Genesis and River's parents have been kidnapped! Determined to regain the affectionate home she remembers, Genesis sets out to find them. Her one clue is "Arisha," which also happens to be the name of a mysterious school. Despite the uncertainty, Genesis and River decide to enroll in the school together with hopes of finding a clue to their parents' whereabouts.

The school is certainly far from what they expected as Genesis discovers not only the existence of abnormal abilities, but also of another world known as Arisha. While the school claims its goal is to help resurrect Arisha from the ruin it has fallen into, Genesis begins to wonder if their intentions are really so noble. If not, is she really getting closer to that affectionate home she longs for? Or has she just fallen into a trap that will take her even further from that goal?

Gateway to Arisha: Uncertain Beginnings is the first of a YA contemporary fantasy series told in the voice of a young man who grew up listening to his parents tell him all about a school, mysterious abilities known as valta, creatures of fairytales, and a gateway to another world.