Harrowhark Nonagesimus wakes on a sterile gurney in a small room overlooking space. Devastated after Gideon Nav's death, Harrow notices a seated man with black sclera and iridescent eyes. Harrow recognizes him as the Necromancer Prime, the Resurrection, the Emperor Undying, and falls at his feet.

Harrow begs the Emperor to undo what she has done and restore Gideon to life. The Emperor gently refuses, explaining that Gideon's soul is now inside Harrow; trying to remove it would destroy both Gideon and Harrow. Harrow, full of grief and hatred for her House, challenges the Emperor for asking her to live with that loss.

The Emperor answers that the Empire is dying. He explains that there are enemies beyond death that he has fought since the Resurrection and that even God is not enough to fight them alone. He says the Lyctor process was meant to be a willing, informed act of sacrifice, not the desperate horror that unfolded at Canaan House, and he blames himself for Cytherea's suffering and betrayal.

Harrow shifts from grief to practical questions and asks who survived. The Emperor confirms that Ianthe Tridentarius lives, though she has lost an arm. Camilla Hect, Judith Deuteros, and Corona of Ida are missing, while only partial remains of Palamedes Sextus and the Seventh House have been recovered. The Emperor also says Gideon's body has not been recovered, which deepens Harrow's numbness and need for answers.

The Emperor offers Harrow a choice. He promises to renew and protect the Ninth House regardless of Harrow's decision, but asks Harrow to come with him, learn from three teachers, and become one of his Hands because the Empire urgently needs another saint. Harrow, unable to truly return home and needing to learn what happened to Gideon's body and the others, agrees for now to serve as his Lyctor. The Emperor accepts her and names her Harrowhark the First.