Clouds stretched across the sky and raindrops began to fall as Krystal stood beside her father, gathered with him and the entire Royal Guard at the location of Atticus' burial site. As if the day couldn't become more dismal after the loss of a friend and loved one, the blackening of the sky and coming of rain only darkened the atmosphere. Krystal gazed mournfully at the gloomy tunnel ahead of her, leading deeper into the hillside behind the Royal Palace where the catacombs of the village lay hidden beneath. Just hours ago, her dear friend and comrade Atticus had been slain in battle before her eyes, and a burial ceremony had been held to grieve for him only moments ago.

After the battle leading up to Atticus' death, the Royal Guard had assembled in a funeral procession, carrying the feline's body from the palace to the burial place of their ancestors by following a trail leading behind the hillside. It was a quiet and somber walk as Krystal followed her father, flanked by his guards on either side as they went on in silence. Sera and Fero followed behind Sera's father, while Savannah trailed behind the wooden coffin carrying her brother's body.

Before Atticus was taken into the tunnel to be laid in his final resting place among his ancestors, several of the guards shared words over their comrade's passing. Atticus and Savannah had been without parents for many years, being orphaned as small children during the last great war that had brought peace to Cerinia for all these years since. Both of their parents had been slain in battle with neighboring villages, and the two children had grown up in the hands of the Royal Guard ever since. Savannah was the only of her family left, the first to speak on the behalf of her deceased sibling.

Tears filled the young feline's eyes and she had to pause more than once to catch her breath, speaking of how close the two had been especially given their circumstances. They felt welcomed and loved within the guard, but it sometimes seemed like it was just them against the world. When it came to family, they only had each other. It was truly heartbreaking for her to lose her everything in Atticus, especially at such a young age. She went on to say that he gave his life nobly and honorably, just as their parents had done for them. By the end of her speech Krystal was in tears, and even her father seemed to be quite defeated by this unexpected loss.

Several other members of the Royal Guard shared some words, including Sera's father. As captain of the guard, he made mention of Atticus' skills and talents, changing the subject from grief and despair to a celebration of the life of their friend. In his youth, the skilled warrior had established his place among the ranks of Cerinian warriors in their village, and fought to defend those he loved and cared about until the very end.

When all those who were willing to speak had said their final words, Savannah assisted the guards as they carried Atticus' casket inside the tombs, where she said her final goodbye to her brother and lifelong friend. Clouds darkened the sky and the rain began to downpour as the ceremony came to a close. Krystal waited beside her father, standing in silence as she and others stood vigil over the catacombs before departing for home. She and her father were joined by Fero, Sera and her father, Savannah, and several of the Royal Guard as they spent their last moments in mourning.

As rain began to drench Krystal's fur and clothes, she bowed her head and clenched her fists at her sides, still partially blaming herself for what happened to Atticus. Indifferent to the cold, wet feeling clinging to her body, the vixen couldn't help but feel that she should have been stronger. She was there when it all happened, she was helpless to watch as her friend fell victim to the ruthless fox, Revan. If only I had done more, then maybe Atticus might still be alive...

Savannah approached, distracting her from her thoughts. As she shared a sorrowful glance with Krystal, Sera, and Fero, the four friends embraced each other in a circle, each one lending as much comfort and support to Savannah as possible. There was no need to share words; they were something of a family, the bonds between them only becoming stronger at the loss of Atticus.

After sharing a long and tender embrace, Sera and her father gave their condolences to Savannah and left the burial site, returning home to the palace. The remaining guards followed shortly after, including Fero and even Krystal's father as he led the way back through the growing downpour. Krystal stayed behind, the last to wait with Savannah as she continued to mourn for her brother. "Don't be too long, you will catch a cold if you stay in this weather too long," the King had warned them. Though stern, he spoke compassionately, understanding how hard this must be for Savannah especially.

For what seemed like an eternity, Krystal stood by Savannah's side in silence as the rain continued to pour down. Neither one moved nor spoke a word, but Krystal's sixth sense probed inquisitively at Savannah's mind as she looked on at the tunnel where her brother's body was laid to rest. Though her friend's grief and despair were more than she could bear, something urged Krystal onward all the same. It was a sickening feeling, the need to keep reading her friend's thoughts even knowing that it would lead to more pain. In fact, she welcomed it; somehow, the agony brought in from Savannah's thoughts helped to soothe her own aching heart. By taking in her friend's suffering, it felt as if she was not alone in hers.

"I guess we should be heading back now..." Savannah murmured, finally taking her eyes off the entryway to the catacombs to stare upward into the darkening sky. She said nothing else, seeming nearly numb to everything around her.

Krystal took a step towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to do what little she could to provide some comfort. "I guess so, the night is approaching... let's get out of this rain." Taking the first steps toward home, the vixen nudged her friend to come with her as they slowly began the trek home.

The dirt trail beneath Krystal's sandals was beginning to turn into mud as it mixed with rainwater, and she had to be careful where she placed each foot to avoid slipping. After finally putting the tombs behind her, she became suddenly aware of how cold and drenched she really was. Water clung to her fur and soaked her clothes, chilling her to the core. A glance over at Savannah revealed that she must have felt the same way; the feline had her arms crossed and tucked close to her chest in an attempt to keep herself warm.

"You were there, when Atticus was..." Savannah turned and met her gaze as they continued walking. "How exactly did he die?"

Krystal was taken aback by the question. In the hours since the battle, she hadn't ever had the chance to talk to Savannah and explain everything. She had no idea how her brother was slain, nor who's blade had ended his life. I still don't know what to tell her, Krystal thought to herself as she opened her mouth to answer. She thought back to how she had been injured and winded, unable to defend herself as Revan closed in for the killing strike. Just when she thought it was all over, that was when he threw himself in the way... when Atticus gave his life to save hers. She had fought against Revan so that she might be able to protect him, but in the end, their roles had been reversed.

"What happened?" Savannah's elevated tone snapped Krystal from her thoughts.

"Calm down, it's going to be alright," the vixen tried to console her friend, but she was too blinded by grief and loss for mere words.

"Who killed him? Did he even stand a chance, or was he slain like helpless prey? Why did he even have to die? Why was my brother taken from me?" As the feline bombarded Krystal with questions, she broke down into tears and collapsed to her knees.

Gasping in shock, Krystal bent down and wrapped her arms around her friend's torso. Together, they closed their eyes and sobbed, holding on to each other and not letting go. The pain and agony emitting from Savannah's mind now manifesting itself in her actions finally caused Krystal to snap, crying not only for her own sorrow but for having to bear Savannah's as well. My telepathy is not only a gift, but a terrible curse in times like these, the vixen reflected, realizing that she would have to share in the pain and sorrow of others as well. Please, someone take this suffering away from me!

After the two had shed their tears together and let all their emotions out, Savannah wiped her eyes and sobbed, "I'm sorry for throwing all the questions at you, but I just... I just want some kind of closure. Atticus was everything to me, especially after losing our parents so young. We always had each other, but now..."

Krystal released her grip, taking deep breaths and trying and calm herself down. "It's alright, I'm so sorry..." Collecting her thoughts, the vixen knew she had to force herself to be strong for her friend. "Atticus died to save me, he gave his life to protect me from a Venomian leader, a fox named Revan. He fought bravely; even though he had been badly wounded earlier, he didn't hesitate or show any fear. He stared at death face to face without faltering in the slightest."

Savannah's expression changed from that of sorrow to that of inquisitiveness as Krystal explained what happened, indicating that she wanted to know more. "Revan was a terrifying foe, his rage and ferocity unlike anything I have ever witnessed. I only survived the encounter because of your brother's sacrifice. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here..."

"I see," Savannah nodded, raising herself to her feet.

Krystal followed her lead, nodding toward the palace ahead in the growing darkness. "Come on, let's get home. If we delay any longer, we won't be able to even see the palace walls when we get to them."

Savannah led the way onward, seeming to feel more reassured and comforted by Krystal's words. "Thank you for sharing that with me," the feline's lips formed into a light smile. "It helps to know that my brother's sacrifice meant something. Did he say anything to you... you know, before he died?"

"He told me to keep an eye out on you, and to keep you out of trouble," Krystal joked gently. Rubbing her chin, she was still puzzled by some of Atticus' final words. "He also told me that I needed to 'live on, and be the light and hope of Cerinia'... I'm not even sure what that means."

"Hmm," Savannah murmured. "I'm not sure, he's never said anything to me about it. Whatever it means," the feline turned and faced Krystal with sincerity, "I'm glad that you are here. You've always been such a good friend to both of us, and I couldn't thank you enough for that. I'm sure that Atticus gave his life for you for a reason, and even if we don't know what that reason is, I'm behind you all the way."

Krystal staggered backward, overwhelmed at Savannah's words. "I, uh– Thank you... as a friend I'm always here for you, even if you feel there is no one else left. I don't know if I'm anything special, or important... but I'll do everything in my power not to allow Atticus' sacrifice to go in vain. You have my word."

Savannah's praise and confidence in Krystal caused her to think back on what her father had told her just after the discovery of Atticus' death. He mentioned some 'ancient prophecy,' something that might connect her strange nightmares and the ghostly presence dwelling in her mind. If this prophecy involving her really did exist, could it be what Atticus referred to with his final words?

I must learn more about this prophecy, what it means to be the 'light and hope of Cerinia,' Krystal thought with a newfound determination. Clenching her fists and staring into the blackening sky, she made a silent vow to the spirit of Atticus, wherever it may have been. No matter what happens, I refuse to have let you die for nothing!

* * *

Night began to fall and darkness filled the sky as Krystal and Savannah reached the palace courtyard. The rain from earlier had steadily increased as the pair returned home, growing to a steady downpour as they reached the many steps leading to the palace gates. Krystal led the way as she raced up the stone pathway, carefully doing her best not to slip as she took each step upward in the pouring rain. Savannah followed closely behind, neither one saying a word until they reached the entrance to the palace.

Krystal knocked at the large wooden doors three times before they slowly opened, releasing warmth and light out into the stormy night as she and Savannah slipped inside. Shaking her hair of water and wringing out her tail, she stopped when she caught the irritated glance from the guard who had let her in. The brown fox's fur and adamantium-plated armor had both been sprayed with water out of her carelessness, and she lowered her head in an unspoken apology. Fortunately, she had not put out the torch he was carrying, but he was surely not happy about getting wet. He stared at her with a frown on his face, clearly expecting a formal apology, even from the King's daughter.

"She's sorry!" Savannah spoke up, shaking water from her fur at a safe distance from any other soldiers. Turning back to Krystal, she nudged her onward. "Let's get going, its late and we really should be getting to bed."

Nodding, Krystal took the lead through the palace, passing from the entryway to a wide corridor to the side, away from the Great Hall. Darkness filtered in from the several windows she passed by, guided only by the light of several torches lining the palace walls and the occasional light of a roaming guard's lantern. Heading for their sleeping quarters, Krystal was suddenly stopped by Savannah, who put her arm on the vixen's shoulder.

Krystal turned around slowly, surprised to find a smile on her friend's face after everything they had been through that day.

"Krystal, I just..." Savannah paused, as if it was somewhat difficult to get the words out. "I just wanted to thank you, for staying with me. It really meant a lot that you waited at the catacombs while I mourned for my brother, through the rain and everything." A tear formed in the feline's eye, and she quickly wiped it away. "It's hard, but I'm going to try to be strong. Especially with everything that's happening, everything that's about to happen... this is surely only the beginning of what else is yet to come."

"Th–Thank you," Krystal stuttered, shocked but also distracted by what Savannah said. Thinking about the war with the Venomians reminded her of what Atticus said before he died, what her father had repeated: You must live on... be the light and hope for Cerinia. What could this possibly mean for her? How could she ever possibly stand up against the armies of Venom and save her village and Cerinia on her own? Atticus, was there something you knew that I don't?

Shaking her head and returning to the moment, Krystal apologized, "forgive me, I'm still overwhelmed with everything that's happened. I can't seem to shake off your brother's last words... I don't know where to find the answers."

Savannah led the way as they continued down the corridor, heading for the winding staircase where their paths would separate. Krystal's room was on the second level, but Savannah's was located on the ground floor of the palace, along with the majority of the Royal Guard. The living quarters on the second level were mostly reserved for the royal family, with the exception of the Captain of the Guard and some of the caretakers of the palace and grounds.

Before turning down the hallway and bidding Krystal farewell, Savannah turned to her one last time. "I don't know the answers either, but Atticus must have been onto something. When he wasn't on duty or out training, he recently liked to spend a lot of time in the library, reading."

Krystal tilted her head to one side, confused.

"I'm not sure how that will help, if at all... but who knows, maybe the answers are closer than you might think." Without waiting for a reply, Savannah turned and headed down the next hallway, waving her arm good-bye as she faded into the darkness beyond Krystal's sight.

The library... I'm don't know what could be there to help, but I guess I can stop over tomorrow, just to be sure. Tiredness weighed heavily on Krystal's body and mind after the events of the day, from training with her father to the skirmish with Venom, then staying out late in the rain to mourn with Savannah. As she started wearily up the winding staircase leading to the second floor of the palace, the vixen longed for sleep and the comfort of her bed more than anything.

Passing by Sera's room, the vixen almost stopped to knock at her door before continuing on her way. It's late... she's asleep, and I'm too exhausted anyway. Krystal debated waking her friend and explaining everything that troubled her heart and mind, but decided against it. Surely, it could wait until tomorrow. The most important thing on Krystal's mind was to lay down and get some rest for the coming day.

When the vixen reached the door leading to her room, she slowly pushed it open with what little energy and strength she had left. A kick of each foot slipped her leather sandals off and she set her weapons on the nightstand beside her bed. Her night vision slowly adjusted to the absolute darkness as she reached for the top blanket on her bed and threw it over her head, drying her hair and then the rest of her body before tossing it aside.

Krystal filled her lungs and breathed a deep sigh as she collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the black ceiling while slowly absorbing what she had been through that day. Though Atticus' death had happened right before her own eyes, she still could hardly believe it and come to terms with the loss of her friend and comrade.

This can't be happening, please just wake up and let this be a bad dream... the invasion, this war, everything... But she knew in her heart that it wasn't a dream, this was all happening for real. She would wake up tomorrow and find herself in a world surrounded by enemies on all sides, in a world without her friend Atticus, and in a world where she was somehow supposed to be the 'light and hope' her village needed.

Krystal raised her arm and rested the back of her palm on her forehead, closing her eyes as sleep slowly consumed her. I will be the light and hope for my friends, for my village, and for Cerinia... whatever it takes, I'll do everything in my power to put an end to this invasion so that no more lives need to be lost. As she took a deep yawn, Krystal's last thoughts were a mixture of hope, fear, and anger as she slowly slipped away and her mind was consumed with dreams.

Her nightmares began the way they had always done for so long. Krystal immediately found herself outside the palace grounds, in the heart of the village surrounding it. The atmosphere was far from its usual peace and tranquility, with the bustling activity of the village's many shopkeepers and soldiers roaming about. Instead, the village was in an uproar; the ground quaked with the rumbling of massive Venomian battle tanks lumbering through the village, crushing buildings and firing plasma rounds into the air.

Several Venomian battleships soared overhead and Krystal raised her arms to shield herself from the buffeting winds that followed. Everywhere she looked, she could see nothing but endless streams of plasmatic rounds firing from Venomian weapons and could scarcely hear anything above the sound of bombs exploding all around her. The forces of Venom seemed to completely overwhelm the Cerinian warriors, driving them back slowly as they retreated for the palace courtyard.

Reaching for her laser sword, Krystal drew her weapon and pressed the button on its hilt to activate its glimmering blade. Even armed, she felt hopeless against the endless onslaught from Venom. Before she could even force her body to make a move, her eyes followed a laser beam fired from one of the Venomian tanks, heading straight for the stone barrier that surrounded the village. With an earth-trembling roar, the laser impacted the wall and sent cracks running through it. Krystal watched in horror as the wall began to crumble, slowly at first but then finished off by the impact of another blow. Debris was thrown up into the air as rock and stone collapsed, leaving what was left of the barricade in large heaps on the ground.

Out of the dust and smoke, the first of the Venomian tanks slowly ramped over the debris and forced its way into the village itself, followed by dozens of foot soldiers and several more tanks as they swarmed across the battlefield. A swift glance to her left and right revealed that the wall was beginning to crumble on all sides, leaving the Cerinians completely surrounded by enemy gunfire.

Just when Krystal thought the situation couldn't get any more out of hand, her eyes widened and she tensed her muscles in apprehension as the commander Revan set foot inside the village walls. The dark fox was armed from head to toe in blasters and rifles, wielding two energy swords, one in each hand. Am I seeing glimpses of the future? Is this what's to become of our village? Krystal shut her eyes and shook her head back and forth, begging for this nightmare to end. How many restless nights must I watch my village suffer? The vixen thought. How can I prevent this from happening, how could I possibly stop the armies of Venom?

Opening her eyes, Krystal found to her dismay that her nightmare had not ceased. She was still among the battlefield that was once her peaceful village, surrounded by endless screams and cries of agony as buildings burned and Cerinians fled in terror around her. From among the chaos around her, Krystal spotted the silhouette of her father racing forward from among the Cerinian ranks, heading straight for Revan and the lizard beside him.

"No! Father, wait!" Krystal cried as she raced forward to join the King and the rest of her allies. Though she ran as fast and hard as she could, her legs didn't seem to take her anywhere as she could do nothing but watch the two armies clash. Tears began to form in her eyes as she desperately stretched out her hand, reaching for her father as he faded from her sight amidst the chaos of the battle around her.

"Don't go, I won't lose you, too!" Suddenly the earth beneath Krystal trembled as the ground underneath her feet collapsed, swallowing her whole and plunging her into a realm of eternal darkness. This was the part of her recurring nightmares that she feared the most; not the war, not the carnage and bloodshed that consumed her village, but those eyes; the two red, malicious eyes that haunted her dreams every night and had appeared before her once again.

Out of the darkness, the shadowy figure of a head manifested and seemed to cloak itself around the two eyes, nearly resembling an ethereal face that was unlike anything Krystal had seen before in her nightmares. The apparition, finally beginning to take a more distinguishable form, hovered in the void before Krystal, continuously glaring at her with its two crimson eyes.

"Who are you?" the vixen questioned fearfully, "why do you come to me every night in my dreams?"

No response came from the spiritual head, it only continued to stare at her without so much as blinking or moving its eyes.

"Your eyes... why do I see them as my own?" The vixen almost shuddered at her own question, remembering the multiple times that she had stared back into her own reflection to see the same crimson eyes before her.

When she failed to hear yet another response, Krystal became impatient, furious with the spirit that plagued her mind and soul. "What are you doing here, tormenting me? Either rid me of your presence or help me! My village is on the verge of war... my planet is in danger!" Then it suddenly occurred to her. "Wait a minute... You're the one showing me these visions... aren't you?"

Krystal nearly leaped from her fur when the head seemed to nod slowly, finally making its first visible response.

"Are you trying to warn me of what is to come?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "then please, help me! Show me how to defeat the Venomians, how to be the 'light and hope' that I am supposed to be!"

As if in reply, the ghostly figure began to glow with a dim blue light, slowly spreading until it engulfed the apparition's entire form. With a blink of its eyes, their color changed from crimson to an aquatic blue. The being's etherial figure began to take form, as streaks of blue light weaved back and forth to give it a long jaw and mouth, a nose, and wide cheek lines. Dark streaks of color stretched across the clear-blue face and streams of pale blue light trailed from its temple, flowing elegantly behind it as it hovered before Krystal, who was taken aback in awe and wonder.

"Could you possibly be..." Before Krystal could finish her thought, her entire vision was consumed in a bright white light and her dream began to fade from her mind. "No, wait, come back!" The vixen called out into the light desperately, "I need to know what to do! Please just give me a sign, a direction, something!"

As the light around her faded, Krystal woke with a start, raising her torso from her bed and staring into her lap. Each breath came heavily and her heart pounded in her chest as she glanced around at her room, still dark from the night outside. The rain from earlier must have subsided, as the sound of raindrops could no longer be heard pounding against the palace walls outside.

Another vision, just like before... The vixen shook her head wearily, realizing by the darkness around her that she had only been asleep for maybe several hours. The night was still rather young, but going back to sleep was the last thing on the young vixen's mind. But the end of this nightmare was new... something I haven't ever seen before, as if my visions are... developing...

Reflecting on her recurring dreams, they all seemed to begin the same way; with a vision of some kind of battle, taking place just outside her home village. They always transitioned into the same mysterious, crimson eyes watching over her as well. But in recent nights, each sequential dream was beginning to add more depth, more detail. This time the war came to the heart of her village, and she was in the middle of it. Revan was there as well, but he was accompanied by another Venomian commander or general. The lizard, she did not remember encountering during the previous day's skirmish, but still had a feeling that he might be real.

"And the dark spirit," Krystal mumbled as she bit her lip. "It appeared to have changed, into..." But that can't be... Over and over as she envisioned what she saw in her dream, she couldn't shake the feeling that she recognized what the spirit had become. I've heard of a ghostly, white-blue spirit-being before somewhere... Somehow it seemed so familiar, but I've never seen it in my dreams before now...

Krystal's eyes widened as she froze in bewilderment, her vision sharpening as she adjusted to the darkness of the night. I know of those spirits because of Father! Suddenly Krystal began to put the pieces together. She thought back to many years ago, when her father had taken her into the heart of the village library. There, he had shown her the history of Cerinia, and taught her about a very powerful magical force living within the planet itself.

"Now I finally understand! That's what you've been doing in the library so often!" Leaping out of bed, the vixen slipped on her sandals and reached for her laser sword, still laying on her nightstand, deactivated. Without so much as adjusting her hair in the mirror, she bolted out her bedroom door and shut it behind her.

As much as her body told her to stay and go back to sleep, Krystal's mind raced onward, filling her with new questions as others had become answered. As much as she knew this should wait until morning, she simply couldn't fight the urge to know the truth. As she crept from her room like a thief in the night, she activated her laser sword and let its gleaming blade guide her steps in the darkness.

I know what it was that I saw, the vixen affirmed to herself. The spirit haunting my dreams is certainly one of the Krazoa, an ancient race that had come into existence when the planet Cerinia was formed. Krystal remembered her father's description of them vividly, nearly mirroring what she had just witnessed for herself. Father mentioned a prophecy before, could it have something to do with the Krazoa? Thinking back to what Savannah had said only hours ago, something about Atticus spending a lot of time in the library seemed to add up. He and Father know something I don't... and I think the answer lies deep inside the library.

Just as Krystal had nearly reached the spiral staircase at the end of the dark and empty corridor, her sixth sense suddenly triggered like an alarm in her mind. With her telepathic senses set on high alert, she had been continuously scanning the palace for signs of lively mental activity, aside from the many minds deep in sleep and dreams. A rapid scan of the second floor revealed that one of the patrolling guards was approaching from another connecting hallway.

Deactivating her laser sword and pressing her back against the cold, marble wall, Krystal hoped that she had not been deceived by the light emitting from her weapon. The last thing she needed was to be scolded and sent back to her room for roaming the palace this late at night. As the light from a flickering torch began to creep around the corner, Krystal forced her way into the guard's mind and linked it to hers.

The area is all clear, return to where you came from, the vixen projected into the thought patterns of the guard, placing her fingers to her temple in concentration. As the light from around the corner increased in radiance, Krystal forced herself to remain as calm and silent as she could possibly muster. This area is clear, leave at once.

Just when she thought she could hold her breath no longer and her lungs would burst, the sound of footsteps around the corner came to a halt. The glow of light had become so bright that Krystal knew it was within just feet of her. After a short pause, the sound of footsteps persisted once again but the light began to fade as the patrolling guard turned around and headed the other direction.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Krystal remained motionless until she was sure that the guard was long gone before activating her laser sword and following its light toward the winding staircase ahead of her. Instead of following the steps downward to the Great Hall and the throne room, she took the path leading upward to the third level of the palace.

That was a close call, I'm honestly surprised that worked, the vixen thought, scanning the surrounding area on the third floor before leaving the safety and concealment of the stairway. She failed to detect any waking minds among those who resided on the level above, guaranteeing her safe passage as she crept silently toward the entrance of the library. Almost there, Krystal reassured herself as she neared the large, wooden doorway at its entrance. Whatever lay in wait for her on the other side, the vixen was confident that she would find some answers to what had been troubling her mind.

The prophecy my father spoke about must be written somewhere inside... Atticus; you and Savannah have led me here together. I'm ready to find whatever you were meant to show me. Taking a deep breath, Krystal pressed herself against the dense wooden door and forced it open with a jolt, nearly panicking in alarm as it creaked with age and wear, hoping that no one had heard it. As she pushed her way through and let the door shut slowly behind her, she raised her laser sword to take in her surroundings. With a gasp, the vixen's eyes widened in shock and horror as she realized that she was not alone in the room; the faint outline of another figure stood before her, anticipating her arrival.