Hope is the dawn amid the darkness.

After the disastrous confrontation in the Badlands, Astrea barely has the strength to survive renewed attacks by the Paragon and the Helosian Empire. With aetherium escalating an ever deadlier war, Astrea and her new allies must find a way to destroy it-and those who harness its power for evil gains.

But knowing who to trust in the brutal fight for control isn't easy, and Astrea struggles to determine whether old foes and mysterious newcomers are truly on her side.

When they receive word of another large aetherium deposit, this time in the unforgiving northern reaches of Novaria, the alliance races to beat Victor Nazarov and the Helosian Emperor there. But as one enemy fails, another gains strength.

Should Astrea and her friends fall short of victory, their sacrifices will be forgotten amid the ashes of a world consumed by darkness.