The Library of Alexandria was one of the crowning pinnacles of humankind. While only a part of the Mouseion, it was by far the most famous area, and the most famous library ever created by human hands. Sadly, more often than not, this famous landmark's story ended in fiery tragedy. Sometimes entirely destroyed, other times only partially but still with enough damage that it lost its original awe, its story was known far and wide throughout the many human civilisations throughout Creation. But there were some versions where it was never destroyed. The library's fame lived on, even several millennia after it should have crumbled. It was in one of these universes where Jay, Maddie, Kindra and Valria found themselves.

They stood on the planet Alexandria. Yes, planet. It was one of the many human civilisations throughout the Milky Way Galaxy and was a long way from its humble origins of Earth. The planet, unsurprisingly, had a heavy influence from ancient Greece and Egypt. From the buildings to the streets to the people and the culture, it felt a bit magical. That had nothing to do with actual magic, of course. Humanity had lost the path a long time ago, and very rarely did the Court of Lyriumia ever come across a version where it remained. No, instead the Humans relied on their own wits and technology to create marvels such as these.

The Mouseion towered over the four. It was built up a small, rolling hill covered in greenery and flowers. A staircase led up to the first level and was flanked on their side by painted stone Sphinxes. The main entryway had ionic columns following up the staircase and on either side of the white-and-gold-painted entrance. It was here where the four got their first close glimpse at the entirety of the Library. Another two staircases, marble, led up to a hexastyle portico – the entrance to the Library itself. The frieze of the portico was covered in colourful carvings of the Nine Greek Muses welcoming visitors who sought knowledge. On either side of the Library were two paths leading further into the Mouseion via six arches.

Maddie lowered her sunglasses, looking up at the Library. "That's not something you see every day. I thought Humans were more advanced than this."

"They are," Valria said, adjusting her black baseball cap to protect her pale skin from the harsh light of the Sun. She waved a small pamphlet. "According to this, the Humans moved the entire Mouseion brick by brick out here as a way to persevere it from the worsening climate."

"How does that work?"

"A lot of hard work and effort, and a bit of interference from the Muses themselves," Jay said with a wink. "Don't tell them that last part." Maddie covered her mouth with a hand to supress a laugh.

Kindra looked up at the Library with a confident smile. "It is considered to hold a lot of important antiquities and Human knowledge spanning the last four thousand years." She glanced at Valria. "Guessing on the year."

"It is 4,426 'Common Era'," the Shifter answered. "About forty-one hundred Earth years of knowledge."

Kindra nodded. "Close enough."

"Perfect place to find a knowledge or wisdon God," Maddie said. "Where do we start looking? Also, why this version of the Library in particular?"

Jay only smiled. "You'll see."

The four begun up the stairs.

"Stop! Halt!" They turned at the voice. A young man was running toward them, silver robes fluttering. One of the scholars. "Are you attempting to entire the Library with that?" He jabbed an accusatory finger at Kindra.

She crossed her arms. "Is there a problem, Sir?"

"You dare speak to your better?" His voice raised an octave. "Your kind are not welcome here!"

"Kind?" Kindra asked forcibly.

Jay stepped between her and the small man. "The Library is open to all who seek knowledge. Says so on the sign out front. Why can't Kindra come with us? She's a knowledge seeker."

"It's of the lesser kind!" the man squealed.

Behind Jay, Kindra cracked her knuckles. "Call me 'it' one more time. I dare you."

Jay held out an arm. "I'm sorry. We're not from here so don't understand. How is Kindra 'lesser' than us?"

The man puffed out his chest. "It is the will of God that its kind be barred from knowledge. It was made to serve those of us who follow Him. We have power over its kind. They belong to us!"

Valria braced a hand on her hip. "I honestly can't tell if this is a woman thing or a Black person thing, but since only Kindra can't go in, I'm guessing the latter."

The man now jabbed a finger at Valria. "I have grounds to expel you, too!"

"Elijah!"

The man paled at the sound of his name, turning to the newcomer. He was taller than Elijah with the same pale skin and a similar face. His robes, however, were white and lined with gold.

"Forgive me, Brother Daniel," Elijah started. He whipped around to the group, once again point at Kindra. "But they were trying to bring this thing into my Library!"

Daniel frowned disapprovingly at Elijah. "All seekers of knowledge are welcome in the Library. It is open to the people, not yours to own."

"But—"

He held up a hand. "I will handle the situation. Return to your department."

Elijah's face turned red with anger. With a final glare at the four, he spun on his heel and, head held high, followed the staircase up to the Library.

Daniel turned to Valria. "My apologies. Elijah is young. He is yet to learn the ways of the world."

"Not me you should be apologising to, mate." She tilted her head toward the writhing Kindra.

Daniel gave her a dismissive glance and turned his attention to Jay. "You should not have brought . . . her. Her presence upsets the scholars, Jason." He shook his head slowly. "Were you anyone else, I would you all escorted away."

"How lucky for me," Jay said flatly. "I came for your help, not to have your students take out their issues on my friend."

"We will talk inside," Daniel said, gesturing up the staircase.

"Not without Kindra. She comes or none of us go."

"Very well," he said, obviously forcing himself. "You all have my permission to enter."

"How gracious of you," Kindra muttered, breezing past, arm linked with Valria.

Maddie shrugged helplessly at Jay, going after the pair.

Jay forced himself to let out a calming breath. The sooner they determined whether the God was here, the better things would be for everyone.

* * * * * * * *

The interior of the library was breathtaking. The walls were lined with murals and gold left. Marble columns held the ceiling in place, though there was probably some interior working was well. Bookcases filled to the brim with books and scrolls reached the roof. Long polished-wood tables and benches filled the room. Booths were jammed into corners. Each desk had its own lamp, and panel lights had been installed in the ceiling. Bright green potted plants lined the walls and circled columns. But that wasn't the most impressive thing. Four statues stood at the centre of the library with their backs to each other.

The Greek Goddess Athena stood tall and proud. Her curly black hair was tied up underneath her famous golden helmet. Her grey eyes were stark against her olive skin. Her armour made of gold and partially covered by her famous aegis cloak. On her right shoulder was a small, grey owl. In her left hand was a tall spear.

The Greek God Apollo was instantly recognisable. In his short, golden hair was the famous laurel crown. His golden eyes glowed against his tan skin. He wore a simple tunic, a quiver full of arrows and a bow over his shoulder. In his right hand he held a lyre proudly.

The Egyptian God Djehuty – better known as Thoth – was hard to miss. He had the white head of an ibis, his black beak clearly polished often, and the body of a man. He wore a simple looking linen-coloured loincloth, the contrast bright against his dark skin. On his head was a headdress of the lunar disk. He held a sandstone scribe's palette and stylus.

The final statue was one nowhere near as well-known as the other three. The Egyptian Goddess Seshat. She was a young woman with dark skin and even darker hair. Her silver eyes appeared to shine. She wore a panther-skin sheath dress and a headband with horns and a star. In one hand, she held a simple stylus.

"Now those are some high-ranking knowledge deities," Kindra said in awe.

Daniel appeared surprised at her knowledge. "Yes, they and the Muses remain our faithful patrons."

Valria leaned closer to Maddie. "You also think it's hypocritical how two of those Gods are black and they're being worship, and yet they treat regular black people like that?"

Maddie let out a breath. "I thought it was just me!"

Jay crossed his arms with a smile. "A place where knowledge is valued and where the patron Gods are those of wisdom and knowledge. Where better to search for a Primordial."

"You really think he's here?" Maddie asked.

"No idea," Jay answered cheerfully. "Best get searching, eh?"

The group spit up. Maddie and Jay went one way. Valria, Kindra and, unfortunately, Daniel went the other.

"What are we looking for?" Maddie asked, marvelling at the books and scrolls. She'd never seen so many in one place. It was amazing!

"According to some very old stories of this place, there was a secret chamber built into the walls," Jay said. "No one has ever found it. Even when the Mouseion was moved out here, the chamber wasn't on any plans."

"Then how could they have built it?"

He shrugged. "It's possible it's still somewhere on Earth."

Maddie huffed. "Wouldn't that make being here, like, counterproductive."

"Probably," Jay agreed. "We still have to look."

* * * * * * * *

Valria and Kindra, as they searched, were trying to pretend Daniel didn't exist. This proved to be harder than first thought. Kindra could feel his gaze drilling into the back of her head. It was driving her crazy!

"Try to focus on what we're here for," Valria said, linking their arms. "Brother Racism over there is here to make sure we control ourselves." She rolled her eyes. "Some people, right?"

"'Control'," Kindra repeated with a snort. "What does he think we're gonna do, burn the place down? Steal shit?" She gasped dramatically. "Can you imagine what he would do if we touched something?"

"The audacity!" The two laughed. "But seriously." Valria continued, "I don't think Jay would've brought you if he knew."

"Believe me when I say I plan to talk with him later." Kindra looked over the pale sandstone walls. "So, if you were a secret chamber, where would you hide?"

"The floor," Valria said confidently. "No one would think to look there."

"It is possible. What do you think?" Kindra asked over her shoulder.

Daniel looked around, confused, then pointed to himself.

"Yes, you," Kindra confirmed. "If there was a secret chamber, where do you think it would be?"

"No such thing has been found," he answered hesitantly.

"Well, duh. That's why it's a secret chamber. Where do you think it could be?"

"I suppose the far end of the Library," Daniel said. "Only Heads and Carers have access to that area. If something of value were to be hidden, it would be either there or in the mirrored room at the other end of the Library."

Kindra shook her head with a sigh, pulling out her phone. "Was that really so hard to answer . . .?"

* * * * * * * *

"Kindra says we might find something at the far end," Jay said, reading the text he'd received.

"Uh-huh."

He turned to Maddie who was crouching, looking at something on the floor. He went to her and followed her gaze. Carved on the floor, done in the same colour so it was hard to see, was a familiar symbol: a feathered quill with mini carvings of Naiu and Naka's symbols. The symbol of Oluaz. After all, knowledge was neither good nor evil, it was the actions that came from the knowledge which determined it. Maddie and Jay exchanged glances. Maddie pressed the symbol.

The panel of flooring rolled back revealing a small storage chamber. Jay reached in, pulling out something wrapped in old cloth. Cautiously, he removed it. The object was a clay tablet covered in writing done in the Old Language. Right at the top was, again, the symbol of Oluaz. While Jay couldn't read the Old Language, he recognised the layout of the writing. They were some form of instruction.

He rewrapped the tabled with a smile. "Nice find, Mads."

She beamed. "I wasn't even looking for it, honestly."

"That's often when we find something." Jay helped her stand and, pushing the tablet into the crook of his arm, pulled out his phone to fire a text to Kindra. "Let's get out of here."