Aelin arrives at the crossroads of eternity barely able to move or think. Her fire and power are gone, leaving only a single droplet of water that she shields as the twelve gods emerge through the portal behind her.

The gods demand that Aelin summon their world and finish sealing the gate with the Lock, a task that would require Aelin to spend the last remnant of herself. As Aelin looks at them, Aelin sees Elena trapped among their ranks and recognizes that the gods still intend to take Elena with them.

Aelin asks for a bargain before completing the gods' return. Aelin opens the way to the gods' own realm, then offers to trade Erawan's soul for Elena's: the gods may leave Erawan in Erilea, but Elena must be allowed to remain in the Afterworld with those she loves.

Elena begs the gods not to accept, but Aelin tells Elena that the debt has been paid enough. Aelin reveals through her reasoning that she had wanted her friends to believe they could face Erawan without her, hoping Yrene Towers might still destroy him if Aelin used Erawan as the price for Elena's freedom.

The gods do not grant Aelin's request. Deanna approaches Elena, says she had hoped for this, and crushes Elena into a thousand fading pieces while Mala reacts in warning and grief. Deanna declares that the gods no longer make bargains with mortals and tells Aelin to keep Erawan if that is what Aelin wants, leaving Aelin staring at the place where Elena's soul has been utterly destroyed.