Kira's pulse quickened as she faced the mysterious figure. His glowing blue eyes seemed to pierce through her, as if he could see every thought running wild in her mind. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"I know you have questions," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "But there is little time. The balance between this world and yours is failing, and you are at the center of it."
"I don't even know what this place is," Kira finally managed, her voice trembling. "I was just... in my backyard. What do you mean I'm at the center of anything?"
The figure stepped closer, the glow of his eyes dimming slightly. He was tall, his features obscured by a hooded cloak that seemed to shimmer like the portal. "This realm, the Forgotten Realm, was sealed away centuries ago. Your kind—humans—made a pact to keep it hidden, to protect both worlds. But something... or someone... has tampered with that seal."
Kira took a step back, her boots squelching in the damp, glowing grass. "And you think it's me? I don't even know how I got here!"
"Not you," the figure said, his tone softening. "But your presence here means the seal has weakened. You are connected to this place in ways you cannot yet understand."
She shook her head, disbelief washing over her. "This has to be a dream. Or maybe I hit my head when I ran outside—"
"It is no dream," he interrupted, his voice sharp. He raised a hand, and the air around them shimmered. In an instant, images began to form: a massive tree, its roots intertwined with glowing veins of light, and a chasm opening beneath it, swallowing the light whole.
Kira gasped as the vision faded. "What was that?"
"The Tree of Balance," the figure explained. "It anchors the two realms. If it dies, both worlds will collapse into chaos. That tree stands because of the pact made long ago. And now, its light is fading."
"Okay, but why me? I'm just... normal," she said, though even as the words left her mouth, she doubted them. She thought of the strange dreams she'd had lately, the feeling of being watched, and the way the storm had seemed to call to her.
"You are far from normal," the figure replied. "You are a Keeper, one of the few who can restore the balance. You may not feel it yet, but the power within you will awaken soon."
Kira's mind spun, but before she could ask more, a guttural roar echoed through the forest. The figure immediately turned, his stance tense.
"They've found us," he muttered.
"Who?!" Kira asked, panic rising.
"Corruptors," he said. "Creatures born from the imbalance. They will stop at nothing to destroy the Keeper."
The trees around them began to sway violently, though there was no wind. Shadows slithered across the ground, and glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness.
The figure drew a blade from his cloak, its edge pulsing with the same blue light as his eyes. "Stay behind me. Do not run."
Kira wanted to argue, but her feet wouldn't move. She watched in horror as shadowy forms emerged from the forest—twisted creatures with elongated limbs and jagged teeth.
The figure didn't hesitate. With a single swing of his blade, he sent a wave of blue energy hurtling toward the creatures, scattering them like leaves in a storm. But more kept coming, their growls growing louder.
Kira felt something stir inside her, a warmth in her chest that spread to her fingertips. She looked down and saw faint light pulsing beneath her skin.
"Focus!" the figure shouted, glancing at her. "The power is already waking. Use it!"
"I don't know how!" she cried, but the warmth intensified, almost burning. Her instincts took over, and she raised her hands. A burst of light erupted from her palms, engulfing the creatures in a blinding glow.
When the light faded, the creatures were gone. The forest was quiet again, save for Kira's ragged breathing.
The figure lowered his blade, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "You are stronger than I thought," he said, almost to himself.
Kira dropped to her knees, her hands shaking. "What… what just happened to me?"
The figure crouched beside her, his tone serious. "That was only a fraction of your power. But it's clear now: the Forgotten Realm chose you for a reason. Whether you are ready or not, your journey has begun."
Kira looked up at him, fear and determination warring within her. She didn't understand this world, her role in it, or the power she had just unleashed. But one thing was certain: there was no going back.