The Ashen Keeper

Chapter 22

The moment she heard Alduin's words in her soul, she merely smiled, happy that there was someone to answer this time.

She then, gathered her soul or flame in the palm of her hands and slammed it down towards the Earth.

An invisible shockwave spread all over the Earth. The firekeeper was no where to be seen. She was now standing the middle of nothing. There was literally nothing. No ground, no air, not a single thing to be seen.

It was literally just a void. But she was able to stand somehow. In front of her, stood a gigantic being with six lamps for eyes with his bucket shaped head. It's sheer body alone could easily boast the might of an immortal. A being whose fingers were bigger than mountains.

Not a single word was exchanged between the two of them.

Both knew instinctively that this was a battle for survival. Just as she could absorb the soul of the Celestial to continue her life, the celestial could also consume her to mature instantly.

She immediately prepared to summon Alduin and the other everlasting ones. She would not gamble with her life. The celestial gathered a huge ball of energy in the palms of its enormous hands.

"Show yourself, my dear Alduin"

"I am already here.", said Alduin standing right behind her. He didn't show up in a vortex of energy or a portal. He was simply there as if he was staying right from the start.

He also gathered a huge energy in his mouth and unleash it as the celestial did the same. It crashed into a colossal explosion. Both had minor injuries.

That was when she teleported right above the celestial. It was the first battle for the immature celestial whilst it was just another round for the mature and experienced Alduin. It was far too simple to see the outcome.

Alduin's wounds were already healing but she couldn't say the same for the celestial.

"Farewell, young one.", she said as she drove her makeshift sword into its skull. Normally, the celestial would never allow her to come this close but, he was still disoriented from Alduin's attack.

This was a real battle. It was underwhelming. There were no flashy moves. Just beams filled with raw power. There was no glory or honor. The battle was over before you could even blink. After all, one strike was usually what is needed to end the battle.

Also, she wasn't taking chances so, she simply killed it nice and clean. She could feel herself burning once more. This time with the vigor of a dying lord of Cinder.

This is how the flame would burn if a lord of cinder sacrificed itself. Her powers were full for once since she has set foot on this world. She automatically returned to the outside world afterwards.

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[A Random Celestial POV]

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One of us had fallen.

The embryo had yet to mature but it had been one of us nonetheless.

All of us noticed when one Celestial has fallen.

After all, we were only born once in a few millennia. A single loss was catastrophic for us.

It fills me with pain to learn that one of the Balancers of the multiverse had fallen to their targets of protection.

I can sense that it occurred within the nine realms where Odin rules with an iron fist. Moreover, the ancient one was still alive.

We could easily kill the both of them but, it is also easy for the both of them to drag one Celestial alongside them.

Losing two celestials for a single celestial is not a good trade-off. However, I can sense that Odin's time is nearing its end. The Ancient One's destiny is also running out.

They day they die will be the day the people of Earth will meet the judgement of the Celestials.

For now, they shall live in their pitiful, ignorant lives. One day, they shall pay for the sins of their guardians.

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[A Random Everlasting Dragon POV]

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Immediately, we sensed the arrival of the keeper. Although, we may not show it, all of us already had a sense of harmony within her.

We were creatures of nature, and it was as if she was the very nature itself. That makes sense. After all, she was the flame itself and the flame was formed naturally.

I was wary of her due to the fact that she might still worship those Lords and attempt to burn us to fuel herself. We will still live but burning is a sensation I do not wish to experience once again.

Not after the heat of Gwyn's lightning bolts. I do not wish to experience the diseases that once plagued us and brought us great sufferings. I do not wish to feel the despair when our homes, a place we have live since time immemorial burn in flames.

The lords had hunted us one after another. This won't happen again. Thousands of us were ready to move at a moment's notice from Alduin.

But it appears that Alduin had no intention of going to war with her the moment the keeper stated that she did not wish to burn them to prolong herself. Only then, did we tried to probe her.

She was full of odd humor despite her calm outlook. She may not realize it, but she was becoming more and more desperate. Not to live but to keep the world alive. We knew everything from her soul. After all, she was someone who can barely lie to others let alone herself.

The reason she kept living was only partly because of the Avengers. After all, no matter how intimate they may be, coming from an entire new universe will distance them knowingly or unknowingly.

I nearly fell down laughing when I heard that she wished to acquire our tone. It wasn't something I even thought of. Yet, she placed on a higher importance than her life.

It was a bit sad. Her desire to be accepted was higher than her desire to live. Fournately, I could slowly sense her desire to live coming back. How lonely must she be? She was admist strange beings in a strange land.

Her odd humor and her fondness for the world was slowly replacing her indifference. From now on, she shall become more vibrant.

She shall no longer keep everything to herself for there are thousands she could consult with. The outside world was formed with part of the ashes of our old world.

But, this world was fully formed from the ashes of the old world.

She is now the keeper of our world. She is slowly gaining her desire to live after knowing the fact that thousands of beings were depending on her for a home to live.

After all, this was the job of the keeper. To ensure that all beings, no matter how cursed, how strong or how dark will always have a home by the bonfire.