When Touko ventures into the dark forest, a traveling hunter saves her from a vicious fiend—and loses his life in the process. Now the young girl must leave the safety of her village to return her savior's dog and sickle to his family.

While Koushi meets his new family and learns about the task before him, Touko struggles to keep her place on the truck. But even if she succeeds, an unexpected obstacle may cut her journey short.

The survivors of the dragon attack receive unexpected aid from Akira, a lady fire hunter with an unconventional hound. Later, they come upon an abandoned child...with ties to the group that wants them dead.

Touko and Kouji follow a treefolk child into a forbidden area of the capital, where they make a startling discovery. But the spies of the gods are hot on their heels.