In the 1840s. P'etro Fedorchak narrowly escapes death while fighting in the Allied Shadow War. After receiving a land grant for his heroic service, he marries Ilia and relocates near the enchanted Black Sea.

Samuil is born in a cabin near the edge of the haunted Southern Forest. In the forest Bogs a mysterious shadow fog is transforming forest animals into deadly shadow creatures, who stalk Samuil from birth.

Samuil often escapes to the serenity of the forest and finds peace while listening to the singing river and communing with the animals.

As the shadow creatures' aggressions escalate, Samuil befriends Nikolai of the Caves; an eccentric time traveling wizard with an old hound named Wolf Killer, and the Legendary Snow Owl. Together with Katya and Teddy, they use their powers in a spine-chilling cosmic battle on Devils Island attempting to defeat the Shadows. Only time will tell whether they can fend them off long enough to claim their extraordinary destiny.