The ritual tears Mische's consciousness apart, and Mische wakes at the edge of the circle as silver light and darkness reach into the void at its center. A formless silhouette begins to take shape while the gods press close and the dead hunger below. Mische can no longer see Asar, but Mische still feels Asar's soul through the magical anchor at Mische's chest, and Mische realizes the ritual is trying to consume him.

Atroxus appears in overwhelming solar brilliance and mocks Asar's struggle for life. Mische accuses Atroxus of breaking his promise to spare Asar, but Atroxus insists Asar's destruction is the consequence of Alarus leaving a mortal bloodline behind. Atroxus praises Mische for bringing history to this point and places Nyaxia's god-killing arrow in Mische's hand, urging Mische to strike before Nyaxia arrives.

Atroxus floods the boundary between the Descent and death with light, driving back the dead. Saescha's wraith alone comes toward the sun with devotion, watching Mische with sorrow. Mische understands that the figure in the circle is still neither Alarus nor Asar; one more act could restore Alarus, but only by letting Asar vanish forever.

As Atroxus exults, Mische realizes his real purpose is larger than killing Alarus. Because divine power is communal, Alarus's true death would strengthen Atroxus, allowing him to seize a new level of power. Atroxus senses Mische's refusal and rages, then argues that his victory would be a sunrise that ends Nyaxia's vampires and spares the world from their hunger.

Atroxus shows Mische visions of vampire violence, armies, starvation, and Saescha dying by Mische's hand, using Mische's guilt and longing for the sun to persuade Mische. Mische admits inwardly that the sun is missed, but this promised dawn feels like damnation rather than hope. Seeing Saescha's devotion and feeling love stronger than Atroxus's warmth, Mische apologizes and drives the arrow into Atroxus's throat.