Levy rolled his eyes, but Braxill was already skipping ahead toward a sign that read Animal History Section.
"Let's discover some cool things animals did or maybe there is something about syctherians in the womens section, this way when I see Moco again I can tell her all about it." Braxill muttered, flipping open a thick volume.
Levy scoffed. "Boring, I can't believe you like a girl, ewww."
Braxill glared. "I bet the strongest Artimancer is probably a woman. And even if she walked in right now, you'd still find a reason to be a hater."
Levy "Say what you but my Dad is the strongest Artimancer alive, but I have to admit mother is actually pretty strong."
Braxill "Told ya so."
Levy "Still not as strong dad, he can use Grand Macer Terra 2."
Braxill "Sounds under whelming, not the entire name, just the 2."
Levy opened his mouth to retort, then froze. His eyes widened. "Braxill... look at this."
Braxill waved him off. "I can't right now, I found something, its small but it's about Three frcations of the powerful art club called the sister hood. The first were the Amazons known for their inceredible strength. The second were the morphers, know for their ability to imitate animals, even appearance. And lastly the Scytherians, the most adaptable of the three."
Levy's voice cracked. "Braxill, you gotta see this!"
Braxill "Can't you wait till I am done."
Levy screamed "It can't wait."
The urgency in his tone finally hit. Braxill stomped over, and his eyes widened too.
"What the..."
Levy's cheeks flushed bright red. "W-woah. They're so pretty... They must be Artimancers."
Braxill swallowed hard, his own face burning. "Uh... no way, those are definitely artist..."
Then he spotted another sign carved into the wood: XXX SECTION.
His jaw dropped. "Levy... look."
Levy squinted. "XXX? What does that mean?"
Braxill's voice lowered. "I... I read somewhere it means explicit. Like... you can see everything."
Levy's eyes lit up. "Shouldn't we investigate? Y'know... make sure?"
Braxill hesitated. "...Maybe but we probably shouldn't."
Levy "You don't know, wait, you're scared?"
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Braxill 'No, it's just Grax said I should wait till I grow fur.
Levy "That's stupid, humans don't grow fur."
Braxil "It's a metaphor."
Levy "Look, if your dream is to go to the surface then understanding the world is going to give you a head start."
Braxill hesitated and though about it.
Braxill 'Hmmm, actually you're right, fine lets take a peek."
Together they tiptoed into the section, hands trembling as they reached for a book titled "Passion Apple."
Just before they opened it—
CREAK.
The library door opened.
Both boys froze, eyes wide.
Naggi stepped in, her long cloak trailing, her expression calm.
"Crap!" Braxill hissed.
He clapped his hands together, transforming both of them into tiny insects. Braxill's body snapped into the shape of a praying mantis, his wings buzzing. Levy's shrunk down into a small, awkward spider, dangling helplessly from the top shelf.
Naggi wandered right into the XXX section, humming softly. She plucked a book off the shelf, the cover reading: Full Moons of Penetration.
Her cheeks flushed pink. She whispered, "Finally... some privacy."
Levy dangled directly from the book's spine.
"AHHHH!" Naggi shrieked. "A SPIDER!"
She whipped out her sword instantly, slashing furiously at the dangling Levi.
"Mother, wait, it's me, Levy!" Levy squeaked, his spider legs flailing.
But she didn't hear him. She hated spiders. With a passion.
The library erupted into chaos. Nagi chased her own son through the shelves, slicing and smashing at books while he scrambled desperately from corner to corner.
"Braaaaxill, help me!" Levy screeched.
Braxill, still a mantis looked through books on the shelf to add more discoveries to his imagination.
Braxill "Perhaps I should try to imagine something as big as the Seawise Giant, it was said to be the biggest ship in the entire surface world."
Meanwhile Levy continued to dodge his mothers relentless strikes.
Levy "Braxill what are you doing, help me."
Braxill wooped down and scooped him onto his back, wings buzzing wildly. "Hold on!"
The two shot between shelves, dodging Nagi's blade strikes, tumbling out a window and crash-landing in the grass outside. Both transformed back into themselves, panting.
Levy wheezed. "She... tried to kill me."
Braxill smirked. "To be fair, you do look like a creepy spider."
Levy "You're the one who turnt me into a spider."
Braxill chuckles 'Isn't that what your artimancer power is closely associated with?"
Levy "No, It's an ant."
Braxill "Sorry, maybe we should just stay hidden in the bookshelves for now."
Levy being a fat spider tried to squeeze inbetween two books but, instead ended up fall of the shelf along with several books.
Naggi caught the corner, broom in her hand "I gotchu now, demon."
Levy 'Darn, I hate artists."
The next day, the Zoner Knights and civilians gathered in the plaza. Braxill, Gravixor, and Peekol prepared to leave, their bags packed. The crowd swelled with cheers and blessings.
Euly stepped forward, handing Gravixor a delicate rose folded from paper. She blinked, then smiled softly. He leaned in, their lips brushing in a private kiss.
"Take care," Euly whispered, before turning to Braxill. "And you, keep giving people miracles."
Rarfi stood tall, Ms. Mary at his side. The massive knights lifted his fiancée high into the air, both of them laughing as they waved goodbye to Braxill.
Braxill smiled "Goodbye friends!"
Lanni approached last. She hugged Braxill tight, holding him longer than expected. "You're such a good boy. I know one day you'll grow to be a good man. Keep giving color to the world."
Braxill's throat tightened. "Thank you... big sis."
Lanni froze, then smiled, her eyes soft. Never had she been called "big sis" before.
As Braxill, Gravixor, and Peekol turned to leave, Levy lingered beside his mother. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.
"Hey, Braxill! You're still a loser! And a stupid artist!"
Braxill looked back, smiling faintly. "Y'know... you're a lot cooler compared to when we first met. Glad we're friends now."
Levy froze. His eyes stung. He turned away quickly, whispering under his breath, "We are not friends."
Naggi watched her son, smiling quietly. She knew better.