As I stepped through the portal, I found myself in a different world. The air was crisp and clear, and a breeze carried the scent of fresh dew and growing things. I could feel a pressure all around me, almost like I was under water except that the pressure wasn't physical. It was definitely strange, but thanks to my recent experiences, I thought I recognized a pressure on my soul. I hadn't known before today that souls had any senses, but I was convinced by now.

  The sensation was uncomfortable, but not intolerable, so I decided to look around a bit. Just as I had that thought however, I heard the portal make a light whooshing sound. Turning, I saw it close behind me, and my heart beat immediately sped up. I could still see it, nestled against a wall of fog very much like the one that surrounded my territory. It looked like it had before I selected a realm to connect to; A giant circle with shifting nondescript images of far off landscapes.

  When I looked more closely however, I could make out my new domain on the other side, like trying to see through a window with a strong reflection. For a moment, I feared I might be trapped. I quickly inspected the gate, placing my hand on it. To my relief it opened once more, and closed when I stepped away. Nice! A built in security system. That meant nothing could wander in while I was away. Then again, perhaps anyone could open the door with a touch. I hoped not, but I had no way to test it.

  I sighed. I could really use a friend in this place. Maybe a wrinkly green jedi master, or even a teacher with a magical bus. I looked around, but didn't see anyone. No such luck, it would seem.

  Looking forward once more, I could still make out the mountain in the distance through the afternoon light. With no better idea, I decided to make that my goal. I slowly began walking forward, amazed at the abundance of sound and color all around me. My home in Japan was at the base of a mountain, and had plenty of lush forest all around. Even that couldn't quite match what I was seeing here though.

  There were birds and small animals everywhere, and the undergrowth was filled with vivid colors, far more than the greens and browns I was used to. Colorful plants and flowers I didn't recognize were everywhere, mixed in with plants that were much more mundane. The fresh smell was incredible. I felt a little like I had stepped into a paradise. I had to remind myself that some of the prettiest things in nature were also the deadliest.

  I paid close attention to my surroundings, alert for the slightest movement as I continued on my way. It only took a few steps to find a small trail. Looking back, I made sure I could easily see my gate from here before continuing on.

  I clutched my staff tightly in front of me as I stepped as quietly as a could while still making decent progress. The trees overhead grew massive as I got further in, looking ancient and unyielding. The foliage was thick all around me, providing cover, both for myself, and anything else that might be lurking. Unfortunately, it also made moving quietly much more difficult. The trail I followed was far from straight, as it wound around trees and areas of dense undergrowth.

  I paused when I saw a fluffy ball stumble onto the trail in front of me. It looked a little like a hedgehog, but instead of spiny and stiff, this thing's fur was all fluff. It looked like one of those white poof balls people used to decorate a pencil, only larger.

  I kept my distance. I had seen enough movies to know that fluffy did not necessarily mean friendly. I watched as the thing scurried off the trail and towards a large orange flower that looked a lot like an iris as large as my torso. Before it got there however, another creature, this one resembling a cat with horns, pounced on it, killing it instantly. The new creature picked up its meal and began to saunter away. It didn't get far before the iris revealed its true nature. faster than I could blink, it swooped forward and snatched the cat up in its petals. I could see the movement as the cat struggled in the plant creatures maw, but it didn't last long.

  I gulped, wondering if I should turn back now. I hesitated for a long moment, gathering my courage. I knew what I was doing this for, and deep down, I knew I wasn't going to turn back. The image of my aunt and Amaya-chan flashed through my mind. I couldn't let them down. There were others of course, but those two were my family, and they were the real reason I was here. Readying my staff, I once again stepped forward, determined to avoid orange flowers.

  After a half an hour of struggling through thick vegetation, I heard something moving in the distance. I froze and ducked low. I didn't see it, but whatever it was, it sounded big, like some sort of giant digging through rocks. I debated what I should do. Going forward seemed foolhardy; all I had as a weapon was a slightly legendary stick and the gumption to call it slightly legendary.

  Still, I had come here for information, and knowing what was out there seemed like a good idea. Sneaking wasn't my forte, and the foliage was too dense anyway. Instead, I looked around for a good vantagepoint. If the continuing sounds of snuffling and digging were anything to go by, whatever was out there should be big enough to see from a distance.

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  Locating a tree with low branches and plenty of hand holds, I moved carefully next to it, laid my staff down, and began to climb. It was easy enough, and it didn't take me long to find a perch on a branch maybe nine meters up. Looking out again, my heart stuttered when I caught sight of the creature before me. A hundred or more meters ahead of me through the dense foliage, I caught glimpses of something roughly the size of a truck. It was in a clearing, digging in what looked like a giant termite mound. The termites in question were hard to make out, but they were large enough that I could see them when they swarmed.

  As for the creature, it took awhile of observing before I saw enough of it to realize its nature. It was large, had long dark brown fur, and wickedly long claws. When I caught a glimpse of its head, there was a tell-tale stripe of white along its back. It was a massive badger, though with some distinct differences. Aside from its massive size, I thought I could see scales under its fur, though it was hard to be sure from this distance.

  This was clearly not something I wanted to mess with. Swallowing hard, and with renewed determination to move quietly, I made my way out of the tree. When I reached the ground and reacquired my staff, I couldn't help but admit that the bamboo was even less impressive than it was before. There's always a bigger stick. Though in this case, that stick would better be describes as killer badger claws. I was beginning to regret my earlier thoughts about drunken badgers. Clearly, this fine fellow would do a much better job at cutting bamboo, —drunk or not.

  I couldn't see the sun through the thick canopy, but it was clearly in retreat now. I was curious why this place even had a sun, while my domain had only a nebulous light. Whatever the case, it was time to head back before it got dark.

  Retracing my steps, I tried to stay alert, though my mind did wander some. I was hungry and tired, and slightly out of breath, none of which made sense. I had been in the Astral realm for what felt like more than a day, but even so, how could I get hungry in a place composed of thoughts and energy? Why would I even need to breathe?

  Though I supposed when you got down to it, even atoms are made of energy, and humans had only begun to scratch the surface of quantum theory. Perhaps it was all connected? Could thoughts exist on a subatomic level? Humans generally measure thought in electrical pulses through neurons, but that doesn't take into consideration a soul. Perhaps what I was now was more than just thought and spirit. I had been thinking of this place as a dreamscape, but that may have been a mistake.

  While I was thinking, I stumbled over a root and fell flat on my face with a thump. I grunted and grumbled in displeasure. I could have sworn that thing hadn't been there a moment ago. I scowled back at the root, angry at being thwarted during my noble quest for enlightenment. While I was still staring, a chill ran down my spine as I watched it lower back into the ground. What the hell?

  I scrambled back before climbing to my feat, clutching my staff and looking around wildly for any movement. I was interrupted by the sound of a woman's ethereal laughter, echoing all around me. It didn't sound malicious, just very entertained.

  "Who's there?" I called, still searching frantically with my eyes for any sign of a disturbance. I received no answer, but the laughter slowly drifted away. I had no idea what had happened, but I needed to keep calm. Running around blindly would just get me into more trouble.

  I stood there, heart pounding, staff at the ready, but there was no further movement. I took a cautious step back, and that's when I noticed the path, or rather, the lack thereof. The foliage had closed in behind me, and I couldn't see any sign of my passage. How had I not noticed that before?

  I spun in a circle, searching for any indication of which way I had come from.

  It was no use; every direction looked the same. "Well, this is just great," I muttered to myself. I had no idea where I was, and no idea how to get back. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I needed to think.

  I had been following the hill, so I decided to put it at my back and move forward as best I could. I chose a direction and started walking, keeping a close eye on the ground this time. I didn't want any more surprises.

  As I walked, I noticed strange things happening around me. At first, they were inconsequential and easily dismissed. Movement out of the corner of my eye, but when I looked, there would be nothing. Then a breeze that sounded almost like words, and bushes rustling with movement.

  After several minutes of this, I still hadn't found anything that looked familiar, and the strange happenings were increasing in intensity. An orange flower would bloom before my eyes, only to wither and die moments later. A butterfly with wings the size of my head flitted by with a skull pattern on each wing. I even thought I saw a rock jump out of the corner of my eye, but when I turned to look, it was just a regular old rock.

  It was all incredibly unnerving, but as I tried to stay calm and think things through, I realized that someone or something was likely playing tricks on me. Nothing had hurt me so far, and judging by the occasional laughter on the wind, someone was feeling very entertained.

  If that was the case, and whoever this was wasn't interested in hurting me, then there might be a chance for me to learn something from it. I desperately needed info, and allies would be more than welcome.

  As annoying as it was to be messed with in such a stressful situation, I could put my feelings aside for this opportunity. Besides, this could be a chance to prank the prankster. After all, what better way to get the attention of someone who clearly respects a good joke. That is, if my assumptions were correct. Either way, it was time to take a gamble.