Mische wakes to Chandra vomiting and finds the group back in a version of Morthryn, covered in rotten blood after being dragged through the arch. Asar is unconscious but alive, and when Mische nearly slaps him awake, he rouses and immediately checks that the relic is still in his pack.

Asar rebukes Elias for striking before ordered in the Sanctum, while Elias insists the risk was justified because they recovered the relic. Mische realizes their surroundings resemble Morthryn but are colder, cracked, frost-covered, and dimmer. Asar explains that they are not back at the start: Morthryn is a passageway whose deeper “roots” extend into the Descent, and the journey has only begun.

The group finds that this lower Morthryn has prepared limited shelter: rooms with clean clothes, blood, and water for washing. Mische drinks gratefully, though shamefully, because Chandra’s bleeding wounds tempt her vampire hunger. While the others rest, Chandra tries to treat her own injury, and Mische approaches after hearing her pray in Atrean.

Mische and Chandra bond over their shared language, old homes, and memories of Helianen communities. As Mische bandages Chandra’s arm and resists the scent of blood, Chandra reveals that she did not come to Obitraes willingly; vampires took her because they needed a midwife. Chandra hopes only to go home after the mission, while Elias insists Nyaxia will reward them with whatever they desire.

Later, Mische cannot sleep. The dead boy who grabbed her in the Sanctum haunts her thoughts, and she misses Raihn’s comfort. Mische remembers leaving Raihn and Oraya despite their love because guilt, broken vows, and fear of divine consequences made her believe staying would endanger the fragile life they had built.

Exhaustion finally overtakes Mische, and she dreams of her wedding night at sixteen. In the dream, Atroxus appears beautiful and affectionate, and when Mische asks if he will ever abandon her and the others, the god promises that she is his forever.