Grim and isolated, The Fortress sits upon its island. It is not nearly as impenetrable as the Ruling Council would like. With its walls of wood and stone, and its high watchtowers scanning the dismal swamp, it is the last line of defense for the humans against a dark and dangerous world. The only other protection for mankind are the Slayers, a magic-infused fighting force sent into the murky waters outside the city to hunt the denizens of the swamp. However, there is a sinister element to the magic used to compel the Slayers into their combat partnerships. The dirty underbelly of society, the poor, the destitute, and most of all the criminals are forced to undergo the Binding and daily face death. They are an army of slaves. A Burning Hope is the tale of one man defying his own desperate circumstances, as for the first time in his life he dares to hope and dream. It is the story of a Slayer named Maeze and his fight to regain control of his destiny and live the life of freedom he desires.