Erdas is a land of balance. A rare link, the spirit animal bond, bridges the human and animal worlds. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan each have this gift--and the grave responsibility that comes with it. But the Conquerors are trying to destroy this balance, setting the world on fire and swallowing whole cities in their rush for power--including Meilin's home. Fed up with waiting and ready to fight, Meilin has set off into enemy territory with her spirit animal, a panda named Jhi. Her friends aren't farbehind, but they're not the only ones. The enemy is everywhere.