The Whims of Fate - Guardian of the Core, #4

With the death of the Hown, the most elite warriors in the system, the nations of Gladonus are on the precipice of total collapse. Hydro faces challenge after challenge as he seeks out the twelve contained gods. Can he secure all the godstones and do Zigarda's beckoning to protect his brother? Or will the hunt for the jewels cost him his life? Zain continues his homebound journey, unsure of his purpose.
Along the way, he learns the pillars of faith from Gracie's Academy. But can those values help save him and those who have sacrificed themselves to his cause? How many more will suffer before the war on Ka'Che ends? Can he return home and save his mother before it's too late? Guardian Eska prepares for his greatest challenge yet, impeachment. Sensing his own mortality, Eska reveals secret truths to his apprentice in hopes of readying him for his ascension to Guardian.
But should Eirek fail, who would the mantle fall to? What will happen to the system the Guardians have sworn to protect should chaos reign? In the time of such uncertainty, it's clear that even the strongest are puppets to the whims of fate.