DALIA AND THE RED BOOK
Mom, can I?
Yes, Dalia. Go to your father.
Otherwise, he'll probably be standing there
-the whole day. -Thank you.
They're for one another.
Oh! Hmm?
Hmm.
Oh, hello, sweetheart.
Looks like we're running out of time.
Has the big bad wolf sent you to devour me?
Come here, look at that little house.
Isn't it the most beautiful house in the world?
I'm sure it grew out of these very hills.
Something like this can't just be built.
This must be true magic.
What does the seed of a house look like, Dad?
Dalia, I can assure you,
that it is a wonderful seed.
Something worth seeing.
It has a color you've never seen yet.
About the size of a small acorn,
but weighs more than a well-fed elephant.
Yes, almost as much as my sweetie-pie.
Dalia, the seat belt.
Dad could write a tale about that little house.
With all the time your dad has spent
just staring at that little house,
he should be writing a saga of...
no less than seven volumes, my love.
Your mother's absolutely right, Dalia.
That little house is a lot of inspiration
for a simple story.
I think I'll have to write
a whole long book about it.
I'll have to talk to my editor about it tomorrow morning.
FOR SALE
Your editor is still surprised.
After all these years editing your stories,
will I finally edit your first novel?
Hm, well, "novel,"
it's a term I don't like very much.
I'd rather say the "book."
It sounds more like a hard cover.
Humidity and yellowed leaves.
I really want to write a book,
not just a novel.
And I'm gonna hand-write it, I'll use a pen and ink,
like in the good old days.
It'll be a real blast.
Don't you wanna make it harder?
If it takes you three years
to complete a two-page tale,
how long will it take you to write a 500-page book?
Well, don't you worry, my editor lady.
It'll be fast, I can tell you that.
I'll start with it tomorrow.
And before the year's end,
you will be sitting next to the chimney's fire,
reading the... 800 pages of my book.
Are you serious? That's a nice idea.
But you know better than me that we don't
have a chimney at home.
Well...
I'll put Dalia to bed.
They're for one another.
Looks like lighting that fire will take some time.
SEVEN YEARS LATER
Mom, I'm here.
Mom? Hey, Mom?
Hmm. She still hasn't returned from work?
But I'm sure she left those prepared.
Oh, where are they?
Hmm...
HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY, DALIA DON'T TOUCH
...happiness in little rolls.
Mm. Thank you, Mom.
What's that?
Hey, Mom, are you here?
Mom?
Dad's writing studio.
Whoa.
Hi, Dad!
Oh!
Daddy!
You're a very brave little girl, Dalia.
For a second, I thought
you wouldn't dare to walk this path.
Dad, you promised me a very special gift.
I see now.
If a treasure is promised to you,
you could cross any labyrinth, am I right?
No matter how many Minotaurs you could find along your path.
Daddy, you promised that to me.
Today's my birthday.
I know, Dalia, we're in February.
Time goes by so fast.
and we still don't have a chimney.
What about my gift?
So brave, yes, but so impatient.
I'd never forget your gift, sweetheart.
I've got it just right here.
Today I will give you something that you will never lose.
And although time passes, it will never reach that gift.
Can you guess what it is?
Mm...
Is it a friend?
Almost, but really,
I was referring to a character.
A character that will live in my book.
One that you can invent.
It can be however I want it?
That's right, how would you like it to--
I want it to be a goat.
A goat, you say?
Sure, why not?
And what's the name of your goat, Dalia?
It's obvious, Dad-- Goat.
He's my friend. He jumps everywhere
and never, ever falls down,
because he was born in the mountains.
Hm?
Why didn't Mom ever let me enter this room?
Dad always let me.
Hm.
I used to think you were bigger.
It's Dad's book!
Ow, what was that?
Yes, finally!
The story is beginning to work!
The door is opening once again!
This time, I'm going to make it.
Oh!
You will never understand it.
We will never move forward in this story.
Are you all right, Sister?
Ahh, it seems we're not the only characters
who got bored.
Is that the door opening once again?
That's very interesting.
Dalia!
Mom's here.
This was here.
Dalia?
Hm.
Oh, Dalia, Dalia.
Good thing I hid this.
If not, she would've eaten it, too.
Uh...
Hm.
There we go.
Dalia?
Are you in your room?
Yes, Mom, I'm tidying it up.
Tidying it up?
That's something I have to see with my own eyes.
Oh, no, no, no.
She can't see it. She can't see it.
Act fast. Come on, Dalia.
Think of something. Think fast.
Where could you hide it?
Hm.
Hello, Mom.
So, "tidying it up."
It sounded pretty strange.
I was tidying some text at the--
oh, never mind.
How was your day today?
We already talked about this, Mom.
Well, Happy Birthday!
I told you I didn't want any gifts.
I know, Dalia.
That's pretty silly, if you ask me.
You're already 12 years old.
You didn't allow me to make a gathering with your friends.
So, I bought you something insignificant.
It's nothing impressive, you have my word.
That's better.
Having high expectations could kill
even the smallest happiness you may have.
I love it!
This is the first time you surprised me
with something I really like.
Dalia, in fact, I have another gift.
That clock belonged to Dad.
Oh, I'm sure he'd like you to have it.
Your dad used to take it
-everywhere. -Wow.
Is that the text you were working on?
-Uh... -Is it a new tale?
No, no, no, it's just...
it's not ready yet.
It will never be ready.
Well, you're just like your dad.
I know you expect that from me.
But I'm in no way
as good a writer as my dad was.
Dalia, I'm an editor.
My job is to discover writers,
-and you're very good at it. -Mom, I am not a writer.
I do enjoy writing, but I am not a writer.
Do you know that I also enjoy
doing a lot of other things?
Oh yeah? Hm, for example...
Other things, like, for example...
...other things.
Dalia, the only thing I wish
is for you to be happy.
I don't mind what you choose to do with your life.
I just wish that whatever you pick
makes a happy person of you.
Since I imagine we won't have many guests,
let's get ready to snack on a lot of pancakes.
Happiness in mini-rolls.
Huh? Hm.
That's strange.
I thought I closed the door
when I came to get the clock.
Oh, I think I'm getting old and senile.
"Everything started when"...
"How to know where everything began?"
Oh...
How can it be that something's so clear in my head,
and then I start writing, and it disappears?
See you tomorrow, sweetheart.
I'll be working downstairs.
Don't stay awake too long.
Good night, Mom.
See you tomorrow.
Finally.
Hah!
There's nothing better than hiding something in plain sight.
Oh-- what's this?
I'm more tired every day.
I'm old, senile, and a sleepy-head.
Open up!
Where could I find the key?
Ahh.
Let's see...
I'm lucky.
I'm sure she already went to sleep.
I hope this coffee helps me stay awake.
Let's see this one.
Ahh.
The book is locked, the door is locked.
But my mind stays open.
Old books with lock.
Locks, keys, locks, locks...
"Library director displays old books."
Mm-hmm.
These look like Dad's books.
Wow, I've got it.
Open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If I leave early,
very early...
I could go to school without Mom noticing.
You won't be able to hide your secrets much longer,
little buddy.
We've gotta hurry up.
No one must see us.
This is the door, open it,
and Sobreg will give you
a very important role in the story.
Good, piece of cake.
It doesn't look too strong.
If you keep forcing things,
you're going to ruin the little good parts
this story still has.
You! What do you want?
I wanna help you.
You may have the key,
but you know you can't enter
without... oh... follow us.
-Oh... -Our great Sobreg,
it did work!
And finally, we are here.
It's unbelievable. We're in another world.
Where could our book be?
It's gonna be a long search.
No, not very long.
We didn't bring much time.
The early bird...
...catches the torture.
Hm... huh?
Is this the library?
Hi, there.
I'm looking for these books
with, um...
Do you know where I could...
Oh...
Do I have to fill this out?
Hm.
Rack five.
It's easier on the internet.
What happened here? What is all this?
- Hello. - Hm?
Hi, uh...
I'm sorry. I scared you?
You didn't scare me. You surprised me.
The same thing happened to me.
Two times!
At first, I was surprised by this disorder.
And, secondly,
I was very surprised to learn
of an early-rising girl
who was so interested in some old books.
Books that I can't find anywhere.
Do I know you?
No, no, I don't think so.
This is the first time I've come to a library.
I...
usually look on the internet.
I understand, your generation
would rather stare at a shiny screen
than open a good book.
That's a real shame.
All right.
Thank you for everything.
Yes, I knew it!
I am such a fool.
You are Dalia,
the daughter of the great Adolfo Kraplovet.
Your dad and I used to be very good friends.
Adolfo always came to visit me.
To him, these were not covers,
these were doors.
Door that lead to new universes,
To knowledge, poetry,
unforgettable stories.
I was a big fan of your father.
Every now and then, I had the privilege
of reading his stories before anyone.
Stories that were absolutely marvelous.
He was an absolute creator.
I wish I was capable of writing like he did.
All right, thank you very much for everything.
I have to leave now.
I'm gonna be late for school and...
But I never got to read his novel.
-Did he manage to finish it? -Novel?
He never wanted to talk about his novel.
It was something very special.
"It is a story that is meant to be read by candlelight"--
Haha!-- he said.
I imagine it was a mystery novel.
Right? Do you think one day your mother
-will publish it? -I have no idea.
Goodbye.
Excuse me.
May I ask you one last question?
The answer is no.
I am not a writer.
I'm interested in other things.
Oh, yeah? What things?
See you.
Oh... well,
today I'm going to have to stay very late.
Come on, be a good little old book
and open up.
I don't want to force you
but if you don't do it,
I'm going to throw you into the fire.
I promise you that.
Oh, that's strange,
the emergency lights have not been turned on.
I'll have to call the electrician once again.
Oh, at least one light still works.
This is your last chance, buddy.
If you don't open up, I'm gonna...
Hm? Huh?
Hmm.
That's funny-- uh-- aah!
How is it even possible that you guys are here?
This is-- This is impossible.
You have so little imagination,
you embarrass me.
Don't you know that if the writer
doesn't find the way,
his characters will do it for him?
I didn't want to do it,
but I really loved his ideas so much,
I wanted them to be mine.
He'd never finish the book on time.
I didn't want to spoil it.
That doesn't matter anymore.
Sobreg will finish the story.
Sobreg?
Where is the book?
Well, I don't have it.
He suspected me
and never brought it again.
He was my friend, and I betrayed him.
We know that the book's not in this library.
Tell me where it is.
I have no idea.
I guess his wife has it.
Uh... uh... his daughter was here today.
You got what you were looking for, am I right?
Am I free to go now?
First, I need something else from you.
No! No-no-no...
What is this?
I don't understand anything.
This can't be read.
Hm?
It's a letter from Dad.
That's weird.
It's for me.
Hm.
This door, isn't that...
Now what?
I don't need this.
Oh.
Got to find a place to hide the book.
Hm? Huh!
Huh?
Oh, that's true.
It's a story to be read by candlelight.
Dad wasn't a writer but a magician.
That's Mom.
I need to hide this now.
Hm?
There, it must be that door.
-Hmm. -Let's hurry up.
We don't have much time.
Huh?
Who owns this house?
And another locked door.
Use your key.
It's not for this door.
Your plan begins to have many flaws.
I really doubt that Sobreg--
Who the hell are you?
What are you doing in my house?
-Thieves! -Mom!
You won't take anything from this house!
Finally, we have a warrior.
No, no, we don't have more time.
We need to leave now.
Yes! That's it.
Get out of my house!
Ahh-- Dalia, are you okay?
Here I am, Mom. I'm just fine.
No, Dalia!
So, it's about you?
No, I don't think so.
-Could it be someone else? -I doubt it.
Leave my child alone!
-Over here! Hurry up! -Huh?
What are you doing?
What would you be willing to do
for your little girl?
Everything. Whatever is needed.
How many doors does this key open?
If you let me go now, I won't report you.
I only saw the one with the horrible wolf mask.
It's not a mask. She's a wolf,
and she's not coming with us.
You think she'll make it?
She won't make it. That's better.
No one will miss that show-off.
These poor secondary characters,
always coming in second place.
Are we at the library yet?
I want to go back!
Oh, come on, please-- I won't say a word!
-Release me now! -Why are we taking her?
-I gotta go back home! Stop it! -She's useless.
Let's leave her here.
Yeah, that sounds like a very good idea.
It's the best I've heard tonight.
She has to come with us.
I have very succulent plans for her.
-Mmm! -What?
Let me go now!
I have to go back home! Stop!
Where are you guys taking me?
I won't let you eat me!
Don't let her escape!
Come here!
Huh?
Mr. Librarian?
Is he dead?
Throw her to me, come on, make it fast.
I'll only be a letter in a sea of words.
We shouldn't have brought her.
We almost disappeared in there.
-Let me go! -And she'll have
the same destiny here.
The book was the only important thing.
And we couldn't find it.
What's this all about?
Where are we?
The story is beginning to work!
Now give me the book.
I can smell it.
I know you have it right here.
I don't get it.
Why do you want my dad's book?
He didn't even finish it.
That's exactly the reason we want it.
We're the ones that will finish it.
Because we need to finish it.
Hurry up! She could disappear at any moment.
If I give it to you,
will you let me go back home?
Yes, of course, Dalia.
What if I drop it?
If you don't do what I want you to do,
I will drop this book.
If the book falls, you will fall too.
Do you know how to fly?
Why do you insist on appearing fierce?
Two swords for one little girl?
Finally, my antagonist makes his appearance.
I've been waiting for this moment a long time.
What is the meaning of time for us,
if this moment will be a thousand times the present?
A present where you will be defeated.
I'm gonna change this and all the presents we have.
I understand, that's why you want the book for.
All right then, you only leave me one alternative.
No!
-The book! The book! -No! No-no!
No, my dad's book!
The book! The book...
Ruminant!
You've barely appeared,
and you're already messing everything up.
I will erase you from this story this very moment!
Oh! Why does everyone grab me
like I'm a sack of potatoes?
I would prefer a braver opponent,
but you're just a coward who prefers running
to fighting.
We're going to die!
The next time you do that, let me know.
Wow.
That building just collapsed,
like the drawing of...
But, so then the book...
why did you knock it? You let it fall.
We have to recover it.
If it even exists.
You didn't disappear.
Huh?
What do you bring in that backpack?
This?
I'm pretty sure it's important.
But that's not what we're seeking for right now.
Hm.
Mm-hmm.
Are the minutes being erased?
Look at this.
We have very little time.
Little time for me to die or something like that?
Little time to complete the story.
Oh, so then I won't die?
You won't die. When all the hours
of your clock disappear,
if you are still here,
you will disappear forever.
Oh... it's just that.
I'm lucky I'm not going to die.
Whoa.
I mean, what's that?
Come on, little phone.
I understand it doesn't have service,
but it isn't fair I can't even take a picture.
Hey, you think I'll follow you around?
Hey, hey, wait for me.
Ladies and gentlemen,
the main characters' introduction concludes.
Now, everything really begins.
By any chance,
do you have any idea of how I can get back home
before I disappear?
"Get back home"?
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
I need to understand something.
Are we in my dad's book?
-Right inside the book? -Mm-hmm.
And you're Goat, right?
You're the character that my dad gave me
when I was five years old.
How is this even possible?
How can you even exist?
You... You're real.
How can I even be here?
I'm pretty sure that your presence
was essential in this story.
Hah! Essential, you say? Me?
From what I've heard, you and me shouldn't be in this place.
I doubt that anything in this story
exists by mere chance by mistake.
Oh... okay, if we're here,
there's a reason.
It seems that we have no choice.
If this is the story,
we just have to go through with it,
and in the end, I'll be back home.
Well, I hope.
But, um, where should we go?
I thought that the creators have all the answers.
But I see they don't stop asking questions.
Hmm.
We can look at that tower throughout our existence,
but only the creator has the gift of opening
the door of creation.
Are you here to tell me things I already know?
My sisters and I have learned about
the most recent events in this story.
And, consequently,
we want to make a deal with you,
dear Lady-Wolf.
Hmm.
If we're in a story, or a tale,
moving forward is what matters.
The story has to flow.
The worst that can happen to it
is to stagnate or to get--
I recognize that place!
It looks very similar
to the building that has the door that brought me here.
I'm pretty sure that here,
there's also some kind of door
that allows me to get back home again.
This looks quite easy.
I was here yesterday.
Well, actually, I mean,
I was in the real one.
The authentic library.
The-- The real one.
This one is also real-- I didn't mean it isn't.
But the other one is in the, um...
-the real world. -Hm?
Let's go in.
Inside, it doesn't look anything like the other library.
How can they reach the books on the highest shelves?
Using ladders.
Some very, very tall ladders.
Hmm, it's possible.
Where could the door be?
Hm, and this title?
"T." Only "T"?
"A flower grows so big that it blocks the sun."
I don't get it. This isn't a story.
-It's just an idea. -Looks like it's unfinished.
It seems to be just a sketch,
an unfinished union of ideas.
Maybe both this story and ourselves
finish the same way.
Are you saying all these books here are unfinished?
And this one? Why is there nothing in it?
How is this possible?
Goat!
Hey, Goat?!
Goat!
Goat...
where is he?
Hey, Goat!
Where did he go?
- Hello, welcome. - Oh, hi.
You are welcome to my humble library,
-little girl. -Thank you,
Mister... Owl?
Li-- Libarian?
I'm looking for the way out of this city-- this story.
It'll most likely look like a door.
You think you can help me?
What good would so many books be,
if they can't give any answers?
That's great! Oh, and I would also like
to find my friend, he-- he got lost.
-He was here with-- -Follow me, little girl!
Come this way.
Come!
Dalia, are you there?
This is strange.
Look like I only have one path.
What's happening here?
It's uncanny.
The creator did not write the entire library.
Who could have brought me here?
Are you the ones who brought me here?
Are you all out of your minds?!
Hey, still a long way?
Wow.
This looks nice!
How would you take these books to class?
They should have wheels or something like that, right?
Mm-hmm...
Huh?
It would be better if you consulted the index.
That way, the search would be faster
than doing it page by page.
Oh, yes, I know.
Mm...
"Door to the real world"--
Incredible! Here it is.
Page 5,754.
You just have to ask the right question
to the proper book,
and it will always give you the answer.
Who is Sobreg?
What?
No, no-no-no-no. Forget it, little girl.
The door is inside the rotating tower,
right behind the throne of the mighty Sobreg.
This is a lost cause.
Is there any other little thingy I can give you a hand with?
Who is Sobreg? Is there any book about him?
Sobreg is evil.
He is hate, the purest shame.
The traitor.
It was Sobreg who...
who what?
- Uh, never mind. - All right.
I thought that it was in the library
where you could find all the answers.
Well, looks like I was wrong.
I'll have to look for somewhere with service around here.
You can definitely find all the answers on the internet.
It was Sobreg who tried to steal this story
from the creator, and he ruined everything.
He's to blame for the fact
that the book was never finished.
To the creator? My father?
Hi, Goat! Here you are.
I've just found the path we have to walk.
You may not like it very much, though.
As long as it doesn't go that way.
The books in this library
are acting in a very strange way.
Thank you for everything.
And I'm sorry for all the mess.
Listen-- please, don't tell anyone I exist.
Nobody.
This library and I,
we are forgotten characters.
I'd really like to keep it that way.
Okay, yeah.
Goodbye.
Oh, oh...
Oh!
-Where were you, Goat? -The books have shown me
that the library was unfinished.
I don't understand.
The books have shown you?
Nah, it doesn't matter right now.
I have some more important news for you.
I know where to find the door to get back home.
Really? The revolving tower?
I don't think we can get into it.
Nobody can since it appeared.
This is the story.
It's an adventure, full of dangers.
Now we have to get to the Tower of the Thousand Doors
and to "Sore-burger"--
"Es-berg"-- agh. Whatever he's called.
I cannot take you to Sobreg,
but I can tell you
where the Tower of the One Thousand Doors is.
The book is already lost.
Is it worth fighting?
I do not think so.
Hmm?
We could be good friends.
We could even work together.
I'll be your inspiration,
your favorite character,
your secret hero.
Just like I was for the creator.
Favorite character?
I don't understand what you're saying.
You will understand.
Hey, Wolf, what time is it?
Time?
Mm.
Ugh! Capture them, right now!
Who are they?
Oh! The sun!
[laughing, gasping
Oh! No!
Oh, no! My sister!
The sun! No!
You will write what I want you to write,
even if I have to--
Dalia.
We've got to leave now.
Hm.
And leave her like this?
Wouldn't you rather...
Everyone in the story is important.
Even the fiercest ones.
This poor character.
She just served to show the sun's power in this world.
And that power doesn't last too long.
But the sun has just risen.
Yes, and it's already past noon.
Is that the sun?
It looks like a big, big clock.
How long will it take to complete the cycle?
Enough for us. I'm going to jump.
Here we go once again.
Aah!
That's an interesting mechanism.
That's right. Everything's a mechanism
like the gears of a clock.
Everything has to fit and work for the story.
This story happens at night.
Nothing important will ever happen during the day.
The day is just a bridge between the nights.
That's why no characters should do anything during the day.
They can only stay still.
Stay still as rocks, I would say,
until the very next night.
We're very lucky to not be characters in this story.
It feels like having a super power.
Super power?
How can you be a character
and know nothing about super powers?
I just know that my only skill
is to jump and climb.
And I'll use it to check no one's following us.
What? No! Goat, wait for me!
He's a goat.
He jumps everywhere
and never, ever falls down.
I could have asked
to make him more communicative.
When Mom gifted me Dad's clock,
could she know what she was really giving me?
Hey, how did you get here?
Dad's letter.
How could I ever forget you?
I just hope I'm ready to read this letter.
Hm? What?
It has nothing!
Why did you leave me a letter
if you didn't even write anything in it?
Why did you vanish?
Why did you have to die?
Why did you leave me?
...force you!
Go find them!
You know what you have to do.
That damn ruminant...
Ugh!
What a stinky and useless place.
You... you're a murderer.
You're mine now.
Why are you helping her?
Free me, and I'll let you know.
Aah! It's okay.
Right. All right.
She promised us that
we would be important characters.
Important characters?
Ugh, we don't want to be in a story
in which no reader will remember us.
Readers, you say?
It's much too soon to think about readers.
Firstly, someone has to finish writing this story.
Perhaps Dalia could write it.
Oh, that little girl?
That little girl can't write anything.
She can't even understand the book.
Wolf assured us that, when the end is written,
neither she nor you will be in its pages.
And who will write that ending?
You really think Wolf will spend ink
writing about you guys?
Sobreg will never let me out.
I'm just gonna disappear here.
I don't think that depends on Sobreg.
I know.
It depends on me.
I have to write the ending of this story,
and blah, blah, blah, blah, and blah.
But I am in no way a writer.
I'm more interested in other things.
I understand.
I'll never be capable of writing like my dad,
with his great words.
I know everybody expects that from me,
but I just can't.
If you are incapable of writing this story like your dad would,
why don't you do it like Dalia?
Perhaps this is the moment
to stop seeking for the great words from others
and value your own simple words.
What are your eyes like, Goat?
You're always wearing those glasses.
You tell me. You created me.
Well, um, I really hope I don't disappoint you,
but I didn't create you.
Not completely, at least.
You really exist-- that's awesome!
Or, at least, you existed.
After passing the stairs,
you'll find your room, Dalia.
It's the highest tower in the castle.
And the most beautiful.
Hmm?
Oh, poor little goat.
Oh, so many colors!
It's no surprise to me.
Everything here reminds of something or somebody.
Stories are always reflections
of the creator. Just like their characters are.
Hm. Let's finish this story together.
I don't know how, but let's get
to the end together.
Hmm.
From now on, Goat, everything will be all right.
Goat!
Help me, Goat!
Hold on!
No! No! No!
Don't you do it!
No! No!
Aah!
No!
We will soon get to the beginning of this story.
I think you mean we'll soon get to our ending.
No, the ending is up there.
How much further are we going to fall?
Is there any end for this?
Dalia, wake up. We're about to get there.
I really would have liked
to be a writer!
Aah!
Hmm...
Hi there, Goat.
Thank you.
Hey, Goat, what about these creatures?
At the beginning, there are always ideas.
Some are huge, others are smaller.
The columns support the city,
but where are those columns supported?
Only the creator knows about it.
There's no other able to dive so deep.
We need to keep on going upstairs.
Everything here is so empty.
It looks like a desert-- what's that?
FOR SALE
"For sale"? What's for sale?
It can't be real!
I remember this house.
We saw it during the last holidays
we spent together.
The most beautiful little house in the world.
This place was very important for Dad.
It's so strange finding it here.
My dad would have placed it in a more important spot,
maybe towards the end.
This little house inspired him.
Why would he leave it here, abandoned like this?
I don't think it is abandoned.
That's right.
In fact, it's hidden,
protected so that no one can change
the true essence of everything.
The reason for the story, and the heart.
It's the seed.
Here's where everything begins.
When I re-write everything,
I'm not going to leave this part.
It's depressing.
Everything will be more striking,
with more color, and full of interesting little details.
I have a lot of good ideas.
Honestly, I don't know who I'm fooling.
Right here, all ideas seem perfect,
the greatest, most unique,
but then, when I try to write them...
they leave, they slip away,
-just like... -Like shapeless creatures
swimming at the bottom of the lake.
From ideas to words, there's a huge distance.
When I imagine it, it's so clear,
so simple, so-- so great,
but when I try to write it,
it's all so complicated,
with no sense at all.
So frustrating.
As frustrating as that.
It's impossible.
We'll never make it on time.
I'll just disappear in this city.
I thought that moving forward
was important for a story.
Why move forward if I can't get there on time?
I understand. You only play
when you're certain you will win.
-That isn't so. -Then what is it, Dalia?
It's just impossible.
It will be impossible
until someone proves otherwise.
Hm. This is a very bad story.
Perhaps it needs a plot twist.
Something you could create.
Create?
Are you talking about writing?
Writing this story and changing it?
No-no-no-no, I could never do something like that.
No, besides, I have nowhere to write.
Oh, that's right.
I thought my dad had sent me a letter
without writing anything in it.
But, in fact, I think that he left this blank sheet
for me to write it.
I knew it was important.
What will happen if I write in this blank sheet?
There's only one way to find out.
Mm-hmm.
I don't know what to write.
I can't think of anything.
Besides, using this, there's no undo command.
Undo command?
Yeah, on the computer,
if I don't like what I've just typed,
I use the undo command.
I can erase everything and start all over.
As many times as I want.
But with this, I can only write
what I want to write just once.
If I make a mistake,
it'll stay like that... and forever.
And that's why I can't just write anything random.
And what are you thinking?
Uh, now?
Right now...
...right now, to tell the truth,
with all these problems, just standing here,
about to disappear and all that,
well, um, to be honest...
I'm thinking I wanna eat pancakes.
I'm really hungry.
And what is a pancake?
You really don't know what pancakes are?
They're the tastiest thing in the world.
Mom always fixed me some for my birthdays.
Well, so then...
You want me to write about pancakes?
Those are Mom's pancakes!
Over the plate I described!
That's a magical paper.
I can't believe it!
They're really tasty, right?
Don't you like them?
They're as delicious as possible.
Let's see.
That tastes horrible!
I told you I was a terrible writer.
What was it that didn't work?
I know what it could be.
Goat, I tried something new.
It's not like the undo command, but I think it might be okay.
Mm...
Yeah!
♪ I'm a great, great writer ♪
♪ With a magical, magical paper ♪
The flavor has completely changed.
I'm a genius.
Hey, Goat, leave me one!
Before, I had only described their appearance.
And now, I described the essence of it.
The feeling I have when I eat them.
Happiness in little rolls.
That's true.
They give happiness.
It is done.
We want what you promised us.
I'll keep my end of the deal,
when the moment arrives.
Don't forget, you still have a task to complete.
I've never sniffed this before.
It's strange.
It feels like something brand-new.
Just a moment ago,
I sniffed something new.
And now I see moving something that was dead.
It you don't stop breaking the book,
the whole city will collapse.
This book is useless,
There's no room to write in it!
I can't even read it!
If I can't create anything new in it,
I'll use it to destroy everything!
You, the one who put this whole story to work,
do you give up so easily?
I'm so sorry, Wolf.
I was sure that, if we got the red book,
the whole story would be under my... our power.
But I cannot write an ending
anymore than open the door of creation.
Everything was useless.
Oh, poor librarian,
he wanted to play the creator.
As you see,
a fall is not a problem for me.
When did you figure it out?
I didn't need to figure it out.
I just smelled it.
All that library stinks of you.
-It gives you away. -Huh?
But looking for you there would have been useless.
I knew you would come here at the right time.
I just wanted the best for us all.
Give us the prominence we deserve, Wolf.
I wanted to get to Sobreg,
opening the door of creation.
And like any other frustrated creator,
since you're not capable of creating,
you just focus on destroying.
If we work together
we're still able to achieve it.
Did you smell the air?
Something new has shown up.
You did sniff it, right?
And you know that there's only way
of creating something new.
I knew that she had the power of creation.
Tell me your plan.
She will come to us.
I already took care of that at the library.
And now we just have to hurry her up a little.
I only have to choose the right pages.
It'd have to be something very fast,
like a rocket-- nah.
A rocket wouldn't be very logical.
It has to be something that fits in this story.
Something like... oh! That's it! An elevator!
An old-fashioned elevator,
but this one goes up at high speed!
It uses ultrasonic speed!
P-shew! Ha-ha! Yes!
Oh, such a great idea!
Oh!
What's happening?
The city is falling apart.
The book is being destroyed!
No...
Oh, no!
I lost the magic paper.
Goat, I dropped it when you jumped.
There it is.
What good luck.
My paper!
Hm.
Huh? Wow.
-Hey-- -Hold on there, Dalia.
Aw.
Hi, there.
Thank you.
Oh...
What about that character?
It still doesn't have a purpose in this story.
The creator still didn't give it a proper shape.
It is undefined.
I think it already has a personality
and a purpose,
or it will have it when I wr...
When you...
Doesn't matter.
We'll have to change our plans, Goat.
A great piece of the city no longer exists.
I thought a super-elevator would work.
But I'd have to modify
the whole city structure for that.
Especially now.
A bridge would be the most logical.
But it would be very slow.
What could I write that would work?
I have an idea.
And it seems it's one of the good ones.
Uh-huh.
A flying machine, really?
Aren't those actually aviator glasses, Goat?
Without risks, there's no adventure. Hah!
Uh-huh.
There's no interior in this machine.
No, no, no!
We're going to crash!
So it seems.
I am a terrible writer.
I can never do something right,
I always leave everything unfinished.
I have thousands of unfinished ideas.
In this case, I think that
finishing this text as soon as possible
is the most important.
I just made the same mistake as with the pancakes.
That's it, I fixed it!
Didn't it work?
Why didn't it work?
Everything seems to be here,
but I can't fully understand how this vehicle works.
Excuse me.
Like this, like a joystick.
A what?
Forward, back, up, down, and to the sides.
That's all. Now you--
aah!
No! The paper! The paper!
Please stop this thing!
Wow.
This machine looks very similar
to the bus I take every day to go to school.
Sobreg has destroyed big portions of the city.
This story will never be the same again.
How can Sobreg have so much power?
On many occasions, the writer has no idea
of the power that a certain character has.
The writer believes he dominates the character,
but in reality, it's the character
who dominates the writer.
And, little by little, it can make the story change.
Characters like you.
Me?
You created yourself, Goat.
I don't remember that, when I was five years old,
I created such a dark, quiet,
and very moody character.
Very moody?
I'm not saying that you're a bad character.
In fact, I think you're a really cool one.
And I'm not saying this because I invented you.
It's just that...
you don't seem to have a sense of humor.
You're not exactly very funny, understand?
For example, if you'd be a little funnier,
the readers would like you more.
I'm just saying.
Dalia, I really hope you never try
to make me look like I'm a funny character,
or anything like that,
just so that the readers will like me.
I'd prefer to be me.
And if they don't like me for who I am,
well, then, let them stop reading.
Hey, Goat, I'd never change anything about you.
You're not only my character,
you're my friend.
The door of creation.
One among a thousand.
And that's how the ending begins.
There is the Tower of the Thousand Doors.
The thing about the thousand doors
wasn't just a saying.
It really does have a thousand doors.
Or more.
Isn't that one of the...
If we keep on turning, we're going to crash.
I'm going to stop them.
-You drive, Dalia. -Huh?
It's easy, just like a joystick.
Was that an attempt at a joke?
Goat, please don't! Don't!
Finally, we have the ruminant.
Let's take him to the top.
Dalia.
I don't think I'll be able to land this thing.
I have to...
I got to get out of here.
With no risks...
there's no adventure.
Oh, welcome!
After so much walking and flying,
you're in the same situation as when you arrived here.
Isn't that ironic?
Open up!
Aah!
Let's avenge our sister.
Don't let him escape this time!
You know, I thought goats never fell.
We don't really need to fight.
You just have to open the door of creation for me.
I know you're afraid of me,
but everything will finish soon!
You won't decide when this story finishes!
And besides, I'm no longer afraid of you.
You just make me very angry!
Aah!
Huh?! Yeah!
And now, you just have to create.
I won't do it.
Create.
It's okay, Lady-Wolf, sure, I'll write.
But I beg you, please, don't you hurt me, Lady-Wolf.
We have a writer.
Writing just here.
That's amazing.
Exactly, and you know what?
I cheated. I'm way smarter than you.
What did you write?
Just wait for it.
You'll see soon.
You'll see soon...
Once again, it didn't work,
Let's see. Let me read it.
Hmm...
...this thing you wrote,
my sword starts breaking, I--
This can't be real!
How is it possible?
Do I keep on writing?
Yes, you will keep on writing.
It's the Librarian. What are you doing here?
You will write what I order you to.
My clock!
You... You lied to me.
You told me that the way out was located behind Sobreg's throne.
That's not a lie.
You don't have much time to get there.
You just have to open the door of creation for us.
So now, dear writer, start writing.
It doesn't work like that. You guys can't force me.
I'll only write when I want to
or when I feel I have something to say.
-Hmm. -And this...
this is not one of those moments.
You can't go down without wings.
All right then, I'll borrow yours!
No! No! Let me go!
Oh, Sister, please help me!
Heh.
It's mine.
All right.
Now we're all here,
and you two are
in a very disadvantaged situation.
Typical moment before the ending.
Everything seems to be against the heroes
-but then... -Heroes?
Clearly, you still haven't understood anything.
You are not the heroine in this story.
If you take one more step, I'll tear this page.
Maybe this one includes you.
-No, Goat! -And you know
what will happen if the page is ripped.
And what if you are on that page?
What will happen then, Owl?
No, please, Goat!
I am still here, Dalia.
My sister! No!
Now you will write and open the door of creation.
Or I'll tear more pages out.
-Okay, I'll write. -You don't have to do it.
We can fight them.
Forget it, Goat. Fighting is useless.
We've gotta get into the tower.
Entering it is the only way to get out.
That's right.
Let's all go meet the powerful Sobreg.
I think I could...
Hmm... hm...
is Sobreg really that powerful?
That's what the Librarian told me about him.
But now that I think of it,
I don't know if...
Finally, the door of creation!
There is no single path to creation.
Here we go.
We've passed through the door of creation.
We did, Goat.
Wow.
Where are the others?
This is Sobreg?
Just a statue?
Who created this disappointing character?
-You? -No.
It wasn't me. I never could do it.
I thought I was missing a power.
A power that I would get
just killing the human that inspired my character.
But it didn't work out.
I was never able to create.
Everything I promised you
was a big lie, including Sobreg.
I knew you were a big liar, Owl,
but so then, how is it possible
that Sobreg does exist?
Because she created it.
With a few simple lines written on paper,
she achieved what I never could.
So you created all these woods?
I think I did, but, um,
I still don't quite understand it.
All I did was write on the magic paper
so that the door of creation would open.
I've been here.
The books brought me here
when we were back at the library,
but then, there was only darkness here.
The books always knew about it.
Everything is connected, Goat!
I want to make a deal with the writer girl.
-Hm. -Hm?
A disappointing ending.
The great and almighty Sobreg
is just a very boring statue.
I've got nobody to fight with.
And no epic battle.
If she disappears, no one will finish this story,
and we will all disappear, too!
Suddenly she's our only salvation.
Hm?
Here they are!
Right on time to write my ending.
You might not be a fan of the ending
I have in mind, Wolf.
I'm sure I will.
I'm sure I'm included in it.
Sobreg is alive!
Just stay here with your monster.
She's who created the monster!
I did what? You told me
Sobreg was living in the tower!
That he was pure evil,
a wicked character, and very powerful.
You lied to me, Librarian.
The same way you lied to my father.
I think I shouldn't include him in my text.
Hmm.
Release me! Let me go back to my library.
Hm?
There's the door!
Go to the door and get back to your world.
I'll keep him busy, Dalia.
Don't, Goat. He's much too powerful.
Yes? Is he your most powerful character?
No, of course he's not.
Perfect.
You-- you've got something I want.
I told you he was very powerful.
Well, I had to give it a try.
I think you were looking for this.
But why? Why are you giving me
my father's book now
when you tried to keep me away from it all this time?
Because this is not your story.
But you had to travel down your own path.
Besides, if you walk through that door, you'll be saved.
But I bet you can still write something.
Something ingenious that saves us all.
That tactic won't work on me, Wolf.
My mother has used it a thousand times,
but I-- you!
You're... all these characters
are referring to something or someone.
But what can I write
to save everybody?
You just have to write your ideas,
-your words. -Hm.
Can you please do it?
In our case, we need both of our hands to fight.
You just need one hand to write.
"Sword."
Thank you.
Dalia, you've got this.
-Be careful! -Ha-hah!
Uh... it's not fair!
Can't I write more than half a line?
With one line left, it was already difficult enough.
Huh?
We believe in you, young creator.
Wow.
You will never make it.
Hey!
The owl is escaping!
Whoa-- oh!
Oh, no, not again.
I can't believe it!
Why do you do this to me?
My library!
I'll be safe here.
A formidable opponent.
I can't write the ending!
I lost the magic paper!
What?
Aah!
A battle isn't won with strength alone.
Hey, Goat, I've lost the magic paper.
Do you really think that's a magic paper, Dalia?
That's just a paper.
You are the creator, not the paper.
You are the writer,
all you have to do is write.
And I see a lot of space to write here.
Mm-hm.
Well, finally a worthy fight.
It's not working.
Why isn't it working?
The paper really was magical,
or...
...somebody has to read it so it can work.
Hm...
...that's interesting.
Ahh, this always happens to me.
I've lost it again.
Daddy.
Where is it?
THE CREATOR
Where did I leave it?
Hey, Dad.
I think this is yours.
My clock!
Oh, I thought I'd already lost it.
Oh, Dad, you have to write the ending.
Time is running out.
-Dalia! -Daddy!
My brave little girl.
I knew very well you could walk the whole path.
Looks like it's invincible.
Ah! She's my favorite character!
Creator.
Huh?
This other character, it isn't mine.
Oh, uh... hm?
It's time for you to go back home.
No!
I don't wanna leave without you.
I'm sorry Dalia, sorry for all of those words
I wrote but was never able to say out loud.
But now it's time for you to go back home, sweetheart.
Can't we go back home together?
I'm already home, honey.
Now I live right here, in my worlds.
Every door I open, it takes me to a new story.
What else could a writer even ask for, right?
Mm-hm.
Hey, Goat, please take Dalia home.
Don't forget our deal. My sisters and I,
we really trust you.
It wasn't that bad, don't you think?
Never doubt that I love you, Dalia.
And I love you too, Daddy.
Take care of it. Now this is yours, sweetheart.
Thank you, Goat.
She will be okay.
I know.
And now it's time to end this story.
Whatever you say, Creator.
Where are we now?
It looks like...
the little house in the country.
So this is your world.
Yep, the real world.
It looks as real as my world.
But this I would like to see without a filter.
Yes, I knew it.
Your eyes are just like my father's.
The real world. It's much too bright for me.
You don't have a clock.
You can't be here!
Don't you disappear, Goat.
-Please, don't go! -I will never disappear
if you do not forget me.
How could I ever forget you?
You're a part of me.
You're my character, you're my friend.
You write and I will live.
All of us will live.
Will you do it?
Yeah, I promise you that.
Dalia!
Is that Mom?
I can't believe that you're here.
Oh, Mom!
Who was there with you?
When I arrived, I thought I saw someone.
No.
Are you sure you don't want to look how it is inside?
-Mm-hmm. -I'm not surprised.
You are just like your father.
Hm, I know.
How come you haven't disappeared?
Your father didn't stop until he bought this house.
But he didn't get to see it.
I never came here either,
but I never dared to sell it.
It was very special for him.
There was a key for each one of us,
And the other day, when these people broke in...
into our home.
The one with the wolf mask gave the second key to me.
That was your father's key.
And told me to come here to pick you up.
And that's why I'm here.
Everything's very strange here.
But what matters is that you're fine.
Everything started in
the nicest little house in the world...
It was a lady-wolf, not a man.
FIVE YEARS LATER
THE RED BOOK
What's wrong, Dalia?
I thought that writing the book
would make the characters come back.
I thought they would be alive again,
but I don't feel like that's happening.
I did feel it while I was writing.
But now...
Just give it some time.
Each thing in its time.
But right now, we both have to start going home
to prepare the pancakes before all of our guests arrive.
Guests, Mom?
All right, I had to give it a try.
Will you never invite your friends for your birthday?
Oh, well, perhaps my boyfriend will show up today.
Who?!
Yesterday I read another chapter that I liked.
The goat has a strange weapon.
He sticks a cane like this against the floor
and transforms it into a hammer,
as if he were a shepherd and a goat at the same time.
Have you read it or not?
No, I didn't get to that part.
I like Wolf. It's like she has class.
She's like a samurai with two swords.
The power of the reader...
For me, she's the best character in the book.
I don't know what Goat...
Were you waiting for me?
Yeah, and this belongs to you.
Thank you.
Don't let them take over this story!
THE END
Huh?
Hm.