The Last Soulkeeper

By Olivia Harper

In the realm of Anima, every person's soul is bound to an animal familiar from birth. Asha, a young woman, is an outcast in her society due to her lack of a soul-bond. Searching for purpose and acceptance, she becomes a Soulkeeper, a guardian entrusted with protecting the familiars of the deceased until they can be reunited with their reincarnated souls.

As Asha begins her new life in the Soulkeeper's Sanctuary, she learns the ways of tending to the familiars under her care. However, her world is shattered when a malevolent force known as the Soulless King begins stealing the souls of both the living and the dead, leaving behind empty, soulless husks.

Asha's mentor, Riven, reveals that the Soulless King seeks to consume enough souls to gain immortality and absolute power. Asha, driven by a need to protect the innocent and uncover the truth behind her own soulless existence, embarks on a perilous journey to stop the Soulless King.

Joined by Kaelan, a mysterious figure with a powerful soul-bond, and Theron, a disgraced scholar, Asha navigates treacherous landscapes and confronts prejudice and fear from those who view her soulless nature with suspicion. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers a connection between her missing soul and the Soulless King's origins.

Asha's journey leads her to confront her childhood friend, Lyra, who has turned against her due to fear and prejudice. Through their confrontation, Asha begins to understand the true nature of souls and the power of empathy and forgiveness.

In a climactic battle, Asha and her companions face off against the Soulless King. Asha must make a choice between sacrificing her own life to restore the stolen souls or risking the world falling into an eternal soulless void. In the end, Asha's selflessness and understanding of the true nature of souls allow her to defeat the Soulless King and restore balance to Anima.

Through her journey, Asha discovers that her lack of a soul-bond does not define her and that true strength lies in the connections she has forged with others. As the realm of Anima begins to heal, Asha embraces her unique identity and continues her role as a Soulkeeper, guiding lost souls and fostering understanding between those with and without soul-bonds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Harper
• Release date: Apr 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223608646

Book preview

Chapter 1: The Outcast

The Outcast

In the realm of Anima, the sun’s first rays crept over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the green landscapes. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustling of leaves. Amidst the tranquil beauty of the waking world, a young woman named Asha sat alone on a hillside, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains.

Asha had always differed from the others in her village. In Anima, every person’s soul was bound to an animal familiar from the moment of their birth. These soul bonds were cherished and celebrated, as they represented the deep connection between humans and the natural world. The familiars, be they majestic eagles, cunning foxes, or loyal wolves, were more than mere companions; they extended one’s very being.

However, Asha had been born without a soul bond, a rare and unheard-of occurrence that set her apart from everyone else. From a young age, she had faced the confusion and pity of her fellow villagers, who struggled to understand her unique existence. As she grew older, the pity turned to suspicion and fear, with many viewing her soulless state as an ill omen.

Asha’s parents, though loving and supportive, could not shield her from the growing ostracism she faced. The other children refused to play with her, and adults whispered behind her back, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and mistrust. Asha often found solace in the village's company’s familiars, who seemed to accept her without judgment, but even they could not fill the void left by her missing soul bond.

As Asha watched the sun climb higher in the sky, she thought back to the countless times she had sought answers to her condition. She had pored over ancient texts and consulted with wise elders, but no one could explain why she had been born without a soul bond. Some suggested that it was a punishment for misdeeds in a past life, while others believed it to be a sign of a greater destiny yet to be revealed.

Despite the challenges she faced, Asha refused to be defined by her lack of a soul bond. She was determined to find her place in the world and to prove that she was more than the whispers and stares that followed her wherever she went. It was this determination that had led her to the hillside that morning, as she contemplated a decision that would change the course of her life.

In her search for purpose and acceptance, Asha learned of the sleepers, a group of individuals tasked with protecting the familiars of the deceased until they could be reunited with their reincarnated souls. The soul keepers were respected and revered in Anima, as they played a crucial role in maintaining the balance between life and death.

Asha had long been drawn to the idea of becoming a goalkeeper, seeing it to find meaning in her life and to connect with the families she had always felt a kinship with. However, she knew the path would not be easy, as the goalkeepers were typically chosen from among those with the strongest soul bonds.

As the morning wore on, Asha’s resolve grew stronger. She knew she would face challenges and skepticism, but she was ready to embrace the difficulties that lay ahead. With a deep breath, she stood up and turned her gaze towards the village, her heart filled with a newfound sense of purpose.

The journey to the sleeper’s Sanctuary would be long and arduous, but Asha was prepared to face whatever trials lay ahead. She had spent countless hours training her mind and body, honing her skills in meditation and energy manipulation. Though she lacked a soul bond, she had discovered that she possessed a unique ability to sense and connect with the energy of the world around her, a gift that she hoped would aid her in her new role.

As Asha made her way back to the village, she could feel the weight of the villagers’ stares upon her. Some looked at her with pity, while others turned away in fear or disgust. Asha held her head high, refusing to be cowed by their judgment. She knew her path would be one of solitude and that she