The Water Keeper Novels & Stories

Seven of the founding ground's most recent arrivals had come from the eastern borderlands. Dara Cross in Iron Crest — Kaden's Keeper, twenty years of invisible work now formalized, the lower wards water system running, the wrong assessments being corrected one by one with the patience of someone who understood that twenty years of wrong did not become right in a week. She sent letters not reports — the specific difference of someone who had known Aria since before Aria knew herself and wrote accordingly.

None of us wanted to prolong this any longer. “It’s so quiet,” Thor muttered as we broke through the treeline. The water beasts were still guarding the spire. Their liquid forms shone in the sunlight. Kalev had told us not to worry. They were voice activated. They would take direct orders from him, since they were programmed to answer to him directly. All we had to do was get close enough, and he would tell them to return to the water. “Stay sharp,” Korrigan said as we stepped out onto the beach.

The Keeper, its gaze fixated on the glowing shard, remarked, "That artifact you hold, it doesn't belong here, nor do you. Yet, its power resonates with the very essence of this realm." Dupree, drawing his weapon and standing protectively in front of the group, demanded, "What do you want from us?" The Keeper, its voice a whispering echo of countless voices, responded, "A trade. A moment from each of you, a memory of utmost importance, in exchange for safe passage." Moros, skeptical, questioned, "How can we trust you? How do we know you won't take our memories and leave us stranded?" Lysandra, analyzing the Keeper's fluctuating form, noted, "It's made of memories, lost moments. Perhaps our me

"Depart, or be destroyed." Diva whirled. A grey-robed figure filled the doorway. Face obscured, their manner unnervingly serene. "Who are you?" Diva shouted, brandishing her sword. "I am the Keeper," the figure replied. "This artifact is not for the faint of heart." Diva's breath caught. "I ask only to restore what was broken." The Keeper laughed, a bitter cackle. "Restore? When you once turned light to dark. Now you attempt the impossible."

Bound. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that,? But since you asked so nicely, I am the guardian of this room.? His smile widened. “I’m the Keeper of these records,” he said calmly, taking a step closer. “Sworn to protect the truth. And punish those who dare unearth it.” My pulse spiked. So this is how Kairos kept his secrets buried he assigned a guardian. One tied by blood or vow… or worse, by magic. “I was just cleaning,” I lied, feigning innocence.

Beneath its surface lay the domain of the Water Guardian. "We made it!" Xienma exclaimed, relief flooding through her. But their joy was short-lived as they heard a deep, melodic voice emanate from the waterfall. "Who dares approach the domain of the Water Guardian?" A figure appeared, rising from the water’s embrace. It was a majestic being, with flowing hair that resembled the water itself and eyes that shimmered like the ocean depths. Xavier stepped forward, his expression serious. "We seek the elemental stone to unlock the Heart of the Winds. We wish to confront Drax and protect our world."

Uninvited. Persistent. --- You’re careful. The memory of his own voice. Followed by— That’s not a fault. --- His jaw tightened. It didn’t make sense. None of it did. Not the way Arlo reacted. Not the way he noticed. Not the way Nikolai— --- He shut the water off. Hard. Enough. --- By the time he dressed, the house had already shifted into its usual rhythm. Servants moving. Doors opening and closing. Voices low and controlled.

She took my breath away. I only managed to break free from the spell when the stunning woman spoke. “Is he the new guy, Emmy?” Her sweet voice was like music to my ears. Though she was talking to Emmy, her eyes fixated on me. Her gaze was inquisitive, albeit more subtle than Emmy’s. It seemed Emmy and the pretty lady were acquainted. “Yes, he is. His name is Brook D’Amico. He’s highly educated and intellectually gifted.” Emmy paused and blinked before drawling.

He said. “Ok good. Well, the necklace wasn’t just a necklace. It was an Amulet. And apparently Katrina is a Keeper. The Keepers are a group of people who protect the Amulet from a group known as The Others. I had been wearing the amulet this whole fucking time, and had no idea that it was anything other than a necklace. You remember Ivy, my mate?” I asked him.

“It’s alive.” The mist stirred at her words. A soft voice answered, ethereal and mocking. “Of course it is, little Luna.” Aria’s hands flared with silver fire, light spilling in ribbons through the mist, illuminating her path. The mist parted, and a figure emerged — a woman in silver robes, hair floating as if underwater, eyes like mirrored voids. “I am what remains when a goddess dies,” the woman said, her voice carrying a chill. “You may call me the Keeper.”