Aslan was the golden-brown Great Lion of Narnia, son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea who formed the First World, followed by the Universe. Aslan saw much since the First World was created, destroyed, and the Universe was formed, even helped create them alongside his Father.

And yet, here he was, assisting Tobias, the hobbit who looked like Frodo Baggins, and Eliza Bowler-Dooley—a human woman, now a spirit, with a thin frame, brunette hair, pale skin, and green eyes, the greenest Parker Dooley, her dragonoid husband had ever seen. She was dressed in a plain blue country dress that complimented her features, making her stand out in the Portal Realm—with one of the loose portals. A new portal formed, signifying another Universe and another First World was made. This new First World and its Universe would be parallel to this Universe, where people and their souls walked side by side, creating Dust, and where the souls were called daemons, who had the ability to shapeshift until the person reached adulthood, when the daemons settled into their true form.

Yes, Aslan was looking forward to this new Universe, too. But then he was like that with any new Universe, for he knew the time the Universes were created were the purest time in a person, creature, and animal's life.

"Aslan!" Parker cried, rushing towards the Great Lion with Alindor following him.

"Hang on!" Aslan said, roaring at the newly-formed portal. It worked! The portal wrangling ceased. The portal was fully formed, with many different portals following it. It was such an exciting time to be in the Portal Realm!

Aslan turned around, facing the light red dragonoid and his golden house cat companion. The Lion smiled, pleased to see them.

"Welcome again, Parker Dooley and Alindor. I trust this matter is important," Aslan said, keen on hearing Parker Dooley out.

"We need your help." Parker answered. "I need to get back to the Land of Talking Animals. I fear the Shadow Empire will reach its end before the week is out."

"Of course, it will!" Tobias grinned. "Now thanks to you, you triggered its demise. The Shadow Empire will fall within a fortnight or longer. It depends on when you get back there."

"Just know that if you return to the planet Zafna, the Shadow Empire will surely die," Eliza said, cautious. "It's destabilizing, but it won't fall until you get back there, and this time it will be its last. It'll turn into the planet Teremode and become a broken landscape."

"Will it be restored? The planet Zafna? Will it return?" Alindor asked, cautious.

"We don't know. I doubt it'll stay that way forever," Tobias said.

"Right. I get it," Parker said with a long, sad sigh.

"Don't panic. It'll take years, centuries, before Teremode returns to its true name Zafna. I'd wait until the Third Age, before it goes back to normal," Tobias said with a warm, friendly smile. "Granted, it won't be the same, but that's the way of it."

"Are you ready?" Aslan said, knowing Parker's mission. "Just know that you need to find the information you need. Just don't stay in the Land of Talking Animals for too long. We'll need you."

"Will I come back?" Alindor asked Aslan, curiously.

"That is up to you, but know that you return, you will have to join in with the Shapeshifter's Migration. Parker is already preparing for that," Aslan said, serious.

Alindor nodded. He knew it wasn't permanent, but then which path should he choose? Should he stay with his family or go with Parker? It was a hard decision… or maybe it wasn't.

"I don't think I'm coming back." Alindor said, admitting. "My home is the Land of Talking Animals. My family is there. I won't abandon my wife. I'll stay and live a long life, even in this form, which I admire more than anything else."

"Good choice," Aslan said, pleased.

"Yeah, good for you," Parker said with a warm smile.

"Are you ready?" Aslan said. Parker nodded, as did Alindor. Aslan nodded, turning to one of the portals and roaring at it. Images appeared, showing the kingdom Alindor just left. Landseer, and there was Melisandre. Aslan turned to Parker and Alindor, telling them, "Go, while you still can. The Shadow Empire won't last long."

"Come on. Let's go," Parker said, guiding Alindor through the portal. Alindor followed, determined to get home. Parker was glad the moment he was through the portal. He was back in the Land of Talking Animals and it felt good.

*.*.*

References:

Dust, daemons, and the Parallel Universe I'm talking about comes from the movie, "The Golden Compass".