Before — Chapter 36

A month after Grim pushed Isla through the portal, his absence leaves Isla empty and suspicious. Fearing he might be dead, she uses her starstick to visit his room and instead finds an unfamiliar woman. Stung, Isla resolves to find the sword herself and heads to the night market to locate a map to the Caves of Irida.

While scouting from an upper floor, Isla is surrounded by a dozen Nightshades, shadow-wielders who disarm and brutalize her. She tries to escape by portaling, but the leader drags her back, seizes her starstick, and sends a scout through her portal.

Grim returns through the closing portal holding the scout by the throat, kills him, and, seeing Isla’s injuries, hoists all the assailants and snaps their necks when Isla can’t identify the ringleader. He retrieves her starstick and takes Isla to his room, furious at her recklessness.

Grim treats Isla with Moonling bandages and removes glass from her wounds, holding her steady despite her pain. He admits the woman Isla saw is his general and that he told her Isla was a lover from another realm. Isla reveals the sword’s location: the Caves of Irida.

Grim remains focused on healing her, confirms he knows the caves, and agrees to depart once she can grip a blade—likely by morning. When Isla warns of a monster guarding the sword, Grim shows little concern, and they commit to facing whatever awaits.