Tanner, a young boy in the land of Avantia, is unexpectedly chosen by the phoenix Firepos to be her Rider. He learns that his destiny is to locate three other Beasts and their destined Riders so that together they can oppose the evil warlord Derthsin, who wields the magical Mask of Death and leads destructive armies. Tanner and Firepos set out on a perilous quest, facing battles, betrayal, and the discovery of hidden powers.