About sixty years ago, a portal opened on Earth—out of nowhere, without warning. No one knew what it was. Scientists, militaries, and governments around the world united, driven by a mix of fear and curiosity, to investigate the phenomenon.
Then the unthinkable happened: beings stepped out of the portal. All of humanity held its breath.
Some of them looked like humans. Others appeared as if they came from dreams—or nightmares: a mage in shimmering robes, an elegant elf, a stocky dwarf with glowing eyes, and a cybernetic warrior—half machine, half life.
They came in peace.
And they brought a message: humanity was not alone.
There were other worlds—many of them. Other peoples, other beings, other powers. They spoke of a network of connected realities, interwoven by magical rifts that allowed the exchange of knowledge, resources, technology, and magic.
If Earth was ready, it could become part of this alliance—one among many.
Humanity agreed. And so a new age began.
Through the union of magic and science, Earth developed faster than ever before. But with that progress came a realization: some humans carried something more within them.
Powers previously undiscovered. Magical talents, supernatural strength, abilities far beyond known limits.
To nurture this potential, five great training centers were created—the so-called Sky Schools: colossal, floating stones anchored high above the clouds. Those born with inner strength were trained there.
Some students were even sent to other worlds for their training. And likewise, young talents from foreign worlds came to Earth—united in the pursuit of knowledge and preparation for what was yet to come.
Then it happened again.
A new rift appeared—another portal, right on Earth.
Alarms blared in the command center. Every screen blinked red. The surveillance team didn't hesitate and immediately called the commander.
"A portal has appeared!"
"Where?" the commander asked.
"In the mountains—near a small village."
"Can the local units confirm it?"
"Negative. Contact is unclear."
"Evacuate the area. We don't know what we're dealing with. Prepare the troops. And inform Davor Krayt. He needs to be ready."
The mission was led by three R9 commanders—among them the legendary Commander Davor Krayt, codename "Titan".
A master of close combat. Massive in build. He fights with a warhammer so powerful it shakes the earth and can cause quakes.
At his side:
Commander Valea Morrin, codename "Runeshot"—an elite ranged fighter and brilliant strategist. With her rune staff, she unleashes lightning and flame, and can fire hundreds of arrows at once.
The third in the trio: Commander Leon Virell, codename "Bladestorm".
He wields two short swords, incredibly fast, and is considered the fastest warrior on Earth.
Evacuation helicopters were launched. The area was systematically cleared. Supply units brought weapons caches and additional gear to the zone.
Two days passed.
A three-kilometer radius was fully evacuated. The military had taken position. Reinforcements arrived—among them six extraordinary fighters:
Keal, a prince, born with power hidden deep within him—kept secret by his parents, afraid of what it could mean. A prince who never wanted a throne, but to fight for others. At twelve, he fled his home and joined the academy, where he learned the art of the sword.
Torgul, a half-giant—his father a giant, his mother a human. Cast out by the giants for not being pure-blooded. Taken in by the mage Meridion, he fights with two massive axes, able to cause quakes and summon fire. He stands nearly twice as tall as a regular human.
The twin siblings Elandra and Kiro—masterful archers, specialists in elemental arrows. But they also wield short swords with skill.
Nerion, a young mage. Tactically brilliant, well-read, full of knowledge—a strategist who prefers brains over brute force.
And Mika, a shapeshifter. Her homeworld was nearly destroyed by a natural disaster twenty years ago. Meridion took her in and trained her—just like the others.
While preparations for the camp advanced at full speed, Earth's command center informed the other worlds about the situation.
It was the first time that an unknown portal had appeared on Earth.
Such events weren't unheard of—other planets had experienced them before. The last case was thirty-five years ago. Back then, beings had emerged from an unidentified rift and attacked the planet.
The alliance managed to save the world—but at a heavy cost. Casualties were immense. Many warriors gave their lives—including two R10 commanders from Earth.
That portal had been classified as a Level 10 Rift—the highest known. The portal now open on Earth, however, was only Level 6.
A Level 6 world is considered moderately dangerous: low military technology, little or weak combat magic.
The council decided that Earth's forces alone would be sufficient for defense.
Still, backup units were placed on standby—just in case.
Day 3.
The camp in front of the portal is fully established.
All warriors have arrived: 600 soldiers ranked 5 to 8, along with the three R9 commanders. Defense turrets are in place, and a magical shield surrounds the entire area.
Three days remain until the portal opens.
Tension hangs in the air.
No one knows what waits on the other side.
An enemy army preparing to invade?
Or a peaceful new world waiting to be discovered?
Uncertainty gnaws at the fighters.
But Mika tries to lighten the mood.
She transforms into a mouse—and playfully torments Torgul, who keeps trying (and failing) to catch her. She climbs onto his back again and again, nipping him on the shoulder.
Kiro laughs out loud, mocking Torgul—only to receive a sharp smack on the back of the head from Elandra.
A short squabble breaks out between the twins.
Then Mika transforms into her old master Meridion—with a comically distorted face—and mimics his deep voice:
"Only those who can laugh at themselves survive in this world… or in my class."
The six burst into laughter.
Even Kiro and Elandra stop bickering, giggling at Mika's antics.
Then it suddenly falls quiet.
Each of them drifts into thought.
How they met.
How it all began—back as students.
And how quickly time had passed.
Now they are warriors.
And soon, they may face a world they can't even imagine.
Day 4.
Mika opens her eyes, yawns, and slowly sits up.
Outside, she hears the steady rhythm of steel being sharpened.
She steps out of her tent and sees Keal, calmly honing his sword.
"Why are you up so early?" she asks, still half-asleep.
Keal grins.
"Early? It's already noon, sleepyhead."
Mika stretches, shakes her head, and laughs quietly.
As she walks through the camp, she sees Torgul training with Kiro.
Nerion sits, absorbed in old books. Elandra carefully draws her bow.
Mika observes the camp.
The tension is growing.
Everyone is preparing for what's to come.
She feels it, even through her usual cheerfulness.
She walks over to Commander Valea Morrin.
"How about we lighten the mood a little?" she suggests. "Maybe… a barbecue? There are still three days left before the portal opens."
Valea hesitates, then nods.
Commander Davor Krayt was, of course, against it at first—but he could never resist Valea for long.
The two had known each other since childhood.
They'd completed their seven-year training together at the Aracun Academy—just like the six young warriors.
Their master had also been Meridion.
That evening, the fire blazed.
Everyone laughed, shared stories, and remembered old times.
Mika was, as always, the group's mascot—using her shapeshifting talents to entertain.
The mages conjured a small firework display in the sky.
The dry, tense air dissolved—if only for a few hours.
For a moment, the looming portal was forgotten.
Even though it stood right in front of them—visible, pulsing—as if it had never gone away.
That night, as the evening came to a close, Mika noticed a flickering light on the mountain above the camp. It shimmered strangely.
She rushed to Keal.
"Keal! Keal, do you see that? Up on the mountain!"
Keal squinted.
"Yeah… I see it. What is that?"
Nerion joined them.
"What are you two looking at?"
"There's a light up there," Keal said. "Do you see it too?"
Nerion frowned.
"Yes… but there shouldn't be anything there. The whole area was evacuated."
"That wasn't there yesterday," Mika muttered.
"We should check it out!" she blurted.
"No," Keal said firmly. "We're not allowed to leave the camp."
"Please!" Mika whined. "I'm bored… we'll be right back!"
Kiro walked over. "What's going on?"
"There's a light on the mountain. Mika wants to go check."
Mika turned to him. "Kiro! Come on, let's go!"
Kiro grinned. "Well, Keal—now we're two against one."
Nerion folded his arms. "I'm in too. There are still three days before the portal opens. The trip there and back won't even take 24 hours."
"We can't fly," Kiro added. "The magic barrier…"
"Exactly!" Mika smiled. "A little trip—just like back on Dunrak! Remember when we climbed out of hell together?"
They paused, smiling faintly at the memory.
Keal looked into Mika's bright eyes and sighed.
"I'll speak with the commander. If he allows it, we'll leave at dawn."
Keal went to Commander Davor Krayt and showed him the still-glowing light in the distance.
The commander studied it, then nodded.
"You have 24 hours. Go up there, see if there's any civilization or activity—and return immediately. No detours. The portal opens in less than three days."
That night, the six packed their gear.
At first light—they departed.