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Eli pointed out where to look to get the best view of the shooting stars. [color=deepskyblue]“Good to know. I’ve never done this stargazing stuff before. I’m just expecting to see falling rocks on fire!”[/color] Conner said with a laugh.

[color=deepskyblue]“Oh please tell me you brought chocolate and graham crackers too!”[/color] Conner replied as David offered to set up the food. In all honesty, Conner was conflicted about David. On the one hand, he liked him as a person. On the other hand, if he had to hear from his parents that You should be more like your friend David.” Someone would be getting punched. What couldn’t David do? He was handsome, smart, he did sports, his parents actually support him…

Conner grinned as Milo played in the sand. [color=deepskyblue]“You can go ahead and make mine Milo. Burnt Hot dogs are great!”[/color] 

Once the campsite was ready, they began cooking hotdogs, and toasting marshmallows for s’mores. Conner had a couple more sips of beer. He still didn’t care for the taste of it, but again, he didn’t want to look like a lightweight in front of his friends. As the sun set, the boys continued to have conversations around the campfire. There was the sound of laughter and conversations with the sound of waves crashing in the background. [color=deepskyblue]“Guys, I don’t want this to be sad. We’re gonna be buds forever, no matter where life takes us. Let us enjoy the night, k?”[/color]

The light of the stars illuminated the beach, and Shooting stars streaked across the night sky. It was a beautiful sight. Conner’s cheeks turned red as he took the opportunity to hold Gray’s hand. Out of all his friends, he liked Gray the most, in a more than friendly way.

But then, out of nowhere, something unusual happened. The stars seemed to shift and dance into a pattern, forming a swirling vortex of light directly above them. Conner gasped. [color=deepskyblue]“What is that?”[/color]

Before anyone had a chance to react, the vortex grew bigger, and tendrils of light shot out grabbing each one of the boys, and pulled them through the portal. In an instant, the boys were gone leaving behind the tent, and the campfire.

As the boys were pulled into the swirling vortex of light, everything around them blurred and distorted. It felt as if they were falling. It felt like an eternity and an instant all at once.

Then, just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. The boys found themselves sprawled on the ground, disoriented and groggy. As soon as they stabilized, it became clear that they weren’t on the beach anymore. Or even on Earth anymore for that matter. The air was filled with an otherworldly energy, and strange, luminescent plants cast an eerie glow over the landscape. Above them, a sky of swirling colors, like a never-ending aurora borealis. The portal had deposited them in a clearing, and the forest around them was filled with unfamiliar creatures.

Conner looked around in disbelief. [color=deepskyblue]“Ugh, I know I did not have that many beers to be this wasted… Is everyone ok? And… what just happened?”[/color]

—-

Meanwhile, a small blue dolphin poked her head out from a small pond nearby. There were also several other pairs of eyes watching the new arrivals. [color=blue]“These are ones destined to save our realm? They look a little amateurish to me…”[/color] Chesi matter of factly pointed out. [color=blue]“What do the rest of you think? Should we approach them? Or observe them a little more?”[/color]