The trio continued their journey through the lush forest, the whispers of the trees following their every step. Miko glanced back at the clearing they had left behind, a concerned expression on his face.
"Will they be fine? The ones we defeated?" Miko asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Shin walked ahead, his dark aura subtly pulsing. "They'll be fine. They're spirits—they can regenerate. What we did was just disrupt them a little, not completely destroy them."
Miko sighed in relief. "Oh, okay. That's good to know."
Kuro smirked, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. "They'll probably think twice before attacking again."
The group eventually arrived at a massive waterfall, its roaring cascade echoing through the forest. The wisp guiding them danced excitedly, leading them to the base of the waterfall.
"This is it," Miko said, stopping in his tracks.
Shin squinted, observing the area. "Looks like the destination is somewhere inside."
---
The Hidden Gateway
The three stepped through the waterfall, the cold spray soaking their clothes. Beyond the curtain of water, they found a small alcove with a strange artifact sitting atop a stone pedestal. The artifact was circular, carved with intricate runes that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light.
"There's no passage or door," Miko said, looking around. "Just this artifact."
Shin crossed his arms. "Why don't you try imbuing it with your spirit energy?"
Miko's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, great idea!"
While Kuro leaned casually against the wall, gnawing on a piece of cooked meat he had pulled from his bag, Miko approached the artifact. He extended his hand, channeling his spirit energy. A golden and blue glow enveloped his palm as he touched the artifact.
The artifact reacted instantly, glowing brighter and forming a handprint beneath Miko's touch. The runes shimmered, and the entire room seemed to pulse with energy. Suddenly, a portal burst into existence, swirling with vibrant colors.
Shin stepped forward, his expression serious. "Before we go in, we need to make sure we're prepared. It could be a trap."
He summoned a dark barrier around his body, the aura shifting like shadows in the wind.
Miko followed suit, creating a glowing barrier of golden and blue energy.
Kuro shrugged, his fiery aura flaring as he formed a protective barrier of orange and red around himself. "Alright, let's do this."
With a nod, the trio stepped through the portal.
---
The Spirit Realm
They emerged into a breathtaking world, unlike anything they had ever seen. The Spirit Realm was alive with magic—every blade of grass, every leaf, and every ripple in the air seemed infused with life and energy. The sky was a vibrant mix of shifting colors, and the ground was carpeted with soft, glowing moss.
Massive trees towered above them, their trunks adorned with luminous runes. Doors were embedded in the tree trunks, hinting at homes and pathways within. Spirits of all shapes and sizes filled the realm—tiny, glowing wisps flitted about, humanoid spirits strolled gracefully, and massive, majestic spirit beasts roamed the area.
Miko, Shin, and Kuro stood in awe, their eyes wide with amazement.
"I've never seen anything like this," Shin muttered.
"Same here," Miko agreed, his gaze following a group of small, playful spirits.
"Whoa," Kuro said, his voice unusually quiet as he took in the scenery.
Their awe was interrupted as a large, regal figure approached. The Elder of the spirits stood before them, his presence commanding yet kind. He had a translucent, glowing form, with long, flowing hair and a beard that seemed made of starlight.
"Travelers," the Elder greeted, his voice deep and resonant. "What brings you to our realm?"
Shin stepped forward, his demeanor respectful but confident. "We're here to find out about our friend Miko's family."
The Elder's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Human families, you say? I'm afraid we know little of such things."
Shin shook his head. "Not human—spirit."
The Elder's gaze snapped to Miko, and his expression changed to one of shock and awe. "Ah… an intriguing fellow indeed."
The Elder wasn't just looking at Miko—he was seeing his aura, which was massive and vibrant, a swirling mix of blue and gold energy that stretched to the sky and radiated incredible power.
"Welcome, welcome," the Elder said, his tone warm as he gestured for them to follow.
---
A Door Within a Tree
The group followed the Elder to a massive tree with an ornate door seamlessly tied to its trunk. The Elder stopped before it, turning to the group.
"This is it," he said with a smile.
Shin eyed the door curiously. "Is it a house inside?"
The Elder chuckled. "You're quite perceptive, young man. How did you know?"
Shin rubbed the back of his head. "Just a guess." (In truth, his vast knowledge of fantasy novels and mangas had given him a pretty good idea.)
The Elder laughed heartily. "A sharp mind indeed."
As the door opened, Shin, Miko, and Kuro stepped inside—and their jaws dropped.
---
An Unexpected World
The interior was nothing like they expected. What seemed like a simple door on the outside opened to an expansive space. There were homes carved into the walls, towering libraries filled with glowing books, and vast halls bustling with activity. Spirits of all kinds moved about, their glowing forms illuminating the space.
"It's… massive," Miko said, his voice filled with wonder. "Outside, it looked like just a door tied to a tree. I didn't expect anything like this."
The Elder chuckled. "It's nothing surprising, my boy. The Spirit Realm is full of wonders."
As they walked deeper into the space, the Elder turned to Miko. "My boy, have you ever had a Spirit Master or someone to train you?"
Miko shook his head. "No, I haven't. My mom taught me a little when I was a kid, but I don't remember much."
The Elder's eyes twinkled. "Ah, I see. You have immense potential. Perhaps even the whole world won't be able to stop you."
Miko flushed slightly, waving a hand dismissively. "You don't need to flatter me. I'm just a decent fighter, nothing special."
The Elder laughed heartily. "Humble, too. I like that."
"I should introduce myself," the Elder said, bowing slightly. "My name is Ralnor, though I've lost track of my age after the first ten thousand years. I believe I'm around 10,432, give or take a few centuries."
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "You lost count of your age?"
Ralnor chuckled. "Indeed, young one. Time flows differently here, and it's easy to lose track after a few millennia."
The group laughed, their initial tension easing as they prepared to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Spirit Realm.