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When Emeralde became aware again, she was surrounded by a gray mist in unrecognizable surroundings. She squinted her eyes, struggling to see some sort of landmark in this otherwordly place. Out of the mist a strange voice whispered to her, the sound moving from one ear and back again. She turned wildly around, seeking the source, but the gray mist revealed nothing. Still, the whispers continued. 
The disembodied voice spoke to her of everything and nothing, and a calm settled over her. The voice told her of a knight who would come to her. This knight sought refuge from the Scarlet Crusade. She was informed that he would rescue her, and in return, she would give him refuge with her. If she did this, together they could conquer anything. She would know him by the name Faithhammer. The voice then drifted away, but she knew she was no longer alone in this world.
As the mist cleared, Emeralde saw she was sitting on a strange mountain in a strange land. In front of her stood an ever odder creature, with horns and hoofs ... yet not an animal. 
"I am Galaxius," he said in a deep rumble. "I am a Messenger. You are safe here."
Emeralde recognized the voice from the whispers in that other place. She stood and curtseyed before him with respect and more than a little curiosity. He motioned for her to follow and, with the flick of his tail, lead her to a cliff beside a waterfall. "Disrobe," he commanded, yet not unkindly. Emeralde hesitated. A lady did not disrobe in front of a stranger, no matter how safe he seemed. Stalling for time, she looked down at herself and gasped softly. Her robes were ripped lengthwise and barely concealed her bruised flesh.
"I can heal you," said Galaxius. "Please, allow me."
The calm she'd felt before returned to her, saturating her mind and body with a soothing hum. Her normal inhibitions faded away. She took off her tattered clothes and folded them as neatly as she could. He gestured to the waterfall, obviously intending for her to enter it. She stepped up to the edge. The cool spray that coated her body was a welcome relief. 
Looking over her shoulder, he nodded at her and placed his hand to her head. A light erupted before her eyes and she felt it race through her, healing her. Without further hesitation, she stepped right off the cliff into the waterfall, making a true leap of faith.
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Fendrus Grimmheart
Dabul'jin
