Lift joins Huqin’s crew to rob Azir’s Bronze Palace on the night officials debate the next Prime. With Wyndle, a vine-like spren only she can touch, she climbs the bronze dome, uses seeds and newly learned Growth to open a window, and lets the thieves in. Ignoring the planned haul, Lift and Huqin’s nephew Gawx slip off; Lift intends to steal rich food, not valuables, while learning from Gawx about Azir’s form-driven succession.

Spotting guards at the Prime’s quarters, Lift scales a high ledge and slips inside, overhearing viziers debate applications and fear the recent killings of leaders. She slides to the banquet, but Darkness—an emotionless constable marked by a crescent on his cheek—arrives with forms to seize a “thief.” Lift flees into a bedroom, is ambushed and captured, and Darkness uses a strange caged creature to drain her Investiture. A sympathetic vizier creates a distraction; Lift eats a roll, regains power, and Slick-escapes through corridors and kitchens while Darkness and two Shardblade-wielding minions pursue.

Cornered, a minion takes Gawx hostage. Lift bets he is bluffing, but the minion slits Gawx’s throat. Darkness rebukes him for violating procedure, declaring law paramount. Lift runs, then chooses to return. Kneeling amid shocked viziers, she breathes out shimmering light and restores Gawx with a nascent Regrowth, exhausting herself.

Darkness identifies Lift as an Edgedancer and prepares to execute her, insisting justice outweighs goodness and that her arts risk calamity. Before he strikes, the revived Gawx is proclaimed Prime by viziers and scions, his “miracle” judged the ultimate application. Exercising imperial authority, Gawx pardons Lift. Darkness accepts the decree, dismisses his Blade, and departs. Spent but safe, Lift asks after the untouched dinner.