After her conversation with Alicia, Alice decided to head to the library and attempt to lose herself in a story. Mostly she was trying to decide how to bring it up with Dharrang. Would they think her unhinged? Was she unhinged? Did all of that actually happen or was she losing her mind? Alice was so lost in thought though that she hadn't yet realized the library had been trying to get her attention. With a THUMP THUMP THUMP the library tossed book after book. Finally, with a large WHAM, Alice turned around in surprise to see a pile of small books under a large Automoire covered in skulls. Alice picked up the Automoire, glowing with a bluish green hue, and tried to open it. But try as she might, the Automoire wouldn't open.

  "Why won't this stupid book open?"

  Just then, a small pocket-sized book fell to the floor. This book, however, had no title; and upon opening it she saw the pages had no words. The cover itself was a blank canvas; there was nothing remarkable about this book whatsoever. Alice put the books back on to the shelf as her curiosity got the better of her.

  "How incredibly odd...""Why did you give me this book? Is there something special about it?"

  Not a moment after asking this, another book fell from the shelf, followed by another. The second book, however, was already opened.

  "Read this."

  Alice put the opened book back and picked up the first; it was a book on Automoires.

  "Automoires huh... Oh! Like that moving picture book that Dharrang has! Thank you!"

  As Alice looked through the book on Automoires she began to understand why Dharrang closed theirs in such a hurry. She learned, as Dharrang had mentioned, they contain all memories of their wielder, lest they forget something important (and even the insignificant things). But she also learned that they tend to change in appearance to resemble their user over time. This meant that they could sometimes reflect the wielder's truest self, making their covers a mirror into their very souls. Dharrang's Automoire had a black and white spotted cover with grey frayed edges and a stone face that looked as if it had been shattered. She also learned that only the wielder can open their Automoire unless they consent to another opening their book. The more she read, the more clear it became just how personal Automoires were; to see inside one is to effectively see inside one's soul.

  Alice thought of the strange book covered in skulls. She looked to the shelves for a moment to see if it was still there, hoping that maybe she was being given permission to read it. Surprisingly, it was. The library moved all of the other books she'd put back up except for the large ominous book. She slowly walked over to, debating on whether or not she should take it. But as curious as Alice was, something inside of her told her it wasn't right. Even as she had extended her arm to take the book off the shelf, she couldn't go through with it. She lifted it, but only so that the spine was raised, as she was torn between what to do.

  "No... I can't do it... It isn't right. I don't know who this belongs too and even if I can force it open somehow, I'd be peering into the life of someone who may very well wish for their memories to remain private..."

  She set the book back down and turned away; Her decision was final. Alice wasn't aware, but the library had been testing her, so before she could make a single step; Another book fell.

  "You made the right choice. Enjoy your Automoire. I'd be happy to catalogue it for you one day. XO, Bary."

  Alice giggled, "Thank you, Bary. I will treasure it always."

  After a much deserved rest, Alice decided to speak with Dharrang about what happened in the Mana Room. She found sitting at the table, and while she still wasn't sure how to bring it up, saying,

  "So I found a pool that didn't have handles until suddenly it did have handles and I was hesitant to enter it but I got super curious so I decided to walk into the room anyways and it was really pretty and the water smelled heavenly but then this other me appeared which scared the shit out of because I thought it was a reflection but it wasn't or rather it was a reflection but in a sort of like metaphysical doppelganger spirit sort of a way and then it talked to me and told me "We are Alice" and I don't think it meant for me to freak out but I'm kind of freaking out because I'm worried I might be losing my mind but I also kind of know I wasn't losing my mind but I also know that that's what a person losing their mind would think you know that they aren't losing their minds and I wasn't sure if I was going to tell you all of this for fear that might think I'm losing my mind and I really hope you'll tell me the truth but I'm also really hoping you'll validate me and tell me I'm not going mad."

  Dharrang stared motionless at Alice as they held a fork in their hand, the food but a hairsbreadth from their lips, giving no hint of a reaction.

  Alice felt embarrassed because in her mind she thought she said, "Can I be vulnerable with you for a moment about something important?"

  Dharrang sat down their fork and put one leg over the other. They motioned for Alice to sit down, which she did so sheepishly. They then smiled as if they were a proud parent.

  "So the doors finally opened... I guess it's truly time..."

  "Time for what? You're not making any sense?..." "Oh no... Maybe I am bonkers..."

  Dharrang laughed hardily, "No, dear Cousin. This is a good thing! It means your journey is finally under way! Tonight we celebrate, and once you're ready we'll be on our way!"

  Alice, still utterly confused, asked, "My journey? On our way?... I don't mind the celebrating part - But why?"

  "Because, dear Cousin. The doors are picky. They only appear for those they deem worthy. I'm not even allowed in there!"

  Alice felt more confused than before.

  "So... They're alive?..."

  "Yes. But also, no. They're not alive like you are I; They have no lungs to breathe, nor a heart to pump blood, but it judges who is worthy of admittance nonetheless."

  "And what about Alicia? Or, the other me, I mean."

  Dharrang walked over to Alice and placed their hand on her shoulder, kneeling down to meet her at eye level, "I feel it might be improper for me to speak on that of which I know nothing. If you believe yourself mad, I wouldn't wish to validate that fear by speaking from a place of ignorance. What I will say is this, 'I do not believe you're mad. You are very clever, and wiser than you know. If anyone can figure this out, it's you. You're far too curious not to seek the answer."

  Alice was speechless. She didn't know what she wanted to hear, or what she to hear; But in that moment, she felt like a person. She had felt lost this entire time. Her mind was riddled with all of this doubt; this nagging need to feel like her existence was warranted. She wanted to feel whole, and even if just for that moment, she could. And that meant more to her than anything she had come to know so far. But no words came to her, try as she might to say anything. Instead she did the first thing to come to mind; She reached out and hugged Dharrang with a big sniffly smile on her face.

  To celebrate Alice's accomplishments, Dharrang made Alice a hearty feast and gave her a bottle of dunder wine. But Alice was distracted by Dharrang's anxious disposition. Their hands were clasped in front of them as they stared off into the distance; Their leg bouncing up and down as if they were expecting the results of a test, or had to deliver bad news. Unfortunately, the latter was truer than Dharrang liked.

  "May I... Talk to you about something?"

  Alice wiped off her mouth and nodded in agreement.

  "Before you start your journey, I need to show you something... I need you to see what kind of world you'll be forced to endure... I won't be there to help you, but I’m hoping in some small way, this will make up for that…"

  Alice moved her plate aside to show Dharrang had her undivided attention. She could sense something heavy weighing on Dharrang, and as such, wanted to ease their burden in any way she could.

  "Sure. Though I'm disappointed you won't be with me... I could always stay if you're worried..."

  "As nice as that would be, I think we both know that isn't possible... What I need to show you is this..."

  Alice looked down at the Automoire and saw their hand still resting on it, "Dharrang... You don't need to-"

  "No!""No... I just...""I need you to see... And I'm sorry..."

  As they left the room, Dharrang's Automoire opened on its own. She saw Dharrang standing next to a woman glowing as brightly as the sun. Though Dharrang wasn't wearing their usual ragged robe (they still wore a robe, only this one was green with strange white embroidering all over it, and it had no hood like their usual one). While she couldn't make her out, she found her radiance to be almost celestial. The light surrounding her became brighter and more centralized, until only a single strand of hair retained its brilliance. The woman plucked it from her head and lowered it into her hand before biting her finger. With a single hair and a drop of blood, the hair was replaced by an infant. The woman began cooing at the baby as it cried. The woman turned towards Dharrang, allowing Alice to see that this woman was none other than Queen Alifreya (though Alice had never seen or heard of her). The woman was tall with ebony skin and curly red hair reminiscent of the sun itself. She had emerald green eyes, similar to Dharrang's, but instead of stone skin, it was as if rainbows danced across them.

  "Say hello to your new sibling, Dharrang."

  Dharrang looked down at the child with discontent, "Ugh... Another one? What great purpose will this one have?..."

  Queen Alifreya's eyes and hair began to glow; Her hair rising as quickly as her fury; "Do you wish to try this conversation again?"

  Dharrang stepped forward, placing their face and inch from Queen Alifreya, "No! I am so sick of staying here in Midros while everyone else gets to go on adventures, find love, and actually live their lives! All I do is wait on you hand and foot but I'm never enough for you! All of these children and for what? None of them even believe you exist! But I do!... And I wish I didn't. On second thought... I'm leaving... I'd tell you to find a new protector, but we both know you can just pluck another one out anytime you're feeling lonely, because that's why I'm here, isn't it? So you don't feel so alone."

  The Queen's glow quickly diminished, but now her fury had been replaced with sadness. Alice watched as the Queen's eyes began to well up.

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  "You truly think so little of me?..."

  "I do."

  Alice couldn't believe what she was seeing. The person in this Automoire seemed like a completely different person; Angsty and incapable of controlling their emotions. For some reason, that felt familiar to Alice. The automoire skipped ahead, almost as if showing a montage of Dharrang's adventures in Tráé. It showed Dharrang lying under the sun in the Unclaimed Plains; Interacting with people in a Seelyra; And even a short romance with a mountain (To which Alice thought, "Gross... Really don't think I needed that image in my head..."

  Dharrang was wandering through a city when they happened upon a group of inquisitors pulling families from their homes. Directing them was a tall handsome man with blue eyes, a strong jawline, and blonde hair slicked back into a short ponytail. He wore a long white coat with gold accented epaulettes with a fur mantle that he wore like a coat; on his left breast were two gold crucifixes that crossed one another. The men under him all wore white tunics over their strange looking armor, each emblazoned with red crosses. Dharrang hesitated until they witnessed a young girl screaming for help as one of the men dragged her into the street.

  "Hey! You leave her alone!"

  "Looks like we've got ourselves a hero, men!""And what happens if I refuse?"

  Dharrang summoned their light staff and glared at the man, "It would be wise to consider your options carefully."

  The man looked to his men, who along with himself, all began laughing.

  "And who exactly the fuck are you? You think your little light show scares me?""How's this for a trick?"

  The man tossed a small orb at Dharrang's feet.

  They looked down at the item confused before picking it up to inspect it, "Neat trick... Was this supposed to-"

  The orb emitted a bright light and a high pitched warbling noise. While Dharrang's eyes were unaffected by the light, the disorienting noise from the orb caused them immense pain. They attempted to cover their ears but it was too late. A man had put a collar around Dharrang's neck, and as the collar closed shut, so did their ability to use magic. Dharrang grabbed the collar and began trying to pry it off with all their might.

  "What is this? What have you done to me?"

  The blue-eyed man walked over and kicked Dharrang, knocking them to their side.

  Pressing his foot to Dharrang's throat, "Oh that? Consider it the last gift you'll ever receive; An anti-magic collar... Oh I'm sorry! Did I ruin your big hero moment? Too bad!"

  Dharrang sat up and stared daggers at the man, "If I get out of here... I'm coming for you with everything I have."

  The man knelt down and lifted Dharrang, bringing their ear to his lips and whispered, "Since you seem so keen on 'coming' for me...""How about we find you a situation befitting a hero! With a face like that, one would think you’d fetch a decent price on the slave market! What do you say to that? Becoming someone’s personal whore."

  The man grinned at Dharrang, but they refused to play along, so they just stared at the man without uttering a word.

  "On second thought... I don't care! I'll get my satisfaction from an insignificant Alifreyaan learning their proper place!""And since you wanted to save this girl... How about she joins you!"

  "No! No please... I'll do whatever you want... Just leave these people alone..."

  The blue-eyed man reached down and lifted Dharrang by the collar of their robe and screamed, "What would make you believe I'd wanted anything from a filthy fucking inferior like you! Your kind are a mistake, and so is theirs! As a matter of fact..."

  The man threw Dharrang to the floor and pointed to the girl's parents, "Kill the parents and take the girl!"

  The girl screamed, "No! Wait! Please stop! I'll do anything you want! Please!"

  Her parents, however, said nothing as tears fell down their faces. As one of the men held his axe over their heads, they nodded at one another and looked to their daughter with their tearful loving smiles, as if refusing to let her see them suffer. Even as their heads rolled onto the floor, their smiles persisted.

  "You're monsters..."

  The blue-eyed man gripped Dharrang up by the collar again, staring at them with hatred and disgust. He grabbed Dharrang by the throat and tore the robe off of them.

  "And you're an abomination."

  Dharrang laughed, wincing in pain, "I’m not the one… Getting off… On the suffering of others…"

  The blue-eyed man pulled a hatchet from behind his back and put it to Dharrang's neck. As he began pressing it into their skin, they stopped and began laughing when they noticed Dharrang had passed out due to their injuries.

  "You almost had me... I am going to enjoy seeing you break.""Get this rabble out of my sight."

  When Dharrang awoke, they were chained to a post in front of a building. A man was attempting to stir up interest in his "wares".

  "This young lady with the fresh face may look inexperienced, but I promise she..."

  Again they awoke, this time to the same man attempting to pawn off an elderly woman.

  "These are the hands of a hard worker if I say so myself! She'd make a wonderful maid for any loving home!"

  When they opened their eyes, they realized they were next.

  "Now this one here is the best of both worlds! Don't let that cow hide fool you ladies and gents! This beautiful specimen can accommodate the gentlemen the ladies!"

  The next thing Alice saw was a bright sunny sky in a large city; the sun blocked by a massive tower. Dharrang was still in and out of consciousness, but they could see the eyes gawking at them. Dharrang felt violated. As if their stares actually reached over and touched them, molested them. They felt like their very being had been dissected and the only thing left of value was their flesh. Dharrang felt an anger and powerlessness they had never experienced, and in their weakened state they did the only thing they could think of; they prayed for someone to help them and the others. And just as the man yelled "Sold! To the handsome man in the white coat"

  "No no no no no no! Not him! Help! Someone help me! Anyone please save me!"

  The blue-eyed man walked up to Dharrang and snickered, "I've changed my mind. I decided it would be more satisfying to break you myself."

  "I will kill you!"

  Just then, the sun appeared before the tower, washing away all shadow. But the strangest thing happened; The sun grew closer. As it drew closer, the men and women all covered their eyes, but not Dharrang. Dharrang looked at the sun as if hope itself had descended upon them.

  "Mother!"

  The blue-eyed man frantically yelled, "What the hell is that! Someone do something about it damn it!"

  The light sauntered over to Dharrang and burned through their chain. The blue-eyed man reached out wildly as he heard the chain rattling, unable to see anything. He felt something fleshy against his hand and squeezed on it, believing it to be Dharrang. But he would soon learn he made a horrible mistake. He attempted to peek at Dharrang with one eye, but instead felt his retina seer instantly. He screamed in agony and fell to his knees.

  "You dare touch the bosom of a Queen!"

  The light surrounding her dimmed, but only for the blue eyed man. She grabbed him by his chin and lifted his head. Without thinking about it, he opened his remaining good eye to see a woman with hair like fire and began pleading, believing he was looking upon the face of God.

  "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Please! I'm so sorry, my Lord! I did not mean to offend! Please tell me what I must do to atone for such an egregious sin!"

  Queen Alifreya leaned into his ear, as the Blue-Eyed man had done to Dharrang, and stated, "I am not your lord."

  Fear washed over the man's face as his breathing began to hasten.

  Queen Alifreya placed both hands on the man's face, "I see you are quite handsome... So for sullying my flesh with your filthy hand, I render this as punishment."

  The blue-eyed man's skin began to bubble and sear as he was engulfed in her light.

  Alice was suspended in disbelief of what she'd seen. She hadn't even noticed the Automoire had closed, or Dharrang's hand resting on top of it.

  "I'm sorry you had to see that... But I hope you understand why I showed you that..."

  Alice looked up at Dharrang with eyes full of sadness, "I... I do... I'm so sorry you went through that..."

  Dharrang put their Automoire into their robe and sat down.

  Dharrang began explaining themselves, "I'm sorry for ruining the celebration, but I had to show you while I still had the courage to do so... You have to understand... It was-"

  Alice interjected, "Stop... You have nothing to explain... You bared your soul more than anyone should ever have to... I... I thank you for that. If you ever need to talk, I'm here for you."

  Dharrang, holding back their tears, inhaled deeply and smiled, "A toast! May your journey be fruitful; May your sword swing true; And may you never face such indignities as that."

  Alice and Dharrang each raised a glass and took a sip, but Alice could see Dharrang was struggling. She walked over and without a word, she leaned over and hugged them tight. Dharrang, still fighting back tears, patted her on the back and nodded graciously.

  Still a bit shaken by everything she'd seen, Alice laid in her bed attempting to attune the Automoire Bary had given her. But she began to feel like something was pulling at her. She closed the Automoire and followed the sensation to her dresser where the only thing she saw was her locket.

  "Why do I keep being drawn to this? Perhaps that's what the note meant by it being 'tethered' to me... I guess it wouldn't hurt to take it with me..."

  When she put the locket around her neck she saw a glimpse of a woman with green skin, causing Alice to quickly take the locket back off.

  "What the hell? Can things stop showing me stuff without asking me first! It's becoming tiresome!"

  She held the locket in hand with half a mind to forget she'd ever laid eyes on it, but she instead decided to put it in her pocket.

  "Now be a good locket and keep your visions to yourself."

  As she finished her attunement, Dharrang knocked on her door. When they entered they saw Alice kicking her feet and hugging her Automoire.

  "It's finally finished!"

  Dharrang took notice of its gold sequin cover and black laced edges, and even the strange lone skull on the top of the binding; All of which Dharrang felt was strange.

  "That's amazing, cousin! Though, and I don't mean to sound rude, I'm confused... How did you come to obtain this Automoire?"

  "Oh, Bary gave it to me!"

  Dharrang shook their head in confusion, "Who or what is a 'Bary'?"

  "Bary?... The library?... It gave this to me..."

  "The library gave that to you and its name is Bary?"

  "Yes."

  "We have a talking library!? Why doesn't it talk to me? Does it hate me? Did I offend it? Maybe I forgot to return a book to it? But it wouldn't be upset about that would it? Maybe it's like the door and only talks to certain people? Wait... Are there other rooms that can talk?... Can the bathroom talk?... Can the bathroom see?!""Then I guess I'll have to thank the li- I mean 'Bary' for giving you such a wonderful graduation gift."

  "I don't really have anywhere to put this, so I'd like you to hold onto it... For safe keeping. And if you decide to check up on me from time to time, now you can watch my adventures anytime you want!"

  Dharrang took her Automoire, which to them, weighed more than it looked. They slipped it into their robe and thanked Alice for trusting them with it. Afterwards, Dharrang summoned their light staff.

  "So... Are you ready to start your journey?"

  "No. But it wouldn't be a journey if I was, now would it?"

  Dharrang summoned an orb of light before them, "Once you take this orb into your hand, your journey is officially underway. The inquisitors have grown in influence, so stay vigilant. I'm sending you to look for a man named Bower. You can trust him, and he'll help you on your journey."

  "Bower, got it! And thank you, for everything."

  Dharrang watched as Alice vanished in a splash of light. They weren't sure what to do now that they were alone again so they decided to head to the library in hopes of meeting Bary. When they arrived, they put Alice's Automoire onto a shelf. But something happened that Dharrang never saw before; A book fell from the shelf, and on the opened page were the words "I'll miss her."

  Dharrang smiled and patted the Automoire, "Me too, Bary... Me too."