Recruit heroes. Build an empire. Defend it with your life. Talon and the Black Hats are notorious troublemakers in the online world of Haven. With a history of brash rebellion and legendary deeds, what are champions to do next? Founding a headquarters is a good start, but the Black Hats aren't the only empire builders in the land. As crusaders mobilize an army, assassins struggle for independence, and dissidents make waves in Stronghold, Haven's tentative peace is threatened. The gears of war are churning and Talon refuses to be crushed in the teeth. Enlisting the help of an old friend, Talon hatches an ingenious scheme to wrangle the embattled citizens of Haven to his cause. Except there's another plot shaping the virtual world, one meticulously devised by a ghost in the machine. The true fight, it turns out, started a long time ago, and the real battle may be one against legends.