PAGE ONE

Musty books. An entire building of them, in fact. An abnormally large aardwolf in a baggy maroon jacket teetered on two legs, carrying a stack of the things from chest to snout. Evening had fallen on the Apricot Bay Public Library, another week had passed, and the void of patrons meant he could round up what books had been discarded around the first floor by impatient children and uncaring teenagers. They called him Kevin.

Kevin emerged from one of the first floor supply closets, having retrieved a rickety, slate grey table cart to stash his collection on top of. He wasn't allowed to do the returns himself, as Kevin couldn't read, but Theo, the ancient bunny librarian, appreciated his boundless stamina for running all around the building, gathering books and tidying up, and tasked him with exactly that.

Theo himself was busy checking out one of the last patrons of the day, his old eyes squinting at each title, his wiry bunny handpaws pulling the ownership cards from their inside pockets and scribbling on each one. The usual subject matter, Gonzo? Theo asked the patron, his voice low and gravelly with a strange lift to his A's and matching dip to his R's like no one native to the area. Crop circles, ancient aliens—if only you knew the truth...

I'm looking for the truth, man! Gonzo protested. That's why I'm here! A library regular, young as Theo was old, timid as Theo was jaded, what they had in common was that they were both rabbits—and that meant Theo took a certain special pleasure in teasing him.

Well, you could've just asked me, Theo smirked, shutting one of the books as he looked over the counter. But that would have been—you couldn't handle it.

H-handle what?

Theo leaned in closer, his voice dropping. Beings staring at me through missing eyes, Gonzo, disappearing into waves of heat...I've seen undefined spaces that cast shadows, though there's nothing there...

Gonzo's hands began to tremble, and he pulled them in close to his torso. Heat people...?

Theo only handed Gonzo his stack of library books. The rabbit ran for the door without another word.

Kevin pulled the book cart up behind the desk, stopping to lean on the counter. Poor guy.

He's remarkably easy to frighten. And those are real, you know.

PAGE TWO

Craning his neck and glancing around slightly, Theo's demeanor flipped from unassuming to animated once he was sure stragglers were out of earshot. Anyway, Kevin! My new friend! It's one of those strange national holidays this weekend!

Ooh! Which one?

I don't recall. However! That does mean the library will be closed for the weekend. Given you are the only soul in this world other than myself to know of the Multiverse, how would you like to join me on a trip back to my old home in Caerpinwyd?

The Multiverse—the hazy, infinite void of stray thoughts and television static that tingles the skin exposed to it. Kevin was born in the noise, and Theo, once an immortal woodland mage in a faraway land where swords and pacts with the Gods ruled over all, came through it by chance to Apricot Bay. What Theo spoke of to Gonzo was the Multiverse—or at least the creepy, hazy, lost corners of it where life couldn't survive, to anyone's knowledge.

Even still, Kevin's tail started to wag, and his large tongue hung slightly from his open mouth. That sounds fun!

Excellent! Theo gathered a long, deep purple garment from the back of his chair and fastened it over his shoulders. I only need to lock the doors for the evening, and we'll be off.

After a short round trip through the building to arm the security systems and turn down the lights, Theo led Kevin up to a back office on the top floor, one with its door locked and its windows blacked out by construction paper. Keys jingled, tumblers disengaged, and the door squeaked open, the edge gradually slipping into the darkness of the unlit office.

PAGE THREE

With no thickness, neither generating light of its own nor absorbing any of the present dimension's, and an eerie, vaguely starry green void visible through the rift, nothing about the portal looked real. Thin slivers of the wall behind it were visible across the hole like yarn dangling off the side of a table. Aside from an old wooden desk, the room was otherwise barren.

This was my portal, all those years ago, Theo explained. I kept it hidden until the building was mine by dragging a bookcase in front of it every day. Was it your portal as well, Kevin?

I don't know! Seb found me in a dumpster in The City.

Curious.

A malady snapped into Theo's head. I don't recall how to get to Caerpinwyd. I don't remember which bubble is which. I don't know where I'm going!

Erm, Kevin, why don't you go first? The bunny stood off to the side, paralyzed and idly fixing his cape as he stalled for time.

I don't know where that Cayer place is, Theo!

Oh, that's quite alright. It shouldn't be too far off.

Doing as instructed, Kevin stuck his head through the portal, inspecting what was directly below him. The portal was an opening on the outside of a large, cloudy, dark blue bubble, like a miniaturized version of a planet, that housed Apricot Bay and all that surrounded it. A rocky island with the top overgrown in lush grass hovered in midair some distance directly underneath the bubble. The void took on the colors of liquid soap as the aardwolf approached, iridescent, though with a strange filmic grain to the eye.

Sticking one leg through at a time and clinging to the edge of the hole, Kevin could feel the effects of the void's lower gravity acting on his dangling limbs. He let go of the ledge and gently floated downwards, delightfully amused as his clothes flapped and floated around his body. Theo followed, though he more stumbled and tumbled through the air on his way down. Dearie me.

More stirred in the vacuum of space than in the void of the Multiverse. Aside from their steps and bumbling around, the silence was deafening. Other bubbles and islands were dotted across the landscape, differing in their colors, sizes, and how diffuse the auras surrounding them were. Which one led back to Theo's home was anyone's guess.

I haven't been down here in so long... Kevin thought aloud.

Likewise. You'd think the library became my occupation or something.

Where do we go now?

It's the next one over. I'm sure of it.

PAGE FOUR

It took a mild amount of hopping across in low gravity to arrive at the next bubble over, a creamy yellow one a fair bit smaller than the bubble they'd arrived from. Kevin took a running leap at the island, though he misjudged the height slightly and simply glided in air with his limbs outstretched until he collided with the side of the island and less than graciously pulled himself to the top. Despite his advanced age, Theo still had quite powerful legs and was able to traverse the gap more vertically than horizontally, landing it gently without issue.

Although it looked like mere smoke and atmosphere, Kevin found he could latch onto the aura of the bubble as if it were fabric, pulling himself up and digging his claws in for a better foothold. Squishy!

Theo's brow furrowed in worry. Oh, I don't have the upper body strength to scale these anymore...

Just climb on my back!

Though getting a face full of the aardwolf's unwashed jacket was suboptimal, it was the best means of transport Theo had. With a deep breath, he latched onto Kevin's waist and used the low gravity to hoist himself up to his shoulders. Kevin continued ascending to about halfway up the bubble's circumference before using a hulking, chunky handpaw to tear a hole in its surface, climbing into Caerpinwyd through it.

The only issue was that the portal didn't lead into Caerpinwyd. The hole spawned in a desert, right where a large blue oak tree split the border between the scrubby grass of somebody's backyard and the thick clay and rocky red mesas in the distance from town. The only other vegetation for miles were sprouts of cactus and the occasional bone-dry scrub.

Theo dismounted from Kevin's back, his old joints a little achy on the hop off. Before he could even note their surroundings, however, Theo noticed himself jarringly different than he was on the other side of the portal. For one thing, he'd manifested a pair of dress shoes, but his proportions had also changed—with longer limbs, he was merely old man stubby as opposed to rabbit stubby.

Whoa! Kevin exclaimed. Theo, you look different!

Oh my—Kevin, I can say much the same for you! You've changed species!

With shrunken ears and a tail solid tan as opposed to mottled brown, Kevin had turned from an aardwolf to a German Shepherd. He'd also morphed in his proportions and clothing, gaining a pair of brown sneakers to match.

Oh gosh, what am I now? Kevin asked, looking over his body and arms.

Er...I don't know, some kind of dog?

Cool! What was I before?

Theo felt eyes falling on him from inside the house. He looked up at the kitchen window to meet them. A cat with eyes glowing a supernatural green in the dark watched with intent from inside, and when their eyes met, she made a move away from the view into the window.

Oh no, this is very bad.

PAGE FIVE

Is that an interdimensional portal you've got there? the cat asked, emerging from the back door of the house. Theo's eyes scanned her up and down. Skinny, in a puffy jacket far too warm for the weather, long, yellow hair matching her fur draping down from underneath a black beanie. The fascinated stare she gave to the two and their portal worried Theo to no end.

How does she know about that? The bunny whispered to Kevin.

Maybe she's a Multiverse person too!

Multiverse? The cat's eyes lit up even brighter, and she stepped out from the door towards the duo.

Ah, no! Theo put a paw out, waving it in frustration. No, no, no, you're not supposed to know any of this. It jeopardizes the safety of your world and everyone in it!

My world?! She was starting to get downright giddy now, and her speech grew twice as fast to match. "You gotta explain all this to me. Are you aliens?

Realizing the hole he had dug for himself, the rabbit hunched over in resignation. Fine. This stays between you and us, understood?

Deal. Tell me everything.

Let's go inside first.

Kevin and Theo followed the cat inside the house and into the kitchen area, one that reeked of mid-century with its aged linoleum and long outdated gas stove and fixtures. A strange amount of empty macaroni and cheese containers were piled around on the countertops.

Theo hesitated two paces into the kitchen. Oh, how could I have been so rude? We haven't even been properly introduced. He reached out to shake the cat's hand before returning to a polite pose. Theophrastus. I go by Theo, though. It...arouses fewer questions.

My name's Kevin! the aardwolf-turned-puppy chirped.

Interesting names! I'm Kyra. What's with the portal?

Theo inhaled, his eyes bouncing around the room slightly. Well, if I'm honest, I never imagined I'd have to explain the Multiverse to someone who hasn't traveled through it—

So there are other worlds out there? Kyra interrupted.

...Yes. They each have their own forms and properties—

How many?

Ach, an infinite amount. As I was saying—

What lives in them? Do all the creatures look like us?

Not necessarily! I am talking!

Kyra fell silent. Theo continued.

Each world manifests its own means of egress into the Multiverse void, which is an undefined space filled with essentially noise. For most worlds, this is as simple as a rip in space, though other dimensions can have world holes through magical or otherwise unexplained phenomena.

And that was ours? she asked. That portal out there?

Yes. In my home world of the wilds of Pinède, we have what we call "bottomless satchels"—storage bags with portals to pocket dimensions inside them. The pocket dimensions are not large enough to support a living being my size, and thus stretch into world holes when stressed.

I can't believe this. Hold on— Kyra wandered around the corner into an adjacent broom closet, and Kevin and Theo exchanged glances of concern and exasperation at one another, respectively.

Where is she going? Theo whispered.

I dunno. Maybe we should follow her.

PAGE SIX

A bare bulb and pull string provided the only light in the broom closet. The space was not only cramped, cluttered with boxes of papers and facsimiles of official-looking documents to the point of only Kyra fitting in, it was dreadfully short; Kevin had to bend down to see into the doorway. Scraps of paper and snuck Polaroids, blurry and badly lit, were connected all along the walls and across corkboard by taut string.

I've been theorizing about other dimensions for years now, Kyra continued, her words more to herself than her guests. Looking for evidence, hearing stories, collecting the research. I have proof now. I have your explanation.

Do you now? Theo put his hand on his hip and glared. And what do you plan to do with that?

Share it with the world... she mumbled under her breath.

You would not.

The cat turned to face the doorway, sudden and intense. I saw inside that portal! That didn't look like anything I've ever seen before. People need to know about this. The newspapers. The magazines. The newsgroups.

...The what? Kevin asked meekly.

Kyra looked down for a moment, pondering something. Where's my camera— she asked herself as she stormed out of the broom closet for the other side of the house.

Theo grabbed Kevin's arm and yanked on it. She cannot get photos of that portal! If poorly-defined sapients successfully manage to open rifts into the Multiverse on demand, they'll get eaten by its atmosphere! Or worse—collapse their worlds...

She seemed pretty set on it, Theo, what do we do?

Run, don't walk, to the portal, Theo instructed carefully, pointing in Kevin's face. You might be able to shut the portal if you force the ends of the rift together on the opposite side.

Push the hole together with my hands?

Yes, exactly. Now, quickly!

Quickly was not something Theo did terribly well in his advanced age. Kevin's long legs took him to the portal in twenty seconds, but Theo, hand fixed on the throat of his purple cape and scuttling hunched over, took a moment longer. He gazed into the world hole, seeing the large drop to the island below with a sudden dizzy anxiety in his stomach. Still, there was no time to wait, so feet first into the portal he went, and floating gently to semi-solid ground he did.

Kevin's job was tougher. He stepped through the portal and immediately noticed his fur changing color, the shoe disappearing off his foot and his leg changing back into its usual length and doglike shape. Using the reduced limb as best as he could, he dug into the bubble's outer shell, pulling each subsequent limb through the portal and experiencing the same shift for each one.

The world bubble's exterior was stretchy and malleable, enough that it could be manipulated with little force. Once he was safely on the other side, Kevin pushed and pulled on each side of the rift, attempting to massage and cover the hole out of existence. Once he could no longer see the desert or the house, he let go of the bubble and descended to the island alongside Theo, who watched with suspicion the mangled spot where the hole once was torn. Nothing stirred from it.

Good riddance, Theo grumbled.

PAGE SEVEN

Can she reopen the hole?

Not from her side. Theo grabbed ahold of Kevin's arm again. Do not tell people about the Multiverse next time! he scolded. Do not mention it, do not ask me about it in public. The void is harsh to those who can't survive in other worlds, and we cannot afford to find out who can. Are we clear?

Sorry.

Theo let go with a sigh, examining his own arms and legs instead. Well, I'm pleased to see we're back to normal form, at least.

Yeah, that was weird! Why did we change like that?

Sapients change form and capability to match the world they've entered. I don't have magical powers in Apricot Bay—er, not many. I suppose aardwolves don't exist in that desert world, so you became a dog instead.

Looking back up into the sky of the void, Theo tried in vain to decide which bubble they should try next. Their colors meant nothing to him. They did differ in size, but what the size meant was another mystery.

Do you suppose larger bubbles fit larger worlds, Kevin?

That makes sense, yeah.

I figure—that bubble we just took was...about medium-sized? That one— he pointed to a deep blue bubble mottled with pale green shapes in spots—must be a thousand times larger. Perhaps two thousand times larger.

Is that Cayer place big?

Pinède has a way of sprawling, yes. As good a fit as any other...

A few hops in the lowered gravity of the void later, and Theo was once again on Kevin's back, where the aardwolf had elected to tear a hole to climb into a short distance up the bubble. This one was promising—a grove of pine trees at the top of a mountain was visible through the hole, a lovely view of other mountains miles and miles off into the distance framing it.

Everything seemed more detailed than anticipated, though. More...alive, realistic.

A shrill shriek escaped from the bunny. He was so caught in admiring the view, he hadn't noticed he was no longer holding onto Kevin's jacket—as he wasn't wearing one anymore. In fact, all of Kevin's clothes were gone, and the aardwolf stood on four legs like—well, he never had before. Worse yet, Theo was similarly nude, quadrupedal, and downright tiny compared to Kevin to boot.

Theo tossed himself off Kevin's back, looking for cover. Where are our clothes?! he cried. I mean, not that I know how I'd wear trousers like this, but—

Kevin was more curious than horrified, putting out his now thumbless paw and batting around a bit of grass with it. I think they got left behind!

Well, back through the portal then!

A nasal screech came from the skies. A majestic hawk with feathered wings stretched wide and talons outstretched swooped from overhead, its shadow growing sharper against the ground as it dove to earth. It homed in on Theo's location; on reflex, the bunny sprinted out of the way, screaming hoarsely as he dove through the portal.

With mouth open slightly, Kevin followed the bird with his eyes as it curved back towards the skies, and with all four legs galloping, he too plunged into the portal.

PAGE EIGHT

Theo rested on the edge of the island. Mercifully, he was clothed, but his patience was growing threadbare. This has been a complete waste of time! he growled. There's more worlds in this Multiverse than I know what to do with.

Kevin stood at his side, having returned from patching another world hole. We'll find it soon, Theo, he said in an attempt to comfort. Maybe it'll be the next one we try!

I don't even recall which one leads back to Apricot Bay. Theo stood back up, his spine cracking and sore. We are pitifully lost.

Kevin only looked upwards, a finger to his mouth. Let's do that one, he said, pointing up at a sky blue bubble. And if it's not it, maybe we can sleep there!

Assuming a large bird doesn't eat us first.

The weariness settled inside Theo as he clung to Kevin's back a final time. The chance that this bubble would be the one that brought them home was miniscule. Sure enough, as Kevin hoisted them through the world hole some distance up the bubble, they'd once again gotten it wrong. It was another desert, this one more sandy than the other was rocky. The gentle sound of water flowing around them suggested civilization nearby. The peaks of crude sandstone buildings could be seen over two opposing cities' walls in both direction, and a monolith with alien symbols engraved along the south side towered over their portal.

Once again, the two had changed form. Their eyes grew bigger, shinier, their features a little more rounded off and their colors a little warmer. Kevin's snout was blocky like a wolf's, not delicate like an aardwolf's. Theo swore the both of them grew shorter.

I pray we can speak the language, the bunny thought aloud.

The disembodied head of a wolf not unlike Kevin's materialized in front of and over their heads. He appeared old, even for a ghost, and wore a headpiece molded to look as if a cobra flared from his browline. No need to worry, Neopets, he spoke, his voice deep and authoritative.

Is—that what we're referred to as? Theo asked, shielding his eyes from the sun.

Indeed. Welcome to the Lost Desert. My name is Coltzan. Thank you for visiting my shrine.

Kevin, meanwhile, was awestruck. Cool.

In a cloud the same color as Coltzan's floating head came a strange fruit with stringy leaves poking from its top. It was hard as a rock, and Kevin wasted no time plucking it from the air in front of them.

Perhaps this will help you in your travels, Coltzan said before dissipating.

The bunny stared blankly at the space where his head once hovered before cringing at a devastating crunch in his ear. Kevin had managed a large bite straight through the fruit's shell and core.

Delicious! he exclaimed with his mouth full.

Theo only groaned, stumbling with his large paws through the sand towards civilization. Kevin followed, munching on the rest of the fruit.

PAGE NINE

Right at the entrance of the city of Qasala lay the city's marketplace. Some of the venders had tented stalls, while others could only manage a rug out in the open to display their wares. Orange and purple tigers in vests pushed past in the aisles. Strange cyan cats with bulbous heads topped with fezzes haggled with the sellers. Theo was hungry to find somewhere quiet to rest for the evening, but Kevin, curious as he was at all that was being sold, lingered at some of the stalls.

Sphinx Links! cried a red weasel with some kind of mullet and pointed ears. C'mon, buy some!

He had a bit of an accident, but it's one of a kind. I give you good price, roared a burly green dinosaur.

Another shopkeeper, a short, whiskered dragon inexplicably glowing black and neon blue, had gathered a small crowd whose shaded faces were lit up bright by his colors. You need Battledome gear! I can tell you do!

Kevin, stay close, Theo demanded. We don't have any money anyway.

From Caerpinwyd, are we?

Theo swung around on his heels. The voice came from a deep brown gecko with a solid gold headpiece not unlike Coltzan's, tail decorated with gold bands matching his headpiece. His stall was quite large, well-shaded, and overflowing with imported potions, charmed, and magical junk from other worlds in Neopia—and perhaps other worlds altogether.

I recognize that voice from anywhere, the gecko continued, approaching the duo at the counter. It hit Theo—he recognized the gecko's accent in kind. He was from Murad, the sprawling desert city across the sea from Caerpinwyd!

Correct, Theo said, stepping tentatively to the stall counter with his brow furrowed. And you're?

A merchant, is all. The gecko leaned on the counter, growing a smirk. I do very well for myself. Do you travel often?

Only if we have to, Theo sighed. We've been bouncing aimlessly through worlds all night. Which way do you return home?

I have my methods.

Oh, come now. Don't be coy.

It would be as good as giving away my venders. Now shoo, I have many customers. Theatrically, the gecko swung his tail and wandered to the other side of the stall. Worse yet, it was only the three of them in the booth.

Theo was furious. What do you want? he snapped, pulling on the counter in frustration. What's your price? I have the money at home. I will not be made a mockery of!

The gecko looked back over his shoulder, eyes wide. Calm yourself, elder Cybunny, he cooed. You have money, you say?

Much. I can repay you handsomely on the other side.

I have services, then. Let me close shop and we can discuss this somewhere more...private.

PAGE TEN

Kevin and Theo hesitantly followed the gecko far outside Qasala. They still had no assurance this wasn't a trick, a setup, trouble, danger, or merely a local having a laugh at their expense. The climbing, the walking, the tumbling had done a sore number on their legs, spines, paws, and bodies. Theo's eyes were heavy—he couldn't quite pull 19-hour days like he used to.

Thankfully, I do not expect sandstorms to rage tonight, the gecko chirped, marching with purpose into the distance. He turned slightly, giving a flowery bow as he walked. I am Hasan, since I did not introduce myself earlier. At your service.

Kevin.

Theophrastus, of Caerpinwyd.

Yes, lovely city! Hasan continued. Quite the history! You must tell me how two very different men like yourselves met?

Hold it. Theo stepped towards Hasan, his nostrils flaring. You've yet to tell us where you're taking us, and I will not move another step until then.

Hasan stopped in his tracks, his face flattening and his posture stiffening. I am taking you to a portal that leads just outside Caerpinwyd, as you requested. I will be visiting myself in the following days to collect my payment.

Outside Caerpinwyd? Not into the Multiverse?

Heavens no. Hasan looked hesitant to even discuss the topic. I have no desire to visit that...strange void world again. This portal is a direct tunnel to the bogs west of the city. Now, as for my question!

While Theo wondered what some well-to-do merchant would care how he and Kevin met, Kevin was happy to answer. We met at the library! Theo's the librarian back in Apricot Bay.

Apricot Bay? I do not recall such a place in Caerpinwyd.

That's because it's not in Caerpinwyd, it's in another world entirely, Theo interrupted. Kevin was born of Multiverse noise and entered that world of his own accord. I discovered the void independently and wandered across it.

And you do not remember the way back?

It was long ago, and I can't travel as much as I could when I was still young and sprightly. I have a business there now, anyway, as Kevin mentioned. A library.

A well-read rabbit, then?

My first obsession! The topic perked Theo up slightly. I thought that this new world would give me the most exotic books of them all, so I stayed to collect and trade them. That was many, many years ago now, but—you have much time when you're immortal.

You should stay in Neopia sometime, Theophrastus, Hasan suggested, sounding more earnest than before. There are many fascinating books and magical trinkets you cannot get anywhere else. Quite a large selection of strange beasts as well.

We know, we saw the other shopkeepers!

Hasan giggled. Aha, no, petpets! Small and come in many different shapes. Perhaps you will fall in love with one and need to keep it. Perhaps you will bring it home with you?

Ah—I don't think those would survive outside of this world, Hasan.

Oh?

Long story... Theo had grown quite tired of explaining the Multiverse to those who couldn't comprehend it that day.

A monolithic stone torus could be seen through the desert haze over the dunes. Like a lens to Heaven, one face tilted towards the sky, and a set of stairs led up the side angled downwards. Twelve oblique symbols were carved on both sides of the ring, arranged like the numbers on a clock, with a sun peeking over the horizon at the very top.

Hasan stopped in the middle of the ringed shadow the structure cast on the sand. It's known as the Portal of Kiaran, he explained, and it only activates in the presence of the strong willed.

Who's Kiaran? Kevin asked.

Kiaran was an explorer who disappeared through the portal. He has not returned since. As a protective measure, the portal will not open for just anybody—

Does it open for you?

Well, of course—

Splendid.

PAGE ELEVEN

Theo passed Hasan impatiently on his way to the stairs, but stopped when the portal whirred to life without Hasan's presence. It was clearly a world hole—the Multiverse void could be seen through it, and it looked as thin and disorienting as the one back in the library's upper office. Another bubble was just within reach through it, like the portal was established for access to a specific world from the get-go.

And you're positive this portal leads to Caerpinwyd? Theo called from the steps.

Go ahead, my friend.

With his powerful bunny legs, Theo stepped up to the outer edge of the ring and launched himself across the gap. It intercepted his force like fabric, but it wasn't strong enough to repel and tore on contact. Kevin immediately followed, sprinting up the steps and leaping into the new hole in the opposite bubble.

Theo stumbled to his knees through tall grass on the other side. He'd returned home at last—the swampy ground and pine trees were unmistakable for the ones behind his house. Better still, he looked like his old self—no shiny big eyes, no strange fur patterns.

Oh, I thought we'd never be home! Theo cried, drinking in the familiar clean air and long, soft grass that came up to his wrists.

Cool! Kevin was, well, still morphed—aardwolves weren't quite as tall in the world of Pinède, and his jacket and shorts had been switched out for a green tunic and trousers. Still, he looked reasonably similar. Where's your house?

Over that hill...

A two-story mixture of bleached rock and cobbles framed by wooden accents stood on the lakeside at the bottom of the hill. A wide dormer with one of its windows left carelessly open long ago jutted out from the roof at the second level, and a fallow, fenced-in plot of garden sat at the foot of the house around back. Kevin wandered off absentmindedly to explore it all.

Theo was so absorbed in resting on the ground, he hadn't noticed Hasan had come with them through the portal. He'd walked a distance away to examine Theo's house as well, then turned back to face him. He resembled an agama more than a gecko here, his skin warmed from dark brown to orange-red along his head and blue along his body and tail. His eyes grew rounded and shifted on his head, and his ornate golden headgear had disappeared. He, indeed, looked like a Muradian as Theo recognized.

Caerpinwyd gets too chilly for me, Hasan hissed under his breath.

I'll get a fire going inside, Theo assured him, climbing to his feet and approaching. ...I would like to thank you for getting us home.

It is my pleasure, friend. Ah—though I do expect payment soon, yes?

I am a man of my word. You will have it tomorrow.

Excellent.

PAGE TWELVE

The two followed Kevin around to the front of the farmhouse. Something about the amazed and fascinated expression on the aardwolf's face left Theo feeling very warm and fuzzy inside.

Whoa! It's so big! Kevin thought aloud.

Discarding thoughts of how small it really was, Theo only smiled proudly. I built it myself, you know.

You did? How long did it take?

You have much time when you're immortal.

The inside, however, was a touch more cluttered. Books, hardcover ones ranging from recent to a thousand years old, were piled up around the entrance and into both the spare bedroom to the left of the entrance and the kitchen to the right of it. The fireplace was directly across from the entrance, its lack of fire coating the room in inky blackness. Worse yet, it was dusty; only Theo knew how long it had been since he last visited, let alone cleaned.

Hasan rubbed his arms as he browsed the rooms, pulling them in under his clothes as best as he could. Theophrastus, my friend, are you getting that fire ready?

Theo?

Kevin walked into the spare room to find Theo fast asleep, a pile of messy fur and purple fabric sprawled out across the bed, one foot hanging off the edge. He'd sat down when no one was looking and promptly passed out. After all they'd been through together that day, it felt wrong to wake him.

A small chunk of strange, glowing orange crystal had been left on a side table adjacent to a large, upholstered chair opposite the fireplace. Kevin picked up the crystal, his mouth open slightly as he felt its warmth lick his hand like harmless little flames to the touch.

Fire crystallum, Hasan told him. Excellent firestarter.

Leaning into the fireplace, Kevin scraped it on a log that'd been forgotten about inside. The pile went up in flames in seconds. Feeling its warmth grow on his paws, Kevin fell back into the chair, resting his eyes, the smell of the roasting wood filling his nose.

It would be some time before either stirred again.