A year after the war Wil is trying to start a new life as a healer, but finds himself targeted by a mysterious woman. Eretria learns that her new allies have been lying to her, and Allanon discovers Bandon's plan to unleash a terrifying new evil upon the Four Lands.
King Ander and Allanon go to the human city of Leah to attempt to forge an alliance against the Crimson. Elsewhere Wil and Mareth avoid demon pursuers on their way to find Wil's uncle, and Eretria and Lyria run afoul of the notorious and cutthroat bounty hunter Garet Jax.
Allanon finds himself a prisoner of the Crimson deep inside an ancient fortress, where General Riga seeks an ancient codex in order to purge all magic from the realm. Wil is reunited with Eretria, setting out with Mareth and Jax on a new quest to find Allanon.
Wil, Mareth, and Allanon head out on a quest to locate the only weapon the Druid believes can defeat the coming enemy: the Sword of Shannara. Bandon warns the Queen of Leah that the Warlock Lord is coming to collect on an old debt, and King Ander suspects a traitor in his midst.
With Wil and Mareth in tow Allanon confronts a powerful Bandon, attempting to trap him in a magical prison. Meanwhile Eretria learns more about her family history, and Jax attempts to pay an old debt.
Sent to Wil's home village in the past, Wil and Mareth appeal to his young parents for help in locating the skull of the Warlock Lord. Meanwhile Jax is sent to eliminate General Riga, who has plans of his own for the wedding of Ander and Lyria.
With Allanon gravely wounded Mareth enters into his dreamscape in the hopes of rescuing him, only to be confronted by her own destiny. While Eretria and Lyria flee from the Crimson attack on Leah, Bandon attempts to resurrect the Warlock Lord.
Wil returns to the Elcrys to speak with Amberle, who believes there is still hope to stop the coming darkness -- if Wil confronts his past. As Mareth begins to train with Allanon, Bandon requests a favor from the Warlock Lord.
Allanon and Mareth rush to confront the Warlock Lord before he acquires the powerful Druid Codex, only to discover that they are too late. While the group attempts to guard Heaven's Well from the enemy, Eretria worries that the darkness inside her may be their undoing.
With Eretria secretly possessed by a Wraith, the Warlock Lord seizes Heaven's Well and threatens to bring darkness to the Four Lands, with only Wil and Mareth standing in his way.