Approaching Europa’s Nixian Isles, Lyria observes bonfires and patrols as Volga’s dreadnaught halts beyond the shields. Volga’s Copper actarius, Nicator, explains the vast feast and the revived hierarchy marked by torc bands, noting Volga’s men belong to the Fourth Band. She slips Lyria a “pill” that proves a breath mint and predicts Volga will seek mercy. Muzzled, Lyria is ferried to the isle of Zeus, where Golds are nailed to the colossal statue and Fá’s jarls revel beneath.

Fá, cold and watchful amid the chaos, rewards a warrior with advancement before summoning Volga. He reveals another captive: Sigurd, chained and battered, while Sigurd’s father, Jarl Skarde, wilts under mockery. Lyria notices Golds crushed beneath the massive table. Acknowledging a debt to Lyria, Fá removes her muzzle, then taunts Darrow as a coward and calmly states he knows Darrow waits in the Deep. He says he will avoid the obvious traps through other routes, invoking a Moses Column to part the sea.

Lyria shouts that Fá is Atlas’s puppet, but the jarls ignore her. Fá dismisses the charge and crushes the holocube Volga carried. Volga asks a boon to spare Lyria, calling her dear and brave; Fá instead cites whispers of Volga’s weakness and says now is not the time for mercy. He insists Volga must prove herself to the jarls, to him, and to the Allfather.

Gongs sound and shamans ignite towering pyres as the Holy Kill begins. Fá recounts prior hunts on Io and Callisto and declares that Jarl Gherala has claimed the honor on Europa, bringing the fallen King Cyaxares for the feast. With Sigurd still in chains and the court gathered, Fá demands to see Cyaxares, setting the stage for the ritual slaughter.