Alexa was awakened by a stabbing pain throbbing in her chest. She rubbed it with her hand, feeling a piercing soreness with every breath as if something was suppressing her from inhaling air.

Groaning, she turned and twisted, but then something bit her foot.

"Mother of All Sorceries!" she exclaimed.

Alexa abruptly stood up, cursing as her surroundings warped before her eyes.

She was too weak and lost her balance, stumbling to the ground. She landed in the mud near a ...