Bryce and Ithan examine the papers hidden inside Bryce’s shattered coffee table and realize Danika had concealed far more than old college work. The documents include redacted articles and clippings about firstlight being weaponized, the origins of worlds, and arguments that challenge the Asteri’s claimed divinity. As Bryce reads, she begins to fear Danika may have uncovered proof that the Asteri are not what they say they are, which would make any rebellion against them even more hopeless.

While sorting the stack, Bryce discovers a page labeled Dusk’s Truth, the same project name she saw in Danika’s emails with Sofie. The page is blank, suggesting Danika either never recorded her findings or was stopped before she could. Bryce also links it to Project Thurr, another name from the emails, and concludes that all of Danika’s hidden research, Sofie’s mission, and the Asteri are connected. She leaves for work after telling Ithan to hide the papers, briefly teasing him before noticing his tense reaction.

Elsewhere, Ruhn meets Cormac in a FiRo pool hall and quickly realizes Cormac wants more than a private conversation. Cormac reveals that Sofie had been communicating with Ophion’s most important spy, Agent Daybright, who has direct access to the Asteri and may even be one of them. Because Sofie disappeared and their radio codes may have been compromised, Cormac asks Ruhn to use his secret Avallen mind-speaking gift to contact Daybright directly. Ruhn resists, remembering how he hid this power from his parents as a child to keep his father from controlling yet another part of his life.

Cormac argues that Daybright’s warnings have already saved thousands of rebel lives by exposing imperial attacks and that Ophion urgently needs new intelligence. He admits he is a field commander in the rebellion, that Sofie worked under him, and that he came to Lunathion both to find Emile and to recruit Ruhn. Cormac also reveals his personal stake: he loves Sofie and wants to find her alive. When Ruhn shares the suspicion that Danika may have directed Sofie to the Bone Quarter, Cormac latches onto the lead.

Finally, Cormac gives Ruhn Sofie’s surviving comm-crystal and explains that its link to Daybright’s matching crystal may help Ruhn bridge his mind to the spy. He gives Ruhn code phrases and warns that Ophion especially needs intelligence about a planned strike on the Spine and rumors of a deadly new Vanir-piloted mech-suit prototype. Despite his distrust and reluctance, Ruhn agrees to help, taking his first concrete step into Ophion’s secret war.