Every choice holds consequence. As earthbound creatures surge into the Central Mercurial for the first time in an age, Tehran is caught between old responsibilities and his new reality. Haunted by Knox's last plea for him to find the Sky, Tehran conceals his forsaken oaths in hopes his lies won't become liabilities. Meanwhile, Emilia's efforts to unravel enemy technology bring her face-to-face with the forces she is desperate to dismantle. Now truly alone, she must confront her demons and fight the monsters undermining the Order to avoid becoming their puppet. A world away, Knox awakes with new power pumping through his veins and fresh purpose driving him forward. Old bonds are loosed as he fights to reclaim the soul of the Reaches and find his way home to the child whose future is his to protect.