Crystals Crown

Chapter 1: The Portal in the Woods

The sun was slowly setting on the horizon as Lena and her friends arrived at the forest they all knew well. This place had a mysterious charm, and today’s adventure felt different from all the others. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth, and the trees seemed to whisper.

“Did you hear about that old portal Marek was talking about?” Kasia asked, breaking the silence. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at the boys.

“Yes, apparently it leads to another world. But no one knows exactly where it is. Many people have tried to find it, but...” Marek, walking a few steps behind them, nodded.

“But no one has ever succeeded,” Tomek chimed in with a grin, playfully hiding behind a tree that looked like an aging giant.

Lena stepped forward, her heart racing. “We have to find it. This could be our greatest adventure!”

As they ventured deeper into the woods, they stumbled upon an ancient stone structure covered in moss. Its shape resembled a gateway, but it looked like no one had touched it for centuries. The air around it was cool, and Lena felt that something extraordinary was happening in this place.

“This must be it!” she exclaimed, pointing at the portal.

They approached it, their eyes filled with wonder. Inside the archway pulsed a strange light that seemed to draw their gaze.

“What if it’s not safe?” Marek asked, uncertainty in his voice.

“A life without risk isn’t a life at all,” Lena replied, filled with courage.

She raised her hand to touch the edge of the portal, and at that moment, the light intensified, and a sound like a whisper swept through the air. The friends froze in place, their hearts beating faster.

As Lena’s fingers brushed the cool stone, the portal flared to life, illuminating the clearing with a warm, golden glow. The whispering sound grew louder, echoing their names—Lena, Marek, Kasia, Tomek—like an invitation from another realm.

“Did you hear that?” Tomek’s voice trembled as he stepped back, a mixture of fear and awe on his face.

“It’s calling us,” Kasia said, her eyes wide. “We can’t just turn back now!”

Lena took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. “We’ve come this far. We can’t let fear hold us back. We have to see what’s on the other side.”

With a determined nod, she stepped through the portal. A brilliant light enveloped her, and for a moment, she felt weightless, as if she were floating in a sea of stars. When the light faded, she found herself standing on a lush green hillside overlooking a vibrant valley.

“Wow,” she breathed, taking in the sight before her. Strange, colorful plants swayed in a gentle breeze, and the sky above shimmered in hues of violet and gold.

Marek and the others stepped through the portal behind her, their eyes wide with wonder. “This is amazing!” he exclaimed, adjusting his glasses to take in the incredible landscape.

Kasia twirled in delight. “I can’t believe we actually made it! Look at all the colors!”

Tomek, still a little hesitant, approached the edge of the hill. “What if we’re not alone here?” he said, scanning the horizon. “What if there are dangers?”

“We’ll face them together,” Lena reassured him. “Remember our promise? No matter what, we stick together.”

As they descended the hill, the group felt a rush of excitement and trepidation. They wandered into the valley, where strange creatures flitted among the trees. Some had shimmering wings, while others glowed softly in the twilight.