Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea, sword in hand, to drive back the creatures that surge from the waves. Elva is one of the 'kannagi,' warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the island. With his snow-white hair, unaging youth, and black-stained limbs — proof of the corruption that gradually takes the life of every kannagi — the local people fear and shun him... at least until his path crosses with that of a boy named Alto. Enraptured by Elva’s strength and lonely soul, Alto swears to serve him and free him from his cursed fate.

After eight long years, Alto has grown into a capable and fearless young man, unwavering in his devotion to his kannagi. Elva had long ago resigned himself to an early death — but somehow, Alto’s presence seems to be gradually healing him of the black sea's corruption...

Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea... He is one of the kannagi, white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the island and its people. Although most kannagi live short and lonely lives, Elva has found a devoted friend in Alto, who's sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate.

Having finally admitted their deep and tender feelings for one another, Alto and Elva spend their first new moon together as a couple. As Elva finds solace in Alto's embrace, he finally summons the courage within himself to speak the truth of his painful childhood. But as the Church begins to meddle in the affairs of the kannagi and Alto stumbles across a shocking secret about their island home, can Elva accept the happiness and love he has found at Alto's side, knowing that he alone among the kannagi has found a reprieve from their tragic fate?

Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea with sword in hand, driving back creatures that surge forth from the waves - for he is one of the 'kannagi,' white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the people of the island. Although kannagi are destined to live short and lonely lives, Elva has found devoted companion in Alto, whose touch heals the black stains left by the cursed sea, and who has sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate.
 

Night after night, Elva steps forth into the black sea with sword in hand, driving back creatures that surge forth from the waves - for he is one of the 'kannagi,' white-haired, ageless warrior priests chosen by the divine to protect the people of the island. Although kannagi are destined to live short and lonely lives, Elva has found devoted companion in Alto, whose touch heals the black stains left by the cursed sea, and who has sworn to serve him and free him from his cursed fate.

Piece by piece, Alto, Elva, and their allies are unraveling the secrets of the kannagi, the mysterious black sea, and their isolated island home — but every new revelation only brings more questions. After confronting Lord Shiyan and his own painful childhood, Elva finally feels that he is ready to deepen his connection with Alto, and for the two of them to become lovers in truth. But Alto is coming face to face with painful truths of his own as the origins of his healing abilities and immunity to the black sea finally come to light.