In the Hall of the Gods, Bjorn exchanges veiled words with King Harald of Nordeland, who acknowledges knowing about Freya and the threat she represents as the shield maiden. Harald implies many have tried to kill her and failed, while Bjorn hints that Freya is favored by multiple gods to discourage further assassination attempts. Snorri arrives and confronts Harald directly, swearing before the statues that Skaland will unite and wage war against Nordeland in revenge for Harald stealing his son and killing his seer. Freya, angered by Bjorn's passive silence during the confrontation, calls Harald a coward, and the ground trembles—which Snorri attributes to divine favor. Before departing, Harald reveals to Freya that the spy Ragnhild died because of her, unsettling the group further.

Ylva redirects the group to their purpose: making offerings. Freya goes statue by statue, leaving silver coins and prayers—asking Njord's forgiveness for Vragi's misuse of his gift, praying to Freyja for Geir and Ingrid, and making a silent offering to Loki without requesting anything, uncomfortable with asking for a deceiver's tongue. At Odin's statue, she prays for Bjorn to be freed from the burden of his past. Meanwhile, Snorri berates Bjorn for not confronting Harald more aggressively, calling him a weapon that should inspire fear. Bjorn submits with a quiet "Yes, Father," which infuriates Freya internally.

The group retreats to a small hall Ylva wards with runes that bar entry to anyone with ill intent. Freya explains Steinunn's absence to placate Snorri, and Ylva helps Freya bathe and dress for the ritual, fitting her with a raven mask. Ylva tells Freya that Ragnar is marching from Halsar with reinforcements to ensure their safe descent. At the ritual site, hundreds gather before a stone altar under a full moon. Ylva insists Freya drink mushroom tea to bring her closer to the gods. Freya takes only a small mouthful before being led forward to sacrifice a bull.

As Freya slits the bull's throat with a bone knife, lightning splits the sky, ravens descend in swirling masses, and the air crackles with supernatural energy. A gothi marks Freya's face with the bull's blood, and a circle of hooded figures holding torches of silver fire appears around the crowd—the gods themselves manifesting on the mortal plane. A collective voice declares: "Freya Born-in-Fire, child of two bloods, we see you." The figures vanish, leaving the crowd stunned. Bjorn recovers first, raising Freya's bloodied hand and rallying the crowd to their revels. Freya, overwhelmed, vomits at the altar's edge.

Back at the warded hall, Snorri, Bjorn, and Ylva debate strategy. Snorri wants to immediately forge alliances with other jarls while the gods' appearance is fresh, while Bjorn argues that Freya is untrained for war and pushing her into battle against Harald would be reckless. Ylva sides with Bjorn's caution, urging Snorri to focus on alliances before planning invasions. Snorri departs with all the warriors, leaving Bjorn and Ylva to guard Freya. Freya lies awake, tormented by questions about why the gods chose her and what they want. She finds herself watching Bjorn sleep shirtless and, overcome by desire, begins pleasuring herself while fantasizing about him, only to freeze when he stirs and leaves the hall.

When Bjorn doesn't return and Ylva is also gone, Freya's fear escalates—she worries Harald may have captured Bjorn. She dons a mask and cloak and ventures into the wild revels to search. Unable to find Bjorn, Snorri, or any allies, she spots Tora guarding the Hall of the Gods and climbs the building's exterior to spy through a water opening. Inside, she sees Harald speaking angrily to an unseen person, catching fragments about protecting a son, Snorri, and a plan requiring trust. After Harald leaves, the other person vanishes before Freya can identify them. Freya then spots a hooded woman approaching the warded hall and watches as the figure—whom Freya believes is Ylva—is violently repelled by her own protective wards, confirming ill intent toward those inside. Before Freya can react, unseen hands yank her back into the trees.