For years, Jing Yun-Xun had lived in seclusion and training with the Storm Dragons at a Buddhist temple high in the mountains of Tibet, waiting for the day she was ready to take her place as a champion. She had begun to doubt the day would ever come and knew that she still had a long way to go before she could let go of the anger that plagued her from the past.

The day eventually came, however, that she was called before the Grand Masters and informed that the time had come for her to not only leave the protection of the temple, but to travel far abroad. When she came before them, she was surprised but pleased to see her friend Klaus, a German to whom she’d grown very close over the years. The Grand Masters sat in stony silence while Klaus explained the situation.

“It has come to our attention,” he said, “that there are signs and portents of something potentially catastrophic arising in Pittsburgh. As you know, I once served with a group of champions there, battling the forces of the Outer Dark. Together we sealed a ”/wikis/hellmouth" class=“wiki-page-link”> Hellmouth, but not without great cost. That Hellmouth has become active again, and there’s something arising there. Something new and very dark."

He looked at the Grand Masters, then back to Yun-Xun. “I would go myself, but truthfully, I am not ready to leave here yet. It would undo everything I have accomplished over the years.” He pointed at her. “You, on the other hand, the Grand Masters think are ready to face the world. We’re sending you as my surrogate.”

Klaus produced a letter and handed it to Yun-Xun. “This letter will serve as my introduction to Anita Blake, a close friend and the head of a supernatural investigations agency in that city. She will know how to best channel your abilities, and keep you on the right path. She also has an occult library that is second-to-none, and will be a great help on your quest.”

He gave a half-smile. “She is…not without her quirks,” he said, “But she is certainly a champion of light who has paid the price for it more than once. Trust her, and earn her trust.”

Leaving the temple was not an easy thing to do, but Yun-Xun had always been obedient to the wishes of the Grand Masters, and so she found herself in Lhasa Gonggar Airport, boarding a plane. She was nervous about traveling so far from home, even moreso every time she encountered someone with a spark of a supernatural gift, but was eager to explore more information and knowledge regarding her lifelong quest.

The first two legs of the journey went largely without incident. Then, during a layover in New York City’s JFK International Airport, she found herself sitting at the gate awaiting the final flight to Pittsburgh, trying to clear an irritating ring tone from her cellular phone which she could not erase or change no matter what she tried, when she sensed something—a kindred spirit of sorts. Someone else with a supernatural gift about them. She cast her eyes around until her gaze met that of a young blonde woman, muscular and athletic with deep brown eyes and an extremely serious look about her. The two women gazed at one another for a few moments, clearly both wondering what their next move should be….