Amanat Mann had always felt different, even in the quiet town of Elaris, surrounded by silver lakes that shimmered like mirrors and jagged mountains that sliced the horizon. She spent her days helping her grandmother gather herbs in the forest, running errands for the villagers, and sketching the stars at night. Yet her nights were never truly peaceful. Dreams of glowing gates, voices calling her name in languages she didn't know, and shadows moving across unfamiliar landscapes visited her relentlessly. While the townsfolk saw her as ordinary, she knew her heart yearned for something extraordinary.
One evening, as mist curled around the trees, Amanat heard a faint, rhythmic hum emanating from the edge of Crystal Woods. The forest was forbidden after dusk, feared by villagers for its strange whispers and mysterious disappearances. But tonight, the hum felt familiar, almost like a heartbeat calling her. Compelled by curiosity and an inexplicable sense of destiny, she stepped past the old warning signs. The fireflies here shimmered unnaturally, forming patterns that seemed alive, almost guiding her deeper into the woods.
At the forest's heart, she discovered an archway, ancient and entwined with thick ivy. Runic symbols glimmered faintly along its surface. Her fingers trembled as she touched the cold stone. The air quivered, and the ground beneath her feet split. A portal of molten silver erupted before her, pulsating like a living entity. Amanat's instincts screamed at her to retreat, but the portal's pull was irresistible. A sudden force yanked her inside, and the world around her dissolved into a whirlwind of light, shadow, and sound.
She fell through an endless void, weightless, with whispers from her dreams echoing in her ears. Time seemed meaningless. Then, abruptly, she landed on solid ground. The sky above was a swirling blend of violet and emerald hues, with floating islands drifting lazily over rivers of shimmering, molten light. Creatures composed entirely of starlight darted past, leaving trails of sparkling luminescence. Amanat's eyes widened in awe—but awe quickly gave way to dread as her gaze fell upon the horizon. A creeping shadow devoured islands and rivers alike, spreading darkness with a sinister intelligence.
From a floating crystal tower, a figure emerged, shrouded in a cloak that shimmered like the night sky. Its golden eyes fixed on her. "Amanat Mann," it said, voice echoing across the realm, "the Keeper has awakened. You are chosen to guard these realms against the Shadow King."
"I… I'm just a girl," Amanat whispered, trembling.
"Courage, not power, will define your path," the figure replied.
Her heart raced. She realized she was no longer the ordinary girl from Elaris. A path she had never imagined awaited her—a journey filled with magic, danger, betrayal, and discovery. And with the shadows creeping closer, there was no turning back.