Limits

The second book described the early days of the North. North wasn't a wasteland that is became. It had quite varied topography, with forests, lakes and wetlands. For some reason, this started to change over time. Due to the barrier and the limited resources, the forests thinned out, and the lakes disappeared. Or at least that is what the book stated. The water was still there in the North, but usually underground. Atols were the ones who managed to produce water again. They usually traded the water with others, but later cities managed to simply purify the water they had.

All was due to Formations, and countless years of studying. The book didn't state who came up with those Formations, nor who implemented them. All it mentioned was that all races struggled with water at the beginning. With those Formations in place, North became much more habitable and rich. 'The book mostly describes the struggle of fresh water source, and later the solution of Formations. It was either Hatmandor or Grey Lizards who came up with that. That is my guess at least' I thought.

The third book mentioned how each race selected their own area. Avians chose Vulture Cliffs because they could fly, and didn't have any skills in crafting. They later developed that area a bit, but it's all gone now. With Shades, it was a bit of a different story. The book didn't state how the Sludge Factory came to be, it only states it was there. When Shades evolved from the Sludge Factory, they set up small camps either atop it, or around it. Later when more powerful individuals appeared, they got help from Atols and Lizards. That's when Sedon was established. At first, Sedon had no walls, it was much smaller compared to what it became later. Of course others couldn't access the Sludge Factory, hence Sedon was built at the edge of it.

Later, Shades improved and extended their city towards the Sludge Factory, where it stands. Voltars were also a bit different. There was nothing about the Collecting Crystal inside the book, but the city was built around it. Thanks to the collected knowledge of other races, Voltars were able to create a floating city, with electric energy coursing through it. Again, the book didn't describe who helped them with Formations. 'I don't believe Voltars would be able to make that city themselves' I thought.

Golems were different though. They already existed before the barrier appeared. Voltars had nothing on them really, when it came to the time before and after the barrier appeared. Golems were mentioned very scarcely throughout the three books I read. Atols on the other hand, they focused on preserving the nature. That is also the reason why North wasn't completely barren. The book mentioned nothing of Avians and Atols fighting, nor did it mention any other conflicts. Vanauts were not mentioned much either, and Furians as well as Eterians only towards the end of the book.

There was no mention of Mordars, Slethers or even Orcs. 'These records are really incomplete. I received no clues whatsoever, even though I learned a few things about the Northern History' I thought. I took a look around the room, and the woman was gone. Someone else sat in her place. I called out to him, "Hey! I'm done with those books. Can you get me a few others?". The guy stood up, then grabbed the books from the table. He asked, "What do you want?". His attitude was complete opposite of that woman, but it didn't matter. I asked, "Do you have anything about the Ruins of Ravan? I'd like to get some books on Eterians too. Nothing recent, more of a history and such".

He didn't bother replying, and simply left to get the books. 'My next stop is going to be Ruins of Ravan. It would be best to know what that place was, and who lived there' I thought. I had a suspicion it belonged to Bramans. Ravan was in ruins, maybe even due to war. If that was the case, chances were I would find nothing useful there. Bramans ceased to exist before Grey Lizards were banished. 'I mean, Lizards might have some records of that, but they will surely have no clue where Grey Lizards went' I thought. When you banish someone, why would you care where they go?

Yet something didn't feel right to me. 'If Royal Lizards were scared of them, why would they simply banish them, not kill them. That doesn't make sense. The Northern History is too hazy. There are too many crossroads, and too many variations in those stories' I thought. Voltars had access to a lot of things, but their records were not completely accurate. A lot of stuff was either excluded, or they were showing me generalisations only.

The Voltar soon returned with my books, and this time he only brought two. I asked, "You don't have more stuff on Eterians?". He replied with a shrug, "You asked for history, that is what you get". He then sat back down at his own table, and didn't bother with me anymore. 'Yea, they might not want to give me the knowledge I require' I thought. I refused to believe that they had only one book on Eterians.

'If that's how you want to play this game' I thought. I wasn't about to storm the place, but the war was not over. Sooner or later, they would pay for their arrogance. I grabbed the first book, which contained some information about Ruins of Ravan. The information was useless though, at least to me. They had no idea where the ruins came from, and who they belonged to. The book only described how Vanauts took that places as their home, after most of the North began its development.

The book on Eterians was also rubbish. No events before the barrier appeared were described. Only events after most races developed, and joined the war against Eterians. Supposedly, that was when Humans recognised other races, and helped destroy Eterians. Furians were not mentioned in those accounts.

'This is rubbish. I learned a few new things for sure, but nothing really important' I thought. I was simply wasting my time. I stood up while saying, "I'm done here, you can have your books back". I didn't care if he was supposed to escort me or not, I simply headed towards the doors.

The Voltar quickly followed me, while I left the library. 'I still need to check the Ruins of Ravan. Although I might find nothing, it's worth a try' I thought. On our way downstairs, I met that Voltar woman again. She asked surprised, "Already finished?". I didn't reply, and simply left towards the doors. She snorted and instructed the guy to take me out of the palace. I also didn't need that. I stopped on the last step outside the palace, and ate one Livi Sprout. "Swoosh!".

I jumped down, landing with a "Boom!" shortly after. The Voltars in the area looked at the commotion I created, but that wasn't my concern. My mood was already spoiled by their stubbornness. I found Lerion near the gate, and told him we were leaving. He quickly gathered his unit, then we left Boltier. "Did something happen?" he asked me outside the city. I replied, "Doesn't matter. You should return to Sedon, I have a few other places to visit. Take care on your way back". He nodded, and left with his unit. I on the other hand, headed towards Ruins of Ravan.