Shaken after escaping the Labyrinth, Vis enters a red-lit tunnel inscribed with large Vetusian symbols that seem to tell a story or warning. He reaches a chamber centered on a ring of inward-curving bronze blades, surrounded by an inscription promising the way to Luceum and Obiteum and hinting that only one who ends the authors of the war may transcend a limited duplication and risk “harmony” for a great sacrifice. Hoping the translation will aid his bargaining with Ulciscor, Vis steps inside.

The blades close and blaze with coursing crimson sigils, and the air congeals around Vis, crushing, then violently tearing at him until he blacks out. He wakes on the floor, blistering pain ebbing as a cloud of quivering obsidian shards shrouds the ring. Dark, armed silhouettes stand within while disembodied Vetusian voices repeat, “Complete the journey, Warrior.” A fresh wound on Vis’s arm spells WAIT. When the shards begin to whirl like a hurricane, they flense the silhouettes to mangled heaps; new letters gouge into Vis’s arm—R, then U—spurring him to flee.

Vis retreats the way he came, dons the bracer, and reconfigures the maze to sprint away from the Remnants, who cannot leave the Labyrinth. He reaches the lift and ascends, but at the top more empty-eyed figures block the stairs. The platform refuses to respond, and the voices continue their command. As Vis braces to charge, Diago—the great wolf—hurtles down the steps, ripping into the group and creating an opening. Vis sprints for the surface.

Vis reaches the triangular exit and opens it, but the slow closure allows several pursuers through. He runs into the forest, then is forced to stand and fight in a clearing as six eyeless men and women surround him. Diago ambushes them from the flank, killing with savage efficiency while Vis joins in, discovering the attackers’ unnatural strength and resistance to pain. Vis survives by targeting neck breaks; he kills two but suffers a deep bite to his left arm.

When the fight ends, bodies litter the grass and dawn is breaking. Diago, grievously wounded, crawls to Vis, who cradles the wolf’s head and thanks him. As Diago’s breathing grows ragged and fades, Vis—light-headed from blood loss and shock—slumps and loses consciousness beside his dying ally.