Contents
Portal
Overview
Oro nurses Isla back to strength after finding her through their bond. On the eve of the attack, Isla reveals Grim’s aim to use a portal to another world that would destroy Lightlark. She then confesses the portal is already open—and that she opened it—plunging their plans into crisis.
Summary
After collapsing in the Place of Mirrors, Isla is carried back by Oro, who silently tends her cut hand, feeds her, and brings medicine. He had found Isla through their bond when she called to him, deepening her guilt over endangering him and failing to learn from past mistakes.
When Isla regains her strength, she resolves to confess. With the castle emptied and the attack due the next day, Isla joins Oro, Azul, Zed, Calder, and Enya on the front steps to finalize plans. The legions are positioned, but Isla announces a revelation: Grim intends to use a portal to another world, and activating it would annihilate Lightlark.
Azul questions Grim’s motive, and Isla admits her memories are incomplete. Zed insists the portal must remain shut, but a storm splits the sky as Isla breaks down and reveals the critical truth: the portal is already open. With everyone staring, she accepts responsibility and confesses she opened it herself, shattering their confidence and forcing an immediate reckoning with catastrophic stakes.
Who Appears
- IslaProtagonist; recovered under Oro’s care and confesses she opened a world-ending portal Grim seeks to use.
- OroTends Isla after finding her through their bond; leads defenses and hears Isla’s devastating confession.
- ZedStrategist who urges keeping the portal closed, then reels as Isla reveals it’s already open.
- AzulQuestions Grim’s motive for using the portal during the war council.
- EnyaPresent at the strategy meeting; earlier criticized Isla; witnesses the confession.
- CalderAttends the war council as plans are set before Isla’s admission upends them.