In a dreamlike state on a moor, Darrow hears his Uncle Narol’s voice and feels himself pulled back to his body. He wakes in a medical cave in Tinos with IVs and stim nodes, and finds Narol and his frail but iron-willed mother at his bedside. Overwhelmed, Darrow embraces them, learning he has been unconscious two days.

Narol explains the escape’s cost: Boneriders devastated them in the tunnels, and Ragnar’s intervention saved Darrow’s life. Sevro and Ragnar live; Victra and Holiday are being patched up. Darrow fears implants, but Narol says they were fried by the EMP. They are in the hidden city of Ares; Ares is away with the Howlers.

Dancer arrives, confirms Darrow suffered a heart attack from the enemy’s drug, and discloses the shattering truth: Harmony betrayed the rebellion, exposing Darrow and Ares, and likely giving the Jackal the base’s location. The Jackal then staged Darrow’s execution as a Gold on the HC, causing the Sons to stop searching. Darrow’s mother admits she gave up hope; grief and guilt surface.

Dancer adds that Sevro never believed Darrow was dead. Using Theodora’s intelligence about an Olympic Knight transport, he gambled major resources to mount the rescue. When Dancer pushes for an immediate debrief, Darrow refuses for the night, choosing to be with family before returning to war.

Darrow visits a crowded dorm where he meets Kieran, Leanna, Dio, and their children. Holding Kieran and Dio’s baby softens him with memories of Eo. Later, by dim lights, Kieran describes life in Tinos and worries about his children’s future and whether Ares has a plan beyond revolt. Darrow reassures him he does, even as Narol senses Darrow’s uncertainty.