Chapter 19 15

The man thought about it for a while, but didn't speak.Then, to fill the silence, Blake said what was on his mind: You are John.Gutenberg? Da Ke was the first to respond, are you serious?She giggled, thinking she knew he wasn't Gutenberg!Gutenberg has been dead for over five hundred years, you idiot! Blake blushed.Strange to say, the man's mouth was loosened into a smile.The transformation surprised Blake.It was as if someone had flattened a crumpled piece of paper to reveal a hidden greeting.The stranger's eyes no longer looked distant or dreamy, showing signs of revived life, unlike the fire.The stranger poked the fire again with his stick.

The man opened his mouth to speak, but made no sound.Blake listened carefully, but the man's voice seemed hoarse, and only faint breathing could be heard.The man closed his mouth again and made no sound. Blake frowned, what do you mean?He thought he might have heard it wrong, but the stranger just shook his head and raised a finger to his lips.His eyes were smiling. Blake turns to his sister, do you think he's hungry? Don't be silly, Dako said, he probably hasn't spoken to anyone in years.Perhaps he has lost his voice. Blake pondered for a moment.Do people really forget how to speak?That probably sucks.He bit his lip.The man obviously expected Blake to know where to start and how to start the discussion, but Blake had too many questions in his mind to know which one to ask first, let alone how to express it.

Thank you for the dragon.He finally said it. The man took off his hat and scratched his thick, unruly hair underneath. What dragon?Da Ke asked. Blake forgot that Da didn't know about it.He dropped a dragon by our door yesterday morning.Blake replied. What?Da Ke blurted out, how ridiculous!What does a dragon mean?There is no such thing as a dragon!how could he drop one I mean the dragon he made out of special paper, Blake said, like the paper I found in the book. Why didn't you tell me?Da Ke felt uncomfortable and shouted, I can help you! I don't need your help.What's more, I figured out what it means by myself.

Yeah?So Einstein, what does this dragon represent? It represents us. I mean, I should ask him about the wordless book. The man nodded, but neither Blake nor Duck was paying attention.The two glared at each other angrily and began to argue. So what exactly are you asking? I don't know, he replied weakly, as long as you don't interrupt, I will naturally think of it. right.Even if he writes down the question for you, you don't know how to say it.That's awesome, idiot. Listen, you didn't find the Wordless Book, and you didn't receive the origami dragon, so you just mind your own business.This has nothing to do with you.

He reached into his jeans pocket, pulled out the dog's bandanna, and began wrapping it around his fingers like a boxer wraps his knuckles.You are just jealous.He muttered under his breath and gave his sister a squint. Yeah?Jealous of what? Jealous that I found that book. Do you mean the book you dropped, Dako reminded him, or have you forgotten about it? Of course I haven't forgotten. Knowing she had the upper hand, that the book might realize it had made a mistake, Duck taunted Blake and ran back to hide, waiting for someone to discover it. What's the meaning? Meaning you're too dumb to solve the mystery on your own.she says.

That's what you thought. Yes, and I'm smarter than you. Ha, you're not as smart as you think you are, Blake said angrily, getting up from the log, you're just a stupid girl wearing a stupid raincoat and thinking if you keep wearing that raincoat Mom and Dad will will be together.But they won't be together, just wait and see!They will get divorced and then live on both sides of the strait.Then you're happy, aren't you, because you never have to see me again!How, Endymion.Spring found me, but not you, forget it. Blake knew he had completely attacked Dako, but he didn't expect her reaction.Da Ke looked like she was about to sneeze, and her face was wrinkled with tears.Blake reached for her in an instant, but Dako shook off his clumsy way of apologizing and covered her face with her hands.She swayed and whimpered.

Blake hadn't seen her cry like this, at least not since that big fight between her parents.His words opened a deep and dangerous wound. The man had been looking at the two children tenderly, as if he knew that the book would cause pain and suffering.Until Endymion.Spring was mentioned before he stood up and approached them.That name fit like a key into a lock, freeing him from his stillness. The man remained silent, but sat down between the two children and reached into the countless pockets.From one of his pockets he took out a battered book, the one he had been reading outside the bookshop.The book wasn't blank, as Dako would have Blake believe, but densely packed with words: old-style fonts, black letters scribbled around, and vignettes of angels, skeletons, and demons, not to mention There were people working in front of the printing presses, like those drawings that Professor Dorion had shown them yesterday.A few pages were torn out, and others were covered with dirty brown stains.That book is about to fall apart.

Da Ke stopped crying and looked up. The vagrant finally turned the book to a series of blank pages, which he inserted near the back cover.Compared with the brown paper of the first few pages, these pages were as new as new snow: thin paper of fine quality, heavily streaked with silver. Blake gasped.He knew at once that it was Endymion he saw.Part of Spring, so I asked: how did you get it? The man responded by pointing to a blank page, and Blake saw something take shape.It was as if someone had breathed on a mirror and left a message on the foggy glass.A line of words appeared, at first it was blurry, and as the image was revealed, the handwriting became deeper and deeper.It was as if the skin was cut by a needle and blood gushed out.Blake was taken aback, eyes widening.

what does it sayDako screamed, tell me! Can not you see?he asked in surprise. can not see.I can see the print, but not this, and she sat down on the edge of the log, and like I told you, it's a wordless book. Da Ke sounded frustrated, but she was just a little jealous.She was overcome by her own curiosity. Blake didn't know how to describe the vision in front of him.It was an ancient tree, and a monster lived coiled in it.He saw it clearly, and reached forward to touch it.The animal seemed to sense Blake's presence, bobbing its head from side to side nervously, slipping away from under his curious fingers.

Perhaps it was because of his touch that the monster disappeared with a shake.That tree became a memory on the page, a gray and white outline that faded and faded until it disappeared completely. Blake held his breath.what is that?he asked at last, thinking to himself that it was like the dragon in the tree he had seen last night. what is what?Dako yelled loudly. A dragon, I guessed, he said uncertainly, in a tree.Something happened.I don't understand.It doesn't answer my question at all. Da Ke didn't understand the meaning of that image either, but she promised to check it out in the library later.She said Blake might be able to see the spellbook, but at least she could go get information from the real book.

However, Blake didn't listen at all.He looked up at the homeless.How did you do that book? he asks.But although the man was staring at the book, his heart went somewhere, as if he could see something else. Blake glanced at the book, which was blank. Who are you?He asked again, what's your name? The man woke up as if from a daydream.Shrugging off a memory, he turned the book to the front, underlining the slightly illegible words with his grubby fingernail. Blake frowned.Those syllables stuck in his throat like fishbone.How would he read it?He said his name called him to speak. I can see this, idiot.Da Ke interrupted him and said grumpily. She pushed Blake's head away and studied the man's name for a while.Then she looked up, smiling. Nice to meet you, Samanadra. Blake wrinkled his face in shock.Samanazar?What country is this called?It made him think of angels or gods.Are you a wizard or something?he finally asked. Samanazar smiled, but shook her head. So how do you know how to contact me?Blake asked before Dako interrupted. Samanazar turned to the end of the book, there were a few words waiting for Blake, the ink was as pale as gray.Even this message doesn't make much sense. He read the words silently, unable to comprehend their meaning. Come on, Da Ke is pestering him.What does it say?He read the lines aloud: (The silence is about to end and the sun is about to come) (remember what I said shadows eclipse) Weird, Blake added, another riddle also featured the sun.It seems to be a kind of instruction or warning or something. There are also shadows, Da Ke's tone is very ominous, don't forget that. Blake shuddered, remembering Dorion's stark warning, about a man in shadow who would stop at nothing to find the Ultimate Book. He was about to speak, but noticed that the next page was torn off neatly, maybe it was taken by Samanazar to fold into the dragon. On a whim, he asked: We saw you outside the bookstore a few days ago, did this message appear in the book at that time? The man looked happy and nodded. now it's right!Somehow, that piece of paper Endymion.Spring's paper must have told him to look it up in a book.But why? Blake looked at the riddle again.It suggested that the man in the shadow might be the man that Dourion had warned them to be careful of lurking outside the bookshop, which made him shudder and look around suspiciously.Only a few leaves on nearby trees trembled. Da Ke sensed Blake's hesitation, and said impatiently, "Ask what we should do next."She reached out to pat the dog, and the dog nudged her hand with its nose, telling her to keep touching it.The dog ears felt like warm silk gloves, and Da Ke touched it lovingly. All right, but let's hurry up.He glanced at his watch and said. Samanazar spread out the book, and Blake repeated Dako's question: What shall we do next? He stared at that page for what seemed to be a long time, but no new messages or instructions appeared.The page was still blank.Nothing, Blake said, giving up hope, there's nothing in there.I don't have the skills to see it. Maybe this book can't predict the future, Dako said, maybe we'll have to figure it out on our own However, it is wrong to say so.This book has made many prophecies.After all, Dorion had told them of Endymion.Spring's paper contains all the answers.It's just that the book doesn't want to help them right now. Blake realized this and was rather disappointed.With so many questions to answer and so many things to know, this book is frustratingly silent. By the way, he flicked his finger and said suddenly, sometimes it is more difficult to know the question than to find the answer. Ga?Da Ke felt baffled. This is what Professor Dorion told me, Blake said, I can't ask what will happen in the future?This kind of vague question is too general to ask.I have to be more specific.Maybe in this way, the book can help us. He took a moment to form the words in his mind, and then asked in a clearer, more confident voice: Where is that book I found in the library on Tuesday afternoon? Da Ke looked up, full of curiosity.Samanazar clutched the book tightly.His knuckles shimmered, bone china white through the layers of grime.What caused the change?Blake glanced at him sideways, and the man's face was fixed on the book, unfathomable. The boy followed his gaze down the page. I saw something appear, and he spoke softly, but the ink was too pale.I can't tell. Blake took a closer look.His mouth felt dry.Great, another mystery.When he finally saw the words clearly, he felt hopeless. Come on, read it to me, Dako said, I'm the best at this.I can help you. Blake paused for a moment, unable to make sense of it himself, and read the lines aloud.The message seems so simple, yet so complex: (The present has disappeared, the past has disappeared) (the future is coming once the two become one) Blake complains: This poem is more confusing than the first one I saw. Da Ke read it over and over again and memorized it.Her lips moved and her nose twitched like a rabbit sniffing the air.Blake stared at her, then at the book, wishing he could see through the words, but he couldn't. I don't know.he said at last, a lock of dark hair hanging before his eyes. Da Ke raised a hand to signal him to be quiet, I think I understand. She spoke so softly that Blake could barely hear her. What? Well, I don't quite get it.That's when Blake turned to her in disbelief, she corrected, but I get the gist of it.At least, I think I know how we're going to find the ultimate book. Ga?Blake was taken aback, how to find it? Read the poem again, she said, this time thinking about it as you read it. Blake shook his head, what's the difference? It all depends on how you read the past, Dako said, a mysterious, very different result. She petted the dog again.Just go and read it.she ordered. Blake did as she was told.Even with Dako's advice first, those words still mean nothing.The present, the past, and the future are hopelessly entangled like a knot.He'd tried his best, but he couldn't make sense of it. I still do not get it.Blake said. Alas, the book we are reading is disintegrating.Dako pointed out that more pieces of paper floated from Samanadra's fingers and fell to the ground like crushed moths.So its usefulness has disappeared, or is disappearing as we speak.This explains the first sentence: the present is gone. Blake stared at her suspiciously. And you lost the book you found in the library, that is the second sentence, Da Ke continued, the past is gone.That's the only message it gives.That leaves the Ultimate Book, the most influential book that Professor Dorion told us.That’s the one that’s still waiting for us once we put the other two together! Dako looked up, expecting compliments, but Blake frowned. But what are we going to do?He whines that we don't even know where the first book is.Meaningless!He kicked the ground, and a twig lifted off the ground, snapping like a broken bone. I know, his sister mumbled, but I'm sure we'll find out soon. Blake couldn't believe it, he looked at his watch, come on, we better go quickly.Mom will be furious. First ask who is in the movie.Da Ke said. Blake's face turned pale, and his heart almost jumped out.He didn't want to know the answer to that question.He turned to face Da Ke with a look of horror. Ask, she said, that was the most obvious thing to do.She continued to comb the dog's fur with her fingers, pretending she wasn't scared. Blake nodded, but said nothing.The trees around him seemed to be getting closer and closer, embracing each other with sparse branches.The leaves that remained on the tree trembled and trembled. Biting his lip, Blake found himself walking a little closer to the blank book.Samanazar held the book open with his fingers.The corners of one page fluttered slightly. Blake took a deep breath, and said the words he dreaded most: Show me the face of the man in the shadow. After speaking, he quickly closed his eyes, deeply afraid of what he would see when he opened them.It's like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake and making a wish that things don't come true.He waited a moment, then slowly opened his eyes. He could feel his courage dripping down his spine like melting icicles. He trembled as he watched a cloud of black ink swirl across the page like dye in a bottle of water.Ink and white paper battle in what seems to be an endless battle, a tug-of-war between light and shadow, until the final page is completely black, resembling a solar eclipse.Then, a figure began to appear from the chaos, and its shape became bigger and bigger, but it didn't become clearer.Like a mask or a silhouette, there is more hidden than revealed. Despite his fear, Blake looked closer. He realized that he was looking at the face of the demon, but could not tell who it was, or what it was.The shadow seemed to reach out from the book and suck him in.He felt a chill go through his heart and lungs.His pupils dilated, like holes in thin ice, and he couldn't take his eyes off the book. Suddenly, the dog howled, and the book fell from Samanazar's hand just when Blake thought he recognized the face.The book fell to the floor and fell into a pile of papers.The spell was lifted. what happened?Blake asked in a low voice, startled. The dog's growl turned into a growl, its neck hair stood on end, and it secretly moved in front of Da Ke, protecting Da Ke with its thin ribs. Blake heard activity behind him and turned to see joggers and dog walkers coming across the bridge along the towpath along the river bank.Life goes on as usual. I don't understand, he said timidly, what's wrong? It's you, Dako finally speaks, her voice is trembling, something grabs you.You suddenly turned pale and there was a twinkle in your eye.What did that book show you? Blake turned to Samanazar helplessly, but Samanazar refused to meet his gaze.He stared into the distance, as if he couldn't wait to leave. A face, said Blake softly, emerged from the shadows.It's just that I don't know who that person is.It's possible for anyone. Blake didn't have the courage to go on.He shivered, as if a cloud covered the sun and the earth was in shadow.There was a breath of winter in the air. For a while, the three of them stood still, and finally Da Ke broke the silence: I want to go home. Blake nodded, impatient to get out of the clearing as soon as possible.Still numb with fright, he bent down and reached out to pick up the scraps of Samanazha's book.Just now the book was dropped like this, and it was seriously damaged.The spine of the book was broken, and several pages were scattered on the floor.The cover in his hand felt empty and lifeless, as if he was grasping the memory of a book, or the soul of the book? Oh Samanazar, what good have I done?Blake was even more desperate when he realized that the magic paper had also fallen.He panicked and turned around quickly. And then he saw it.Just on the tree, there is a big white paper stuck between the branches like a kite.Blake ran over to remove it. Touched Endymion again.Spring's paper, he felt a surge of hope in his body.The piece of paper was originally big and useless, but at this moment it was naturally folded into a series of small pages, like a pocket book, which fits in the palm of your hand. Blake hurried towards Samanazar.The man refused to accept the book, but gently wrapped Blake's finger around the book.The action made it clear: Blake was destined to keep it. Blake was confused, but stuffed the little book into his pocket anyway.Well, thanks.He murmured, not knowing what to say. He felt as if he had inherited a great responsibility.His heart was beating fast, and the sound of blood flow was unmistakable.Blake returned the bandanna to the man in exchange, and Samanazar hastily tied it around the dog's gray neck. When he was about to leave, Da Ke grabbed his brother's arm.One thing we forgot to ask the book, she said, what's the name of Samanazar's dog? Blake wanted to laugh, but a faint, trembling voice came from behind them: it was Alice. Startled, the two children turned away. Samanazar smiled shyly at them, evidently uncomfortable with the newly recovered voice.She was digging a rabbit hole at the time, Samanazar went on, feeling her throat stiff and sore, and somehow decided the name was appropriate. Dako and Blake stared at him suspiciously for a moment, unable to believe what they were hearing.They didn't turn around until there was no more sound coming, and started the long return journey. They walked the whole way in silence, thinking about the same thing: Samanadra's voice sounded strangely familiar, like they had heard it before, an echo from the old days.But they did not tell each other the doubts in their hearts.Sama Nazar's silence infected them.