As the Kulipari thrive in their new settlement of Nova Australis, Chief Bindi of the Gecko tribe seeks Darel's help to rescue his kidnapped son.

While the Kulipari youth deal with a snake problem, Darel and his party descend upon Cardigal, where Darkan's guards scour the area for intruders.

Darel dons a disguise to rescue Ponto deep inside the dungeons of Darkan's fortress. Stinger and the triplets tend to a poisoned Jir back home.

As Jir's condition worsens, the Kulipari youth search for a rare flower to be used in an antidote. Lady Fahlga offers to help Darel in locating Ponto.

With all of Cardigal focused on the tournament, Captain Killara offers Darel and his rescue party a way to slip inside Darkan's palace undetected.

Per Killara's plan, Darel and party find themselves easily infiltrating the palace dungeon. But a cleverly set trap awaits their arrival.

The events that transpired during Darel's rescue attempt are shown from Killara's viewpoint. Lady Fahlga gets an opportunity to exact her revenge.

The Kulipari youth rush to deliver the antidote to Jir. Chained to each other, Marmoo and Ponto must fight together to survive the tournament.

Darel and Lady Fahlga hatch an escape plan, urging Ponto to persuade Killara's soldiers to convince prisoners inside Darkan's castle to revolt.

While Koa's body floats in a trance-like state, his mind struggles inside the dreamworld as a battle for his soul rages on between Sergu and Jarrah.