As the librarians took their first steps inside a world beyond their comprehension, many feelings were expressed alongside their thoughts. Of course, with so many of them, a good part was bound to match, with notable ones being:

"What is this place?"

"Just standing here is giving me a headache."

"Let's deal with this as quick as possible."

Around them, a reality that worked and looked completely different to the one they were used to revealed itself. Both librarians saw with their own eyes a realm that seemed to extend in all directions for all eternity.

...Or it looked to be the case. Angela's assistant knew that this enclosed space had its "limits", no matter how big it appeared.

The duo consisting of the Patron librarian assigned to the Floor of Art, Netzach & said helper silently acknowledged the floor they were standing on. Around them, as far as the eyes could see, the depth of space was offered for view... if it was viewed through the doodles belonging to a child.

To further prove this point, the dark void surrounding them was filled with bright and childish hearts, acting as the sole light source in this place.

Finally, the mastermind, the creator of said environment stood a few meters away. Their target stood silently, not appreciating their intrusion.

Netzach: ...These distant echoes, I still can't forget the ringing.

Y/N: Hearing its cries was enough to send my coworkers into a panic, though I don't blame them.

The mere sight of the Abnormality standing before them was enough to send shivers through the exhausted worker's body, remembering the screams of his fellow colleagues as they were forced to hear the song produced by it.

Just thinking about all of it made his heart beat faster.

However, despite that, they both had a reason to be here: suppress the Fragment of the Universe and rescue the trapped employee bound to this book.

A deep sigh was exchanged for different reasons between the ones assisting the growth of the Library. Once their feelings were tossed aside, they brandished their weapons in unison. The one assigned to no specific floor held his standard blade while his ally was carrying the massive sword that the boy named Mars held.

Afterwards, both sides charged at each other.

Upon entering the clashing range of the Abnormality of low rank, Y/N opened the act with an upward swing that pushed both sides away. The dark tentacle aimed at the ex-agent was met by the steel of his tool, creating an artificial light in this bleak world.

A gleam showed in his gaze and soon after, the tired puppet continued his attack with a stab directly inside Fragment of the Universe's body before forcefully pulling his blade out.

To the surprise of no one present, the gash left behind by his piercing strike caused no apparent bleeding at first. Both Netzach and his temporary assistant were not expecting much from this.

Unfortunately, this seemingly benign wound was enough to make the Abnormality they were tasked to suppress double down on the aggressiveness, which was quickly demonstrated by impaling the man with green hair.

The attacked Sephirah soon dropped on the "ground" but was not ignored by the creature belonging to a distant place in the endless void of space. In fact, the reward obtained for suffering the first injury on the side of the Library was a second one that firmly pinned him on the floor.

Y/N: Whoa- H-Hey!

Taken aback by the sudden change of behaviour that he did not expect from the once rather friendly Abnormality, the captain that was under Tiphereth's order during his stay at Lobotomy Corp. went to Netzach's rescue.

What could have caused such a change? The question floated in his mind as he stepped closer to deliver a blow that would release the held Patron librarian.

He perfectly remembered the words that were given by Angela to explain how these books containing the Abnormality trapped within worked. They simulated a perfect but small reality that would attend to its owner's desires while the agent would be left under their effect.

...So why was it acting so unlike what one would expect from an environment like this?

This final question of his was quickly met with a powerful horizontal swing sent against the side of his face by the Fragment of the Universe. The whiplash immediately made his body spin around before falling on his side.

His vision was filled with imaginary stars in that state until an ear-shattering echo rang against his eardrums, forcing him to drop his weapon to protect his poor mind from listening to what was indirectly attacking him.

The mere sensation of feeling the soundwaves grazing his skin was enough to give him the urge to slam his skull against the solid "space" below him. This horrid melody directly attacked his sanity and slowly but surely broke it apart.

It was not the first time the employee had to deal with the song uttered by the creature standing in front of him but unlike the previous times, a lack of E.G.O to protect him against its effect showed him just how dangerous it truly was.

Thankfully, his agony soon came to an end, allowing him to finally remove his hands from his ears.

Y/N: Ha... ha... ha...

He was sweating bullets at the thought of listening to this torture for a second time.

Netzach: ...?

During that moment of agony, the sight of the man Angela ordered around desperately trying to not shatter his skull to end his pain was the only sight the trapped Patron librarian could witness.

He simply couldn't understanding what caused such a drastic reaction. What he heard was unlike anything he ever experienced in both his first and second life. There was no "song", no "echo" but instead a panoply of whispers, all muttering in different tones.

Everything was mashed together to form a cacophony in his head.

"The vast, glittering echo approaches..."

"Let us sing together."

"The world of subconscious denies all common sense, refuting the worlds in the mirror."

"Show us the ethereal images..."

"The glaring sun perishes in the horizon."

The one in charge of the Floor of Art desperately tried to struggle out of the Abnormality's grasp, despite still being overwhelmed by the number of voices ringing in his mind.

In an attempt to put an end to the mental burden placed on him by the Fragment of the Universe, Netzach swung his large blade to stun his opponent. The once silent metal whistled as it tore through the air until its target was reached.

The sudden shift of weight was enough to make it stumble backward, allowing the one dressed in a previous guest's clothes to escape.

Netzach: ...You alright?

Y/N: ...

His apathetic voice calmly asked but obtained no answer... or at least not any direct one. The eyes belonging to the director's assistant were fixated on the one they had to suppress with dread.

Said foe soon turned to face the intruders invading its territory, still determined to get rid of them. Without a moment to let them catch their breath, the living doodle shortened the distance between them and went for a stab with one of its many tentacles.

Not willing to let this attack land, both workers dodged and retaliated with their weapons. However, to the surprise of the duo, their attacker quickly responded by swinging more of its limbs.

Both of them were quickly thrown off-balance for a moment, allowing the being from a far world to puncture them in the chest.

The ex-Sephirah barely shrugged off the assault, a response that was shared with his helper.

Out of frustration, the one who was once looked up to as a captain went for a sideway slash with just enough force to let out his anger. The cut left behind was sadly worth nothing except pushing it closer to Netzach.

The opening given to him was taken in the form of a hefty swing at the lone Abnormality.

In response, the strange entity let out a shriek that immediately caused Angela's exhausted puppet to cover his ears out of pure instinct. He heard its echo once and was not about to let it get to him a second time so easily.

...Seconds passed but strangely, nothing followed said noise. Confused by this lack of response, the librarians removed their hands and saw the aggressive enemy they were struggling to clash with now lowered to the ground.

What caused such a change in behaviour? For the second time, no answers could be found. Fragment of the Universe remained completely motionless, content with staring at the duo without making a single sound.

Was it staggered? Was Netzach's strike enough to make it lose its grip? That possibility floated around for a moment until the assistant noticed that the body of the Abnormality was slightly turned to face away from them.

It was looking towards something, something that was not in their direction.

Y/N: ...

A frown formed itself on the fatigued agent's face. A faint whisper in the back of his mind was telling him that something was off.

Unlike him though, the Patron librarian took this as a sign to put an end to this, probably hoping that they'll be able to go back sooner if they finished the fight right there and then.

The ex-employee's eyes widened and one of his hands reached for the man with green hair, way too late to stop him unfortunately.

The words he wished he could have uttered before the attack remained trapped in his throat as he watched him lower his giant blade on the creature. One thing remained faster than the weapon: his thoughts. His brain assessed the scene unfolding and solemnly spoke up in defeat.

"Welp, there goes our efforts."

His own mind simply accepted the outcome, knowing that it wouldn't be able to do anything in time.

...Only to quickly change gears and show genuine confusion upon seeing the Abnormality in front of them casually tank the hit without any riposte. The Patron librarian showed the same emotion and took a few steps back.

Their opponent was locked onto something in the darkness of the world surrounding them. Its focus was maintained on a thing that both librarians could not witness with their eyes. Suddenly, it sprung back into action and reached for the man assigned as the leader of the Floor of Art.

The moment it did so, the sound of a metallic chain echoed, followed by a metal ball landing directly in its body.

Y/N: A little too close for comfort.

Angela's unwilling helper sighed and charged at the foe, his weapon turning back into a regular sword as he did so. By his side, the one who almost turned into a skewered victim was also readying his attack.

Still not recovered from the initial shock of the blunt attack, the lone entity rose up a second too late and was met with a combo from both men that fully pushed it inside its metaphorical grave.

After its many stabs and horrifying screeches, seeing its body combust into golden pages left the duo completely speechless for a second. Finally, they let out a deep breath of relief.

...

An entire minute at minimum was spent by the remaining side to recuperate. Afterwards, they stood up and glanced at each other. The arguably hardest part was now behind them, all they needed to do now was rescue the trapped employee.

Y/N: ...I don't see anyone nearby.

Although they proclaimed the harder part was dealt with, the truth was that they had no idea where to look. Around them, the dark void was all they could see with the exception of a few childish hearts that now lost their colors, an effect caused by the death of the Fragment of the Universe.

They were standing on a solid platform made of "space", with nothing serving as a possible bridge around it. They were properly stuck there with nowhere to go.

Y/N: ...

Netzach: ...Maybe we have to jump off of it?

Y/N: That doesn't sound like the best idea.

The assistant replied with a bead of sweat on his face. As much as he would like to go and risk it, he knew that Angela would definitely not let it pass the moment he would be revived if something went wrong and as much as he would like to do it just to spite her, he had another reason to refrain from doing so.

Left with no good plan, the workers looked at each other, trying to find a solution to their problem.

Netzach: ...I wonder what it must feel like, to float in an endless void and never reach a destination.

Y/N: ...Float in the void.

The assistant librarian blinked once as he repeated the words spoke by the one wearing Mars' clothes. Remembering the last moments of the Abnormality they fought, the captain suddenly walked in the direction it faced and took a long look in the horizon.

Of course, nothing was there. With the exception of pure darkness, there was no point of interest in sight.

This, however, didn't stop him. At first, the director's helper reached past the limits of the floor they were standing on but nothing occured. After this failure, he hesitantly reached past the border with his foot.

As soon as he dared defy the limits given to them, the impossible occured. Mysteriously grabbed by an unknown force, the assistant was pulled off of the platform and began to float in the air, no longer affected by gravity.

A yell of shock slipped out from him as he desperately tried to stabilize his spinning body. The lack of clear ground for him to feel did a number on his brain and quickly began to make him feel an intense vertigo.

In a last ditch effort, the floating worker focused his energy on his weapon and transformed it once more into a chain belonging to the Forsaken Murderer and sent it at Netzach while holding onto one side.

The Patron librarian hurriedly grabbed it and tried his best to remain firmly in place.

This one simple action allowed the levitating employee to keep himself relatively motionless. His face was sickly pale and the urge to puke was strong. The complete loss of his sense of direction in a dark place without any gravity sent his mind into a panic.

Y/N: Ha... ha... ha...

Yet, despite his current state, his ears were able to hear a noise in the distance, deeper in this fake reality. After taking a moment to focus on it, he slowly understood what it was.

It was a song, someone was singing in this place, just a little further away.

Y/N: ...I can hear something in there.

Was this the cause of the Abnormality's abrupt change of behaviour? Maybe it took notice of this anomaly and decided to see if it could locate the source.

Regardless, they now had a potential lead but unfortunately, the chain was not long enough for him to go explore. He would either have to let go of it or bring Netzach with him by keeping the chain between them as a way to not lose each other.

...If he let go of it, the chain would revert back into its original form, meaning only one choice truly was possible in this scenario.

Y/N: We're gonna have to go together. Don't let go of the chain.

A sigh escaped from Netzach, probably not pleased with the idea. Nonetheless, he did as he was told and took a small and hesitant jump into the void past the limits of the floor they had been given.

Now that both of them were together, they now had to fight back the lack of gravity in an attempt to reach the song coming from somewhere.

The travel, if one could call it that, was far from pleasant. The librarians spent multiple minutes trapped in endless darkness with only the cold metal of the chain keeping them from completely losing it.

Their brains had a serious struggle dealing with this situation and headaches were the least of their concerns. One thing was certain though, being trapped in space like this sucked.

Y/N: ...Gonna... be... sick.

Netzach: Ahh... my headache is not going to get better.

However, slowly but surely, the origin of this odd singing grew closer until the duo was suddenly struck by a second switch of gravity, sending them tumbling down on a second platform far from the first one.

A groan was shared between the librarians and they awkwardly rose to their feet, feeling like the ground was shaking below them.

At last, they were at their destination, the one thing that would allow them to finally leave this hellish world.

Standing on the other side, a figure was staring at the edge of this fabricated world, muttering to themselves. At first, they couldn't understand what they were saying but soon enough, it became the least of their worries.

Netzach: I think I...

The Patron librarian grabbed his head and whispered to himself something that was immediately ignored by his temporary ally once his eyes landed on the person in front of them.

Y/N: No...

Once his eyes finally took in the details, his brain stopped for a moment. The one singing to themself had long brown reaching the waist and a stature that exuded a certain confidence. Finally, once they noticed the disturbance behind them, they slowly turned around and revealed a pair of red eyes with one of them hidden behind their bangs. These specific details made the assistant's heart stop for a second.

There was only one person he knew that could have this look and once their voice spoke up, it was like an arrow had pierced him.

Hava: Well, looks like you finally got here.

Y/N: H... Hava?

Hava: ...

Just like the last time he saw her, a smile filled with confidence was given to him as she stepped closer. Then, she placed her left hand on his right shoulder and dispelled his shock with a tone he was used to.

Hava: Hey, what's got you like that, don't tell me you fell in love at first sight~

Her usual teasing voice snapped him out of his stupor.

Y/N: I...

His words couldn't escape his mouth. He was completely frozen in place, unable to formulate a coherent sentence. Then, after a long moment, he simply decided to throw out the sentence he wished he could say and simply grabbed her for a tight hug.

Hava: Woah, hey, no need to break my back during our reunion, I kinda need it you know~

Netzach: Hm, I think I remember you being in my department...

Hava: Yes sir, employee Hava at your service!

...

...

Roland: ...I don't think I remember him being this excited before. I don't know how to feel about this.

The Grade 9 Fixer spoke to himself as he watched the assistant librarians grouped together. Angela's assistant was beaming with a mix of relief and genuine happiness for the first time ever since he woke up in this Library.

It looked so strange that the man could barely look at it. It was so different from the usually cold and spiteful man he learned to know, it felt like he was facing a completely different person.

Next to him, the new addition to the Library was leaning her head against one of her fists and showed a large grin that never seemed to disappear.

The conversations went back & forth between the involved people with seemingly no end. The poor guest was left completely bewildered by the amount of words exchanged per minute. Deciding that it was not his place to butt in, he quietly retreated back into the hallway.

All he needed was a spot for him to take it easy and nothing else. As the idea of an ideal resting place popped into his head, his footsteps became double, forcing him to snap out of his daydream.

His head glanced behind him and saw a certain someone had followed him, a certain girl with red eyes and a large smile. Her hands were placed behind her back, as if pretending she was an innocent kid.

Roland: Oh... huh, sorry for interupting.

Hava: It's fine, I doubt they noticed you anyway.

Roland: ...It definitely felt like an indirect insult with your tone.

The low-ranked Fixer talked to himself. The girl in front of him ignored his remark and tilted her head slightly to the side.

Hava: So you're Roland. I suppose I should thank you keeping a certain someone in check.

Roland: Hm? Angela?

Hava: Close~ I was refering to her assistant.

Roland: I don't remember doing much, especially not enough to warrant a thank from someone.

As he replied, the man in a black suit looked back at the time he spent with the exhausted ex-agent. No matter how he looked at their exchanges, there wasn't much that he would consider noteworthy.

He didn't feel like he accomplished anything that really mattered or deserved this. Most of their encounters were some small conversations that did nothing more than pass the time.

It was nothing like how he saw him a  moment ago.

Roland: He seems a lot more cheerful with you guys, I don't think I did much.

Hell, the last thing he remembered, the assistant's mood took a turn for the worst in the recent days ever since the strange battle he had with the director. His spite that was once barely hidden was... suppressed. Life was sucked out of his soul for an unknown reason.

Probably understanding what he was thinking about, the recently awakened girl frowned slightly and turned her head in the direction she came from.

Hava: So you did notice it too...

Roland: Too?

Hava: Of course. While us librarians are trapped within the worlds created by the Abnormality, we can partially observe the events that occur inside the Library, which is why I knew your name.

Her head slowly turned back to look at the Fixer and for the first time, the smile she always held was not there. Her eyes were avoiding his as she continued with a rather solemn voice.

Hava: Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see what caused this... but I know something happened between Angela and him. Though, I have my own theories.

Roland: I see, care to share some of your wisdom~?

Hava: ...Sorry, can't do that, wouldn't want to throw my bullets too soon~

Netzach's first assistant replied with the same intonation that Roland used, giving him a shiver. Her smile was now back, as if it never left in the first place. Any trace of a somber mood around them vanished in an instant and her red eyes pierced through his soul.

Hava: As I was saying, thank you for your help, mister Roland~

Roland: Please don't say it like that, it makes me feel older than I'd like to...

The Grade 9 Fixer's shoulders dropped as he let out his feelings about the sudden word added in front of his name. A chuckle was all he got in return for his request before his interlocutor turned around to go back the way they came from.

Hava: I have to go back, they'll notice my absence otherwise. Have a nice day, mister Roland~

Roland: ...

The final words sent his way bounced around almost like a ghost haunting its killer. Just hearing that "mister" was enough to give him 5 more years than he already had. A bead of sweat formed on his face as her voice remained clear in his head.

Roland: I'm gonna need a long nap for that one.

Fragment of the Universe's suppression completed.

Y/N's existence has been stabilized.

???'s existence has been stabilized.

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