The Door Home

The night of the double moon arrived, and the Grove of Whispers glowed with magic. Both moons hung low, their silver light making the trees shine like lanterns. Runes carved on the stone altar sparkled, and the faint footprints Akira had seen months ago—barely touching the leaves—formed a glowing circle around it. The air smelled of pine and starbloom, sweet and sharp. Villagers stood ready, their faces full of hope, trusting Akira after his work with the harvest.

Akira held the Starweave book, its symbols burning bright. Elara stood beside him, her green cloak swaying, her hands glowing with druidic magic. Liora, Kael, and Miren were there, holding starbloom petals, moonstone dust, and the heartwood crystal. The village circle hummed with a soft chant, their voices blending with the wind.

“Ready?” Elara asked, her voice steady but her eyes tired from practicing.

Akira nodded, his heart racing. “Let’s bring Mom here.”

They started the ritual. Akira sprinkled starbloom petals on the altar, their glow spreading like fireflies. Elara added moonstone dust, sparkling like stars, and placed the heartwood crystal in the center. She chanted, her hands glowing brighter, but her face grew pale. Akira poured his nature magic into the spell, feeling the forest’s energy flow through him, like when he’d saved the crops.

The book shook, its pages glowing hot. Akira closed his eyes, picturing his mom’s farmhouse—its wooden porch, the apple trees, her kitchen table. The air hummed, and a shimmering portal opened, showing the familiar room. But Elara gasped, collapsing to her knees, her magic fading.

“Elara!” Akira cried, starting toward her.

“Don’t!” Liora shouted, catching Elara. “We’ve got her. Go get your mom!”

Kael nodded, helping Liora hold Elara. “Hurry, Akira. The portal won’t last.”

Akira hesitated, heart torn, but Elara’s weak voice reached him. “Go… I’m okay.”

He stepped through the portal, the grove vanishing. He stood in his mom’s kitchen, the air warm with the smell of bread. Hana, his mother, sat at the table, her dark hair streaked with gray, her face tired but strong. She gasped, standing. “Akira? Is it really you?”

Tears filled his eyes. “Mom!” He hugged her tight, her warmth real after four months apart. “I’m okay, but there’s no time. I’m in a new world, with people who need me. I want you to come with me.”

Hana’s eyes widened. “Another world? Akira, what—”

“The book,” he said, holding it up, its glow fading. “It brought me there. I love someone, Elara, and there’s a village waiting for you. But the portal’s closing, and the book might burn up. It’s a one-way trip.”

She touched his face, her eyes searching. “You’ve grown so much. Are you happy there?”

“Yes,” he said, voice breaking. “But I need you with me. Please, Mom.”

Hana hesitated, looking at the kitchen, the photo of his dad on the wall. Then she nodded, tears falling. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Akira grabbed her hand, pulling her through the portal. The grove reappeared, the book now blazing with light. As they stepped onto the grass, the book burst into golden ash, scattering into the soil like seeds. The portal snapped shut, the air still.

Hana gasped, staring at the glowing trees, the chanting villagers. Akira held her close, tears mixing with joy. “You’re here,” he whispered.

Elara struggled to her feet, Liora supporting her. Her face was pale, but she smiled. “Welcome, Hana,” she said, her voice weak but warm. “I’m Elara. We’ll teach you our ways.”

Hana wiped her eyes, smiling. “You’re the one he loves. Thank you for bringing me here.”

The villagers cheered, their voices loud in the grove. Kael clapped, Miren waved, and Liora grinned. “She’s one of us now!” Liora called.

Akira hugged his mom again, then pulled Elara close. “You okay?” he asked, worry in his eyes.

“I’ll be fine,” Elara said, leaning into him. “Just need rest.”

Hana touched the scattered ash, now sinking into the earth. “Will this grow something?” she asked.

“Maybe starblooms,” Elara said, her smile soft. “This grove loves new beginnings.”

Akira looked at his mom, Elara, and the village, their trust clear in their cheers. The book was gone, Earth was behind him, but his family was here—Hana, Elara, and Greenwood. The grove glowed, promising new growth, and Akira felt at home, his heart full.