Mische dreams of Atroxus watching her with suspicion after her ceremonial dress turns from gold to black. Atroxus challenges Mische to prove her loyalty, reflecting Mische's fear that her growing darkness and divided desires have marked her soul.

Mische wakes in a Morthryn safehold while Asar bandages burns on Mische's arms, especially near Mische's phoenix tattoo. Mische remembers embracing shadow magic in Alarus's temple and feels horrified not only by what Mische did, but by how right it felt. Asar calls Mische magnificent, which deepens Mische's inner conflict because Mische also remembers the desire Mische and Asar shared in Psyche's dream.

Asar and Mische review what has changed. Asar explains that Egrette likely moved against Asar because Malach's death made Asar the heir over Egrette, and Asar fears Egrette wants not just a throne but an empire. Mische notices that only four red petals remain among the relics, revealing that Elias stole one. Asar admits Elias was more capable than Asar assumed and reveals Elias had once followed Malach's orders during Ophelia's torture and death, though Elias was not the one who killed Ophelia.

Asar says the resurrection can still be performed with the remaining relics, but Elias's stolen petal could give Egrette dangerous power or leverage with Nyaxia if Asar fails. Asar's Heir Marks flicker because Asar is closer to dead than alive, raising the frightening possibility that Egrette may already be gaining some claim as heir. Asar then urges Mische to leave, catch Elias, and return to the surface or free herself, because the Sanctums of Secrets and Soul will be far more dangerous and Ophelia will keep pursuing Asar.

Mische asks whether Asar can help Ophelia as Asar helped Eomin, but Asar says Ophelia is neither fully dead nor fully alive and that Asar has already tried many times. Asar admits resurrecting Alarus is partly a desperate hope that Alarus can help Ophelia, and Asar blames himself for worsening the damaged Descent and abandoning its trapped souls. Mische nearly considers telling Asar the truth about Atroxus but keeps the secret, believing Mische still needs redemption and must prevent Atroxus's terrible visions from coming true.

Asar insists Mische does not deserve to die for his mission, but Mische refuses to leave. When Asar implies Mische's smiles and jokes cannot protect Mische from darkness, Mische argues that joy is Mische's deliberate choice, not proof of weakness. Mische recognizes that Asar is trying to protect Mische because Asar cares, but Mische chooses to stay, insisting Asar cannot finish without Mische. Their tension softens into teasing, and Asar accepts Mische's help.