31/01/2025
Chapter 31: The Heart of the Riddle.
The North Star’s light shone brighter than ever, casting a golden glow over the celestial expanse. Cecilia stood with Hunter at her side, the amulet in her hand pulsing softly. The air hummed with an energy that felt both ancient and alive.
From a distance, the Guardian’s voice echoed once more. “The balance must be preserved. The light must endure.”
Hunter wagged his tail, his amber eyes steady on Cecilia. She knelt beside him, resting her hand on his head. “It’s us, boy,” she said softly. “It’s always been us.”
The constellations above shifted, their stars aligning into a new pattern. A tree of light stretched across the sky, its branches reaching upward toward the North Star and its roots anchoring deep into the earth. The Guardian’s figure emerged from the shimmering light, his gaze calm and knowing.
“You have done well, Cecilia,” he said. “The riddle has chosen its keeper.”
Cecilia’s breath caught. “Keeper?” she asked. “I thought I was just solving it.”
The Guardian smiled faintly. “The riddle does not end. It is a living force, a bridge between worlds, just as you are. Its light must always have a protector.”
Cecilia glanced at the amulet in her hand. “So, this is it? This is what I’m meant to do?”
“Yes,” the Guardian said. “But the riddle is not a burden. It is a gift—one that will guide you as you guide others.”
Hunter barked softly, nudging Cecilia’s hand. She smiled, her resolve strengthening. “I won’t let it fall into the wrong hands,” she said firmly. “I’ll protect it.”
The Guardian inclined his head. “You are not alone, Cecilia. The riddle’s light has always been with you, and your bond with Hunter will strengthen it. Together, you will ensure the balance endures.”
The constellations above shimmered, and the North Star pulsed brightly, its light enveloping Cecilia and Hunter. A deep sense of peace washed over her, and for a moment, the world felt still.
Then, the light began to fade, and Cecilia found herself standing back in the woods where her journey had begun. The shard-turned-amulet rested against her chest, its glow steady and warm. The forest was quiet, the stars above watching silently.
Hunter barked, wagging his tail as he circled her. Cecilia laughed softly, scratching behind his ears. “We did it, boy,” she said. “But something tells me this isn’t the end.”
From the shadows, a familiar voice called out. “Cecilia!”
She spun around, her heart leaping as Addy trotted into the clearing. The fox’s sharp eyes gleamed, her tail flicking as she approached. “You didn’t think I’d let you finish this without me, did you?” Addy said, her tone playful.
Cecilia knelt, pulling Addy into a hug. “I missed you,” she said. “Are you okay?”
“Better than okay,” Addy replied, her voice softening. “You did it. You found the heart of the riddle.”
Cecilia smiled, glancing at Hunter. “We all did.”
The North Star pulsed faintly above them, its light a steady reminder of what they had accomplished. But as Cecilia looked out into the woods, a new feeling stirred—a sense of possibility, of mysteries still waiting to be uncovered.
Addy tilted her head. “What now?”
Cecilia stood, the amulet glowing faintly against her chest. “Now? We go home,” she said. “But something tells me we’ll be called back when the time is right.”
Hunter barked, his tail wagging as he looked to the path ahead. Cecilia smiled, her heart steady. Together, they turned toward the edge of the forest, ready to step back into their own world.
But as they walked, the faintest whisper carried on the wind: “The light endures. The journey continues.”
I help people connect with their dogs and strengthen the human-animal bond between them.
