The young Planeswalker Quintorius Kand arrives on Ixalan eager to engage in his first proper bit of field work. Meanwhile, Huatli contends with her role as warrior-poet of an empire that seems to be lurching toward another war.

Wayta and Quint lead the Sun Empire expedition into the caverns under Orazca. Malcolm, Breeches, and the Brazen Coalition expedition get closer to the truth of what happened to Sunray Bay.

Wayta, Quint, Huatli, and the rest of the Sun Empire expedition meet fearsome enemies and unlikely allies deep underground. Malcom and Breeches climb for glory. Amalia, Kellan, and the vampires of Torrezon meet a formidable foe.

The Oltec learn of the surface and what happened to the plane they isolated themselves from. Malcolm and Breeches find what they're looking for. Amalia, Kellan, and the rest of the Legion discover just how welcome they are in the Core.

Huatli takes flight. Malcolm and Breeches make their escape. Vito reaches the apex of his quest. The Core is exposed to the dangers of the world around, above, and within. The great battle begins.

The Core must be defended at any cost; who pays, and how bitter the price, will define the shape of Ixalan to come.

Saheeli is stranded on Ixalan, far from home but close to her lover, Huatli. A new subject of the Sun Empire, Saheeli learns that this period of relative peace following the defeat of the Phyrexians might only be a lull between wars.