The girls sat on the ground looking defeated . They were supposed to land in their room not in a forest . Although it was better than being stuck in the shadow realm with blood thirst creatures .
The forest was like a sanctuary.The air smelled of pine, as the sunlight filtered through leaves, dappling the ground. Keisha, Tori, Matilda and Zenid stood in a small clearing, their hearts still racing from their otherworldly journey.
Matilda touched the rough bark of a pine tree, grounding herself. "We're back," she whispered. "But how?"
Keisha scanned the serene landscape. "The portal malfunctioned. Instead of returning to our room, we ended up here."
Tori's eyes narrowed. "The Shadow Realm's magic is unpredictable. We must find a way back."
Since Keisha was the most pragmatic of the group, she had to survey their surroundings. "We need a new portal. But how do we create one?".
Confused and scared, they walked deeper into the forest, the pines seemed to murmur secrets. The wind carried faint echoes-with lingering magic. As they got deeper into the forest ,they stumbled upon a "gnarled oak", its roots exposed like ancient veins.
"This tree," Tori said, "it feels different."
Keisha touched the bark. "It's a 'Whispering Oak". I've seen it before,beneath the school when I was looking for the last batch if scrolls . But this time it's so different".
" Iegend says it connects realms ". Zenid added while looking around .
" Well then we have to do something, maybe a ritual of return "... Keisha said while glancing at the girls .
Keisha then remembered the incantations-the same ones that had led them to the strange realm. "We need to recreate the portal," she said. "Our desires fueled the last one. Maybe they can guide us back."
Matilda hesitated. "Our desires? What if they lead us astray?".
Well Matilda is love sick !
Tori stepped forward. "We focus on our shared goal-finding the artifacts. And our desire to return home." She was right , that's what they have to do.
Forming a circle,they joined hands ..." We saying our desires as I retry to open the portal, that's the only way we can return home". Keisha informed.
" I Keisha desire to uncover ancient truths and make things right ....
"I Matilda desire to forget the pain in my heart and find love again .."
Matilda love again!!! seriously
"I Zenid desire to live my life with happiness for my sister from now on ..."
"I Tori desire to redeem my past ,and be a better person and to always be there for people who need me...."
As they said their desires out loud from the bottom of their hearts .The oak began to tremble, Its roots shifting , revealing a hollow- portal. Looking excited and scared at the same time,the girls stepped through, their desires merging into a single purpose.
And just like that ,the hollow portal had led them ....they were back to -the calm forest, the whispering pines. But the Shadow Realm's echo lingered- their journey far from over.
But they can celebrate a bit for now!
---------------
As they walked in the calm forest , Keisha noticed a trail- a faint path leading deeper into the forest. "The Whispering Pines," she said. "It's said to guide lost souls." Although she looked scared ... Ain't they supposed to see buildings or something....
Matilda smiled. "Maybe it'll lead us home."
Who has time to smile in a time like this?
Without wasting time the girls walked in the path ... Keisha had seen this path somewhere?...in a vision ...the girl with blonde hair...
That's it ...but why are they here ?
" I've seen this place in a vision ..." Keisha said breaking the silence.
" So you are familiar with our surroundings right "... Zenid said looking at Keisha with questioning eyes.
" All I know is there's a girl with blonde hair,she opened a portal, that's what I remember"..
" Urgh we are done for". Matilda said dramatically while clapping her hands....
"You have no right to be in this Forest bearer of the bracelet" .. the girl with blonde hair said showing up behind an olive tree .
"I did not mean to intrude " . Keisha whispered her voice breaking , the aura the girl with blonde hair had was making it hard for her to breathe .
"And you brought guests with you ...the descendant of the realm of prophets , the daughter of the king of arcane and the princess or should I say the goddess of nature "…. The blonde haired girl seemed amused ...
"Such good friends you have ..."
Keisha looked confused ... These girls ain't just normal like her ...they have titles ,but they sure know how to keep a low profile ....infact what else are they hiding from her .
"I guess your bracelet caused the malfunction of the portal , you are exhausted and inorder for the bracelet to have more power ,you recharge it with your knowledge of the spiritual world and rest . But you guys have never had any rest for the past 12 days "...
"Wait 12 days ... I thought it was 8 days that's 8 hours ...we are done for Matilda was right "...
" Well you are ... Matilda here can borrow your energy for a bit and reverse time to 8 days(hours) but before that there are rules here in whispering pines forests "...
" What rules?". Zenid asked looking defeated .
"Well you're not supposed to be in this Forest until the soul in the bracelet is saved ...so inorder to go back to your human realm there's a stage you have to pass ,well it's quite harder than the shadow realm quests but not entirely scary ...are you in"...
"Are we even supposed to say no?". Tori said while rolling her eyes, she was annoyed.
"Well you are not supposed to say no ... I'm not going to give you any heads up ...you are big girls and you will find a way to get back to your school ...but for now may the game begin ...this is your punishment for using the artifacts for your own good ".....
Ohh ,so this is what it's all about ... The malfunction of the portal is all a lie ..... Keisha thought ...
Which is what all the girls were thinking about as well ... And before they could say anything, it was lights out for them ...taking them straight to a strange realm..." A desert"
Making the girls look defeated...what did they do wrong to deserve this ....
What awaited them in this realm ...?
Are they going to succeed in reversing time ..?.
Did anyone notice their disappearance....?
To be continued....