Return (5)

Alta felt a surge of disorientation the moment she stepped inside the portal. She knew it would pass once she reached the other side, but as half a minute ticked by, she was still trapped in the swirling vortex. Her insides churned in protest, and a splitting headache threatened to overwhelm her.

"This... How come this portal feels different?"

Alta, still struggling with her disorientation, heard Leif's words. Her expression mirrored her own confusion, creating a shared sense of bewilderment.

Alta looked at Leif and could not help but ask, "Have you entered a portal going to the Tower of the Ancients before?"