Chapter 1, Felerin’s point of view.
Felerin, Attia, and another archer, named Taimon, are north of the Citadel, investigating the deaths of some local farmers. Something, within the rainforest, is hunting the farmers. Many bodies are ravaged, while others are found dead with no broken bones, and no tracks, suggesting that victims were pulled into the canopy and their bodies were deposited elsewhere.
One of the creatures they are hunting, a forest drake, attacks them. Attia barely escapes its ambush. She leads it through a snare, but the drake breaks free. Attia flees into a narrow ravine.
Chapter 2, Attia’s point of view.
Attia is coached by her Ally as she tries to hide from the drake, but the monster is persistent. Eventually, Felerin and Taimon fire arrows at the drake, and it turns to attack them. Attia exits her hiding spot and joins the fight against the drake.
Afterwards, while they are harvesting valuable reagents from the slain drake’s body, Attia senses the presence of another El’orin. Her Ally informs her that the enemy hasn’t detected her yet. Evidently, Attia can sense other El’orin at a greater range. The Pathfinders decide to return the Citadel. Attia, encouraged by her Ally, decides to gather her friends, and return to hunt the rival El’orin.
Chapter 3, Conner’s point of view.
Conner and Liam are chatting in their shared quarters. They discuss the book Liam has about the Order of Silverhorn. It is related to Liam’s El’orin. Conner determines that his brother is too lazy to do the reading. The conversation turns to Conner’s El’orin, which he has named his Demon.
He and his brother get into an argument over it, and Conner tells Liam off. Conner knows his El’orin was a demon of some sort, and he doesn’t want to share that information.
Chapter 4, Russell’s point of view.
Arronhelm is teaching Russell how to cast Portals. They talk about how, at first, it’s difficult to magically move even a few feet. Arronhelm talks about Inscriptions, explaining that they are what a wizard uses to transport great distances. There are a few Inscriptions in and around the Citadel. There is also one in Derregain. That’s how Arronhelm visited Derregain.
Near the end of the chapter, Arronhelm gives Russell a wand that fires small Lightning spells.
Chapter 5, Eliana’s point of view.
Eliana is outside, planting new Ganna crops. They need the crops to replace those the Black Tide ravaged. Fortunately, the Black Tide took a different path on its way back north.
For whatever reason, Eliana can’t stop crying. She surmises that her El’orin is making her cry. Strangely, each and every crop she touches flourishes, but she feels guilty whenever it happens.
Her mom comes out to spend time with her. Her father was killed during the demonic assault in book 1. Eliana resolves to keep working on the Ganna crops, despite how sad it is making her.
Chapter 6, Malcolm’s point of view.
Using one of the drake wings, obtained in chapter 2, Malcolm builds Runes of Containment, targeted against undead. The runes will prevent any undead creature from leaving the confines of the circle.
Liam, Conner and Attia arrive with a dead body. Malcolm summons a wraith, and then forces the wraith into the corpse, creating a ghoul. With the ghoul trapped inside his Runes of Containment, Malcolm sets the ghoul free.
Chapter 7, Liam’s point of view.
With the ghoul trapped, Liam and Attia experiment fighting off the chilling paralysis of a ghoul’s touch. Conner asks if he can try, and an argument ensues. Liam’s El’orin, his Guest, points out that Liam is being overprotective.
Liam lets Conner play with the ghoul, and things nearly go wrong, but Attia kills the ghoul before it can do any real damage.
Afterwards, Attia discusses what she found up in the forest, and suggests that the group go hunt the rival El’orin, to feed on its white mist.
Chapter 8, Nesharon’s point of view.
Cinderhorn’s brother, the Guardian Demon Nesharon, is watching a neverling machine reduce people to mindless sacks of meat. He and a neverling discuss politics. The treaty between demons and neverlings has been in place for centuries, but it is weakening. Demons and neverlings are both working behind the scenes to break it.
Chapter 9, Russell’s point of view.
Russell travels with the group out to meet Eliana, where she is still working on the Ganna crops. It is raining, and Russell is in a bad mood. He and Liam have a private discussion about Russell’s poor attitude, and how it might be affecting people. Liam mentions that he is worried about Eliana, given that she is seemingly always crying. He implies that she might have a crush on Russell.
Russell definitely has a crush on her.
Once they find Eliana, the group agrees to go north to hunt the rival El’orin. Attia tells them that, despite it being her idea, she thinks it’s risky and dangerous.
Chapter 10, Attia’s point of view.
Attia leads her friends north. At the same time, she is tracking Felerin’s hunting group, who despite Attia’s warnings, set out to hunt the monster. Attia quickly finds signs of struggle. Things went horribly wrong with Felerin’s hunting party, and Attia grows concerned.
As the sky begins to darken, they hear the tortured screams of a dying man. Shortly after that, Attia senses the rival El’orin, and it is coming in their direction.
Chapter 11, Felerin’s point of view.
Felerin is alone in a clearing, waiting to die. She thinks back on how easily the creature killed her friends. The person who was along in place of Attia was taken first. The creature seemed to easily spring from shadow to shadow. It used its incredibly long tails to entangle its prey, and then ran off with the victim.
When it came for Taimon, it approached them on the trail. Both Felerin and Taimon shot at it, but the thing was bouncing from shadow to shadow. It knocked Felerin down, captured Taimon, and ran off with him.
It brought Taimon close before killing him. She thought it was toying with her… making sure she was close enough to hear the screams.
Chapter 12, Liam’s point of view.
Liam and the group prepares for the creature to attack them. Attia thinks she knows where it is. She approaches it, but leaps back at the last moment, avoiding its entangling tails. Liam determines that the monster, which is moving up in the forest canopy, is using some kind of magic to surround itself with shadows.
The creature attacks the full group, nearly killing Attia. Liam uses a Light spell, and discovers the creature is repelled by it. Maintaining his spell, Liam tries to chase the creature, but it manages to slip away. It loops back, grabs Conner, and runs off with him. Devastated, Liam blames himself.
Chapter 13, Conner’s point of view.
Conner’s El’orin, his Demon, creates the vision of a cozy room where he and Conner talk. Conner’s Demon has fought such a monster in the past. He tells Conner that it is known as a nezral, and that it feeds on souls.
Its weakness is that it can only feed on the souls of terrified victims. As long as Conner remains calm, the beast can’t consume him.
Chapter 14, Eliana’s point of view.
Eliana’s sadness is replaced by seething rage. She comes to understand that the Forest is speaking to her through her El’orin. It wants the monster killed, and it starts illuminating a path that only she can see.
As Eliana leads her friends closer to the monster, she succumbs to her rage and begins to sprint through the forest.
Chapter 15, Malcolm’s point of view.
Malcolm is following along with the group, but he falls behind when Eliana runs, so he is late making it to the battle. The group fights the creature. At one point, Malcolm summons a spirit. The monster stops what it’s doing and chases down the spirit, consuming it. It is a soul eating monster. It finds Malcolm’s summoned wraith irresistible.
Eventually, they kill the monster, and it releases its white mists. Malcolm’s El’orin, the Other, forces Malcolm to collect some of the ichor that the dead monster left behind.
Chapter 16, Attia’s point of view.
Attia, and her El’orin, exalt in the thrill of the white mists. Her Ally explains that they must continue to hunt other El’orin, and that all her friends will also benefit from participating. With each kill, they all grow stronger.
Attia hears something moving through the forest, and she investigates. She finds Felerin. The beast left her alone once it sensed Attia and her friends. Felerin saw and heard the commotion, but she was too scared to join the battle. Attia consoles her friend.
Chapter 17, Raelyn’s point of view.
Raelyn is the succubus Cinderhorn summoned and gathered power from in book 1. She has been hiding in the Citadel ever since. Using charms, and her ability to rewrite memories, Raelyn has taken up residence with a family of four.
Feeling that her position within the Citadel is safe, she begins a ritual to contact Cinderhorn. She knows he has a plan for capturing the Citadel, and that she has a role to play.
Chapter 18, Liam’s point of view.
Back at the Citadel, Liam participates in a private sparring session against some of the Citadel’s greatest warriors. He learns that his Guest has gained the ability to guide his shield. Through the course of his sparring sessions, he learns to use this new advantage.
Eventually, Gunther decides to spar with him. The battle is over quickly. Gunther clears the room and has a private conversation with Liam. He talks about how powerful he thinks Liam and his friends will become. He also gives Liam a magical shield.
Chapter 19, Cinderhorn’s point of view.
Cinderhorn reflects on his recent interaction with Raelyn. She is one of the few capable of making a Bloodgate. A Bloodgate allows any summoned being to pull its summoner through. Cinderhorn wants Raelyn to find whatever gives the Citadel its power. Once she has done so, she is to build a Bloodgate and pull Cinderhorn through. He, in turn, will pull Chariden through.
Nesharon returns. Chariden recalled him from his position as ambassador to the neverlings. They argue about the assault on the Citadel, where their brother, Erranaekis fell. Cinderhorn warns Nesharon about the neverlings, pointing out how they betrayed the Dark Lord, three centuries ago.
Chapter 20, Eliana’s point of view.
Eliana privately meets Russell in a library. They talk, and things quickly progress. She kisses him, and he seems to be as interested in her as she is him.
Chapter 21, Russell’s point of view.
Russell encounters Raelyn on his way back to his quarters. He is on cloud nine after his romantic time with Eliana. Raelyn begins to charm Russell, slowly stripping away his willpower. He fights back, but is no match for the ancient succubus.
Chapter 22, Malcolm’s point of view.
Malcolm practices his Dispel spell. A discussion follows, where the Chancellor explains that a caster can leave Dispels in place for days, weeks, or even years. Those Dispels continue to protect the caster until they encounter an incoming spell.
Malcolm and his Other discuss the haunt that is following Malcolm. It is a strong spirit that has become attracted to the Soulstones Malcolm is carrying. The haunt will continue to harass Malcolm until it has been dealt with.
Chapter 23, Arronhelm’s point of view.
Arronhelm leads Eliana, and Russell to go see the Painting. The Painting powers the Citadel. It is what Raelyn needs to find. Russell asks a lot of clarifying questions along the way. It’s obvious he is trying to memorize the route to the Painting, but Arronhelm thinks nothing of it.
Once at the Painting, Eliana begins to sob uncontrollably. While that is happening, the Unicorn in the Painting begins speaking with Arronhelm. It thanks him for everything he has done, and it informs him that the last soul has been called. It fears that their time is drawing to a close, and it asks Arronhelm to visit in the coming days.
It tells Arronhelm he must send Eliana and her friends out to investigate the Darkwood.
Chapter 24, Conner’s point of view.
Arronhelm proposes the group travel to the Darkwood. Constance, a leader among the Pathfinders, opposes the mission. Conner argues the case, pointing out that he and his friends have special abilities, and therefore merit the risk.
Eventually, Constance, Felerin and Vargus agree to accompany the group to the Darkwood.
Chapter 25, Raelyn’s point of view.
Raelyn interrogates Russell about their upcoming mission to the Darkwood. She also accepts his map to the Painting. She rewards Russell, but ultimately must erase his memories of her.
Chapter 26, Attia’s point of view.
On their way to the Darkwood, Attia senses the presence of a rival El’orin. Questioning Constance, she learns that there is a nest of giant spiders, living in a nearby entrance to the Theleram. The Theleram is an expansive network of caverns, stretching for dozens of miles, beneath the rainforest.
Attia pushes to go explore the nest, craving the white mists, but Constance forces them to avoid the dangerous region.
Chapter 27, Liam’s point of view.
As they travel, Liam and Malcolm discuss the excellent runes written into Liam’s new shield. The group approaches one of the forest’s cold springs, and Constance calls for a break. Malcolm refuses to enter the small clearing, fearing that the haunt that is following him will attack him.
Constance and Malcolm discuss the nature of the cold springs. Malcolm points out that the barrier between worlds is very thin near the cold springs, causing spirits to flock to the area.
Eventually, Malcolm gives in and enters the spring.
Chapter 28, Malcolm’s point of view.
The moment Malcolm enters the spring, his haunt rips a hole between worlds and attacks him. Other spirits flow through the hole to assault his friends. The group suffers many injuries, but no one is seriously wounded.
Malcolm realizes that the spirits are attracted to life energy within the spring water. The group fills their waterskins with the magical spring water.
Chapter 29, Chariden’s point of view.
Cinderhorn informs Chariden that that Raelyn has found the heart of the Citadel, and he explains his plan.
Raelyn will build a Bloodgate. She will use it to pull Cinderhorn to her, and he will, in turn, use it to pull Chariden to him. Finally, Nesharon will use a Shadowdoor spell to teleport to his summoner, Chariden. With two Guardians, and the Demon Queen, Cinderhorn believes he will be able to summon enough additional forces to win.
He suggests that Chariden reward Raelyn by allowing her to rule the remnants of the Citadel. The Demon Queen, however, foolishly proclaims that she will burn the Citadel to the ground.
Chapter 30, Vargus’ point of view.
Vargus reflects on how old he is feeling. He recalls some of the miracles he’s seen both Gunther and Duncan perform, over the years, and recognizes that the kids have similarly fantastical abilities. He comes to peace with it.
Chapter 31, Felerin’s point of view.
Felerin and Constance study some ancient ruins, from a safe distance. The creatures that normally occupy the ruins appear to all be dead, though there is no apparent cause. Eliana says that the Forest wants them to avoid the runes.
Later, Felerin hunts a wild boar. She reflects on her role. She understands that the others are blessed with special powers, but she is content to merely guide them, and hunt for them.
Chapter 32, Raelyn’s point of view.
Raelyn reflects on her long journey. She is over 900 years old, and has been imprisoned several times. Each time a demon dies, it’s cast into a cell, beneath the Netherworld. The cell remains closed for a century. After that, the door opens, and the demon can try to find its way back up to the surface.
Raelyn’s first incarceration was terrible. It nearly destroyed her. Her second incarceration was much better. She arranged for books and other materials to be delivered to her cell. She spent that century studying and practicing her magical skills.
Chapter 33, Conner’s point of view.
Attia and Conner take a pause in their journey to discuss matters. They talk about Russell and Eliana’s budding relationship and the ramifications it’s likely to cause. Attia also shares with him how much she wanted to lead the group into conflict with the spiders.
She asks if this was wrong, and Conner is forced to admonish her.
Chapter 34, Attia’s point of view.
Attia takes pride in guiding the group through some difficult terrain. They are drawing close to the Darkwood and must navigate the Lorinae River.
They begin to notice a startling lack of insect activity in the region. Attia and her Ally feel the presence of something, but they can’t quite figure out what.
Constance decides that she and Felerin will go investigate. There is a raft stowed away in the woods. They need to retrieve it if they hope to cross the river. Attia warns them not to go.
Chapter 35, Felerin’s point of view.
Felerin and Constance scout the area, on their way to the raft. Felerin begs Constance to abandon the mission, but Constance will hear nothing of it. Eventually, they start to hear insects again.
Constance reasons that something must be driving the insects away. They plan to scout the perimeter, skirting the edge of where they barely hear the insects. They grab the raft and begin to do this. After a time, Felerin starts to realize that whatever is out there didn’t drive the insects away. Rather, it’s gathering them.
They turn to run, but it is too late. Wasps and other stinging insects swarm them, filling their blood with venom. An eerie green cloud of lightning bugs approaches. Paralyzed with fear, they back away. The cloud parts, firing a glob of acid.
The acid strikes Constance in the head and shoulders. She dissolves into a puddle of ichor. Some acid splashes on Felerin’s face. Terrified, and overwhelmed with grief, Felerin grabs the boat and sprints away from the terrifying cloud of insects.
Chapter 36, Raelyn’s point of view.
Raelyn finishes building her Bloodgate. She calls Cinderhorn through it, and he pulls Chariden through. Raelyn thinks she will be rewarded, but Chariden wants her to return to Nerreka and work as a maid.
Enraged, Raelyn struggles to find a way out of the arrangement. She decides to renounce any reward for her service to Chariden. Instead, she offers it as proper tribute to the rightful ruler of this world.
Cinderhorn recognizes Raelyn’s attempt to invoke the Tradition of Hospitality. He argues with Chariden when she tries to ignore the Tradition.
Raelyn asks Cinderhorn, as her summoner, to release her from obligations, and he complies. Before Raelyn leaves, Chariden asks her for information on where Russell and his friends went. Raelyn lies, telling Chariden they went off on a mission to the southeast, even though she knows they went southwest.
Chapter 37, Eliana’s point of view.
Eliana is being driven mad by whispers in her mind. She is hearing the Darkwood. It wants to destroy her, and for some reason, she thinks it’s justified. She also feels the approaching insect swarm. She knows it was called by the Darkwood. It is coming for her.
Felerin sprints back into the camp. She is in a state of shock. The acid has eaten half her face. Attia asks where Constance is, and Felerin talks of Constance’s death.
They throw the raft onto the river, and all get on board, pushing away from the shore just as the swarm of green lightning bugs arrives.
The raft begins to move against the current. The Darkwood is drawing them to it.
Chapter 38, Malcolm’s point of view.
As they are floating across the Lorinae, the ghost of Constance approaches the raft. Malcolm recognizes it. The Other warns him about how dangerous ghosts are, but he finds it difficult to think of it as a monster. To him, it’s Constance.
Malcolm lets the group know about the ghost. In the Astral, the Darkwood looks like a prison. Any spirit that approaches becomes trapped there. He sets out saucers of the magical spring water. Constance is attracted to them, keeping her from entering the Darkwood.
Once inside the Darkwood, Malcolm notices that every branch and root in the accursed place is possessed by a spirit.
The group tries to rest, but they are harassed by monkeys. Eventually, they hear the howls of wolfids echo through the night.
Chapter 39, Liam’s point of view.
The wolfids attack from all angles. The group tries to retreat back to the river, but they find their way blocked. The spirits possessing the roots and branches permit the Darkwood to move. Left with little other choice, Liam leads the group deeper into the island. It is the only direction the Darkwood will let them go.
Chapter 40, Chariden’s point of view.
Chariden and her Guardian demons fight their way through the Citadel. They encounter little in the way of meaningful resistance, but they do stumble across Dean Selandra Mayes. Selandra puts up a valiant struggle, but she is eventually brought before Chariden.
The Demon Queen charms Selandra and instructs her to make a journey to Nerreka.
Chapter 41, Russell’s point of view.
Russell is following Eliana, who has now taken the lead. She seems to be in some kind of trance that’s pulling her deeper into the Darkwood.
Right before the group makes it to the heart of the Darkwood, the roots and branches come alive. Eliana manages to run into the clearing, but the forest begins to crush the rest of them.
In the center of the clearing, a giant kapok tree starts moving. It seems intent on smashing Eliana. Desperate to help, Russell casts his Blink spell. He makes it into the clearing, knocking Ellie out of the way at the last possible second.
Chapter 42, Eliana’s point of view.
Eliana is having a vision. She is walking through the Darkwood, but it is 300 years in the past. In her vision, she is on the way to commune with Gaea, the spirit of the land. A sentient fox is with her. She knows the fox to be a Trickster Spirit.
Just as she summons Gaea, something goes wrong. Chariden and several of her acolytes appear in the clearing. They immediately begin attacking, first killing the Trickster Spirit, and then turning their attention on the Gaea spirit.
A giant kapok tree, known as the Ancient, tries to defend Gaea. It smashes many acolytes, but it can’t kill them fast enough. Eventually, Chariden’s magic shatters the Gaea spirit. Shards of it fly everywhere. One shard sinks into the woman in Ellie’s vision.
Chapter 43, Chariden’s point of view.
Chariden, and her Guardians, face off against Gunther, supported by a squad of his best soldiers. The fight is difficult, but Chariden manages to turn the tide by sending her Desires to charm some of the soldiers.
In the commotion, she finds the secret door that leads to the Painting. She leaves her Guardians to deal with Gunther and his troops. She finds Arronhelm defending the Painting. They begin their battle.
Chapter 44, Vargus’ point of view.
Malcolm pulls spirits out of the possessed branches, slowly releasing the group from their imprisonment. Vargus is one of the first freed. He rushes into the clearing to protect Ellie and Russell.
Using his shield, he blocks the enormous kapok tree’s crushing limbs. He gets driven into the ground, and roots wrap around his knees. Held fast, he heroically defends Russell and Ellie while they struggle to get clear from the massive tree.
Gradually, a beautiful woman, made of gold and silver light, begins to form. Vargus finds peace watching her. The tree crushes him to a pulp.
Chapter 45, Liam’s point of view.
Liam makes it just in time to watch the tree kill Vargus. He takes the old soldier’s place, protecting the others from the tree. Having the benefit of seeing what happened to Vargus, he is careful not to let his legs get driven into the ground.
Meanwhile, wolfids flood into the clearing, threatening to kill everyone.
The woman of gold and silver light blasts the wolfids. She then forces the tree, and much of the Darkwood to fall into a magical slumber. She makes Liam’s El’orin promise to someday return and end the Darkwood’s corruption. She also gives Eliana a collection of Goldthorn Berries. Evidently, she was the source of them. Now that the Darkwood knows about her, it will find her and kill her. Therefore, the berries she gives to Eliana are the last Goldthorn Berries in the world.
Chapter 46, Arronhelm’s point of view.
Chariden and Arronhelm fight. When Arronhelm starts to get the upper hand, he feels Chariden’s Desire attempt to take ahold of him. He knows that, in the end, he can’t win.
Realizing that she doesn’t need to kill Arronhelm, just the Painting, Chariden surrounds herself with a Reflection spell and starts to direct her magic against the Painting. Arronhelm tries to overwhelm her by throwing more spells at her than she can deflect with her Reflection spell.
Arronhelm manages to overwhelm Chariden, but it takes him too long. Chariden destroys the Painting before fleeing.
Chapter 47, Gunther’s point of view.
Gunther is essentially on his own, fighting two Guardian Demons. He surprises Nesharon, tossing the massive demon to the ground. Cinderhorn leaps in to save his brother.
Gunther and the two demons hear the Painting being destroyed. On Cinderhorn’s urging, the Guardian Demons flee. Cinderhorn warns Gunther before departing. He says the Citadel will fall quickly, now that the Painting is gone.
Gunther rushes to help Arronhelm, but he finds his friend nearly broken. Chariden’s Desire is already racing to capture his heart. Seeing no other option, Gunther gives in to Arronhelm’s wishes, killing him.
White mists explode from Arronhelm’s dead body, filling Gunther with power. He believes he can now hear Arronhelm’s words in his mind.
Chapter 48, Malcolm’s point of view.
The group races to escape the Darkwood before it wakes. Make it to the raft, they are horrified to find the swirling storm of insects waiting for them.
Ignoring the Other’s warnings, Malcolm brings the ghost of Constance into this world. She immediately races off, attacking the vortex of bugs.
The group takes the raft and tries to escape the deadly battle.
Chapter 49, Russell’s point of view.
Eliana yells at nature, demanding it help her. She falls into a trance, and the raft begins to race away from the Darkwood. Once safe, the group falls asleep under the protective watch of Attia.
Russell dreams of his El’orin. He wakes and shares the sad news. He now has an El’orin, which means Arronhelm has fallen.
Chapter 50, Eliana’s point of view.
Eliana is finally at peace. Her El’orin has worked through some of its issues, and it no longer pushes overwhelming sadness on her.
She and Attia race through the woods, exploring Eliana’s new abilities. She never tires while in the forest. She can move in and out of thickets without so much as a scratch, and she can even get the land to reshape itself to match her wishes.
Chapter 51, Chariden’s point of view.
Chariden demotes Cinderhorn, appointing Nesharon as her new advisor. They discuss the aftermath of the battle. The team of demons they sent to find the group of adventuring children never found a thing. Chariden believes Raelyn lied to her.
Nesharon recommends sending the orcs, living in the Theleram, against the Citadel. Chariden begrudgingly agrees. Finally, Nesharon warns of a sickness spreading through Derregain, the demons’ main source of sustenance. He believes that Plaguebringer is behind it.
Chapter 52, Conner’s point of view.
Back at the Citadel, Gunther meets with the group. He gives Russell Selandra’s robe, and Arronhelm’s spellbook. He gives Conner Arronhelm’s robe, and Malcolm Arronhelm’s ring. The rest of the group get gear upgrades as well.
Gunther presents the letter Arronhelm left for them. It is a touching goodbye and a prediction that, collectively, the children will do great things, and maybe even save the world.
Epilogue, Raelyn’s point of view.
Raelyn is in Derregain. She is sitting on top of the House of Healing, a sprawling, run-down building, serving as a hospital. She has made it her home.
Looking down on the city, she smells the sickness spreading through the streets. She knows it is both magical and demonic. She knows it is the work of Plaguebringer.
She reflects on the dangerous road ahead of her. Despite her fears, she is happy. She finally feels free.