Ru begins his training under Will and Menel. He tells Will that he's eager to learn from him what courage is and what it means to be a warrior, but Will himself is struggling with the meaning of courage as he recalls the Lord of Holly's prophecy.

As the party rests in the City of the Dead, Gus warns Will about how dangerous Valacirca is and tells him it's okay to turn back. But Will's mind is made up. All Gus can do is send him on his way with a word of advice...

Will's crew saves Dine, an elf, from a hydra's attack. Dine tells them that the dragon's miasma has tainted her homeland of Lothdor and sickened its people, so Will decides to go there and heal them.

William and the others enter into the Iron Country. As they delve further in they begin to hear the sounds of clanking metal and footsteps as they approach the Hall of Stone. As they carefully make their way in they find a large group of undead dwarves.

When Will's party finally faces the overwhelming power of Valacirca, they prepare for a fight to the death... but then the dragon suddenly offers to become Will's servant. What is Valacirca thinking, and what choice is Will going to make?

The battle between Will and Valacirca rages on. Will has exhausted his strength and depleted his mana, his companions have fallen, and his beloved weapon, Pale Moon, is broken. Then, just when the situation is looking dire...

Just when it seems Will's fate is sealed, Stagnate appears and resurrects the former residents of the Iron Country. Gracefeel transfers their souls into Will, giving him the courage to face Valacirca again. Will's epic battle reaches its climax...