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Elegy lunges for Nomad’s throat, overpowering him with erratic, feral strength despite his grappling skill. Nomad freezes when he tries a direct strike, is slammed to the floor, then manages to cuff Elegy using Auxiliary and chains her to the wall. Rebeke arrives too late to prevent the fight, horrified by her sister’s condition.

Nomad explains he removed the Cinder King’s control but cannot safely purge more without risking Elegy’s life. He cuts out his failed self-implant sliver, frustrated that he locked up during violence. While Rebeke fetches Zeal and the bracer controls, Nomad sketches tactics for confronting the Cinder King after cresting the mountains.

Elegy speaks, uncertain of her identity, describing an unrelenting urge to fight. Nomad acknowledges she may never be who Rebeke remembers and will need a new path. When Elegy asks to be freed—admitting she would likely attack again—Nomad refuses.

Rebeke returns with Zeal, who uses the device to knock Elegy unconscious so they can fully rechain her. Zeal questions Auxiliary; Nomad deflects with humor. They review Nomad’s notes for sunheart-powered ship guns, intended to give Beacon surprise firepower once they emerge into sunlight near the Refuge.

Horns sound a citywide call to gather. Zeal explains this is the final warning: citizens take essentials, and Beacon will dump other ships to conserve power. Nomad pockets his plans, determined to check on the engineers as Beacon accelerates preparations for the perilous ascent.