Chapter 65: The Vale
Contains spoilersOverview
In the fragile peace after Luna’s devastation, Mustang consolidates military support, disbands key Gold institutions, and begins dismantling the Color order as the Ash Lord retreats to Mercury. Darrow recovers and turns toward building rather than burning, while Sefi departs to free her people.
Cassius leaves with Lysander, closing a bloody chapter. On Earth, Mustang reveals she and Darrow share a son, Pax, reframing their future and the stakes of the new world.
Summary
Weeks after Luna’s bombing and Mustang’s ascension, defections swell as Gold ships join Orion and Victra. The Ash Lord, unable to hold a fracturing fleet, withdraws to Mercury. Mustang secures the Gray Legions and Obsidians, disbands the Senate, dissolves the Board of Quality Control, and begins prosecuting crimes against humanity, even as Luna reels from riots, shortages, and radiation.
Darrow recuperates, his hand reattached by Mickey and Virany, and accepts that lasting change must be deliberate, not anarchic. Under Holiday’s supervision, Sefi departs for Mars to free the Obsidians with medicine, planning a settlement while acknowledging their inevitable assimilation. Darrow prepares to help Dancer move Reds to the surface.
Before leaving Luna, Darrow bids farewell to Cassius. Cassius rejects further politics, choosing to raise Lysander away from war. The two men reconcile, parting as brothers as Cassius departs with the boy.
Later, on a wild Earth shore, Mustang and Darrow reflect on uncertain peace and broken trust rebuilt. Mustang admits testing whether Darrow could build a world fit for her people. A landing craft arrives bearing friends and family—Kavax, Dancer, Victra, Sevro, Kieran, and Darrow’s mother—who carries a laughing, golden‑haired child. Mustang reveals the child is their son, Pax, anchoring hope and responsibility in a new beginning.
Who Appears
- Darrow
Recovering leader; endorses gradual change; reconciles with Cassius; on Earth learns he has a son.
- Mustang (Virginia au Augustus)
New Sovereign; consolidates military, dismantles Gold institutions; tests Darrow; reveals their son, Pax.
- Cassius
Rejects politics and leaves Luna with Lysander; reconciles with Darrow as brothers.
- Sefi
Departs to Mars under Holiday’s supervision to free the Obsidians and settle them.
- Lysander
Leaves with Cassius to be raised away from court and war.
- The Ash Lord
Attempts to rally his navy but retreats to Mercury amid defections.
- Dancer
Appears on Earth; prepares to lead Reds’ migration to the surface.
- Sevro
Arrives on the beach with Victra, supporting Darrow and Mustang.
- Victra
Present at the Earth gathering; her fleet saw defections to the new cause.
- Kavax
Arrives with friends and Sophocles for the family reveal on Earth.
- Darrow’s mother
Reaches Earth for the first time, carrying Pax and sharing Darrow’s joy.
- Holiday
Oversees Sefi’s mission to free Obsidians on Mars.
- Mickey
Carver who helps reattach Darrow’s severed hand.
- Virany
Assists Mickey in Darrow’s surgical recovery.
- Kieran
Darrow’s brother; arrives on Earth with their mother for the reunion.