Gravixor (shouting)"Braxill! You're not supposed to ride the creatures from the archives!"
Braxill "But she offered! And the croc said he was bored!"
He hops off. The crocodile waves goodbye with its tail.
Books floated all around them like gentle birds, pages flapping. Braxill's eyes glowed as another title zipped into his hands. He stared, and instantlyits contents burned into his mind.
A flickering shadow materializes next to Gravixor. It's a weird bug with long pincers.
Gravixor "What the heck is that?!"
Braxill helds with the beetle as they ran through the library together leaping over books and counter tops. "It's a beetle! Surface creatures, now extinct. They had wings, armor-like shells, and were masters of survival. Some could even fly with hidden wings. There were hundreds of species!"
Gravixor (grimacing)"Gross. I need honey and berries after that."
Braxill "You can go, I'll be fine."
Gravixor "Uh no. You're my responsibility, remember? I'm basically your mother."
Braxill pauses...
Braxill "Mother...? Do I have one?"
Gravixor (caught off guard) "Well yeah, everyone does."
Braxill "Where is she?"
Gravixor "I don't know, Brax. You hit your head pretty bad before we found you. It might take time to remember everything."
Braxill (softly) "I bet she was as kind as you..."
A single tear slips down his cheek.
Gravixor (gently) "Braxill... you're crying."
Braxill "I don't know why. I don't even feel like crying."
Gravixor "Maybe you need a break."
Braxill (firm) "No. Grax says I should study at least 3 hours a day. I have to understand the Surface world... if I ever want to go there."
Gravixor "Alright, then teach me. How does your ability actually work?"
Braxill "It's simple... I imagine something and then create it. But the more absurd or detailed the idea, the more energy it takes."
Gravixor (nodding) "So not size, but complexity?"
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Braxill "Yeah whatever that means. It's Like, imagining a beetle with wings is one thing. But a beetle that plays jazz? I'm gonna need a nap after that."
Night Falls – Joy's Appearance
Later, Gravixor has fallen asleep. Braxill is lying on the library floor surrounded by floating books and flickering images.
Braxill lies flat on the glowing floor of the Library of Wonders, surrounded by books and faint holograms of the world before the collapse. His voice is soft, almost a whisper, yet full of awe.
Braxill (to himself):
"The Surface is an amazing place... full of all sorts of creations and wonders. I don't know everything, but from what I've seen and read so far, there are animals outside of just bears, wolves, dogs, deer, rabbits..."
Images of each animal flicker around him as he speaks, forming slowly in the light before fading.
Braxill:
"There are even other bear species. Some lived in the ice. Some climbed trees. Some could run faster than any human."
He sits up slowly, eyes shimmering with glowing text from the book hovering beside him.
Braxill:
"And the women... the women in the past were mighty warriors. Amazons, Olympians, Scytherians, astronauts... even presidents. They were discriminated against, just like people from other groups. But that didn't stop them from becoming great artists. Some were painters, some were soldiers, and some... some overthrew tyrant kings like Lord Alpha Zeris."
Braxill: "The strongest of the women were the ones called Mother. They has the power to do extroadinary things. Granting them the power of perception and protective strength, legend has it a mother can move a mountain if she need to protect her young, just like mama bear Grixie."
As he speaks, all these scenes form around him Amazon warriors in armor, astronauts floating in space, protestors standing tall, queens leading battles.
Braxill (quietly, almost like a vow) "I hope I can be just as great as them... right, Joy?"
Braxill "I hope I can be great like them... right, Joy?"
Joy's Voice (ethereal, warm) "Yes, my son. You can be just as great... and even greater. You're Peak Fiction."
Braxill (smiling) "Haha, hey if you're so powerful, why don't you just fix the world?"
Joy "Because, child... I left Earth for humans to protect. But I promise... a new world is coming. One where peace will replace fear. First, you must help save the Surface. I will also grant you your hearts desire."
Braxill "What do I desire?"
Joy (gently) "Teddy Bear Point."
Braxill (laughs) "That's such a silly name but I like it because it has bears in it!"
Unnoticed, his form subtly shifts his eyes glow warmer, his hair glows faintly. The essence of the rainbow overtakes him.
Joy (softly) "Never forget me son. I am your Joy. And you... are my Fiction Bear."
Joy's divine hand brushed over an ancient book, and the pages flipped open with a soft flutter, revealing a vibrant illustration: a rainbow-furred bear embracing a girl with flowing black hair, who held a gleaming scythe.
Braxill (smiling) "I won't forget. I promise."
Return to Reality
Gravixor (waking up) "Braxill... who were you talking to?"
Braxill (cheerfully) "Oh, just Joy!"
Gravixor looks around. The room is completely silent. Empty.
Gravixor "Come on, it's late. Let's get back to the village."
Braxill "Okay!"