In the orchard under the full moon, Hypaxia intensifies the ritual meant to summon Connor’s spirit while Ithan braces himself to finally speak to his brother. The air turns unnaturally cold as Hypaxia senses a presence approaching, warns that Connor’s spirit is strong but difficult to hold, and pushes more power into the glowing star she has drawn on the ground.

Instead of Connor, the Under-King appears inside the star. Hypaxia immediately orders him to return to his own realm, but he ignores her and focuses on Ithan, saying Connor is currently safe and implying that Connor’s fate now depends on Ithan. As Hypaxia quietly gathers her strength, the Under-King suggests a “game” and reveals that the House of Flame and Shadow has long been interested in Hypaxia’s abilities.

The scene shifts to Bryce, who becomes aware she is dreaming while standing on the ruined plain of Parthos. There she meets Apollion, who says he chose this moment because Aidas is occupied raising Hel’s armies. Bryce learns that Hel was once allied with Theia and some of her Fae forces against the Asteri, that Aidas loved Theia, and that Apollion killed Pelias and later Sirius partly out of rage and loyalty after Theia’s death. These revelations overturn Bryce’s assumptions about Hel’s past role in the war.

When Bryce presses him, Apollion says she is still unprepared and that she and Hunt have not fully explored their powers. He denies sending the Reapers who previously warned her, explains that Hunt was bred to be receptive to beings from Hel, and tells Bryce that the barrier between worlds is thin enough tonight for him to reach her more directly. Apollion then urges Bryce to use the Horn, powered by Hunt, to open the doors to Hel so that Hel can finish the war. Bryce flatly refuses.

Back in the orchard, the Under-King vanishes, but Hypaxia realizes he has transformed the clearing into a maze of wards and blocked any escape through the air. As Ithan follows her lead, she tests the magical boundaries and prepares to force a way out. Then snarls rise from the surrounding darkness, and Hypaxia identifies the creatures closing in on them as the hunting hounds of the House of Flame and Shadow before striking the ward ahead.