Francis Graham is a young boy seen as dim-witted by the people of his poor, small town of Sunton. He lives in fear of his abusive mother, the school-aged bullies, dismissive adults, and the monsters that live outside of the protective walls.

Suddenly, things start to look up for Francis, and he has his chance to prove his worth to himself and the people of Sunton. However, once outside the walls, he must face stories of beasts, "Soul-Eaters," the race of skeletons known as revenants, and other frightening monsters.

Francis must then figure out a way to survive in the big, open world, exposed to all of Embri's dangers.