Why is everything shaking?!

Dust fell from the ceiling as the ground trembled under my paws. 

I jumped to the side just as a huge stone block crashed into the floor, barely missing me.

Then…everything went still.

I blinked, trying to figure out where I was.

Hi, it’s Nova again. And yeah, I have no idea where I am...

The air smelled old, like something lost for hundreds of years. Flickering torches on the walls made long shadows on the floor. Weird symbols were carved into the stone, and the place felt ancient—like it was hiding deep secrets.

As my eyes adjusted, I realized I was inside a huge pyramid.

Before I could think more about it, I heard a quiet meow.

I turned and saw a figure step out of the shadows—a mummy wrapped in dusty bandages, holding a cat in his arms. “This is Cleocatra,” the mummy said, smiling as the cat purred. “You must be new here.”

Cleocatra gave a soft meow, like she agreed.

“My name is Ailuro,” the mummy said. “And you’ve come at a strange time. This pyramid isn’t just walls and stone. It’s a maze. Every time the maze changes, the whole pyramid shakes.”

As if to prove it, the ground shook a little beneath me.

Suddenly, my compass began to glow, its needle pointing deep into the maze.

I stared at it, knowing that the center of the pyramid held the clue I needed to help me find my way back home.

I whispered to myself, “I have 7 days to solve this maze. If I don’t make it, the compass will take me to another world, and I’ll miss my chance.”

A voice behind me laughed. “You really think you’re going to make it?”

I spun around and saw a crocodile lounging by a pool of water, grinning. “Look, I could help, but watching you get lost is way more fun.”

Just what I needed—sarcasm.

I frowned and started walking. But the more I explored the maze, the more lost I got. Every turn led to a dead end, and no matter what, I ended up right where I started.

“Going in circles again, huh?” the crocodile called, snickering. “You’re great at this. Maybe try hitting a different wall next time!”

Frustration built up inside me. The more lost I felt, the tighter the walls seemed to close in. I was running out of time, and the crocodile’s jokes didn’t help.

With less than 24 hours before the compass pulled me to another world, I leaned against a stone wall, feeling defeated.

How could I find the center?

Just then, a warm light filled the hall, and I looked up to see a Phoenix land beside me. Her fiery feathers glowed, and her eyes sparkled with wisdom.

“The maze isn’t just about the walls,” she said softly. She gently tapped my heart with her beak. “It’s about what’s happening inside. The more frustrated you are, the harder it gets. But if you focus on what you’re grateful for, the path will open.”

Grateful? In the middle of all this? But something about the Phoenix’s look made me pause.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought of all the friends I’d met—Seraphina, who taught me to swim in the sea of emotions. The Sage and The Quiet One in the enchanted forest, who helped me feel safe. You, my SticKit friends, who read my letters and create worlds with me. And, of course, my parents, who always believed in me.

As I thought about all these things, the ground shook and the walls of the maze shifted. Dead ends disappeared, and new paths opened. With each step, I thought of more things I was thankful for, and the more I focused on gratitude, the easier the maze became.

Finally, I reached the center of the pyramid, where a giant stone—the Rosetta Stone—stood. Strange symbols covered it, but as I stared, they changed into words I could read:

“The path you seek isn’t in your steps, but in your thoughts. Calm your mind, and the way will appear.”

I touched my fur, thinking about the message. The path is shaped by my thoughts? What did that mean?

As I thought about it, it hit me: the compass wasn’t just taking me to random worlds—it was following my feelings. When I wanted something more magical than my village, it took me to the Enchanted Forest. When I felt overwhelmed by emotions, it brought me to a world where I was drowning in them. And when I felt lost, it brought me to this pyramid, where the maze reflected my inner struggle.

Ailuro, with Cleocatra still in his arms, nodded. “Nova, gratitude and stillness will guide you, even in the trickiest mazes.”

“Just like the maze, your compass is powered by your heart and mind,” the Phoenix added gently. “When you master that, you’ll find your way home.”

Now I know what to do. As I sit down to create my SticKit tonight, I’m trying something new.

I’m imagining a world full of love, kindness, and joy. I hope this is the world my compass will take me to tomorrow.

See you there,

Nova Star