Brakebills University is a secret institution specializing in magic. There, amidst an unorthodox education of spellcasting, a group of twenty-something friends soon discover that a magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real— and poses grave danger to humanity.

Fraternity brothers head to Las Vegas for spring break. One of them steals the sword of Thutmose III from a hotel. But they have unleashed an ancient curse, and a sand storm that slowly moves down the strip, destroying famed hotels. Seeing the massive destruction, they find out about the legend of the sword and try to stop the storm. They must find a sacred urn, the largest piece of pure gold, and the Dark Messenger. They race against time to find the items before Vegas is wiped off the map.

The story follows the adventures of Aang, a young successor to a long line of Avatars, who must put his childhood ways aside and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.