A Heaven, beset by treason and murder, now marshals its legions for war. And for Elysia, so too her heart. As Baracael's forces prepare to invade Astraeria, the South Continent, Elysia and Alirion embark on a desperate diplomatic mission, hoping to prevent a war that could destroy both realms. What they discover in Astraeria shatters everything they believed about their enemy—a civilization not preparing for conquest, but struggling with their own devastating legacy of The War that shattered both Astraeria and Heaven six hundred years ago. But their mission faces sabotage from within Heaven's own ranks, and their return brings only deeper chaos. Lux Aeterna soon falls under martial law as violence erupts in the very heart of the Angelic Council. And as The Withering spreads its merciless grip across Harmonia and political machinations threaten to tear Heaven apart, Elysia and Alirion race against time to do something—anything—not only to stop Baracael, but to unravel the mysteries of The Withering once and for all. Some awakenings come as a revelation. Others, at a price. For Elysia, perhaps both.