Keeper of The Archives

"Axel, you changed since you took over this place. What did you learn?" She asked a question she had asked almost every day since the first day he became Librarian. Although he had yet to be titled and given the abilities he was entitled to, Axel had one of his own that was rare among humans. An Eidetic memory, at least some claimed, Aurora was more of the opinion that he had hyperthymesia because of the detail at which he could recall things. But it confused her because he never really displayed the drawbacks of the condition.

Axel looked up at Aurora and suddenly smiled.

"I'll see you later Ara," he said to her and continued into the Archives.

Aurora watched him leave without stopping him. Axel did not know, but the reason she was resistant to giving Jelena Savage her support was his crush on the young Chieftess. Aurora did not like it one bit, just like she did not like Rita and she hated Gretel.

"Primal" she muttered to herself. Being an observant person, she noticed that Axel's mood instantly took a dive the moment she mentioned Primal. Unfortunately, this Librarian reported to no one so at the moment he had to keep all information to himself.

Axel walked to the middle of the Archives, all around him, the workers bowed as he passed. No matter what happened in the outside world, no matter their conflict or his awkward position in the Al race, within this building, Axel was king!

Once in the middle of the room, a soldier approached him and handed him a small device which he placed on the neck of his shirt. These soldiers, covered in silver armor plates were called Defenders, a terrifying mixed army under his command and their only responsibility was to protect the database of the Als race and to follow the Keeper to death. They could accurately be called the most powerful army in the entire race, as for what made them terrifying? No one had found out yet.

"Alright, listen up everyone. It has been six revolutions and we still have three percent of our territory in the dark zone. Now before anyone learns of this, I want you all to focus all of your attention on it and get me eyes. Also, get me all the data we were unable to receive from the local Sniffer.

"Another thing, I learned that some of you allow people in here like this is a library. This must stop. Some might abuse their authority and force their way in but you must not guide them to anything unless they follow protocols and go through me. You are all keepers of the Archives. Remember that." Axel nodded and handed the mic device back to the soldier.

At this moment through the entrance marched in a procession. Three soldiers and in front of them a man with long antennas sticking out from both sides of his head. He marched straight to Axel without looking around, a professional smile on his face as he did.

"Greeting Grand Keeper" he offered a salute that reeked of sarcasm.

"I'm hoping you finally came to your senses and are willing to provide me access to the information I want," he asked with his brows raised.

This man was a typical Al. One antenna on both sides of his head, grey hair, and a young face with little wrinkles. His neatly ironed suit made him look like Axel's boss when they stood together.

"Prime Minister, armed forces are not allowed within the Archives" Axel was in a bad mood this morning and for the first time he bared his fangs.

"You will excuse yourself this instant or stay here with me for some time, I'll enjoy the company" he threatened.

These days the recurring dream of Rita's departure haunted him at night, and today after that frustration, he met Gretel and was reminded of Primal, he was not in the mood for any political games.

The expression of the Prime Minister changed and fury boiled his heart.

"You best know your place HUMAN!" he shouted in a sharp tone. He could not believe a human would dare talk to him like so.

I'm an instant, the Defenders rushed up behind Axel, twenty of them, their cold eyes staring right at the Prime Minister. The soldiers of the Prime Minister tensed and they glared intently at Axel, their hands moving to the rifle by their waist.

Axel waved for his soldiers to stand down. His expression was as unchanging as ever but in his heart was a stormy ocean of defiance!

I am Axel,

Protector of the Als race,

The preserver of history,

The wise,

The undefiable.

I am Axel, Axel, Axel.

He heard it repeat in his head over and over again, it was one of the quotes his Master would make him repeat over and over again.

"I am Axel," he said out loud.

"Keeper of History"

The Prime Minister's expression changed. This was not going the way he wanted it to. What changed? What happened between last night and this morning that everyone missed? All he could think at this moment was,

Shit!

"I am Axel" Axel suddenly repeated himself.

The shocked Prime Minister paused, and suddenly a smile bloomed on his face.

"I hear you Axel, have a good day," he said sarcastically and turned around to leave with his soldiers. Axel was still not ready to be Keeper. Fortunately, it hadn't happened in the end or their plans would be ruined. But this was a wake-up call, The thing about the human race was that when one had a sufficient will and awareness of their individuality, circumstances would force an evolution instead of breaking them to submission. This was a fact! And Axel might not be sufficient in will, but he was defiant! Axel was Axel.

Uncaring about his blunder, Axel took the levitator which shot through the ceiling of the dome, through a smaller Library, and into a white room. The room was full of screens and self-operating computers. They computed data from images and countless messages from the Central network and compiled them into books and flash disks, while he monitored them and read whatever information interested him.