When she opened her eyes, everything around her was burning. Even her lungs felt like they were on fire. Perhaps she had inhaled some of the smoke. Her body ached terribly and she felt a splitting headache but that wasn't her immediate worry.

“Marcus? Marcus?!” She barely managed to pull herself to her knees as she called out, her body shaking as her mind slowly processed everything that was happening around her.

Iridescent dust floating in the air began to slowly gather around her as if it were taking form but Cassie remained unaware of it due to the shock of what had just transpired.

“Oh, what's this? Seems like some little brat is still alive. How annoying.”

Looking up in fear, she saw a woman wearing a dark hood step into the damaged cart. The woman pulled back her hood to reveal beautiful and curly tresses that were an interesting mix of ice blue and turquoise. She looked down at Cassie, her sapphire eyes narrowing at the young teenager.

“It seems I'll just have to rip your heart out myself!

With a flick of the woman's hand, a dark card glowing an ominous red color appeared in her hand, summoning a giant semi-visible tarantula above her. The Tarantula let out a roar as it attacked Cassie - one of its legs slashing at her. Before it could make contact, the iridescent dust floating around Cassie swirled protectively around her and the Tarantula’s leg shattered as it made contact with the iridescent scales of a large semi-visible python.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise as she took a step back as the card in her head burst into flames and turned into ash as if it never existed.

“W-what? Impossible!” She shrieked in disbelief as she watched the ash dissipate in her arms.

Cassie, scared and confused, could only stare up at her with shaking limbs that refused to cooperate. She wanted to get up and run but the fear paralyzed her. She did not understand what had just happened but a part of her felt grateful for whatever power had just defended her even as the large spirit python turned back to tiny iridescent particles and vanished before her very eyes.

With a wounded pride the woman took out another card, bit her finger as she prepared to conjure another summon. Before she could, a red mist surrounded her, paralyzing her.

Managing to turn her head just a little, she watched as the Grand Master slowly stepped into the wrecked cart. Although she couldn't see his face beneath the hood he wore, the malevolent aura around told her he was not pleased.

“That is enough, woman. You would lose your composure and make a fool of yourself in front of a child? How disgraceful.”

“Grand Master, I merely…” The woman stuttered as the spiritual pressure forced her onto her knees.

“Silence. Who gave you permission to speak?”

His words were unforgiving and dismissive as he walked past her and approached Cassie.

“What an interesting child you are.” He said in a thoughtful tone as he regarded the young teenager.

With a flick of his finger, he used his power to knock Cassie unconscious.

“We'll take her with us. She will be very useful for our campaign.”

Using his power, he lifted Cassie up, carrying her through the portal that suddenly appeared behind him. The rest of his followers filed after him and, seeing how she had been dismissed, she also followed him to their headquarters.

Meanwhile in Korin,

Amara Dane knew the moment the comet shower came. She sensed it - a deep innate ability she had discovered on her fourth birthday when she had witnessed the spectacle for the first time. Even till this day she did not understand how she would suddenly know when the comet shower happened.

The fire festival was the one time she felt truly alive and she wasn't sure if it was because of the fact that her home town was more lively than usual or if it was because she got to watch the many comets that would shoot across the sky - comets her people believed were affirmations from Annatah the great creator of the many blessings the deity had once again bestowed on humanity.

Her people called it a special and blessed day and for as long as she could remember on the night before she would dream of herself watching as the comets rose from the cosmic lake and soared through endless space. She would always tell her parents about her dream and they would always brush it off as the vivid imagination of a young growing adolescent.

But they never went away.

If anything, her dreams became more realistic and at times reality and dreams blurred into each other. Amara didn't understand what was happening to her but she figured as long as she could live her life as normal as she could then she would ignore all the weird stuff that happened around her.

That particular day she watched as the streets came alive for the Fire festival. Although usually busy with trade and other activities, it was only once every five years that her home turned festive. And that meant city wide carnivals, fireworks and dancing through the night in celebration.

Amara had never really cared for the supposed spiritual significance of the comet shower. She did however enjoy the rare treats she got to try out with each festival. Perhaps that is why she felt excited about each festival.

After helping out her mother prepare for their evening meal, she raced towards the streets in excitement determined to explore the stores that had been lined up.

Her first stop was at the stall of one old woman who sold the most exotic honey fruits during every Fire festival. The streets were already bustling and knowing full well old Nala had saved the best fruit for her, she all but ran to the market.

In her urgency she bumped into an unfamiliar figure, knocking his white cane from his hand.

“I'm so sorry,” she said as she helped him recover it.

She curiously looked up at him, noting how he wore a crisp dark suit that highlighted his dark brown hair. His eyes were blindfolded, the material matching that of his suede suit and mostly hidden behind his thick wavy bangs.

“Thank you.” He replied as he took the cane in his hands. “And there's no need to apologize. Busy day today I hear.”

His voice was low but hypnotic, so much so that she found herself even more intrigued. Who was this handsome stranger? Was he a tourist? Had he just moved to the tropical island? So many questions were bursting in her head she could not contain her curiosity.

“I've never seen you around here before.” She pointed out curiously.

“You probably won't see much of me either. I'm just waiting for someone.” He said simply. “I won't be staying.”

“Oh, do you need help finding them? Maybe they're lost in this annoyingly big crowd.” She suggested, offering a friendly smile which she immediately dropped when she realized he wouldn't see it either way.

He merely shrugged and took this as an invite she began to lead him through the crowd.

“I'm Amara by the way. I feel a little silly. I didn't introduce myself earlier before I dragged you out here.” She said with a giggle as she tucked one loc behind her ear.

“That's fine. You can call me Zayn.” He said with an amused smile.

“Oh yeah, crap, I didn't even ask you who you're looking for.” Amara said, slapping a palm to her forehead. “I promise you I'm not always this clumsy.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He said, barely holding back his laughter. “As for who I'm looking for, he's a blacksmith who works by the aisle. His name is George.”

“I know George. Silly me, what am I saying, everyone knows George. He's practically the best blacksmith in the city. Luckily we're almost there.” Amara said.

Just as she had promised, a few minutes later they had arrived at the smithery.

“Hey George, I brought your friend over.” She said happily as she helped Zayn inside.

“Oh hello Amara. Excited for tonight's show, are we?” George asked as he took off his gloves and moved towards them.

“You know it!” She replied with a grin. “I'm not staying, I gotta run. Catch you later. And it was nice meeting you, Zayn.”

Zayn merely gave her a small appreciative nod as she left and headed off to where she had originally intended to go.

That left just the two of them.

“Right, and how can I help you sir, Zayn was it?” George said as he eyed the newcomer suspiciously.

Zayn slowly took out a single gold coin and presented it to him. The coin had no markings save for a plain skull carving.

“Sorevath Ilari.” He said quietly.

A few seconds later the blacksmith smiled before responding.

“Ilari Sorevath. Greetings Undead, we have been expecting you.”