11-09: Not Just A Vault

"Veronica, why don't you pick put a few things for yourself? I'm sure they'd make excellent souvenirs for everyone waiting for you." Rena advised, giving Veronica a pat on the back

"Oh! Um, sure!" Veronica nodded and entered the vault, alongside many of the pirates moving back and forth, taking whatever they can out of the vault.

Veronica looked around at the treasures left. Bangels, bracelets, necklaces... There wasn't anything really of interest. Though, it was the candels that kept the vault well lit that caught Veronica's eye.

"We didn't light these... magic? Self lighting candles? Or have they been lit ever since this place was built?" She quietly spoke to herself.

With a light tug, the wall mounted candle tilted with a clicking noise, and right beside it, the wall opened up.

The opening revealed a long passageway with unlit sconces. Because of the darkness, it was difficult for Veronica to judge just how far it goes.

Cautiously, Veronica walked into the passageway, each time she got near to one of the sconces, they lit up, revealing more and more. The walls weren't decorated with any murals, just a long hallway.

But eventually, it lead to a simple wooden door. Elegant, but just basic wood. No lock on it either.

With a heavy push, Veronica opened the door, a large room that contained hundreds of books. And on the other side of the room was a chair with a skeleton sitting on it.

"Is this... a dungeon? No, it was meant to be like this?"

All the books Veronica looked at were written in the ancient and forgotten Hakano language. But she became more interested in the skeleton. She slowly approached it, readying herself as if the skeleton would just jump up suddenly. But nothing happened.

The skeleton wore clothing that was in tatters, impossible to tell what it used to look like. Meanwhile, a book, or perhaps a journal, sat upon the skeleton's lap.

Surprisingly, it was in Common. Veronica took a quick look at what it said...

I imprisoned myself in this old library. Our knowledge mustn't be lost! I only hope they do not find this place before someone who truly understands what needs to be done comes by.

I am, or was, if I am dead, Neria Lanko, Head Researcher of the Hakano, and a soldier in that stupid war. I developed a way to live in safety from the Angels, but it was rushed, only my children have been able to escape in them. As for me, I decided against being in the Dreamscape. There's too much in this library at risk of being discovered by the Angels.

I will defend this place with my life. If I am fortunate, my fate will be starvation or thirst. If not, then the Angels have found me.

If you are reading this, you don't need to do anything with my body. I wish for this place to become my resting place. If the Angels are gone, then you can bury my remains nearby, restore this library if possible. Protect this knowledge. Magic that not even my grandparents knew the existence of, the beings that control our world, this library is as old as our race.

And, if the Angels are defeated, ensure that their Master is dead.

The journal ended there. While there was more writing, it was clear that Neria had lost her mind with incoherent ramblings and chicken scratch.

However, she's right, all of this information is too important to lose. Especially if it contains anything that can defeat the Angels.

"So, there was a secret room, huh?" Rena said, spooking Veronica.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry about that, but you were in here for quite a while. Anything interesting."

"Yeah. We should inform Priscilla and Celia about this place. I should also see if Lilith and Hekna are fine with translating all this material. I should also see if I can get a team to transcribe this all to new pages..."

"Hold your horses there girl. We're still on an uninhabited island we need to get off first."

"Ah, right. Let's go then."

The two left, ensuring to close all the doors to try and preserve whatever is in there, just in case someone else comes by.

Though, Veronica didn't leave empty handed. She kept Neria's journal, just in case.