'So these are my thoughts', Valtor proceeded towards the setup before facing them,
I think the portal needs a source of power, he paused. The gadgets are set, but there's no power source. "Without it, nothing will activate".
I guess that makes sense, Rowynn sighed as she spoke up, are there any switch plugs in this room by any chance?
Almost immediately, they all began to search every corner of the room, through the rusty bolts and clogs, finding nothing. Disappointment slowly began to etch on their faces
We're at a dead end aren't we?, Zara hung her head, pacing around as she began to grow precarious
No we're not, Orea placed a reassuring arm on her shoulder causing Rowynn to glance towards them with a frown,.. Is there something you know that we don't Orea?, she asked as her tone grew higher,..
'Because it seems we're trapped here if we don't find a power source to connect that thing .., unless you have another idea?
Lynx cut in before Orea could reply,
What're you thinking?, He spoke up, as he glanced at Valtor, noticing as his eyes lit up on ransacking the machine setup.
There's a hole behind both cannisters, Valtor replied, earning everyone's attention. They crowded closer, watching as Valtor crouched behind the machine.
'And there are wires in both holes which are connected to the gadgets we placed', he continued.
Kymani glanced at him in confusion..So?
'So these holes are probably a path that should allow a source of power to flow in'
Sure, Zara spoke up, but there's still nowhere to plug those wires in
I know, Valtor replied, still crouched behind the machine,
"I don't know if this would work"..."His pupils turned yellow as a flicker of fire sparked from his palm which he shot into both holes.
A sharp crack rang out, then the machine shuddered alive. Golden light spilled across the chamber, swirling into a circular portal that pulsed like a living sun. Mist curled from its edges as if the air itself bent around it.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then the room erupted in cheers. Rowynn clasped her hands to her mouth as her eyes flashed excitedly to Kymani who mirrored her expression. Zara gasped in relief, and Orea's smile bloomed wide. Only Lynx remained silent, his gaze locked on Valtor, eyes narrowing as the glow bathed his face.
A visible frown pulled on his lips as Orea ran towards Valtor for a tight hug, and was followed by the others
Alright, Alright... Kymani raised his hands, steadying the commotion. 'The portal's been activated, but who's going through first'?, he glanced at his friends who stood in uneasy silence.
"I have an idea." A sly smile spread across Orea's face as she spoke up. "Kymani, can I borrow your shoe?"
He blinked at her. "My… shoe? What for?"
"Just trust me." she persisted, earning a few raised brows from the others.
With a reluctant sigh, Kymani tugged it off and handed it over. Orea wasted no time,..She hurled the shoe at the portal.
The glowing ring caught it like a magnet, sucking it in until it vanished without a trace.
"What the hell?!" Kymani shot her a look of disbelief, while Zara and Rowynn stifled chuckles behind him.
"Relax," Orea said with a shrug. "We had to test it somehow. And hey, your shoe went right through. Looks safe enough."
"Great," Kymani muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But that still leaves the question; who's going first?"
"I am." Orea replied as she stepped closer to the portal.
The portal seemed to stir awake as she did, A shiver ran across her arms as the air shifted, a cold pull brushing through her skin. She sucked in a breath, unsure whether to move or retreat, but the choice slipped from her as the pull deepened, though not violent, but steady.
Her chest tightened as she began to drift. Her environment blurring until the light closed over her as she was completely sucked in.
..................
Orea staggered a little as she emerged on the other side of the portal, pulling in deep breaths.
Instead of the cold tugging that had dragged her through, warmth spread gently through her chest, wrapping around her like a quiet welcome. She steadied herself, eyes sweeping over the strange city she found herself in, it's tall glass towers and sharp lines of modern architecture rising against the sky, too familiar and yet not the same.
A shimmer flared behind her, and Valtor stumbled out, breathing hard. His gaze darted over the skyline before taking the view around him
"Are we still inside the hologram?" he wondered, frowning.
"Valtor!" Orea's voice burst with relief on noticing him, she threw herself into his arms. He caught her, his grip firm, arms wrapping around her waist as if anchoring them both.
She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her smile bright. "We did it."
His blue eyes softened, as his lips curved into a smile, "We did."
He pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, lingering for a moment before glancing at the towering buildings again.
"Though… it almost feels like we never left the city", he spoke up
Yeah, she agreed while cocking her head back as she noticed their friends stepping through the portal one by one.
"Does this place fit the description of your hometown in your visions?" Valtor's voice pulled her gaze to him.
"No, not really," she admitted.
"Welcome, travelers."
A husky voice spoke from behind, making Orea spin around, while also earning everyone's attention.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stood there in a green soldier's uniform. His pale skin carried the same hue as Lynx's, and his eyes were locked on them with an unblinking intensity.
"We've been expecting you," he added, as the group drew closer together, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"I understand you're confused, but I can assure you…you're safe now," the man continued, his voice steady. "You've made your way out of the illusion and into the real world."
"Okay." Lynx marched forward, his tone sharp. "First of all, who are you? Second, where are we? And how do you even know who we are?"
"There's only one person who can answer your many questions," the man replied calmly. "Please, come with me. I'll take you to him." With that, he turned and began walking north, toward a sprawling estate that loomed against the horizon.
"Do we follow him?" Kymani asked, uncertainty etched across his face.
"I think we should," Rowynn said, glancing at the others. "Maybe he really can give us answers."
"Well, we don't know where we are," Zara added with a shrug, so I guess that's our only reasonable option." The others nodded in agreement.
With Lynx at the front, the group set off after the stranger.
"My shoe!" Kymani suddenly exclaimed, spotting it lying a short distance away. He darted toward it, slipping it back on with a huff. "Finally." Then, with a quick jog, he caught up to his friends as they continued northward.