Darrow awakens in darkness, believing he should see the Reds’ Waiting Place but instead finds himself buried beneath earth. Panicking, he claws free in an abandoned tunnel, discovering a raw neck wound, a battered spine, and drugged lethargy. He realizes someone interfered with his execution and suspects Uncle Narol drugged and buried him.

A rumbling tumbler arrives, and masked figures gently collect him. Inside, a woman with a shifting demon mask and a timid man confront Darrow. He identifies them as Sons of Ares; they call him “Lazarus.” The woman, Harmony, removes her mask, revealing a steam-scarred yet striking face, and tells him Ares has a mission for him.

As they rattle through forgotten tunnels toward paved roads, Darrow grieves Eo, wrestling with shame over his attempted suicide and the weight of her sacrifice. Harmony derides the incompetence of mine Tinpots and warns that Greys and Obsidians are the true threats. At a checkpoint, their pass allows easy passage, confirming the Sons’ reach and preparation.

The tumbler diverts into a dim industrial cul-de-sac marked with a strange sign. Harmony leads Darrow into a garage, declaring they are home and that it is time to meet Dancer, setting Darrow on a new path amid loss and anger.