During a protracted civil war that pitted the North against the South, the outnumbered Northerners used dark magic to create monsterous super-soldiers called Incarnates. Now that the war has ended, those Sacred Beasts must learn to make their way in a peaceful society, or face death at the hands of a Beast Hunter. Nancy Schaal Bancroft, the daughter of an Incarnate, turns to hunting the hunter herself. But once she catches up with her quarry, she discovers hard truths about the lives of these Sacred Beasts.
Hank travels in search of Cain, who proceeds with the Incarnate research that Elaine left unfinished. Schaal, held captive by Cain, learns about her power and must choose whether to sacrifice herself for the future of the Incarnates. Meanwhile, Claude searches for his own way to protect the nation and its people as the Northern Union of Patria prepares for war. Each of their paths comes winding back together as the story heads for its grand finale...