With the war in full swing, Loest gets caught up with a group of Irumian soldiers debating on which side to join. After a massive attack from the Shadow on the Vale, and a rescue by the human commander Gunther, the Irumian agree to help the human forces, acting as a staging point for an assault against the fallen lands of Layar. Loest discovers the corruption the crystals cause; the power of the Crystals not only drains the lands but tears away at the user, eventually making them into a being of the same negative energy. Despite this he vows to protect his world at any cost.
Meanwhile Rothem works to rebuild the ancient machine constructed by the Aldmor (most of whom are now known as the Elementals), gathering more and more forces to his banner. He stays mainly at Castle Layar, with vast plains to serve as warning against anyone attempting to bring a small force. This leads the human armies to launch an all out campaign against the castle, trying to stop the end before it begins; a plan which succeeds in retaking the structure and revealing Rothem's identity, but fails in killing him. The former King retreats to Fort Balor, changed to match his new persona, with the ancient machine.
A plan is formed to use the Human armies as a distraction against the fort while Loest and a group of King's Hand (assassins) aim to slip in through Jericho's secret entrance. The plan works to a point, allowing them to assault Rothem, but he slaughters the assassins out of hand, and leaves Loest to die as the boy watches him ascend - but Loest summons all of his pain and bitterness, channels it into the crystal, and unleashes it into the machine just as it activates. This overloads the machine, and reduces Rothem to a pile of crystals and black goo, leaking into the lower sections of the fort. It also costs him his life, but leaves the Shadow with no leadership, forcing them to escape the battle and lick their wounds.
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See also: Category:Dark_Prophecies