A young man without a past must become a warrior from legend. Zola Shade’s life begins on a fateful day at the bottom of a well, where he wakes up beaten and without memory. He longs to protect everyone who needs it and to become a warrior worthy of that title. He discovers a special gift in himself: one in which battle codes become obvious, and the language of steel becomes clear. After getting a place in a prestigious elf academy for warriors, Zola strives to expand his knowledge—and maybe even embarrass the proud elves who believe that no human can match them in the art of wielding cold steel. His hard-won skills are put to the test when a strange thunder rolls from deep within the Dagger Mountains: monsters from myths appear. But something far worse is happening… An ancient god, long believed dead, is alive. And he remembers his enemies—even if they don’t remember themselves.