The next day came quickly. Yet, as he and his companions were getting ready to leave, a commotion happened.
Erik stood inside his room. Or rather, his room in the palace. In front of him floated the portal that would take him inside his dimension, arm stretched out. He was alone, except for Alice, who sat on his shoulder.
Although his adopted, eleven-year-old daughter was growing bigger by the day, she also had the blood of naturally stocky wereverines flowing through her veins. Considering Erik's massive form, she'd still be able to sit on his shoulder for years to come.
She was humming happily, overjoyed at the prospect of adventure. Meanwhile, Erik's hand glowed dark blue, and the portal disappeared. All his other travel companions—Naeku, Aster, Runa, Leila, and Seraphina—would stay inside the dimension for now, while Elora was occupying her personal space in his soul—a place she'd barely left since regaining her ability to do so.
