Before you stands a massive bookcase. The entire thing seems to be made from a single block of obsidian stone, somehow crafted to form shelves for the books within.

The books themselves are hefty tomes, usually bound in leather. Their titles are written in gold leaf, and silver clasps hold some of the weightier tomes shut. The parchment between the covers have the same smell that all old books do.

You notice, however, that the tomes are not all the same age. Those near the bottom of the bookcase, which are also stacked more haphazardly, seem to be much older. They are dusty and look more worn and tattered than the newer books arranged neatly at the top. You also note that there are what appear to be traces of fine ash strewn amongst the bottom books. Some of the oldest books seem to be slightly charred.

You look over the titles written on the spines… they seem to be some sort of on-going chronicle. The titles are unusual, and you wonder about what they may contain. If you wish, you can take and read any of the books here:

The Ancient Vampire Lords, Book II: Preparations
The Ancient Vampire Lords, Book III: Attack on Cerberis, Chapter I
The Ancient Vampire Lords, Book III: Attack on Cerberis, Chapter II
The Ancient Vampire Lords, Book III: Attack on Cerberis, Chapter III
The Ancient Vampire Lords, Book III: Attack on Cerberis, Chapter IV
The Ancient Vampire Lords, Book III: Attack on Cerberis, Chapter V

Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter I
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter II
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter III
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter IV
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter V
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter VI
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter VII
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter VIII
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter IX
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter X
Chaos and Clutchfiend, Chapter XI

The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter I
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter II
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter III
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter IV
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter V
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter VI
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter VII
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter VIII
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter IX
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter X
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter XI
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter XII
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter XIII
The Bonds of Betrayal, Chapter XIV

Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter I
Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter II
Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter III
Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter IV
Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter V
Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter VI
Tranquil after the Storm, Chapter VII

The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter I
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter II
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter III
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter IV
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter V
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter VI
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter VII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter VIII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter IX
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter X
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XI
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XIII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XIV
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XV
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XVI
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XVII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XVIII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XIX
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XX
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXI
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXIII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXIV
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXV
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXVI
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXVII
The Weaver of Destiny, Chapter XXVIII

The Aftermath, Chapter I
The Aftermath, Chapter II
The Aftermath, Chapter III

If you are curious about the nature of these books, then Soul Reaver is prepared to give you some further information. Alternatively, you can leave the bookshelf and head for the obsidian table nearby, or step back to survey the whole island. Or, if you wish to leave the island, you may open a Warp Gate and step into the Warp.

Finally, you may also wish to ask your guide to take you with him on his current quest.