After a failed attempt at wiping Arcadia of its entire population and dismantle the prosperous Goldhelm, Mal and Zenra are teleported to the opposite side of the negative planeーPandemonium. A land filled with harsh rushing wind, dark bubbling rivers of tar, and no color.

There, they are essentially trapped, able to communicate with some other planesーbut not much else. While Mal pupeteers the unknowing Feren from afar, Zenra begins to build a warlock army in subservience to Mal (as well as himself), plotting a revenge strike to break open the portal to Arcadia. After discovering Ivan's death, Zenra's resolve reaches a peak, and his desire for revenge becomes all consuming.