The portal rippled like water disturbed by wind. Lira took a final step forward, and as her foot touched solid ground, the glow behind her folded in on itself — twisting, shrinking — until all that remained was a small pocket mirror resting on her open palm.
It shimmered faintly, as though holding a reflection of the world she'd just left. She turned it in her hand, and the surface flickered — not with her own face, but another. Her own eyes, older. Wiser. From another time.
Then a voice spoke through the mirror, soft and distant, yet powerful enough for all to hear:
"You can use this mirror whenever you need me. It will show you the path back to the past… and I will answer."
A hush fell over the group. The air carried the echo of old magic, deep and ancient.
Lira closed the mirror gently, pressing it to her chest for a moment before looking up at her companions.
