Shock reverberates through the sanctuary at my declaration, and the goddess’s skin shines a brilliant magenta.

“Oh, how the Mother works in mysterious ways.” There is satisfaction and hunger in her eyes, both hands poised to destroy me. I am now her only target.

But I know what’s coming.

And I am prepared.

Yes, the voice whispers in my ear. It’s time for you to shine, my little fallen star.

I smile. I gather all the dark and light, love and hurt, good and bad from my life into one monumental ball of fire. Above all, I think of Hattie, the best sister anyone could have ever wished for.

And as the goddess comes for me, I counter her with a unique cocktail of divinity and human experience. I release the inner heat from every pore of my body, and, in a blinding blaze, simultaneously let go of and embrace my potential, channeling it all toward the gold statue of the Cave Bear Goddess. The black flames explode out of the Gi cauldron and fly toward the statue, their sheer force shattering the sculpted gold into a thousand little pieces.

“Nooo!” the goddess cries, as she is ripped out of my auntie’s body. She stands in her frumpy mortal guise once more, fear gripping her eyes. And as she looks at the shards of her statue littering the floor of the sanctuary, she, too, begins to shatter.

The deity shrieks. And in that moment, the world seems to hold its breath and gasp at the same time. Time stands still and is simultaneously full of motion. It is thunderous and silent, chaotic and calm. The very fabric of the atmosphere rips open as the goddess explodes into a dazzling shower of light. And when our eyes finally recover, it all becomes ever so clear.

I am the last divine star that fell from the Godrealm’s sky.

I am the one who was destined to stop the end of all days.

I have lost, but I have gained.

Because I am strong. And I am brave.

My name is Riley Oh, and I was born to shine.

30: The End Is Also the Beginning

TO BE HONEST, EVERYTHING FEELS sort of anticlimactic after that. I find myself standing awkwardly among everyone, twiddling my thumbs and trying to find the right words to say.

Just to recap, I’ve found out I’m a piece of the divine—the Godrealm’s last fallen star (which is kind of awesome), and I’ve managed to vanquish the Cave Bear Goddess (which is also kind of awesome, since I pretty much saved the world).