Hiras fires a crossbow at Talasyn, confirming that the Sardovians left behind on the Continent know about Talasyn’s marriage to Alaric but not about Ideth Vela’s bargain with Nenavar. Because Hiras and the other rebels believe Talasyn betrayed them, they attack. Talasyn fights defensively, trying not to hurt former comrades, but when a rebel strikes her and the group closes in, her Lightweave erupts uncontrollably and burns four attackers to death.

Hiras, devastated, raises the crossbow again, but Alaric arrives through the Shadowgate and destroys the weapon. Talasyn stops Alaric from killing Hiras, only for another rebel to sneak up behind Alaric. To keep Alaric alive, Talasyn uses her remaining strength to form a Lightweave spear and kills the attacker, while Sevraim and Ileis capture Hiras despite Nisene nearly throwing a knife at him.

Hiras reveals the rebels’ final intention when the Chiton dives toward the plaza. Talasyn realizes the Sardovians meant to destroy themselves along with the assembled leadership of Kesath, including House Ossinast, High Command, and the Shadowforged Legion. Before the stormship can crush the Citadel, Gaheris unleashes an enormous Shadowgate working from a nearby building, forming black chimera-like shapes that tear the Chiton apart. Alaric shields Talasyn from the falling wreckage.

In a brief shift to Alaric’s perspective, Alaric is shaken by how close Talasyn and the Citadel came to destruction. The attack reminds Alaric of earlier devastation in Kesath and reinforces Alaric’s belief that enemies surround the empire and that the war cannot stop.

Later, the Nenavarene contingent is barricaded in a sitting room. Jie breaks down from the violence, Elagbi wants to leave for the Dominion immediately, and Urduja agrees that they should depart soon but notes that Talasyn’s public killing of Sardovians helps prove that Talasyn has no lingering loyalty to the Allfold. Alaric arrives and refuses to let the delegation leave until morning, insisting that the postponed coronation gala will still be held that night to project unity and victory.

Alaric gives Talasyn her damaged crown and asks why she ran toward the rebels. Talasyn lies with half-truths, claiming panic and old familiarity, and Alaric accepts the explanation because Talasyn saved Alaric’s life in front of witnesses. He admits that he and his father hid the rebellion because they did not trust Talasyn, but now argues that Sardovia will stop at nothing and that he and Talasyn are stronger together. Talasyn, guilt-ridden over killing Sardovians and unsettled by Alaric’s trust, realizes she is no longer sure she could kill Alaric if the Allfold required it. Before Alaric leaves, Talasyn asks why Alaric spared Hiras, and Alaric answers that he did so because Talasyn told him not to.