That night in the repair shed, Charlie, Woody, Claudia, Leah, Iota (Eye), Franna, Falada, and others gather with Radar. Woody and Claudia insist the wounded “snake” must be finished and press Charlie to lead. Threats remain: surviving night soldiers, Kellin, and Hana. Daylight is judged their best chance, and urgency spikes when Leah admits the moons are nearly kissing, the condition for opening the Dark Well.

Woody recounts Leah and Elden’s childhood closeness amid cruelty from Robert and the sisters, linking Elden’s gray vengeance to old humiliations. He speaks of Elsa the mermaid, whose mind-songs the children heard. Claudia explains the red cricket is the Snab, king of the small world, who escorted Radar back and revealed a secret way into Deep Maleen, proving that Empis’s magic endures.

They discuss the sky-sisters’ cycle and the belief that when they kiss, evil roams; Elden may open the Dark Well then. Claudia declares Charlie must kill Elden, while Woody warns that what once returned to the Well may not go back again—risking Empis and other worlds. Charlie accepts a hard resolve, realizing he is “no Disney prince.”

Later, Charlie waits outside with Eye, Eris, and Jaya, watching the clouds glow as the moons draw close. Leah slips from the church and rides toward Lilimar. Charlie, Eye, Eris, Jaya, and Radar follow. The Snab appears, perches on Radar, and guides them along the wall to Leah and Falada.

Charlie confronts Leah, asserts his “promised prince” claim, and shows his blue eyes. He urges Leah to lead them to the Dark Well. Leah demands a vow that Flight Killer’s fate be hers. Charlie swears on his mother’s soul. As the moons nearly meet, the pact is sealed: Leah will guide them below, and she keeps the right to face Elden.