The two Keepers and the Aberrant child swam quickly through the water towards the east. Atlas managed to keep up with their pace but asked several times if they could stop so that he could replenish his Solar. If his Solar levels got too low he would not be able to breathe underwater or swim at an adequate pace.
During these short moments of reprieve, Marlin would vigilantly stay on watch, making sure the trio was not in danger. He had to watch out for human ships, incoming storms, or dangerous sea creatures.
Whilst on the move, Atlas saw many new things. He found out that not all sea creatures were hostile and wanted to eat him.
At some point, they swam past a whale mother and her child. Atlas swam alongside her, his hand touching her smooth body. He was very small in comparison to her large frame. Even the baby whale made Atlas seem insignificant. The whale mother’s eyes were large and dark, but they held an unexplainable kindness and wisdom inside them. This creature had seen and experienced much, and Atlas felt a great deal of respect for it. He also felt grief at the sight of a mother and her child, side by side.
Atlas was an orphan. Abandoned by his parents. He didn’t know them, but he must have had them of course. How else would he have been born?
‘I wonder why they left me,’ he thought to himself, downcast. He shook his head to clear it. ‘Let’s not think about that for now. Focus on getting to the Keeper Kingdom.’
Atlas was also met with the deep, endless blue ocean. It seemed to span forever down and around. He had seen this before, and it had put fear into his heart. But now, surrounded by companions, he felt more awe than anything.
The journey felt long, but in actuality, it only took around a day and a half to reach the Keeper Kingdom. Excitement shrouded any exhaustion that Atlas might have felt.
Suddenly, Ronan and Marlin stopped. Atlas almost bumped into them.
“We’re here,” Marlin said.
Atlas looked around in confusion. “Huh? I don’t see the Kingdom.”
Ronan grinned, then grabbed Atlas’s arm and descended into the boundless blue.
‘What- Why are we-’ Atlas thought to himself. His confusion was written all over his face. He had to equalize the pressure in his head as they went down by pinching his nose, blowing through it, and then swallowing.
Suddenly, the grand blue shimmered and faded. What was supposed to be a ceaseless, open ocean was in actuality the Kingdom itself.
Corals of a multitude of colors grew along the bed of the sea for as far as the eye could see, some stretching high into the sea, others creating grooves perfect for fish to hide, and some spread across the ground. The largest of the corals created cave-like structures, and Keepers moved in and out of these. They were likely to be houses. Luminous seaweed lit up the interiors, and soft sea moss lined the floors and walls.
‘Makes my driftwood shelter seem shabby,’ Atlas laughed to himself, remembering his pride in his shelter.
But the most mesmerizing part of it all was the palace. Large, tubular coral stretched high towards the sea surface. They were of varying heights, making the palace look like a variation of enlarged pan pipes, with the middle having the tallest coral tubes and the sides having shorter ones.
The palace shone with a light pink and orange color, and luminous seaweed ran along its walls, making it seem as if it were glowing. There were numerous holes in the coral tubes, which were entry points to the palace, with the largest hole being at the bottom of the center-most tube.
Keepers were everywhere. They swam between the corals, performing a variety of jobs. Fish herding, seaweed trimming, hunting, crafting, and sewing. However, upon seeing Atlas, they all stopped whatever they were doing and stared.
Moving slower now, with Ronan’s hand still on Atlas’s arm, they swam towards the palace.
The Keepers watched Atlas warily, some aggressive and some merely curious. Some even followed behind them to see what was going to happen.
Two familiar faces and one unfamiliar one appeared in view. It was Taron and his wife, Riva. Next to them was a young Keeper, a child. She was hiding behind Riva, her face flushed.
“It’s good to finally see you here,” Taron said warmly. “Your training has paid off.”
“Come, little Sirena. Say hello to Atlas,” Riva urged the little Keeper behind her.
Atlas watched as the little girl about five years old slowly moved from behind her mother. Her hands were behind her back, her shoulders inwards. She was shy.
“H-hello, Atlas,” she said, so quietly that Atlas almost couldn’t hear her.
“Pleasure to meet you, Sirena,” Atlas said, grinning. He had heard all about her from Taron's fatherly rantings.
Sirena’s face flushed a brighter red against her pale skin, and she quickly moved back behind her mother.
Taron laughed softly, then turned to Ronan. “King Marius awaits,” he said.
Atlas’s eyes went wide with shock. He turned to Ronan, who was struggling to keep his laughter in.
“K-King? I thought you were of the highest status here! You never told me you had a King!” Atlas blurted out, suddenly very nervous.
Ronan kept his intolerable grin. “It wouldn’t have been fun if I told you all of our secrets, right? It was so worth it for that face, though. Haha!”
Atlas felt his cheeks burn, mirroring Sirena.
“Oh, relax. Usually, the King is not interested in common affairs, but you are the first of any other race to ever be invited into the Keeper Kingdom. It is only understandable he would want to meet you,” Ronan said to Atlas, but his tone held a hint of uncertainty.
Taron chuckled at the interaction. “Allow me to escort you, esteemed guest,” he said, jokingly, to Atlas, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Riva and Sirena stayed behind, and Riva gave Atlas a small wave before he passed her. “Good luck,” she mouthed.
Taron moved ahead of Ronan, Marlin, and myself, escorting the way toward the palace.
“This is one of two Keeper Kingdoms,” Ronan began as he watched a child Keeper helping her mother with sewing. “The other is located in the Eastern Ocean. Most Keepers never get to see both Kingdoms, except for the scouts. During their training, they are sent on to journey to the other Kingdom and have to record what they see along the way. This is to prove that they are worthy to be named scouts. Currently, we have a group of scouts visiting from the Eastern Ocean.”
Atlas nodded, entranced by his surroundings. He hoped he would be able to visit the other Keeper Kingdom sometime.
In front of the palace was a large, flat coral, atop which many Keepers were swinging tridents and swords. A Keeper Officer was screaming out commands which the Keeper Cadets had to keep up with. They swung at, jabbed, parried, and blocked invisible opponents, keeping in perfect time with one another. The cadets' faces were scowling with concentration.
“The Warrior Cadets,” Ronan said, sensing Atlas’s intrigue. “These are close to graduation, third years. A new set of cadets start their training year every winter. A new training year is beginning soon.”
Atlas watched with growing interest as they passed the cadets. Some cadets looked up from their training, and Atlas immediately sensed their hostility.
“Warriors stay vigilant. They protect us from the threats of the ocean and, arguably the larger threat, the humans. You look human, Atlas, a race they have been trained to be wary of. Do not mind their stares, but know that they have their reasons for their wariness.”
‘Wary…’ Atlas thought with a scoff. ‘They look like they want to murder me.’
He waved the thought away, but then caught sight of the cadet officer who was running the drills. Atlas felt a chill run down his spine as he looked the Keeper in the eye. If the cadets felt hostile, this Keeper felt much, much worse. He looked as if he was poised, ready to strike Atlas, a three-year-old, down at any moment. Quickly looking down, Atlas felt the Keeper’s stare burning into his back as he continued toward the palace.
The cavernous hole leading into the palace was lined with luminous stones, shells, and seaweed as ornaments. It was at least 20 meters in diameter. After passing through the cave-like hole, they arrived at a cross-section. To the left and right, caves led to different sections of the palace. Directly to the front were two Warrior Keepers, standing guard with their tridents in hand.
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“I’ll take my leave here,” Taron said, bowing shallowly, before returning outside.
Stopping directly in front of them, Head Keeper Ronan said, “The King wishes to see us.”
The guards eyed me suspiciously. “These damn humans have created enough trouble as is…” one muttered, his voice low enough that Atlas had to strain to hear.
Then, they moved to either side of the entrance, which was another large hole. They struck their tridents down hard, and Atlas was surprised that the sound wasn’t muffled by the water. A clear ringing sound accompanied Atlas and the two Keepers as they entered a massive hallway.
Pillars of white, tubular coral rose on either side. Bright pink jellyfish floated casually between them, letting off a soft pink light that illuminated the hall. They did not stray into the central pathway leading towards the throne, however, as if held back by some invisible force.
The throne, large and imposing, stood in all its glory at the end of the grand hall on top of a lifted platform. Resting calmly and elegantly atop it was the King of Keepers. His fluorescent pink tail was wrapped in exquisite silver jewelry, which also adorned his neck and ears, and his torse was chiseled with muscle. His skin was pale white, his hair long and blonde, his nails sharp and manicured, and his eyes… oh, his eyes. They were like two pink orbs that burned with knowledge, wisdom, and authority. Their gaze seemed to travel straight through Atlas as if staring directly at his soul, all secrets he might have laid bare.
The trio swam in silence forward, stopping just before the throne. The two Keepers beside Atlas bowed low, and Atlas hurried to mirror them.
“At ease,” the King’s deep voice sounded, somehow laced with grace despite the ungraceful nature of the Meral tongue.
Atlas looked up to see that the King had leaned forward and was studying him intently. If Atlas could sweat underwater, he would have.
“A human- no, Aberrant child,” he spoke. “How curious. Ronan, speak.”
Ronan cleared his throat, saying, “Your Majesty, Scout Taron found him drifting through the ocean, nowhere near any of the usual sea routes of the humans. It is uncertain where he may have come from, and we have no way of knowing because he has no recollection of it. He is just a boy, of course.”
The King spoke again. “You failed to inform me of this and helped the boy despite the precarity of the situation. For two seasons, moreover.”
His voice was not angry, which rattled Atlas. He was simply stating a fact.
Ronan bowed his head deeply, saying nothing. He had not been asked to speak.
“Marlin informed me as soon as he realized that I had not been made aware,” the King continued. “You and your helpers will be punished for this, Ronan. I am not unkindly enough to destroy your efforts with this boy, however. Come closer, child.”
Ronan had bowed deeper now, and Marlin had gritted his teeth. Ronan shot him a glare but stayed quiet.
Atlas, using Solar to coax the water, moved closer to the King. He felt his limbs freeze over as he got closer to that unbearable gaze.
“It is obvious that Ronan has taught you how to use your Core,” he said, half muttering. “I would be lying if I said I was not surprised. A child of your age using the Chroma is unheard of, across all races alike. Turn around for me.”
Atlas, still stiff with tension, used Solar to turn himself so that he was facing away from the King. The King’s scrutinizing eyes surveyed his back.
“Atlas,” the King said suddenly. “Ronan, did you give the child a name?”
“No, your Majesty. The Rune of Naming was already there when we checked,” Ronan replied solemnly.
“Curious, indeed,” the King replied. “Turn back around, Atlas.”
Atlas turned, swallowing nervously. He hadn’t realized his trip would be this nerve-wracking. He also wondered how the King could have seen through the skinsuit he was wearing. Perhaps, it was some application of Solar.
“Other races in the Keeper Kingdom are something I do not find myself enjoying. I will not throw you out for death to take you, however. It has come to my attention that you cannot speak Neoraian, the language of humans. So, learn. Ronan shall be your teacher. Additionally, you will learn to defend yourself. Marlin shall be your teacher. I give you three years to complete this before you are unwelcome in the Kingdom and must go elsewhere,” the King gave his verdict.
Atlas moved back to join the others and bowed deeply. “Yes, your Majesty.”
“Ronan, for your insubordination you shall receive five shocks from an Empress Jellyfish. This applies to your helpers as well. Marlin, see to it that this is done,” the King finished off. “Now, leave me. And do not cause any trouble, Atlas,” he added.
The trio bowed deeply once more and then went back the way they came.
As soon as they had left and were outside of the palace, watching over the cadets still in training, Atlas said, “Why didn’t you tell the King that you were helping me?”
Ronan was quiet for a while. “King Marius is very cautious. He would not have agreed to us aiding you,” he finally replied.
Atlas, somewhat vexed that he had been the cause of Ronan, Taron, and Riva’s punishment, angrily said, “Why did you even help me in the first place? And don’t come up with some bullshit that I ‘have potential’.”
Ronan blinked, his surprise at the three-year-old cursing unmatched. “Where did you learn to curse like that?” he asked, off-topic.
Atlas blushed. “Riva… she has some favorite words…” Atlas said, embarrassed.
Ronan’s surprise never faded, but he replied solemnly. “You’re quite smart for picking up my little lie. Truthfully, I was just curious. And, perhaps, I felt sorry for you. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I had told Taron to just leave you to fare for yourself at such a young age.”
Atlas looked away guiltily as if he was to blame.
Marlin, who had been standing next to the two while they had spoken, shifted his weight awkwardly. “Head Keeper Ronan, I would ask that you please show Atlas to a dormitory, preferably away from the rest of the Keepers. Once you’re done, please meet me at the back of the palace, near the barracks.”
Ronan raised a brow. “Look who’s ordering me around.”
Marlin rushed to defend himself but Ronan held up a palm. “Don’t worry, I’ll see you there, Marlin. Don’t be too rough with the other two.”
Marlin nodded, then swam toward where Taron and Riva were living.
“Aren’t you mad at him? For, y’know, ratting you out?” Atlas asked, glancing at Ronan.
Ronan sighed, looking Atlas in the eyes. “Pick your battles, Atlas. No decision is without consequences, and I had already accepted these when I first decided to help you. Being angry with Marlin, when he was just doing his job, is pointless. Instead, I’ll fuel my energy into things I find more important.”
Atlas regarded the older Keeper. Under his eyes were wrinkles that had formed from his many experiences, visible evidence of his wisdom. Following Ronan, he thought about his words. He had thought that it would be hard to be around Marlin, his new training instructor, but Ronan made him rethink his previous feelings. Maybe Marlin wasn’t so bad after all. He was just a Keeper who cared deeply for his duty and his people.
They arrived at a set of 10 coral houses that were all next to one another.
“Eastern Ocean temporary home units,” Ronan said. “This is one of a few sets of houses that house the scouts and any other Eastern Ocean Keepers. This particular neighborhood, if it can be called that, is named Smooth Stone. Unit 1 will be your new home for the rest of your stay in Keeper Kingdom. The rest of the units are uninhabited.”
Atlas swam toward Unit 1. The entire inside of the spherical, bubble-like coral house was lined with soft moss, with some luminous seaweed to brighten the interior. It looked cozy enough.
“Thank you,” Atlas said, turning to face Ronan.
Ronan just smiled. “I’ll come to meet you again tomorrow for our first lessons. You’ll have me in the mornings and Marlin in the afternoons. The evenings are yours to use however you wish. Food will be served at the barracks behind the palace in the mornings and evenings. If you need anything… well, just wait until the morning to see me.”
Atlas nodded along, listening quietly. However, when Ronan turned to leave, he quickly swam up and grabbed his arm. “Will you be alright?” he asked nervously, remembering the King’s ominous words: ‘5 shocks from an Empress Jellyfish’.
Ronan wore his smile still, but it seemed to dim a little. “I will be. Now, don’t worry about me and worry about yourself. You look exhausted.”
‘You’re probably exhausted, too,’ Atlas thought but held back his words. He nodded seriously. Ronan wasn’t weak. He would be alright in the long run.
He removed his hand from Ronan’s arm and watched as the Head Keeper swam towards the back of the palace.
After a few more seconds of watching, Atlas finally swam to his new home, settling down inside. Suddenly, with a start, he thought ‘How am I gonna use the bathroom while here?’.
Atlas, having been unfamiliar with the ‘etiquette’ of relieving oneself, had once done so in front of Riva when he was still on the beach of the island. She had winced in disgust before educating him on privacy and cleanliness. He now felt embarrassed whenever he was reminded of that moment.
Ronan had said if he had any problems to wait until the morning. It seemed he would have to keep it in until then.
‘Probably shouldn’t eat tonight’ he thought with a sigh, preparing to finally sleep and rest after the eventful day and a half.
***
“Your Majesty, you wished to see me?” Ronan asked, his face wincing from the pain of the jellyfish shocks that he had received not too long ago.
King Marius, as regal and graceful as ever, his face the epitome of authority and youth, set his steady eyes on the Head Keeper.
“Ronan, I respect you. You have been appointed Head Keeper for a reason, and I trust you as an advisor,” the King said, his voice deep, almost sad.
Ronan bowed, his back still feeling the burn of pain.
“Which is why I ask you to speak plainly now. Why did you bring the boy in?” the King asked, leaning back into his throne.
Ronan stood straight, his voice calm despite the constant pain he was feeling. “The boy is special. More special than he may seem, and even if it is not directly helpful to the Keeper race, I selfishly wish to oversee his development. I also could not forgive myself if I had turned the boy away, knowing full well that death was in store for him.”
The King sighed. “Your kindness and curiosity truly are your weaknesses. But, they are also your strengths. Good, then. The verdict still stands, however. I cannot allow the boy to stay here for longer than three years lest the people undermine my authority and values. You must understand, my friend.”
Ronan bowed deeply, smiling at the King’s geniality. “I do not question you, your Majesty. I am grateful you have allowed the boy these three years.”
The King nodded. “Also, do not let any of the other Keepers know that the boy is an Aberrant. Allow them to think of him as a human.”
Ronan’s eyes furrowed in confusion at the King’s words, but he did not voice this.
The King waved his hand casually, dismissing the Head Keeper.
Ronan bowed one last time. Then, with steady steps, he exited the grand hall.
King Marius watched his back in silence. His posture relaxed slightly and his eyes betrayed his poignancy.
“How I wish we could trade words casually like the old times, old friend,” he whispered to the receding Keeper. He closed his eyes with a deep and tired sigh.