Prologue 

Long ago, the concept of a hopeful land emerged. Driven by their aspirations, people sought fresh opportunities there. Gradually, this region became known as Winhaiven, welcoming many newcomers. It began as  a small town but quickly grew into a large city governed by the Governor. In Letherbea, the governor is the world's ultimate leader. Soon after, people from different nations arrived, each bringing unique religious practices that were strange, defining, and full of pride.

The administration should have recognized these customs as problematic; instead, they exacerbated the situation by declaring, "This is our way, and if you follow it, you are good." How absurd is that? Nevertheless, one religion was outlawed: Christianity. The Governor felt it violated the established order. Initially, the ban was relatively mild. But as time went on and Christianity flourished, she believed it corrupted the minds of its followers. She then resorted to harsher measures, such as inflicting harm. When that proved ineffective, she took extreme action, expelling them. Yet, the Governor disregarded the underlying circumstances. Since I am not a history teacher, this may be difficult  for you to fully comprehend.

Let's journey back a few centuries, to a time when the ocean surrounding the continent teemed with a unique vitality. The people of olden times called it the "River of Life," believing it possessed potent healing properties. One day, a fisherman, attempting to enter Winhaiven, arrived in his small boat, laden with various possessions, including a packet of precious seeds.

Long story short, the seeds fell in, creating a very large and dense forest that ultimately disconnected Winhaiven from the rest of the world. No one could get in, and no one could get out. This was the world Farlana Hope was born into, a world where Christianity was forgotten. Now, during her time, Christians haven't been seen or heard of for thousands of years.

Did they go into hiding inside the bone-chilling mountains? Did they just die out? Or was there something more?

Far-Lana?

Chapter 1

I felt a rush of excitement shoot through me as I unlocked my apartment door. Stepping inside, I couldn't help but do an elegant, energetic leap across the small wooden floor space. Lay Bare Day, Winhaiven's biggest and grandest celebration in the history of our country, was only two weeks away. It was an event that simply celebrated being you and staying true to yourself. Men, women, and children would dress up in all sorts of costumes, from princesses and princes to dragons and snakes. You name it! The city's wildest, most unbelievable imagination would come to life.

There would be all kinds of dancing, amazing music, and delicious foods. The very end of the day is my favorite part. The citizens of York Ewn City (where I live!) reveal themselves under their clever disguises. I remember last year revealing myself under my Elara Voss mask to my high school enemy, Tara Michel, who was Elara's biggest fan-next to me, of course. She was so shocked that she had been giving me such nice compliments, only to realize she was being nice to her enemy.

Elara Voss was and still is my hero from when I was nine. She was a famous airline pilot who explored the vast, confusing fields beyond the city. She had hoped to reach the Stone Mountains, but tragically, she died in an unknown way. She was known as a woman of courage and persistence. I slid into the tiny, neat kitchen in my socks.

Mom insisted that everything, from fruit to milk, should be properly organized. "Mom!" I called, before the bright pink sticky note pinned to the refrigerator caught my eye. I bent down to read it.

Darling, I'm out buying fabric with a few of my friends for your costume. Be back soon.

Mom.

I shook my head from side to side. When I was away at high school, Mom spent lots of her free time with her friends, usually buying the latest trends of fabric from the grand shopping malls or eating out.

I smiled, remembering that Mom's sole hobby was sewing. She sewed so much that our next-door neighbors complained the constant hum of the machine was annoying, especially the grumpiest person in the apartment, Lila Stillons. Since she was old, she'd bang her walking cane against the walls, signaling Mom to stop, or she'd take further action. Of course, nothing ever happened. I did another leap, this time toward the living room. Extending my arms wide, 

I fluttered my fingertips and let myself shoot through the air. I needed to burn off all this extra energy somehow! Sitting cross-legged on the ocean blue couch, I reached for my tablet, which always sat on top of the glass coffee table. I wanted to review my sketch of my costume one last time before 

Mom turned it into an actual dress.

I rested the tablet over my crossed legs, beaming at the beautiful fairy mask and dress displayed on the screen. The midnight blue seemed magical, and the frilly, snow-white lace trimmings around the neck and sleeves were elegant, making the skirt seem divine and elaborate. The blue would contrast almost as perfectly as light green with my long, dark hair. It was a really good costume, but something nagged at my heart. Something was missing, but what? I pondered that for a while, wondering what it could possibly be. Bright sunshine streamed in through the large windows near the other couch opposite me. 

The loud city sounds were much quieter now since everyone was inside sewing and such.

The color scheme was vibrant, the design was foolproof, and overall the costume was great. But could it be even better? It was a good thing my best friend Kalani Stepsit was coming over so we could work on our costumes together. Afterward, we'd go to our special place.

As I sat in the golden warmth, lost in an ocean of thought, I heard the door creak open and Mom's footsteps as she stepped in. "I'm H-O-M-E!" she sang. "Lana, you here?"

"Yes!" I scurried off the couch and danced with excitement. Mom says I have enough energy for one hundred teenagers, seven adults, and two hundred kids. I felt eager to see what kind of fabric patterns Mom had chosen. "Hi!" I squealed joyfully, hugging her tightly.

Dad, when he was alive, had joked that Mom was as fragile as glass. But today, she toughened up and grinned, bearing it. Whenever I think of that day when Mom received news that he had vanished into the forest one cold winter's night, my throat tightens, and my heart aches with deep sorrow. I examined her two bulging shopping bags closely. "What did you get?!" Mom chuckled at my enthusiasm. She placed the heavy bags on the marble countertop. I watched her unpin her bobbed, wavy, brown hair which cascaded down her slender shoulders like a waterfall. "How was your day, darling?" she asked, shaking her head side to side, causing even more waves to tumble down. 

Since high school wasn't very close to our apartment building, I took the city bus. I did many subjects there, but my main passion was dancing. It was the fire in my heart.

The passion that gave me my never-ending energy. Everyone I danced with agreed I was the best at it. Even Tara secretly agreed; whenever I danced in front of her, her face would be smug, but her eyes reflected awe. I laughed lightly, but before I could answer, a sharp knocking sounded at the door. I charged forward, swung it open, and greeted Kalani with a big "HEY!" I pulled her in for an energetic, knock-you-off-your-feet hug that only I could give. "That's the Lana I know, always bursting with energy, just like a soda shaken up – watch out and it explodes!" she laughed, letting me swing her around for a few seconds. She was the exact opposite of Mom. "Ok, ok!" she said, resting her hands on my shoulders. Kalani was two years older than I was, a nineteen year old working for a news company, but we had lots in common. For one thing, we both were super creative and resourceful.

"You have a lot of energy girl! Guess what?  I made my costume!'' she exclaimed, lifting a fabric tote bag in front of my face, I had been so wild I hadn't noticed she had anything with her. "Who are you going to be?'' I asked with intense interest. I felt Mom's delicate palms rest on my shoulders. "Hello, Kalani. Welcome darling. Please sit in the living room; you girls can discuss costume ideas there and I'll make lunch!'' she gestured toward the living room entrance with one arm as she closed the door with the other. 

Kalani smiled, nodding her head yes. Before I trooped into the living room after Kalani, Mom placed two of the shopping bags in my arms. I could feel the fabric and heaviness of each and almost crumpled under the weight. But I managed to follow Kalani into the room.

"Okay," she said, her voice clear and strong, flipping brown wisps of curls over her shoulder before leaning close to me. Kalani had a beautiful face, ice-blue eyes, full lips, and wavy, curly hair that fell around her shoulders. I could smell her fragrant perfume as it drifted about me.

"What do you have so far?"

"A sketch and material for sewing," I replied, watching a pool of light dance in her silky hair. "You smell good," I commented, smoothing my hair behind one ear as I picked up my tablet. "Thanks, I got it from the boutique down the street just this morning. Maybe we could go sometime."

"My street or yours? And you know I don't care for that kind of thing right?"

Kalani grinned. I turned my tablet towards her. "Whatcha think?" I hoped she would like it. I passed it toward her.

"Hmm," she said, peering at it closely. I held my breath, not knowing if that was a bad "hmm" or a good one. "I," she stated slowly, "think it's amazing, Farlana!" I laughed at the old nickname she gave me in first grade. She told me my ideas were so far from reality that she started calling me Farlana instead of simply Lana. I began to go by it too, and soon everyone but Mom called me that. But out of all the people, Dad, in his warm and gentle voice, said it the best. "You're such a good artist, and you have an eye for color," she praised. "The midnight blue will look wonderful with your head full of black hair!"