The Jackal frames the Sons of Ares as a slow, existential threat he can exploit, promising to “cure” them using his media, syndicates, and Darrow as a heroic face to behead Ares. He cites Cassius’s resurgence and impending elevation to Olympic Knight as proof that reputations can be remade, then proposes an alliance: he the scepter, Darrow the sword. Darrow calls Adrius a sociopath and names Pax’s murder, but extracts a promise that Mustang will not be harmed and, lacking options, agrees while privately vowing eventual vengeance.

The Jackal immediately sets terms: Darrow must kill Fencor au Drusilla, who is blackmailing him, to curry favor with a slighted Sovereign cousin. He will buy Darrow’s contract through a backer (with Victra brokering), and approves restoring the Howlers and bringing Sevro. He urges Darrow to take a blademaster. Their meeting is interrupted by Evey—recognized by Darrow from Mickey’s past work—posing as a syndicate Rose. The Jackal offers her as a gift; she recognizes Darrow under his Obsidian guise.

As they head upstairs, newsfeeds explode with footage of coordinated bombings across Luna. Evey hustles Darrow into a room where Reds in ghostCloaks and heavy gear decloak; she reveals they are Sons of Ares operatives sent under Harmony’s direction. She announces that Adrius murdered fifteen Sons, that she planted a bomb at his table, and that he will die within seconds. Darrow demands answers but chooses action.

Igniting his gravBoots, Darrow blasts back through the corridors toward the Jackal. The bomb detonates as Ares’s voice broadcasts, “Reap what you sow.” The Jackal’s Stained bodyguard hurls him clear and wraps his own body around the blast, whispering a final phrase as he absorbs the explosion. The assassination fails, the bodyguard likely dies, and Darrow’s choice binds him to the Jackal amid an escalating war with the Sons.