The Infinite Library and a God’s Awakening: A Deep Dive into Cadwell Turnbull’s "Dekar Druid and the Infinite Library"
io9, in collaboration with Lightspeed Magazine, presents "Dekar Druid and the Infinite Library" by Cadwell Turnbull, a tale woven with threads of existential boredom, the nature of reality, and the awakening of a dormant deity. This month’s selection offers a compelling narrative that explores the boundaries between fiction and reality, questioning the very definition of self and purpose within a seemingly limitless, yet potentially confining, space.
Dekar Druid, the protagonist, resides within the walls of an "infinite library," a solitary tower surrounded by an expansive, and somewhat oppressive, forest. His existence is marked by a profound boredom, a default state he has grown accustomed to. He is not entirely alone, as he shares the tower with Ebizenum, an android companion who caters to his needs and provides a semblance of conversation. However, the vastness of the library and the limitations of the surrounding environment contribute to Dekar’s ennui.
The library itself is a marvel, seemingly untouched by time, its endless spiral staircases leading to levels that stretch into the clouds above and descend into the darkness below. The books within hold countless stories, universes waiting to be explored. Dekar, in his boredom, spends his days reading, but rarely finds true engagement with the narratives until he stumbles upon a book titled "Longback Berserker."
This particular book possesses a unique power: it transports Dekar into the very world it describes. He finds himself on a street of purple storefronts, inhabited by purple-skinned people, a world that feels undeniably real. Within this world, he encounters Estrid Orchid, the protagonist of "Longback Berserker," and Stranger, a fortune teller with crimson eyes and a profound understanding of Dekar’s true nature.
Dekar’s encounter with Stranger is pivotal. She recognizes him not just as Dekar Druid, but as a fragment of a greater being, a creator who has fragmented himself across countless realities, leaving behind echoes of his power and purpose. Stranger’s fortune reading reveals a prophecy, a journey that will lead to the shattering of self and the revelation of God.
The revelation that Dekar is not merely a reader but a piece of a fragmented god throws his existence into chaos. He confronts Ebizenum with the truth, learning that he, in his "Exalted Self," is responsible for creating the library, the android, and the countless books within it. He learns that the forest is not merely a forest, but a boundary, a limit to his own creation.
The weight of this knowledge is immense. Dekar is burdened with the responsibility of his Exalted Self, the understanding that he is both creator and prisoner of his own making. He is faced with the question of purpose: why has he created these worlds? Why has he fragmented himself?
In search of answers, Dekar returns to Stranger, hoping to find solace or guidance. However, Stranger holds only resentment for the god who abandoned her world, leaving her with the burden of waiting for his awakening. She reveals that she is leaving the planet, seeking out other abandoned creations to share the truth of their origins.
Stripped of his illusions and confronted with the consequences of his actions, Dekar is left with a choice. He can retreat back into the endless cycle of reading and writing, remaining a prisoner of his own creation, or he can embrace his awakening and seek to understand the purpose behind his fragmented existence.
The story ends with Dekar choosing the latter, following Estrid Orchid, the protagonist of "Longback Berserker," embarking on a journey into the unknown. He may still be a sleeping god, but the stirrings of his awakening have begun, setting him on a path toward self-discovery and the potential for ultimate creation or destruction.
Turnbull’s story is a meditation on the power of narrative, the nature of consciousness, and the responsibility of creation. The infinite library serves as a metaphor for the boundless potential of the human mind, while Dekar’s journey represents the struggle to find meaning and purpose within a seemingly limitless world. The story lingers with questions of identity, free will, and the potential consequences of unchecked creative power, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of reality and the significance of their own existence within the grand tapestry of the universe.
