Watch from the Second Dimension

Lena was already bored for another hour, sitting on a creaky armchair in her grandfather's old house. The rain drummed against the window and the smell of old books and lavender stirred in the air. Her younger brother Bartek was just going through the drawers in their grandfather's study, looking for 'something interesting'. Suddenly, a muffled cry could be heard. Lena jumped up and ran into the next room. Bartek was sitting on the floor, holding an old brass pocket watch in his hands. The hands were moving rapidly back and forth, as if they were dancing to a rhythm that no one but them could hear. - Look! This watch is strange... - whispered Bartek, showing his sister his find. On the back of the watch was engraved a sign resembling a vortex. Lena carefully turned the crown. At the same moment, they felt as if the whole room shook and colours began to swirl around them. Suddenly, the light from the watch illuminated every wall, and the children felt themselves floating in the air like feathers. When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a bizarre place. Crystal islands levitated above their heads and all the trees had purple leaves. In the distance they could see a large bridge made of plants growing side by side. Glittering orbs floated in the air and curious, fluffy creatures with silver eyes leaned out of the bushes. - Is this... another world? - whispered Bartek, squeezing Lena's hand. Before they had time to answer, a sudden flash cut the sky above them, and a voice rang out from one of the nearby trees: - Who are you and why are you disturbing the Vortex Guardians? Lena and Bartek froze motionless, as a creature with a plume on its head and glowing eyes jumped down from the tree, approaching them slowly and menacingly....