Republic-marked assault dropships bearing Obsidian runes descend over Io’s volcanic plain, their jammers killing long-range comms. Darrow chooses to stand and draws Cassius into his plan: display the severed heads of fallen Obsidians to force parley rather than instant annihilation. Cassius refuses to abandon Darrow and steels for the encounter.

Jarl Skarde arrives with aerial cavalry, coveting the Golds’ armor and ordering their capture. Darrow halts the advance by addressing them in Nagal, taunting Skarde over scavenging and abducting children, then briefly bares his face to the toxic air. He claims his identity as Tyr Morga—their war icon—and lets fear and memory work on the braves.

Darrow shames them for abandoning oaths on Mercury and names warriors and campaigns they fought under him. The braves argue over his authenticity; Sigurd, Skarde’s son, recognizes Darrow’s razor. A berserker charges; Darrow kills him and two more in swift, dramatic strikes, cowing the circle.

Darrow declares ashvar on Volsung Fá for Sefi’s murder. Skarde warns Fá will never honor ashvar and would obliterate cities to kill Darrow, saying they will not fight him but demanding he leave. As Sigurd urges his father to see a sign, sniper fire rips through the formation; Skarde orders testudo while Cassius tackles Darrow to the ground as slugs scream overhead.