GYWO Yahtzee 2023 1/3

[reneescarted]

Title: Protector of the Library
Fandom or Original Universe: inspired by The Librarian
Rating: General
Word count: 663
Summary: A young PhD archeology student finds himself in a magical library and learns of a higher calling.
Warnings/triggers: -
Writing Prompt: pp029

It was a library he had never seen and Anthony H. Eckleman has seen all that there were, on campus or in the neighboring towns and universities. As an aspiring archeologist and PhD student of the field, it was most essential for him to have access to as many resources as he could, especially taken the curious topic he chose to study: occult magic and magical artifacts, their histories, and where all the stories and legends truly came from.

Anthony never really believed that there was actually magic in the world, at least not until all his research couldn't yield a logical explanation about some of the items. Unrelated to each other, various cultures developed the very same stories throughout history - how could anyone explain that? His childhood self surfaced in those moments of doubt, and he always stomped down on it, for it was not the time nor the place for youthful sentiment. A soon to be doctor couldn't indulge in such daydreams and delusions.

Yet, here he was, in a library that couldn't have possibly existed. He spotted books on the shelves that seemed to be first, original editions of volumes he was always taught were long lost to time. He saw a chalice, a sword, a spear, all artifacts he recognized from history books and legends. He walked up to the Chalice of Life, his fingers itching to touch the silvery surface to confirm he was not dreaming, but he was fearful what would happen if he did.

"You have come," an old, raspy voice spoke up and Anthony turned. The man seemed really, really old, leaning onto a cane as he walked. Despite all this, his eyes shone with more intelligence than any of his senior professors'.

"Where am I?" Anthony asked as he looked around in the room again. On the far side, there seemed to be a door, suggesting more rooms filled with treasure.

"You are right where you have to be, young Anthony," the man answered criptically. He walked up to the desk and flipped a few pages in a book, then motioned for Anthony to come see. It was a ledger with names and dates. The last name was his, with the date of today, and the one above was Matthias G. Wilson, a renowned historian who disappeared almost a hundred years ago. The date beside his name matched the year the world lost him.

"Are you...?" Anthony gaped at the old man, even though it seemed impossible.

"Maybe, once upon a time I was. But then I was chosen and came here, and slowly forgot about who I was before. But I have served my years and I'm ready to go. I have done what was required of me, and it is time to pass it on to the next generation."

"But you were one of the brightest minds of your era! How could you throw all of that away?"

"Only the brightest is chosen to be the guardian of this library. You are to give up your time, your possible fame, in service of the cause. You knew this, before you stepped through the door that brought you here, but we all forget that. It's one of the many sacrifices we make."

"So you're saying that I've chosen already. That I've given up everything. But for what?"

"For the most precious treasure, of course." The old man motioned towards a table, but it only held an old, ornate globe. Anthony didn't recognize it as any artifact from his studies.

"It's just a globe," he protested. The old man smiled.

"Look again."

He did, and then he saw tiny movements on the surface - seas gently waving, planes flying across, and maybe, if he really strained his eyes and concentrated, he could also see tiny cars and humans running around. Mouth open, he looked back at the old man, who nodded.

"That is our world, my young boy. And Earth needs a protector."