The vengeful elemental god, Earth Darkness, has been reborn. Chasing after him, Phantist and Despanya follow the trail to the northern city of Ardent, where a plague of giant insects and the deadly servants of a mad bishop have created a living hell. But, within the city, two of the last surviving shadewrights are hiding from the chaos... Two masters of the shadow-art whose aid is desperately needed if this war is ever to be won. And, in a cavern under the city, Phantist's most hated enemy waits for him to settle an old score...