βKeeper? Who is the Keeper? Is that one of your species gods?β
Colon raises his eyebrows in genuine surprise. This girl had never heard of the Keeper? How odd it seems to a boy raised in the ways of such a guardian, the ways of such a magnificent, loving being. But then again, she is not from this world, so how can he expect Auriel to know? Instantly he feels ashamed for such thoughts as those he began to entertain automatically.
"The Keeper is the one who chose our ancestors to rebuild our world after the End," he says in a quiet, revered hush, a hush well practiced by Safehouse residents. "You see, almost a century ago, our world, in essence, ended. The animals grew dangerous, as did some of the plants." He shudders. "I hear from the Elders that it was absolutely awful. Awful and gorgeous all at once. Anyway, only a hundred people survived, the Keeper's Chosen Ones. They all found their way to Safehouse, where they built and established a community, producing more humans to continue to heal the world. There were fifty men, fifty women, so really it couldn't be a coincidence."
Colon feels a small smile perk his lips. "My grandparents were two of the Chosen. All four of them. They all died before I was born, except my mother's mother, who died a week after. I obviously don't remember her, though. Anyway, only one of the Chosen is still alive. Efaph. They say he's almost a dozen decades old. His grandson is currently Govenor of Saferhouse, whose youngest daughter I grew up with. Naamah, her name is."
After a time of silence, Colon shrugs. "The Keeper is the one who makes sure we have what we need to survive. He is the one who prevents animals and the Dangers from crossing the wall into our city. He's the one who takes care of us and makes sure no unneccessary harm comes to us. Always."