A war has been waging for centuries--a magical and technological battle between good and evil. When 12-year old Max Rigdon is sent to stay with his grandfather for the summer, he unwillingly enters the fight. Max must quickly learn the necessary skills to survive if he is to avoid the deadly trap that has been planned for him and his grandfather.

For decades Hudich, the leader of an evil army, had been held prisoner in a world called Pekel. Before releasing him last summer to save Max's friend Cindy, Max's grandfather neutralized Hudich's magical powers with the aid of an advanced high-tech collar. Unfortunately, Hudich's escape allowed him to relay a centuries-old secret to his followers that helps them find a powerful weapon. With the aid of this new weapon, an ancient magical gateway, the enemy kidnaps Max's mother and forces him to do their bidding by threatening to kill her. To keep his mother alive, Max will embark on another...

Grandpa Joe's town has always been controlled by the enemy, who walks openly among them. Yet, Max has always felt safer there than anywhere else. Until now that is. A perfect killer is on the loose. One that not only destroys a person's body, but steals their soul. Kacha, the changeling, has unlocked the secrets of the ancient magical book and is building a new hourglass and gateway. He discovers how to construct a powerful weapon called "The Demon's Fork," which allows him to capture the souls of everyone in the entire town, all at once. Kacha uses this curse on Grandpa's town to distract...