Out of tragedy though, came hope. A newborn girl was uncovered from under the rubble still in her mother's arms. She had managed to escape the fate that her mother and countless others that ill-fated morning could not. The infant was brought to the temple where she was proclaimed a miracle, a symbol of hope for the village. The elders named her Kalina, an ancient word that beckoned to the golden times that her people once enjoyed.

Throughout her adolescense, this symbol became a burden of increasing weight. Only her Zen teachings and meditation upon the Golden Path enabled Kalina to bear the expectations of her village. Not even in her dreams could she be at peace. Recurring images of twisters and men blurred together until they became indistinguishable. Great bolts of lightning and booms of thunder were envisioned as they were cast down upon the people of Eirth. For years, Kalina was always helpless to stop these elemental beings in her dreams.

But recently, things have changed. Now she has feelings of control. Now she can almost speak with the beings that have haunted her sleep for years. Two months ago, she awoke during another restless night. But instead of waking to fear and confusion, this time she awoke to enlightenment. The word "Sith" whispered from her lips and a steady wind broke through her chamber that seemed to echo in response.

In the morning, all that remained was a note. Kalina was gone and the village of Evandale was again left without hope.