That day, the three friends were going to gather provisions for their trip. They made sandwiches, bought fruit, everything they needed for their journey. When everything was assembled, the friends gathered again. "The ship still needs a name," Riika pointed out. "How about the Ansem?" She named a famous ruler of their world. He disappeared at the time of the great siege, an invasion of their world. It lasted nine years. Finally, the invasion was nearly repelled by heroes, their names forgotten, but one evil slew their leader. Their bodies were never found, but they disappeared without a trace. A month later, the enemies backed off, never seen again. Five years later, Kuri was found here, in the Rising Falls. Now, nine years after that, they were going to see if they could find another world.

"Nah, how about we name it the Kuri, cause it's him who started this journey," said Lara.

"What about the Voyage?" Kuri suggested. The two girls decided that that sounded good. After stocking the ship, they sat on their favorite perch. Riika complained that she was tired, and went home early.

"Riika's changed," Kuri said.

"What do you mean Kuri?" Lara asked.

"Welll…Let's take the ship and go! Just the two of us!"

"Wha?"

"Just kidding!"

"What's gotten into you? You're the one who's changed, Kuri."

"Maybe. You know, I was a little scared at first. But, I'm ready now. I know that no matter where I go, or what I see, I can always come back here, right?"

"Of course!"

"That's good. I just can't wait. Once we set sail, it'll be great. Lara, don't ever change." He got up and walked off, followed by Lara. What was all that? she thought.

That night, as she lay in bed thinking of his words, she noticed lightning through her window. "A storm? Oh, man! The ship!" She climbed out through her window and took off running for the Rising Falls. When she got there, there was evidence that her friends had also come this way. She started to look for them, but no sooner had she taken a step black creatures made of shadow attacked her. She used her wooden sword to swipe at them, but it didn't affect them at all. She ran. And, on their favorite perch, she saw Riika. She ran over to the older girl. "Where's Kuri?" she demanded. "I thought he was with you!" Riika turned around.

"The door… has opened," she said.

"Wha?"

"The door has opened Lara! Now we can go to the outside world."

"What about Kuri?"

"Kuri's coming too! This may be our only chance. Once we step through, we may not be able to come back. We may never see our parents again. There's no turning back. We can't let fear stop us. I'm not afraid of the darkness!" She held her hand out. "Riika…" Lara said softly. Darkness had opened under Riika's feet. Tendrils wove their way up her legs. The darkness spread, and Lara was sinking. She tried to grab Riika's hand, but it was just out of reach. As the dark vines came up Riika's arm, Lara sank all the way into darkness.

Suddenly, a light shone, and the darkness was gone from around Lara. In her hand, she held a giant key. Or, was it a sword? It looked like both. She ran through the shadows, suddenly able to hurt them. She found herself inside the palace, the doors having been swung open. It was crawling with the shadows. Then, she stopped. There was the door from her dream. She pushed it open, expecting to see the other door. Except, in it's place, was a huge symbol. It was a heart, crossed with thorns. It shimmered brightly. Standing in front of it was Kuri. "Lara…" he cried weakly. He turned around, faintly. Darkness sprung from the symbol, sweeping him away. Determined, Lara braced herself, ready to grab him, but when she did, her arms went right through him. Then, she was swept away by the darkness.

She woke to see a huge shadow standing over her. It didn't look friendly. Uh-oh, she thought. She looked at the key in her hand. Here goes. She leaped at the shadow, attacking its huge hands, trying to sever them and keep it from summoning shadows like it was doing when she awoke. It howled in pain, and attacked her, then returned to its other task. Finally, it tired of her, and knocked her over, but it was weak. It flew into the ball that was swallowing what was left of her world, and she flew into it as well.