After a triumphant return from Persidia, Arian plans the final confrontation with the elusive aggressor that continues to wreck innocent lives. He sits in council with his monarchs and commanders to craft strategies for war. Knowing that their search will take them into various lands, Arian seeks the help of close and distant kingdoms and is surprised by responses Nehemia receives from unlikely sources. He then leads his forces into Kilani where they bivouac on Lord Kalazar's estates. However, while his mighty forces gather in Kilani and prepare for war, the enemy strengthens their armies for outright onslaughts against Nehemia and Zennara to wrest the crowns of those kingdoms. Now that they are entrenched in Kilani, Arian, posing as an assassin for hire, embarks on a perilous journey into the enemy's midst. He meets Lord Nightingale who recruits him and escorts him into Thurmegor's encampments where Arian comes face to face with the architects of the woes of his kingdoms. And there he discovers the aggressors' identities, his role in their schemes, and the scope of their plans for war. While still in the enemy's encampments, Arian meets Anika and initiates a chain of events that progresses from humiliation of Thurmegor to devastating offensives against enemy encampments. Sudden death and terror in the darkness of night haunt the enemy's lives while Arian and his commanders bring their forces to bear on the battles to come. Final confrontation occurs in four major battles that lead to annihilation of the enemy's might. But the toll of war leaves smoldering distress in Arian's soul, a brooding discontent, for he finds neither comfort nor triumph in death and desolation that descend on friend and foe alike. And all the while, the shadow of Glenore looms over his consciousness, a recurrent reminder of his failure to find his love. However, despite his personal anguish and his rage against the enemy, he remains true to himself and faces his responsibilities in one way: Arian's Way.