In the framing conversation, Gabriel explains that the attackers had three dangerous routes into Maergenn: east and west along the seawalls, or directly through Newtunn. Gabriel says the wall routes would bottleneck under Dyvok bombardment, so Gabriel chose the central streets while Wolves and Lions went to the walls. Celene corrects Gabriel about which commander went which way, exposing the siblings’ bitter tension over how the battle ended.

Gabriel, Phoebe, Baptiste, and the main force push through Newtunn street by street against the Dead. Gabriel’s ammunition is quickly spent, but Phoebe’s blood makes Gabriel feel supernaturally strong, and Gabriel keeps the glowing aegis covered to avoid becoming a target from the walls. Amid the slaughter, Gabriel focuses on the vow to protect Dior while Ashdrinker sings a mournful sailors’ song in Gabriel’s mind.

Celene then recounts the western seawall assault with Keylan á Meyrick and the heathen slayers. Nikita appears with Kiara and Aaron de Coste, recognizes Celene as a blood-wielding threat, and unleashes the Dyvok Tempest. Nikita’s first strike obliterates Keylan and many Highlanders, and Nikita’s second blow shatters the ancient seawall, killing those who survived the first attack and leaving Celene facing the Dyvok highbloods near Auldtunn.

Nikita leaps down into Newtunn and confronts Gabriel directly, joined by Kiara and Aaron. Gabriel reveals the blazing aegis, and the battlefield narrows into three paired conflicts: Gabriel against Nikita, Phoebe against Kiara, and Baptiste against Aaron. Gabriel taunts Nikita about Tolyev’s death to draw Nikita away from the others, while Baptiste is devastated to see Aaron enthralled and cruelly loyal to Nikita.

The duels turn desperate. Gabriel survives Nikita’s overwhelming strength only because the aegis blinds and confuses Nikita, while Baptiste refuses to truly fight Aaron and instead keeps Aaron from striking Gabriel. Aaron exploits Baptiste’s love by goading Baptiste with claims that Nikita has shown Aaron real love; when Baptiste finally attacks in rage, Aaron traps Baptiste and nearly kills him.

Gabriel throws Ashdrinker into Aaron to save Baptiste, but that leaves Gabriel exposed to Nikita. Nikita strikes Gabriel with terrible force, sending Gabriel crashing through buildings, and Kiara knocks Phoebe away when Phoebe is distracted by Gabriel’s fall. As Nikita raises Epitaph to kill Gabriel, silver explosions and a horn interrupt the execution: Lachlan charges through the city gates and calls Gabriel’s name.