Chapter 30 — Oro

Exhausted, Oro finally sleeps and finds himself on the familiar beach of his dreams, where Isla appears. Unlike past visions, Isla looks imprisoned and brutalized, with a seared mark on her forehead and dried blood on her temple. Realizing this is real contact, Oro embraces her, then asks why she severed their connections.

Isla explains she broke the bonds to keep Cronan from exploiting them. She reveals Cronan has been invading her mind to turn her into a weapon, and despite her resistance, he has breached her defenses. Oro counters her fear with fierce reassurance, recounting her past courage and victories to anchor her resolve.

Oro promises that she is not alone and that they are coming for her. When he mentions that he and Grim have allied and found a site that might become a portal, Isla’s awe turns to terror. She urgently begs him not to attempt a rescue, insisting it is exactly what Cronan wants and that she has already given Cronan too much.

Oro comforts Isla but refuses her plea, unable to promise inaction while she suffers. As he holds to his decision to come for her, the beach and Isla vanish, ending the connection. Oro is left with confirmation of Isla’s captivity, the reality of Cronan’s mental assault, and the knowledge that any rescue effort may be a deliberate trap.