The sword that consumes.
The encroaching darkness.
The waning Barrier. Sainte, with his newly acquired sword, and his acquaintance Thedios set off to gather an army. One that can take on the forces of the Abomination and Malignin. However, as they travel Crearia they find that the Abomination seems to be just one step ahead of them.
Across the lands, Nadrian, Peng, Kial, and Seltrin have a similar idea. The men leave Precipeak to bring more people back with them. It doesn't take them long to realize that the Malignin are gathering forces of their own.