Prologue

"No!"

A man's scream ripped through the air. It was filled with pain, like his heart was being ripped out of his chest.

"Listen to me. No, listen to me!" A firm female voice soothed.

"They're not taking you away from me, I won't let them!" Desperation and helplessness caused the male voice to tremble.

"Listen to me!" The female voice was low and insistant. "Don't do anything stupid, do you hear me? Don't do anything! Just wait for me, I'll come back to you. I promise."

"No..." The male voice gave way to uncontrollable heart-wrenching sobs.

"Wait for me. I will return. I promise..."

...

Darkness swallowed her. She struggled at first, but then her limbs turned numb. As she sank down through the mirk, she could feel how her soul was being ripped from her body. Just before she faded away, a single thought managed to penetrate to the forefront of her mind.

'Whatever sufferings I have to face, I will endure. Whatever challenges are put in my way, I will conquer. And when I return with a vengeance, both Heaven and Earth will tremble beneath my feet.'