"The Return" takes place a few weeks following the conclusion of "The Revolt." As Kyle Slade settles into his new role as leader of the People after having taken control of the Citadel and ousting the few remaining Khelaan. The othes from Earth, those that have chosen to remain on the unnamed world, are also settling into their new lives and preparing for the births of several children. Everything is progressing smoothly until the renegade faction of former Villagers, the Faelin, returns with a new leader, one having abilities comparable to those Kyle possesses. This group has joined forces with the Khelaan remnant and threaten the People with eradication. The People abandon the Citadel and return to the Village, preparing for a massive attack. In the process of fending off this attack, Kyle's abilities are removed by the Faelin leader and the leader, the one that nearly killed him on Earth prior to being taken by the Khelaan, kidnaps the one person Kyle cares most deeply about.

Kyle and a few others pursue the leader to rescue the love of his life. To do so, he must contact a hidden race, one formerly allied with the People and separated well before the arrival of the Khelaan, to restore his abilities in order to confront the Faelin leader, his nemesis, and the entire Faelin society.

It doesn't go quite as planned.