Realm of Token

Lumi placed the last book on the shelf, wiping her arm across her forehead. The ancient history section of the library was finally complete, and it was about time, after waiting a whole month for the book orders to come in. It had taken her a full two weeks to re-catalog and order the books, and a further week to organize them on the shelves. It was a grueling task, and she had had enough of reading the words on the pages of the books, and she was relieved that the job was done. As much as books brought her joy, reading and studying the ancient texts was more difficult than it looked.

She sighed, her eyes traveling across the empty space, wondering what to do next. It was still morning, so there weren't many visitors at the library. It wasn't an overly packed place in general, but there were regulars that wandered in and out at random times during the day. Sometimes they came to study and read, and other times they came to look at the ancient artifacts displayed behind thick glass. It was a very old building, but was also very well taken care of, thanks to Lumi and the other employees.

Lizz, the main librarian and good friend of Lumi's, walked up beside her, her eyes grazing across the hard spines of each delicate book. "I'm impressed. You got this done in no time at all. Hopefully the next books we order won't take so long to arrive."

"The waiting is the worst part. I'm glad to have it done and over with." Lumi said, stretching her arms above her head.

"I suppose I should give you a bit of a raise, but you know how tight the budget is. Tell you what; you can have whatever one book you want from any selection. How does that sound?" Lizz asked, a smile wide on her face.

"Really? That sounds great! I'll be sure to check out a few. Maybe the one on magic, or the one about the Demons."

"You really need to stop focusing on those types of books," Lizz chuckled, brushing some of her silky brown hair out of her bright hazel eyes. "Seriously, it's going to corrupt you."

Lumi laughed, bending down to pick up the step-stool she had been using. "Don't be silly. It's basically history and politics. No harm there."

"I'll give you a warning just this once. You're lucky I'm not like the librarian in Beauty and the Beast." Lizz gave a wink. "Anywho, I'm going to go and get ready for the rest of the day. You should take a break. You work far too hard for what little you earn."

"No, but thank you. I enjoy working, even though it is tiring. Besides, I'm saving up so I can finally move out of this place." She shuffled over to the farther side of the library, setting the step stool down beside the cart of damaged books and free bookmarks that nobody seemed to take an interest in.

"You don't even have a place in mind to go. You just got your first job a month ago!" Lizz pointed out as she followed behind her.

"I know, but I have my whole life planned out, and I want to do it as fast as possible." Lumi wiped off her hands, then placed them on her hips. "And I think Mirstone is the perfect place. I mean, it's not too far from here, and it's cozy and well-lit and full of magic."

"That's true. And your mother told me you were thinking of becoming a plant researcher, right?"

"Yeah, that's the plan. I think it would be really cool to have that sort of career. If I can't have plant magic, the least I can have is plant knowledge, right?" She sighed, then chuckled. "Maybe I'll even learn a spell or two."

"Here's to hoping." Lizz crossed her fingers, then laughed and moved behind the counter, setting up her space for checkouts and returns.

Lumi moved around the library, straightening the shelves and picking up stray books. The library wasn't too crowded during the morning, and it was one of the quieter places in town. It was almost one of the oldest buildings in Edgerest, with vines creeping up the sides of the cracked stone and chipping paint on the sign out front. Still, it was beautiful and full of life, and Lumi absolutely adored it. The inside was huge and had tall ceilings, giving it a cathedral vibe, and the walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of books. Near the center were long tables for studying and group reading, or solo reading if one preferred. Glass cases held old items such as armor pieces and intricate weapons made of wood or scratched steel.

The library itself had a certain aura to it, an energy that pulsed through the building like the beating of a heart. It was almost alive, and Lumi could feel the magic coursing through the air. Each book held words that flowed through each page, gripping the reader until the very last page. Reading was Lumi's favorite pastime. Just seeing what other people learned and thought and felt, and how the words flowed across the paper. It was beautiful, and it was an art that was not to be taken lightly.

"Hey, Lumi, I was wondering something," Lizz's voice broke through Lumi's thoughts.

"What is it?" Lumi replied.

"How do you know you want to go to Mirstone, but you've never even been there?"

"My parents told me stories about the place, and I read about it a lot in books. They say it's old and traditional, but filled to the brim with Elves that have the most beautiful powers."

Lizz laughed. "No wonder you want to go there so badly. You, my friend, are obsessed with magic."

"Oh, stop." Lumi giggled. "Is it so wrong to be fascinated with something?"

"No, not at all. In fact, I'm glad. It's nice to see you so excited about something. But just make sure you keep an open mind. If Mirstone doesn't work out, I'm sure you'll find a place that suits you perfectly."

Lumi smiled. "Thank you, Lizz.

***

Around Edgerest, the best part of the day was directly in the middle of the day, when the sun was in the perfect position in the sky, casting its elegant rays of light down to the ground below. The town came alive at this time, filling with chatter and laughter. All the shops were bustling, and the roads were packed with carriages and pedestrians. People were everywhere, going about their business and enjoying their time in the sun.

Lumi walked at her own pace along the slightly cracked sidewalk, admiring the beauty of the town during its midday glory. Everyone seemed happy, and she could almost taste the happiness in the air. It was like a breath of fresh, sweet air. It was refreshing, and it was a nice change from the dark, dreary nights. Daytime was the best time to enjoy what Edgerest had to offer. The sweet smells, the bright colors. All of it was something Lumi never took for granted.

Lumi's small house was located in the outskirts of Edgerest, just far enough away from the bustling village that it was quiet and peaceful. She liked the location, especially because it was close to the edge of a forest. When she was younger, she and her father would take long walks in the woods, exploring and discovering all the plant life. After reaching the age of moving out, she selected this specific house due to the aged look and the location. It wasn't incredibly old, but the wood was painted and worn, and a few shingles were missing, making it look older than it was. And the view of the forest and the cliff was a major selling point.

She walked up to the house and opened the front door, the smell of baking sweets filling her nose. She froze, half thinking someone had broken in. But her logical side told her that someone wouldn't break in and make food. That just didn't make sense. They stole things and broke things. They didn't bake things.

"Hello?" Lumi called out.

There was no response. She shut the door behind her and set her bag down on the floor, then made her way towards the kitchen, following the smell of fresh chocolate and steaming coffee.

Stepping around the corner and into her rather narrow kitchen, she smiled and felt silly for thinking that there was a burglar in her home. “Lucky, what are you doing here? You never told me you were coming over.”

Lucky turned around, holding a spatula in her hand. She was wearing a pink apron, and her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and she was smiling brightly. “Of course I didn’t tell you. That would ruin the surprise.”

“What are you making?” Lumi walked over, peeking across Lucky’s shoulder to the oven and stove top.

There were several bowls and utensils sitting on the counter, all covered in flour and icing. Lucky had clearly been here for a while.

Lucky glanced at her friend. "Well, since I didn't really get a chance to help you plant with the library, I thought I could make you something. A sort of gift. I hope you like it."

"Aww, Lucky. You didn't have to do that," Lumi said, her heart swelling with appreciation. "It's very sweet of you, though.”

“I hope you like chocolate bread bites, because that’s what I’m making.” Lucky turned back to the stove, picking up the spatula again.

Lumi watched Lucky work, admiring the way she moved and how quickly she was able to whip up the dessert. It was as if she had done it a million times, and perhaps she had. Lucky liked to delve into hundreds of activities, ranging from baking to writing and going for walks, and even teaching. She was truly a woman of many talents.

While she tended to her cooking, she casted a smile over her shoulder. “How was work today, Lumi?”

Lumi shrugged. "It was okay. We got some new books in. I got to keep one, thanks to Lizz.”

“She seems like a very kind woman.” Lucky smiled.

Lumi nodded in agreement. Lizz was indeed a very kind woman. She was the manager of the library, and she treated Lumi as if she were her own daughter. She was always letting her take home books and offering her help when needed.Much like Lucky, Lumi saw Lizz as a close friend.

Lucky turned towards Lumi and held a spoon covered in chocolate out towards her. "Here. Try this."

Lumi took the spoon, tasting the chocolate. It was warm and sweet, with a hint of cinnamon. "It's really good, Lucky."

Lucky smiled and turned back towards the stove. ”I knew it. I’m trying out a new recipe.”

Lumi licked the spoon clean, then set it on the table. “What do you know of Mirstone?”

Lucky glanced at her, confusion in her eyes. "Mirstone? The big city?"

Lumi nodded, fiddling with the buttons on her shirt. "Yeah. Have you ever been?"

"No. I haven't been anywhere except for Edgerest and the forest. I would like to travel sometime. Perhaps one day." Lucky said, stirring the contents of a small pot.

"I think it would be fun to travel." Lumi absently picked at the wood peeling from the spoon, her nails digging under the soft layer and prying it off.

"You would leave Edgerest? To go where?" Lucky asked, now removing the pot from the stovetop and placing it on the table. “Mirstone? I agree that it would be a better living alternative, but do you have the money to move?”

Lumi huffed, leaning back in her seat. “I have some crowns saved up…but I don’t think it’s enough.”

Lucky pulled up a chair and sat across from her. "Lumi, you can't just leave. What about your parents? Your home?"

Lumi looked up, meeting her friend's eyes. “My parents wouldn’t mind if I moved. They want the best for me, after all.”

Lucky could only agree, since she had known Lumi’s family since she could walk. “True. How much money do you have?”

Lumi pulled out her coin purse from her pocket and opened it, dumping the contents onto the table. "I've been saving for a while. This should be enough to get a carriage to take me there, then I get a job."

Lucky looked as if she were deep in thought, biting on the end of her hot pink nail. Her eyes were staring hard into the old wooden table, as if she could summon laser eyes that could drill right through the firm surface. "Well...I could use my creation magic to make you some coins. I mean, it's the most logical alternative to working your rear off day and night, if I'm being honest. And you'll be able to afford a better house, rather than buying the cheapest thing you can find, which would most likely blow away with a single gust of wind."

"You would do that? For me?" Lumi's eyes widened, her heart thudding with hope.

"Of course! We're friends. I would do anything to help you." Lucky smiled brightly, folding her hands neatly on the table. "After all, you've gotten me some excellent deals on books at the library, so it's only fair that I give you something in return."

Lumi couldn't stop smiling as she watched Lucky begin to work her magic. She wasn't sure why, but she felt so relieved and happy that she almost felt like crying. Lucky had always been there for Lumi, but this felt more personal and more genuine. Lucky was actually willing to give Lumi money just so that she could move to another town and start a new life. She knew how important it was to Lumi. Lumi figured that Lucky would do anything in her power to keep her best friend with her, but she truly wanted her to be happy, which made Lumi a warmth rising in her chest.

Lucky was careful with her magic, her slender fingers gliding along the cards in her hand. It was mesmerizing to watch her work, to see her create something out of nothing. She removed one slim card from the deck, running her index finger along the front and sides, then hummed in approval. Setting the deck down on the table, she placed her card to her forehead, closing her eyes gently.

Lumi watched as Lucky concentrated, her long eyelashes resting on the tops of her cheeks. She had always admired Lucky for her beauty, but now she held even more respect for her. Lucky's powers were very strong, and she seemed to have no problems whatsoever when it came to using them. It was as easy as striking a match or turning the page of a book.

A dull, pink glow spread through the card, slowly increasing in luminosity. After a few seconds, the glow grew stronger, and Lucky pulled the card away and shook it gently, as if she were drying it off. The coin vanished from sight, and bright cold coins tumbled onto the table, falling in nearly perfect towers. Lumi's eyes widened, her mouth falling open in awe.

"Wow!" Lumi exclaimed.

"See? Easy as pie." Lucky said, taking a coin in her palm, then sliding it over to Lumi. "You may use this however you wish in regards to your moving. I do believe they'll come in handy."

"Thank you, Lucky. Thank you so much." Lumi said, moving from her seat to wrap her arms around Lucky. "I know that you didn't have to do this, but I appreciate it."

"No problem," Lucky chuckled, hugging Lumi back. She then released her and sat back. "What would you ever do without me?"

"Probably go broke and end up living with a troll under a bridge." Lumi joked.

They both laughed as they drank their tea and ate their chocolate bread bites.

***

"The ancient Nightbeasts are beyond feared by the Elven population. They are massive and brutal, showing not a single speck of sincerity in their movements and actions. The only real way to defeat them is with the use of light, not only pertaining to light magic. Any source of light, be it candle or lantern or, of course, magic, can severely wound a Nightbeast, rendering them immobile and offering a chance to escape. Light magic can destroy a Nightbeast in a single blow, which is why light magic has been used far more often in order to decrease the Nightbeast population. Their diet primarily consists of those associated with that of a carnivore. They eat mammals and fish, and tend to avoid insects and the like. They do not have much intelligence, and can be easily led by following a trail of meat. The most common place that they are seen is at night, in the forest. However, they have been known to venture out into villages and towns, making them a deadly and well-known threat to the Elven population. The main towns and villages that are routinely overrun by the Nightbeasts are Norwich, Beggars Hole, Aurilon. Elven officials warn Elves to steer clear of these locations, unless you plan to be ripped to shreds."

Lumi read aloud from her book, her voice echoing across the walls of her room. The moon shone brightly outside of her window, the light reflecting off of the pages of her book and illuminating the room. Lucky had long since returned to her own home, leaving Lumi to her own devices. With nothing better to do, Lumi figured she may as well read the new book she had gotten from the library. It was old and worn, with slight tears in the hardcover and yellowed pages. The words were small and faded, but she was able to make them out with the help of the bright lamp light.

She found the Nightbeasts quite interesting. She had never seen one before, but she had heard stories. Awful stories. Rarely any ended happily. Elves were the main targets of Nightbeasts because they were easier to come across. Demons and Kemonomimi and the like, on the other hand, were harder for Nightbeasts to pin down, so they often left them alone.

With a content sigh, Lumi turned back to the chapter selection page and traced her fingertip along each word as she read it aloud again. "Old Token History...Full Facts on Nightbeasts...Rich Cuisine of Each City and Town...Demons..." She paused on the last one and reread it, her eyes trained intently on it. "Demons...page 230."

She quickly turned to the page, eager to read. She had always been fascinated by Demons, mostly because they were the opposite of Elves. While Elves had nature magic, Demons had dark magic, and were very good at using them. Blending in with the shadows and popping up when you least expected them, preying on the smaller and weaker Elves before attacking the bigger ones. Demons weren't afraid of a little challenge, Lumi knew that much. But, for the most part, they kept to themselves over the past several years. She wasn't sure why they did, but she was thankful nonetheless. The last thing Edgerest needed was a Demon attack. And it was all thanks to the peace treaty that the Elven King and the Demon Queen had agreed upon a few years after the Elven-Demon war.

She read about the different kinds of Demons, all with their own unique powers. There was an illustration of a group of Demons, standing in a line, each with a different colored mask.

"The Masks," Lumi read aloud. "Each Demon has a Mask, a symbol of their rank within their clan. Only the most powerful Demons have these Masks, and they are only given to those who prove that they are worthy of the title of a Clan member. However, these masks are only given out to those that not only show tremendous strength and power, but prove they are worthy to the Queen. This was an old tradition among the Demon tribes many, many years ago. This tradition has since died out, but some masks can still be found and submitted to the ancient history museum located in Steelgate."

Lumi skipped ahead a few pages until she came across a fully colored image that took up page 240 and 241. The picture showed a line of Demons, each ranging in size, hair colors, body color, and glares. The background seemed to be on fire, but the Demons themselves seemed unfazed. They stood so straight and confident that Lumi half mistook them for army soldiers, but their outfits were far from that of an army.

Lumi scanned the page, taking in every word as she read. "The Demon Queen is a ruler like no other. She is ruthless, cunning, and powerful. She took over the throne from her father after her older sister, Queen Yvaine, had passed away, leaving her as the sole heir to the throne. While many think of her as a role model, others see her as a tyrant that will not stop once she has all of Token under her thumb. She's a Deity Demon, with long bronze hair and cold copper eyes, with a heart that matches the darkness of her soul. Her name is..."

Lumi stopped reading and just stared at the name printed in the book. She tilted her head to the side, almost feeling a little disappointed. "Her name is...Reese? That's certainly not a name I would expect a Demon Queen to have. Especially one with a heart as black as charcoal."

Lumi closed the book and rested her chin on her hands, a smile on her face. She had a sudden thought that, if she ever met the Demon Queen, she would tell her that her name was pretty, and that it suited her. It was always better to compliment others, even when she thought otherwise. Besides, maybe the Queen would appreciate a nice compliment. Who wouldn't?

She stood from her desk chair, stretching her arms over her head. As the day slowly turned to night, she realized that she hadn't eaten dinner yet. With a grumbling belly, she made her way to her kitchen, where she stopped in front of her crystal icebox. It was a large cube made entirely of enchanted crystals that kept her food perfectly chilled, though it had no actual ice in it, despite the name. It radiated a soft, ethereal glow, and through the transparent crystals she could see what food items she had. It was a new item that had hit the Edgerest shops some time ago, and Lumi had made sure that she was first in line for it. Not only was it beautiful to look at, but it kept her food from spoiling for months, even years.

Lumi opened the top half of the icebox and scanned her options. There was some leftover meatloaf from the night before, a fresh chicken, and a half eaten piece of cake from yesterday's dessert, as well as the chocolate bread Lucky had made. Lumi decided on the chicken, since she had been craving meat for a while. She took the chicken from the icebox and shut the door, then headed towards the counter. As she sat the chicken down, her gaze fell upon a large wooden cutting board and a sharp silver knife. She wasn't the best at using a knife. It always slipped from her grasp or completely missed her target all together. But she had gotten better, and was determined to perfect her skill.

Recalling a recipe her mother had often made, she decided to test her culinary skills. Due to her reading prowess, she remembered the recipe by heart. Gryphontail Stuffed Chicken had been a staple in her home growing up, but she'd never been able to actually make it herself. Her parents had always done it for her, but she was ready to give it a shot.

She began to wash off the chicken, scrubbing it with a soapy sponge. Her hands were soft, but the sponge was hard and rough, and it scratched her hands as she worked. Once the chicken was clean, she took the knife and carefully cut an opening in the chicken. She didn't want to hurt herself, so she went slowly and deliberately, making sure she was precise in her cuts.

She continued to work on the chicken, stuffing it with the gryphontail meat that was in the icebox and tying it together with twine. She then set the chicken on the counter, admiring her handiwork. The chicken looked great, and she was proud of how well she had done. She decided to make some more, just in case she messed up the first one, so she would have a backup. She washed her hands and got to work, her hands working the meat and twine as she prepared the chicken.

After she had finished preparing all the chickens, she set them aside and began to cut the vegetables that were sitting in a bowl next to the cutting board. She cut the vegetables as finely as she could, making sure they were all equal in size. Once she had cut all the vegetables, she put the knife down and began to mix the vegetables together in a bowl, adding in some spices and herbs. She then stuffed the vegetables into the chickens and tied them up again, placing them all back in the icebox. She then turned to her pantry, where she gathered a handful of Moonshadow Mushrooms, which were very rare since they only grew under the light of the moon, not the sun, and some Eldertree spice.

She combined the mushrooms and spices in a small pot and heated it until it was boiling, then poured the liquid into a small cup. The liquid was a bright blue color and had a very sweet scent to it. She then mixed the liquid with some cold water, and it turned a deep purple. She tasted the mixture, and it tasted very sweet, with a slight hint of spice. The combination of flavors was amazing, and she found herself drinking the rest of the mixture quickly, then huffing as she had to make more.

Once she had made enough of the mixture to last her for a few days, she combined everything together, creating a beautiful plate of Gryphontail Chicken with a Moonshadow Mushroom and Eldertree sauce, and just a hint of Sunfire Nectar to add a honey-like taste with a slightly spicy kick. She took a bite of her creation, and it was the most amazing thing she had ever tasted. It was like heaven in her mouth, and she wanted more. She wanted to eat the whole thing, and she did so without a moment of hesitation. It reminded her of her home with her parents, when she would intently watch her mother cut and measure ingredients, always letting her taste the spoon. She always loved to eat whatever her mother was cooking, and this was no exception.

The feeling of hunger dissipated as she finished off the last of the chicken, and she licked her lips before putting away everything she had used and scrubbing clean the utensils. After all was said and done, she shuffled to her room with a full belly.

Laying down on her soft bedspread, she gently closed her eyes. "I do hope tomorrow is as good a day as today was." She mumbled to herself, reaching over and pulling on her lamp cord. Instantly, the room went dark, and just seconds later, her special plants that hung from her ceiling in little porcelain pots brightly glowed, softly illuminating her bedroom like a gentle nightlight. These plants were her favorite because of their name: Lumibuds. Not only was it just like her own name, but their glow was comforting and relaxing, washing away her stress. As she closed her eyes, she smiled, feeling content as the light from her plants danced along her skin.