When we betray our friends...when kingdoms break...when freedom enslaves...redemption remains. Six months have passed since eighteen year old Matthew Hawking left behind his lavish home to hunt down the Crystals of Erisedia, the only weakness of the warlord Carsumi. Now, the crystals have been stolen, and the social order of the Otherworld is finally breaking under Carsumi's lawless army. Matthew and his friends lead a meager group of freedom fighters to take back the crystals and finally end Carsumi's reign. However, Matthew knows differently. Even if he can break into Carsumi's fortress to reclaim the crystals before winter ends, it will be for nothing. One secret is slowly destroying him...and the fate of the Otherworld. He has only himself to blame.