Black ships darken the sea and sky, destroying everything they encounter. High General Corza Setra has mobilized the Stone King's legions to conquer the world. When Trista’s village is obliterated without warning, it’s up to her to keep her little brother and newly-hatched dragon safe. She’s always held her own as one of the waterclans, but now her skills and confidence as a hunter will be severely tested as she fights to overcome the hardships that await them on the road ahead. Hundreds of miles north, Raylan and his friends flee the Dark Continent. Without their commander, the squad’s strong leadership is gone and those who remain struggle beneath the burden of what is to come. The Doskovian forces and the deadly ghol'ms are on the move—a black swarm that leaves desolation in its wake… and no one knows it is coming...

The Stone King’s ships continue to spread across the known world, razing city after city. Serving High General Setra, Bronson is in the middle of it—protecting the twisted monster that holds his mother’s and twin sister’s lives in his hands. In Aeterra, Raylan and his friends finally get their chance to warn the king and council, but with Xi’Lao imprisoned in the castle’s dungeon, Raylan doubts where his loyalty should lie. He has no intention to abandon his friend, but the king’s orders are law and not everyone in their squad is willing to risk the noose. Then, with things going from bad to worse, help arrives from the most unlikely of places. Further south, the times of plenty have arrived on the red plains. Trista, Decan and Dalkeira do their best to fit in with the tribe, but conflict brewing beneath the surface does not make it easy. Shiri’s rivalry with the red-haired newcomer escalates and the first huntress’ actions lead to unforeseen consequences that might very well herald the end of the Minai.