Silence has its own color at the crossroads of reality. For Lin Fengtian, who is now Axis Mundi-the axis of the world that bridges all dimensions-the silence is metallic gray with a purple tinge, like lightning frozen in time.A hundred years had passed since its transformation, or perhaps it was just the blink of an eye. Time became a relative concept when one's existence spanned across all layers of reality. Lin had familiarized himself with his new state-half there, half not, present everywhere yet not quite anywhere. His body semi-transparent, shifting between density and nothingness as needed, the Sigil of the Crossroads on his chest pulsed with a rhythm synchronized with the heartbeat of the universe.From her unique position, Lin can see the workings of the three pen fragments that now maintain the balance of the narrative. The First Pen with its Pen of Creation continues to give birth to new worlds, the Editing One with its Pen of Transformation maintains and develops existing

The Library of Interreality felt different when Lin Fengtian-now Axis Quadra-stepped back inside its ancient walls. Colors were sharper, sounds were clearer, and the molecular structure of the building itself seemed to sing in a harmony that only he could hear. At his side, Penarasik and Lyra walked in silence, both still trying to process the incredible transformation they had witnessed in the Antinarrative Void.“They're waiting in the Gem Room,” Lyra finally spoke, pointing towards the eastern corridor which now seemed to be emitting a thin golden glow-a phenomenon Lin was sure was invisible to ordinary library patrons.Lin nodded softly, four alternating colors sparkling in her eyes that now never really settled on a single shade. “I can feel their anxiety. Especially Nidhogg.”Penarasik, who since returning from the Void had been watching Lin with a mixed gaze of amazement and wariness, finally asked, “How... much of the Lin Fengtian we know remains in you now?”Lin stopped walki

An eerie silence fell over the room after Lin finished explaining his plan. Not a silence of fear, but a silence of suspense-like the seconds before lightning strikes the ground.“This is crazy,” Penarasik finally said, gripping her golden crystal tightly until it shone brightly. “But that's what makes it possible to succeed.”Lin nodded slowly, her four-colored eyes dimming for a moment before flaring up with renewed intensity. “Axis Rumpens thought he understood every move I would make because he had once been me. But he forgot one important thing.”“What is it?” asked Lyra, her face still pale but her gaze now sharpened.“That I'm not him... yet,” Lin replied, her voice low and resonating with conviction. “And as long as I have a choice, I never will.”Lin stepped into the center of the room, the four primordial energies now swirling around him in perfect harmony. He closed his eyes, and in an instant, the molecular structure of the Interreality Library began to vibrate, responding

That nameless color faded slowly from Lin Fengtian's sight as his consciousness began to return. The endless falling sensation finally stopped, replaced by a strange floating feeling-as if his body was between existence and nothingness.When Lin opened his eyes, he did not find himself in the ruins of the Eastern Tower nor in the depths of the Well of Narrations. Instead, he was in a perfectly round room that had no doors or windows. The walls sparkled with the changing color of opal, reflecting light that came from nowhere. The floor she was standing on looked like a deep black glass, as if she was standing on the surface of an ink pool.“The Space Between,” Lin whispered to herself, recognizing the mysterious place that had only existed in the legends of the Custodians. A place where time and space did not apply, a neutral dimension that was not bound to any one reality.Lin checked his body. The primordial energy that had almost vanished earlier was now flowing again, though it was

The Forbidden Library is not a welcoming place even for a Custodian. The air inside was heavy with age and secrets, filled with dust particles that glowed silvery in the light. Lin Fengtian stepped carefully down the narrow corridors between the tall shelves that rose up to the invisible ceiling. Here, forbidden and dangerous knowledge was locked up in ancient manuscripts-some of which were alive and whispering softly, calling out to passers-by.“Seventh floor,” Lin reminded herself, tightening her grip on the Dusk Rain sword.But the Forbidden Library did not obey normal architectural laws. There were no stairs or clues leading to the different floors. The only way to reach a particular floor was to understand the secret cataloging system created by the first generation of Custodians-a system only taught to those who had reached the rank of Master Custodian.Lin had not yet reached that rank. But he had something more valuable-a vague memory of his greater consciousness while with Ek