- Im sorry this took so long, I've had many issues come up this summer involving my laptop and the internet so I have been unable to write much. I know this is short but its something for now, I hope you enjoy please comment!-

As I step off the boat I see Felicity rushing towards me.

"Gemma! How dare you go off with out Ann and I!" She laughs but becomes quiet when she notices the solemn look on my face. "What's the matter, Gemma?" Her face is full of worry.

"The Winter Lands are reverting back," Philon states, "Excuse me, priestess, but I must be going I have another matter to attend to." He bows and walks away.

"As do I Lady Hope" Asha bows and follows Philon.

"Thank you, Philon, Ahsa." I bow back. "Felicity where is Ann? Wasn't she supposed to be with you?"

"She said she would be late. She has an audition for something." Fee shrugs. "But what is this about the Winter Lands reverting? What's going on?"

I sigh. "I will catch you up once Ann arrives…"

"HEY! Sorry I'm late! I tried to leave early but I got the part so they wanted to hear more!" Ann runs toward us.

"You got the part? Ann that's wonderful!" Fee claps and Ann takes a bow and we all laugh.

"Most high, shall we take them to see the Winter Lands?"

"Yes gorgon, thank you." I turn to Fee and Ann, "I'll fill you in on the way there."

"So a wraith made its way out of the realms?" Ann paces.

I nod, this is all very strange. Is something resurfacing? But why? It's been years. Nothing makes sense anymore.

"Most High, we are here."

I stand up and look at the barren waste land. "But, I fixed it! It was no more the 2 hours ago! How could it revert so quickly?" We pull up next to the sand and I jump off the boat. "Why? How?" My head spins and I feel nauseas. If it could destroy that much within such a short amount of time, is the tree still okay? I run towards the Tree of Souls leaving Ann and Fee behind.

"Gemma! Where are you going? Wait for us!" I hear Ann yell and there following quick steps. But I do not slow down to their pace, I have to see the tree and know that it is alright.

As I run all I can see is the gray, cold land that once had been so beautiful. My heart sinks with each step. I am getting close, but there is no relief. The Winterlands are once again as dead as they had been when I first came to the realms.

I reach the patch of earth where the tree had been. It is gone. Everything is dead and the tree is gone. My knees weaken and my head spins. It is gone, Kartik is gone. I will never hear his voice saying my name whispered among the trees. I swoon and fall back.

"Gemma" says a familiar voice. It is the last thing I hear before everything becomes black and I am caught by someones strong arms.