Zal walked toward the door and said: "Well, it's time to go."

  The servant said: "Yes, Mr. Zal. Please follow me."

  The servant said to Zal: "Mr. Zal, please, as we walk toward the Great Sage, take a look at the decor here. This decoration is very, very old and beautiful. From the age before new Cadmus."

  Zal nodded in confirmation.

  Zal began to look around.

  Above his head was a ceiling covered with glass. The walls were a pale golden color. And throughout this library, there were paintings of books and some people.

  Zal was mesmerized. Very beautiful, Zal said in his heart.

  "Beauty, for someone who has seen nothing but ruin, is always a little frightening. Zal looked at the walls and thought that maybe his place wasn't here. Maybe his place was still back there, behind that closed door, next to that dog he had buried."

  Zal thought to himself: I'm going to see someone who, in the world I came from, my mind couldn't accept could exist. A being whose outer layer was plaster, whose inner layer was wood, and whose final layer was flesh.

  For Zal, hearing about it was surprising, but he had to see it to believe it. Of course, after seeing all these events, it seemed surprise had left Zal's life.

  Someone who, by burning a thread, had indirectly killed several people, leveled the main church to the ground, and strangely ended up in another world. If these things happened to an ordinary person, they wouldn't be surprised by anything else. They might think about it, but they wouldn't be surprised.

  Zal asked the servant: "Can I ask a question?"

  The servant said: "Yes, certainly, Mr. Zal."

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Zal asked: "Is it true that you can only ask one question of the Sage?"

  The servant said: "Yes. One main question. But you can talk with the Sage and ask questions about what you want, so the Sage can tell you whether he can do it or not."

  Zal said: "Can the Sage give an object or transfer knowledge?"

  The servant laughed and said: "Yes, yes. But he does it for people he likes. For example, the first King of Cadmus, to whom he gave two items. Oh, right, one of those items was a book containing much knowledge. Is that what you want, Mr. Zal?"

  Zal said: "No, sir. I'm more looking for the complete history of this world from the beginning of civilization until today."

  The servant put his hand on his chin and said: "The Great Sage built a section in this castle where he began writing books, from history to science to religion. We even have the histories of many great figures. I think what you want is accessible, Mr. Zal."

  Zal said: "Thank you. I'm relieved that what I want is accessible. But I had another question. What is the Sage's temperament like?"

  The servant said: "Mr. Zal, the Sage is a prophet over a thousand years old. So if he speaks very philosophically, don't be surprised. But don't worry. The Sage is a kind person. There have only been a handful of times when the Sage has been ill-tempered."

  Zal said: "Thank you. I'm very grateful for the information. If there's anything I can do for you, tell me."

  The servant said: "This is my duty, Mr. Zal, that you make the best request under the best conditions. And not just you, but everyone who is invited to this Press."

  "A duty done with a smile is no longer a duty. The servant knew this. Perhaps that's why he had gained a long life. Perhaps that's why he still smiled."

  Zal, while thinking to himself, remembered Anubis's words. That Anubis, who it wasn't clear exactly who he was.

  Zal asked again: "Mr. Servant, may I ask, are you sure you don't know Anubis?"

  The servant said: "Yes, sir. I have never heard such a name here. Why do you ask about this name?"

  Zal answered: "Because the one who brought me here was Anubis."

  The servant said: "Hmm... sometimes the Sage sends people from outside the system here for certain individuals. People who are usually special and important, or close friends of the Sage. Anubis is probably one of these people."

  Zal said: "He spoke about the past. About the time when the Sage had just appeared. He told me his life story."

  The servant said: "Maybe he was lying to keep things from becoming awkward between you. People who live long lives often lie a lot, Mr. Zal."

  Zal said: "As a final question, Mr. Servant, has there ever been anyone among the Great Sage's servants whose life was extended?"

  The servant answered: "Yes. Even I am no exception to this rule. Many are like this, because usually people who work with all their heart for the Great Sage receive long lives so they can serve him longer."

  The servant said softly: "Oh. Mr. Zal, it seems we've arrived. You should enter now."

  Zal looked at the door. The door was very grim. Very dry and lifeless. As if this door's world was different from the world of the Press. A wooden, old door.

  The servant said: "From here on, only you can go, Mr. Zal. Beyond this point, you'll reach the Sage himself and speak with him. I hope you achieve what you have in mind."

  Zal thanked him.

  And he moved toward the door. Slowly, he touched the door with his rough hands and pushed it.

  The door was slowly opening. The first drops of light from inside the Press were entering the room.

  And finally, the door opened.

  Zal slowly entered and was astonished by what he saw.

  "Astonishment was the last thing Zal thought still remained in him. But now he stood looking at something for which neither language was sufficient to describe, nor mind to comprehend."

  A being so immense that from the distance Zal was standing, only his eyes were visible.

  His distance from Zal was at least two hundred paces.