Death recruits the mortal Shard to begin a rebellion against the corrupt powers of Heaven and Hell. In a desperate attempt to win her trust, Death reveals the true nature of existence to a gifted but misguided Templar Knight known as All mortal souls fuel a savage war for power between the corrupt realms of Heaven and Hell. Death and his Court of the Dead are enslaved to harvest the souls that fuel this pointless conflict. Death seeks to rise above his destructive nature, end the celestial war, and restore balance to the universe. He needs Shard’s help to unite the Underworld and lead the rebellion against Heaven and Hell, especially since not all beings in the Underworld share his vision for a peaceful universe. Rise is the first chapter in the epic Rise, Conquer, Rule trilogy set in the original dark fantasy horror universe of the Court of the Dead.