The old man had lived in the Realm of Gods for a long time. However, even he had never heard about a missing child of a High God. He went through all the records to see if there was ever a mention of something like that.
Even if there was not a direct mention, he had a feeling that he could find clues to some extent. People often ignored history and didn't realize its significance in the world around them. The future and the present were closely related to history, in every way possible.
The books in his library had a great amount of knowledge. Unfortunately, that was only the books in his own collection which were still incomplete.
After days of hard work, the man let out a sigh. He closed the last book as well, before sitting down.
There were many strange things that he hadn't noticed in these books before, which he was able to notice after going through them again. However, none of them had anything about Gabriel's origin.
"There is nothing in these books. If only I had the right to go through the Library in the Realm of Gods, I would've had a better chance..." The man placed the book safely in its place.
He turned to Gabriel. Despite being a respectable God, he bowed before Gabriel in apology for not being able to help him.
"You mentioned something about the Library of the Realm of Gods?" Gabriel ignored the apology. He didn't need that. Instead, he held onto the words of the old man.
If it was about the Library in the Realm of Gods, then what could be better. He had access to the Library... Let alone the library, he had the entire Realm of Gods under him for the time being.
"Yeah. The books here... They are incomplete. They don't even contain even a fraction of knowledge held in the Library there. That place has books that had everything in them, even the smallest of things from the beginning of time," the old man answered.
He still remembered the Gods who wrote those books. It was a lineage of the wisest Bloodline in the realm of gods. Throughout generations, they were responsible for nothing down everything, including the smallest of things.
Their knowledge was boundless, and their writings contained the secrets of the universe.
Unfortunately, their writing was only kept in the Main Library and no one was allowed to read any of those books without the permission from every High Council Member.
The old man had once been granted the privilege to read one of those books, and its words had stayed etched in his memory ever since. He still craved all that knowledge. Unfortunately, he couldn't.
"If I can get you to the library. Will you be able to leave this place?" Gabriel asked the old man.
"That is impossible. How can you get me to that Library?" The old man sighed.
"That's not the answer to my question. I asked if you will be able to leave this place?" Gabriel asked. "Or are you all trapped in this place?"
The old man gazed at Gabriel. "If you could get me to that Library, I can leave this place, even at the risk of death!"
"There won't be any death." Gabriel explained to the old man about the Realm of Gods being abandoned already, at least for the time being. It was the perfect opportunity for the old man to enter that place and go where he previously wasn't allowed to go.
The old man's eyes filled with hope as he listened to Gabriel's words. He understood that this was his chance to finally escape the confines of his current existence.
If the Realm of God was empty, then this was an even bigger opportunity! Since they had lived in the realm of gods, they could handle the protective formations and maybe even activate them again including the main barrier with some modification.
The old man also understood why Gabriel was willing to take them. He needed people to help him. At least that's what he thought, not realizing that they were even lower than help. They were pawns.
He agreed to leave with Gabriel, especially since he was curious about Gabriel's origin. He didn't care about who ruled that place. After being in exile for so long, just going back alone was enough for them.
"You stay here. I'll convince the others. We shall all go there. It's time we returned home..." The old man rushed out of the place.
Gabriel also walked out, but stayed in the main hall where time moved normally. He was really curious just how many Gods were actually hiding in this place. So far, he only met two.
He didn't think there were going to be too many, especially since most of the rebels were already killed.
After half an hour, the old man returned with a group of five. In the group, everyone was wearing ordinary clothes, that didn't reveal the dignity of high ranking goes they used to be.
It was as if they had lived their lives like mortals in this place, slowly losing hope of ever returning. Their eyes were still looking at Gabriel suspiciously, but they decided to believe the old man.
As Gabriel approached the group, he could sense the heaviness in their hearts, the weight of their past and the uncertainty of their future. He introduced himself, trying to ease their apprehensions and offer them a glimmer of hope.
All five of them introduced themselves to Gabriel as well. However, the atmosphere still remained a little awkward.
Gabriel could understand their reservations and the tension in the air. These gods had been living in seclusion and exile for so long, cut off from the world they once knew.
It was only natural for them to feel uncertain and wary, especially when faced with a newcomer like Gabriel. They didn't even know if Gabriel was actually being honest, or it was a trap to lure them out.
However, they also realized that Janus didn't need or lure them out. If he knew they were here, he would've invaded directly and killed every single one of them.
