 After years of war between the Kingdom of Highland and the City-State of Jowston, the two nations have signed a peace agreement. The demonic Prince Luca Blight of Highland, determined to destroy the State, stages a massacre of the Youth Brigade the night before they are supposed to return home. Two boys, Riou and Jowy manage to escape, and find themselves branded as traitors by Highland. They soon find themselves in possession of two halves of the Rune of the Beginning, sealed by the leading generals of Highland and Jowston years earlier. Each in possession of one half of the rune, they are fated to fight each other. Riou bands together the squabbling factions of the State, while Jowy betrays the State and becomes a leading figure in the Highland Army. Together, these two boys and the 108 Stars of Destiny will determine the outcome of the war.