Prologue

Anne looked at the desolate terrain all around her. A single rabbit nibbled carefully at the grass, scurrying away rapidly as it spotted Anne gazing its way. "I wish," she started, turning to Antonio, "That the entire world was like this."

"So deserted?" Antonio questioned, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. He looked at Anne.

"Well," Anne replied, "I wouldn't call it deserted. I mean, it's just so beautiful, so peaceful." She put her hand on his knee. It's just so secluded, private."

"Don't even think of it," Antonio joked, "Save it for later. Right now, I have to tell you something. I know you wanted our wedding at the cathedral in Vwoto, but I've arranged something else." He turned to Anne, who's expression told him she was a bit weary. "My brother has agreed to come up here and perform a ceremony." He watched Anne reluctantly, afraid of her reaction. To his great relief, she reached across the seat and kissed him. "You are the greatest man alive." Anne exclaimed, hugging him. Antonio smiled, his eyes in a vain expression as if to say, "I know, I know." Antonio just looked at her pleased. "And you," he replied, "Are the greatest women alive. And if you were dead, you'd be the greatest, too."

"Hey," Anne smiled, "What did I do to receive that compliment?"

"You're yourself." He said, "I just feel like being plain cheesy today." Antonio laughed goofily. "I can't help from being cheesy." Anne's smile faded quickly.

"What was that?" Anne suddenly questioned. She looked at Antonio. "Shh, listen."

He held his breath at her request. He heard a faint noise, as if someone was tapping at the window.

"What the hell is that?" Anne whispered harshly. Her face was flushed. It was then that she glanced at the rearview mirror and let out a bloodcurdling scream. Antonio's heartbeat sped up, but as he looked into the back windshield, he saw nothing. Anne was shaking frantically and muttering something Antonio couldn't hear.

"Anne! Anne, what is it? There's nothing there!" But Antonio stopped dead in his tracks when he saw it. A black robed figure wearing a plastic leopard mask peered in through the passenger window. He fingered a shiny steak knife.

"Anne!" He screamed. She was completely unaware of the figure she had her back turned to. He shoved her down as the predator shattered the window with the knife. Anne screamed and followed Antonio as they scurried out the car door. Anne ran, but felt her hands being violently shoved behind her back and her legs imprisoned by two figures dressed in panda and monkey masks threatening her with a gleaming knife at her throat as she struggled violently. They were dangerously near the edge of the cliff, so Anne gave up struggling. Suddenly she heard a shout, "Vavive!" Powerful streams of ora shot out from Antonio's hands and thrust the people violently to the ground. Just as Anne was running to help Antonio, the leopard figure came from nowhere and leaped at him. Anne dashed to the cliff's edge just as Antonio lost his footing and flipped over the railing, pulling the leopard down with him. "Antonio!" She screamed. Anne froze in horror as she watched him fall. "Antonio!" She hollered helplessly. With tears streaming down her face, she turned away as she heard the sickening crack of his body against the rocks below. He was dead.

Sunlight reflected off of the puffy, cotton-like clouds that were scattered among the sky above. Upon a large, fluffy cloud stood a ghost of a man. A gray cloak blanketed him, the hood draped over his face revealing only shadows beneath.

"I need you two to watch over my fiancé," He explained to the two spirit creatures before him. "Check up on her…guide her…don't let her get in harm's way, please," Anguish washed over him as the memories of his death invaded his mind, taunting him like they did everyday. Two pairs of bird eyes watched him intently, squawking their agreement. Majestic spirit creatures they were, for they were both phoenixes. One, with bright, white feathers and emerald eyes seemed eager to please their human friend, and help the best they could. The other, covered in black feathers, seemed reluctant, but his azure eyes were mixed with loyalty and sadness for their friend's loss.

"Now go!" He shouted, and the two phoenixes launched themselves into the air, transforming to take the shape of a white canary, and a black hawk. All spirit animals had the ability to shape shift, but the consequence was that since they were out of their spirit form, the shifter now could feel pain and be harmed. Soon, the innocent, white clouds began to swirl into black, angry masses of danger. Large droplets of water showered the earth below, effectively drenching the two birds. Ear shattering thunder erupted from the clouds, as if bombs were being set off within. Determined, the birds kept flying close together until a fork of lightning slashed between them, forcing them to part separate ways. Seeking shelter, the white canary flew faster toward the earth below. Misjudging the distance from a tree, the bird rammed its side against sharp tree branches and crashed into an empty alleyway, unconscious.

The black hawk continued to dodge flashes of heated lightning, becoming rapidly off-course. Cawing in frustration, it sped faster toward the ground below, but never had the luck. A blinding pain ripped through the hawk's wing, slicing its wing nearly completely off. Screeching, the bird began to drop dangerously fast, its burned and bloody wing flapping uselessly by its side.