When the world is ruled by knowledge and power, what are you when you have neither? When you receive both, who will you become? Ether poisoning, a sickness caused from learning too many spells beyond your threshold, has a hundred percent mortality rate within the first six months of symptoms. Born a commoner, Aidric Bauer, the son of an Infantryman turned farmer, and an elite Ranger turned blacksmith, lies on his deathbed with the same illness that claimed his sister two years ago, even though they fell ill at the same time.

While noble houses of the Ascended mages live a life of luxury thanks to the decapitated heads of the Marked, the common people suffer and starve all across the continent, spreading unrest and well-kept whispers of rebellion. Cosmic forces with thousands of years of planning are set to enact their will, with Aidric at the spearhead. Yet, when once thought long dead Gods reveal their hands, and a dragon soul hellbent on tearing down everything he loves is mixed with his own, what goals are his, and what are those he’s told to have? When war in the name of peace is inevitable, the scales will tip. Is freedom worth the blood when there’s no one left to see it?