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As the fighting stalls, Elegy senses the Cinder King’s fading fear and her own battle-fueled urge to keep killing. She boards the Dawnchaser, where Rebeke’s warmth disarms her, and listens as Zellion plans the next move over the radio.

Zellion breaks formation and strafes the Cinder King’s entrenched position from the air, demonstrating decisive air superiority. Under his direction, the Beacon ships land quickly while Rebeke uses the Dawnchaser’s dirt movers to uncover a large metallic disc buried beneath the ash.

Zellion leaps onto the disc and formally requests asylum under the Silverlight Codes. After a tense pause, a pole rises and a voice responds, then a massive energy blast from below warns the Cinder King’s ships to keep their distance. The Refuge grants Zellion permission to bring three people below out of curiosity about his presence.

Beacon leaders choose caution; Compassion sends Rebeke in her stead. Before departing, Zellion asks Elegy for his sword, which returns to him as glowing mist, and quietly tasks her with protecting the Beaconites if talks go poorly, implying a looming nonphysical confrontation.

Zellion enters the descending tube with Confidence, Contemplation, and Rebeke. Elegy remains above with the others as the Refuge’s door closes, aware that diplomacy—not battle—now decides their fate.