### **Chapter 5: The Guardians' Pact**
Lina stood at the threshold of the shimmering portal, her heart pounding with anticipation. The realm's vibrant colors pulsed with renewed life, yet a subtle darkness still lurked in the shadows, whispering of lingering threats. Thalos, Pip, and Solara gathered around her, their eyes filled with hope and resolve.
"You've done well, Lina," Thalos said, his voice resonating like a thousand years of wisdom. "But the peace we've restored is fragile. The Shadow Wraith was only a fragment of a greater darkness. We must prepare for what's to come."
Pip scampered up Lina's shoulder, his tiny hands clutching her hair. "You're not going anywhere alone, Lina! We're in this together!"
Solara's fiery wings shimmered as she nodded. "The realm needs a protector, and I believe that protector is you."
Lina looked at her friends, realizing that her journey was far from over. She made a silent vow: to defend both the Forgotten Realm and her own world from any lingering evil.