After killing Eric in the pendulum room, Ophelia is shaken by the sight of his body and the realization that she has committed murder, even in self-defense. Blackwell pushes her to keep moving because she is close to finishing the trial. Reaching the lever wall, Ophelia learns only a few contestants have made it that far. She pulls the checked lever tied to her path, which triggers ball-and-chain shackles on every contestant, but she frees herself immediately. She then throws Cade’s crossed lever, speeding up every pendulum and making the room deadlier for everyone still behind her.

Ophelia races back across the cleared path, retrieves the odd metal tool that opens the exit, and returns to the dining hall. There she finds Luci waiting alone for Leon. Ophelia notices Luci has a fresh shoulder wound smeared with an opalescent substance and already beginning to scab, which makes Luci’s easy progress through the competition seem suspicious. When Ophelia admits she killed Eric because he tried to kill her first, Luci does not recoil; instead, she says she is glad Ophelia survived. Luci then begs Ophelia not to tell anyone about the strange injury, deepening Ophelia’s suspicion that Luci is hiding something important.

Back in her room, Ophelia cannot stop thinking about Eric’s mutilated body, so she bathes and calls for Blackwell, asking him to distract her. Blackwell initially resists because he realizes she is reacting to the trauma of the trial and does not want to be used only in moments of crisis. Ophelia pushes him, first by challenging him verbally and then by deliberately arousing herself in front of him until he gives in. They have sex, and the encounter shifts from physical distraction into emotional confession.

During their intimacy, Ophelia admits Blackwell makes her feel good, safe, and less alone, and her locket reacts to the confession. Blackwell answers that he feels less alone with her too. Ophelia nearly tells him she is falling for him, but the depth of that feeling frightens her more than the dangers of Phantasma. Once the moment passes, she abruptly pulls away, gets dressed, and insists they have become too attached.

Ophelia tells Blackwell they can no longer kiss, touch, or share a bed because relying on him is dangerous when she will likely lose him after the competition ends. She also says she wants to search for his key alone that night. Blackwell, angry but controlled, accepts her terms with a curt response and disappears, leaving their alliance emotionally strained.