Capt. Cathy - Among the Ruins of the Keepers 2 3D Render

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Capt. Cathy - Among the Ruins of the Keepers 2 3D Render, Digital Artwork by Edheldil3D

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Capt. Cathy - Among the Ruins of the Keepers 2

3D Render by Edheldil3D

For a moment, no one spoke. The Guardian's words echoed through the vast hall.

"Welcome back, Supreme Keeper."

Joy stared at her father. So did Doro. So did Cathy. Only Nebulor returned the gaze of the kneeling Guardian.

"Supreme Keeper?" Cathy finally repeated. "Would you care to explain since when you've been collecting titles like that?"

"Were you the leader of this Order?" Joy asked.

"Why have you never told us any of this?" Doro added. Another quiet "Bidi bidi bip." escaped her speakers.

Nebulor merely raised a hand.

"Later."

His eyes remained fixed on the Guardian's glowing amber gaze.

"You are mistaken."

The Guardian did not answer.

"That rank no longer belongs to me."

Slowly, the metallic giant rose from his bow. Then silence fell. Its glowing eyes rested upon Nebulor. For a long time. Far too long. Suddenly, Joy had the feeling that the Guardian was not simply looking at her father. It was judging him. As if it could see straight through him. Several seconds passed. Then the Guardian spoke.

"The Shadow touched you."

Nebulor lowered his head slightly.

"Yes."

"The Shadow changed you."

"Yes."

"And yet you returned."

The Guardian's voice remained calm. Measured. Almost ceremonial.

"The Shadow has left you."

Nebulor remained silent. Then a faint smile appeared on his face. He placed a hand upon Joy's shoulder.

"The Lightbearer saved me."

The amber glow within the Guardian's eyes brightened slightly.

"Where is the Lightbearer?"

Its gaze wandered through the hall.

"I do not see your consort at your side."

The smile vanished.

"She fell to the Shadow."

The words carried weight. Even after all these years. The Guardian remained motionless.

"How can that be?"

For the first time, there was something in its voice that almost sounded like confusion.

"The Shadow could never have overcome the Lightbearer."

Nebulor looked toward Joy.

"She no longer carried the Light."

The Guardian remained silent.

"She passed it on."

Joy frowned.

"What are you even talking about?"

"At her birth," Nebulor said quietly. "She passed it on to her daughter."

Slowly, the Guardian turned its head. Its gaze settled upon Joy. Joy suddenly felt very small. Not threatened. Simply... seen. Those glowing eyes rested upon her. For several long seconds. No one spoke. Then the Guardian lowered its head slightly.

"Welcome, Lightbearer."

Joy blinked.

"What?"

Cathy looked at her. Doro looked at her. Joy looked back.

"Why is everyone staring at me?"

"Because apparently you're the Lightbearer," Cathy said dryly.

"I have absolutely no idea what that even means!"

The Guardian turned its gaze back to Nebulor.

"The line endures."

Then it added:

"You have returned, Supreme Keeper."

This time, Nebulor did not argue. He understood. The Guardian was not speaking of power. Nor authority. Nor titles. It was speaking of a duty. And that duty had never left him.

After a long moment, Nebulor nodded.

"Then answer me one question."

"If I am able."

"The Keeper's Chamber."

The amber eyes glowed softly.

"It still exists."

For the first time since their arrival, genuine surprise crossed Nebulor's face.

"Then take us there."

The Guardian rose to its full height.

"Follow me."

Slowly, it began to move. The crew followed it through the ruins. Past collapsed halls. Past overgrown columns. Deeper and deeper into the heart of the ancient temple. At last they reached a massive gateway. Unlike the rest of the structure, it remained untouched. No cracks scarred its surface. No dust covered it.

Nebulor stopped. He recognized the place immediately. The Keeper's Chamber. The Guardian stepped aside.

"The way is open."

Nebulor took a step forward. Joy followed him. But when Cathy and Doro attempted to follow as well, the Guardian raised a hand. Both stopped immediately.

"Access is restricted."

Cathy folded her arms.

"Of course it is."

"This chamber is accessible only to the Supreme Keeper and his daughter."

Joy looked at her father in surprise. Nebulor merely nodded. Then the Guardian turned its gaze toward the two who remained behind.

"Forgive me, Shadowhunter."

Cathy grinned.

"No problem."

Doro tilted her head.

"Bidi bidi bip."

No one noticed the brief look the Guardian gave her. Then the gateway opened without a sound. And together, Nebulor and Joy disappeared into the chamber beyond.

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Sam SpeedSat, Jun 13

Karma: 1,366

Super work on both your strips so far. Your story and images must have a great deal of thought behind them. The grey scale is also a bold choice that sets up your story as an interesting mix of vintage Sci Fi and Noir. Well done!

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Edheldil3D

Karma: 1,080

Sat, Jun 13

Thank you very much. I hope I can continue the story like this.

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