Mische is hauled from the blood river onto the ivory shore, injured but alive, and immediately senses Asar through the anchor in her chest. Chandra stops Mische from diving back in and urges Mische to flee the collapsing Descent with Elias, believing Atroxus has provided their chance for freedom. Mische refuses because fear for Asar outweighs Chandra’s appeal to faith and survival.

Luce appears near the temple shoreline, barking frantically toward the river, but before Mische can follow, wraiths attack Chandra. When Mische grabs Chandra’s hand to help, Psyche shows Mische Chandra’s past: Chandra was enslaved by the House of Shadows and later killed newborn vampire babies while serving Atroxus. Horrified and filled with hatred, Mische realizes she cannot save both Chandra and Asar and chooses not to save Chandra, leaving Chandra to be dragged into the river by the vengeful wraiths.

Mische reaches Luce and dives back into the blood after Asar. Mische enters Asar’s memories and sees Asar as a little boy weeping over his murdered dog, Luce, while Malach mocks him. Asar’s grief is revealed as rage, and he vows that no one will ever take another precious thing from the world. Soon afterward, under instruction and as a test for his father, young Asar performs necromancy for the first time and brings Luce back, beginning his mastery over death.

The memories accelerate through Asar’s youth and training, showing his father exploiting his necromantic talent and Asar becoming a skilled wielder of death. Mische then finds herself at a Shadowborn party where Asar meets Ophelia, a noblewoman whose charm and political skill complement his own darker talents. Their relationship gives Asar rare softness and satisfaction, even though Asar knows Ophelia also uses him strategically.

The memory shifts to devastation: Asar returns to the city house to find Ophelia murdered and drained, a punishment for Asar’s rise and a result of his brother’s jealousy and cruelty. Grief hardens into fury, and Asar attempts unsanctioned necromancy to bring Ophelia back despite knowing the danger and consequences. The ritual tears open a passage to death, warps Ophelia into agony, and drags Asar partly into darkness, causing the wounds that scar him.

As Ophelia screams and accuses Asar, Mische calls for Asar to come back. Ophelia notices Mische inside the memory and taunts her as a “nosy bird.” Asar realizes Mische is there and lunges toward her, their hands brushing just as someone grabs Mische from behind and pulls them upward while Ophelia attacks.