The rain lashed against the small window of Kira's attic room, drowning out the faint hum of her laptop. She stared blankly at the screen, her essay abandoned halfway. Outside, the storm raged, wild and untamed, much like the turmoil she felt inside.
"Kira!" Her mother's voice rang from downstairs. "Close the windows! The wind's picking up!"
With a sigh, Kira rose and trudged to the only window in her room. The glass rattled as she pushed it shut, but her hand froze midway. Beyond the rain-soaked glass, the sky seemed to twist unnaturally, swirling like an artist's careless brushstroke. A faint glow pulsed within the storm clouds, not lightning but something... alive.
A low hum vibrated through the air, almost melodic, calling to her. She leaned closer, her breath fogging up the glass. For a moment, she swore she saw a figure—a tall, shadowy silhouette with glowing blue eyes—staring back at her.
Her heart raced. She blinked, and the figure was gone.
"Get a grip, Kira," she muttered, slamming the window shut. But as she turned away, the humming grew louder, reverberating in her chest.
A loud *crash* sounded from outside, shaking the house. Kira ran to the window again, peering out. In the backyard, an old oak tree had been struck down, its roots clawing at the earth. But it wasn't the tree that caught her attention—it was the shimmering portal that hovered just above the broken trunk.
It was oval-shaped, rippling like water, and glowing with an otherworldly light. She couldn't look away, her body rooted to the spot. The storm seemed to quiet, as if waiting for her to make a move.
Against her better judgment, Kira grabbed her raincoat and bolted down the stairs.
"Kira!" her mom called, but she didn't stop.
The cold rain soaked through her coat as she stepped into the backyard, the portal humming louder with each step. She reached out a trembling hand, curiosity outweighing fear. The moment her fingers brushed the edge, the world around her dissolved into light and sound.
And then, silence.
When Kira opened her eyes, she wasn't in her backyard anymore. The storm was gone, replaced by a lush, glowing forest where the air shimmered with magic. In front of her stood the figure she'd seen earlier, its glowing blue eyes fixed on her.
"You've come," it said, its voice deep and resonant. "The balance has been broken, and only you can restore it."
Kira's legs trembled, but she stood her ground. "Who are you? And what is this place?"
The figure tilted its head. "I am your guide, and this is the Forgotten Realm—a world that should not exist. But you've brought it back."
Kira's breath hitched as the weight of the moment settled on her. She had no idea how or why, but one thing was clear: her life would never be the same again.