The island of Vulture is attacked, forcing the unaffected to hide within Cardboard City. Upon awakening from a 25-year murky existence, refugee Chadam is exposed to his city's devastation and finds that he possesses a powerful secret.

Chadam and Simkin embark on a mission to save a neighbor from the deadly Palid, and the maniacal origin of Vulture's corruption is revealed - Viceroy's insatiable hunger for the life-force rich "gland" of the island's citizens.

A close friend's death and the kidnapping of another motivate Chadam to engage in the battle of his life. Chadam must learn to harness his power if he is to defeat Viceroy and restore vibrancy to Vulture.