Chapter 44: The Beginning
Contains spoilersOverview
Mustang lands at Olympus with the Jackal bound and disarmed, proving her allegiance and ending the contest. As dignitaries arrive, Darrow is courted by many but privately confronted by ArchGovernor Nero au Augustus. Augustus offers power, patronage, and the Academy in exchange for silence and service, and Darrow publicly swears as his lancer.
Summary
Darrow prepares his forces on Olympus, bracing for Mustang and the Jackal to emerge from the mountains. When fliers appear, Mustang lands carrying a bound, gagged, and naked Jackal, proving she never betrayed Darrow and handing him decisive victory. Darrow suppresses the urge to humiliate House Pluto and holds formation for the arriving authorities.
While troops assemble and Proctors remain bound—save for Fitchner—Darrow notes Sevro quietly deleted a scrambled audio segment from Darrow’s confrontation with Apollo, suggesting dangerous knowledge and loyalty. Director Clintus arrives with high dignitaries, laughs at the Proctors’ disgrace, and praises the “Reaper.” Recruiters clamor for Darrow, yet he feels hollow as the game abruptly ends and the pomp of Agea looms.
ArchGovernor Nero au Augustus pulls Darrow aside, admitting he aided the Jackal and dismissing blood purity in favor of strength. He details the Bellona rivalry, laments a murdered son, and offers Darrow patronage: Pinks, Obsidians, Grays, Greens, entry to the Academy, and introduction to the Sovereign—if Darrow keeps silent and becomes his lancer.
Torn between his hidden mission and the path to power, Darrow weighs the cost of aligning with his enemy. He observes Cassius grieving with his father and spots Lorn au Arcos among the onlookers, reflecting on the power of words and the emptiness behind Gold “families.”
Choosing the ascent he needs to one day free his people, Darrow kneels. He recites the oath to Nero au Augustus, publicly forsaking his name to become Augustus’s sword. Gasps and curses ripple through the crowd as Augustus proclaims him a lancer and claims the Institute’s champion: “Rise, my son. Rise.”
Who Appears
- Darrow
Protagonist; secures victory, confronts Augustus’s offer, and publicly swears as his lancer to gain power.
- Nero au Augustus
ArchGovernor of Mars; admits aiding the Jackal and recruits Darrow as his lancer in exchange for silence.
- Mustang (Virginia au Augustus)
Returns with the Jackal bound, proving loyalty and delivering victory; contextualizes her family’s blood feud.
- Adrius au Augustus (the Jackal)
Delivered bound and disarmed by Mustang, ending his threat and the Institute contest.
- Sevro
Loyal lieutenant; deletes incriminating audio, signaling protective awareness of Darrow’s secrets.
- Director Clintus
Institute director; publicly shames the Proctors and praises Darrow’s ingenuity during the ceremony.
- Tactus
Impatient lieutenant; witnesses Mustang’s arrival and the Jackal’s capture on Olympus.
- Fitchner
Only unbound Proctor; tacitly aligned with Darrow after exposing the Proctors’ meddling.
- Roque
Reappears among Darrow’s lieutenants, present for the victory and ensuing ceremony.
- Quinn
Stands with Darrow’s lieutenants during the ceremony on Olympus.
- Nyla
Scout lieutenant who helps track movements; present at the ceremony.
- Milia
Scout lieutenant; had briefed Mustang’s approach and attends the ceremony.
- Cassius au Bellona
Observed grieving with his father; a silent reminder of the Bellona feud and Julian’s death.
- Tiberius au Bellona
Imperator of House Bellona; attends the ceremony, wary of Darrow’s rise under Augustus.
- Lorn au Arcos
Renowned Rage Knight; present among potential patrons observing Augustus claim Darrow.