The destructive hydrogues continue their war against humans and the fiery entities, the faeros--a struggle that kills planets and extinguishes whole stars Newly crowned Mage-Imperator Jora'h, the leader of tабъплhe ancient and vast Ildiran Empire, struggles with new knowledge he has learned: an ancient bargain and long-standing treachery that may finally bring peace with the hydrogues though it could mean the extermination of the human race.