Eira reached out a trembling hand, her fingers brushing against the twisted bark of the Threshold Tree. The air vibrated with an electric tension as if the very essence of the forest was holding its breath. Arin, Lirien, and Thorne watched with bated breath, their senses heightened.

As Eira touched the tree, the world around them dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns. The group felt themselves being pulled through a vortex, their molecules rearranging to accommodate the shift. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, like being reborn into a new reality.

When the vortex dissipated, the group found themselves standing at the edge of a vast, crystal expanse. The sky above was a deep, burning crimson, and the air hummed with an otherworldly energy.

"Where are we?" Arin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Eira's eyes were closed, her face tilted upwards. "We have crossed into the Realm of the Ancients."

Lirien's gaze swept the horizon. "This place is alive. The crystals are pulsing with energy."

Thorne's hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "I don't like it. We're exposed."

Eira opened her eyes, her gaze piercing. "We must press on. The Oracle's vision is unfolding. We have a purpose here."

As they ventured deeper into the crystal expanse, the group encountered strange, glowing creatures that seemed to be crafted from the very essence of the realm. They moved with ethereal grace, their forms shifting and flowing like liquid.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the heart of the crystal formation. Tall, statuesque, and radiating an aura of wisdom, the being regarded the group with an unblinking gaze.

"Welcome, Tomorrow's People," the being said, its voice like the gentle chime of a crystal bell. "I am the Guardian of this Realm. You have been brought here for a purpose, a purpose that only you can fulfil."
© providence