Wader the Frog
As Wader and Scid walked down the newly revealed path, the atmosphere changed. The sky above was deepening into twilight, and the scent of the night was on the wind. They knew that their adventure was nearing its end, but the anticipation of what lay ahead kept them moving forward.
"I can't believe we're almost there," Wader said, pausing to catch his breath. "It feels like this journey just began."
Scid nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "We've come so far, and we've learned so much. It feels like we've been in a bit of a pacing contest with time itself."
They reached a small clearing, and there, standing at the center of the clearing, was a simple wooden patch of land, bathed in a soft, golden light. At its center was a stone pedestal with an ancient chip of rock embedded in it. It glowed faintly, as though it were waiting for them.
"This must be the treasure," Wader said, his heart pounding in his chest.
But as they approached, the stone seemed to flicker with energy, and suddenly, a large catnip-scented breeze swirled around them. The air grew thick with a strange magic, and before they could react, a figure appeared out of the shadows—a familiar figure with a mischievous grin.
"Well, well, well," said the acting figure, tipping a small nightcap from their head. It was the Wacko Wizard.
“You?!” Wader exclaimed, surprised. "You were the one behind all this?"
The wizard chuckled, stepping forward. "Not behind, but certainly part of it. You've done well, travelers. The journey was never about treasure. It was always about the wisdom and the choices you made along the way."
"But why the patching together of riddles and traps?" Scid asked, confusion still in her voice.
The wizard gave a sly grin. “Because true treasure isn't about gold or gems. It's about discovering who you truly are. The road ahead, the lessons, the people you meet—it all leads to something much greater.”
With a flick of his wand, the glowing pedestal turned into a shimmering portal, and the ping of magic echoed in the air.
“This is where our paths diverge,” the wizard said. “You've done what was needed. Now, go forth with the knowledge you've gained. I'll be here, always acting as the guide, watching over you as you continue on.”
Wader and Scid exchanged one final glance, both understanding now that the treasure was not a thing, but a journey in itself—a journey of growth, wisdom, and friendship.
“I suppose this is it,” Wader said with a smile, stepping toward the portal.
“Yeah,” Scid replied, her voice soft but steady. “But our journey never truly ends, does it?”
The ping of magic grew louder, and the portal enveloped them in light.
The adventure was complete. But for Wader and Scid, it was only the beginning of many more journeys to come.