On the night before the Emperor’s murder, Harrowhark waits in near-darkness aboard the Mithraeum while Heralds of a Resurrection Beast hurl themselves against the hull. The Emperor speaks over the comm, warning that the station will soon be breached and that Harrow must enter the River, where Harrow’s necromancy will not function. Harrow insists on being treated as a Lyctor and refuses special protection.

Harrow prepares within rings of powdered bone, aware that entering the River will leave Harrow’s body defenseless. Ianthe the First enters without triggering Harrow’s traps and offers protection. Ianthe says no one is coming to save Harrow and argues that Harrow will die unless Harrow accepts Ianthe’s help.

Ianthe reveals that Ianthe knows what Harrow has done and claims to know how to reverse it, urging Harrow to “turn around.” Ianthe imagines the two of them restored to full power, defeating the Resurrection Beast, saving the Emperor, and leaving their dead behind. Harrow rejects Ianthe with contempt, and the exchange turns bitter before the Emperor orders them into position.

As the Heralds breach the Mithraeum, Harrow forms bone shields around Harrow’s body and joins the other Lyctors in sinking into the River to fight the Resurrection Beast. Harrow prays desperately to the Locked Tomb, asking to live long enough to die before the beloved dead buried there.

Instead of reaching the River, Harrow is violently returned to consciousness in the corridor outside Harrow’s rooms, overheated, bleeding, and impaled from behind by Harrow’s own rapier. Too injured to heal and too incomplete as a Lyctor to survive, Harrow lies dying while Heralds smother the outside of the station and distant sword clashes sound nearby. Harrow prepares to die speaking of the Locked Tomb, but Harrow’s mouth forms three unfamiliar syllables instead.