The apartment had not changed much in Eldranthor's absence, but the place felt different, nonetheless. It was no longer the sole refuge in a world where he felt lost. Now it was a home base for their mission, a place of respite and strategy.

  Fenryr was waiting for him when he arrived, the worry lines on his face easing when he saw Eldranthor in the doorway. “You’re back,” he said, his voice a mixture of relief and curiosity. “You look...different.”

  Eldranthor chuckled lightly, "I suppose I do, don’t I? It’s amazing what some meditation and astral projection can do for your complexion."

  Fenryr raised an eyebrow but didn't press for more, offering instead a welcoming gesture. "Come in. Tell me everything."

  Eldranthor walked in, the familiar scent of aged books and coffee hitting him with a sense of nostalgic comfort. He eased himself onto the couch, while Fenryr fetched them drinks. The calmness of the scene was a contrast to the complexity of what he was about to share.

  As Eldranthor started to recount his experiences, Fenryr listened attentively, his face a study of concentration. He heard of the monastery, the monks, the astral journeys, the revelation, and the progress Eldranthor had made.

  When Eldranthor told him about how he astrally projected himself back to Elara's home and managed to leave an object behind, Fenryr let out a low whistle. "That’s...that’s incredible, Eldranthor. It changes everything!"

  "It certainly does," Eldranthor nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "It's not the ultimate solution, but it's a start. I can't create a fully functioning portal yet, but I've made tangible progress. It's a step forward, Fenryr, a real step."

  Fenryr nodded slowly, taking a moment to absorb it all. "We are closer than we have ever been before," he said, his voice filled with awe. "We could actually find a way back."

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  "We could," Eldranthor agreed. "But it won't be easy, and it will require all the help we can get."

  Fenryr looked at Eldranthor, a firm resolve settling in his eyes. "Then let's do it. Let's build this bridge and finally find a way home."

  Eldranthor couldn't help but smile at his friend's determination. With Fenryr by his side, they could face any challenge, any obstacle. The path home was within reach, and they were ready to journey on.

  Eldranthor found Elara in her natural habitat, the labyrinthine world of the library, surrounded by mountains of books. Her desk, a small island of order amidst the chaos, was stacked high with tomes and scrolls of every size and color. She looked up from a particularly ancient parchment as Eldranthor approached, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

  "Eldranthor!" she exclaimed, setting the parchment aside. "I heard you were back. How was your trip?"

  "Enlightening," Eldranthor replied, pulling up a chair opposite her desk. He recounted his experiences at the monastery, the meditations, and his momentous achievement in astral projection.

  Elara listened with rapt attention, her eyes widening with each revelation. By the time Eldranthor finished, a flush of excitement colored her cheeks. "That's incredible, Eldranthor!" she exclaimed. "You astrally projected back here, all the way from another plane of existence?"

  Eldranthor nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, it was a rather strange sensation, but the monks at the monastery had prepared me well."

  The librarian sat back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. "Do you think..." she began, trailing off, a hesitant look crossing her face.

  "Do I think what?" Eldranthor prompted.

  "Do you think I could learn to do it?" Elara blurted out, her face flushing deeper.

  Eldranthor regarded her, his gaze thoughtful. The possibility was there, but he knew all too well the dangers of astral projection. Would he be willing to expose Elara to such risks?

  Eldranthor leaned back in his chair, studying Elara. Her eyes were bright with eagerness, her face flushed with excitement. He could see the thirst for knowledge, the burning desire to expand her horizons. Yet he also saw the dangers that lay on that path, the risks that came with delving into the arcane arts.

  "Elara," he began slowly, "What I did... what I experienced... it's not something one can learn overnight. It's a long, arduous journey, fraught with danger. I won't lie to you, it can be perilous."

  Elara nodded, her gaze steady. "I understand, Eldranthor," she said, her voice firm. "I'm willing to take that risk. I've spent my life surrounded by stories of magic and other worlds. I want to experience them for myself, not just read about them."

  Eldranthor sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "If you're sure," he conceded, "I will guide you. But before we even begin thinking about astral projection, we need to unlock your magical potential. Magic is the foundation of everything. Without it, you can't even begin to touch the astral plane."

  Her face lit up at his words. "Then let's find a way," she said, determination burning bright in her eyes. "Let's unlock my magic."

  Eldranthor couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Alright," he agreed, "Let's begin."