Thena sat down on the worn sofa while the two spirits settled on the table across from her.

  Chosen? Led? Me? Why?

  She couldn’t stop the questions from echoing in her mind. Why her? What was it about her that made this place—this strange library—call to her?

  “May I ask you something?” Thena leaned forward until she was eye level with Nara.

  “Sure! Anything!” Nara replied cheerfully.

  “You said that anyone—or anything—that sees the glowing forest is being guided somewhere, right?”

  “Yes.” Nara nodded, their expression bright and innocent.

  “Then… are you saying I was chosen?” Thena hesitated. “But why? What did I do? Why… this library?”

  Nara tilted their head, thinking for a moment.

  “I’m not sure. The forest is alive. Sometimes it chooses things simply because they attract it. The forest can sense aura—from living beings or even the dead. That’s how this place stays alive. The forest keeps bringing good aura here.”

  They spoke so casually, without a hint of doubt. To Nara, Thena’s presence alone was proof enough—if the forest chose her, then she must be good.

  “Wait!” Frow suddenly spoke up. “Earlier, when you touched one of the books downstairs… you were shaken, right? Did you see something?”

  “Oh—yeah.” Thena nodded slowly. “Now that you mention it… when I touched that book, I saw something. A vision. It felt like I was watching someone else’s memories. They weren’t mine. I’m sure of that.”

  “YOU SAW A VISION?!”

  Nara shot up, floating toward Thena in a burst of excitement.

  “YOU SAW A VISION WHEN YOU TOUCHED A BOOK?! Does it happen with other books too?!”

  They paused abruptly, eyes widening. “Wait—Thena. What’s your full name?”

  Frow and Thena stared at Nara, stunned by the sudden shift.

  “My full name?” Thena answered cautiously. “It’s Thena Logophile.”

  “Logophile…” Nara muttered, pacing in the air. “Logophile… I’ve heard that name before…”

  Thena stayed silent, unsure when—or how—to interrupt.

  Then Frow, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.

  “THE OWNER.”

  Both Nara and Thena turned to her.

  “The owner?” Thena’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know why, but the word made her uneasy.

  “Oh!” Nara snapped their fingers. “I remember now—Fingolfin Logophile! That’s the name of the owner of this place!”

  They froze midair. “Hah… could it be—”

  “Could it be you?” Frow cut in sharply. “The one we’ve been waiting for?”

  “Uh… wait… I’m—”

  Thena’s mind went blank. Words refused to come.

  Nara and Frow immediately began talking over each other, firing questions at her without pause, leaving no space for her to answer.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “WAIT! WAIT! BOTH OF YOU—SILENCE!” Thena finally shouted. She pressed a hand to her head, trying to think.

  “…Fingolfin Logophile,” she said slowly. “That’s my ancestor’s name. And if I remember correctly… he was a writer too.”

  The room fell silent.

  “I–I don’t know what to say…” Thena finally whispered. “M-My ancestor is the owner of this library…?”

  She stood frozen, words failing her, her thoughts tangled in disbelief.

  “Finally,” Frow said softly. “After years and years of waiting… you’re finally here.”

  She floated closer, her expression gentle and relieved, and reached out to hold Thena’s finger. Frow’s hand was so tiny that even Thena’s pinky filled her grasp.

  “This is good news, Thena,” Nara added, their wings fluttering happily. “All of us have been waiting for you—for yearsss.”

  “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to feel right now,” Thena said, her voice trembling. “Having an ancestor who owned a library is one thing, but—why is it in another world?!”

  Her breath hitched as a new thought struck her.

  “Wait… does that mean I’m from this world? Does that mean I can return? To my world?”

  She straightened suddenly, words spilling out as panic and hope tangled together.

  Nara and Frow froze.

  “You don’t mean to go back… right?” Frow asked quietly, sadness seeping into her voice.

  “Thena!” Nara blurted out. “You just got here! You can’t leave yet. All of us need you right now!”

  “All of us?” Thena frowned. “There’s only two of you.”

  “Didn’t I tell you?” Nara said gently. “The forest is alive. And we’re not the only ones who live in these woods. There are many others.”

  “But I didn’t see anyone when I came here,” Thena said, still confused.

  “Are you sure about that?” Nara smiled knowingly. “Every living being is here now. They’re all excited to meet you.”

  Thena shook her head, still in denial.

  Frow stood and floated toward the door.

  “Yes,” she said softly. “Everyone is here, Thena. You should meet them too… and let them know the library’s owner has returned.”

  “What are you saying, Frow?” Thena’s heart skipped. “I’m not the owner.”

  “You are~” Frow replied calmly. “Since you’re a descendant of the founder, you’re next in line. That makes you the owner now.”

  Thena stared at her, overwhelmed, unsure of what to believe.

  “Come on, Thena!” Nara called out cheerfully. “Let’s go!”

  As they reached the front door, Thena’s heart began to race. Her palms were damp, her chest tight. Whatever waited beyond that door felt far bigger than she was ready for.

  “Okay,” Nara said brightly. “Thena, say hi to every living.”

  Frow and Nara opened the doors.

  Warm light poured in, revealing countless mythical creatures, spirits, and living nature itself—beings of bark and glow, wing and whisper. This was what they called The Living.

  “Oh… woah…” Thena breathed. “Um… hi, y’all. You’re… so pretty.”

  Her voice faltered. She laughed awkwardly and took a step back—only for Nara to gently push her forward.

  “Come on~” Nara whispered. “You have to meet everyone. Introduce yourself. They’ve been waiting for their new owner.”

  “But I’m not the owner,” Thena whispered back urgently.

  “Thena,” Nara said softly. “You’re a descendant of the founder. You carry the bloodline. And the forest already chose you—it has protected you this whole time.”

  Thena fell silent once more.

  She took a deep breath.

  Slowly, she lifted her gaze, looking around at every living being gathered before her. Their eyes shimmered with hope, curiosity, and trust.

  Then, gathering her courage, Thena stepped forward.

  She bowed—graceful, respectful, almost like a princess—and greeted them.

  “I… um…” Thena hesitated, then took a steady breath.

  “My name is Thena Logophile. I don’t really understand why I’m here yet, or what I’m supposed to be to all of you…”

  Her voice trembled, but she didn’t stop.

  “But… thank you. For welcoming me. For protecting this place. And for… waiting.”

  She pressed her right hand to her chest and bowed again, deeper this time—not as someone of authority, but as someone sincere.

  For a moment, nothing moved.

  Then, slowly, the forest responded.

  The leaves rustled, though there was no wind.

  Glowing spirits dimmed their light in a gentle dip.

  Creatures of bark and moss bent their heads.

  Winged beings folded their wings.

  Even the towering trees creaked softly, their branches lowering in quiet respect.

  They were bowing—to her.

  Not out of fear.

  Not out of obligation.

  But recognition.

  Thena’s breath caught in her throat.

  One by one, the living beings straightened. Soft murmurs spread through the clearing—curious, warm, content. Some creatures drifted back into the forest glow. Others returned to their nests, their paths, their quiet lives, as if reassured that everything was as it should be.

  The gathering slowly dissolved, leaving behind only the forest’s gentle hum.

  As the light faded and dusk settled in, Thena finally exhaled.

  “…That just happened,” she muttered weakly.

  Nara beamed. “See? They like you!”

  Frow floated closer, smiling softly. “You did well, Thena.”

  The sky darkened into deep blues and purples as lantern-like lights bloomed among the trees. The forest felt calmer now—at rest.

  “Come on,” Nara said, stretching. “It’s getting late. You must be tired.”

  Together, the three of them turned and headed back inside the library. The doors closed gently behind them, shutting out the night.

  Inside, the air was warm and quiet. Books rested peacefully on their shelves. The library felt… settled.

  Thena looked around, exhaustion finally catching up to her.

  “So,” she said softly, “I guess… this is home for now.”

  Frow nodded.

  Nara smiled.

  And as the forest slept, the library welcomed its heir into the night.