In the aftermath of Luzia’s refre1n, the grounds of La Casilla go eerily still before alarms rise and candles and torches flare back to life. Luzia dismounts, shaken, bleeding, and hyperaware of the returning shadows, while Sante1ngel confirms the magic has been undone and agrees the attack was not part of the trial but an opportunistic strike.

As guards converge and order the contestants confined, Sante1ngel tells Luzia to return to her quarters while he stays behind to learn the truth before anyone can spin a “convincing lie.” He instructs Luzia to use the wall of thorns if threatened, even if it kills someone, and swears he will come to her. Luzia is escorted past the wreckage: the collapsed platform, lingering smoke, a dead horse torn open, and a stunned servant from La Casilla.

Locked in her chamber under threat of a cell, Luzia battles fear and calculates how exposed she is without weapons, allies, or full control of her powers. She worries about Concha’s absence, wonders who controlled the shadows and whether they can penetrate barriers, and considers seeking Valentina or Hualit, but remains trapped and uncertain about what comes next.

Sante1ngel slips into her room despite the guards and reports that other competitors have been escorted away and that Gracia de Valera has asked to leave the torneo. He identifies what happened as shadow magic he has seen before, implying immense power but poor control, and suggests the likely intent was to kill Gracia and frame Luzia, whose apparent status as a mere scullion makes her an easy scapegoat.

Exhausted and terrified, Luzia admits that on Sante1ngel’s horse she wanted to flee rather than return. After a long silence, Sante1ngel confesses he wanted the same, wondering how far they might have gone, leaving their shared desire to escape hanging over what comes next.