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Nomad awakens manacled spread-eagle to the exterior of a boxy arena ship, watched by cameras and a raucous crowd. Glowing Eyes addresses the masses from a podium-ship, then casually kills several captives by draining them, his chest ember brightening with each death. Guards present a skilled female captive; Glowing Eyes uses a spear tipped with a blazing ember to implant it into her chest, transforming her into an “ember” as she writhes and collapses, confirming for Nomad and Auxiliary how these enforcers are created.

Judging the spears’ Investiture insufficient for a Skip but enough to grant language and healing reserves, Nomad predicts Glowing Eyes will spear him as a finale, trusting the freezing bracers for control. Two spears appear, and the second intended victim is the gap-toothed man who earlier helped Nomad evade capture—his competence ironically marking him for elevation.

Haunted by conscience as the man screams, Nomad acts. He shatters his thumb to tear his right hand free, then summons Auxiliary from the mud and hurls the weapon past Glowing Eyes, manifesting Aux’s true, resplendent sword form into a pillar to awe and distract without triggering the Torment. Resummoning fails as a Blade, so Nomad cycles Aux through tool-shapes—pole, wrench, crowbar—while baiting Glowing Eyes to stab him so Aux can recycle the incoming energy.

Glowing Eyes, entranced and hungry for the weapon, approaches with the white-hot spear. After Nomad spits in his eye and goads him, the leader levels the tip at Nomad’s chest to strike. At the instant of impending impact, a nearby ship explodes, halting the execution and throwing the scene into sudden chaos.