In a brutal, philosophical dark-fantasy landscape, a cold, hyper-rational warrior rises as a messianic figure, bending faith and politics to his will and marshaling disparate armies into a devastating holy war; meanwhile a haunted former teacher pursues the truth about his enigmatic pupil as hidden conspiracies and ancient, apocalyptic forces begin to surface, forcing allies and enemies alike to confront the cost of power, prophecy, and fanaticism.