Ten years of growth had transformed the movement.
Community centers in 47 countries. Creature recognition in 32. Human-creature alliances on every continent except Antarctica ("The penguins are still deciding," a delegate reported).
The Dumaguete model had proven adaptable—different cultures adapting it to their needs, their traditions, their challenges.
"It's not our movement anymore," Maya realized. "It's everyone's."
"That's the goal. Movements that depend on one person don't last. Movements that belong to everyone do."
The Global Creature Network held its first virtual summit—representatives from 80 countries meeting online to coordinate, collaborate, celebrate.
"Ten years ago, this was impossible," a European delegate marveled. "Now it's routine."
"Ten years from now, it'll be unremarkable. That's how change works."
Glad watched the summit from her garden, proud but detached.
The movement no longer needed her.
That was the greatest success of all.