I bolt out of my last class as I make my way to the library. It's about time, I thought as I climb the steps in what feels like forever.

The grand gates stand tall, the intricate designs a glad welcome as I push the gates apart to see a whole new library. It had the same interior, but the number of students made it seem completely different. It looked complete. It really shows that what makes a library so magical is not only the books but the people who come to it. A library is not meant to be empty.

I couldn't find a place to rest my bag, to be honest, I didn't even bother to look, and just set my bag on the ground and stalked off.

The Jasus's were a topic where people were not inclined to talk about, so what are the chances that I would find information in books about them?

I was walking to the only shelves whose category I knew of— fiction— when I saw Danial and Professor Grim talking quietly near the back. They were bending their heads, and speaking with a stiffness only they could manage.

My steps falter and my mind debates over whether I should listen in or not. It wasn't a secret how I felt about them, but it also was obvious they had way more knowledge than me when it came to anything Parax. But even when I knew I didn't like them or trust them, I find my feet taking me to them. Curiosity won in my internal struggle, and I innocently make my way over to the bookshelf behind them and pull out a random book as I stuffed my face into it, leaning forward to catch their words.

"-the Fizi Kuhl Jasus?" I heard Daniel say, making me jolt at hearing that word in the mouth of someone other than me, and making me wish I heard the first part of his sentence.

I peek through the books to see Grim twirl his beard as he ponders over what Daniel said. "I believe", he begins. "That the Jasus's— both of them— were keys to something." He plays with a book in his hands as he continues.

"I mean, they had to be. They were written by two of the most capable people, not just in the context of the Parax world, but the whole world. Fizi Kuhl was," he lets out an exasperated sigh "an exceptional individual and contributed greatly to the development of all mankind. And Mena Tal? Putting aside his faults, he was a worthwhile and dedicated person worthy to be praised."

Okay, listening to his words it isn't hard to realize that Grim believed that Mena Tal betrayed the Parax people. That, along with the fact that he didn't stop Danial in class from attacking Andrew— who I later found out was Ghostilios— was enough to tell me Grim's type. He's most likely Linopia.

I guess his strong hatred for me is kind of explained there. He believes Mena Tal betrayed the Parax, Mena Tal was Ghostilios, I'm ghostilios.

So why did he appear to hate only me?

Grim sighs dreamily "To have access to those books, it could mean, well, anything".

Danial speaks up and says, "Why can't I find any information on the Jasus's here?". His words cause me to flinch at the resemblance they had to my very own thoughts mere seconds ago.

"That is because there is not much information on them. The few books we have on them are distributed throughout the Parax world. FiziTal Obasi is home to some, although they are located in the restricted area of the library. Students do not have access there, nor do many teachers. If learning about this is something you would like to pursue— and as a teacher, it would be my pleasure to encourage and guide your curiosity— I could speak to Headmaster Hummingherd about allowing viewing periods for you. That would allow you to read some of the books, although it would have to be under the watchful eye of authorities. First you would have to go through the credentials process before being allowed anywhere close to those books."

"How long does the process usually take?" Daniel asks as I adjust my position to see his face through the spaces between the books.

"You never know" Grim replies. "At least never less than six months. And with recent events with you, they will probably require you to wait longer".

Danial grumbles as he turns away and looks across the room in evident annoyance. Turning back to Grim he says "Yes, let him know I want this done. Thank you for your help, sir"

Grim gives him a reassuring pat on the back, and as I turn to get a look at him, I stumble as I see that his eyes are already looking at me. The hatred he tried to mask this whole week was on his face, and for a couple seconds, he didn't attempt to hide it either.

"Ms. O'Henry", he growls.

His face suddenly turned pleasant, and his tone turned icy but not unwelcoming, and even though he was attempting to hide his true feelings, I could see glimpses in his eyes. "How about you enlighten us on that book you're reading. You've seemed so engrossed in it this whole time."

I lace my fingers together as I come to stand in front of them, pursing my lips as I squirm under the heat of their scrutiny. Danial was sending daggers my way, and I don't know if it's because he hates me personally, or if he hates that I overheard his conversation.

"Did you learn anything from what you heard?" Grim asks as he makes me know he was aware of my presence. I look up at him through my lashes. If he knew I was listening, why not call me out earlier? It seems as if Grim wanted me to know those things.

I shrug lifelessly, praying they would accept that as an answer.

Danial seems to be bothered by the idea of me listening in, and looks irritated as he looks around, possibly looking for other eavesdroppers.

Grim just stares blankly at my bare response, and finally says. "Fine, don't talk", he turns to Danial. "I'll talk to Headmaster Hummingherd and let you know about the waiting period".

Danial nods, and as they are both walking away Danial seemingly running away— I speak up suddenly.

"Wait". I say, no longer caring if they knew I was eavesdropping. I needed answers, and Grim would give them. "Do you think the Jasus's are destroyed? Why would people destroy them?". I repeated the same questions I asked Yellowstone, hoping Grim could give me more insightful answers. Maybe if I can find out why they were destroyed, I can find out their importance to the world.

And to M.

Grim looks over at me from the top of his head, pushing his glasses up as he thinks about my question. Danial comes to stand next to him, eager for more information— when he was all but out the door seconds ago.

"The chances of them being around are the same as the odds of the Magik coming back" he states plainly. "There is no chance that those books are still around, and if there was, I pray for the world".

Daniel looks just as confused as me." Why?" he asks. "What's so dangerous about them?"

"That goes back to Olivia's question— why were they destroyed? Simple, books contain knowledge. Knowledge grants power. Power in the wrong hands can be devastating. So the best decision was to withhold that knowledge from the world. It was the safest decision for all of humanity, especially considering the Jasus were unlike any other book."

Danial and I are quiet as we mull over that, and I ask, "The way you worded that, it makes me think that the Jasus's were deliberately destroyed".

Grim nods his head, and gestures for elaboration.

Continuing off, I say, "I have a hard time believing the Jasus's got destroyed because someone accidentally forgot to get them after a house went on fire. They were too important to be just accidentally destroyed, or even forgotten. If the Jasus's were destroyed, it was by someone who recognized their possible danger. The only question is— who was that person?"

Danial starts thinking aloud. "Fizi Kuhl and Mena Tal were unlikely to destroy them— they made them and poured their life's work into them— so that's out of the question. The Jasus's were stolen countless times throughout the past, and one of those thieves could have stolen it. That's another set of questions since most common thieves of that time were stealing for the possible gain they would have, not for the greater good of the world. But there was this one guy- what was his name?". He thinks back and snaps his fingers, "Davis Van Something. He was in the reading you assigned us Professor, and they said he may have been the last known person to have had the Mena Tal Jasus. For all we know, he could have destroyed that and somehow gotten the Fizi Kuhl Jasus as well".

I turn to face Danial, "But you said it yourself. He was the last known person to have it, what about all the unknown? What about the fact that Davis Van Schlein was one foot in the grave by the time it was recorded that he had the Mena Tal Jasus. That gives plenty of opportunities for someone else to snatch it, without letting that get in the history books''. Yeah, I read the textbook too. "Besides that, what connection did he have to the Jasus or Mena Tal that he wanted to destroy them? It doesn't make sense".

Danial nods to what I said, face pulled in thought. "By the course of the conversation, it's easy to assume that we could keep going forever with guesses about who destroyed what and coming up with reasons they couldn't have. The end of the Jasus's is a mystery" Danial says. "But that may be because we're looking at it from the end".

"I was thinking the same thing", I say to him as I nod. "If we start at the beginning of the Jasus's and trace our way through who had it after, and so on, we could end up with an idea over who had it last".

"But that's also useless" he speaks up, "since no historians can even agree on the order, or have reliable sources to back their claims. And that goes to what you said, how would we account for all the people we dont know about who had the Jasus? The chain would be misled then."

Me and Daniel look at each other as we have similar thoughts running through our heads, and I turn to Grim and say, "How much of what we said is remotely close to the truth?"

Grim shrugs, "I can't say— partially because I want to encourage you to find your own information instead of relying on others providing it for you, but partially because I simply don't know. Any matter on the Jasus is frisky. We have no concrete evidence or datato go either way of the arguement, so it's all up in the air of what happened."

Grim continues by saying, "The Jasus's are books of immense value. They could reveal great knowledge, scandalous secrets, and profound discoveries". He shakes his head sadly. "It's a shame we don't have them now".

"Where's the section of the library with the information on the Jasus" I ask, at the same time Danial asks "How do you know for sure they are gone?"

The look we give each other says just how much we were also thinking about the other person's question.

Grim seems to have still understood us despite us speaking over each other and says "Follow me, I will lead you to it. As for your question Danial, it is believed that the Jasus's were destroyed when the original FiziTal Obasi, the namesake of our school and also the Parax sanctuary, was destroyed".

Grim leads us past all the other students, and up a set of stairs as we stop in front of a set of double-decker doors. Not only did the size of the doors tell you they were guarding something important, but the gold that outlined it screamed importance.

If I was guarding something important, I thought, I wouldn't make it obvious where I was hiding it.

Grim proudly opens his hands to display the doors and says "This is the restricted area of the library, where you can find what you both seem interested in". He looks over at me, "Would you like me to also get you through the process of reading the books as well?"

"What do you mean reading the book? I thought I could go in there after the process was done?" Danial asks.

"Oh no no, after the process is complete they will allow you to read the books in a separate room under lock and key. That is, as well, assuming they allow you to see it. The process is a very strict one, but at least that's better than nothing".

"Yes" I say. "It's better than nothing. Thank you. Can you still get me through the process?"

His reply is interrupted as the huge doors push open, forcing us to step back. Walking calmly out is a janitor, pushing his cart slowly as he waves to Professor Grim.

Professor Grim strikes up a conversation with him, and I look around bored as I wait for him to return his attention to us. Danial catches my eye, and he inclines his head to the janitor. I look at him, and after seeing nothing, I raise my eyebrows at Danial in confusion. He raises his eyebrows higher, and points discreetly at the key chain the janitor had around his belt. Eyes wide, I looked at the one key that matched the exterior of the doors.

Grim takes a step back to allow the janitor to pass, and I ask him my next question. "I thought you said that only certain people could be allowed in?"

"Yes well, like any other place, this place also needs to be cleaned. He's a very trustworthy man and has proven himself to us many times, so he is one of the few people with keys to access the library".

"He didn't lock the door", Danial says abruptly. "I mean, he didn't use them to ensure the door stayed locked, so what's stopping us from opening the door now?"

"You should know by now Danial, that everything in the Parax world is magic. You could try to open the door, but with no success. The key is needed to open the door, not close it. And if you notice, this is one of the few doors opened this way, other doors require shows of magic to be opened".

Danials nods his understanding, and I can only think about how true that is. Throughout coming here, I've learned that most important doors could be opened in unusual ways.

"Well then", Grim says "I have to head on away now. Thank you both for the entertaining conversation. As your teacher, I can only give you information. What you choose to do with it is entirely your choice. I bid you both a good day".

I sigh. Maybe Grims not as bad as I thought. He didn't seem that bad just now, and he answered all my questions, at least to the best of his ability.

Me and Danial share a look, and I see my determination mirrored back at me.

Who cares about a waiting period?

We were getting in there tonight.

Through the corner of my eye, I see Grim standing. I turn to face him and smile my thanks, though that smile falters as I get the feeling that he knew what we were planning on doing. He nodded his head and quickly strode away.

I still saw his look though.

The hatred was back, still on show.

But this time, there was a little bit of remorse.