Death...is it the end, the beginning, or simply a moment in the endless circle of the spirit? Three strangers are taken from life before their time. They are cast into dark and trying worlds with shaken hearts and clouded selves at the feet of destiny. Yet this same destiny is what pulls them together-a fate feared by an enemy willing to unbalance cosmic forces and break ancient law to destroy them. Sara is washed adrift by her violent death and her memory lost, only to find the burden she left behind in Shakuvia. She longs to understand her place in these worlds and must withstand waves of peril on her journey towards becoming the salvation of her kingdom. Avalon feels ashen beside the spark of the others. The fire that burns inside her though, soon becomes a boundless blaze, cherished by a creature of legend and all those around her. Set apart by her bold ways, her steadfast character gives rise to honor from friends she refuses to fail. Jasper is neither alive or dead and fumbles under the dark skies. Feeling as though he breaths little into their mission, this ghost that cannot write presses onward with passion and courage unfaltering. By the favor of the eastern wind, however, he discovers his true potential, and a life of senseless study becomes invaluable wisdom. A prophet with a broken soul doubts his stonework heart will never love again. Arie wonders if cavernous scars and toilsome guilt can ever be lifted. By his hand, hard lessons will temper them into greatness, but he stands to learn something more precious than diamonds from those close to him. This is the beginning of a tale of four paths united. This is the story of friends everlasting. These are the ways of Shu'alu, a realm of hells and paradises.