Technology once destroyed the world. If they fail in their mission, it will happen again. Eastern North America, 4106. Anselm Blackthorne worries it's all slipping away. Suspecting his advisors are plotting against him, witch-hunters failing to contain growing monster attacks, and a rebellion brewing in the south, the aging King of New Prosperity fears his dynasty is crumbling. So when a mysterious masked stranger tells him he can end the threat by calling on the forbidden magic of Old World tech, the embattled monarch wrestles with an irresistible temptation. Drake Hale is desperate to restore stability to the nation. Sent to deal with the mounting unrest, the devoted warrior is concerned the king's son's ill-advised violent response will set the country ablaze in civil war.

But before he can reason with anyone, he finds himself captured by rebels when the prince's tyranny results in open conflict. Furious when the usurpers attempt to assassinate him, Anselm feels compelled to commit the ultimate sin and embrace the tools that once laid the planet low. And as Drake debates killing leaders from both sides to avert widespread bloodshed, he's horrified to discover that an ancient darkness has returned. With the fate of the human race at stake, will either man rise to preserve humanity from its doom?.