Ephraim reaches the children’s cage, confronts a hostile Electra and cautious Pax, and arms them with razors while keeping the Duke as a hostage. Despite grabbing valuables—including a hidden Dalí painting—Ephraim prioritizes escape, warning the children to follow his lead.

When the antechamber door opens to a fusillade, Ephraim compels the thorns to disarm by using the Duke as a human shield. He shepherds Pax and Electra to the lifts and back through the suite toward the private patio, where the Hornet awaits. The lack of opposition signals a trap.

As Pax opens the Hornet, Gorgo snipes from a distant window, shattering glass and striking through the Duke into Ephraim. Electra returns fire while Pax helps haul Ephraim aboard. With the ramp closing, Ephraim lifts off and accelerates into Endymion’s skies, only then recognizing the severity of his chest wound.

In flight, Ephraim holocalls Holiday and the Sovereign. Virginia confirms the children live and moves to alert Victra, but Ephraim refuses to transmit coordinates, demanding Volga’s release before relinquishing Pax and Electra. The children reject involving local authorities; finally, Pax levels a razor at Ephraim and orders a course to the Citadel as Ephraim bleeds and struggles to maintain control.