Darrow reels after Mustang leaves his home, tracking her signal only to discover she has ditched Sevro’s tracer. He retreats into the deep mines, where Mustang ambushes him with a scorcher and demands answers. She confirms he is a Red and presses him about Eo, his past, and his true name.

Under threat, Darrow explains his hanging and rescue via haemanthus oil, the Sons of Ares’ forged identity, and the Carver’s work that turned him Gold. He reveals that implants were removed against convention and that Titus was the other carved Red. Mustang challenges his moral claims, condemning Titus’s atrocities and questioning whether Darrow seeks genocide.

Darrow argues justice over revenge, insisting change is possible and that billions condemned to slavery outweigh the fear of revolt. He disarms, kneels, and urges Mustang to choose hope, even as she raises her weapon, convinced that sparing him will cost countless lives.

Ragnar emerges from the dark, first threatening a countdown, then rejecting violence. Illuminated, he recounts the scars and losses of his life, declares he lives for his sisters and his brother, and kneels beside Darrow in trust. Facing their faith and confession, Mustang is left with the final choice as Darrow asks her what she lives for.