Through genetic engineering and the power of the Prince of Darkness himself, Marilena is about to become a chosen vessel, an exact contrary to the Virgin Mary, one who will unknowingly give birth to the greatest evil the world has ever known.

The Rising deals with Rayford Steele's childhood and college days, and how he nearly married another woman.

Thus, Marilena reads an ad for a group to find something "Beyond themselves", and meets Viviana Ivinisova, later known as Viv Ivins.

After giving birth and realizing the amazing talent her son possesses, while showing no concern for her, Marilena discovers Viv's plans for the prodigy child.

After he becomes a multi-millionaire through Stonagal, Nicolae is taken by a demon to the desert, where he is forced to remain without food or water for forty days.

Ray has his own dreams of becoming a pilot, and joins ROTC to attend college, where he meets and almost marries Kitty.

After befriending a woman named Jackie, Irene slowly begins to feel something is missing in her life.