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Chapter 0.3: In the Shadow of the Guardian Hill

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Cosmo had never felt smaller.

The spaceship’s ramp lowered with a heavy clang, and a gust of wind, carrying the scents of unfamiliar spices and the distant hum of activity, swept over him. He stepped forward hesitantly, his paws touching the ground of the Guardian Galaxy for the first time. The air was different here—electric with a sense of possibility, but also heavy with the weight of unseen threats. He could feel it pressing on his shoulders, gnawing at the edges of his resolve.

The city before him was vast, sprawling, and alive. It stretched out like a beast waking from slumber, filled with a restless energy that both excited and unnerved him. Buildings of all shapes and sizes towered above him, some sleek and modern, others old and crumbling, each one a testament to the many lives that called this place home. He could see the Guardian Hill in the distance, its peak glowing with a pulsating blue light that seemed to breathe, a silent heartbeat of the city.

Cosmo’s eyes darted from side to side, taking in the myriad of creatures bustling about—Guardians, they called themselves. Wolves in fine clothing, foxes bartering with merchants, a pair of stoats laughing as they exchanged small pouches of tokens. Each one seemed to know exactly where they were going, what they were doing. They moved with purpose. Cosmo felt a pang of uncertainty twist in his gut.

“What now, pup?” he muttered to himself, adjusting the straps of his pack. His journey here had been long, fraught with danger and doubt. He had come to the Guardian Galaxy seeking something—wealth, perhaps. Freedom from the crushing sameness of the Fiat World. But now, standing in the midst of this chaotic city, he wasn’t so sure.

Big P was beside him, his massive frame casting a long shadow that swallowed Cosmo whole. The hippo’s eyes were narrowed, scanning the crowd with a soldier’s gaze—calm, controlled, and ever-watchful.

“Stay close,” Big P rumbled, his voice low and steady. “The city’s alive, but it’s also hungry. It’ll eat you alive if you let it.”

Cosmo nodded, his mouth dry. He took a step forward, then another, his paws finding purchase on the uneven cobblestones. Each step felt heavier than the last. He had to focus, had to remember why he was here. He had made a promise—to himself, to his father’s memory—that he wouldn’t waste this opportunity.

As they moved deeper into the city, the sounds grew louder—a cacophony of voices, haggling, shouting, laughing. The scent of food from a nearby stall made his stomach rumble, but he ignored it. He had to find the exchange. He needed his $GUARD tokens. Without them, he was nothing in this place.

They found the exchange near the heart of the city. It was a large, imposing building, its walls covered in symbols and markings that Cosmo couldn’t decipher. A long line of creatures stretched out from the entrance, each waiting for their turn to enter. The air was thick with tension—anticipation mixed with a hint of fear.

A sleek otter approached them, his movements smooth and practiced. His eyes were sharp, assessing. “Newcomer, eh?” he said, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Looking to make your first trade?”

Cosmo nodded. “I need to get my $GUARD tokens,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. He didn’t want to sound like a novice, even though he knew he was.

The otter chuckled. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Word of advice—keep your wits about you. This place isn’t as friendly as it seems. And never, ever trust someone who smiles too much.”

Cosmo frowned, but before he could ask what the otter meant, Big P nudged him forward. “We’re wasting time,” the hippo muttered. “Keep moving.”

Inside, the exchange was a maze of stalls and counters, each one manned by a different creature, each one shouting prices and deals. Cosmo felt his head spin. It was too much, too fast. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He needed to stay calm, stay focused.

A burly bear with a thick beard waved him over. “First-time buyer?” he grunted, his eyes narrowed.

Cosmo nodded again. “Yes. I want to buy some $GUARD tokens.”

The bear snorted. “Don’t we all? You got your wallet set up?”

“Wallet?” Cosmo felt a flush of embarrassment. He hadn’t thought about that. “I… I don’t have one.”

The bear sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Rookie mistake, kid. You can’t do anything here without a wallet. It’s where you store your tokens, your key to everything in this city.”

Big P stepped in, his presence solid and reassuring. “I’ll help him set it up,” he said gruffly. “Just tell us what we need to do.”

The bear nodded and began to explain, his voice a low rumble. As Cosmo listened, he realized just how much he didn’t know. The bear talked about private keys, public addresses, the importance of security. Cosmo’s mind raced, trying to keep up. This wasn’t like the Fiat World, where everything was handed to you on a silver platter. Here, you had to earn your place.

The bear’s rumbles:

After what felt like hours, Cosmo finally held his first $GUARD tokens in his hand—or at least, he would have, if tokens were something you could hold. Instead, they sat safely in his newly set-up digital wallet, a series of numbers and letters that represented his first step in this new world.

He looked up at Big P, who gave him a small, approving nod. “Good start, pup,” the hippo said. “But don’t get too comfortable. This is just the beginning.”

Cosmo knew he was right. He could feel it in his bones. The real challenge was still to come.


Learning to Use $GUARD Tokens

Cosmo wandered the bustling marketplace, his new $GUARD tokens sitting securely in his wallet. The air was alive with the sounds of bartering and laughter, the smells of fresh bread and roasting meat mingling with the sharper scents of spices and incense. He felt a thrill of excitement in his chest. This was what he had come for—the chance to be part of something bigger, something real.

He stopped at a small stall run by a raccoon with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Looking to spend some $GUARD, friend?” the raccoon asked, his voice smooth and inviting.

Cosmo nodded, intrigued. “What can I buy?”

The raccoon spread his arms wide, gesturing to the goods piled high on his stall. “Anything you want, my friend. Food, tools, information. And if you’re feeling adventurous…” He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I could show you how to stake those tokens, make them work for you.”

Cosmo’s ears perked up. “Stake them? What do you mean?”

The raccoon grinned. “It’s simple, really. You lock up your tokens for a certain period, and in return, you earn interest. It’s like planting seeds in a garden—you put in the effort, and with time, you see the rewards. Want to watch a tutorial video on how to this works?”

Cosmo considered this, his mind racing. It sounded almost too good to be true. But then again, he was in a new world, a place where the old rules didn’t apply. He looked at the raccoon, searching for any hint of deception in his eyes.

“Think about it,” the raccoon continued, sensing his hesitation. “In this city, the bold prosper. The cautious… they just survive.”

Cosmo nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it,” he said, taking a step back. He needed time to process everything, to figure out his next move.

As he walked away from the stall, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was standing on the edge of something vast and unknown. He had his tokens, but he still had much to learn about how to use them, how to thrive in this place.


Building Community Relationships

Cosmo found himself at the base of the Guardian Hill, where a crowd had gathered for a community meeting. The air was filled with a sense of camaraderie and purpose, a stark contrast to the marketplace’s chaos. Here, Guardians from all walks of life came together, sharing ideas and forging alliances.

A wise owl with piercing yellow eyes took the stage, her voice carrying a quiet authority. “We are all Guardians here,” she began, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Our strength comes not from individual ambition, but from our unity, our commitment to each other and to the Galaxy.”

Cosmo listened intently, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn’t expected. He was beginning to understand that in this world, wealth wasn’t just measured in tokens or assets. It was measured in relationships, in the bonds you forged and the trust you built

Cosmo listened intently, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn’t expected. He was beginning to understand that in this world, wealth wasn’t just measured in tokens or assets. It was measured in relationships, in the bonds you forged and the trust you built.

The owl continued, her voice gaining strength, resonating with a quiet power. “Each of you has a role to play in this ecosystem. We thrive together, or we fail alone. Remember that.”

As she spoke, Cosmo scanned the crowd. He saw wolves in deep discussion, a group of badgers trading information, a family of foxes sharing a meal. Each face told a story, each story a thread in the tapestry that was the Guardian Galaxy. This was a place where everyone had their own goals, their own ambitions, but also a shared sense of purpose.

He spotted Big P standing at the edge of the crowd, his arms crossed, watching the proceedings with a guarded expression. Cosmo made his way over to him, weaving through the throng of Guardians.

“Quite a place, isn’t it?” Cosmo said, trying to mask his awe with a casual tone.

Big P nodded, his gaze never leaving the owl. “Aye, pup. But don’t let the speeches fool you. Words are wind. It’s actions that matter here. Remember that.”

Cosmo frowned, his eyes drifting back to the owl, who was now stepping down from the platform. “But she’s right, isn’t she? We have to work together, build something greater than ourselves.”

Big P finally looked down at him, his expression softening just a touch. “That’s true, Cosmo. But trust isn’t given—it’s earned. And there are those here who’ll take advantage of your trust if you’re not careful. Keep your eyes open.”

Cosmo nodded, a mix of determination and wariness settling in his chest. He understood the wisdom in Big P’s words. This was a place where he could find allies, maybe even friends, but he had to tread carefully. Not everyone in the Guardian Galaxy played by the same rules.


First Lessons in Risk Management

As the meeting dispersed, Cosmo wandered deeper into the city, his mind buzzing with everything he had seen and heard. He was starting to feel the weight of the tokens in his wallet—not physically, of course, but the responsibility that came with them. They were his key to a new life, a new beginning, but also a potential downfall if he wasn’t careful.

Turning a corner, he found himself in a quieter part of the city. The buildings here were older, the streets narrower. Shadows crept along the walls, and the air was thick with a sense of anticipation. Cosmo’s fur prickled, his instincts on high alert.

Suddenly, a weasel stepped out of an alleyway, a sly grin stretching across his narrow face. “Hey there, friend,” the weasel said, his voice oily and smooth. “You look like someone who could use a little… assistance.”

Cosmo stiffened. “I’m fine, thanks,” he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. He had been warned about characters like this—those who preyed on newcomers, looking for easy marks.

The weasel laughed, a thin, reedy sound that sent a chill down Cosmo’s spine. “Oh, come now. No need to be so cold. I’m just offering a bit of friendly advice. I can help you double, even triple your $GUARD tokens. All you have to do is trust me.”

Cosmo’s mind raced. This was exactly the kind of situation Big P had warned him about. He felt a surge of anger at his own naivety, his foolishness in letting his guard down. But before he could respond, Big P appeared behind him, his massive frame casting a long shadow that swallowed the weasel whole.

“Is there a problem here?” Big P’s voice was low, dangerous.

The weasel’s grin faltered. “N-no problem at all,” he stammered, taking a step back. “Just having a friendly chat.”

Big P took a step forward, his eyes cold as steel. “Cosmo, walk away. Now.”

Cosmo didn’t need to be told twice. He turned and walked, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hear the weasel muttering something under his breath, but Big P’s presence was enough to deter him from trying anything further.

When they were a safe distance away, Big P turned to Cosmo, his expression stern. “I told you to keep your eyes open, pup. This place is full of predators, and not all of them wear fangs.”

Cosmo nodded, his face flushed with embarrassment and relief. “I… I let my guard down. I’m sorry.”

Big P’s expression softened just a bit. “Lesson learned. It’s easy to get caught up in the promise of quick gains. But remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

Cosmo swallowed hard, the reality of Big P’s words settling in. “I’ll be more careful,” he promised.

Big P gave a small nod. “Good. Now, let’s get out of this part of town. I’ve seen enough scams for one day.”


Setting Up Future Goals

Later that evening, Cosmo sat on a low stone wall overlooking the city. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the Guardian Hill. The blue hue from the hill’s peak was faint but constant, a reminder of the city’s lifeblood—liquidity and community.

Cosmo watched as the lights began to flicker on across the city, one by one, like stars coming out in the night sky. He felt a strange mix of emotions—awe, excitement, fear. But most of all, he felt hope. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was part of something bigger than himself, something that mattered.

He reached into his pack and pulled out his journal, flipping to a fresh page. He stared at the blank sheet for a moment, then began to write.

“Goals for the Guardian Galaxy,” he scribbled at the top.

“1. Earn enough $GUARD tokens to secure my place here.

2. Learn as much as I can about this ecosystem.

3. Build relationships, find allies, and contribute to the community.

4. Avoid getting scammed again.

5. Make my father proud.”

He paused, tapping the end of his pencil against his chin. The last goal was the most important to him, the one that drove him forward. He didn’t want to end up like his father—honest, hardworking, but ultimately unfulfilled. He wanted to build something, to be part of something lasting, something that mattered.

Cosmo looked up from his journal, his eyes drifting back to the glowing Guardian Hill. He could feel the pulse of the city, its energy flowing through him. He knew his journey was just beginning, that there were challenges ahead, dangers he couldn’t yet foresee. But he was ready. He had come this far, faced his fears, and made it here. He wasn’t going to turn back now.

With a firm nod to himself, he closed the journal and stood up. The city was waiting, and he was ready to meet it head-on.

Cosmo took a deep breath, filled his lungs with the cool night air, and began to walk, his steps confident, his gaze fixed on the distant glow of the Guardian Hill. He was a Guardian now, and there was no turning back.

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