The High Council convened that night.
Elves, dwarves, drakes, beastkin, humans, and monsters sat in anxious silence around the stone circle. Takeshi stood in the center, Codex open, displaying the image of the rift.
"It's not a natural phenomenon," he explained. "Something—someone—is breaking through the boundaries between worlds."
A grizzled dwarf general grunted. "What's it got to do with us?"
Takeshi looked up. "Because they're coming here. And some are already dying from the shift."
Sir Haiku spoke next, his voice more solemn than poetic. "Then the Heir must act."
A vote was called. Unanimous. The council empowered Takeshi to lead a delegation through the rift.
Before dawn, Elira packed her gear. "You're not going alone."
Fyria, Sir Haiku, and Mochi joined without question.
The Codex opened to a page Takeshi had never seen:
[Worldbridge Protocol: Activated]
He held out his hand. The portal shimmered.
"Let's go save another world," he said.
They stepped through.