In a memory from Rashearim, young Samkiel trains with his father, Unir, above a feast he longs to join. Unir teaches Samkiel to draw power from his center and warns that power can drain or destroy its wielder. Samkiel succeeds briefly, but loses control and blasts a hole through the pavilion ceiling.

Samkiel reacts with shame and anger, believing he will never equal Unir or be fit to rule. Instead of condemning him, Unir repairs the damage with the same power and explains that their strength can heal and rebuild as well as destroy. The reassurance that Samkiel is not a failure steadies him, but the memory distorts into a night terror of Rashearim at war, where a bloodied version of Unir accuses Samkiel of being a World Ender and the cause of everything lost.

Still trapped in the nightmare, Liam seizes the figure by the throat while demanding to know why his father haunts him. The voice changes, and Dianna forces Liam awake by burning him with her Ig'Morruthen power. Liam realizes he has been choking Dianna in their motel room, which he has partially destroyed during his sleep.

Ashamed, Liam repairs the room and heals Dianna's broken larynx with silver light, using the lesson Unir taught him. Dianna asks whether these outbursts happen every time Liam sleeps, and Liam admits he avoids sleep because his night terrors unleash dangerous power. Dianna explains that Gabby helped her survive her own nightmares after Kaden made her kill, then urges Liam not to bottle everything up.

Dianna proposes a temporary truce: while they search for the book, they will stop fighting, try to be friends, and share each other's burdens. To help Liam sleep, Dianna lies beside him, talks with him, and runs her fingers through his hair the way Gabby once comforted her. Their conversation ranges over The Hand, celestials, Vincent, Nismera, and Liam's rebuilt remnant of Rashearim, allowing Liam to relax and speak more openly than he has in ages.

Dianna then confesses that she did not kill Zekiel in Ophanium; Zekiel was wounded, spoke of Liam's return, and killed himself with a silver blade before Dianna could stop him. Liam believes she is telling the truth, though the revelation hurts. Dianna later asks whether Liam can make Gabby a celestial so Gabby can be free of Kaden, and Liam says he cannot, but promises Gabby can stay and work for him if she wants a normal life. Comforted by Dianna's presence, Liam finally falls asleep without nightmares.