The next morning, they began to train. Not for war, but for protection. Each keeper taught the others something from their road. Sira taught fire that did not burn. Orin taught stone that remembered. The twins taught roots that connected. Gar taught stars that guided. Echo taught sounds that healed. Lux taught light that revealed. And Al taught memory that reminded.
The people of the meeting places watched and learned. They were not warriors. They were not soldiers. They were something new. Something the world had not seen before.
They were guardians.