Planning the Ritual

The next morning, Akira woke with a plan. The harvest was safe, and the village was calm, so it was time to talk more with Thalion. He found Elara in the herb garden, her hands glowing as she helped moonberries grow. “Ready to see Thalion again?” he asked.

She nodded, brushing dirt from her hands. “Let’s find out what we need to do.”

They met Thalion under the great oak, its leaves rustling in the breeze. The air smelled of flowers and fresh bread from the market nearby. Thalion held the Starweave book, its symbols glowing brighter now. “To open the door to Earth,” he said, “we need a ritual at the Grove of Whispers, where you landed, Akira.”

“What do we need?” Elara asked, her voice eager.

Thalion listed three things. “First, starbloom petals—they grow deep in the forest and shine like stars. Second, moonstone dust, from the cliffs by the river. Third, a heartwood crystal, from the oldest tree in the grove. And it must happen during a double moon convergence, when both moons line up. That’s in two weeks.”

Akira’s eyes widened. “That sounds hard to get.”

“It is,” Thalion said. “But the village will help. You’ve earned their trust with the harvest.”

By noon, word spread, and villagers gathered at the oak. Liora, with her quick smile, offered to find starbloom petals. “I know the forest paths,” she said. Kael, the archer, volunteered to climb the cliffs for moonstone dust. “I’m not afraid of heights,” he said. Miren, the young elf, said she could help find the heartwood crystal. “My dad taught me about old trees,” she said.

Akira felt warm inside. “Thank you, everyone. This means a lot.”

Elara touched his arm. “We’re a family here. We want your mom to be part of it.”

That afternoon, they planned the trip. Akira and Elara would lead, with Liora and Kael joining. Miren would ask her dad about the crystal. “We’ll need your nature magic, Akira,” Thalion said. “And Elara’s druid spells to guide the ritual.”

Akira nodded, but worry crept in. “What if the book burns up? I’ll never see Earth again.”

Elara took his hand, her eyes steady. “You’re bringing your mom here. That’s what matters. And I’ll be with you, every step.”

He smiled, her words easing his fear. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

That night, they sat by the fire in Akira’s cottage. The air smelled of woodsmoke and tea. Elara leaned against him, her silver hair soft against his cheek. “Your mom will love Greenwood,” she said. “We’ll teach her about our plants, our magic.”

“I hope so,” Akira said. “She’s strong, like you. But leaving Earth forever… It’s scary.”

“I know,” Elara whispered. “But you’re not alone. We’ll make a home for her, together.”

Akira held her close, feeling her heartbeat. The ritual was risky, but with Elara and the village, he felt ready. The double moons were coming, and so was his chance to bring his mom to a new world.