She was lying on something soft that much was certain, her head pounding with confusion as her body felt heavy and foreign. She couldn't stop the groan from tumbling from her lips as a constant whirling of high pitch shrieks emanated from her environment as if a demon was lurking around the corner, her heart hammering in her chest as the hairs on her arms stood on end and her nerves got the better of her. This was the reason she was not good with horror movies.

She opened her eyes, seeing nothing but blackness. Panic started to overwhelm her; was she blind? Had her injuries caused her to loose her sight? For a werewolf not being able to see was like a death sentence and as she felt the cold, damp darkness overwhelm her a shiver raked her body as she struggled to lift her hands to her eyes. She blinked; trying to clear her confused mind as she wrestled with whatever it was preventing her from moving her arms. As her eyes slowly focused, using the limited, gloomy almost tainted light to see she realized she was tangled with bed sheets. The same ones that rested on her bed at Stonehaven. What the hell was going on here?

Again, she blinked a few times trying to regain her eyesight, her mind throbbing as if this tainted light was affecting her vision. Slowly but surely she began to recognize her surroundings. She was in her bedroom at Stonehaven, every little detail present, right down to the coffee mug strains that dominated the side of her bedside table and the pajamas she was dressed in; however it was still off. The tainted light made everything phasy and unfocused as if it was not in her direct line of sight. It was like everything in her peripheral vision was blurred, like someone looking at the world without glasses. It was disconcerting and unnerving and remarkably difficult to concentrate as it disorientated her to no end as her stomach started to churn. She needed to get out of here.

Scrambling into a seated position, faltering as her head pounded and swallowing the bile rising in her throat she struggled to detangle herself from the duvet as she tried to figure out where she was. It was when she got to her feet that the biting chill started to gnaw at her skin causing her skin to pimple and the young doctor cradled her arms closer to her chest. She was unbalanced and disorientated as she stumbled towards the door of her bedroom. It was unlike a pain she had ever experienced but it was when she collapsed onto the wooden door, and it did not feel like wood, did a realization come to her.

Bullet wounds. She had been shot; that was why she was unconscious, that was why she was nearing death so why was she awake? Was this what recovering from a bullet wound felt like? Was this what blood loss felt like? Sure, she was a doctor and had nursed many patients with similar injuries but had never experienced it first-hand. She forced her hands to the hem of her pajama shirt, shoving the material away from her stomach and that's when she collapsed further onto the wall. Her skin was smooth and unblemished as if she had never been harmed. Her skin was also frozen to the touch. She squeezed her eyes shut, the logical part of her mind scrambling for an explanation as she continued to study the unmarred skin of her stomach and her thigh. Did that mean that all of her scars had been repaired? Leaning against the wall she was finding it difficult to feel for the lacerations on her back which was a feat in itself considering every time she sat down or leant on a wall she could feel the rising and falling of the claw marks embedded into the skin of her back.

She needed to find out what was happening, and possibly before she succumbed to the sickness that seemed to be taking hold of her. She curled her hands around the handle of the door, surprised when it did not squeal like it usually did, and flung the door open. She was definitely in Stonehaven, but much like her bedroom she was struggling to focus her eyes and she went about stumbling down the hallway, shoving open the door of Nick's bedroom to see if he was sleeping. His room was empty. Hell, the whole manor was not making a sound, except for the occasional squealing and the continuous white noise.

The doctor clung onto the banister, half hanging and half leaning as she navigated the stairs, determined not to fall as she went searching for something or someone. Turning into the lounge she could make out the crackling and spitting of a fire as it waved and danced in the fireplace, illuminating the room enough so she could see the black shapes of the leather chairs that dominated the room whilst the curtains fluttered in an unfeeling breeze. The place was eerily still and as she searched her environment a strange sense of deep loneliness seemed to overwhelm her.

Nevertheless, a dark figure moved passed the door that led towards the back door and the kitchen and Riley shoved her head in that very location to see if she could determine whom it was. Her heart was hammering in her chest as her emotions started to get the better of her, but as she moved towards the door, she found that her head was beginning to clear as if she was building a tolerance to the foggy nature of her environment.

"Nicky?" Riley called, her voice hoarse, her words seeming to echo and bounce of the walls as she stumbled through the door, into the little foyer area that housed a few house plants before falling through the open back door. "Nicky? Is it you out here?" Riley bellowed again, ignoring the sudden intense tightening of her brain as her grey eyes tried to take in the dark mist that seemed to take over the grass of Stonehaven; Riley's stomach filling with dread. The hairs on the back of Riley's neck pricked once again, a whooshing sounding behind her made the young doctor shove her body around, her dazed eyes trying to see anything in the house behind her. What felt like minutes passed, the redhead struggling to penetrate the tainted light with her eyes before coming to the conclusion that she needed to head outside; if it really was outside.

For what seemed like hours Riley traipsed through the forest of Stonehaven, bewildered by her sudden change of clothes considering she had been dressed in her pajamas. Nonetheless, as she took in the clothing she was wearing they baffled her. They were not her usual jeans and a t-shirt. Instead she was dressed in a light blue shirt with leather patterned vambraces enclosing her wrists and finishing two inches below her elbow while a matching leather tabard curled around her chest and waist falling to mid thigh; she was also dressed in a thick pair of brown trousers that were tucked neatly into a pair of leather shoes. A utility belt clung to her waist with various loop holes that she had no doubt were used for clasping weapons to a person. She looked like she was attending a LARP event or a renascence fair and it was really freaking her out.

She was roused from her studying when a looming black building started to come into view. When she said building the correct term would have been castle. A castle that she recognized; coming into foggy view was Camelot, the one place she had seen many times in her dreams and nightmares. However, the place she was currently residing had withered and aged the once magnificent castle. The large gateway that once welcomed visitors had crumbled leaving only two towers of stone, the main archway having crumbled away. The white stones of Camelot were aged and streaked with dirt, moss and plants threatening to pull the bricks away from each other. The tall spires were either missing or half destroyed while certain areas no longer held a roof. For an unknown reason Riley was saddened by the disrepair, the knowing of a once thriving and powerful city to be standing in ruins upset her.

As she continued her journey, as Camelot continued into focus Riley maneuvered herself further into the depths of Camelot. Many times had she seen Ayleth cantering through the large oak doors that led to the courtyard of her home, and now the werewolf was walking through it. The aged walls of the castle that were once beautifully adjourned with architecture and engravings were difficult to see as the years of dirt encrusted them, the pillars and archways that created hallways high up on the second and third floor could still be seen but now vines of ivy and other weeds entangled them. The stone courtyard under foot was bumpy and loose and the only sound she could hear was the clicking of her leather boots on the floor.

However, anxiety washed to her form as she rounded the corner. The stone steps that lead to the main entrance of the doorway was blocked by a young woman; a woman that Riley could never forget.

Ayleth was standing in front of her.

She was battle worn, her expression blank as if she had been waiting for her for hours. Her blonde, feathered hair was blowing in the unfeeling wind, her piercing grey eyes staring into her own as her pale cheeks moved into a pointed chin. Normally she was welcoming and full of life, but this Ayleth had lived a life of hardship. She must have stood at five foot six, her body encased in a light armor that was black as night but heavily protected every inch of skin. Her tabard was fixed with what looked like dragon scales worked together to form her breastplate and tassets, the armor clinging onto her form like a second skin showing Riley her thin waist but large hips and thighs that displayed her muscles. The same material too covered her arms but this time her vambraces, pauldrons and rerebrace's were tied to her arms. How she knew every part of her armor was beyond her, but before this whole thing had started, her knowledge in regards to ancient culture had surprised her; it seemed she knew more than she thought she knew. Now she was to talk with the Queen of Camelot and she had no idea how to address her.

"Your majesty." Riley said, finally deciding on being proper and polite, as she bowed her head a little at the woman who appeared to be smirking at her.

"Miss Thompson." Ayleth replied, her voice stirring such recognition in the young werewolf, causing her to shiver as her mind was plagued by the troubling images of her dreams.

"It's doctor… actually." Riley stammered, awkwardly looking away as her eyes took in the broken beauty of the castle.

"Of course, my mistake. Bostel explained that you might take on an unusual calling." Ayleth replied with a smile, a humorous but judgmental glint shining in her eyes. It seemed Riley being a doctor bothered her. This didn't surprise Riley for Ayleth was very much the same as Clayton, a warrior and a healer was unimportant when faced with the prospect of battles.

"You know Bostel? Of course you do, you went looking for him at Castlrock. Stupid Riley." The young doctor reprimanded, the second part of her conversation pointed towards herself rather than to Ayleth, however the royal simply smiled a weak knowing smile towards her.

"I see my memories have been unlocked within you." Ayleth replied but momentarily faltered when she watched the deep expression of confusion overtaking Riley's features. "Perhaps not."

"What's happening to me?" Riley asked, taking a cautious step towards the woman who had plagued her dreams.

"A great many things are happening, things have been set in motion and it is only now that they start happening. It seems you are remembering a past life, my life."

"A past life? I don't understand."

"I do not have the time to discuss things with you now, but with your being here it means you have died or are close to death. You have yet to accomplish anything of merit which is why I am here." Ayleth voiced, her expression vacant of emotion; it seemed Ayleth and Riley were both equals when it came to locking away their emotions. However, as Riley looked on at the woman now she couldn't help but find offence at her words, what did she mean that she had yet to do anything. Her life was difficult enough as it is and she didn't exactly have an instruction manual.

"And you think that is my fault?" Riley cried, her anger boiling to the surface. "As far as a I know seeing images of a woman you don't even know exists isn't normal."

"Which is the reason I am here with you now. I am to give you guidance."

"Oh great." Riley cried sarcastically "Now after all this time, when you need something do I become someone you can talk to? I've been suffering with horrific dreams of your life for months and only now, once I've died do you come to me? What is that all about?" Riley complained, her frustrations boiling to the surface. She really didn't know what had come over her, maybe it was the throbbing of her skull that was starting to berate on her nerves. When the smile crept up on Ayleth's features did her confusion rise again.

"He said you'd be sarcastic. It's an insight to the real Riley. A Riley that we need." She smiled.

"I'm afraid the Riley that you need has done some awful things in her past and won't be coming back."

"You speak of those things as if they are things to be ashamed off. I can assure you that they made you who you are today and the years spent on your own have provided you a great many skills that you will need to accomplish your task. Why have you not discussed these situations with your pack?"

"Because as soon as they find out they'll want me gone."

"You do not know until you have tried. You will need them in future days, you cannot hide from them."

"You said you were here to help. Discussing my life will not get me outta here. Where ever here is." Riley altered, trying to change the subject as she took in her fuzzy environment.

"It's called the 'abyss'. A place where souls that are neither dead nor alive wonder to." Ayleth voiced, her eyes flickering over the walls of the castle that was once her home. Her grey eyes holding a sparkle of fondness and sadness as she looked around before they returned to the young doctor. "I believe you were shot."

"That's right."

"Then you need to make a choice. You can either stay here and be taken by the pilgrims or you can return home. You're choice."

"Hmm, a choice between life and death. Bit of a no brainer don't you think?" Riley breathed, her eyes really taking in Ayleth's appearance and the young queen continued to study the doctor.

"Returning home would be the more fortuitous option. You have your pack and your mate awaiting your return."

"My mate? I think you may be confusing me with someone else."

"I do not think so." Ayleth expressed with a knowing smile. "You are with one Nicholas Sorrentino? He is a pack brother and life long friend is he not? He is a most agreeable man, a man who is not so dissimilar to my own husband Sir Percival."

"You happen to know a lot about me"

"I know more about you than you even know about yourself. I have been awaiting your arrival for a great many years."

"Why?"

"Because you are a descendant of mine, we share the same family line, the same blood."

"You mean you are a great great great great grandmother of mine?"

"That I am."

"But that means…." Riley trailed off as realization started to cloud her mind. "Your curse, does that mean…" Riley voiced as she watched Ayleth nod her head.

"Which is why you too are a werewolf. You were the first female to mutate into a werewolf and it took hundreds of years for the lycanthropy genetics to transform and bond to a female. That is until you were conceived. That is why you were chosen to be my successor, for being a werewolf gives you a great many advantages but it can also keep you alive when you are to face a familiar enemy."

"Faucon."

"Your dreams have been influential I see. But yes, Faucon will be the enemy you face. Long ago my Father sought out the help of his oldest friend Merlin, a very powerful druid who showed my father the beauty of Magic and the help it could be to protect his kingdom. My father required his help in ridding Avalon of the evil that was his half-sister Morganna who was tempted by the darker side of magic. He wanted me and my mother safe, which was where the curse and your prophecy came to being. The curse was to make our family stronger and the prophecy was an assurance that the Pendragon line would destroy Faucon once and for all. Sadly, Faucon had his own method in keeping himself safe. He is alive in your time."

"And my dreams? Do you have an explanation for those too?"

"We are forever bound together Riley, by fate our lives have been intertwined together. This is the reason you can see me now. The prophecy speaks of a savior, one who is strong and cunning. One who is to be shown a token to destroy Faucon and his followers. I have come to believe that you are the one the Prophecy foresaw."

"Me? You have got to be joking? Have you seen me? I'm a five foot four piece of nothing. I can barely protect myself let alone others."

"Can you not see your value? You would not have been chosen had you not been up to the task. The things you have done, what you will do is what matters. You held your own in the fight that led you here and your fierce intellect will aid you in understanding my memories. That is the token that I gift to you. Locked away, deep in your consciousness, hidden away in my memories is the power to stop Faucon once and for all."

"And you expect me to do this alone?"

"No, we expect you to stay with you Pack. They make you better and they make you stronger. It is their strength and their guidance that you seek."

"What about Bostel? And Nick? How are they involved in this?"

"You will understand Gregory's task soon enough, as for Nick there is a possibility that his fate is tied to that of my Percival for they share a great deal of similarity both in stature and character. Percival was always my protector and my salvation, I held him with the same love and regard as you do for Nicholas. It would be wise to listen to your heart. But the choice is yours. You can stay here, to die and live for the rest of eternity in the underworld. Or you can choose to fight for what is right."

"What if I fail? What happens then?"

"Then you will join me and the others that have come before you here in the Abyss. None of us can rest or move onto the next dimension until the darkness that was Faucon has been destroyed." Ayleth finished, her eyes hard with emotion as she tried her best to detail what was happening. However, before Riley could understand what was happening she began to fade, the darkness starting to overwhelm her as her limbs and body became opaque. Her heart started hammering in her chest as the fear of becoming invisible ate away at her consciousness. "Do not worry Riley, for you have made the correct decision and are returning home. You will not be alone, seek for the answers you request within your mind and your dreams, for you will always find me there." Was the last thing Riley heard before she succumbed to the darkness.