Prologue
Marella knew it was a dream.
But that didn't keep her from shrieking when the already huge serpent uncoiled to its full length to tower over her.
It didn't keep her from clutching the fiery jewel she was holding to her chest, her entire self devoted to protecting it.
It certainly didn't keep her from feeling the piercing, overwhelming throbbing when the monster lunged forward and grabbed her left arm in its enormous, venom-dripping jaws. Through her pain-clouded vision, she could make out a figure, rising on a blue mountain of water and with all of her remaining strength, Marella flung the gem, the source of her mistress' powers, toward the glowing silhouette in the distance.
Steam rose as the flaming orb collided with the water, but she knew it was safe now, her mistress' powers would remain in place and the Lost Cities wouldn't change. Her arm hung limply at her side, and the waves of fierce, red pain lapped repeatedly at the edge of her consciousness. Too much longer, and Marella knew that she would have to give in. She fought it. She had to stay awake for her mistress. She had to... she had to... Everything went black.
Marella awoke to her own screaming. It was the middle of the night.
My first night of school break and it's ruined once again by my stupid nightmares. She thought. What's wrong with me?