Talasyn prepares for the Moonless Dark in ceremonial blue-and-gold armor, feeling almost like a soldier again. She refuses Elagbi, Jie, the Lachis-dalo, and Iantas’s crew permission to accompany her and Alaric, because she fears the Voidfell will reach anyone too close to the eruption. Talasyn and Alaric take an unarmed pleasure yacht from Iantas to the emptied capital of Eskaya.

In the deserted city, Talasyn worries about the people who chose to stay behind for her. Alaric explains that loyalty and love matter, then admits that the Continent’s evacuation failed to save everyone because there were not enough ships and Gaheris refused Nenavarene help. Alaric confesses that he feels he has failed his people and dreams of tearing down the old power structures.

For a moment, Talasyn nearly asks Alaric to join her and her allies after the Moonless Dark, imagining that they could overthrow the old order and build a life together. That hope collapses when Alaric clarifies that his plan begins with crushing the Sardovian resistance and hunting down its leaders before confronting the Kesathese old guard. Hurt but unable to reject what might be their last chance for tenderness, Talasyn lets Alaric kiss her.

On the voyage toward Vasiyas, dozens of dragons surface from the Eversea and surround the yacht. Talasyn first fears an attack, but the dragons form an escort like the one that protected Urduja’s flagship. When Talasyn makes eye contact with one dragon, Talasyn senses an ancient recognition and realizes the dragons are watching over her.

At Aktamasok, Ishan Vaikar and the Ahimsan Enchanters circle the crater in their coracles while Talasyn and Alaric hover above the abyss with the amplifying configuration on the yacht’s deck. As the moons disappear and the eclipse nears totality, Alaric struggles with all the things he cannot confess, including regret, affection, and Gaheris’s hidden plans. Talasyn refuses to accept a farewell and reminds Alaric that they must fight to live; strengthened by her resolve, Alaric tells her he would want no one else beside him. Ishan asks if they are ready, and Talasyn confirms that they are.