Mische wakes on ice-frosted glass in the Sanctum of Soul beside Asar and Luce. Beneath the glass, Mische sees a younger human version of herself in Dawndrinker robes, while above them the mortal world hangs upside down and gray. Asar identifies the place as the boundary between the land of the living and the underworld, with the distant mirrored tower serving as the temple where Alarus’s presence will be closest.

Mische notices that Asar’s reflection is not ordinary: it appears as a black, smoky silhouette with one bright white eye. Asar explains that his bond with the underworld was damaged when Asar tried to bring Ophelia back and worsened during Asar’s time warding Morthryn. Because the group is so near death, Mische knows the dead will sense the living quickly, so Mische and Asar advance toward the temple with weapons and magic ready.

As Mische, Asar, and Luce pass through the strange landscape, Mische sees warped spirits reaching from the treetops toward life. As more dead hands begin crawling down from the trees, Malach erupts from beneath the glass and seizes Mische. Malach taunts Mische and Asar, but Mische overcomes fear with anger and stabs Malach with Asar’s sword, striking the wound where Mische killed Malach before.

Malach turns on Asar and attacks with old insults meant to provoke him, calling Asar illegitimate and unwanted. Asar refuses to lose control, and Mische and Asar fight together until Asar pins Malach with consuming shadows. Asar silently offers Mische a share in Malach’s final destruction, and Mische drives the blade into Malach’s heart; Malach’s wraith explodes into burning fragments, ending him with soul death.

The victory immediately draws greater danger. Wraiths pour in from the trees, ground, rocks, grass, and empty air, summoned by Ophelia’s powerful voice. Ophelia mourns the justice denied to her and taunts Asar for trying to hold on to another love; as Asar pleads to help Ophelia, Ophelia’s force seizes Mische and yanks Mische away from Asar.