Chapter 47

At dawn in Rashearim, Samkiel dreams of Unir and relives the day after Hovuungard, only for the memory to twist into a premonition. The shadow of Unir warns that Dianna is becoming dangerously powerful and that Samkiel alone will not be enough. The vision turns violent when a golden blade pierces Samkiel, triggering an apocalyptic rift and a feminine, lethal laugh before darkness drags him toward Asteraoth.

Samkiel wakes at his desk, shaken and drenched in sweat, convinced the nightmare is a true warning. A whispered plea from Logan spurs him to search abandoned mines with Cameron, Xavier, and Imogen, but they find no trace. A call from Vincent pulls them back to Silver City with the promise of a larger problem.

In the Guild hall, Samkiel finds Roccurem waiting. Exhausted and desperate, Samkiel accuses Roccurem of treason and binds him with runes. Roccurem claims he serves a greater design and insists he cannot reveal Dianna’s location, warning that her choice must remain her own. Samkiel’s fury detonates into a citywide blackout, quakes, and storm, but he reins himself in and releases Roccurem.

As Roccurem begins to dissolve into stardust, he offers a final, ominous apology for further losses. A flaming-circled portal opens overhead and Irvikuva flood the chamber. The Hand leaps into coordinated combat: Cameron decapitates a beast, Imogen cleaves through more, and Xavier scythes them with returning blades. Samkiel draws his sword just as Logan slams to the floor with Neverra landing on him, both bloodied and stunned.

Dianna drops next. Samkiel abandons the fight to catch her, finding her battered and pale. Through the portal, Kaden and his Irvikuva glare, but they hold back from following as Dianna lies in Samkiel’s arms. With a snarl, Kaden allows the portal to close. Dianna whispers disbelief that Samkiel caught her; he answers “Always” before she loses consciousness.