THE LAST KEEPER

A sharp, freezing wind blew across the high rock ridge between the northern mountains and the southern desert.

Squad 25 sat around a small campfire near the cliff edge, taking their first rest after the battle in the Bleeding Gorge.

Behind them, colossal Zaira coiled her massive, armored body into a protective wall, blocking the bitter mountain wind with her thick scales.

Lira lay on a bed of folded wool cloaks. Her breathing was slow and steady as her internal wounds finally began to heal.

Beside her, Kiana sat quietly on a flat stone with her knees pulled close to her chest.

For the first time in years, she was without her silver mask. Her dust-rose eyes looked at her open palms, gently flexing her fingers.

”Are you in pain?” Sagiri asked gently, handing her a wooden canteen of fresh water.

Kiana looked up with a soft smile. ”No. My head is quiet. The needles do not hurt anymore.”

”You did well today,” Sagiri said, sitting down beside her. ”You broke their control and saved Lira.”

Kiuga and Maita approached the fire, passing around strips of dried meat and flatbread to the tired squad.

Kaka sat on a boulder sharpening his heavy battle axes, while Zolinka, Ulekai, and Bukata rested against Zaira’s warm side.

Suddenly, the sound of galloping claws echoed from the rocky trail leading up from the southern foothills.

N’varu rose instantly to her feet, her hand resting on the hilt of her curved dagger as she watched the pass.

Two Sandshade outriders appeared over the ridge, their long desert cloaks covered in frost and white dust.

They pulled their sand-striders to a halt and leaped down, dropping to one knee before Sagiri.

”Keeper,” the lead scout reported, breathing hard. ”We bring urgent news from Alika City and the northern border.”

”Speak,” Sagiri said, stepping forward with Nokai strapped to his back. ”What happened in the capital?”

”The sky-domes lit up across the continent this morning,” the scout said. ”Supreme Mandra Taziraka and Grand Marshal Senraki broadcasted the truth to all ten academies.”

Kiuga stepped closer, his eyes wide. ”What did they say?”

”The coup in Alika City has been crushed,” the scout answered. ”The Mandra executed the conspirators and retook the palace.”

”General Felunka died fighting to protect the people,” the second scout added. ”And the Mandra honored Shadow General Tsaka’s sacrifice before the realm.”

A heavy silence fell over the camp at the mention of Tsaka’s death, but relief soon followed.

”Grand Marshal Senraki exposed his own father,” the lead rider said. ”He revealed that General Senraki betrayed N’folu sixteen years ago and built the illegal laboratories.”

”The Mandra cleared your name, Supreme Chief,” the scout continued. ”He ordered all northern troops to stand down and declared total mobilization.”

Kiuga let out a long breath, smiling faintly. ”The truth is out. We are no longer hunted outlaws.”

”There is worse news,” the lead scout said, his face darkening. ”Glacial Lanka has launched a full invasion across our northern borders.”

Kaka stopped sharpening his axe, looking up with sudden fear. ”What do you mean? How many?”

”Over sixty thousand frost-plated Soulless shock troops have crossed the Kovura Pass,” the scout replied. ”The town of Olaro is burning.”

”Grand Zorath Zaka is holding the main ridge with the northern clans,” the scout said. ”Captain Fuwuka and the Galka cadets are holding the pass to protect Chief Zaka’s flank.”

The entire camp fell into a tense, heavy silence as the numbers sank in.

Sixty thousand unfeeling monsters were marching across the border with heavy siege engines and frost beasts.

Kaka stood up slowly, gripping his axes until his knuckles turned pale. He stared north at the faint smoke rising above the distant clouds.

”Sixty thousand,” Kaka muttered, his voice shaking. ”My father and my people are fighting with their backs to the cliff.”

Riga, one of the Sandshades, crossed his arms, scowling as he looked away from the mountains.

”Why should we care what happens to them?” Riga asked bitterly. ”Sixteen years ago, the North invaded our lands and butchered the N’folu.”

”Even three days ago, their chiefs wanted to execute us,” Kupa added. ”Let the North fight their own war and pay for their past.”

”It is not that simple,” Kiuga answered calmly. ”If Lanka crushes the northern clans, sixty thousand Soulless will not stop at the mountains.”

”They will march straight across the plains and into your desert,” Kiuga said. ”If the North falls, the entire continent falls with it.”

Kiana looked up from the fire, her voice quiet but certain. ”Kiuga is right. Lanka does not care about borders or old clan feuds.”

”King Vanka and Sir Black see all living people as raw material,” Kiana said. ”They will harvest every tribe until nothing is left alive.”

Lira sat up slowly, leaning back against Zaira’s warm side.

She looked at Sagiri with gentle green eyes. ”The Keeper’s duty was never about revenge, Sagiri. The Archive was made to protect life, not old hatred.”

Sagiri listened in silence, then walked to the edge of the cliff.

He stood on the high rock where two different worlds met beneath the midday sky.

To the north lay the snowy peaks of Tagayia, where black smoke rose from burning towns.

To the south lay the endless golden dunes of N’Faya, calm and warm beneath the sun.

Sagiri reached behind his shoulder, touching the dark hilt of Nokai.

For sixteen years, the blood of his fallen clan had weighed heavily upon his heart.

Yet he looked back at his friends—at Kaka’s hidden worry, Kiuga’s loyalty, Kiana’s freedom, and Lira’s calm gaze.

The endless cycle of blood had brought nothing but pain to the people of this world.

Sagiri turned back to face the squad, his crimson eyes clear and resolute.

”The ancient war between the North and South ends today,” Sagiri declared, his voice cutting through the mountain wind.

”The rogue General and Sir Black are my enemies. My feud is with them. I will not leave the North until they are eliminated,” he said firmly.

He looked directly at Kaka, who held his breath.

”The South will march,” Sagiri said. ”We will go north, we will save your clan, and we will crush Lanka’s King together. Lanka deserves a new King.”

A look of deep relief washed over Kaka’s face. He slammed his fist against his chestplate in a heavy northern salute.

”Thank you, Sagiri,” Kaka said, his voice thick with gratitude. ”The Asakana clan will never forget this.”

”Squad 25 stands with you,” Kiuga said, stepping forward with a proud smile.

Maita, Zolinka, Bukata, Zazarie, and Ulekai stepped forward as well, their resolve absolute.

N’varu adjusted her daggers with a sharp grin. ”If we are fighting sixty thousand monsters, we will need every warrior in the desert.”

”N’varu, ride south and tell the Kai to march north by my order,” Sagiri said. ”We help Tagayia as we move north and join the battle at the northern front.”

N’varu stood frozen for a moment before she fell to one knee.

”I cannot,” she said quietly.

”What do you mean you cannot?” Sagiri asked, turning to face his protector fully. ”Do you intend to defy me?”

”I dare not. I will always protect you,” N’varu answered. ”But you know the Kai of the South is with Elder Koru. The two of them will never march north to save Tagayia. They will have me executed for colluding with the North.”

Sagiri’s brow furrowed. He understood the deep bitterness of the southern elders, especially the Kai. The armies of the South would only march upon seeing their Supreme Chief’s face.

”Well then... you ride northeast with Squad 25 and all the Sandshades to hold Zaka’s rear,” Sagiri commanded. ”Kaka, tell your father he is not allowed to die. He owes me his life, and I am the only one who can take it.”

”I will ride to the southern border and see if the elders dare make an enemy of me by refusing to march,” Sagiri added, his eyes narrowing with authority.

He turned toward the titan serpent behind them and raised his hand.

Zaira lowered her massive, armored head to the stone ledge with a low rumble.

Sagiri crouched down and gently lifted Lira, who was now stable, before leaping effortlessly onto Zaira’s broad neck.

”Kiana, you are strong and fast,” Sagiri said, looking down at the young Sekana heir. ”Do not let any of our people die before I return.”

Kiana gave a firm, solemn nod, her dust-rose eyes shining with determination. ”I will protect them with my life, Keeper.”

Zaira let out an earth-shaking roar before turning toward the southern descent.

With a powerful heave of muscle, the titan serpent pushed off from the cliff and surged down the rocky slopes.

Her giant scales gleamed in the sun as she raced toward the golden dunes of N’Faya.

The Last Keeper was riding home to Thazir, ready to break the council’s stubbornness, raise an army, and unite the realm.