Opiumruns through the heart of theNikara Empire, a constant reminder of the war with theFederation of Mugenthat brought it to the empire’s shores. A war that only ended thanks to three heroes – theVipress, theDragon Emperor& theGatekeeper– known as theTrifecta. They were legendary figures, each bestowed with god-like powers, who united the warlords of theEmpireagainst theFederation.Decades have passed.The Trifectais shattered; theDragon Emperoris dead, theGatekeeperis missing, & theVipressalone sits on the throne atSinegard. Peace reigns, yet the poppy remains.War orphanFang Runingrew up with it. Her adopted family smuggles it throughout theRooster province, making a living on the misfortune of those addicted to its smoke. But whenRin’sparents force her into an arranged marriage,Rinrefuses to accept her fate and fights her way to the prestigious military academy atSinegard.There she will learn of drug-fuelled shamanic powers thought to be myth, powers which might defeat theFederationduring its third invasion. But the cost of some power is too great to pay, even if it means winning a war that threatens to destroy an entire nation.