Chapter 60: Baz

Thames’s body erupts in successive silver blasts, as if undergoing multiple Collapses driven by the injected Tidecaller synth. Baz contains the surges with time-threads, protecting Kai, Cordie, and Luce, but cannot stop them. When the light finally dies, Thames’s body is desiccated and vein-blackened. Clover, devastated, demands Baz undo it, then attempts forbidden Timespinner magic himself, briefly shifting Thames’s corpse before failing as the grotto destabilizes.

With the Treasury splitting apart, Baz shields falling debris. Clover sends Cordie back to the Vault for safety and to recover Thames’s body, revealing private knowledge that steadies her before she departs in tears. Clover finds a new presence at the pool’s bottom and dives; Luce follows. Baz and Kai choose to continue, clasp hands, and plunge into the glowing depths.

They are expelled hard into Dovermere’s Belly of the Beast beneath a mirage of the pool above. Cracks web the ceiling toward a sealed tunnel wall, which bursts as the Aldersea floods in. Baz freezes the tide but cannot prevent rocks from smashing the Hourglass; the stalactite shatters, the spiral cracks, and the door’s time-threads lie in tatters.

Anchored by Kai’s steadying presence and breath, Baz gathers the scattered threads, breathing time in and out to reweave the fabric around the Hourglass. Power pours from him into the stone; pain wracks his body, but the door reforms and Dovermere’s magic answers, intertwined with his own. Weakened, he still holds back the sea.

Clover and Luce blood the Hourglass; silver spirals mark their wrists as the door opens onto a starlit sleepscape and its calling song. Clover vows they can restore the Tides and Shadow and steps through; Luce follows in wonder. Baz urges Kai to go without him, believing he lacks the right to be a hero and fearing his magic will fail, but Kai refuses, kisses Baz, and insists they go together.

As they cross the threshold, a force hurls Baz back. Dovermere’s whisper declares his work unfinished. Kai reaches for him as the door seals, trapping Kai beyond and leaving Baz in the collapsing cavern. With his grip on time failing, the Aldersea surges in, and Baz begins to drown in the Belly of the Beast.