The First Portal

The forest outside the city was quiet, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the cool night breeze. Kael stood in a small clearing, the fragment of the Ardent Tome spread out before him. Ember sat at his feet, its tail swishing nervously.

"Okay, Ember," Kael said, his voice steady despite the knot of anxiety in his chest. "This is it. Our first portal."

He followed the tome's instructions, drawing a circle in the dirt with a stick and placing a few drops of Veilshade Oil at the cardinal points. The symbols glowed faintly as he chanted the incantation, the air around him shimmering like heat waves.

With a soft whoosh, the portal opened—a swirling vortex of light and shadow. Kael took a deep breath and stepped through, Ember close behind.

The world on the other side was unlike anything Kael had ever seen. The sky was a deep indigo, dotted with glowing stars, and the trees were tall and slender, their leaves shimmering with bioluminescent light. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and damp earth.

"This is incredible," Kael whispered, his eyes wide with wonder.

Ember's fur began to glow faintly, casting a soft golden light around them. Kael smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "Looks like you're getting stronger already, buddy."

They ventured deeper into the forest, Kael's senses on high alert. The tome had warned that other worlds could be dangerous, and he wasn't about to take any chances.

A soft whimper caught his attention. Kael followed the sound to a small clearing, where a rabbit-like creature with silver fur was trapped in a tangle of thorny vines. Its eyes were wide with fear, and its body trembled as it struggled to free itself.

"It's okay," Kael said softly, approaching slowly. "I'm not going to hurt you."

He knelt beside the creature and carefully began to untangle the vines, using the tome's healing ritual to soothe its wounds. The creature's trembling stopped, and it looked up at him with trusting eyes.

"You're safe now," Kael said, smiling. "What should I call you?"

The creature nuzzled his hand, and a soft voice echoed in his mind. "Luna."

Kael's eyes widened. "You can talk?"

"In a way," Luna replied. "Thank you for saving me."

Before Kael could respond, a low growl echoed through the clearing. He turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man stepping out of the shadows, a wolf-like Spirit Beast at his side.

"That's my Moonhare," the man snarled. "Hand it over, kid."

Kael stood, his heart pounding. "I don't think so. She's bonded with me."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Then I'll just have to take her by force."