Epilogue

Gabe wakes to the rhythm of waves aboard a cramped galley after weeks at sea, disoriented by the monotony of sky and water. Val steers, Mari manages the ship, and Michal works the ropes while often conferring with Malcolm. The crew keeps to themselves, and Gabe, unskilled at sailing, drifts between idle help and heavy thoughts.

Left alone with his memories, Gabe replays the failed rescue: Alie screaming as she was dragged away and Lore bleeding out, echoing the night months prior. He fixates on Bastian—beloved and resented—now overtaken by Apollius, and on everything unsaid between them. In that chaos, Gabe felt a surge of fire that was wholly his, an alien ember urging him to burn, and he unleashed it—yet Alie and Lore were taken regardless.

On deck, Gabe spots land and calls it out. Malcolm confirms it should be Caldien, and Val, terse but certain, says they will make landfall tomorrow. She adds it will be three days inland to Farramark, where Malcolm expects colleagues who might shelter them while they plan.

Resolved by loss and anger, Gabe declares their next step: if Apollius wants a war, they will bring one. The chapter closes with the coast looming ahead and the group aligned toward Farramark, their grief sharpening into intent.