As night falls over Orynth, Aedion watches Morath pull back again, recognizing Erawan’s tactic: not to grant mercy, but to exhaust Terrasen until its defenders beg for surrender. After five days of desperate fighting, the weapons have finally run out. The archers have no arrows, and Rolfe confirms that the Mycenians’ firelances are spent.

Lysandra lands on the wall in wyvern form, wounded and covered in blood, then shifts and joins Aedion. Their brief tenderness underscores how little hope remains, but also how their bond has deepened during the siege. With no ranged weapons left and Morath’s army still surrounding the city, Aedion, Lysandra, and Rolfe understand that the end may come within hours.

From the castle battlements, Evangeline hears Morath’s bone drums begin again after sunset, signaling that the enemy is preparing for the final assault. Lord Sloane says the battle will likely be over tomorrow or the next day. When Evangeline asks Darrow what will happen, Darrow bluntly explains that Terrasen must either surrender into slavery or fight until death.

Darrow asks what Evangeline would choose. Evangeline speaks of Caraverre, the home Murtaugh showed her, and of Terrasen as the first place that ever meant safety, belonging, and freedom from those who hurt people like her and Lysandra. Because Terrasen has become her home, Evangeline says she would choose to fight to the very end.

Moved by Evangeline’s words, Darrow brings her to the Great Hall, where exhausted soldiers are eating a meager meal. Before everyone, Darrow returns the Sword of Orynth to Aedion and acknowledges Aedion’s lifelong service to Terrasen. Darrow then formally recognizes Lysandra as Lady of Caraverre and confirms that Evangeline is Lysandra’s heir.

Darrow goes further, asking to name Evangeline as his own heir because she understands and embodies the heart of Terrasen. Lysandra leaves the decision to Evangeline, who accepts. Elsewhere that night, Manon sits with Abraxos as the bone drums continue, believing Orynth will fall at dawn. She thinks of Dorian’s uncertain fate and grieves that she may never see the Wastes, imagining the homeland she had hoped to reclaim for her people.