Chapter 10

The Seagrim sprints from Lusan under Captain Eriden’s orders while the crew arms siege gear and keeps silent watch. Rin, shaken by Daji’s illusions, refuses to go below, obsessively checking herself for harm. Chaghan and Qara, rattled by the psychic battle, warn that the Vipress is terrifyingly stable old power and that any longer in her illusions would have trapped their minds forever.

Hours later, Nezha emerges to report that Dr. Sien believes Vaisra will pull through. Rin frets over the lack of pursuit, and Nezha explains they are heading out to sea, counting on Tsolin’s coastal patrols not to interfere because Tsolin will not back the Empire now that war is inevitable. He adds that Kitay is already belowdecks working with admirals and intelligence.

Rin confronts Nezha about withholding news of Kitay’s father’s death; Nezha admits Vaisra kept it from Kitay to avoid obvious manipulation, insisting the House of Yin cultivates talent without malice. Captain Eriden then summons Rin alone to Vaisra.

Rin finds Vaisra upright and calculating. He presses her on why she stayed despite their apparent failure. Rin admits she craves direction and absolution, feels shaped by war, and blames Daji for leaving her alone. Vaisra reframes her turmoil as duty: with power that can start or end wars, she cannot be neutral.

Vaisra declares others will use or destroy her unless she chooses a side, commanding her not to flinch from suffering but to run toward the screaming. Overwhelmed yet galvanized, Rin tacitly accepts his call, aligning herself with Vaisra’s coming civil war.