Light stung Nimas eyes as she blinked them open. Everything was so bright, so green.

Nima stood up to get a better view over the hills. And there it was, the lake that always appears in these visions. She ran down and over hills, but before she knew it, it was already in front of her. Across the lake she could see someone, she was certain of it.

"Hey!" She called out, but nobody called back, or even moved.

Frustrated, she started to walk around the lake. But no matter what she did, the person always seemed to stay the exact same distance from her, though they never really moved. All she could see was the back of them anyway. Nima contemplated for a while whether it was a person at all. It could just be a tree. But still, she never seemed to get closer.

Something tapped her on the shoulder.

"Oh, it's you again!" She turned to see a beautiful gigantic butterfly creature with glowing purple and gold wings. She'd met this butterfly nearly every time she'd visited this place. It never spoke, but she always felt a strong connection to it.

"You're right, I should just leave the tree person alone." And with that, she turned around and ran back over the hills into a forest, the butterfly keeping close behind her.

The forest had lots of small spirits that drifted between trees. Every once in awhile, a spirit would nod in her direction, and some even stopped to say "good day". Others lurked behind bushes or branches and stared at her in curiosity. But it was a peaceful place nonetheless.

She followed the path until it came to a creek. The water looked so blue.

Nima jumped onto a dry rock in the middle of the creek, sat down, crossed her legs and stared into the water. There were rocks and occasionally a spirit fish. She could hear the rustle of trees around her and feel the gentle breeze. Everything around her was at peace.

"Nima, wake up!" Nima heard someone scream from a distance. She was disoriented. Her head throbbed and she couldn't open her eyes. But, her arm and face burned. Why does it burn? Come on Nima, wake up. What is going on? She was frantic now.

"Ahhhhhh!" She could hear her sister scream. But it was so close to her this time.

Nima finally jerked her eyes opened. She was on her side laying on the ground. Her arm really did sting, as did the left side of her face. She looked up in time to see her sister clutching her leg. A snake, at least 15 ft long had its head raised facing Tahna. Blood dripped from its fangs.

With her heart racing, Nima jumped to her feet and tried to air blast the snake off the side of the cliff. The snake landed a few yards from the edge. How had she gotten way over here? Without another thought, she ran for the beast. Focusing all her energy into her finger tips, she sent a very thin slice of air, cutting the snake's face. And with a big gust of wind she sent it flying over the edge.

Regaining the rest of her consciousness, she ran back to her sister.

Tahna was whimpering uncontrollably, still clinging to her leg and shaking.

"Let me see it, Tah." Nima tried to say gently. With difficulty, she pried her sister's fingers off the bloody leg. There were the two punctures as Nima had expected and yet was terrified to see. Tahna's leg was already starting to turn green around the wounds. The two girls were both crying now.

"Mom! Dad! We need help!" Nima shrieked. How were they not here already?

"Mom! Dad!" She yelled again as she turned around. Her parents were still on the pillar they'd been meditating on, but now they were fighting off Canyon Crawlers.

Nima tore off part of her tunic and wrapped it around the wound. "Tahna, stay calm, stay calm. Mom-" Nima's voice broke. "Mom and Dad will be here soon. Just-just stay awake." Tahna's face was going pale. "Tanha, just stay awake...do you hear me? Please stay awake."