In an endless sea of sand drifts the Mud Whale, a floating island city of clay and magic. In its chambers a small community clings to survival, cut off from its own history by the shadows of the past.

Lykos and Ouni have been captured by Orca, but instead of organizing a rescue, Suou has ordered the Mud Whale to set sail for their new homeland. Chakuro won't just abandon his friends, though, and he's determined to find a way to save them. But Orca has just declared independence from the empire, and any rescue attempt will end up right in the middle of his cataclysmic plans!