Elara followed Kaelen through the woods, trying to comprehend what he had told her. Aeloria was a land of magic, once prosperous and teeming with fantastical creatures, but now fractured by ancient conflicts and the presence of the Rift—a tear in the fabric of reality that connected worlds.
"The Rift," Kaelen explained, "is unstable. Sometimes it brings people like you here. Sometimes it takes things away. No one knows how it works or why it chooses."
"But I don't belong here," Elara said, her voice barely a whisper. "I need to get back."
Kaelen paused, his silver eyes locking onto hers. "No one ever does. But if the Rift brought you, there's a reason. It always has a purpose. You may not know it yet, but Aeloria needs you."
Before Elara could respond, they came upon a clearing. At its center was an enormous stone structure, crumbling with age but radiating an ancient power. Symbols etched into the stone glowed faintly, reminiscent of the book she had found.
"This is the Shrine of the Rift," Kaelen said. "The first place you'll need to understand if you want to go home."