In the world of Arria, Doomba has lived in the Wastelands for thousands of years, trying to survive and build up his army of evil minions and monsters. Protected by his shadows or shades, demons that surround him in a mist, he sits on his throne and manipulates the world around him through his Servants and Followers.

Yet he's afraid, for a prophecy has come to his attention of a tiger of light that will arise and destroy him. Doomba wants to destroy the tiger of light before it's born and gains its full strength.

Thousands of miles away from the Wastelands, an immortal storyteller known only as Old Man confronts his daughter, Nisa, as she learns the truth about her father and the secrets he hides as guardian of her village, Coe Baba. Coe Baba lies in Mila Forest, isolated from the rest of the world with the people fearful of the monsters that might lurk beyond.

One night, a woman named Kala arrives in the village of Coe Baba, chased by an assassin. She finds shelter at The Smiling Stallion inn, owned by the innkeeper Geda and his wife Habala, who's just given birth to her son Oaka.

Kala is about to give birth as well to a son she names Basha. A son, she tells the Old Man and his daughter Nisa, who will grow up to be the tiger of light.