Chapter 34: Baz

Baz, determined to confront his past, returns to the Institute with Vera’s help and slips into Theodore’s room. Confronted with his father’s Unhallowed brand, Baz struggles for words. Theodore greets him lucidly and, in hushed tones, asks if Baz has controlled his magic, warning that "they can never know."

As Theodore speaks, a buried truth emerges: Baz was the one who Collapsed at the printing press, not Theodore. Jae had long since Collapsed and crafted the illusion of silver veins on Theodore to protect Baz. Theodore, a Nullifier, tried to contain Baz’s power when time stopped, but afterward confessed to the Collapsing and accepted the Seal so Baz could live free.

Theodore reframes the "curse," claiming Collapsing unleashes raw power that can corrupt but isn’t inherently damnation. He warns that the Institute wants this raw power and needs more Collapsed to harvest it. Sounds of a struggle interrupt them as Regulators drag Kai toward a surgical room, confirming Theodore’s fear: the Institute siphons away magic from the Collapsed.

Resolved to help, Baz promises to return for Theodore and pursues Kai. He bursts into the room to find Kai strapped down and being drained of silver blood as his light fades. Baz reaches for time to intervene, but someone strikes him from behind, and everything goes dark, leaving Kai in imminent danger and the Institute’s predation exposed.