Saeris and Khydan emerge from Ajun’s gate into Diaxis through a foul, suffocating pool unlike quicksilver. The air is sulfurous and dangerously hot, and Khydan warns Saeris that her body can survive there for only about two hours. Before they can decide where to go, a massive dragon appears in the darkness.

The dragon, Arissan, identifies itself as keeper of the gate and demands that Saeris speak. Khydan asks for an audience with Styx, king of dragons, but Arissan reveals that Khydan has been in Diaxis before and was tortured there. Arissan attacks with brimstone but intentionally spares them, explaining that Khydan must be brought before Styx for judgment because Khydan killed Arissan’s surviving offspring, Shacry.

The heat overwhelms Saeris, and Saeris wakes hanging upside down beside an unconscious Khydan in a vast hall before a silent crowd of Diaxians. A corpse hangs nearby, and Saeris realizes that she and Khydan have been chained as public captives. When they are lowered, Khydan wakes, reassures Saeris, and immediately kills one captor and cuts off another’s arm for touching Saeris.

Two commanding Diaxian males, Crave and Githrand, confront the captives and recognize Nimerelle as an ancient and dangerous blade. Githrand explains that Khydan is condemned not only for killing Shacry but also for killing Ereth, Styx’s emissary in Yvelia. Githrand then threatens to dismember Khydan and enslave Saeris, escalating Khydan’s rage.

Khydan breaks the magic holding him, raises a shadow barrier, and reveals to Saeris that he let Arissan see only what he wanted while leaving Saeris unprepared because there was no time. Khydan overpowers Crave and Githrand with shadow magic far stronger than theirs, forces them to release Saeris, and asks Saeris to trust him. After declaring his love, Khydan seizes Crave and demands that Styx be summoned, stating that he has come for a dragon and that Styx is their father.