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Nomad tests his theory that living sunhearts can mediate soul transfers. With Rebeke observing, he harvests a hovercycle’s sunheart and uses Rebeke’s prayer to draw red, luminous smoke—life—off Elegy, confirming sunhearts as viable conduits.

Comparing Elegy’s cinderheart to the sunheart, Nomad notes a dark, membranous corruption and suspects the Cinder King’s direct Connection enables control of the Charred. Despite Rebeke’s alarm, Nomad presses the living sunheart to Elegy’s cinderheart and prays, stripping away the corruption. Elegy screams, then abruptly speaks with her own voice, demanding freedom and the return of the “voice” once in her head.

Nomad concludes the process severed the Cinder King’s control and partially restored Elegy’s personality, though her memories remain burned away. He observes the cinderheart’s remaining Investiture still drives aggression and motion, explaining the Charred’s frenzied behavior as innate power urging action more than external command.

Seeking a parallel cure for his own Torment, Nomad shaves a sliver from the sunheart and attempts to implant it into his forearm using prayers and varied oaths. Lacking the necessary Connections, the transfer fails.

As Nomad experiments, Rebeke—moved by hope—begins unlocking Elegy’s restraints. The moment the manacles come free, Elegy meets Nomad’s eyes and launches at him with determined fury.