Eco-Guardians: The Awakening

Prologue

Within the quiet places of the world, truths lie waiting. The Guardian hears what others do not.
~ From the Sacred Code of Eco-Guardians

The night air was thick with silence, broken only by the whisper of wind through the towering pines. A full moon hung low in the sky, casting pale silver light across the dense woods. Somewhere in the distance, a lone owl called, but the figure moving through the shadows did not pause.

The man walked with purpose, though the weight of the journey seemed etched into the lines of his face. His footsteps, though quiet, left imprints in the soft earth, trailing him like echoes of an untold story. And beside him, padding silently through the underbrush, was a wolf—its gray fur blending into the forest like a ghost. The wolf’s amber eyes glowed in the moonlight, steady and wise, as if it understood more than mere instinct could explain. It guided the man deeper into the woods, toward a place only the two of them knew.

Finally, they came to a stop.

Before them, hidden between two massive oaks, was a cave entrance. It was unremarkable to the untrained eye, half-concealed by creeping vines and the heavy brush of the forest. But the man knew better. He hesitated for a moment, glancing at the wolf. The animal stared back, urging him forward with its silent presence—the only comfort the man had known for days.

Taking a deep breath, the man stepped toward the cave.

From within, a low voice echoed. “It has been a long time.”

The man froze, recognizing the familiar tone—a voice as old and steady as the trees around them. The wolf trotted ahead into the cave, vanishing into the shadows. The man followed, stepping through the threshold and into the dim interior.

An elder stood near the mouth of the cave, his figure outlined by the faint glow of moonlight. He was tall and lean, with silver hair that flowed down his back like a cascade of moonlight. His eyes, dark and watchful, seemed to take in the man before him without judgment. The elder’s eyes flicked briefly to the man’s chest, where something glinted beneath his shirt—a half-hidden secret, like the man himself.

“You were right,” the man said softly, his voice rough from days of travel. “I should have listened to you… I never should have trusted him.”

The elder nodded, though he said nothing for a moment. His gaze flicked toward the wolf, which had taken its place at his side. “You have come far, my son.”

The man sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “I have… and I fear I may need to stay for a while.”

For the first time, the elder’s expression softened, though it remained shrouded in mystery. “You are always welcome here. My home is your home, as it has always been.”

The man gave a slight nod, his shoulders relaxing for the first time since entering the forest. The elder stepped aside, allowing him to pass further into the cave. The warmth inside was a sharp contrast to the cold night air, and the scent of herbs and earth filled the space. It felt familiar, like a memory from long ago—though the man knew it had been years since he last sought refuge here.

“I thought I could change things,” the man muttered as he sat down on a low stone bench near the fire. His eyes reflected the flickering flames. “I thought I could fix it.”

The elder moved quietly, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder, firm but gentle. “There are some forces in this world you cannot control, no matter how much you wish it.”

The man bowed his head, silent for a moment. “I should have known better. You warned me, but I…” His voice trailed off, and he shook his head, unable to finish the thought.

The wolf lay down near the fire, watching the exchange with calm, ancient eyes. The elder glanced at the animal, then back to the man. “You have made your choices. Now you must find a way forward.”

The man looked up, his eyes meeting the elder’s. “And what if there is no way forward?”

“There is always a way,” the elder said, his voice steady. “But sometimes, it is not the path we expect.”

The man nodded slowly, the weight of his decisions heavy on his shoulders. He had trusted the wrong person. He had believed in something—someone—who had only sought to manipulate the world for their own ends. And now, he was paying the price. But here, in the shelter of the cave, with the wolf and the elder by his side, he felt a small flicker of hope, faint though it was.

“I’ll stay,” he said quietly. “At least until I figure out my next step.”

The elder stepped back, his eyes flickering with something like understanding. “You will know when the time is right.”

With that, he moved deeper into the cave, leaving the man alone by the fire. The wolf shifted slightly but did not leave its post, its gaze unwavering.

The man leaned back, staring into the flames, letting the warmth seep into his bones. He was safe, for now. But he knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead was uncertain, and the shadow of his past mistakes loomed large. But in this moment, at least, he had found refuge.

For the first time in days, he allowed himself to close his eyes.

Twilight Pursuit

Act swiftly and decisively; in the shadows, nature’s defenders must be vigilant.
~ From the Sacred Code of Eco-Guardians

The twilight air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine as Tess raced through the Eldertree Woods, her reddish-blonde hair streaming behind her like a banner of flames. Each breath she took was laced with the forest’s essence—the sweet decay of fallen leaves, the sappiness of conifers, and something else—something ancient.

“Hiccup! Hiccup!” Tess’s voice was a desperate scream, her emerald green eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. She was slight for her seventeen years, but there was a ferocity in her movements that belied her delicate features.

Somewhere an owl hooted, its call echoing through the trees, as if carrying her plea into the heart of the forest. The towering trees swayed above her, their branches brushing together with sounds like soft whispers, as if the woods themselves were communicating in a language long forgotten.

Hiccup, her ever-loyal companion, had disappeared… again. His golden coat and boundless energy had been constants in her life for years. The thought of losing him was unbearable. And yet, he always seemed to run off at the worst times—this time, just as she was preparing to return to her pre-vet studies at PharmGen University. Surely, he wasn’t afraid she’d leave him behind. She would never do that.

The forest tonight felt... alive. Not just with the usual stirrings of wildlife, but with something more, something unseen. Ghostly wisps of fog swirled between the trees, and the air tingled on her skin. Tess’s heart pounded, not just from her frantic run, but from a strange energy enveloping her.

Suddenly, a blinding light enveloped her. An unseen force lifted her and threw her backward, causing her to yelp. She reached out, her fingers grazing the rough bark of an ancient oak. The world spun as darkness briefly claimed her vision.

When she regained consciousness, the first thing she saw was a pair of warm, brown eyes and the feel of a wet nose against her cheek. Hiccup gazed down at her with a look of curiosity on his face, his familiar golden coat glistening, his body a comforting presence next to hers.

Relief washed over Tess, and she hugged him tightly, burying her face in his soft fur. He was a magnificent creature with a light brownish-golden coat, floppy ears that felt like velvet, and a broad head with powerful jaws. His kind, amber eyes always seemed to look right into her soul.

“Hiccup! Oh, thank goodness!” she cried, her voice muffled in his fur.

But then it happened. A voice, deep and rich, resonated not through the air but inside her. You have found me, and now it is time to find our true selves and to fulfill our purpose.

Tess’s breath caught. She looked around wildly, her heart hammering. “Is someone there? Is this a joke?” No one answered. Hiccup’s amber eyes locked with hers, and they shimmered with an ancient wisdom. She shook her head and muttered to herself, “This must be my stressed mind. I’ve been studying too hard.”

Was that you? she whispered, her logical, scientific mind grappling with what had just happened. “I don’t understand. This...this can’t be happening.”

I need a new name, the voice spoke again, this time with a hint of urgency behind it. I ran away to the woods because ‘Hiccup’ is a silly name and no longer reflects who I am.

Tess blinked, overwhelmed. This... this can’t be real. Dogs can’t talk.

But the connection between them grew stronger. Tess could feel not just the presence of her beloved dog, but something more—an ancient bond that stretched far deeper than she had ever known. Tears welled up in her eyes, not from fear, but from something more profound that she didn’t yet understand. “So, you’ve been running away because you don’t like your name?”

The dog nodded.

Tess decided to play along to see where this went. After all, she was a scientist—well, a scientist-in-training—and scientists often conducted experiments. And some of them went mad in the process, she thought with a wry smile. “But I named you that because you often hiccuped after eating.”

That was when I was a puppy, came the reply. It is no longer who I am.

Tess nodded slowly, her heart beginning to race. “Okay, let me think. What would be a more befitting name for you, my canine friend?”

The dog sat down next to her and waited patiently, his amber eyes never leaving hers.

Suddenly, she had it. She recalled a story her father had once told her about the ancient Greek hero Ulysses and his faithful dog, Argos. When Ulysses returned home after twenty years of wandering, nobody recognized him—except his loyal dog.

Tess whispered, “How about Argos?”

She felt an overwhelming sense of approval, love, and gratitude emanate from her dog. His tail wagged vigorously. He sat up straighter, his posture proud.

Yes, from this day onward, I am Argos, your loyal guardian and companion.

The surrounding fog lifted as if acknowledging the ancient name, and a breeze rustled through the leaves like a soft applause. Eldertree Woods, which had stood for millennia, seemed to recognize one of its own.

Tess Barkley, with Argos by her side, stood up. The incident had flipped her logical, scientific world on its head. But as she looked into Argos’s eyes, she felt an even stronger bond forming with her canine companion. And, for the first time, she began to sense the hint of a greater purpose.

Somewhere in the distance, a nightingale began its song, its melody woven with the secrets of the woods. Tess, still trying to catch her breath, knew that nothing would be the same again.

As she stood, Tess brushed leaves and dirt from her jeans. She normally wore simple, practical clothing, and today was no different. Her shirt was a comfortable flannel, with the sleeves rolled up, and her boots were sturdy, meant for long hikes in the woods. She looked every bit the part of a naturalist, her heart always yearning to be in the great outdoors.

Argos nuzzled her hand, his presence calming. We have much to learn, and not much time, his voice spoke again in her mind. Tess marveled at the calmness in his tone. Her thoughts were racing. What did he mean, “not much time”? What was there to learn? Was he referring to her veterinary training? As she asked herself the question, she felt instinctively that there was a deeper answer yet to be discovered.

As they approached the edge of Eldertree Woods, she could see her family home in the distance, its lights twinkling like a beacon. She knew she had to talk to her mother. Her mother’s tales of magic and lore had always seemed far-fetched to Tess’s scientific mind. But now, she wondered if there was truth in those stories.

As they neared home, the scent of herbs from her mother’s garden enveloped her—lavender, rosemary, and something more exotic—sage, perhaps.

The door opened, and Ariel Barkley stood there, a slender figure with long auburn hair streaked with silver. Her flowing garments made her appear as though she were part of the wind itself.

"Mom," Tess's voice broke as she threw herself into her mother’s arms, Argos sitting patiently by her side. Her eyes implored her mother for understanding. “Something happened out in the woods that makes no sense. I think I may be going crazy.”

“Calm down, sweetheart,” Ariel replied, her tone soothing as she caressed her daughter’s hair. “Tell me what happened.”

As Tess recounted the story, Ariel nodded slowly, her fingers running through Tess’s hair. Finally, she stood up. “We need to talk.” Ariel's voice was soft but carried an underlying strength. Tess had never heard her mother speak quite like this before. “Come with me.”

To Be Continued