After awakening drenched and in disbelief, the bewildered Gwyneth battles in contemplating the new reality she finds herself in. She kneels beside a boy she's never known, bound to him in bondage as a myriad of spectators descend upon them. It's clear by his eyes, she is not alone in this, the fear and confusion all apparent. At the centre of the countless crowd, seven marvels stand out and stare brazenly at them. Monstrosities in size and look, their gazes describe a dubious destiny ahead.
Gwyneth is unsure of what is to come, but she can be certain that this was far from what her father had described. This is not the Bonding, where she is to find her goddess Murielabel by floating in the sea, far from it. She is distressed as her once hopeful mind, now anything but, is plagued by a single question. "Have I been sold a lie, or has something gone terribly wrong?"