After the Thirteen’s sacrificial Yielding destroys Morath’s witch tower, Manon collapses on the castle battlements and remains lost in shock and silence through the day and night. Abraxos covers Manon with his wing while Manon sleeps, and at dawn Manon wakes to find the tower and much of Morath’s force gone, the army drawn far back, and the city still standing.

Manon rouses the injured Abraxos, and because Abraxos cannot yet fly, they walk together down from the battlements, through the castle, out of the city, and onto the battlefield. Others follow in growing numbers as Abraxos clears Valg bodies from Manon’s path.

Manon reaches the center of the blast radius, where nothing remains of the tower, the Thirteen, or their wyverns. Manon falls to her knees and weeps as ash clings to her tears, while Abraxos lies beside Manon and curls his tail around her.

Behind Manon, leaders and soldiers from many allied peoples gather in silence: Crochans, Ironteeth, humans, Fae, and other rulers and warriors. They honor the Thirteen with white flowers, stones, and personal tokens until the blasted field is transformed into a memorial.

Glennis remains with Manon after the others return to the city and speaks a prophetic charge: “Be the bridge, be the light.” Manon does not register the words and stays kneeling with Abraxos for hours, while far away beyond the mountains, a flower blooms on a barren plain before a ruined city.