Prologue

I was told since little child that I could have all the riches in the world one day. Back then, I thought that riches meant gold, diamonds and the like. I couldn't comprehend why I would need all this stuff if I didn't have someone to share with. I saw my future devoid of color and laughter. For an eight-years-old, my experiences 'till then taught me something: no one sticks around to make you happy. So I couldn't understand.

As I grew up, I started to think of this another way. Maybe, with these riches, I could finally escape. Go somewhere else, somewhere far away, where I could finally be who I wanted to be. I could make my own happiness. As it was, I couldn't wait for that day to come, so I could leave.

But something happened along the way. It was like I forgot about my plans as a teenager or maybe I just realized - with the passing of years - what it was like to hope, to see a future - one that somewhere deep in my heart I knew wouldn't come true - as the escape I needed and to not be able to make it true. These riches never came, so there was no leaving.

Or so I thought.

The riches from my childhood became something I don't want, because today, these riches come with a price. I guess I never thought it to be possible. If I would have known back then that some day I will be asked to sacrifice myself for "the greater good', I would have run for the hills and never came back - riches or no riches. But as it is, you are never ready for what and when it comes your way. You're just supposed to go with it, when you would rather not. Or you could just run and hope to not be found even though there is a target on your back bigger than this continent.

I'm going to tell you a story. One that many would find cliché, some would find annoying or otherwise. But it is my story and I choose to share it with you. Whether you will like or hate it at the end, this is up to you. But don't hate from the start. You know what they say: good things come with patience.

Let's start this way: Hello! My name is Riona Astraea Conrad

... and this is the day it all started.