The Mark gave him purpose. The stone gave him light. The Leviathan - knowledge. But all Nud Leatherleaf ever wanted was a normal life and his parents back. That seems impossible after he uncovers a powerful ancient artifact - a gateway to a greater consciousness. As its random powers begin to surface, Nud pieces together the forces behind a series of vicious attacks in his community, and is drawn into a high stakes game orchestrated by a ruling madman with an unquenchable thirst for power. His reluctant role in the destruction to come appears inescapable. Worse, his actions lead to the capture of his close friends. With their lives hanging in the balance, Nud ventures into an underground realm afflicted with slavery, brutality and a system of misguided beliefs. Forced to choose between love, friendship and family in a world where the boundaries between life, death and immortality are blurred, Nud makes the unthinkable sacrifice - one that forever changes who he is.