Hesper loses her monstrous wings during a catastrophic mountain avalanche, adopting fragile human flesh to repay an emotional debt to Cedrin. She hands him a sacred shimmering scale that elevates him to high priest, only for the hypocritical cleric to discard her in favor of a wealthy royal bride.
Betrayed even by the priest's newly healed sister, Hesper discovers the kingdom plans to offer her battered body as a sacrificial feast to ancient beasts. Instead of meekly accepting the slaughter, she unleashes dormant primal bloodlines to shatter the corrupt cathedral and make the kingdom pay for every stolen gift.
