Two days before Zekiel’s death reaches Asteraoth, Liam, also called Samkiel, is trapped in recurring night terrors. He relives the Gods War on Rashearim, where traitorous gods and Ig’Morruthens slaughter celestials, burn his world, and force him toward his father because his father’s survival is tied to Rashearim’s fate.

The dream shifts further into Liam’s past, before the war, when Liam’s father chastises him for drinking, indulgence, and failing to prepare for rule. Liam admits that he fears the gods will never accept him because he is not of pure divine blood, but his father insists Liam is his heir and tells Liam to become greater than him.

Liam wakes in his ruined palace on the remains of Rashearim, his uncontrolled power damaging the room again. He is isolated, grief-stricken, and ashamed, haunted by guilt over what he failed to prevent. A message from Imogen of the Hand informs Liam that Vincent requested Zekiel go to Onuna because a situation is developing there, but Liam refuses to answer and dismisses the message.

After another worse nightmare, including memories of Nismera condemning him as World Ender, Liam runs and trains until his body collapses near a lake. There he bathes, eats berries, and speaks aloud to his dead father about his worsening terrors, regret, and inability to lead. A Lorveg Stag approaches, and Liam gently removes deadly seeds from berries before feeding the creature, briefly showing care despite his despair.

The fragile calm breaks when Liam hears Zekiel’s death chant asking Samkiel for passage to Asteraoth. The call means Zekiel has died, and Liam’s rage shakes the world before he travels to the Guild on Onuna. Overwhelmed by lights, noise, celestials, mortals, and unfamiliar devices, Liam destroys the lights and silences the machines until Logan calls him by the name Liam.

Logan and Vincent confirm that Zekiel is dead, and their grief makes Liam understand the threat is serious. When Liam asks what has happened, Vincent gives the answer Liam never wanted to hear again: war.