Prologue

She was falling. Neither air nor water surrounded her. The substance rippled as she passed through it, encompassing her on all sides. As she continued to fall, the substance surrounding her grew wild. It churned as she spiralled through it. Its impetuous rush made her queasy. She continued to move swiftly through the nothingness.

Her fall came to an abrupt end. Before she could comprehend the world around her, an ominous shadow arose in front of her. Its amorphous being encompassed the world she now stood in. Her fear grew as the darkness spread towards her.

Suddenly, there was a brilliant flash of light. Now the light was fighting back the darkness. She realized, with much astonishment, that the light was coming from inside of her. She stood there, eyes shining with hope and promise, as the darkness was slowly overcome by the light. Soon the darkness was no more and the brilliant light disappeared.

What was left was a breathtaking beach surrounded by a lush forest. She turned and stared into the forest. She was unaware of a low, rushing sound. When she could finally hear the noise, it was much too late.

She turned around and what she saw screamed both danger and beauty. A wave at least twice her height was almost upon her. Its shimmering beauty towered over her. For a moment it seemed like time stood still. Then the immense rush of water hit her. It knocked her off her feet and began to sweep her away.

Then she woke.