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The former Guardians of Tomorrow, an elite band of time warriors from the future, arrive in Shaldani just as
the first Ebene attack takes place. Trapped within the borders of the unfriendly country, with no way of getting out,
their plans for moving to Padua are shattered. Aden wanders off in search of one a few of the horses while Philip,
Adriana, Tranns, Sito, Mia, Jesse, and Ariadne are drawn to a mysterious building known as the Phoenix House. There,
they meet Casey, a brilliant but bumbling scientist who explains the situation of the Ebene to them that magic seems
completely useless outside of the walls of the Phoenix House. She cannot, however, explain what is going on.
A mysterious Risan stranger named Lucien arrives and immediately charms his way into the House. He tells the
group that a portal opened right above him while he was traveling across the country and everyone in the area dropped
dead except for him. He can't explain why he was immune. Despite his pleasant airs, he and Tranns quickly draw
battle lines, becoming instant enemies.
Casey's old schoolmate, Jonas, arrives in the Phoenix House in distress. His entire village has been destroyed
by a portal but he too has remained immune. The group are baffled. They begin to pool their common experiences,
looking for some trait that they all share. Soon they determine that the cause of immunity is exposure to the Circuits
of Time, something they all seem to suffer from. The theory is quickly confirmed by a mysterious white crystal that
Casey carries, which can read DNA and detect even the slightest variations. She discovers that, indeed, all of them
have a "coloring" that demonstrates exposure.
They decide that they need to band together to try and fight against the Ebene, the name of this mysterious new enemy, but
Philip, leader of the Guardians, shocks everyone when he announces that he no longer wants to be in command. Despite
protestations, he insists. The group debate about who will take command and though Adriana expresses interest, the absent
Aden is unanimously elected the new leader. His sister Tranns, however, shows deep concern for this decision, as the
last time Aden was put in command, all of his people were slaughtered. Meanwhile, alone, the lovers Philip and Ariadne
toast this new beginning.
While Adriana moons over Lucien, Lucien begins to fall for Mia. His hopes are crushed though, when Aden arrives,
safe and unharmed and Mia only has eyes for him. Aden agrees to take on the role of leader under the condition
that Philip and Tranns take charge of all combat situations. Thus, the new team is formed and the saga begins.
They decide to call themselves the Phoenix Fighters, both in honor of the mysterious House that protects them and to symbolize
their hopes that Shaldani will rise from the ashes of this disaster.
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