As he activated the scroll, a blinding light engulfed him. The world swirled around him, a kaleidoscope of colors and sensations
Whoosh! the light faded, revealing a scene unlike anything he'd ever witnessed before.
Akiko, the kitsune weaver, as she slumbered peacefully in her bed. A muffled sound, a whisper of fabric brushing silk, drew her attention. Lazily turning on her side, she squinted through half-closed eyes, her gaze landing on a curious sight. A strip of inky blackness lay on the floor, out of place against the vibrant colors of her room.
"Hmm?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. Curiosity tugging at her, she sat up, her eyes widening in surprise as the black tendril writhed and shifted. In a blink, it elongated and contorted, solidifying into a familiar form.
There stood Alex, blinking blearily in the dim light of her bedroom.
