Even as his friends seem finally on the verge of being reunited after all their adventures, the time has come for Dodzi to regain his freedom. He must first pass the test prepared by his kidnapper, the Mad Master: an obstacle course with, perhaps, at the end, his release. Except the young boy doesn't trust that deal, and plans to escape his own way. But nothing has prepared him for the extraordinary discoveries he's about to make...

In the arenas, the Campton kids have won their citizenship' of the In-Between-World's strange society. Now free to come and go as they please, they've left town for the mountains, following Dodzi without really knowing why. When the young boy explains to them that he is in fact trying to discover whether he is the herald of Evil - the Midnight Child - a violent dispute ensues. Meanwhile, hidden nearby, the soldiers of the First Families await an opportunity to attack...

The time has come for war councils, as the elders of the First Families prepare the coming campaign against their enemies of the Last Families. They're still unsure about the leader they've chosen, though - Saul. In response, the latter continues to slide deeper into authoritarianism, and orders that the trials for switching families now be fought to the death. A cruel move that will only stoke the growing rebellion in Neosalem's population - one that Leila will spearhead...

Captured by a mysterious army just as they escaped a Campton overrun with `zombie' children, Dodzi's group, along with what's left of the Clan of the Shark, discover an entire civilisation, ruled over by children who have been in the In-Between-World for a long, long time. Strict rules, a caste system, bizarre superstitions... All new obstacles for the group to overcome - although Saul is being treated like a messiah. And over it all hangs the threat of the sinister Midnight Child...

While trying to escape an avalanche triggered by the killers of the First Families, Ivan drowned. Though this is a less permanent problem that it used to be for the children, Ivan 'returned' far from his friends, in a small village in Brittany where he used to holiday with his parents. There he lives alone, preparing for the long trip back to Neo-Salem. Until the day Camille, now revealed as the Midnight Child, pays him a terrifying visit, and the nightmare begins...

Murdered by the First Families' war leader, Camille has finally shown her true nature: she is the Midnight-Child, the envoy of Evil! Her friends, however, don't know it yet, as they've all been scattered by accident or treachery. Leila, imprisoned by Neosalem's authorities. Dodzi, captured by their enemies of the Last Families. Ivan, presumed dead... Only Terry, the brat, has managed to escape along with the Master of Knives. Not the most conventional of teams!