Mische wakes in darkness and cold with Asar leaning over her, weeping and holding her as she drifts in and out of consciousness. The sky is broken by circling light and darkness, and the air is disturbed by the chaos among the gods after Atroxus’s death and the failed resurrection.

Nyaxia appears at the ruined ritual site, furious that Alarus has not been restored. Nyaxia accuses Asar of stealing Alarus’s power because of his bloodline, while Asar tries to defend Mische by explaining that Mische killed Atroxus to save Nyaxia’s people. Nyaxia dismisses that victory because it has not returned her husband.

Nyaxia finds the arrow that killed Atroxus, recognizes its connection to Alarus, and grieves. In that grief, Nyaxia chooses power over love, deciding that if she cannot have Alarus back, she will build an empire instead. Asar begs Nyaxia to save Mische, but Nyaxia refuses and tells Asar that if Asar wishes to be a god, Asar should save Mische himself. Nyaxia leaves before the other gods arrive.

Gods descend on the ritual site: Vitarus, Ix, Srana, Zarux, Shiket, and then Acaeja. They see Atroxus’s remains, the dead, and Asar’s altered state. Vitarus declares that the attempt to resurrect one god and the murder of another must be punished, while Shiket calls for Asar’s execution. Acaeja intervenes, saying Asar cannot be killed yet because Asar carries Alarus’s power and may still be useful.

The gods bind Asar with glowing chains and begin dragging him away, but Asar refuses to release Mische. Asar tells Mische to let go and promises to find her, while still pleading that he needs her. The gods judge Mische useless because Atroxus, the god who favored her, is dead. Shiket tears Mische from Asar’s arms, throws her aside, and kills her. Mische dies alone on the ashes of her god.