Remlar

In the war room, Isla warns Oro and Grim that Lark seeks the heart of Lightlark and plans to kill them all. She rejects Grim’s scorched-earth plan and proposes luring Lark with the heart, then banishing her through Nightshade’s portal using a missing page and the sun god-bone she stole. Enya and Calder agree to gather remaining forces for evacuation, while Grim is sent to retrieve Cronan’s sword to control the dreks—only to find the thief’s hoard gone. Oro frees Zed to help Grim locate the superior thief.

Isla and Oro fly to Sky Isle to find Remlar, but the hive is abandoned. Amid strained feelings, Isla triggers a trap; Remlar reveals himself and, recalling the cruelty of otherworld gods, agrees to help. He offers a solution: a powerful curse bound to a shademade blade he forges and ties to himself, which could incapacitate Lark.

Returning to the castle, Isla portals the assembled survivors to the newlands and Oro orders any remaining bodies burned to prevent Lark’s bloodless. Isla then revisits the Place of Mirrors, recognizing the vault as shademade infused with Wildling blood. In a vulnerable exchange, she confesses to Oro a prophecy that she will kill either him or Grim, and another that she may save or end the world; Oro declares his forgiveness and enduring love.

They spot Wren on Wild Isle and give chase. Wren attacks with glassy eyes and no blood—she is bloodless—forcing Oro to burn her to ash. Realizing Lark has Isla’s starstick and unrestricted mobility, Isla reaches for Grim’s portal power and finds the bond severed, spiraling into panic.

An undead serpent-woman from the prior battle attacks. Isla and Oro escape by leaping from a cliff, pinning the creature on jagged rocks. On the beach they are surrounded by bloodless Skylings; Isla, unable to feel Grim, erupts with catastrophic power, boiling the sea and shredding the attackers. When the fury clears, she turns to Oro and sees him bleeding with a blade buried in his chest.