Chapter 25

Rin and Kitay spend twenty-nine days rafting down the Western Murui, conserving food and strength while avoiding patrols. To prepare for future battles, Kitay pushes Rin to analyze and refine her fire: she learns it must originate and remain linked through her, cannot be seized once external, and can be shaped, projected, and selectively shielded. Mass-burn tests reveal her destructive radius while causing Kitay acute psychic pain, establishing dangerous limits.

At the Red Cliffs, they signal Arlong’s sentries and reenter amid skeptical guards until Rin proves herself with fire. In a chaotic welcome, Venka and the Cike survivors greet them; Nezha embraces Rin but immediately asks after Jinzha, who has not returned. Summoned by Vaisra, Rin reports Feylen’s wind-shaman devastation at Boyang and admits ignorance about Jinzha’s fate.

Rin demands reinstatement and strategic authority over the Cike and demonstrates controlled fire. Vaisra agrees but is alarmed to learn Rin killed the Hesperian Augus; he orders absolute secrecy, warning that the Hesperians—already spooked by Boyang—may withdraw support and cage shamans. He notes Gray Company survivors returned with Tarcquet and that Petra has postponed further sessions while war continues.

Outside, Nezha asks for privacy and confesses he is bound to a Dragon that claimed him after devouring his younger brother. The bond brands and preserves him, preventing suicide and pulling him toward the grotto. He rejects shamanism as an abomination. Rin, enraged by his condemnation and refusal to wield power, accuses him of cowardice and complicity in the Boyang deaths. Their confrontation escalates past apology, breaking their relationship.

Rin regroups with Baji, Suni, and Ramsa, recounts the Ketreyids, the Hesperian coup, and Augus. The Cike debate Chaghan’s spying and Feylen’s prior culling, underscoring the cost of controlling shamans. Finally, soldiers march to “refugee patrol,” revealing Arlong is overwhelmed by displaced people, setting the stage for new pressures on the Republic.