The portal back to Aetheria shimmered before them, its edges wavering as if it, too, sensed the exhaustion within Kei and Teri. Their journey through the world of heroes had been beyond anything they had imagined, and they would return with new allies, newfound strengths, and the scars of battles they could scarcely have dreamed of.

As they stepped through, they felt the familiar tingle of their world's magic enveloping them, a warm contrast to the chaotic, almost mechanical energy of the rift that had threatened everything. But something was different. The air felt heavier, laced with an energy they hadn't sensed before.

In the distance, the sprawling cityscape of Aetheria stretched before them. Yet, as they approached, they noticed flickers of faint light crackling along the horizon. Teri squinted, his brow furrowing.

"That's... unusual," he muttered, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword.

Kei nodded, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the magical currents surrounding their home. "It feels as if... the fabric of our world is healing, but it's not stable yet. The rift left scars."

As they moved through the city streets, familiar faces greeted them with both relief and worry. The people of Aetheria had felt the disturbance, had sensed the danger even from afar. Kei and Teri knew they had much to explain, but first, they needed answers.

They headed to the heart of the city, where the ancient Tower of Sages stood. It was here that the greatest minds of Aetheria gathered, studying the mystical forces that bound their realm. If anyone could help them understand the repercussions of their journey to the other world, it would be the sages.