Chapter 7

Samkiel navigates the burning Vanderkai estate, recognizing Ethan’s ashes and searching for Drake. Dianna’s disembodied voice confronts him with Drake’s betrayal of Gabby. She appears, brutalized Drake in hand, and declares she no longer hates the monster she has become, revealing her true name as Mer-Ka and scorning the illusion of normalcy.

Samkiel tries to reach Dianna through Gabby’s memory and his devotion, stalling as Logan inscribes runes. They wrench Drake free and erect a silver containment cylinder. Dianna’s power swells; flames recoil at her glare, storm clouds gather, and she proclaims she cannot be contained. She detonates the runes, unfurls wings and tail, and escapes, razing the mansion as she flies toward the gardens and away.

In the forest, Samkiel confronts a failing Drake and discovers a broken forsaken blade lodged in Drake’s chest—Dianna’s insurance against rescue. As Drake dies, he confesses remorse and insists Samkiel is Dianna’s last tether. He urges Samkiel not to let Kaden win, affirms Dianna’s core goodness beneath grief, and tells Logan that Neverra lives with Kaden, hinting to search “where the world opens,” before crumbling to ash.

Samkiel and Logan return to the Guild amid chaos and news feeds of Dianna’s Ig’Morruthen form. Samkiel researches the First Rule of Pharthar, fearing that overfeeding could trigger an Ig’Morruthen spiral into pure desolation. He asserts Kaden released Dianna’s enemies to drive her into bloodlust and isolation, then orders a cover story blaming Zarall on a storm while demanding absolute allegiance from Logan and Vincent.

Resolved, Samkiel vows to defy Kaden’s design, save Neverra and Dianna, and prevent world-ending devastation, securing Logan’s unwavering support and setting their next moves in motion.