Part 1

Where am I? How long have I been here? Am I asleep? It's dark. I can't see anything. What is that light in the distance? Why is it calling to me? It's screaming my name. Why can't I move? I need to get to the light. Move! This hurts. My heart feels so heavy. Is this despair? It must be. I've never felt so weak before. I need to open my eyes. I need to feel the suns warmth. I need strength. I need to get to the light. Why will my eyes not open? Why can I not escape this hell so fondly called sleep?

In the darkest hour of night, a human woman stirred in her sleep, her face twisted with struggle. Her eyes flicked open for just a moment before closing, revealing their blue color. As if fighting in her sleep, her fingers clawed at the floor beneath her, and her body twisted and turned. At the peak of her stirs, she suddenly became still and breathed in deeply, her features becoming calm again.

Hours passed, and the sun began to rise. Golden streams of light found its way through the cracks in the walls and boarded windows, warming the woman's cold, ivory skin. As if gaining strength from the welcoming light, the woman began to stir in her sleep again, her eyes struggling to open. With little strength, her hands tightened into fists and slammed the floor. Finally, her eyes snapped open and she sat up instantly, her shoulders heaving with every breath.

She looked around at her unfamiliar surroundings with wide, confused eyes. Slowly, she stood and stumbled forward, falling to her knees. She stood using the wall for support. She made her way to one of the boarded windows and peered through the cracks to the awakened outside world.

She turned around to the door and walked towards it, her balance improving with every step. Quickly she realized it was sealed shut. She frowned and returned to the boarded window. With all the little strength she had, she pulled at the wood. The boards were weak with age and tore away easily, and the suns light poured through.

Carefully, she squeezed through and stepped out into a forest. She glanced back behind her before darting into the trees. She ran until her legs gave out beneath her, and she fell to the ground, with the taste of dirt on her lips. Her barefoot ached and tiny scratches covered her whole body. She laid there and suddenly began to shake with sobs. Long minutes passed until finally her cries were no more than small whimpers.

She rose and wiped her face. Composed, but exhausted, she walked through the trees aimlessly until she settled down next to one. Her eyes began to feel heavy, and she fought to keep them open, but to no use. They closed for just a few moments. She stood immediately, her eyes searching through the trees surrounding her.

"I know you're there." She said into the emptiness, feeling eyes staring at her, burning through her flesh. "Why won't you show yourself?" She asked. A long, unnatural silence followed. She sighed and sat back down, figuring whatever or whoever it had been was gone.

She glanced at the sky through the leaves of the trees. Night was falling. "Good night." She said quietly to the darkening sky. She buried her head behind her knees and closed her eyes. Only a few seconds after, she felt someone's presence. She looked up into cold, red eyes staring down at her. She stared back, unable to tear her gaze away from the pools of red.

"You've awoken, Amaterasu." The person finally said, his black hair long and his smirk almost toxic. The slightest hint of annoyance crossed the woman's face, but was gone in an instant. "How do you know my name?" She asked curiously. He smiled, but not kindly. "I've been waiting for you to awaken for many years now." He answered. "What a strange thing to do, but you are a strange man." She observed. "A strange man... Who wants something." She added.

"Allow me to explain." He replied and offered his hand to her. She ignored it and stood on her own. "No..." She mused, "not a man, a half demon." She smiled and held his gaze as she stepped away from between him and the tree. The half demon struggled to turn his gaze from her. Her beauty was intoxicating. He was enthralled by her grace and unusual blue eyes. "Tell me what you want before you lose my interest." She said.

He composed himself quickly. "I know what you lost, and you can have it back." He said. Amaterasu paused and studied him. "What would you know?" She asked and turned from him, unable to look into his vile eyes for a second longer. "I know you, in a sort of way. Your past, mostly." He answered and waited for a reaction from her. She showed none. "It's a tragedy what happened to you." He continued. "Wouldn't you like to reverse it?"

Slowly, Amaterasu turned back to him, with not the slightest hint of emotion on her face. "I don't know what you're talking about." She said. Shock showed in the half demons eyes, and was quickly replaced with anger. "I didn't wait all this time for you to tell me no. The matter of the fact is, Amaterasu, you're going to help me or you will die here."

She glanced at the black sky, then back at him. "I'm already dead." She said softly. His rage faded away as he gazed into her saddened, defeated eyes. For a moment, a small part of him felt something unfamiliar. He tried to think of a threat to counter her, but simply could not. He watched her in silence walk away into the darkness of the trees.