are connected to the Titan's power. Those without it simply do not exist."
My breath hitched.
"Those without it simply do not exist."
If that was true… then humans weren't supposed to be here at all.
I swallowed hard, suddenly hyper-aware of the fact that I was sitting in the middle of a public library, surrounded by people who—if they knew what I really was—might not take it well.
I exhaled slowly. Stay calm. Stay quiet.
But before I could turn the page, a shadow loomed over me.
"You."
I froze. Slowly, I looked up.
A tall, blue-skinned demon with a sharp uniform and an even sharper glare stared down at me. A name tag pinned to her chest read: Head Librarian - Malphas.
Oh.
So much for avoiding attention.
The moment stretched uncomfortably long as the Head Librarian's piercing gaze bore into me. Every instinct screamed at me to act normal, though I had no idea what that even meant anymore.
Knight shifted beside me, ears flattening as he let out a low chuff. Malphas's eyes flicked to him, then back to me.
"You are not registered in our archives."
…What?
I blinked, trying to process that. "Uh—sorry?"
Malphas's expression didn't change. "All frequent patrons of the Demon Public Library have a recorded history of checkouts, requests, and visits. You, however, have none. Not a single record. And yet, here you are, reading one of our historical texts as if you belong."
I gripped the edges of the book a little tighter. "Is that… a problem?"
Malphas leaned forward slightly, their presence radiating authority. "Knowledge is power. And power is not freely given to outsiders."
I kept my face blank, but inside, my thoughts raced. Did they suspect something? Or were they just territorial about the library?
"I just wanted to learn more about the Isles," I said carefully. "I figured the library would be the best place to start."
Malphas stared at me for a moment longer. Then, to my surprise, they hummed thoughtfully.
"Hmph. A rare sentiment among young witches these days."
I barely stopped myself from reacting. "Yeah, well… I like knowing things."
"Then know this," Malphas said, tone sharp. "The library is not for idle curiosity. If you wish to continue using our resources, you must prove yourself a worthy patron."
Knight let out a small growl, but I rested a hand on his head, keeping him calm. "And how do I do that?"
Malphas reached into their coat and pulled out a thin, black card, sliding it across the table toward me.
"A task," they said simply. "Retrieve a book from the restricted archives. Do so, and you will earn your right to knowledge."
I stared at the card. "Wait. You want me to steal from your own library?"
Malphas's lips curled into a cold smile. "It is not stealing if I allow it. Consider it a… test of your resourcefulness."
This felt way too much like a trap. But at the same time, refusing might make them suspicious.
I glanced at the card, then back at Malphas.
"…Fine. What book am I looking for?"
Malphas's smile widened ever so slightly.
"The Titan's Veil."
A chill ran down my spine.
I had no idea what that was.
But I had the sinking feeling I was about to find out.
Knight and I made our way deeper into the library, Malphas's black card weighing heavily in my pocket. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of old parchment, the towering bookshelves casting long shadows as we walked.
"The Titan's Veil."
I had no idea what kind of book warranted being locked in the restricted archives, but the name alone sent a shiver down my spine.
Knight let out a low chuff, his ears swiveling as he sniffed the air.
"Yeah," I muttered. "I don't like this either."
Malphas's request felt like a trap, but I couldn't refuse without raising suspicion. If humans weren't supposed to be in the Isles—if our existence here was supposed to be impossible—then the last thing I needed was a powerful librarian deciding to dig into my past.
I passed through row after row of bookshelves, scanning for any signs of restricted sections. The deeper I went, the quieter the library became, the distant murmurs of studying demons fading into eerie silence.
Finally, I spotted something—a heavy iron gate, chained shut, with a worn plaque bolted above it.
RESTRICTED ARCHIVES
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
Well. That was definitely what I was looking for.
The problem? The gate was locked.
I crouched slightly, peering through the bars. Beyond them, the shelves were thicker, the books dustier, their spines covered in strange glyphs I didn't recognize. Some even pulsed faintly, like they were alive.
Knight sniffed at the metal, then huffed.
"Yeah, buddy," I whispered. "We need to find a way in."
I considered my options.
Option One: Find a librarian, lie through my teeth, and hope they'd let me in. (Risky. Also, I doubted Malphas would appreciate me dragging someone else into this.)
Option Two: Sneak in when no one was looking. (Better, but I'd need a distraction.)
Option Three: …Break in.
Knight nudged my leg, drawing my attention. He tilted his head toward the chains and let out a small, questioning huff.
I glanced back at the gate. The lock wasn't anything fancy—just a thick, rusted padlock.
I reached into my pocket, running my fingers over the edges of Malphas's black card.
Would this even work as a key?
Only one way to find out.
I pulled the card out and hesitated, then slowly slid it along the padlock's edge.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—click.
The lock unlatched.
I blinked.
"…Okay, that was way too easy."
Knight huffed, tail wagging slightly.
I pushed the gate open just enough to slip through, Knight following close behind.
The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
The air was heavier here, thick with something unnatural. The books weren't just old—they watched. Their covers twitched, their pages rustled, as if aware of our presence.
Knight let out a low growl.
"Yeah," I muttered. "Let's make this quick."
I moved carefully, scanning the shelves for anything resembling The Titan's Veil. The books here had no labels, no clear organization—just endless rows of knowledge that someone, at some point, had decided was too dangerous to share.
After several minutes, my eyes landed on a single, unassuming tome near the center of the room.
Dark blue cover. No title on the spine. Just an old, silver emblem etched into the surface—one that looked eerily similar to the shape of the Titan's skull.
I reached out and—
FWUMP.
A book from a higher shelf launched itself at my head.
I barely ducked in time.
Knight barked, snapping at the floating tome as it flapped its pages angrily, hovering like some kind of territorial bird.
"Seriously?!" I hissed.
The book twisted in the air, as if glaring at me, before suddenly darting toward another shelf.
I didn't have time to figure out what its deal was.
Shoving down my nerves, I grabbed The Titan's Veil and pulled it free.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
The entire room seemed to breathe.
The shelves groaned. The air shuddered. Shadows flickered at the edges of my vision, shifting, stretching—
Knight barked sharply, his fur bristling.
We needed to leave. Now.
Clutching the book to my chest, I turned on my heel and bolted for the gate.
Whatever was in this library?
It did not want me taking this book.
I didn't stop moving until I was well outside the library, putting as much distance between me and that entire mess as possible. Only when the looming spires were behind me did I finally allow myself to breathe.
Knight let out a small huff, shaking his fur as if to rid himself of the lingering tension.
"Yeah," I muttered, adjusting the strap of my bag. "That was way too close."
I glanced down at The Titan's Veil, still clutched in my hands. Now that I wasn't running for my life, I got a better look at it. The cover was old—really old. The leather was cracked, the title barely legible, but the weight of it felt… heavy in a way that had nothing to do with mass.
Malphas wanted this?
I exhaled, trying to steady my nerves.
Whatever was in here, it was important enough for the head librarian to personally get involved.
Which meant I definitely couldn't afford to get caught.
Knight whined softly, nudging my leg as if sensing my unease.
"I know, I know," I muttered, stuffing the book deep into my bag. "Let's get out of here before someone realizes I took it."
I pulled up my hood and melted into the bustling streets of the marketplace, keeping my head down.
Right now, I needed to get back to the Owl House—fast.
The streets of Bonesborough were as chaotic as ever, which worked in my favor. I kept my head down, letting the ebb and flow of the crowd swallow me up as I made my way toward the outskirts of town.
Knight trotted beside me, ears flicking in every direction, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. I could tell he was still on edge—probably picking up the scent of lingering ink and dust from the library.
I tightened my grip on my bag, feeling the weight of The Titan's Veil pressing against my side. The book felt heavier than it had any right to be, like it was demanding my attention even as I tried to focus on getting back unnoticed.
Just a little farther.
I turned down a quieter alley, away from the main streets, and picked up the pace. The Owl House wasn't far now—I just had to—
"Hey, you there!"
I stiffened.
A trio of demons blocked the alley ahead, their uniforms marking them as Bonesborough Guards. They didn't look particularly threatening—just your average enforcers, probably assigned to patrol the market district—but my pulse still spiked.
Had they already figured out I stole the book? No, that didn't make sense. No one had been following me, and I left before Malphas could raise an alarm. So why—
"You new around here?" one of them asked, squinting at me. "Haven't seen you before."
I forced a casual shrug. "Just passing through."
One of the other guards crossed their arms. "You look kinda young to be out on your own. Where's your coven sigil?"
…Oh.
Right. That was a thing here.
I glanced down at my bare forearm, where I definitely didn't have a sigil.
Think, think, think—
"I—uh—haven't chosen one yet," I said quickly. "Still deciding."
The first guard frowned. "That so?"
"Yeah," I nodded, trying to look as unbothered as possible. "Figured I'd take my time. Y'know, big life decision and all."
They exchanged looks.
Great. They weren't buying it.
Knight let out a low growl, stepping in front of me slightly. His fur bristled, just enough to look intimidating without outright threatening them.
The lead guard eyed him warily. "…That your familiar?"
I latched onto that immediately. "Yeah. He's… protective."
The guard hummed, clearly debating whether I was worth the trouble. Then, with a grunt, he stepped aside. "Alright, move along. Just don't go causing any trouble."
I nodded quickly. "Of course. Wouldn't dream of it."
I slipped past them, forcing myself to walk at a normal pace until I was sure they weren't watching me anymore. Only when I rounded the corner did I let out a slow breath.
That was way too close.
Knight nudged my hand, his golden eyes scanning my face like he was making sure I was okay.
"I'm fine," I muttered, reaching down to scratch behind his ears. "Let's just get home."
With that, I picked up the pace, moving swiftly through the winding paths until the familiar, crooked outline of the Owl House finally came into view.
Almost there.
I just had to hope Eda wouldn't ask too many questions.
I stepped up to the Owl House's front door, heart still hammering from the close call with the guards. The book felt like it was burning a hole through my bag, its weight a constant reminder that I was carrying something I definitely wasn't supposed to have.
Knight gave a small huff, nudging my leg impatiently.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," I muttered, reaching for the doorknob.
The door swung open before I could touch it.
I barely had time to react before something small and furry launched itself at my chest.
"Finally! My skull polisher!"
King clung to me like a very aggressive backpack, prying my bag open with his tiny claws. "Give it! I've been waiting all day for this!"
"Okay, okay, geez," I sighed, carefully maneuvering him off me before digging into my bag. I shoved The Titan's Veil deeper into the corner, then pulled out the small tin of enchanted wax. "Here."
King grabbed it with both hands, holding it up like it was the most precious thing in the world. "At last… perfection awaits!"
He immediately hopped off, muttering something about a throne and a royal grooming session.
I shook my head and stepped inside, shutting the door behind me.
Luz was sprawled across the couch, groaning into a pillow. "Eda, do we have to sell potions again tomorrow?"
Eda, who was lounging at the kitchen table, sipped from her ever-present mug. "Unless you'd rather start paying rent."
Luz groaned louder.
Eda glanced at me, one eyebrow raised. "You're back late."
I kept my face neutral. "Ran into some guards on the way back."
That got her attention. She set her mug down, eyes narrowing slightly. "Trouble?"
"Nothing serious," I said quickly. "Just questions. No one tried to arrest me or anything."
Eda studied me for a second, then leaned back with a smirk. "See? You're already getting the full Boiling Isles experience."
Lucky me.
I moved toward the stairs, keeping my grip tight on my bag. "I think I'm gonna call it a night."
Luz lifted her head. "You sure? I was gonna tell you about the super cool magic I learned today!"
"Tomorrow," I said, forcing a small smile. "I'm exhausted."
Luz pouted but didn't push. "Okay. Sleep well, dude."
I nodded and made my way upstairs, Knight following close behind.
As soon as we reached my room, I shut the door and let out a breath.
I needed to look at this book.
Knight jumped onto the bed as I carefully pulled The Titan's Veil from my bag. The worn cover felt rough under my fingers, and I could still smell the faint scent of ink and dust from the library.
Slowly, I flipped it open.
The first few pages were full of dense, archaic script—not quite the same as the Boiling Isles' modern writing, but close enough that I could mostly make it out. The illustrations were strange, depicting towering figures with elongated limbs, their faces hidden behind intricate masks.
I turned another page.
Then another.
And then—
I froze.
The image staring back at me was different from the rest.
It was a sketch of a figure in a tattered cloak, standing before what looked like a swirling portal. Their features were obscured, but there was no mistaking the shape of their hands.
Five fingers.
Not four.
A chill ran down my spine.
Knight let out a low whine, sensing my unease.
I swallowed hard and turned the page.
More sketches—some clearer, some faded. Diagrams of strange artifacts. Notes scrawled in the margins, too faded to fully read.
And then, at the very bottom of one page, a single word stood out among the rest:
"Human."
I stared at it, heart pounding.
This was proof. Actual proof that humans had been here before. That I wasn't the first.
But if that was true…
What happened to them?
I sat on the edge of the Owl House's porch, staring at the distant horizon where the sky bled into the boiling sea. Knight lay curled up beside me, his head resting on his paws, while my fingers absently traced the rough wood beneath me. The adrenaline from earlier had faded, leaving behind an empty sort of exhaustion.
The book sat beside me, closed but still heavy with everything it contained. Everything it meant.
Humans had been here before.
And yet, I was alone.
I exhaled slowly, watching the moonlight shimmer over the Isles.
Luz came outside not long after. She hesitated at the doorway, then plopped down next to me, swinging her legs over the edge. For a while, neither of us said anything.
Then—
"Do you ever feel like you were meant for something special?" she asked quietly.
I blinked, turning to look at her. She wasn't her usual energetic self. There was no spark in her eyes, no excited rambling about magic or adventures. Just quiet uncertainty.
"…Sometimes," I admitted.
She let out a small, humorless laugh. "When I first got here, I thought… maybe I was chosen, you know? Maybe there was a reason I ended up in this world. But now?" She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve. "Turns out I'm not some Chosen One. Just another kid running errands for a wanted witch."
I frowned. "What happened?"
Luz sighed, kicking her feet against the wood. "I got tricked. I thought I was on this amazing quest, but it was all fake. I almost got Eda and King captured because I wanted to believe I was special."
I stared at her for a long moment, then reached over and nudged the book toward her.
She raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"
I hesitated before answering. "…Proof."
Luz opened the cover, scanning the pages. Her eyes widened. "Wait… this is about humans."
I nodded. "Someone was here before us, Luz. Maybe more than one. And I don't know what happened to them, but…" I swallowed. "We're not the first."
Luz traced her fingers over the sketch of the cloaked figure, her expression unreadable.
Then she looked up at me.
"Do you think they felt the same way?" she asked. "Like they were meant for something more?"
I didn't know how to answer that.
Instead, I looked back at the Isles, the endless stretch of strange and dangerous land that had become our reality.
"…Maybe," I said.
She was quiet for a long time, then finally closed the book and placed it back beside me.
"I don't think I'm a Chosen One anymore," she admitted. "But… I still want to learn magic. I still want to be a witch."
I glanced at her. "Even after everything?"
She smiled—small, but real. "Yeah. Even after everything."
I considered that, then nodded. "Me too."
For the first time that night, the weight in my chest felt a little lighter.
Knight let out a soft huff, shifting closer to my side.
Luz stretched, letting out a loud yawn. "Okay, emotional talk over. I need sleep." She stood up, giving me a lazy salute before heading inside.
I stayed outside a little longer, staring at the book, at the Isles, at the stars above.
Maybe neither of us were chosen.
Maybe there was nothing special about us at all.
But we were here.
And for now, that was enough.