Prologue

Fresh flowers under the sun reminded constantly of nature's beauty; songbirds and butterflies lit up the air with the elegance of life. Dashing through the tall grass in her summer skirt, a young, pretty girl made her way uphill, towards the old mansion.

"I can't wait to arrive, now that I've come so close," she thought. "And yet, I feel as though I'm still far from ready—as if I'll never be ready."

Her usually peaceful gaze had been evicted by a look of anticipation. She was strangely eager and energetic, and a certain passion controlled her heart. She would have surprised herself, were she not so preoccupied with her imminent destination.

As the hill grew taller, so did the verdure. Nature seemed to turn evermore careless, and omen settled between the bright blue sky and the dark green landscape. The girl felt uneasy as she forced herself onward, accelerating continually, though more hesitant to do so at every step.

A branch slid past her cheek. She was in a small forest now, running through tree after shadowlaying tree. Pine needles and shrubbery presently barred her desired swiftness; she slowed down to a walking pace and collected her thoughts.

"I'm almost there now… Just a little while longer."

A hornet chose to play with her hair now, but she didn't notice. Her heart was beating like a tempest's gusts against the mast of a galleon, and it incited the same sort of insecure mixture of adventure and apprehension. It led her onward into uncharted seas, but she was not altogether sure if that was where she wanted to be.

Suddenly, the trees fell back behind her, the sun broke out once more, and looming before her atop the hill an impressive structure rewarded her curiosity: This had to be the object of her journey. This had to be the old man's house.

Still in a state of self-induced trance, she walked towards the entrance.