Alex at 15.

Sitting in my room, studying yet another textbook on elemental magic, I listened attentively to the sound of the bell ringing from the tower of the castle. It was a magical alarm signal that informed about the passage of monsters through the rift. In the past 30 years, such alarms had become rare, and they usually didn't exceed the second level of danger. This gave hope to the residents of the Borderlands and the neighboring kingdoms that the rift was losing its activity and gradually falling dormant, as it was seen as a source of magic that had depleted its resources.

This time, the alarm indicated a second-level threat, which meant that the small Hrum creatures had passed through. At least, that's what I called them. Hrums were rabbit-like herbivorous creatures that didn't pose a great danger to humans. They mostly caused damage to the fields, devouring crops like locusts. Driving them back was quite simple - all we had to do was set up magical nets and redirect the flows into the rift to pull them back.

"Faster, princess. Put on your armor and stay close," Roger de Savoyar said as he took his heiress on a monster hunt for the first time. After 15 years of training, his small but formidable princess was going on a hunt. "Take the bow and tighten the reins. Don't fall off the horse at the most interesting moment again."

I always felt conflicted about my father's attitude. He constantly mocked and called me "princess," which was incredibly irritating. Despite my proficiency in various combat techniques and weapons, my father always saw me as weaker because I was not a boy. It was hurtful and discouraging.

On the other hand, my mother, Celesta, true to her status and lineage, never stopped trying to make a lady out of me. After intense training sessions, when all I wanted to do was collapse onto my bed and sleep for a day, we would engage in dancing, court etiquette, and the rules of polite conversation. These were skills usually taught to girls at court. "Flutter your eyelashes and pretend to be foolish" seemed to be the main rule in the courtly environment. Luckily, my parents preferred horseback riding and archery over singing and playing the piano. Survival was more important to me, and the fact that the Kings didn't rush to invite us to their audience pleased not only me but also my parents.

"Dad, I was only 10 at the time, and I didn't fall. You caught me," I said, mounting the horse. It was just one of many occasions when I saw sympathy in my father's eyes, although it wasn't clear if it was directed towards himself or towards me. But I had grown accustomed to it. I had come to terms with the lack of friends, free time, and the almost constant solitude.

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The servants at Savoyar were temporary; no one wanted to live near the Rift, except for our indispensable Sam and Samantha—the estate manager and the head chef of the castle. They became my family. With my ever-busy and preoccupied father, and the distant duchess who never seemed to reconcile with the absence of social events and life in seclusion, Sam and Samantha were the only close people in the castle apart from my parents. They lived on the ground floor of the castle, the only ones who didn't refuse to be constantly near the Rift.

Sam and Samantha became substitutes for the grandparents I never had. They devoted all their attention and care to me and covered up my childish mischief. Being the only child in the family of the Keepers was a common occurrence, and it had been so for over a hundred years.

With their presence and care, Sam and Samantha created an atmosphere of family warmth and support, which was particularly important in my life.

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"Alright, don't be upset, Alex. Pull yourself together. This is your first hunt; don't fall behind," the duke said, guiding the horse towards the forest in the direction of the Rift. In the distance, the shimmering of the open portal could already be seen. I followed him.

"Dad, do you think the Rift is really falling asleep?" I asked, catching up to my father. The journey to the Rift took about 15 minutes. The silence around us began to weigh heavily.

"It's unknown. According to observations and studies by the mages, the number of creatures decreases every 10 years. Let's hope that this trend continues. Your mother and I believe in it strongly," the duke replied, looking into the distance with tension.

"Do you think that's why I received the gift of the Keeper?" I had to ask that question.

My father stopped the horse and turned his head. For a few seconds, he silently and attentively looked into my eyes.

"Pull yourself together, Alex. We know only a fraction of what we should know about the Rift and its nature. If something happens to me, you will be the last Keeper. Remember that. Perhaps many in the kingdoms have forgotten about the Crowlies, but for the Borderlands, it's an unforgivable luxury. Let's hurry," my father said, urging the horse into a gallop. I had to exert effort to catch up with him.

After a few minutes, we reached the Rift. It was a deep, jagged chasm stretching for dozens of kilometers. Its walls were shrouded in mist and emitted a coldness that created a sense of mystical aura.

Ghostly rocks lined the edges of the Rift, distorting its shape and adding to its grandeur. Inside, a dazzling radiance could be seen, shimmering with various colors. It was a sign of magical energy, the source of which, as we believed, resided in other realms.

The wind in this place produced ominous sounds, resembling whispers from alternate dimensions. Occasionally, mysterious sounds and crackling could be heard from the portal, indicating the presence of magical forces.

"Alex, cast the nets," my father said, surveying the surroundings and beginning to scan the area.

I focused and spread a search net over the clearing. "I don't sense the presence of the Hrumms, there are no signs of intrusion, and the magical currents of the portal are stable. Father?" I felt that we were missing something. The bell had never sounded in vain before.

Tension and anticipation hung in the air. Something was amiss.

"Back! Alex, back!" my father shouted, rushing towards me. As I stood there, trying to understand where the Hrumms had disappeared.

I didn't have time to understand what was happening when my father's magic pushed me towards the forest. Raising my head, I saw what had scared him so much. Dark silhouettes of Crowleys appeared in the shimmering portal. They were menacing and aggressive, with fangs and sharp claws, resembling dangerous predators from nightmares. The black creatures emitted a roaring howl, filling the air with malevolent sounds.

"Alex, back to the castle, immediately. I'll handle this," my father said, unsheathing his sword and heading towards the monsters.

"I won't leave you!" I said, drawing my own swords and aligning myself with my father. "I am a Keeper, and this is my battle too."

"Back to back!" my father turned to me. In his eyes, there was a mixture of concern and pride.

We engaged in a fierce fight with the Crowleys. My father used his skills and magical power to hold off the attack of the dark creatures and deflect their attacks. I maneuvered with my weapons, protecting my father's back and striking the vulnerable spots of the Crowleys. The battle was intense and spectacular. The Crowleys attacked with ferocity and ruthlessness, but my father and I didn't give up. We held our defense, deflecting their strikes and delivering counterattacks, trying to weaken the strength and number of the Crowleys.

Soon, our perseverance and skill began to yield results. One by one, the monsters fell to our deadly blows. Those we couldn't defeat, my father pushed back into the portal. From time to time, the rift rumbled and flashed, engulfing the bodies of the Crowleys.

When there were no more Crowley's left, my father and I looked at each other, exhausted. The first battle was over.

"We did it, I'm proud of you, my princess," my father said with a smile, kissing my forehead and embracing me. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had done what was expected of me, and he truly was proud of me.

"Thank you, Your Grace. I'm glad I didn't let you down!" Stepping back from my father, I made a bow, and we laughed together.

However, before we could reach the horses, there was a sudden crack and creak. The entire rift shimmered strangely. My father immediately noticed the unusual behavior of the rift. The portal began to distort and change shape, as if something liquid was boiling inside it.

"What is this?" I grabbed my father's hand, keeping him away from the portal.

"This has never happened before. Prepare yourself, Alex. It might be a renewed breach," said Roger de Savoyar, sensing the growing danger. He had never seen anything like it before. If the knowledge passed down by the Keepers was to be believed, no one had. Roger tensed, like a predator ready to pounce.

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"Let's get closer. Do you feel the vibrations? They're atypical for the rift," he said, preparing for any possible danger. Slowly, we crept closer, like hunters, becoming increasingly tense in anticipation of what might happen.

The vibrations became more pronounced, creating an unfamiliar sense of tension in the air. My father and I were prepared for a possible breach, weapons at the ready, and power filling our reserves.

But nothing happened. I was almost relieved when suddenly a wave of energy burst out of the portal. The surge of magic threw my father and me towards the edge of the forest. Crashing into a tree, I felt darkness engulfing me and lost consciousness. Lying unconscious, it felt like everything inside me was burning, as if the power filling my reserves had turned into fire, ready to consume me from within. Unable to bear the pain, I regained consciousness.

Stunned by what had happened, I examined my body and found only a small bump on my head. I let out a sigh of relief, realizing that I hadn't suffered any serious injuries. However, my main concern was focused on my father, who wasn't responding.

"Father!" I felt like I was shouting, although only a feeble whisper could be heard.

Gathering what strength remained, I resolutely stood up and headed towards where we had left the horses. My head was still spinning, but there was no time left to fully recover. I needed to find my father and figure out what had happened.

Soon, I emerged from the forest and made my way to the spot where we had tethered the horses. I could have used magical scanning of the area to locate my father more quickly, but after such a powerful blow, with a foggy mind, it was difficult to concentrate on performing complex spells.

The surroundings seemed calm and peaceful, but inside, there was anxiety and unease. The horses were unharmed, untouched by the wave of magic, but there was no sign of my father nearby.

"Well, it seems scanning is unavoidable," I said and drew upon my power, filling my reserves as my father had taught me.

"Focus, Alex, and feel the energy around you. It flows, pulsates, and nourishes. Now absorb it and channel it through the center, right here," echoed my father's training instructions in my head, and it helped. A pleasant warmth and tingling spread within me. "Ahhash Nuray," I whispered and released the power.

Needles pierced my head, causing sharp pain, but taking a deep breath, I forced myself to concentrate. "Living can." Just a hundred meters away, the search spell indicated the presence of a person, and that's where I headed.

My father lay under a tree, motionless and unresponsive to my calls. Helplessness and worry tightened my heart.

I hurried to help him regain consciousness, so I grabbed a small bottle of water that I always carried in my saddlebag. Carefully, I leaned over him and began to wash his face with the cool water.

At first, my father didn't respond to my feeble attempts to bring him back to consciousness, but gradually Roger began to regain his senses. He stirred slightly and slowly opened his eyes. At first, his gaze was bewildered, but gradually he recognized his daughter standing before him.

"Alex... What... what happened?" the Duke whispered, expressing his confusion aloud.

"Father, something happened with the rift. We were expecting another breach, remember, and then a wave of magic burst out. I was thrown towards the forest, and I couldn't find you immediately. I had to use the search spell, and here you are, unconscious," I explained, helping my father to sit up. I intentionally left out some details to avoid worrying him.

Roger tried to recall what had happened, but his memories were blurry and vague. He felt a slight dizziness but tried to focus.

"Something unusual must have occurred with the rift. We need to figure this out. But first, we need to return to the castle and seek assistance," Roger said, attempting to stand up from the ground. I supported him, helping him to his feet.

The journey back home felt like a haze. Upon their arrival, the castle buzzed with activity, as the flash from the rift had been visible for kilometers around.

Roger

Roger de Savoyar, paying no attention to his own condition, walked heavily toward his study. His heart clenched with the realization that he no longer possessed the magic that had been his faithful companion all these years. He had relied entirely on its power and assistance in defending the castle and combating dangers.

Quietly closing the door to his study, Roger sank into somber contemplation. He understood that the power had left him as soon as he opened his eyes and saw his worried and frightened daughter. He felt a void inside himself, the absence of that magical energy that had once permeated every fiber of his being. It was a frightening change that he couldn't ignore.

However, in that moment, his thoughts were consumed by Alex. She remained the sole Guardian, now burdened with the responsibility for the castle's safety and the fight against threats from the rift. Roger felt pride and simultaneous concern for his daughter. She was young and inexperienced, but she possessed a fiery determination and strength.

He took a step toward the desk, where communication artifacts were lying. The kings demanded a report on what had transpired, but that was secondary at the moment. The most important thing was to help Alex realize and embrace her new role and responsibility.

Roger resolved to support his daughter, to train her, and to pass on his knowledge and experience. He knew that Alex had an inner strength, and now she had to fully manifest it. Together, they would overcome any challenges and protect the Borderlands from new threats.

With determination in his heart, Roger de Savoyar began planning and preparing to do everything possible to support his daughter in her new role as the Guardian.

Alex

The next day, as I made my way to my father's cabinet, I had a sense that the conversation wouldn't be easy.

"Alex, take a seat. We need to talk about what happened," my father said, folding his hands in front of him to conceal his concern.

"Dad, do you know what it was?" I sat across from his desk, looking into his worried face.

"Not entirely, but there's something I need to tell you. The wave of energy that erupted from the rift has stripped me of my magic. I don't know if it's temporary or permanent, princess. One thing I know for certain is that you are now our new Guardian. The sole Guardian," he said, gazing into my eyes, studying my reaction to his words.

"Dad, I can't believe I'm the only Guardian left. It's so sudden and strange. I can't even imagine how I'll handle such responsibility," I tried to conceal the panic, clutching my skirt with trembling fingers.

My father stood up from behind his desk and sat beside me, taking my trembling hands in his. "Yes, daughter, the situation has changed, and now you have a tremendous mission. But I believe in you. You have an inner strength and determination that will help you overcome any difficulties," he said in a softer voice, gently stroking my hand.

"But, father, I lack the experience and knowledge. How can I, alone, protect the castle and fight the threats from the rift?" tears welled up in my eyes, but I tried to hold myself together.

"Magic is just a tool, Alex. True strength lies within you," he pointed to my heart and then my temple. "You've been trained in various combat techniques and wield a variety of weapons. But most importantly, you have determination and inner strength. That's what will make you a true Guardian," he looked at me with concern, but his eyes held confidence in his words.

"I understand, father. But I'm still afraid that I won't be able to handle it. What if I disappoint you? What if the monsters break free from the Borderlands?" I lowered my gaze. For all the years I had been preparing for this task, facing the reality made me feel utterly unprepared.

"Don't dwell on failures, daughter. Remember that every novice Guardian faces difficulties. It's important to learn from them and never give up. I'll be by your side, supporting you and sharing my experience," he lifted my chin, making me look into his eyes, and smiled tenderly.

"Thank you, father. I will try my best and do everything possible not to let you down. I'm proud to be a Guardian and will continue our family's tradition," I tried to portray confidence, but the inner fear still clung to me.

"I'm proud of you, Alex, my brave little princess. Don't forget that you're not alone in this fight. The entire castle stands behind you, and we will do everything we can to assist you on this challenging path," my father pulled me close and, perhaps for the first time in a long while, embraced me, comforting and stroking my head like he did when I was a child. "Rest for today. I still need to resolve some matters," he gently pushed me away, stood up, and headed toward his desk, signaling that the conversation was over.

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As I left my father's cabinet, fear and doubt trembled within me. My father's words provided some comfort, but I still felt an overwhelming anxiety about my new role. The worry that my inexperience and young age could lead to serious consequences wouldn't leave me.

I wandered through the castle, servants already dispersing for the day. I saw Samantha bustling in the kitchen, and Sam walking with a furrowed brow. I entered the Duchess's chambers, where she sat, as usual, engrossed in a book, giving me a questioning look. It seemed that my father hadn't informed her of the news yet.

I can't let all these people down. And how many lives are at risk if the Crowleys break free from the Borderlands? I have to manage. Despite my father's advice, I couldn't sit still. I needed to return and inspect the rift once again. Perhaps with a clear mind, I could understand what had happened.

Keeping my decision hidden from my father and the others, I made up my mind to venture to the rift alone. I managed to overcome my fear and doubts. It was necessary to protect the castle and all the inhabitants of the Borderlands. Putting on the Guardian attire and grasping my swords, I set off towards the rift.

The Guardian suit was designed not only for protection but also for freedom of movement. Fitting like a second skin, it was tailored from Crowley leather, providing reliable defense against physical harm. The material was known for its durability and flexibility, allowing for agile movements and swift attacks. The split-side skirt added femininity and elegance to the suit without compromising maneuverability.

My favorite weapons were the twin swords that I never let go of during training. Crafted from sturdy steel, they possessed excellent balance and lightness. The handles were wrapped in leather, providing a secure grip and comfort during use.

Standing before the rift alone, in Guardian attire and armed, I felt a connection to this source of magic for the first time. Its rhythmic hum seemed to hypnotize me, instilling a sense of confidence that everything had happened as it was meant to.

It felt unfamiliar and strange to embody a true Guardian, but it was here that I suddenly felt a newfound assurance that I could handle it. For the first time, I truly believed that I was capable of protecting my lands and people from any threat.