Chapter 36: Guardian of the Eternal Sea
—Narrated by Eli Whitmore
---
The Gate Way shimmered again.
This time, it wasn't flames or mist that greeted us—but waves. Blue light swirled around the edges of the gate like a whirlpool turned sideways, water crashing silently in slow motion. The air rippled, salt-scented and cool.
Ryker took a step back. "That's... water. And a lot of it."
Luna clutched her pendant tightly. "It's not just any sea. It's alive."
Felix peered into the glowing spiral. "I feel something moving on the other side. Not just currents… something ancient."
Thorne's voice was calm, but serious. "The Eternal Sea. Where tides carry the past and future. And where the Guardian waits."
I felt my seal throb once, like a ripple in my chest.
I nodded. "Then let's dive in."
And together—we stepped through.
---
The Drowning Sky
For a moment, there was nothing—no air, no light—just water.
Then we burst through it.
The sky above us was dark teal, swirling with storm clouds that never truly rained. The ground beneath our feet… wasn't ground. We stood on a floating isle of coral and pearl, drifting across a boundless ocean. Waves rose like mountains and crashed into each other far in the distance.
Every breath here felt thick with energy, like we were inhaling memory and magic.
Felix stumbled slightly. "This realm doesn't follow rules."
Luna agreed. "The ocean here doesn't just move. It thinks."
Draven pointed toward the horizon. "There. Something's coming."
A giant fin sliced through the water in the distance—followed by more.
Shapes swirled beneath the surface. Leviathans. Spirits. Remnants of the sea's forgotten history.
And standing tall upon a rising tide was a figure dressed in armor of liquid crystal and drifting seaweed. His trident glimmered like starlight trapped in sapphire. His hair flowed like waves, and his eyes were deep, endless blue.
Maelstrom Kairos.
Guardian of the Eternal Sea.
---
Tides of Judgment
He raised his hand—and the sea responded.
Waves curled around us, forming a ring of water that hovered midair. The ocean listened.
Kairos spoke with a voice like thunder filtered through waves. "The Flame walks with you. The Springs have whispered your names."
He pointed his trident toward me. "But will you withstand the pull of the deep?"
"We've come to unite the realms," I said, stepping forward. "We've passed the Ember and the Waters. We don't seek power. We seek purpose."
Kairos lowered his gaze. "Then you must offer a truth. One you fear."
Thorne frowned. "What kind of truth?"
Kairos' voice deepened. "The sea drowns lies. To gain the ocean's blessing, you must bare your deepest secret—or drown with it."
I blinked.
Truth…?
---
The Secrets Beneath
Felix stepped forward first. His voice wavered, but he spoke clearly. "I was born during a meteor storm. My mother gave up her life so I could live. I've always blamed myself. Always felt unworthy of the stars in my blood."
Ryker touched his shoulder. "You're not unworthy, Felix. You're the reason we're all still fighting."
Luna stepped next. "I used to wish it was me who died instead of my twin sister. I thought the world lost the better one. But I know now—I'm alive for a reason. And I won't waste that."
Draven looked down. "I once led others into a trap. Thinking I was doing good. But it broke them. Broke me. Since then, I've feared being trusted. Because I don't trust myself."
Thorne stepped forward. His voice was low. "I was born in light… and I let them steal it. I became something I feared. A monster in shadow. But now… I want to choose who I am. Not be shaped by my past."
Kairos nodded slowly.
Then it was my turn.
I hesitated.
"I… I thought if I became strong enough, I could find him. Bring him back. My father. But the truth is… I'm scared that when I reach the end of road, I'll find out he chose to leave. That he didn't want to be found."
The others stared at me, quietly.
But Kairos said nothing for a long time.
Instead, the sea rose.
---
The Ocean's Trial
Without warning, water pulled us down—sinking us beneath the waves.
But we could breathe.
We floated in silence through vast halls of coral, glowing sea life, and ancient ruins.
Each of us was pulled to a different memory beneath the sea. Not just personal pain—but the fears we carried for each other.
Felix saw Ryker bleeding, broken on a battlefield.
Luna saw Draven, alone, walking into darkness again.
Thorne saw me—burning up from within, consumed by the Gate itself.
I saw all of them… falling.
And I was helpless.
A voice whispered inside me.
> "The sea cannot be tamed. But it can be trusted."
> "Do you trust them, Eli Whitmore?"
"Yes," I whispered. "With everything."
The sea surged.
And then we were lifted—rising back to the surface, gasping.
Kairos stood before us again, his trident planted in the coral.
"You have passed," he said. "Not because you are fearless… but because you felt fear and did not run."
He extended his hand. "Take this: The Ocean's Oath."
The trident glowed—and from it, a single pearl floated forward, sinking into my seal.
Power surged through me—cool, deep, eternal.
---
As the Gate Way opened again, glowing silver-blue this time, Kairos offered final words.
"The Sea remembers", he said. "And what comes next… the Forest of Enchanted, will test your roots."
I nodded. "We'll face it."
Thorne stood beside me, closer than ever.
Felix and Ryker, hand-in-hand, nodded.
Luna's light shimmered softly. Draven held his blades steady.
And together, we stepped toward the Gates.
---
The Sea has granted its blessing.
But the Forest of Enchanted waits in silence—and has magical deep roots.
---
To be continued…