Fire World

Part One

On the world of Co:pern:ica, Counsellor Strømberg, who serves as an auma counselor, engages in a conversation with physics professor Harlan Merriman, his wife Eliza, and their son David concerning David's persistent dreams. On this planet, humans have merged with Fain to evolve into superior beings, overseen by an entity known as the Higher.

Within David's dream, firebirds arrive and breathe their distinctive fire upon him. It becomes clear that a temporal breach had formed, and the firebirds appeared to seal it. They deduce that someone from a different universe has been reaching out to David.

Eliza and Harlan opt to combine their Fain once more to conceive a daughter, intended for David’s return. To begin conception on Co:pern:ica, they must undergo evaluation by a Higher’s agent called an Aunt. Assigned to Aunt Gwyneth—whom Eliza had known since childhood—Harlan offends her during the evaluation. Gwyneth refuses their request but offers Eliza the opportunity to become an Aunt herself. Despite hesitation, Eliza consents and starts training in the Dead Lands.

At the same time, Harlan brings David’s research findings to his workplace and partners with Bernard to experiment with controlled rifts for teleportation purposes.

Strømberg proposes sending David to the expansive Librarium for education under Charles Henry’s supervision. There, David encounters Rosa, who asserts ownership of the Librarium. David discovers he can mentally navigate its vastness by envisioning his destinations. While assisting Mr Henry with cataloguing, they inquire about accessing floors beyond 43, which remain inaccessible. Mr Henry explains that unlocking these secrets demands considerable effort; rumors speak of a large Firebird eyrie located there.

One day, Rosa’s Firebird Runcey goes missing; a threatening red Firebird named Azkiar is implicated. Rosa finds a book about Dragons and conceals it out of fear that Strømberg and Mr Henry will confiscate it. She uncovers the door to floor 43 but finds it locked without any keyhole. Gwyneth appears, interrogates Rosa, forbids her from reading the Dragon book, and insists on meeting with David and Mr Henry.

Initially, Gwyneth intends for David to be destroyed, but Strømberg intervenes, stressing David’s unique significance.

In the Dead Lands, Eliza sculpts clay into an egg shape amidst unusual rainfall that projects images of dragons—creatures long extinct on Co:pern:ica. A lead dragon exhales over her, causing her to faint.

Later, Firebirds discover Eliza along with the egg and wonder how it managed to escape from the eyrie.

Two days afterward, Harlan, Bernard, and Strømberg prepare to open the rift. Gwyneth finds Eliza’s clay dragon guardians near a cave and angrily accuses her of heresy; Eliza reveals her newborn daughter and claims she has solved the family anomaly.

At the Librarium, Firebird Aurielle collects a fire tear contained within one of David’s tears—a daisy chain crafted by Rosa—as well as Eliza’s egg. Aurielle reflects upon a tapestry called Isenfire that depicts dragons, humans, ix, and darklings (referred to as "the shadows of ix"). Another firebird warns of an opening portal that demands their attention.

Rosa and Henry sense the rift forming across Co:pern:ica. After Strømberg overrides Gwyneth’s prohibition, Rosa repeatedly reads the Dragon book alongside David and deciphers Dragontongue; she believes this will grant her access to the upper floors just as Harlan activates the device. Suddenly Rosa faints; when she recovers consciousness, both she and David appear approximately eight years older.

Part Two

David and Rosa explore whether the temporal disruption impacted solely those within the Librarium or extended beyond its walls. By speaking Dragontongue, they unlock a door revealing books that mirror real-world titles, including Alicia in the Land of Wonder and works by Steven Kinge. They come across Azkiar on a plaque marked "fiction." Rosa runs off to locate Mr. Henry, while David evades Azkiar’s puzzled chase and reunites with Rosa beside the deceased Mr. Henry.

An elderly Harlan confesses his failed experiment caused accelerated aging for everyone connected, resulting in Mr. Henry’s demise. As authorities approach, he entrusts David with a micropen containing vital data. Aunt Gwyneth arrives, removing Harlan and explaining Eliza has arranged David’s release so he can return to his family. She notes Rosa cannot leave without an official summons—impossible since her parents perished in the time quake. Gwyneth declares that the Aunts now govern the Librarium during the search for a new curator and calls for Primrose and Petunia. Before departing, Rosa warns David she will prevent his return if he leaves; he vows to come back.

On level 108, Azkiar informs Aurielle about humans on upper floors—David and Rosa—and mentions the Firebirds’ shared aging effect. Aurielle opts to meditate on these events. Frustrated, Azkiar notices a tapestry depicting David and Rosa.

At pod 42, David settles with his mother Eliza and sister Penny. Eliza cautions him against mentioning Harlan and reveals Penny was hatched from an egg made of clay Eliza smuggled back after encountering a dragon. Gwyneth destroyed all guardian dragons upon her return. Although Harlan’s research has been erased, David recovers data indicating Firebirds attempted to close a rift through which another entity emerged.

Penny discovers a black Firebird feather—unprecedented according to Eliza and David. At bedtime, David reads Alicia in the Land of Wonder to Penny, imagining characters coming to life; they glimpse a mirror reflecting clay dragons and a unicorn. Størmberg carries David to bed.

Two days later, Strømberg has disappeared; David must remain mobile for safety. He tells Eliza he needs answers from either the Dead Lands or the Librarium; she forbids venturing into the former. Penny shows him a drawing of a White Rabbit’s transformation—unknown creatures on Co:pern:ica—prompting questions about her source.

Eliza instructs David to meet Strømberg at Bushley Common any evening; there he will know how to locate him. At the common, Strømberg explains society is deteriorating; Aunts conspire against the Higher who dwells in the Librarium and operates via Firebirds. He commends David and Rosa for reaching upper floors after decades of unsuccessful attempts by himself and Mr. Henry. Urgently, Strømberg advises retrieving the Book of Agawin from the Librarium to uncover Co:pern:ica’s history and contact him.

David recounts how his imagined character transformed into a black Firebird; Strømberg is confused until David suggests an infected Firebird caused by something passing through the rift during Harlan’s experiment. Strømberg stresses the immediate need to recover the book.

As Strømberg leaves, Gwyneth reveals herself by shifting from a katt form, overhearing their discussion.

Back inside the Librarium, Rosa struggles under Aunts’ authority—they limit her access and compel her to block windows with books, damaging the library’s structure. After completing this task, Aunts tear pages from books to fill gaps, prompting Rosa to escape. Missing Mr. Henry, she avoids returning to floor 43 due to Gwyneth’s watchfulness.

Firebirds investigate changes following the time quake; they confirm Rosa matches a girl in an old photograph (Zanna) but lacks the Mark of Agawin (Oomera). Aurielle decides to consult the Higher by ascending over 100 floors.

On the roof, Aurielle enters the Higher's sensory matrix (the IS). The Higher reassures her that order within the Eyrie reflects order elsewhere and acknowledges Isenfire as David. He instructs her to expel the Aunts and reinstate David as curator for his protection. Discussing an egg Eliza created, he warns: "Beware of the thread"—time—and that "She will come from an egg." When questioned about his essence, he replies he is pure Fain and urges Aurielle to become like a bone found on the roof—an agent destined to evolve Firebirds into beings with paws instead of wings or dragons.

Rosa finds the Librarium deserted; Aunts have locked themselves behind a "KEEP OUT" sign. To uncover their intentions, she drugs them with mushroom food—a known favorite—and gains entry after ten minutes. Inside she discovers an auma scanner digi:pad connected to books drained of their energy (auma). The Aunts admit plans to harness this energy for domination over Co:pern:ica once Gwyneth finalizes her strategy.

The Aunts distract Rosa by imagineering David, facilitating their escape; one inadvertently brands Rosa with the Mark of Agawin during their flight. They ignite a fire too large for three Firebirds alone; Aurielle dispatches Aleron for backup aware of the blaze.

Amidst flames, the Aunts retrieve and activate the digi:pad, releasing stored auma that transfers into Rosa through her mark. Aubrey—the black Firebird—appears among arriving Firebirds puzzled by her unusual color and bloodied neck. The fire is extinguished as David climbs through a window determined to reclaim control of the Librarium.

Part Three

Harlan and Bernard find themselves transported to the Dead Lands, a place where their Fain powers are ineffective. After their taxi departs, they notice six individuals carrying lights approaching them. One of these men, Matthew LeFarr, reveals he was brought here for asking too many questions. They are given clothing and decide to journey toward the Isle of Alavon, a community of twenty-two inhabitants including themselves. During the trip, Harlan admires Matthew’s natural leadership abilities.

Upon reaching a hilltop, they observe the Isle of Alavon below—believed to have been Agawin’s former residence. A fire bird soars overhead, prompting several members to give chase. When the bird lands close to Bernard, he captures it; Matthew instructs him to turn its head away, causing it to shed a fiery tear that grows into a cornfield named "Bernard's field." The group returns to their settlement, where they settle in and discover that fire birds have brought gifts such as cooking tools and crops.

Matthew calls for a large gathering to foster community connection. Afterwards, Harlan questions him about a tower perched on Alavon’s summit and requests permission to visit it. Matthew consents but warns that many tribesmen have gone mad after returning from the tower.

The journey proceeds uneventfully until near the summit when Harlan is suddenly overwhelmed by a warning concerning the "shadow of the ix." He is knocked down but soon recovers and describes encountering a dragon called "Gawain," though others claim this spirit remains unseen. At the central dais adorned with a winged man carving, they summon the Creator, which manifests as a talon—the same emblem encountered in earlier events.

Back at the settlement, Harlan recounts his experience and reveals the Creator talon. Suddenly, a darkling demands possession of it; during their struggle, Harlan drops the talon, allowing the darkling to seize it and fly back toward Co:pern:ica Central.

Harlan confesses he wrote "Isenfire" on a piece of paper given by LeFarr and suspects this attracted the darkling. Colm Fellowes advises that water can destroy Re:movers. Harlan devises a plan to convert Agawin’s tower into a beacon aimed at drawing everyone back to Co:pern:ica for David’s safety. Although some doubt the Re:movers will come, the group agrees.

Meanwhile, the darkling returns to Co:pern:ica and approaches the Librarium’s fire but is detected by fire birds suspicious of its true nature. It retreats to an abandoned floor where Gwyneth confronts and captures it. She takes possession of the Creator talon and recognizes its draconic origin. Gwyneth warns the Ix not to attempt possession again and agrees to exchange information with them.

The Ix disclose that three worlds—Ki:mera, Co:pern:ica, and a lower plane known as Isenfire—are interconnected. When Gwyneth inquires about Isenfire’s planet, they confirm it is Earth.

Part Four

Gwyneth resists the Ix’s attempts at control while questioning them further. The Ix reveal that David Merriman possesses a unique ability to shift his auma among three planes—Co:pern:ica, Ki:mera, and Earth—effectively living alternate realities simultaneously. They also explain the power of the claw Gwyneth seized from them, which manipulates dark matter to materialize whatever is written by its user. This is demonstrated when Harlan summons the Black firebird by writing "Isenfier." The Ix mention cross-plane connections involving a squirrel (likely Conker) and Gwyneth herself, both linked to Gwilanna who died before the Battle of Isenfier.

Eliza and Penny visit David and Rosa in the Librarium where Gwyneth is confined within an imagineered cage after displaying unruly behavior. Eliza animates a clay dragon using a pencil and pad; it begins writing before a time rift opens. The Ix inside Gwyneth (disguised as a cat) attack David who transforms into a bear to defeat them and seal the rift.

Aurielle, a cream-colored firebird, notices that the clay dragon resembles one depicted in a tapestry on floor 108 and urges David and Rosa to follow her with it. Despite Rosa’s hesitation, Penny accompanies them while Eliza remains behind guarding an embittered Gwyneth. Gwyneth persuades Eliza to examine a book David had been studying; it reveals that the dragon’s name is Gadzooks and discloses Gwyneth as Eliza’s mother. She explains that Eliza’s father was Agawin though his fate remains unknown. During Eliza’s Aunthood ceremony she was placed into stasis by Aunt Su:perior until Gwyneth could claim her—a claim that never occurred—so Eliza was introduced into Co:pern:ica as an orphan under Gwyneth’s supervision.

Gwyneth pressures Eliza to free her from captivity by mentioning the hidden Dragon claw she must reclaim. Eventually, despite David’s warnings, Eliza unlocks the cage.

Meanwhile, David and Rosa ascend to floor 108 where they encounter a recently hatched egg guarded nearby. David wishes to descend fearing for Penny and Eliza’s safety but stays long enough to examine a tapestry where Gadzooks’ notepad faintly displays the word "sometimes," referencing events from Dark Fire’s finale. They then study the Book of Agawin divided into sections covering significant historical moments in Co:pern:ica.

As they descend further, the Librarium transforms—bookshelves and floors morph into woodlands with trees and vines enveloping the structure. Rosa encounters Terafonne—a white horse.

On floor 43 Penny struggles to locate a book but receives guidance from Angel—a winged girl resembling Alexa from Dark Fire—who directs her toward David Rain’s "Snigger and the Nutbeast," from which emerges a squirrel.

Gwyneth appears behind Alexa holding Eliza captive in an imagineered cage. She explains that opening this book triggered the Librarium’s transformation into the Ark of Co:pern:ica—a sanctuary created during the Great Re:duction designed to protect wildlife. Penny attacks Gwyneth but is struck down by a wooden spike conjured by her aunt. Eliza urges Penny not to resist further injury. Penny mentions Angel before Gwyneth confronts Aurielle, Aleron, and Azkair—dragons whose attacks fail due to protection from the claw; instead their assaults strengthen her power.

Gwyneth transforms into a raven and flees into Is—the sensory matrix realm of the Higher—an icy domain resembling Arctic landscapes. There she encounters a polar bear (representing the Higher), Angel, and Rosa riding Terafonne. The Higher offers Gwyneth fire stars if she joins them but her desire for power outweighs acceptance.

When she threatens destruction using the claw its malevolent defense activates; it turns against her casting Gwyneth into an ocean formed by flooding.

Harlan, Bernard, and LeFarr survive their battle with Re:movers aboard an imagineered boat; Harlan bears injuries including an eye patch. They rescue Gwyneth from drowning; despite her wounds and Harlan’s refusal to assist her directly, LeFarr insists on honoring her status as an Aunt by keeping her warm.

In her final moments Gwyneth attempts self-preservation by writing with the claw. As Harlan prepares for violent intervention out of frustration she completes her message:

"I, Gwyneth also known as Gwilanna live..."

Part Five

Gwyneth is placed inside a coffin aboard the Ark, yet despite inscribing the claw in an attempt to bring herself back to life, she remains motionless. The Merriman family gathers around her, accompanied by Lefarr and Bernard. Eliza reveals that Gwyneth is her mother. Rosa arrives, distressed to find Gwyneth sealed in the coffin, and demands her removal. When informed that Gwyneth might still be alive due to the claw's inscription, Rosa attempts to ensure her demise with a wooden stake, but David intervenes. Eliza insists that Gwyneth’s body stay aboard the Ark. Before departing with the coffin, Harlan hands David the claw and requests a private meeting later.

Later, Rosa privately tells David that during the transformation of the Librarium into the Ark of Co:pern:ica, the Tapestry on floor 108 disappeared.

Aside from the missing Tapestry, life aboard the Ark continues smoothly. Lefarr helps Bernard examine bees that established colonies after the Ark’s creation.

On his way to meet Harlan, David encounters Angel, who asks him to read from Snigger and the Nutbeast. She gives him a talisman before leaving. It is revealed that Angel is their daughter; she hatched from an egg on floor 108 and became linked with a chain of daisies Rosa made for David before a time rift caused by Harlan’s experiment.

David meets Harlan at Gwyneth’s coffin to discuss her unusual state. They concur that if the claw had functioned correctly, Gwyneth would have revived; they speculate that her intention might have been unclear or delayed by interference from the time nexus.

Later, on the deck of the Ark as it approaches land, Harlan recounts the Battle in the Dead Lands between his tribe and the Re:movers. Although victorious, Abbot Hugo sacrificed himself to shield Harlan from a bomb and sustained an eye injury from a Re:mover scanner. Angel appears, comforting Harlan and healing his eye wound.

Rosa returns from distant regions riding Terafonne. The Ark halts at the Dead Lands where animals are released. David suggests using Direbirds to distribute books throughout Co:pern:ica, particularly targeting those traveling by water. Rosa initially resists giving away books but consents when David assures her they will be returned for new ones.

Within days, Firebirds spread books widely; many borrowers return them with notes requesting additional titles.

Visitors arrive where the Ark is docked and are guided to the Isle of Alavon. Lefarr plans to depart but David convinces him to remain by revealing Lefarr’s image within the tapestry on floor 108—a fact he had kept secret from Harlan.

Book distribution continues. Rosa receives a marriage proposal from Lefarr but declines due to her feelings for David.

Strømberg arrives with news that initial concerns about the Higher’s wrath toward the Ark have shifted toward viewing it as a gift encouraging harmony with nature.

The Ark’s residents gather as David uses his memory to reconstruct a replica of the missing Tapestry for examination. Lefarr questions why they appear within it. Harlan explains that past, present, and future converge into a single "now," and parallel dimensions exist where alternate versions of themselves live different lives.

David interprets the tapestry as depicting a battle frozen in time by the dragon Gadzooks, who wrote "sometimes" on his notepad—signaling a crucial pause favoring the Ix. Gadzooks sent out a distress signal resonating with David, explaining his unusual sleep patterns and why he is targeted by the Ix.

David proposes that the Ix seek more than just control over the time nexus; he believes he is destined to assist those involved in the tapestry’s conflict, which explains their pursuit of him.

Harlan notes that Gwyneth inscribed "Gwilanna" when attempting to revive herself with the claw—likely information shared by the Ix during their interactions.

Rosa then arrives accompanied by two Firebirds who have retrieved the original Tapestry—revealing Gwyneth’s image on it, unlike David’s imagined version.

They realize Gwyneth never intended to resurrect herself within Co:pern:ica; rather, she sacrificed herself to realign the time nexus. Her revival occurred on her parallel Earth identity during tapestry events. This could influence outcomes if she becomes involved.

Suddenly, Aurielle becomes entangled in the Tapestry and starts unraveling it by pulling threads. This causes images of Gwyneth and an enigmatic boy to appear while David advances toward the Shadow of the Ix. The story concludes as water surrounding the Ark transforms into fire.

The Merrimans

David Merriman

David Merriman serves as the counterpart to David Rain, who initially receives treatment at the auma clinic because of his unusual imagineering talents. Following the passing of Mr Henry, David assumes the role of Curator of the Librarium. He captures Gwyneth, who ultimately dies, but later uncovers that the Isenfire tapestry has altered, indicating that Gwyneth/Gwilanna continues to exist on Scuffenbury Hill.

Eliza Merriman

Eliza parallels Elizabeth Pennykettle and is selected by Gwyneth as an Aunt early in the story. She defies her family’s anomaly by bearing a daughter without an Aunt’s assistance. After David departs, Eliza commits to reading Alicia in the Land of Wonder to Penny. It is revealed by Gwyneth that she is Eliza’s mother and had previously erased her memories before reintegrating her into the family. Eliza becomes part of the family ark heading toward the Dead Lands.

Penny Merriman

Penny represents Lucy Pennykettle’s parallel, having hatched from an egg like other women in the Pennykettle line. She shares Lucy’s curiosity but possesses an underdeveloped Fain due to the effects of the time quake. Penny plays a crucial role in converting the Librarium into an ark.

Harlan Merriman

Harlan corresponds to Arthur Merriman and works as a physicist at the Ragnar Institute for Physics. Concerned about his son’s well-being, he conducts unauthorized experiments involving temporal rifts, resulting in his banishment to the Dead Lands. There, he joins the Follows of Agawin and forms a friendship with Matthew LeFarr. While at Avalon’s tower, Harlan acquires the Creator but loses it to the ix, who are after David. He discovers that water can destroy Re:movers and escapes with LeFarr to reunite with his family aboard the ark.

Allies

Rosanna ('Rosa')

Rosa is a parallel to Suzanna 'Zanna' Martindale and is an orphan whose parents concealed her due to her limited Fain, which could disrupt others’ flow. Her parents volunteer for exile to the Dead Lands. Rosa harbors resentment toward the Aunts and schemes to eliminate them by inflicting torment within the Librarium.

Angel

Angel corresponds to Alexa Martindale and reveals her identity when she calls David "Daddy."

Thorren Strømberg

Strømberg parallels Anders Bergstrom but lacks his otherworldly bear transformation ability. After an unsuccessful experiment, he goes into hiding to avoid being Re:moved. He supports David during failed storytelling attempts and encourages him to seek out the book of Agawin. Strømberg later appears on the ark and studies changes in the Isenfire tapestry.

Mr. "Charles" Henry

Mr Henry serves as a counterpart to Henry Bacon and acts as Librarium curator, known for his patience with children. He assists both Rosa and David but does not possess complete knowledge of all its secrets. Following the time quake, Rosa and David discover that he has died from natural causes.

Bernard Brotherton

Bernard parallels Brother Bernard and formerly worked as a technician for Harlan before being Re:moved from Co:pern:ica central. He helps with a failed experiment and manages to escape from the Dead Lands, overhearing Gwyneth's final words.

Mathew Lefarr

Mathew Lefarr is analogous to Tam Farrell and is a natural leader who previously worked in map design at Co:pern:ica central. His inquisitive nature leads to his removal after breaking into an Aunts-controlled facility near Avalon Isle. He volunteers as bait against a Re:mover due to his familiarity with marshes and physical fitness. After reuniting on the ark, Lefarr develops romantic feelings for Rosa and considers traveling to the Dead Lands until David persuades him otherwise; he then observes his parallel self depicted in the tapestry.

Aunts

Aunt Gwyneth

The counterpart of Gwilanna from the parallel realm, Aunt Gwyneth shares her malevolent intentions but holds a higher position known as Aunt Superior. She convinces Eliza to become part of the Aunts and harbors numerous secrets concerning Co:pern:ica. Gwyneth captures the darkling previously encountered by Harlan, extracts the Creator from it, and consents to unite with it. After ascending the Librarium and conversing with David, she passes away, leaving Bernard enigmatic advice about survival. Upon examining the Isenfier tapestry, they recognize alterations in the timeline, witnessing Gwyneth/Gwilanna bidding farewell atop Scuffenbury Hill.

Aunt Agnes

The Aunt responsible for authorizing David's birth; initially requested by the Merrimans but was unavailable due to other obligations.

Aunt Primrose and Aunt Petunia

Assigned by Aunt Gwyneth to oversee Rosa within the Librarium, these austere Aunts impose strict rules such as sealing windows with books. When Rosa attempts to incapacitate them with a drug, she uncovers that they absorb the auma from books, revealing their malevolent nature.

Mystical Beings

Gadzooks

David’s formidable writing dragon capable of scripting future events on his notepad. Although a minor figure who seldom utilizes his abilities, Eliza fashions Gadzooks from clay for David. In Fire World, he is portrayed reading rather than writing.

Boon

A flawed version of Bonnington from the parallel world, missing part of one ear. Created by David, Boon is frequently mocked and disciplined by Eliza.

Terafonne

The parallel equivalent of the unicorn Teramelle from Scuffenbury Hill; Rosa rides Terafonne around the Ark.

Agawin

A mystical winged entity originating from the Isle of Alavon, reputed to possess comprehensive knowledge about dragons and the Isenfire tapestry. Makes a brief appearance when Harlan Merriman and Mathew Lefarr locate the Crea:tor in an abandoned tower.

Firebirds

Esteemed enigmatic creatures native to Co:pern:ica, often sought after as companions. They nest close to the Isenfire tapestry within the Librarium. Notable Firebirds include Runcey (Rosa’s companion whose true name is Aleron), Askiar—the red Firebird—and Aurielle, a cream-colored Firebird who leads the eyrie.

Katts

Feline-like beings inhabiting Co:pern:ica; Boon stands out as an imperfect creation among them.

Gawain

Encountered by Harlan while journeying to The Isle of Avalon but remains unseen by other tribe members.

Places

Bushley

Bushley is a town situated on Co:pern:ica, serving as a parallel to Scrubbley from previous books. It includes a park frequented by Strømberg and David. The Merrimans live at Pod 24, Crescent Way, which corresponds to the Pennykettles' home at 42, Wayward Crescent.

The Dead Lands

The Dead Lands are desolate wastelands lying beyond contemporary civilization where Aunt Gwyneth sends Eliza for training. There, Eliza discovers clay and molds an egg along with small dragons that come alive, including Penny. This region likely represents the parallel world's Farlowe Island.

The Librarium

Known also as Bushley Librarium, this immense multi-level structure draws inspiration from the Great Alexandrian Library and contains millions of volumes—though many remain uncatalogued. Navigating it requires using one’s fain to reach desired locations. Floors above level 42 are mostly unexplored. The Higher dwells atop the roof inside a dome accessible through its sensory nexus; it produces all auma for Co:pern:ica. The Aunts seek to overthrow the Higher to gain autonomous control over Co:pern:ica. At the story’s climax, Penny retrieves Snigger and the Nutbeast, initiating changes within the Librarium as rain begins outside. Ultimately, it is revealed that the Librarium functions as an ark sheltering every animal in Co:pern:ica while journeying toward the Dead Lands.