Xaden arrives at a hidden canyon south of Draithus to find Sgaeyl wounded and ensnared in heavy nets, guarded by venin and overseen by Panchek, who has betrayed them. Berwyn, scarred from Basgiath and bound to Xaden through an involuntary bond, positions himself between Xaden and Sgaeyl, creating a lethal dilemma: Xaden cannot kill Berwyn, yet Sgaeyl’s life is at risk.

Panchek panics as his dragon is also netted, and Xaden vows Panchek will die for his treachery. Sgaeyl warns Xaden not to lose himself. Berwyn demonstrates new, terrifying capability by stabbing Panchek’s dragon with an alloy-hilted dagger and desiccating it instantly, then threatens to do the same to Sgaeyl unless Xaden channels deeper.

Forced by Sgaeyl’s peril, Xaden chooses to fully embrace shadow. He throws his daggers, kneels, and breaks his restraint, drawing on the source of magic and exhaling darkness that blacks out the canyon. His shadows kill the two venin guards, drag Berwyn away from Sgaeyl, and knock both Berwyn and Xaden’s newly turned brother unconscious. He then extends his shadows across the battlefield, shredding nets, tearing runestones from wyvern, and slaughtering wyvern throughout the city and at the Medaro Pass, relieving Dain, Cath, and others under attack.

As Xaden’s sense of self frays, Violet’s voice breaks through with “I love you,” anchoring him. He shields Violet and Tairn with careful control, shoving the Maven aside and sliding shadows over Violet without harming her. He wrenches his hand from the ground, ending the onyx storm, and the canyon reappears: Sgaeyl stands bleeding but freed as the net falls to tatters.

Xaden asks if Sgaeyl will forsake him after what he has done. Lowering his defenses, he lets her feel what he has become; she recognizes his intent to pursue a further step that could save them, and questions whether Violet will help. Xaden insists Violet loves him and promised, though Sgaeyl warns that Tairn does not and that Xaden’s red-veined eyes resemble Violet’s lightning.

Concerned for Violet, Xaden reaches for their bond but feels only unconsciousness. Sgaeyl reports Violet is hurt but will survive, and that Draithus’s wards are now complete but limited to the city. Xaden presses Sgaeyl to persuade Tairn to allow what Xaden plans, stating that everything depends on Violet’s choice. Sgaeyl agrees to ask, acknowledging that Violet’s decision will determine their fate, and they launch skyward within a minute.