Gabriel followed Shi Ming through the library doorway, Samsara institute of science and soul's one and only library. As the only library in the whole institute, Samsara's library was huge. With only three floors it wasn't the tallest library in the empire or even in this County but it was wide, taking up about a tenth of the whole institute ground's. There were buildings wider than it in the empire but it was without a doubt the widest building in Koi County. Shi Ming led Gabriel through the insides of the library past the reception and rows of reading tables and shelves filled with people. the colors purple and white stood out everyone had at least one major article of clothing in that color. It was to be expected white and purple were the official colors of Samsara, the institute was lax in its uniform code for those not on any official duty. Those on official duties like the librarians could be spotted wearing purple and white themed outfits. Shi Ming placed his palm on the panel of one of two elevator doors sitting side by side.
"that elevator is not working!" said Gabriel moving to press the down button on the second elevator panel. "Do you even visit this place at all? Some might think I am the one who has stayed here all my life." Gabriel continued
Shi Ming just smiled at him, his infamous grin that showed his canines, the one that screamed 'I got you where I want you'. Gabriel almost doubted himself but held strong, the panel Shi Ming had touched didn't even light up after it had been touched, this further convinced Gabriel. Shi Ming was a prankster and that grin was his signature. You only knew he pranked you when he flashed it at you, his face that looked like one of those singers on the television and his status as one of the five patriarchs' son made it so that he could get away with pranking the majority of students in the institute, and trust Shi Ming to make full use of that privilege. Sometime passed and the elevator door that Gabriel had called opened.
"After you." Gabriel said feeling very smug and he made sure to show it, flashing a wide smile of his own and puffing his chest for all it was worth not that there was a lot of chests to puff. It was not every day he found the opportunity to beat Shi Ming at his own game or any game at all.
Shi Ming burst out in laughter, unable to hold himself, the more he laughed the more confused he saw Gabriel become and it made him laugh harder. Till he remembered what he was going to do here and the mirth left Shi Ming almost instantly but he still kept his smile. His best friend might have been slow to pick up many things but emotions was not one of it.
"That elevator can't take us where we are going," said Shi Ming with the fake smile
"Oh! Is it the basement, let's take the stairs then?" Replied Gabriel
"Relax, the elevator is coming," said Shi Ming
"All the times I have come here I have never seen anybody use that elevator. Are you sure it's working?" Gabriel asked still skeptical, the elevator arrived just as he finished speaking leaving him speechless.
"Get in, be careful this elevator is a little special" said Shi Ming climbing in.
The elevator looked ordinary from where he stood but his impression changed as soon as he stepped in, aether covered the entrance, like a packet of air just in front of the entrance, it was so thin that his momentum carried him through it before he could properly feel it and just as he turned to properly inspect it, the elevator began to move downward.