Deep within the heart of the City of Ancients, a young woman slept peacefully, dreaming dreams mostly likely forgotten in the morning. Suddenly, she tossed and turned, shattering the peace of the deserted city.

The young woman looked across the deep, lush valley from the middle of a grassy hill. Catching the thick braid of light brown hair, a gust of warm wind so strong blew her black sash from her waist. As it flew away, she noted her clothing.

A brooch- two purple crescent moons back to back- held her knee-length black cloak to her shoulders. Under the cloak, a purple tunic, edged in black, encompassed her torso. Black leggings, covering her well-shaped legs, fell shy of her ankles. Purple slippers with matching crescents on the toes adorned her small feet.

"Nice. Now, where the hell am I? Is anyone here?" she shouted, reaching behind her back instinctly. She looked back in shock as all her hand touched scabbard. "Dammit, where's Kryslin?"

Circling the hilltop, she heard a soft, feminine voice on the west wind, chanting her name. Facing left, a look of concentration masked her face. Her decision made, she walked down the west side of the hill.

She continued onward until she reached the edge of a small town. She smiled, seeing a blond boy and raven-haired girl peering down into the well. Strangely, however, the two children seemed familiar to her. Shaking her head at the impossibility, she sighed, overwhelmed by peaceful feeling given off by the town.

Out of nowhere, a stronger gale from her right overpowered the softer. A masculine voice called her, coaxing her to follow it. As her attention focused right, she saw an ominous, dark forest. She shivered as a feeling of forboding glided uneasily down her spine. She glanced at the city, then back at the forest.

"I know where I'm going!" She turned toward the city and stepped forward. She had read way too many stories that started in dark, gloomy forests. Most didn't have a very good ending.

The violent gale screamed in outrage and disappeared as quickly as it came. Frowning, she stepped cautiously through the gates. As her foot touched the dirt street, the city disappeared in a flash of blinding light. She shielded her eyes, but to no avail.

When her eyesight returned, she gasped. An enormous garden stretched endlessy out before her. Luscious trees and bushes, scattered throughout, overflowed with ripe and delicious fruits and berries. Multi-colored butterflies danced so gracefully, as if they didn't have a care in the world.

The woman padded over the carpet of rainbow-colored flowers, occasionally, twirling and laughing heartily. It had been a long time in since she'd laughed. A very long time. Out of nowhere, a low rumble echoed across the garden, startling the butterflies into hiding. She giggled, placing her hand over her gurgling stomache.

"Must be time to eat," she stepped up to a tree filled with red apples and green pears.

But, before she sunk her teeth into the delicious fruit, the breeze returned, carrying her name. She dropped the fruits and looked toward the direction the wind was blowing, the center of the garden.

A fountain made of pure crystal glistened in the sunless light. Walking to it, she sat on its edge as the voice of the wind told her. The wind died slowly, but the voice remained.

"Konban wa, Keira-chan. Welcome to the Garden of Adelonia."

"Adelonia?" Keira gasped. Adelonia and its Garden were a fable, or so she was told. Even her father, a true believer in the City of Ancients myth, had not believed its legend. "That cannot be. Adelonia does not exist."

"Your family discovered the City of Ancients, did they not?" the voice laughed.

"Hai, they did," she smiled, but it quickly faded. "I hate to cut this short, but why am I here? What do I have to do with Adelonia?"