Kai’s burst of fire breaks the Silencers’ hold and throws the arena into open chaos, but the shift does not help Paedyn’s side for long. Imperials flood into the Bowl, the Resistance is quickly outnumbered, and Kai turns to fighting Resistance members near the glass box. As Paedyn watches the battle worsen, she realizes Kai now knows what she is and that staying means capture or death.

Before fleeing, Paedyn is forced to leave Adena’s body behind. The decision devastates her because it echoes her father’s death: both were stabbed through the chest, both died before her, and both times Paedyn ran. Carrying that guilt, Paedyn pushes through the crowd, follows the civilians out of the Bowl, and nearly heads toward Loot before remembering her promise to Adena to wear the hidden vest every day.

Paedyn turns toward the palace instead. At the castle doors, she quickly invents a plan, pretending to be a frightened, injured contestant so the guards will escort her inside without suspicion. An Imperial named Ranken carries Paedyn to her room, letting her pass through the heavily guarded halls unnoticed.

Once alone, Paedyn retrieves Adena’s olive vest from her wardrobe. A Healer arrives to treat Paedyn’s wounded foot, and Paedyn lets him finish so she can move faster, even though the healing reminds her painfully of her father. Afterward, Paedyn knocks the Healer unconscious, slips into the halls, avoids the distracted Imperials, and escapes through the gardens into the rain.

Paedyn runs for the road to Loot, passing the Bowl while the battle still rages behind her. On the path, a lone wounded man steps into her way, and Paedyn recognizes the king. Instead of retreating, Paedyn faces him as he reveals that he has known for some time that Paedyn is an Ordinary, knew who her father was, and deliberately kept her alive because she was useful. The king blames Paedyn for Adena’s death and for making his sons look weak, then draws his sword and attacks.