The Iconian Portal

Two people are heading toward a piece of public sculpture that looks like a window, they believe it to be a portal to other worlds.

There was a buzz in the air as Jack and Sarah approached the public sculpture that looked like a window.

Jack: (excitedly) Sarah, this is it! The portal to strange new worlds!

Sarah: (skeptically) Jack, are you sure about this? We don’t know what’s on the other side.

Jack: (enthusiastically) Of course I’m sure! This sculpture has been calling out to me for weeks!

Sarah: (rolling her eyes) Fine, but if we end up on a planet filled with giant spiders, it’s on you.

The two approached the sculpture and began to examine it.

Sarah: (curiously) So, how did you find out about this thing anyway?

Jack: (mysteriously) Let’s just say I have some connections.

Sarah: (doubtfully) Connections? You mean you read it on some conspiracy theory forum?

Jack: (defensively) Hey, don’t knock it till you try it. 

The Portal suddenly hummed to life, and they could see different worlds appearing for a few seconds before changing again.

Sarah: (astonished) Oh my god, Jack! It’s working!

Jack: (excitedly) I told you! Now, we just have to decide whether to go through or not.

As they discussed their options, a figure appeared on the other side of the portal. 

Figure: (dramatically) Greetings, travelers! I am the Guardian of the Gateway.

Jack: (intrigued) Whoa, this is it! We’re really doing this!

The Guardian spoke in a booming voice, "Who dares to enter this sacred gateway?"

Jack stepped forward, his voice trembling with excitement. "I do! My name is Jack, and I want to see what's on the other side!"

The Guardian looked at Jack with a stern expression. "And what do you hope to find on the other side? Do you seek knowledge or power?"

Jack thought for a moment before answering. "I seek adventure! I want to seek strange new worlds and boldly go!

The Guardian nodded slowly. "Very well. But be warned, young adventurer. Time passes differently on the other side of the portal. What may seem like minutes to you could be days, or even years."

Jack nodded eagerly. "I understand. I'm ready for whatever comes my way."

Sarah: (anxiously) I don’t know, Jack. This guy seems a bit too dramatic for my taste.

As they continued to argue, the Guardian of the Gateway is eaten by a monster, leaving them with a decision to make.

Sarah: Oh my god! something....I mean did you see that...

Jack: (determinedly) Sarah, we’ve come too far to turn back now. I’m going through!

Sarah: (uncertainly) Jack thats crazy! Come on, don't do it.

Jack: I'm gonna do it.

Jack stepped through the portal. Sarah watched as he vanished from sight.

Sarah: (worriedly) Oh god, what has he done?

Suddenly, he was flung back out of the portal, disheveled and confused.

Sarah: (surprised) Jack! You’re back already?

Jack: (breathlessly) Oh my god, it’s been a full day over there!

Sarah: (in disbelief) What? That’s impossible!

Jack: (frantically) I know, I know, but it’s true! I went through the portal, and I was transported to this bizarre world where everything was different!

Sarah: (intrigued) That sounds incredible!

Jack: (nervously) Yeah, at first I was amazed, but then things started to get weird. The air was thick with this strange gas that made me feel like I was hallucinating.

Sarah: (worriedly) That doesn't sound good.

Jack: (nodding) It wasn't.  I saw things, I saw my own death.

Sarah: (horrified) Oh my god, Jack. That's... that's awful.

Jack: (nodding) It was like... like I was in two places at once. I was in that weird world, but at the same time, I was back here, watching myself from a distance.

Sarah: (skeptically) That doesn't make any sense.

Jack: (defensively) I know it doesn't! But it happened, I swear!

Sarah: (patting his shoulder) Okay, Jack. I believe you. But are you okay? You look like you've been through a lot.

Jack: (nodding) No I'm not ok.

Sarah: (concerned) Well, let's get you cleaned up and fed. You must be starving. Lets go and never come back.

As they walked away from the portal, new sights appear in it.