Aza Comics The Keepers: Origins: The Keepers, #1

By Jazmin Truesdale

Aza Comics brings you a new team of female superheroes in this thrilling space fantasy novel for Teens and Adults with illustrated action scenes!

Every 1,000 years a Keeper is chosen by the Gods to protect the universe. But what happens if that person decides they want the universe for themselves?

In this space opera, discover the origin story of Amaya, Kala, Ixchel, Adanna, and Fenna as they fight to save the universe from the greatest threat it has ever known!

www.AzaComics.shop

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aza Comics
• Release date: Jan 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781957340012

Book preview

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The Keepers:

Origins

By: Jazmin Truesdale

Illustrated by: Remero Colston

ISBN-13: 978-1-957340-01-2

Copyright © 2016 by Aza Comics / Aza Entertainment LLC All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced. or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

To my sister, who taught me that

anything is possible.

Chapter One

Realm 5...

Kiran levitated himself off the ground. He hovered above the terrified crowd and watched as another man was executed by one of his henchmen. When the sword pierced the man’s body, he heard a gasp from the crowd of women and children watching the horrific scene.

I can do this all night until every single one of you is dead, Kiran said, folding his arms over his chest. Now, tell me. Where are they?

***

Nari gazed in horror from the crowd while the men of her small village stood in line, waiting to be executed. One by one, a man stepped forward for every minute that passed in which no one told Kiran what he wanted to know.

Her eyes darted over to her father, who stood in line, and her pulse quickened.

She looked over at her twin sister whose tears flowed nonstop and her mother’s grip on her shoulders tightened. She could feel her mother’s hands trembling as they watched the sword pierce her uncle’s body. When he slumped lifelessly to the ground, her father stepped forward and lowered himself onto his knees.

Mother, let me go to him, Nari pleaded when she felt her sister’s soft hand tighten around her own.

No, Nari, her mother whispered. You must stay here. If he takes the two of you, then all of Aza will be in danger.

That’s why I am going alone. He needs the two of us to get to The Gods. He will not kill me because he needs me, Nari said, turning to face her mother. If I don’t go to him, he will kill Papa and our entire village. I must go Mama.

Her mother hesitated.

Not waiting for an answer, Nari embraced her mother and turned to her sister, who was staring at her wide-eyed and shaking her head.

Don’t leave me, Ki cried, throwing her arms around Nari’s neck.

Don’t worry, Nari said, hugging her tightly. We will be together again, but you must protect Mama and Papa. Get them some place safe and remember the new Askari will find me. They will bring me to you.

Slap!

The crowd gasped and Nari turned to see one of Kiran’s men backhand her father.

Run, Nari urged, pushing Ki in the direction of her mother.

Ki grabbed their mother’s hand and they ran into the woods just behind the crowd, protected by the darkness of the night. When Nari was certain that they were out of sight, she stepped away from the crowd and into the street.

I’m strong. I can do this, she thought, coughing a little from the suffocating smoke of the burning houses Kiran’s men had set ablaze.

Balling her fist, Nari straightened her back, held her head high, and walked in front of the crowd to stand before Kiran.

I am the oracle you seek. Now, let my father go, she demanded.

Is she serious? Kiran looked down at the girl and laughed. She couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15 years old. Her bronze skin glowed from exposure to the yellow sun of the tiny planet, and her long blonde tight curls blew wildly around her head. He had never seen such a person but had heard of the rare indigenous people who lived near the village.

Lowering himself to the ground, he walked over to stand in front of her. She barely came to his chest, but she did not appear the least bit afraid of him.

"You seem confused. I believe I was quite clear when I said I was looking for twin oracles."

Nari lifted her chin to meet Kiran’s gaze. Then you have found me. My sister and I were separated in order to keep The Gods safe.

Aaaagggghhhhhh! Kiran shouted, jumping up and down like a child throwing a tantrum.

Whoa, Nari said under her breath, eyeing him strangely.

Why didn’t that stupid seer tell me that they were separated? Kiran kicked the grass and took a deep breath to regain his composure. At least I have one of them. Even one oracle holds the knowledge of the past, present, and future.

Kiran paused. Grab the girl, he said to his men.

Before Nari could blink, two large men grabbed her arms. I know you want the knowledge that I possess, but I will not tell you anything! she shouted, struggling against their tight grip.

Kiran held up his hand and the men let her go.

She swallowed hard.

Standing in front of her, Kiran slowly leaned down until they were face-to-face.

Grab her father as well, he commanded.

Nari’s eyes grew wide. Noooooo!

***

The Median of Arjana...

Princess Thema let out a sigh and rubbed her stomach as she leaned against the cool marble of the wall next to the toilet. She had been nauseous all day and had barely left the bathroom.

I’m going to have a baby.

Thema smiled. But her smile quickly faded when she thought of her situation. There was no way that she would be allowed to stay with the father of her child.

Arjana was divided, men on one side (Apia) and women on the other (Themia). In Themia, men were not allowed except at The Median. The Median divided the planet in half where men and women from each side could meet and get together to have children. If the woman became pregnant, she had the choice to stay with her co-creator or return to her tribe. Most women returned to their tribes, so the men often would bring women from other planets to live with them as life partners in Apia.

Thema sighed. Her royal status made it so that she was not allowed the option of staying with her co-creator. When she became queen, her life would be devoted to governing Themia, the oldest and wealthiest territory in the Aza universe.

She continued to rub her stomach. The thought of her child growing up to be a strong warrior brought tears to her eyes. She had always wanted a child and it was finally happening.

Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she laughed. Great Layo! Will I ever stop crying?

The doctor at the birthing-house where she was staying told her she was six weeks into her pregnancy. She also knew her mother would be awaiting her return, but she could not bring herself to leave without talking to her co-creator first.

Kiran, she sighed.

Thema had met Kiran during the meeting ceremony when she first arrived at The Median. He had approached her first and after getting to know him, she knew she wanted to create life with him. During their time together, he had expressed how much he wanted a child which was why she couldn’t return home without telling him.

Your father will be so excited to know you are on the way, Thema said, rubbing her stomach affectionately. You will be received with more love than you can possibly imagine.

***

The Royal Palace in Joa, Capital City of Themia...

Akachi ran through the halls of the palace, her heart racing. She skidded around the corner and nearly fell over, but one of the guards reached for her arm.

Great Layo, Akachi, the guard chuckled. Careful or you’ll hurt yourself.

Is the queen in her bedchamber? Akachi wheezed, grabbing hold of the wall.

Yes. She’s—

Before the guard could finish, Akachi ran the short distance to the queen’s room and swung open the door.

Ngozi, queen of Arjana, looked up from her scrolls, startled by Akachi’s sudden entrance. Akachi, What is it?

My...queen, she said out of breath, staggering toward the chaise in the center of the room. It’s Thema. Something wonderful and terrible is about to happen. We must go to her, now.

Thema has yet to return from the Media—

I know, but the future of Aza is at stake. We must leave now.

Ngozi knew that Akachi was the favorite of The Gods, so without hesitation, she got up from her chaise and went into action. Guards!

Two armed women, dressed in traditional Themian red armor, stepped into the room.

My queen, the two women said in unison.

Prepare the royal transport. We leave for The Median immediately.

The two guards bowed and rushed out of the room.

Ngozi’s heart pounded in her chest at the thought of something happening to her daughter. Her hands trembled but she quickly took a deep breath and walked out into the hallway.

Come, Akachi, she said, gesturing for her to follow.

As she and Akachi hurriedly made their way to the other side of the palace, the click of Ngozi’s heels echoed off the walls of the vast hallway. She walked up the stairs to the battle wing and stopped in front of a large red and silver double door. Carved into one side of the door, a female warrior, holding two long spears, was charging towards a terrifying two-headed beast that was carved into the other door.

Ngozi opened the door and entered the bedchamber of her war advisor. Furo, she said, startling the woman from her sleep.

Furo jumped from her bed and bowed.

Akachi and I are headed to The Median to fetch Thema. You are in charge while I am away.

Furo’s jaw dropped and her eyes darted over to Akachi. Their queen had never left someone else in charge of the queendom.

Y…yes, my queen, she stammered, crossing her arms over her chest in an ‘X’ and bowing.

Good, Ngozi said, grabbing Akachi’s hand and turning to leave the room. I shan’t be gone more than a day, but I will notify you if my stay lasts longer than expected.

Furo watched the door close behind them and a loud thud resonated throughout the room. Furo couldn’t believe it. The queen had left her in charge. What in the name of Titilayo was going on?

***

Kiran’s Transport...

Kiran closed his eyes and let the gentle caress of his female companion wash over him. His head rested in her lap and her soft hands massaged his scalp.

I am close, my love.

I know you are and I am very proud of you, she whispered in his ear. If anyone can find the second oracle it’s you, and before you know it Aza will be yours.

Ours, Kiran murmured against her skin and kissed her hand. He took a moment to relish in her scent and got up from the bed. I must go and check on the oracle.

Tell me how it goes. I must admit that I admire her resilience.

Kiran nodded and pressed the button to open the door of his bedchamber. When he stepped into the corridor he could hear the screams of the oracle’s father coming from the weapons chamber. Sounds like we’re making progress.

***

Nari could not take it anymore. Watching the men brutally beat her father, while she was chained to the wall and helpless to stop them, was more than she could bear. She had to think fast. How do I distract him?

Nari looked up to see Kiran enter the room. The way the other men lowered their eyes, she could tell how much they feared him. She continued to watch him walk about the room when she felt a tingling sensation. It was like an electric current that ran through her body, travelling from her feet to her head.

She closed her eyes.

Images flashed through her mind with incredible speed and her brain flooded with information. Just when she thought she couldn’t absorb any more knowledge, a soft feminine whisper echoed in her mind and her body relaxed.

Nari opened her eyes in time to see one of Kiran’s men punch her father in the face. Ok, I’ll talk! she cried.

Kiran stopped, mid-conversation, and looked at her. One corner of his mouth lifted in a knowing grin and he stepped towards her.

Go on, he said, standing in front of her and crossing his arms over his intimidatingly muscular chest.

You took me so that I would lead you to my sister, but she should not be your primary focus.

Kiran lifted an eyebrow. You presume to tell me what my focus should be?

I may be 15 but my life essence is as old as the universe itself. I am no idiot.

We’ll see about that, he said, amused. Tell me what you know.

Nari’s eyes looked around the room at Kiran’s men. You don’t want anyone to witness what I’m about to say.

Kiran rolled his eyes. I am not afraid of you, little girl. My men know everything they need to know.

Nari grinned. Do they? she said, leaning back against the wall. Do they know that you’re losing your powers?

Chapter Two

The sting of Kiran’s hand coming down across Nari’s face was everlasting. Her ears rung but the ringing did not drown out his shouting.

How do— Kiran stopped when he saw his men staring at him. She’s lying to make you distrust me. Leave the room. I will deal with her.

The men quickly filed out of the room. Moments passed and Kiran did not speak. The room was so silent all she could hear was the hum of the transport moving through space.

Nari swallowed hard. What is he going to do? She could see the wheels in his head turning as he tried to figure out his next move. If he wants to play mind games, we can play mind games.

Nari smirked. So...do you want to know more, or are we just going to sit here and look at each other?

How do you know that I’m losing my powers? Kiran hissed, keeping his voice low.

Because, I’m an oracle, she said slowly in her most patronizing tone.

"But why am I losing my powers?"

Nari shrugged. The Gods have deemed you unfit to be an Askari.

How can they do that? Just take away my powers...like that, he said, snapping his fingers.

Well, you have been terrorizing all the realms…

I mean, how can The Gods take away my powers if they can’t interfere with people’s lives?

Nari rolled her eyes. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. You’re focused on my sister when you have more pressing matters at hand. The Gods may not be able to take away your powers directly, but they can create new Askari so that your powers will be transferred to them.

Them? Kiran asked, confused. As in more than one?

Yes. There will be five and one of them will be your child.

"What?"

Kiran couldn’t believe it. He was over 300 years old. In all his time of existence, he had created many children but only 3 of them were still living. His sons. All three of them were on the transport and none of them showed any signs of super capabilities.

That is impossible. My sons are right here on this transport and there is nothing extraordinary about them. And I mean that in the most literal sense.

This child has yet to be born.

What the Haulo? Who in all of Aza could be carrying my—Thema. The princess from Arjana.

Kiran shook his head. You are lying.

Nari gasped and raised her hand to her chest, her chains rattling against her wrists. In the name of all oracles, I am offended. Everyone knows that an oracle cannot lie.

There is only one person who could be carrying my child and she’s Themetian. She can only give birth to female children. There has never been a female Askari and there never will be.

Nari lifted a curious eyebrow.

Right?

Silence.

"The new Askari will be female? Women are going to protect the universe? he exclaimed, flabbergasted. But...but how…"

Kiran abruptly turned and stormed out of the room. The metal walls of the corridor seemed to be closing in on him