Contents
Chapter Thirty-Two
Overview
Lore and Gabe slip into the catacombs, confirm Amelia’s murder served Apollius’s bid to monopolize divine power, and confront the guilt it casts on Lore’s survival. After a fraught, intimate exchange, Nyxara seizes Lore’s body, driving her to the underground tomb—where they find bones and the tomb door open.
Summary
Gabe’s fire diversion roils the Church as he and Lore slip through the stone garden to the well leading into the catacombs. Descending, they discuss the gods’ diminished state: Gabe’s power comes without voices, while Nyxara resides in Lore. Lore senses the Mortem web and notes Nyxara’s presence dimmed and no nearby signs of the Buried Watch.
They soon find Amelia Demonde’s body laid on a plinth, throat and chest savaged. Angry at the indignity and intent on answers, Lore tidies Amelia’s hair, then draws up and holds the woman’s death before returning it to animate her. Amelia, weeping impossible fresh water, says “The day killed me,” and admits she sought to kill Nyxara’s vessel. She reveals Apollius killed her to seize Caeliar’s power, aiming to be the only god while keeping Nyxara as his Queen, expecting She will yield her power.
Lore releases Amelia back to death and reels at the chain of consequence implicating her survival. Gabe urges Lore not to hold blame that isn’t hers. Their closeness surfaces complicated feelings; Lore admits she cares for both Gabe and Bastian, while Gabe acknowledges care for Bastian but insists history is too heavy.
Shouts still echo above, buying time. Then Nyxara surges forward, seizing Lore’s body and driving her at a run deep into the catacombs. Gabe follows, relighting a torch as they descend into the phosphorescent cavern of Lore’s childhood refuge. Regaining control at the threshold, Lore stops—not for wonder, but to face scattered bones and the obsidian tomb’s door standing open.
Who Appears
- LoreProtagonist; navigates the catacombs, animates Amelia for answers, struggles with guilt, admits caring for Gabe and Bastian, and is compelled by Nyxara to the tomb.
- GabeSets a fire diversion, accompanies Lore below, tests limits of his power, confronts Apollius’s cruelty, offers support, and chases Lore to the open tomb.
- Amelia DemondeMurdered vessel of Caeliar; briefly reanimated to reveal Apollius killed her to claim Caeliar and keep Nyxara as his Queen.
- NyxaraGoddess within Lore; diminished yet present, ultimately seizes control and compels Lore toward Her tomb.