4Mecursto had no idea that the events of his seemingly short life would have such an impact on the world, but that was to be expected considering that his understanding of the world had been largely restricted by the one who had ultimately designed his fate... Locked in isolation, a young boy searches for answers regarding his existence, unaware that the powerful instincts keeping him alive in a hostile world are anything out of the ordinary-A strange, old hermit of unknown origin shares similar power, yet his insatiable hunger for more compels him to locate the hidden source of his talents deep in the undiscovered reaches of the surrounding landscape-A king seeking glory aspires to be the one who will finally free his people from the brutal whims of the creatures inhabiting the poisoned forest surrounding the city, and he is willing to go to any lengths to deliver their salvation-The army's battle-lord also strives to overthrow the creatures' tyranny, but for reasons of a more personal nature-ones derived of loss and an unquenchable desire for revenge-The prince, and only heir to the throne, wishes for nothing more than a private life with the soon-to-be mother of his child in a forbidden relationship that defies his father's expectations. All five share a fate that is being manipulated by an unseen orchestrator whose hidden agenda will not be denied, but whose power to achieve the end must come willingly from the unsuspecting group-a group whose personal desires will drive them relentlessly towards monumental and unforeseen consequences.