Long after the fall of a civilisation of giants, on the continent of Vannin, the realms of mankind are constantly threatened by all sorts of monstrous creatures. In order to fight them, they created 'Contractors', people who have obtained control over the four elements through pacts with nature spirits. Phelim Jocelyn, a teenager from the eastern Republic of Dalkeith, is one of these Contractors; every day, he undergoes the same thankless grind, fighting against the beasts that plague the countryside in defence of his fellow citizens. One day, what seems to be a routine hunt reveals that there's something darker at work, and it's up to Phelim and a few of his fellow Contractors to find out exactly what it is. However, he might be getting into something far above his head ...