Lysander, Pytha, and Goroth traverse Io’s hidden tunnels toward Gaia’s objective. Sensing a chance to break from Gaia, Lysander ambushes Goroth with Gaia’s razor. A brutal struggle on icy stone leaves Goroth maimed—knee and shoulder pierced, hand severed—before he vanishes back into the darkness. With his left hand mangled, Lysander leads Pytha into the Dust Cells and triggers the alarms to surrender.

Captured by Grays, Lysander presents Gaia’s razor and the Vela transponder. Dido and Seraphina confront him; field DNA confirms the severed hand is Goroth’s, validating Lysander’s account. Dido orders a silent hunt for Goroth, summoning Obsidian trackers and hounds for the tunnels, while avoiding a public clash with Gaia.

Debating strategy, Dido considers using the transponder to lure Vela into the Waste but heeds Seraphina’s warning against fracturing the family. Dido hands Seraphina the device and pivots to politics: tomorrow’s trial will clear Romulus of treason, pin only wartime negligence on him, and then install husband and wife as co-sovereigns leading the coming war.

Pressed on motives, Lysander rejects chaos, claims allegiance to order and justice, and states he did not free Romulus to avoid more Gold bloodshed. Dido withholds judgment, saying his life will be decided jointly with Romulus after the trial. Seraphina escorts Lysander back to his cell, their distrust unresolved.