In Kai’s perspective, the chapter unfolds as a nightmare. Kai runs through the castle after hearing horrific screams and realizes the cries belong to Paedyn. When Kai bursts into Paedyn’s room, Kai finds her bloodied on the floor with her dagger pressed to her chest.

Kai rushes to stop her, grabbing the blade as Paedyn sobs and begs for the pain to end. Paedyn says her heart hurts and pleads for death, which horrifies Kai because it clashes with everything Kai believes about Paedyn’s strength and stubborn will to survive. Kai begs Paedyn to stay alive, revealing how deeply Kai needs her to live.

The nightmare then widens beyond Paedyn. A lanky, familiar boy appears with a fatal wound in his chest, and Kai desperately tries to save him too. After that, dozens of bloody dead surround Kai, all victims Kai recognizes as people Kai killed, turning the dream into a confrontation with Kai’s guilt.

At the climax, Kai hears the sound of the dagger driving fully into Paedyn’s heart. Paedyn collapses smiling, as if relieved to escape both life and Kai, and Kai holds her body in total despair. The nightmare leaves Kai feeling emotionally dead inside, consumed by grief, guilt, and terror at the thought of losing Paedyn.