In the midst of the chaos and danger of the Time of Darkness, Urun Chinowa has been having a rough time. He’s had his share of attacks and close calls, but the worst of all his experiences is the lost communication with his goddess, Osulin.

What’s a nature priest to do?

The emperor of Shinyan had declared war on the island nation of Teroshi. Worse, he has made a deal with the animaru, the dark monsters invading the world to end all life.

Jia Toun needs to rectify the situation.

Evon Desconse has spent most of his life at the vaunted Hero Academy. As Marla Shrike’s best friend, he has seen his share of adventure. How else could it be when Marla is prophesied to save the entire world?

Danger abounds in Dizhelim in these dark days, and he is better equipped than most to face it. But his true desire is to focus on his study of prophecy and magic. Up until now, battling monsters has been a necessary chore. He has been trained to be heroic, after all.

Raki Sinde only wanted to help, like heroes in the stories he loves so much. He was barely more than a boy when he left everything familiar to join Aeden and Fahtin as they fled the dark monsters invading the world. Now he has fought—and killed—and learned hard truths about what it means to be a hero.

His affinity for dark magic scared him at first. Then it excited him. But after the horrifying events of a recent mission to Shinyan, Raki is left shaken and questioning everything. His grandmother believes dark magic will turn him into a monster—and she might be right.