Tales Of Fantasia

"Ah! Pi's Journey, the classic, I am happy you have chosen it. Can I ask your reason for choosing it? Just out of curiosity."

The other two books disappeared only leaving one with a cover title named "Pi's Journey" which Edward felt like the clear knockoff of the classic fairy tale of Pinocchio. 

"Because it was the odd one among the three."

"What makes it so odd?"

"My gut feeling."

"Is that so? Then shall we start the story?"

"Before that can't you tell me what does "Finishing The Story" mean? Like how will I do that and all."

But the faceless librarian didn't answer him and opened the book as it glowed brightly from the open pages, a feeling of space distorting and being absorbed into the book was creepy but Edward decided to accept it. He was already thinking this was probably what the faceless librarian meant finishing the story.

"You better be telling the truth when this one will save me from certain death in the real world."

With that, Edward disappeared from where he was sitting which only left the now silent faceless librarian and the book he was holding.

"Wish you a safe journey, my dear customer Edward Lavrens."

***

The night sky was hidden behind the cover of the dark clouds and it's raging thunder. Under this terrible weather, a lonely city stood there on the top of the mountain, there in one of the many towers of the city a lonely figure of an old man sitting on his old wooden chair.

His old wrinkly face is illuminated under the orange light of the lamb, his hands are now thin and wrinkled reminding the ancient oak tree is now tapping on the handle of the wooden chair impatiently. The sound of roaring thunder echoed behind him outside the window but he ignored it only staring at the operation table in front of himself.

There lies a young man, his face was handsome almost flawless, his pale skin perfectly reflected the incoming light of the lamp showing its flawlessness, and his black hair was soft as silk shining with youthful luster. He was lying on the table silently, he looked so peaceful so still just like a painting.

Soon old man closes his eyes as if anticipating that something will happen and it does happen. A pale white lightning struck the flag pole on the top of the tower sending electricity directly towards the silently lying young man. He shook a few seconds from the shock before calming down then he slowly opened his eyes at the same time as the old man.

***

"My son, you have finally woken up. I was afraid that these old bones have finally lost their touch."

An old voice that wasn't like anyone Edward had heard before reached his ears, the voice was filled with sorrow and affection as if finally seeing someone he hadn't seen in a long time. He turned his head around and saw the ancient oak-like old man looking at him with his deep gray eyes.

"Do you remember your old man? Do you remember this old place?"

The language the old man spoke wasn't one he ever heard of but strangely enough, he understood the meaning behind those words clearly. Edward opened his mouth and tried to answer him hoping that his speech would be translated into the unknown language like how old man did.

"No..."

Upon hearing his answer the old man's eyes widen for a second before calming down, he lets out a tired sigh.

"Oh, Pi... my poor, poor boy. I am truly sorry, please forgive your old father. This old man has aged and his skills have been rusted too."

A thin line of tears formed on his old thin cheeks as it reflected the light of the lamp. He then slowly gets up from the chair the old bones of his make a sound every time he moves as if at any moment he will break apart like an old doll.

Coming in front of him with great difficulty he fell on one of his knees and stretched his hand to his cheek gently. The warmth of his old yet caring hand felt on Edward's now cold cheek.

"Pi... please forgive your insolent father... you were right my son... I have become old... too old... I shouldn't have kept ruling... I should have handed the throne to you long ago... now look at you... my dear boy now can't even remember his papa..."

At the top floor of one of the many nameless towers of the city, the old man quietly sobs in front of a young man as his saddened eyes look at the floor in shame.

***

"So I am not only thrown to the story but must complete the story as the main character?"

Edward now in Pi's body sits on his new bed, the softness of the mattress made him simply wanna lay on it forever. He looks down and his eyes land on the pic of a young man in a dark blue suit with a sword with a golden hilt in his hand. He was standing proudly on the shore as the sea waves hit the rocks behind him, he looked proud and happy.

Pic was too clean to be fainted meaning it was photographed not painted by hand, which makes sense since the setting of this world is steampunk not medieval era as he used to.

He stretched a little making his body make a faint cracking sound, his body felt lighter than usual and he could feel every part of his clearer than ever. From the tip of his toe to the end of his hair, he could feel everything clearly. This indicates the fact that this body isn't a biological one but rather a manmade mechanical one. You could even call it an engineering miracle if you want to.

'So original Pi was the prince of this nation.'

He remembered the story told to him by the old man, the history of this nation or at least the city he presumed. The first people came here on a journey to find a gold mine and get rich but instead of gold they found something more magical in the depth of this mountain.

They named the newly discovered substance Aqua Vitae meaning the water of life, it is form was more of a goo than liquid but anyway, it has become kind of a source of energy for them. The technology of the first people advanced exponentially they used Aqua Vitae as the energy course creating various machines one after another.

But most of their attention was on the technology to produce wireless puppets that could work for them, suffer for them, and fight for them. Think about it a life where you don't need to do anything but simply enjoy the life and that was what they were aiming for. They even managed to conquer death in a someway turning their dead friends into puppets just like Pi but it's now forbidden to do that thought.

Soon the rumors of their magical discovery and inventions spread quickly attracting many, many people resulting in the birth of the city they call the Marion City, the city of puppets and machines. The old man who claimed to be Pi's father is the current ruler of the lord, just before he managed to hand the throne to his one and only child Pi what they call the Stringless Puppet Rebellion happened.

Most of the puppets in the city went berserk killing their owners and whatever humans their eyes landed on which included him aka Pi. His father driven by grief broke the taboo resurrecting him as a puppet even though he knew the danger of him going berserk just like the other puppets.

"I guess to reach the end of the story I must solve this crisis huh? The old man said it all possibly happened because someone infected the course of Aqua Vitae."

He then looks at the castle placed at the center of the city still shining brightly under the dark sky and lets out a sigh.

'It's going to be a long journey isn't it?'