From Liam’s point of view, Dianna’s scream sends him tearing through the jungle in panic. He is haunted by images of blood, ashes, and warnings that someone will rip Dianna apart to reclaim her. As he searches, Dianna’s voice seems to come from every direction, until Liam realizes the Irvikuva can mimic her cries.

Two Irvikuva reveal themselves and taunt Liam, saying Dianna is already being returned to their master in pieces. Their mockery triggers the darkness Liam has suppressed for ages. Liam summons the Oblivion blade, a feared weapon from his ascension that can bring true death, and kills the first creature instantly.

Liam breaks his vow never to call the blade again because Dianna’s danger matters more to him than restraint. Armored in silver, he pursues the second Irvikuva into the sky and cuts it in half, then spots a burst of orange flame in the distance and flies toward it.

At the fire, Liam finds Dianna badly wounded but still fighting as four Irvikuva drag her toward a massive burning hole in the ground. He kills one by throwing the Oblivion blade, catches Dianna as she clings to the pit’s edge, and pulls her free while she kicks another creature into the flames.

When the last Irvikuva reach for Dianna, Liam shields her and drives Oblivion into the ground. Its destructive power races into the pit, destroys the creatures, and forces the fiery portal dormant before Liam withdraws the blade to stop further damage.

With the immediate threat gone, Liam checks Dianna’s injuries and discovers the Irvikuva wounds are not healing because they share her blood. Dianna is torn, bleeding, and badly broken, but she refuses or cannot take his blood because of her throat wound. Terrified, Liam carries her into the sky, determined to get her somewhere safe.