What Is a Cyber Coast Guardian?

In the world of Poi n Kai, becoming a Guardian is one of the highest honors a person can earn.

A Cyber Coast Guardian is someone trained to protect both people and creatures after the asteroid changed life on Maka forever. When the asteroid struck the shores of Diamond Island, it caused strange mutations across the planet. Humans developed abilities. Marine life became stronger, more intelligent, and in some cases could even speak. Entire new groups of people and creatures emerged from the aftermath.

But with new powers came new dangers.

Some people used their abilities to protect others. Some used them for control. Others became consumed by fear, anger, or greed.

That is why the Guardians were created.

The first Guardian school was founded by Ipolani after the conflict with the Aqua Shadow Clan. She believed that humans and creatures could only survive if they learned to work together instead of against each other. Guardians were trained to defend villages, rescue people during disasters, protect creatures, and keep peace between different groups across Maka.

But being a Guardian is not just about fighting.

A true Guardian is expected to live by six core virtues:

• Discipline

• Respect

• Kindness

• Perseverance

• Humility

• Bravery

  
  

These virtues are what separate a Guardian from someone who simply has powers.

Kai in Guardian Training Class with Sensei Martin | Siga bullying her | Illustrated by Sarah K. Turner

In Poi n Kai, strength alone is never enough. Someone can be fast, powerful, smart, or talented and still fail as a Guardian if they do not have integrity. Guardians are taught that how they use their abilities matters just as much as the abilities themselves.

That is part of what makes Kai’s journey so complicated.

Kai grows up in a family of Guardians. Her grandmother and her mother shaped the Guardian Principles and Training Schools. Kai feels pressure to follow in their footsteps, but she is not always sure she wants the same future they did. While she wants to make her family proud, Kai is also creative, artistic, and drawn to building things.

Throughout the series, she slowly learns that being a Guardian does not mean becoming exactly like everyone before her. It means finding her own way to protect and serve others.

Poi n Kai

Poi’s journey shows something equally important.

Poi does not have the same obvious strengths or abilities as some of the other kids. He is smart, emotional, awkward, and often unsure of himself. But Poi reminds readers that Guardianship is not about being the strongest person in the room. Sometimes it is about loyalty, heart, perseverance, and being brave enough to keep trying even when you feel like you are not enough.

The world of Poi n Kai is full of futuristic technology, mutated creatures, underwater dangers, Guardian schools, races, rivalries, and adventure. But at its heart, the story is really about becoming the kind of person who uses their gifts to help others.

That is what a Cyber Coast Guardian truly is. Someone who protects. Someone who serves. Someone who chooses courage, even when it is hard.

Marissa Molina | Imagination Reality | Author & World Builder